Aaron Simms's Blog, page 14

Not Abandoned

Have you ever gotten to the point in your life where you feel you just can’t go on?  I think we all have times like this.  Maybe someone has hurt you.  Maybe the pressures of life and work and family are starting to wear you down.  Maybe you’re bearing the burden of some particular sin.  We all have been in situations like this.

The disciples in the reading from chapter 14 of John’s Gospel are undergoing a similar stress.  They’ve been with Jesus for three years, but now (in the previous chap...

Throwback Thursday #tbt – My Trip to Russia in 2012

(Note: I originally wrote this article in summer 2013.)

In March 2012, I had the opportunity to go to Russia for a week for work.  In college, I had studied the Russian language for a couple of years and I have read a lot about Russian history and culture, so it was very exciting to finally get to go there!

I was a little nervous before I went, because one of my friends had been to Russia a few weeks before me and had accidentally overstayed his visa, so he was not allowed to leave.  He didn...

The Flock and the Door

If you went to church today, how did you enter into the church?  I don’t mean in the spiritual sense, like “through Baptism,” but how did you actually enter into the building?  Did you tunnel in through the roof?  Did you crawl through a vent?  Did you cut through the stone and drywall?  No, you entered in through the door, because the door is how you would expect to enter into the building; it’s the entry point that has been determined for coming in.

Likewise, Jesus compared himself to the d...

About Me and the Blog

When I started this blog, I created a number of categories such as “Book Reviews,” “Historical Info,” “Travel,” “Thoughts on Life,” and others.  However, I find that I hardly ever create posts for these categories, instead focusing on theological themes.  I enjoy posting about theology, but want to also start posting about other things which interest me and which might interest you as well, or at least provide you the opportunity to hear about something new.

My plan, then, is to continue to p...

The Road to Emmaus – Luke 24:13-35

In Luke 24:13-35 it’s still Easter Sunday, like it was last week and the week before, each week’s readings focusing on a different aspect of Jesus’ resurrection.  On our Easter Sunday, we celebrated his resurrection as the triumph over death that it is.  Then, last week we talked about how Jesus has poured out the Holy Spirit upon us.  The Holy Spirit witnesses to Christ’s death and resurrection, and we have been born again by the Holy Spirit into a living hope that is centered in Jesus Chris...

Witnesses of a Living Hope

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  These are Jesus’ words to the apostle Thomas as recorded in John’s Gospel (John 20:19-31).  The apostle Peter reiterates this sentiment in his first epistle, noting that those to whom he writes love Jesus and believe in him, even though they have not seen him (1 Peter 1:3-9).  Indeed, they rejoice with joy in their faith in Jesus Christ.

Indeed, we “are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” believing and loving Jesus, eve...

Easter Sunday – He is Risen!

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!

That’s the reason we’re celebrating Easter today isn’t it?  We’re celebrating because Jesus “has risen, as he said.”  He instituted his Lord’s Supper on Thursday, was crucified on Friday between two criminals, brought down from the cross before night fell, placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, and then rested in the tomb on Saturday, the Sabbath.  Then, on Sunday, the first day of the week, he rises from the dead and lives.  He is Risen!

Now,...

Good Friday – “It is Finished”

The Apostle John records (John 19:30):

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished’, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” 

Prior to the intrusion of sin into the world, God had walked in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve and gave them a way to respond to His love through worship.  For He gave Adam and Eve dominion over all the earth and allowed them to eat of the fruit of the tree of life in the midst of the garden, but instructed them not to eat of the tree...

Holy Thursday – The Blood of the Covenant

In the Old Testament, after God made His covenant with the people of Israel, it was sealed with the blood of a sacrifice.  After reading God’s Word to the people, Moses threw the sacrificial blood on them, declaring, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words” (Exodus 24:3-11).  The blood was the guarantee that God would uphold His promises.

God’s promises were ultimately pointing to the Christ, the promised Messiah who would redeem si...

The Last Week – Palm Sunday

This is the final week.  We’ve reached Holy Week at the end of this Lenten season in which we have been preparing for Holy Thursday, Good Frida, and Easter Sunday.

This preparation is something that our Lord Jesus Christ did as well.  His whole purpose in coming to us in the flesh leads up to this Holy Week.  Indeed, God’s promises throughout the Old Testament lead up to this week, when Jesus will die for us by being raised up on the cross.  It’s going to be a tough week for Jesus.  He says i...