John 16:1-15
What is love? Take a minute and think about how you would define love.
Is it the warm feeling you get when someone special is next to you? Does it come and go, causing pain? Or is it the wonder a parent feels looking at their newborn child?
Poets, song writers, authors and lovers have used thousands of words to try and define love, and yet they come up short in comparison to the true love that Christ exhibited. For Christ love was an action, not a fleeting feeling, better described in 1 Corinthians 13, "...Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy...does not behave rudely...thinks no evil...rejoices in truth...".
This scripture is overflowing with concern and love. Out of love, Christ shares the persecution to come with His disciples. He doesn't want them to be caught off guard, He wants to be the One to tell them and prepare them. When my daughter was in elementary school a group of girls decided to fill her in on "the facts of life". She came home and asked me why I hadn't shared these important "facts". It saddened me that I hadn't prepared her with truth before others misinformed her. Jesus shared the facts with His disciples, and by telling them the truth they were prepared for lies that would've grieved them; "You say Jesus loved you, well why did He leave you here alone to face beatings and death?" How much worse it would've been to struggle with doubt in the middle of their trials!
In love Christ tells them that He will send the Helper to them. He is referring to the Holy Spirit that would abide in them. The Spirit would guide them into truth, glorify Christ in the same way Christ had glorified God, and take of what was Christ's and declare it to them. The Holy Spirit couldn't come, though, until Jesus had died, been resurrected to life and returned to Heaven. So, Jesus tells His disciples that it is to their advantage that He leaves. Jesus, confined by His human body, walked and taught each day in the same geographical locations. The Holy Spirit didn't face those restrictions and would be present with all who believed in Christ, all the time.
Christ loved His disciples so much, that He was able to say, "I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away...". True love is selfless.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, attempted to give us an idea of the love Christ has for us, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
However life experience has caused you to define love, please think about this - All "love" pales in comparison to the true love Jesus Christ has for you!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Persecution
John 15:18-26
Persecution.
"The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship."
Jesus prepared His disciples for what would happen next. Once Christ was crucified, they too would be hated and hunted by religious leaders, men who were convinced that they were keeping the law. The persecution would spread beyond the religious community and soon, the government would also see them as criminals. Believers would be stoned to death, beheaded, crucified, used as human torches because they trusted in Christ.
The story of one man's persecution, Stephan, is found in Acts 6:9-7:60. He was seized after false accusations were made against him. Stephan's answer to his accusers is a beautiful recitation of God's work in the lives of the patriarchs and His chosen people - Israel. His words are accepted up until the point where the rejection of Christ, His betrayal and murder are laid at the feet of the religious leaders. The leaders, cut to the heart, take Stephan out of the city and stone him. We are told that Stephan was full of the Holy Spirit, and though being persecuted even to death, he called on God, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin."
"A servant is not greater than his master", Jesus had shared. Stephan, the servant of Christ, was treated as his Master. He was falsely accused, and murdered. And like his Master, he also asked God to forgive those persecuting him.
As much as joy and the love of Christ are part of a believer's life, so is persecution. We should expect it - Christ told us it was coming!
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12
Persecution.
"The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship."
Jesus prepared His disciples for what would happen next. Once Christ was crucified, they too would be hated and hunted by religious leaders, men who were convinced that they were keeping the law. The persecution would spread beyond the religious community and soon, the government would also see them as criminals. Believers would be stoned to death, beheaded, crucified, used as human torches because they trusted in Christ.
The story of one man's persecution, Stephan, is found in Acts 6:9-7:60. He was seized after false accusations were made against him. Stephan's answer to his accusers is a beautiful recitation of God's work in the lives of the patriarchs and His chosen people - Israel. His words are accepted up until the point where the rejection of Christ, His betrayal and murder are laid at the feet of the religious leaders. The leaders, cut to the heart, take Stephan out of the city and stone him. We are told that Stephan was full of the Holy Spirit, and though being persecuted even to death, he called on God, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin."
