Jesus Christ Archives

September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

The Biblical Flood Story

We received a question about kangaroos on Noah’s ark. I want to share my response here because others probably have similar questions about the biblical flood story.

I think there were no kangaroos on the ark. Let me explain. The biblical evidence indicates that the flood was universal, covering the populated Earth, but not global, covering the entire globe. “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5). For that reason, God decided to send a flood to destroy the evil people, but He spared Noah and his family.

God would have had no reason to flood Australia, the North and South Poles, or the top of Mount Everest, because no people lived there. You can read the biblical flood story in Genesis chapters 6-8. After the flood, Genesis 9 tells us that God made a covenant with Noah and promised, “never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth” (verse 11). Noah’s obligation in this covenant is summarized in Genesis 9:7: “As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

Noah’s descendants failed to carry out their obligation in the covenant. Genesis 11 shows that they went only to the plain of Babylon (Shinar) and devised a plan to glorify themselves instead of obeying God’s instructions. “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4).

Because of their defiance, God was forced to find a solution while keeping His promise to never again destroy the human population with a flood. Instead, God confounded them with different languages, ending their plans and causing them to follow His instructions by scattering them “over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:9).

When you examine the biblical flood story, you can see that God had no reason to flood the entire globe, since humans were limited to a relatively small geographical area. Then why does God say in Genesis 6:17, “I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.” He does not mean every creature literally, because He commanded Noah, “You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you” (Genesis 6:19). He also did not refer to every fish and sea creature. He told Noah to take seven (or seven pairs) of every kind of clean animal (Genesis 7:2) so they could be used as sacrifices to God after the flood, as we see in Genesis 8:20.

There would not have been enough water on Earth to cover the entire globe above the height of Mount Everest. There was no need to flood areas where n o humans lived or to kill all the animals on the planet. Then why do cultures around the world have flood legends? Every person on Earth is descended from the family that survived the flood, so the story has been passed down in every culture, with modifications. The biblical flood story is the accurate account of the event that changed the entire world. In His mercy, after the flood, God gave humanity another chance while keeping His promise. He scattered the people around the globe by confounding their languages, preventing a corrupt one-world government.

Even today, God in His mercy offers each person on Earth a second chance through the sacrifice of God’s only Son. (See John 3:16-17.) Be wise and don’t pass up the grace God offers.

September 14, 2026September 13, 2026

Jesus Was Not Forecasting the Weather

In Matthew 16:2, Jesus quoted a weather slogan that shepherds and sailors used. You have probably heard it as “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.” In the culture Jesus addressed, you might substitute “shepherds” for “sailors.” Although this proverb contains some truth, Jesus was not forecasting the weather.

Science explains that ancient slogan. A red sky appears when dust and small particles are trapped in a high-pressure area and scatter blue light, making red predominant. As the Sun sets in the west and, in the mid-latitudes, the prevailing winds are from the west, that indicates a high-pressure zone is on the way, bringing fair weather. A red sky as the Sun rises in the east indicates that the high pressure has moved on and a wet or windy low-pressure system may be approaching. But, as I said, Jesus was not forecasting the weather.

Jesus had just fed over 4,000 people by the Sea of Galilee with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish (see Matthew 15:29-38). Then He got into a boat and went across to Magadan on the other side of the lake. There, His adversaries, the Pharisees and Sadducees, tested Him by asking for a sign to prove that He was really from God. Jesus responded by quoting that weather proverb. Then He called them a “wicked and adulterous generation.” He told them that He would give them no sign except for “the sign of Jonah.” What is the sign of Jonah?

The point Jesus was making was that there would be a very special sign, a miracle, to show that He was from God. Jesus had performed many miracles, including the recent feeding of more than 4,000 people with a tiny amount of food. No sign was going to convince the Pharisees of His divine nature. The special sign to come would be the only miracle Jesus ever predicted in advance. Jesus was not forecasting the weather or trying to impress the Pharisees. Without further explanation, Jesus left the questioners and walked away.

But what is the sign of Jonah? Go back a few chapters to Matthew 12:38-40. Jesus had just restored a man who was blind and mute, but the Pharisees accused Him of doing this by the power of the devil. Unsatisfied with the miracle Jesus had just performed, they challenged Him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” Jesus replied that He would give them no sign “except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then He explained what that sign is. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Jesus was predicting His resurrection from the grave. This was much more important than the daily weather. In both instances described in Matthew 12 and 16, Jesus had just performed a miracle when the Pharisees asked for a sign from heaven. Jesus knew they wouldn’t pay attention to any miracle He could show them. Only one miracle would impact Jesus’ disciples, making them fearless messengers who risked their lives to take the message of the resurrection to the world. There would be nothing the Pharisees and Sadducees could do to stop it. Neither can today’s enemies of Jesus Christ stop the message of the resurrection. Jesus was not forecasting the weather, but predicting something that would change the world.

