Reflections and meditations about the Bible by Peter DeHaan, PhD.
Feed My Sheep Today’s passage: John 21:15–19 Focus verse: Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17) Right before Jesus was crucified, he predicted that Peter would deny him three times. The confident disciple was adamant it wouldn’t happen, that he was willing to go to prison […]
Avoid Complaining and Negativity If your experience is like mine, you likely know people who are chronic complainers. They seem to be always venting about something that went badly or someone who did them wrong. Negativity is their default mode, Their glass is half empty. Their nearly constant negativity makes them hard to be around. […]
Peace Be with You! Today’s passage: John 20:19–20, along with Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:36–43 Focus verse: Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19) Having spent several days focusing on Luke’s account of the pair of disciples who travel to Emmaus, we segue from Luke’s gospel back to […]
God Loves Us and His Favor Lasts a Lifetime The book of Psalms gives us glimpses into God’s character and his love for us. Though some people view God, as portrayed in the Old Testament, as angry and vengeful, a more careful read gives us a different perspective. We see his love and his patience; […]
…and the Mysterious Stranger Today’s passage: Mark 16:12–13 and Luke 24:13–18 Focus verse: As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them. (Luke 24:15) John doesn’t mention that two of Jesus’s followers make a trip to Emmaus. While Mark mentions this briefly, Luke gives us […]
Who Will Roll Away the Stone? Today’s passage: John 20:1, along with Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1–3, and Luke 24:1 Focus verse: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. (John 20:1) With the Sabbath over, Mary Magdalene can again do manual labor. She returns […]
David Found Strength in God When His Men Wanted to Kill Him When David and his men return from battle, they find that the Amalekites had raided their base, taken their families, and stolen all their belongings. David’s men are mad, and they blame him. They’re so inflamed with anger that they talk about killing […]
He Has Risen! Today’s passage: John 20:1–18 Focus verse: Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18) Jesus dies. His body is prepared for burial and his human shell is placed in a tomb. A large stone seals the entrance. But this isn’t the end. In many […]
Even If God Sets Us Up for Success, We’ll Fail If We Don’t Obey Him God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, ask for a king. This isn’t what God wants, but he gives them what they request. He gives them a king. At God’s direction, Samuel anoints Saul as king, appointing him ruler over […]
Read What Scripture Says about Jesus’s Resurrection Happy Easter! And Happy Resurrection Day! Today is the time when we remember—and celebrate—Jesus overcoming death and rising from the dead. Each gospel account of Jesus in the Bible tells us about Easter: Matthew The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that […]