"A servant is not greater than his master", Jesus had shared. Stephan, the servant of Christ, was treated as his Master. He was falsely accused, and murdered. And like his Master, he also asked God to forgive those persecuting him.
As much as joy and the love of Christ are part of a believer's life, so is persecution. We should expect it - Christ told us it was coming!
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
JOY - Jesus, Others and You!
John 15:11-17
Years ago a friend gave me a necklace with a pendant that had three small pictures enameled on it. The first one was a cross - to represent Jesus. The second was a group of people- to represent others, and the third was a single person - meant to represent you. It was a picture of the acrostic for JOY - Jesus, Others, then You.
Faith in Christ and obedience to His command to abide in Him produces the fruit of joy in our lives. Joy is different than happiness. Happy is determined by our circumstances, as they change so do the feelings of happiness. Joy is a gladness that lasts even through troubled times. I think of happiness as an emotion that is trying to be joy, without abiding in Christ! To know joy, we must put Jesus first!
Christ then directs us to love one another as He loved us. How exactly did He love us? "...in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) He didn't love us because we were worthy of love. This is usually our measurement for loving, "Is this person worthy of my love?", "Should I spend my time caring for someone that may never love me in return?". Jesus loved us, even though He knew that we were unworthy, and that many would never love Him in return - never care that He died for their sins. This is the kind of love we are called to have for others, a selfless love.
And last on the acrostic - you. Christ only asks that we abide in Him, and in doing that He will give us the strength to love selflessly as He's commanded. We will bear the "fruit" of the Spirit; love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Our part in the "you" of joy is very small, but if we don't do our part and abide in Him then we will never experience the joy that He wants us to have!
Years ago a friend gave me a necklace with a pendant that had three small pictures enameled on it. The first one was a cross - to represent Jesus. The second was a group of people- to represent others, and the third was a single person - meant to represent you. It was a picture of the acrostic for JOY - Jesus, Others, then You.
Faith in Christ and obedience to His command to abide in Him produces the fruit of joy in our lives. Joy is different than happiness. Happy is determined by our circumstances, as they change so do the feelings of happiness. Joy is a gladness that lasts even through troubled times. I think of happiness as an emotion that is trying to be joy, without abiding in Christ! To know joy, we must put Jesus first!
Christ then directs us to love one another as He loved us. How exactly did He love us? "...in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) He didn't love us because we were worthy of love. This is usually our measurement for loving, "Is this person worthy of my love?", "Should I spend my time caring for someone that may never love me in return?". Jesus loved us, even though He knew that we were unworthy, and that many would never love Him in return - never care that He died for their sins. This is the kind of love we are called to have for others, a selfless love.
And last on the acrostic - you. Christ only asks that we abide in Him, and in doing that He will give us the strength to love selflessly as He's commanded. We will bear the "fruit" of the Spirit; love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Our part in the "you" of joy is very small, but if we don't do our part and abide in Him then we will never experience the joy that He wants us to have!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
A Vine, Branches, and Fruit!
John 15:1-10
This section of the Scripture is one of my favorite, perhaps because I love the beautiful picture Christ paints for us with His words. They remind me of the grapevines my Grandmother had planted in her back yard, full of grapes - and the jelly she would make when they were ripe!
It's easy to envision Christ as that vine - deep roots drawing nutrition up from the soil, through the branches, producing an abundance of sweet, ripe fruit.
We are compared to the vine's branches. A branch takes the nutrition from the vine and passes it on to the fruit. It also holds up the heavy clusters of fruit that the vine produces. The branches that aren't bearing fruit get pruned away, if they were left they would take away from the production of fruit - which is the purpose of the grapevine. The most beautiful branches on my Grandmother's vine were worthless if they didn't produce fruit!