Reference: metoffice.gov.uk

September 9, 2026September 8, 2026

How the World Ought to Be

In his book Unanswered, Jeremiah Johnston wrote that the number-one reason people walk away from faith in God is experiencing an unexpected personal tragedy. He described interviewing atheists who had once been believers. They told him that the reason they doubt the existence of God is “the world is not as it ought to be.” That raises the question of how the world ought to be and how we can know.

As Johnston wrote, stating that the world is not as it ought to be “infers a standard of objective worldwide virtue and goodness.” Where does that standard come from? From an atheist viewpoint, where could it come from? If the world is a cosmic accident that just happened and we are an evolving collection of molecules we call life, what is the criterion for deciding how the world ought to be? Who gives us the right to make that judgment?

Why should we expect anything good in this world? How can we define good, and how can we know the difference between good and evil? Skeptics can’t accept the idea of a God who cares when there is so much evil in the world. The question is: how can there be evil unless there is good, and how can there be good without God? What is the atheist using to define evil—or good?

Going beyond the existence of good and evil, why is there love? What is the source of love? Nobody can truthfully say that there is no such thing as love. The Bible tells us that God IS Love. (See 1John 4:8 and 16.) Love comes from God, in whose image we are made. God is also good, and without goodness, how can we define evil?

Yes, the world is not what it ought to be, but we cannot deny God’s existence because of that fact. Evil is obvious because good exists. Good and love exist because God exists. When someone asks why God allows evil, remember that evil exists because humans allow it. It is humans who have brought evil into the world, and it is up to the followers of Jesus to combat that evil with love.

We must begin by accepting God’s love, demonstrated by the sacrifice of His Son. When we become followers of Jesus Christ, we can share God’s love with others. Love and goodness, which come from God, can overcome the problem of evil. Those who deny the existence of God have no basis to know how the world ought to be.

August 20, 2026August 17, 2026

Sardis: Dead Faith or Victorious Faith

In chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation, Jesus addresses seven churches in Asia Minor, today’s Turkey. Archaeology in modern Turkey has uncovered artifacts in the ruins of those ancient cities, including Sardis.

Sardis was one of the seven cities Jesus addressed, and archaeologists recently uncovered a statue of a young man with well-preserved details. The statue is more than seven feet tall and dates to the fifth century B.C. Because it was buried face down, the face’s details were preserved. Although the statue was carved 2,500 years ago, during the Roman period it was used as part of street paving, with its back and the back of its head serving as paving stones. Details of the clothing are visible, and he appears to be holding a fruit in his hand.

Sardis was once the capital of the Lydian Kingdom and later became an important city in the Persian Empire. In the first century, when Revelation was written, it was part of the Roman Empire known as Asia Minor. Sardis was home to a Christian church that Jesus addressed in Revelation 3:1-6.

Jesus told the church in Sardis that they had a reputation for being alive, but they were dead. He said, “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die.” He calls for them to obey and repent. Jesus reminded them that they did not know when He would come, but it was certain and would be like a thief taking them by surprise.

What would Jesus say to the Church today? He told the church in Sardis that a few people had not “soiled their clothes,” and they would walk with Him dressed in white. To those who overcome the world (are victorious in their faith), Jesus said He “will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and His angels.”

Today, when our faith in God is tested by things of the world, Jesus encourages us to have a victorious faith. No matter how bad things may seem, God is still in control.

Reference: foxnews.com

August 5, 2026August 4, 2026

The Courage to Help Someone in Need

Americans are a culture of cowards. We should have the courage to help someone in need. What do we feel when we see a homeless person, or someone on a street corner holding a cardboard sign that says, “Need Food”? Of course, some people make a business of begging and have no real need, but we cannot let that fact keep us from doing what Jesus called His followers to do.

Matthew 9:35-36 tells us: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages …healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” What is your reaction to needs? In Michael Clemen’s book Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus, he points out that real Christianity is doing what Jesus would do. James 2:14-26 points out that faith without compassion is useless (verse 20). Our faith must have feet. Going to a building where you sit in a pew once a week is not what being a Christian is about. Clemens calls that “Churchianity.”

Every person we read about in the Bible who was converted to Christ had the courage to help someone in need. In Acts 9, Dorcas was making garments for the needy. In Acts 16, Lydia opened her home for people who needed lodging, including Paul. Throughout the book of Acts, Barnabas was an encourager. Today, the opportunities for service include caring for people who can’t care for themselves, helping care for children, or getting groceries or medicine for a shut-in. If you have the skills, it might be maintaining or repairing a vehicle for someone who can’t afford it. It could even be visiting or using your phone to encourage someone who needs a friend.

A living, dynamic faith is a faith of action. Read James 2:14-26 and be like Christ. Jesus was not a wimp, and neither can His followers be.

