Roman bathhouses were a central feature of daily life across the Roman Empire. Ironically, their primary purpose wasn’t hygiene, but for serving as social hubs where people from all walks of life could relax, socialize, conduct business, and engage in various activities like eating, drinking, exercising, playing games, attending lectures, or having sensual interactions.
In this third episode of Life in the Roman Empire – Pt 3: Gladiators & Beast Hunts, a dear friend of Walking The Text, Dr. Randall Smith, explores the explosive spectacle of Gladiators & Beast Hunts in the Roman world.
The Romans were obsessed with games and sports, to the extent that athletes were treated like celebrities, and passionate fans sometimes rioted. Herod the Great was even voted President of the Olympic Games for life!
Every self-respecting city in the Roman Empire had a theatre. Yes, people loved entertainment, but the theatre was bigger than that.
During Holy Week, people all over the world remember Jesus’s words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God really abandon Jesus on the cross? Or was Jesus quoting these specific words at this specific moment for a specific reason?
“Do not judge or you too will be judged.” These well-known words are quoted by Christians and non-Christians alike, often as a shield to prevent others from speaking into their lives in ways that feel critical.
At Christian gatherings, you’ll often hear a leader say, “Jesus is present because he promised that ‘whenever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.’” Now, there’s nothing wrong with reminding people of Jesus’s presence.
Key Passage(s): 1
Jeremiah 29:11 is a crowd favorite! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Who wouldn’t want these plans? Prosperity, comfort (no harm), a hopeful future – sign us up!
Understanding the original context of a passage unleashes the power of Scripture to transform our lives. “Out of Context” is a new series designed to help us train our minds to ask better questions when we read the Bible by exploring famous passages that are frequently taken out of context.
The final song of Christmas included in Luke’s gospel comes forty days after the birth of Jesus on the lips of an elderly man named Simeon. Set in its original context, Simeon's song provides some of the most moving and inspiring words for us to consider as we launch into a new year.
During the Christmas season, we join the angels in singing “peace on earth.” But earth doesn’t always feel peaceful. In fact, it often feels really chaotic. From personal challenges to family heartaches to friends who are suffering to wars around the world, the idea of “peace” can be confusing and elusive.
Zechariah’s song (the “Benedictus” in Latin) is a potent reminder that God sees us, cares about us, and faithfully show up to us in our lives. It’s a powerful song, but as you’ll see, powerful songs come from powerful stories – usually painful ones.
Christmas songs are powerful! From hymns and carols to drumlines and choirs, few things capture the essence of Christmas like its music. Which is why in this new series, we examine the prophetic songs surrounding the first Christmas recorded in Luke’s Gospel.
In this final episode of our Flora & Faith series, we meet two biblical characters who come to the end of themselves in the same wilderness south of Beersheba. “Wilderness” is more than just a place on a map.
In the book of Judges, we meet an obscure tree that serves as a powerful illustration of what a life of faithfulness looks like. In Judges 9, Gideon’s son, Abimelech, convinces the people of Shechem to appoint him as king and then murders all his brothers, except one: Jotham.
Arguably the most recognizable tree in the land of Israel, the olive tree is known for its legendary longevity and fruitfulness. As such, it’s referenced repeatedly in the Scriptures.
Waiting on God is one of the most difficult things to do in life. In some seasons, we’re forced to wait so long it’s hard to see any redemptive purpose in it. But, in the Scriptures, the blossoming of the almond tree is a hopeful sign of better things to come.
Episode 176 – Flora & Faith Pt 2: Fruit Like a Fig Tree We’ve all read stories in the Bible that leave us wondering, “Wait! What in the world does that mean?” Jesus’s cursing the fig tree is a prime example. As one of the signature features of the landscape of the Bible, the fig tree developed deep symbolic meaning for the people of Israel.
Some of the most powerful lessons on faithfulness in Scripture come from flora illustrations. When we understand the flora behind the illustrations, we grasp the lessons at a deeper and more impactful level.
Jesus lived and ministered in a world of competing agendas, ideologies, and theologies. Nowhere was this more apparent than around the Sea of Galilee.