They were also worthless if they didn't stay connected to the vine! Without the vine they would wither up and no nutrients would be passed on to make the fruit. In the same way, fruit will only be produced in our lives if we stay connected to the True Vine, Christ! We are to "abide" in Him - to remain... reside... dwell... to continue in the relationship...
Christ, the True Vine, loves us, His branches! He tells us to dwell right there in His love, and how can we do that? By keeping His commandments. When a lawyer asked Jesus, "What is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus replied, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)
Keeping Christ's commandments and loving like this is impossible on our own, but when we "abide", remain...reside...dwell...continue in our relationship with Christ, the sweet, ripe fruit of love will be produced! A love beyond here and now to eternity!
Which is a whole lot longer than Grandmother's jelly lasted...
This section of the Scripture is one of my favorite, perhaps because I love the beautiful picture Christ paints for us with His words. They remind me of the grapevines my Grandmother had planted in her back yard, full of grapes - and the jelly she would make when they were ripe!
It's easy to envision Christ as that vine - deep roots drawing nutrition up from the soil, through the branches, producing an abundance of sweet, ripe fruit.
We are compared to the vine's branches. A branch takes the nutrition from the vine and passes it on to the fruit. It also holds up the heavy clusters of fruit that the vine produces. The branches that aren't bearing fruit get pruned away, if they were left they would take away from the production of fruit - which is the purpose of the grapevine. The most beautiful branches on my Grandmother's vine were worthless if they didn't produce fruit!
They were also worthless if they didn't stay connected to the vine! Without the vine they would wither up and no nutrients would be passed on to make the fruit. In the same way, fruit will only be produced in our lives if we stay connected to the True Vine, Christ! We are to "abide" in Him - to remain... reside... dwell... to continue in the relationship...
Christ, the True Vine, loves us, His branches! He tells us to dwell right there in His love, and how can we do that? By keeping His commandments. When a lawyer asked Jesus, "What is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus replied, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)
Keeping Christ's commandments and loving like this is impossible on our own, but when we "abide", remain...reside...dwell...continue in our relationship with Christ, the sweet, ripe fruit of love will be produced! A love beyond here and now to eternity!
Which is a whole lot longer than Grandmother's jelly lasted...
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
An Old Southern Preacher from the Past!
John 14:7-31
School day mornings as a teen would find me stumbling into the kitchen on my way out the door. Each morning Mom would have her radio tuned to a Southern preacher, J. Vernon McGee, who would be sharing commentary on his "Thru the Bible" program. I would wish she had on some contemporary music, not a man with a "funny" accent rambling on about the Bible, (I was from the Midwest, you see!)
Years go by, and I'm writing this blog on the book of John - not because I have all the answers! God through His Holy Spirit leads and teaches as I pray and read and research. And God has an awesome sense of humor through all of it, because my Google search today led me to - you guessed it - J. Vernon McGee, that Southern preacher I couldn't wait to escape each morning! There he was, and I was privileged to listen to him comment on our verses. You can listen too, here's the link:
Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee
Here's a brief review of what I learned today:
Philip asks Jesus to "show him the Father", and that will be all he needs. To be led to God, our loving Father is all any of us need! Jesus tells Philip that if he's seen Him, he has seen the Father. In Colossians 1:15 we find that Jesus is, "...the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature..."
If Philip couldn't believe His words, then he should believe for the works that he had seen Jesus do. All that Jesus did on earth - His words, His works were the will of the Father. He was leading men and women to a restored relationship with God, only accomplished through Him. When we believe in Jesus, we too will be able to do this same work, even a greater miracle because it will be Jesus working through frail humans.
Then we come to the verse that can trip up so many of us when we are praying, " If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." We pray, claiming this verse, it doesn't happen as we hope - God becomes a liar! Not true! Read these three verses together - 13,14,15. We are asking in Jesus name - not our name, not for our own selfish demands. For His glory, for His merit. Keeping His commandments, because we love Him. It all goes together - as Christ wanted God's will, that should be our desire, too.