July 23, 2026July 20, 2026

The Human Nature of Christ

The biblical description of the human nature of Christ shows Him to be very much like us. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way as we are – yet without sin.” Also, 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that we don’t face anything today that is not common to mankind.

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is God, yet it describes the human nature of Christ. John’s gospel begins by saying that the Word created all things, and verse 14 says, “The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.” That means that God knows what we endure, and, unlike the ghosts and spirits of pagan religions, the God we read about in the Bible went through what we go through.

We see the human nature of Christ as He experiences what humans do. We see Jesus frustrated with humanity and needing time alone (John 6:15). We see Him frustrated with Peter’s lack of faith, which caused him to sink after he had just seen the power of Christ (Matthew 14:31). In Matthew 14:26, when the disciples saw Christ walking on the water, they resorted to a pagan explanation, saying it was a spirit they were seeing.

Jesus needed time in prayer, just as we do (Luke 22:41-42). He experienced human fatigue, as seen in John 4:6 when He sat at the well in Samaria, and again in Matthew 8:24-25 when He slept through a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Christ was exposed to sexual temptations as a group of women who supported His work traveled with Him (Luke 8:1-3). In John 11:1-44, we read of Jesus having a close relationship with Mary and Martha. Jesus had strong family interactions, as seen in the exchange with His mother at the wedding feast at Cana (John 2:3-4) and when His mother and brothers tried to interfere with His ministry (Matthew 12:46-50). Jesus felt physical pain, as seen in the crucifixion.

The question is how you and I view Christ and respond to Him. Can you see the human nature of Christ? Do you see Him as a mystical non-human or as a brother and a friend who can relate to your struggles in life?

April 2, 2026April 1, 2026

The Crucifixion of Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol

In June 1968, during excavation in Jerusalem to build apartments, archaeologists discovered a first-century Jewish burial site. One significant find from that excavation relates to the crucifixion of Yohanan Ben Ha‘galgol.

Jewish burial customs in the first century included the use of ossuaries. An ossuary is a limestone box, often with ornate carvings, used to hold the bones of a deceased. They typically had the name carved into them. After the initial burial and decomposition, the bones would be collected and placed into the ossuary to save burial space. At this Jerusalem site, archaeologists uncovered the remains of 35 Jews. They apparently died around AD 70, during the Jewish uprising against Rome, with evidence of violent deaths caused by beating, starvation, burning, or arrow wounds.

One man, estimated to be 24 to 28 years old and about 5 feet 7 inches tall, had been crucified. His bones still bore a 7-inch spike driven sideways through the heels, with small pieces of wood attached. Nails had also been driven through the radius and ulna bones near the hands. The radius bone, in particular, was scratched and worn smooth where the nail passed through. During crucifixion, victims had to pull themselves up to breathe, then fall back exhausted until, lacking the strength to continue, they would suffocate. This movement had apparently worn the ulna bone in Yohanan’s case. We know his name because it was carved into his ossuary.

Yohanan’s leg bones were broken—his left tibia and fibula, and his right tibia—likely struck by a single blow. According to John 19:31-35, Roman soldiers would sometimes break the legs of crucifixion victims to hasten death. In Jesus’ case, they didn’t have to break His legs because He was already dead, confirmed by the spear thrust into His side.

Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol’s crucifixion confirms that Romans nailed victims through the heels or feet and wrists, causing agonizing death by suffocation over several hours. Sometimes, bodies were left on crosses for days as an example for others. At other times, soldiers broke the legs to speed up death—not for the victim’s benefit, but to expedite the crucifixion process.

Nearly two millennia later, Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol’s crucifixion helps us better understand what Jesus endured on the cross. Before crucifixion, Jesus had suffered a beating and blood loss, nearly to death, and a crown of thorns pressed on His head, causing blood to stream over His face. But His greatest anguish was when He cried out, “God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Being separated from the Father for the first time in eternity is beyond our understanding, but we know He endured it all for us.

April 1, 2026March 31, 2026

The Last Supper and What It Means to Us

Everyone is familiar with Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, The Last Supper. The painting shows the moment after Jesus revealed to His apostles that one of them would betray Him. We see each apostle’s reaction. Leonardo divided the twelve into four groups of three.

On the far right of Jesus, we see Bartholomew, James (the son of Alphaeus), and Andrew with surprised looks. Next is Peter, holding a knife that perhaps he would later use to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. He leans over to John, the youngest apostle, who seems to have swooned, perhaps telling him to ask Jesus who the betrayer is. Judas, leaning forward between Peter and John, holds the money bag and reaches for the same loaf of bread Jesus is reaching for.

