1) Who are you?

In the second century before Christ, the Jewish people lived under the control of two Greek principalities, one in Egypt and the other in Syria. They were the descendants of general Alexander the Great who had brought the entire Middle East into contact with Greek culture. Between 170 and 164 B.C., a terrible war raged in Israel between people who wanted to go along with the new era and make Jerusalem a Greek city, and the orthodox Jews, the Maccabees.

2) Who are You?

During Hanukkah, Jesus is still in Jerusalem. People not only reflect on the time when the Temple was desecrated, but also remember the terrible king who had put his statue in the Temple. It has become a feast in which resistance to foreign rulers is stirred up. In the time of the Gospel, this was the Roman Empire. In these Bible verses we read that Jesus was in the Temple and they asked Him the following question: Are You the Anointed One, the King that God has promised or are You an imposter, just as terrible as all those other people who want to rule over us?

3) Does everything stay the same?

When you read the first sentences of the book of Ecclesiastes, it almost makes you hopeless. The future is like the wind. Sometimes it blows from this angle and sometimes from that angle, but in the end there’s hardly any change. We have already experienced everything that is coming. You can hope all you want but everything remains the same! It is not exactly a Bible passage that helps us to look to the future and hope. But the wise men of Israel take a different view.

4) In the beginning was the Word

The beginning of John's Gospel is like a creation story. And actually, it is. The coming redemption is a return to the beginning of creation. You could say that God is on His way to the first page of the Bible, right across the history of the world.

5) The Word made flesh

Soon, John will tell us who Jesus is. He is the promised prophet, the Messiah, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the King of Israel and the Son of Man. But first He tells us that He is the Son who is 'in the bosom of the Father'. This phrase not only testifies to the enormous intimacy between the Father and the Son, but also points to the authority of Jesus, to His power. Later, John will tell us that he was 'leaning on Jesus' bossom' (John 13:23).

6) Serve the best wine last

What Jesus does at the wedding in Cana is not just a miracle, it is a sign! At the deeper layer, it is about the relationship between God and His people, Israel. The wine has run out. It seems that Israel is stuck on the road of salvation history. Someone from Esau sits on the throne, Herod. There are also many problems with the High Priest. There are even two of them: Annas and Caiaphas. The people are divided, not to mention the Roman occupation.

7) Sin no more

What exactly did the lame man do wrong? Was it that he walked through Jerusalem on the Sabbath with his mattress? Or is it something else. The present Bethesda that you can visit is an ancient ruin from the time of the Byzantines.

8) Bread from heaven

Just as God gave Israel bread from heaven in the time of Moses, Jesus also distributes bread to the people who followed Him and are now hungry. In the Bible, bread has a deeper meaning. It is the image of the wisdom that comes from God (Proverbs 9:5) and of the Torah. Jesus is the Word made flesh, which God gives from heaven in the end times. He is the true manna. Hereafter, Jesus will explain this and He will say that people must eat Him. This sounds strange when you first hear it, but what He means is that people should allow Him into their lives. We may live by His faith and by His love of the Father, by His devotion and by His Spirit.

9) Water from the rock

Monday 6 December John 7: 37-39 During the Feast of Tabernacles, we find the Lord Jesus in the Temple in... Lees meer

10) Light of the world

At the Feast of Tabernacles, four huge lampstands were lit in the Temple square, casting their light over the city in the evening and night. They were a reminder of the column of fire that accompanied the Israelites in the desert. As a guide but also as a covering against the cold of the nightly desert (see 1 Corinthians 10:1).

11) I am the good Shepherd

In this short passage from John 10, we learn about the aspects that make Jesus a good leader. He watches over us. He knows us and knows who we are. He is willing to sacrifice His life for us. Jesus has a deep relationship with the Father in heaven and He searches those who are lost.

12) Father, I thank You

Yesterday, we read about the similarities between Jesus and Joshua, the new shepherd who will lead Israel. Joshua is appointed as he stands face to face with the new high priest Eleazar, the son of Aaron. Eleazer is the Hebrew name for Lazarus.