In verse twenty we find the most profound statement made in this speech, " Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also." Soon after, Jesus would be crucified and His disciples wouldn't see Him. But Jesus didn't stay in the grave, He rose again and lives, and because He lives those that believe in Him can also have life. Jesus didn't leave His disciples or us alone, He gave the Holy Spirit to live in us. Through the Holy Spirit, the disciples were able to share the good news of Christ boldly!
So can we!
I wish I would've listened more carefully to that Southern preacher all those years ago - it would've saved a lot of time spent searching for what I knew was missing in my life! I hope you'll allow his words to speak to you too!
School day mornings as a teen would find me stumbling into the kitchen on my way out the door. Each morning Mom would have her radio tuned to a Southern preacher, J. Vernon McGee, who would be sharing commentary on his "Thru the Bible" program. I would wish she had on some contemporary music, not a man with a "funny" accent rambling on about the Bible, (I was from the Midwest, you see!)
Years go by, and I'm writing this blog on the book of John - not because I have all the answers! God through His Holy Spirit leads and teaches as I pray and read and research. And God has an awesome sense of humor through all of it, because my Google search today led me to - you guessed it - J. Vernon McGee, that Southern preacher I couldn't wait to escape each morning! There he was, and I was privileged to listen to him comment on our verses. You can listen too, here's the link:
Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee
Here's a brief review of what I learned today:
Philip asks Jesus to "show him the Father", and that will be all he needs. To be led to God, our loving Father is all any of us need! Jesus tells Philip that if he's seen Him, he has seen the Father. In Colossians 1:15 we find that Jesus is, "...the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature..."
If Philip couldn't believe His words, then he should believe for the works that he had seen Jesus do. All that Jesus did on earth - His words, His works were the will of the Father. He was leading men and women to a restored relationship with God, only accomplished through Him. When we believe in Jesus, we too will be able to do this same work, even a greater miracle because it will be Jesus working through frail humans.
Then we come to the verse that can trip up so many of us when we are praying, " If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." We pray, claiming this verse, it doesn't happen as we hope - God becomes a liar! Not true! Read these three verses together - 13,14,15. We are asking in Jesus name - not our name, not for our own selfish demands. For His glory, for His merit. Keeping His commandments, because we love Him. It all goes together - as Christ wanted God's will, that should be our desire, too.
In verse twenty we find the most profound statement made in this speech, " Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also." Soon after, Jesus would be crucified and His disciples wouldn't see Him. But Jesus didn't stay in the grave, He rose again and lives, and because He lives those that believe in Him can also have life. Jesus didn't leave His disciples or us alone, He gave the Holy Spirit to live in us. Through the Holy Spirit, the disciples were able to share the good news of Christ boldly!
So can we!
I wish I would've listened more carefully to that Southern preacher all those years ago - it would've saved a lot of time spent searching for what I knew was missing in my life! I hope you'll allow his words to speak to you too!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Expect Something Better than Your Expectations!
John 14:1-6
The sick were healed, thousands fed, Lazarus raised from the dead - the disciples had to wonder when Jesus would take His position as Deliverer and free the Jews from their Roman oppressors.
That night, though, as they share the Passover meal, Jesus is not behaving as a conquering King. He washes their feet, reveals His imminent betrayal and tells them He is going away. Brave, brash Peter wants to know why he can't follow Jesus and claims, "I will lay down my life for your sake." Willing to follow Jesus where ever that may take him, willing in his heart - but in his flesh he will deny Jesus three times before morning.
Jesus knows His time on earth is near completion. He wants to prepare them for what is about to happen, and give instructions on how to live when He is gone. He knows their hearts are troubled by what they have seen and heard during the evening, and reminds them to believe in Him. When we are troubled and filled with doubt, God's Word calls us to trust Him.