On Jesus’ left side, we see Thomas, James (the brother of Jesus), and Philip. Thomas looks to be questioning what Jesus just said about betrayal. James appears stunned, while Philip seeks clarification. On the far end of the table, we see Matthew, Jude (Thaddeus), and Simon the Zealot. Matthew and Thaddeus are looking at Simon. Did they suspect him?

Leonardo spent a lot of time walking around Milan looking for ordinary individuals to model the faces of the apostles. After all, the apostles were just ordinary people. Does the painting accurately show the real setting of the Last Supper? Probably not. The Bible says they gathered in a large above-ground room (Mark 14:18). It might have been the same place where Jesus appeared to them a week after His resurrection. The painting depicts a banquet hall with all the men seated on one side of a long table covered with a white cloth with blue stripes, and each man has a glass and a plate. In the first century, it was common to follow the Roman custom of reclining on a U-shaped arrangement of lounges called a triclinium around a small table.

Does the painting accurately show the apostles’ immediate reactions? We have no way of knowing, but it’s interesting to think about. If you were one of the apostles, how would you have reacted? Would you be shocked to learn your friend and teacher was about to be betrayed and killed? Would you want to know who the betrayer was? Could it be you?

Jesus told His apostles what was ahead to prepare them for the grief they would soon face. At the Last Supper, He also gave them the symbols of a loaf and a cup, to remind them whenever they gathered of His sacrifice — His body and blood. It also reminds us “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26) that everything happened according to God’s plan to redeem all who accept His gift of grace through Jesus Christ.

Reference: Wikipedia.com

January 19, 2026January 17, 2026

The Curse of Minimalism

OK, you may not find “minimalism” in your dictionary, and Alexa didn’t like it. However, it is a problem in today’s world and an issue that Jesus Christ addressed. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, and mind.” In today’s world, that kind of statement is frowned upon by many people. We hear things like: “Do I have to go to church to be saved?” “How much do I have to give when the collection plate passes?” “Am I going to hell if I drink a beer?” etc. Questions like these show a very poor understanding of what Christianity is all about and a great ignorance of what the Bible teaches. That is what I mean by the curse of minimalism.

Minimalism can also be destructive in other areas of our lives. How many of us would think or say, “What is the least I can do to have a happy marriage?” What would be the result if a parent does the minimum required in parenting? What happens in the workplace when employees do only what’s necessary to get by? Every manager or business owner knows how harmful attitudes like that can be.

The biblical teaching is very clear about the importance of avoiding minimalism. In ancient Israel, everyone was expected to set aside one day each week for prayer, study, and worship. The Sabbath was not a day of sleep, but a day away from the demands of everyday life. Imagine the impact of a person spending one-seventh of their time in service to others. We all have 168 hours each week, and one-seventh of that is 24 hours, or nearly 4 hours each day dedicated to serving others. The remaining 20 hours could be used for work, sleep, eating, and doing things we enjoy.

Most of us don’t really know what we do with our time. Try budgeting your time for a week. Set aside time to serve God and others, and make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, work, do chores, and enjoy your hobbies. You will find great rewards in escaping the curse of minimalism and in appreciating the gift of time that God has given us.

December 19, 2025December 15, 2025

Happiness Comes from Giving, Not Possessing

One in every 10 households in the United States rents a self-storage unit. The big question is whether having that much stuff has made Americans happier than people in other cultures. Happiness comes from giving, not possessing.

Brenda and Mark Young, writing in the August 6, 2025, issue of Power for Today, describe their work in Honduras and how much happier the people there are compared to typical Americans. Those Hondurans didn’t have electricity, toilets, or running water in their homes, yet they amazed visitors with their joy. Their happiness came from the time they spent with family and friends, building strong, rich relationships. Their wealth comes from their relationships with people, not with things.

In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus is sitting opposite the temple treasury, watching as people make their donations to the temple. The wealthy are making a show of giving large amounts, but Jesus sees a poor widow who puts in two mites. That is not even enough to buy a sparrow, so two mites are insignificant as far as material goods are concerned. The poor widow gave wholeheartedly of all she had. God isn’t impressed by the amount a person gives. He looks for the heart behind it.

We overestimate the importance God places on our giving. If every Christian on the planet were to stop giving entirely, God’s work would still get done. Our giving is not for God’s benefit, but rather for ours. Our giving enriches our marriages, our kids, our friends, and our jobs when we have a heart to give. My parents were atheists, and to them, the material goods they acquired were the most important things in life. They were not happy people, and our family was in constant conflict because of their obsession with acquiring things.

Church work suffers when we decide what God wants us to build, then mount an all-out campaign to raise enough money to build it. What we need to do is look for the doors that God opens for us and do what God provides for us to do. Building enormous structures and hiring talented preachers to entertain us while people in the neighborhood are without food, medicine, and adequate shelter is not what Jesus taught us to do. Happiness comes from giving. Read Mark 12:41-44 again and pray about how your giving shows God where your heart is.