Before, during, and after the life of Jesus, the land of Israel was a hotbed of Jewish resistance against Rome. Located just northeast of the Sea of Galilee, the city of Gamla was a stronghold for a group called the Zealots.
As an itinerant rabbi with disciples, Jesus was dependent on the hospitality and generosity of others. So, who funded Jesus’s ministry? The answer will make you chuckle and marvel at who God uses to advance His purposes in the world.
Jesus interacted with all kinds of people. And when he crossed the Sea of the Galilee to “the other side,” it was to be with the pagans of the Decapolis.
Jesus spent an enormous amount of time in a tiny area of the Galilee we call today the “Evangelical Triangle.” Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida were home to a religious Jewish population that was passionate about following the Scriptures.
The city of Tiberias looms large over the life and ministry of Jesus because of the powerful group of Jews it represented: The Herodians.
Jesus spent 90% of his time ministering around the Sea of Galilee. Why not in Jerusalem? Why not in another part of the country? The answer is simple: Location. Location. Location.
Holy Week invites us to hold death and life in creative tension. We pause to consider Jesus’s death on the cross, but then we celebrate the new life bursting out of the empty tomb.
Most stories build to a climactic moment (Boaz redeeming Naomi & Ruth at the city gate) and then conclude with falling action. Not Ruth.
The climactic scene in the book of Ruth takes place in the city gate. Two kinsmen are poised to provide the rescue Naomi and Ruth desperately seek.
More ink has been spilled over what happens between Ruth and Boaz at the threshing floor than any other scene in the book of Ruth. That’s because Ruth 3 is loaded with sexually suggestive language.
Despite having arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi, and Ruth are still vulnerable widows dependent upon the generosity of others to meet their needs. And in a time when everyone is doing what’s right in their own eyes, that doesn’t bode well for them.
In the face of overwhelming loss, Naomi does what many of us do when we’re hurting: she isolates and cuts herself off from those around her. But Ruth embodies a dramatically different response.
One of the most beautiful and moving stories in the Bible is found in the book of Ruth. But it doesn’t start that way. Set in the times of the Judges, the story of Ruth begins in a place of famine and death.
In this final episode of Characters of Christmas, we explore a subtle, yet powerful distinction Matthew makes between Jesus and Herod that many people completely miss.
There’s a lot the Bible doesn’t say about the Magi. For example, it doesn’t say there were only three of them or that they were kings. So, who exactly were the Magi?
There are multiple aspects to the shepherds and the Christmas story in Luke 2 that we’ve traditionally gotten wrong.
Traditional Christmas pictures of Mary show a meek, quiet woman keeping watch over her infant. But the cultural implications of Jesus’s birth suggest a very different image of Mary than most of us are familiar with.
Rejected by family and then relegated to a stable on the far side of town, Mary and Joseph give birth to the savior of the world. Sound familiar? But what if that’s not how it went down at all?
In this final episode of our mini-series on David and Goliath, we’ll look at the number one reason David does what he does. In fact, David’s motivation is a key theme that shows up again and again in the Scriptures.
David and Goliath is one of the most well-known underdog stories in the world. But what if it’s not an underdog story at all? A closer look at the context reveals David isn’t an underdog (shocking, I know!).
Before there was David and Goliath, there was David and Saul. The literary design of 1 Samuel reveals a tale of two shepherds that clash at the intersection with Goliath.
David and Goliath is a story we all know. But like all stories that stand the test of time, there’s more to it than we fully understand. Before we go any further, we need to look at the original context of this beloved Bible story.
While Christians the world over celebrate Easter each year, many of us struggle to live out the transformative power of Easter the rest of the year, especially during challenging seasons.
Despite being dead to sin and alive to Christ, many followers of Jesus inevitably fall prey to excusing or rationalizing our failures. “I’m a sinner saved by grace.” This is true, but not entirely in the way we often use it.
Our final episode in the Lenses of Context series examines the brilliant and highly intentional literary background of the Bible which is key to understanding the Bible.