Jesus may be leaving, but He is not forgetting about them. He is going to prepare a place for them in Heaven, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." "Lord, we don't know where You are going", replies Thomas, "and how can we know the way?"
They thought they knew the direction Jesus was headed. They expected Him to set up His earthly kingdom. They hoped to rule with Him. Painful realization was seeping into their hearts - these expectations were not going to be met.
How many times have I prayed and asked God for His will in my situation, expecting His will to align with my plan - finding disappointment when it did not? Perhaps you can relate to this. I've blamed God and accused Him of not listening to, or answering my prayers - especially when I thought I had it all figured out! Forcing things to go my way, though, has only brought more problems and pain. I've found that God's way is always best even if it isn't what I expected.
Jesus goes on to tell His followers that He alone is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him. The way to Heaven, and eternal life, something bigger than just setting up an earthly kingdom! But not what they expected...
God has something bigger planned for us than our small expectations can even begin to consider. We need to let go of our expectations and trust Him with our life. When the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples at Pentecost, were they still disappointed that their own hopes had failed? No, God's plan far exceeded their past expectations - they were no longer looking toward an earthly kingdom, but a Heavenly one! One that was only possible because of Christ's great sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus - the only way to Heaven, no matter what other expectations you may have!
"My soul wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5
The sick were healed, thousands fed, Lazarus raised from the dead - the disciples had to wonder when Jesus would take His position as Deliverer and free the Jews from their Roman oppressors.
That night, though, as they share the Passover meal, Jesus is not behaving as a conquering King. He washes their feet, reveals His imminent betrayal and tells them He is going away. Brave, brash Peter wants to know why he can't follow Jesus and claims, "I will lay down my life for your sake." Willing to follow Jesus where ever that may take him, willing in his heart - but in his flesh he will deny Jesus three times before morning.
Jesus knows His time on earth is near completion. He wants to prepare them for what is about to happen, and give instructions on how to live when He is gone. He knows their hearts are troubled by what they have seen and heard during the evening, and reminds them to believe in Him. When we are troubled and filled with doubt, God's Word calls us to trust Him.
Jesus may be leaving, but He is not forgetting about them. He is going to prepare a place for them in Heaven, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." "Lord, we don't know where You are going", replies Thomas, "and how can we know the way?"
They thought they knew the direction Jesus was headed. They expected Him to set up His earthly kingdom. They hoped to rule with Him. Painful realization was seeping into their hearts - these expectations were not going to be met.
How many times have I prayed and asked God for His will in my situation, expecting His will to align with my plan - finding disappointment when it did not? Perhaps you can relate to this. I've blamed God and accused Him of not listening to, or answering my prayers - especially when I thought I had it all figured out! Forcing things to go my way, though, has only brought more problems and pain. I've found that God's way is always best even if it isn't what I expected.
Jesus goes on to tell His followers that He alone is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him. The way to Heaven, and eternal life, something bigger than just setting up an earthly kingdom! But not what they expected...
God has something bigger planned for us than our small expectations can even begin to consider. We need to let go of our expectations and trust Him with our life. When the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples at Pentecost, were they still disappointed that their own hopes had failed? No, God's plan far exceeded their past expectations - they were no longer looking toward an earthly kingdom, but a Heavenly one! One that was only possible because of Christ's great sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus - the only way to Heaven, no matter what other expectations you may have!
"My soul wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Love as Evidence
John 13:18-36
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples. If you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
As Jesus and His disciples are sharing the Last Supper He gives them a "new" commandment. This is given after acknowledging His betrayal by one in their very midst. When He dipped the bread and handed it to Judas Iscariot, Jesus honored Judas and revealed that He knew the intent of this disciple's heart. This action showed a "new" kind of love.
In the Old Testament we find a commandment to, "...not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself...". The concept of loving one another was not a new one. Part of loving your neighbor as yourself was spelled out in Zechariah 8:17, "Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor...".