13) It is not just about us

The news that Jesus had raised a dead person spreads like wildfire through Bethany and Jerusalem. For many people, this is the proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah. With the resurrection of the dead, the end times have begun. At this point, the Sanhedrin convenes and expresses its concerns. If the performance of signs by Jesus leads to a large popular movement with all kinds of ideas about the coming of a new king, the council foresees a confrontation with the Roman occupiers.

14) Who is a King like Him?

Yesterday, Isaiah was already mentioned, and in the coming days of Advent we will look at his prophecies about the coming of the Messiah even more. The portrayal of the future is beautiful. All the struggles and tribulations are over for God's people and what prevails is deep joy. This is what the angels will say at the birth of the Lord Jesus (Luke 2:10): Great joy for all the people.

15) He will judge

The Messiah whom we expect will also be the ruler who will judge the world. There is so much injustice in the world. In big ways, but certainly also in small ways. There is so much suffering that is inflicted on people. It is perfectly understandable that people sometimes sigh: 'If there is a God, why does this happen?’ It is a complaint that we also find in the Bible.

16) Unity

The devil and the powers of darkness bring confusion and division. This is what the enemy is doing in our time as well. In fact he has always done so. However, in the days of the Messiah, those divisions will be removed and healed. Then all the lost tribes of Israel will return. Then the old rivalry between Judah and the other tribes, which we see in biblical history, will also disappear.

17) Unity (2)

Not only the children of Israel but also the nations will be gathered to welcome the Messiah. Isaiah had previously prophesied about the worldwide peace that would come. The nations would turn their swords into plowshares and stream towards Jerusalem (Isaiah 2).

18) An immovable rock for all the nations

Yesterday, we read about the coming banquet where the nations will raise their glasses to the Messiah. Jesus Himself had told His disciples that He would only drink the wine with them again in His Kingdom.

19) See, darkness covers the earth

Before the Lord Jesus returns, darkness will cover the earth and darkness is over the peoples. When we think of darkness, we must first think of moral decay. Many people will exclude God from their lives and go their own way. Doing what is right in their own eyes. And without realising it, they will be without God and under the influence of the prince of darkness.

20) Then all your people will be righteous

The future we are eagerly looking forward to will also be wonderful for Israel. Of course, it will be adorned with glory. Jerusalem, the footstool of God's throne, will be magnificent. The nations will recognise the nature of Jerusalem, which is nothing less than the city of God, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

21) And they will call Him Immanuel

Joseph must have been very confused when he found out that Mary was expecting a child. However, he was not only a righteous but also a loving man, as we can see from the fact that he wanted to leave his fiancée quietly. This is what we should stress when we read this, 'quietly'. He did not let it come to an official court hearing, which was customary in those days.

22) To turn the hearts of the parents to their children

The birth of John shows that it is important to approach the coming of the Lord Jesus consciously. The son of Zechariah and Elisabeth must call God's people to repentance. The people must be ready when the Messiah comes. John the Baptist will be like Elijah, the prophet from the time of Ahab and the wicked Jezebel.

23) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever

The encounter of the angel Gabriel with Mary was a favourite subject in art. Just think of the well-known 'Ave Maria' (Hail Mary). What few people realise, is that a prophecy from Zephaniah resounds in the background: 'Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!’

24) He has brought down rulers from their thrones

Tuesday 21 December   Luke 1:39-56 ‘He has performed mighty deeds with His arm’ Luke 1:51 Mary’s Song of Praise reminds... Lees meer

25) To rescue us from the hand of our enemies

There was a time when I found it difficult to preach on Zechariah's Song. For some reason, it was a little distant. Fortunately, there was verse 77. It is about the knowledge of salvation and forgiveness of sins. And that verse will probably be read most often during the days of Advent.

26) Come to stay with us forever

Just imagine being that innkeeper. For centuries to come, Christians will remember that you kept the door shut for Joseph and Mary, which meant that Jesus had to be born in an old stable among the sheep. By the way, you might wonder why Luke mentions this incident, almost casually, with half a sentence: There was no room for them at the inn.

27) All will culminate in God’s Kingdom

We are approaching the feast of the birth of Christ. And we celebrate it in a remarkable time. What a pity that there are so many constraints and that we miss a bit of the atmosphere and the warmth of the feast. There are some brothers and sisters who have a pessimistic view and they wonder what is yet to come. We also see how Israel is constantly threatened by terror and countries like Iran.