Languages often reveal the values of a culture, which is one of the reasons why understanding the original languages of the Bible offers important context.
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” “Seeing is believing.” “I saw it with my own eyes.” We humans are deeply visual creatures. In fact, mirror neurons in our brains give us the unique capacity to empathize and embody what we see.
The Bible often uses an economy of words to convey extremely significant information. Nowhere is this more obvious than when it comes to geography.
If you’ve ever felt confused by the Bible, chances are you’re suffering from biblical culture shock (and probably don’t even know it).
Perhaps the most frequent question we hear is, “How do I learn to read the bible to understand it in it’s original context?” That’s why we wrote a free e-book called The #1 Mistake Most Everyone Makes Reading the Bible.
Timing is everything, and no one understands this better than God. When Paul writes, “In the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son,” it’s not empty language.
The final weapon in the armor of God, and our last line of defense, is the Sword of the Spirit which Paul says is the word of God.
In the armor of God passage of scripture, when Paul connects the image of the helmet with the concept of salvation, he’s talking about deliverance. Standing firm in the midst of the battle begins with how we think.
The Roman military was one of the most formidable fighting forces in the ancient world. They routinely faced and defeated larger opponents because of their unique tactical approach to warfare: they never fought alone.
Roman military sandals were all about traction. They stabilized and grounded soldiers so they could stand firm in the field of battle. According to Paul, the gospel of peace is what stabilizes and secures a follower of Jesus.
The third piece listed in the full armor of God is the breastplate. And when Paul pairs the word breastplate with the word righteousness, he’s drawing on the Hebrew understanding that righteousness is relational.
When we’re not truthful, we become vulnerable. Paul’s description of the belt of truth as part of the whole armor of God, corresponds to the cingulum that protected a Roman soldier’s most vulnerable parts.
Paul doesn’t want us to be naïve about the fact that we’re engaged in a cosmic struggle with the forces of evil. Unfortunately, most of us are oblivious to the fact that there’s more going on than meets the eye.
When we’re nearing the finish line of anything, the temptation is to coast. But it’s the last 10% of any project that matters the most.
Comparison is the fastest way to sabotage the unique path God intends for our lives. It’s so easy to get sucked into thinking, “I’ll never be as_______ as ________.”
One of the most challenging things on the journey is trying to discern God’s will. How do you know if what you’re sensing is from God? For anyone seeking to follow God faithfully, this is the age-old question.
The Hebrew language of Psalm 37:5 offers an interesting visual for how we’re meant to live our lives. It says, “Roll onto the LORD your path, trust on him, and he will act.” The problem is most of us try to walk God’s path our way.
Following Jesus isn’t safe. It was never intended to be. And yet, many of us make decisions based on what’s safe, comfortable, and predictable. Paul understood that following Jesus didn’t come with those guarantees.
One of the classic dilemmas we all face in life is this: What does it look like to live faithfully when we’re stuck and not sure what to do? When we’re stuck, many of us do nothing as we wait on God. But maybe God doesn’t want us to do "nothing".
If God is a God of the journey and not the destination, then how do we journey well when there aren’t any roadmaps? In Paul’s first two missionary journeys, we get an idea of how to navigate life’s path when we don’t have an itinerary.
Abraham is often held up as a model of faithfulness because when God told him to go, he went. No questions. No “yeah buts.” He didn’t even know where he was going. But he started moving anyways.
What does Jesus mean in Matthew 7 when he says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you?” God is many things, but a genie in a bottle isn’t one of them.
Easter isn’t a day we celebrate. It’s a way of being in the world. It’s a posture of heart that announces, “What Jesus accomplished at the cross and empty tomb changes everything!”
The New Testament uses all kinds of words and phrases to describe Jesus and his kingdom. Savior. Son of God. Gospel. Forgiveness of sins. But these aren’t just poetic, flowery phrases.
One of the biggest problems we have when reading the Bible is familiarity. When we’re too familiar with a passage, we start believing we already know what it means.