In the New Testament, Jesus takes this a step further as He instructs us to, "...love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." (Luke 6:27) This is the kind of love He showed towards Judas Iscariot. Jesus knew everything that was about to happen to Him, yet He sat at the same table with His betrayer sharing a meal.
When we love with the same type of love that Christ showed us there is a recognizable difference. A humble, self-sacrificing, enemy-loving, full of forgiveness love is completely different from the type of love we find
apart from Christ. Jesus loved when it wasn't convenient, cared even when it hurt, put other's needs before His own. That kind of love changed the world.
Included in a sermon was this question, "If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
Loving as Christ commanded is evidence!
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-11)
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples. If you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
As Jesus and His disciples are sharing the Last Supper He gives them a "new" commandment. This is given after acknowledging His betrayal by one in their very midst. When He dipped the bread and handed it to Judas Iscariot, Jesus honored Judas and revealed that He knew the intent of this disciple's heart. This action showed a "new" kind of love.
In the Old Testament we find a commandment to, "...not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself...". The concept of loving one another was not a new one. Part of loving your neighbor as yourself was spelled out in Zechariah 8:17, "Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor...".
In the New Testament, Jesus takes this a step further as He instructs us to, "...love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." (Luke 6:27) This is the kind of love He showed towards Judas Iscariot. Jesus knew everything that was about to happen to Him, yet He sat at the same table with His betrayer sharing a meal.
When we love with the same type of love that Christ showed us there is a recognizable difference. A humble, self-sacrificing, enemy-loving, full of forgiveness love is completely different from the type of love we find
apart from Christ. Jesus loved when it wasn't convenient, cared even when it hurt, put other's needs before His own. That kind of love changed the world.
Included in a sermon was this question, "If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
Loving as Christ commanded is evidence!
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-11)
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Blind Eyes, Hard Hearts!
John 12:37-50
The end of Jesus' earthly ministry nears its close, and though He has performed amazing miracles, there are many who still refuse to believe He is the Messiah.
John's reference to Isaiah, in verses 39-40, makes God sound harsh and unloving, but wait to form that judgment against Him until you've read Isaiah 59, and think about this: "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you." (verses 1-2). The sin of disbelief caused the people to become blind and hardened to Christ and His message of salvation, God's intention was for the whole world to believe in Him and have eternal life, "For God so loved the world (inclusive of every person), that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) The problem is not an unloving God, but rather a sinful people.
Another group, upon seeing the miracles of Christ, believed in Him. However, they refused to confess their belief because it would result in being cut off from the Jewish community. It's easy to judge this group because they seem like such cowards! I ask myself what my own response would be to losing the respect of my community, a complete loss of friends and family and the way of life that I'd always known. Perhaps I can relate to those "cowards" far better than I care to admit! Confessing Christ was viewed as rebellion, an act against God's Law, and brought cursing, rather than praise, into the life of the believer. Romans 10:9 tells us, though, that confession - speaking out loud, and telling others that we believe in Christ - is what we do when we believe, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Christ speaks, and makes it clear that rejection of Him, is rejection of God. He was doing God's will, speaking what God had commanded Him, bringing light into a dark world as He ministered. Isaiah 59 shows us just how desperate the world was for that light, " So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twighlight..." (Isaiah 59:9-10)
We have a saying that is used when we are uninformed, "I am in the dark", about this or that. It means we don't know, we are unsure, the truth isn't available to us. Christ brought the truth to us so that we no longer have to be "in the dark" about our purpose in this life, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10), or about His purpose for us after our earthly life is finished, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24)
God, who loves us beyond our understanding, has a great plan for our lives now - and throughout eternity. It's our choice though - do we walk in darkness, or Light?
The end of Jesus' earthly ministry nears its close, and though He has performed amazing miracles, there are many who still refuse to believe He is the Messiah.
