At the close of his Gospel account, John describes the disciples having breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. After the tumultuous events of Calvary and the empty tomb, this may strike us an insignificant or anti-climatic event to record. Is it?

This message addresses the 'who' of prayer. We do not pray to an unknown or unknowable deity. We do not pray to an indifferent or aloof God. Rather, Christians pray to Our Father. The one who loves, creates, redeems, rescues, and renews us in Christ through his Holy Spirit. We are his  beloved children and he is our heavenly father.

Because communing with God was the goal of our creation, the story of Scripture begins with instructions on what and what not to eat. Throughout the history of salvation, the Lord signified and sealed his salvation of his people with a meal. In John 6:53-56, however, our Lord made explicit the reality was heretofore covered in shadows: what must be eaten is neither fruit nor bread but Christ himself. 

In this episode, Office Hours talks to Rev. Zach Keele about his new book, “The Unfolding Word: The Story of the Bible from Creation to New Creation.”

As the risen Christ forgives Peter and restores him to his Apostolic office and ministry, He reminds Peter and us what the foundational qualification for Christian ministry is.

This devotional commences a series exploring the Lord's Prayer. This morning we will seek to unpack the answer to the question: Why Pray? We will examine some of the challenges of prayer, as well as some of the reasons to pray. We will highlight the 'who' or prayer, as we pray to Our Father, in the Son, through the Holy Spirit: the one who loves us and is for us.

What makes Paul joyful?  It certainly was circumstances and future expectations.  Paul's boundless joy is tethered to the eternal promise of God, the same promises believers have in Christ Jesus.  

This devotional highlights Jesus' willingness and power to heal and to save. Furthermore, it reveals the heart of thanksgiving and praise which flows from a life touched by God's grace and mercy.

Peter exhorts Christians to trust in God’s sovereign plan and remain vigilant while we await our blessed hope.

This meditation reflects upon the Apostle Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus, which he planted, knows, and loves. By extension this prayer is for Christ's church and people in this present age as we await the Lord's return. Paul's prayer is bold and audacious. It is confident and comforting, knowing that the Lord is able and willing to do more than we can even ask and think.

In his 1521 translation of the Greek New Testament into German Luther used the word allein (alone) in his translation of Romans 3:28, which says, “For we reckon that a man is justified through faith apart from the works of the law.” Luther was right. He captured Paul's intent, which was to teach salvation sola fide, by faith alone.  

In this devotional we reflect upon Mary's prayer of praise to the Lord for his favor towards her and his mercy toward all of his children. Mary marvels at the word, works, and presence of the Lord, as do all who share the same faith and Lord as Mary.

The Old Covenant was a visible thing —  the priests, the altar, the animals and the blood.  The New Covenant is, in many ways, an invisible reality.  

What does it mean to ask for daily bread?   

All human boasting is subverted by the surprising grace of God's calling and election. The Christian's boasting is inverted, redirected away from ourselves toward the cruciform glory of Christ our Mediator.

This devotional examines Jesus' request to avoid the cross, if possible; coupled with his wholehearted resolve to endure the cross for his people. This is not merely an example of radical obedience, but the foundation for the forgiveness, righteousness, and reconciliation of the Christian.

This devotional unpacks Jesus' praying for Peter that his faith would not fail and the implications for us that our faithful High Priest lives to intercede for us. 

In this episode, Office Hours introduces Bradley J Bitner, Associate Professor of New Testament.

Westminster Seminary California Professor A. Craig Troxel gives a morning devotion from 1 Corinthians 13.