We all want to live fully and deeply, but in order to do that we’ve got to live as Jesus lived. The problem is we don’t always understand what Jesus’s life looked like.
In the culture of Jesus’s day, one was forbidden to receive payment for the teaching of God’s Word. Which is why every rabbi had a trade or occupation.
In the Gospels, people were always commenting on Jesus’s authority. It was clear to everyone that he had it. Some marveled at it, while others scoffed at it.
Jesus walking on water is one of the best-known stories in the entire Bible. But we often miss the point because we fail to see the discipleship component at play.
Most of us love the idea of Jesus as Savior. We’re usually less enthusiastic about him being our teacher and reorienting our lives around him. But that’s precisely what it meant to be a disciple.
Christmas is a season of hope. 2020 has been a season of grief. How do we hold hope and grief in creative tension? Because when things get hard, we often feel overwhelmed.
The Jewish educational system in Jesus’s day was astounding. Growing up in that culture was about total immersion in the Scriptures. It was about learning and memorizing God’s Word so that it shaped everything you did.
One of the biggest mistakes followers of Jesus can make is believing they have Jesus figured out. How do we resist the temptation to become too familiar with him?
Sometimes the Bible speaks right to our hearts by encouraging or challenging us in just the right way. Other times, we walk away uninspired and discouraged, feeling like we didn’t get anything out of it. What do we do in those moments?
Storms are a guarantee in life. We lose jobs. Relationships end. Money gets tight. All of this can leave us feeling anxious and fearful.
There’s a lot of chaos and division right now. Racism. Politics. Wear a mask. Don’t wear a mask. How are we to respond? By watching Jesus, we’ll learn to live by leading with sacrificial love.
Things are heated right now. Tensions are high. People are on edge. And justice is the battle cry of so many. “We want justice for ________!” But what is justice?
God is a God of unity, not uniformity. As a result, diversity isn’t the aberration; it’s the expectation when it comes to the kingdom of Christ.
Life can be gut-wrenching. And when the bottom falls out, we need people who know how to hold and honor our pain.
We’re often oblivious to and annoyed by distractions and interruptions because we inhabit a culture obsessed with speed, efficiency, and productivity. But hurry is trouble for the soul.
Too often, we live with divided hearts. On the one hand, our hearts are devoted to God. Yet, on the other hand, we continue to allow places in our lives where evil and sin persist.
The idea that we don’t have enough permeates our lives. But “more” rarely delivers the contentment we’re looking for.
There are moments in life when the path ahead is unclear or downright scary, moments when everything in us wants out of the situation or circumstance we’re in. It’s only natural to ask God to rescue us or change things.
You’re not where you were, and you’re not where you’re going to be. You’re in between. Welcome to the wilderness.
The practice of grounding yourself in gratitude is essential to a life well-lived. But in the wilderness experiences of life, gratitude isn’t enough.
In Hebrew, the root word for midbar (desert) is the Hebrew word davar, which means to speak. While God is always speaking, we usually hear God best in the desert experiences of our lives. Why?
When things go wrong in life, one of the first things we feel is that we’re alone. And the social distancing and stay-at-home orders of the COVID-19 pandemic only amplify our sense of isolation.
The number 40 is hugely significant in the Scriptures. Noah. Moses. Israel. Elijah. Jonah. Jesus. It shows up again and again, and for good reason.
Honor and shame played a significant role in the cultural context of Jesus’s life and ministry and those themes find their way into his parables as well.
Two significant (but often overlooked) moments in the parable reveal there’s more than one way to be lost. It’s just as possible to be lost in the Father’s house as it is to be lost in the far country.
Sometimes people walk away from God, but few things are as painful as seeing your children walk away. Jesus’s words strike a deep chord with parents who’ve felt helpless as their children walk their own paths.
It’s easy to forget how much we’ve been forgiven. And when we do so, our relationship with God and others suffers greatly.
Right before Jesus told the Parable of the Lost Son (Prodigal), he told the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. That’s because these three parables go together.
Traditionally known as the “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” this story of Jesus has captured the hearts and minds of people for two thousand years.