John's reference to Isaiah, in verses 39-40, makes God sound harsh and unloving, but wait to form that judgment against Him until you've read Isaiah 59, and think about this: "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you." (verses 1-2). The sin of disbelief caused the people to become blind and hardened to Christ and His message of salvation, God's intention was for the whole world to believe in Him and have eternal life, "For God so loved the world (inclusive of every person), that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) The problem is not an unloving God, but rather a sinful people.
Another group, upon seeing the miracles of Christ, believed in Him. However, they refused to confess their belief because it would result in being cut off from the Jewish community. It's easy to judge this group because they seem like such cowards! I ask myself what my own response would be to losing the respect of my community, a complete loss of friends and family and the way of life that I'd always known. Perhaps I can relate to those "cowards" far better than I care to admit! Confessing Christ was viewed as rebellion, an act against God's Law, and brought cursing, rather than praise, into the life of the believer. Romans 10:9 tells us, though, that confession - speaking out loud, and telling others that we believe in Christ - is what we do when we believe, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Christ speaks, and makes it clear that rejection of Him, is rejection of God. He was doing God's will, speaking what God had commanded Him, bringing light into a dark world as He ministered. Isaiah 59 shows us just how desperate the world was for that light, " So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twighlight..." (Isaiah 59:9-10)
We have a saying that is used when we are uninformed, "I am in the dark", about this or that. It means we don't know, we are unsure, the truth isn't available to us. Christ brought the truth to us so that we no longer have to be "in the dark" about our purpose in this life, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10), or about His purpose for us after our earthly life is finished, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24)
God, who loves us beyond our understanding, has a great plan for our lives now - and throughout eternity. It's our choice though - do we walk in darkness, or Light?
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Important Person
John 12:20-36
Years ago there was a song that went, "The most important person in the whole wide world is you...". The song was taught to children in an attempt to impart self-esteem. Teaching a child that they are valuable is a noble pursuit, children are a precious blessing and should be reminded of their worth.
However, the idea that each of us is "the most important person in the world" causes some problems. If we are each "the most important", our rights will get in the way of our relationships. Viewing ourselves in this way means we should always be given what we want, in spite of the needs of others, and so you can see how this attitude could result in behavior that is self-centered.
Selfishness is the cause of much heartache in the world. Children are abandoned by parents that don't want to be tied down to the responsibility of raising them. Husbands and wives are split apart when they refuse to see themselves as a team and instead demand that each have his or her own way in everything. Friends, community, etc. are all effected by an "every man for himself" mentality.
Jesus spoke a radical truth in this Scripture. "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Jesus told the people that, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Mark 8:34) Following Jesus means denying self, that our self-love will look like self-hate when compared to our Christ-love. Christ left no doubt - selfishness doesn't have a place in the lives of His followers.
Self denial , or self-discipline, could then be considered a virtue. The writings of most world religions would confirm that those adhering to the practices of that religion need to deny self in order to please their deity. Now, those of us who have made New Year's resolutions, or tried to stick to a diet will attest to the fact that self-discipline is no easy task! It can help tremendously if someone comes along side and encourages you.
Herein lies the difference when following Christ. We, His followers, are called to deny self, but we are not attempting to do it alone. His Holy Spirit, that He promised would come and dwell in those who believe in Him, encourages us. "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:13) So our selfishness dies when we choose to live by the Spirit. Jesus taught that we should, "...Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind mind with all your strength", and, "...Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29)
Loving God with all, and loving our neighbor as ourselves is self-less love. God demonstrated self-less love toward all of us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
If you are not the world's "most important person", who are you? Where does your self-esteem come from? In knowing this: God loves you, values you, and you hold a unique place in His Kingdom. You , "are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) The Creator of the Universe has a plan for you - sounds to me like you are a pretty important person after all!
Years ago there was a song that went, "The most important person in the whole wide world is you...". The song was taught to children in an attempt to impart self-esteem. Teaching a child that they are valuable is a noble pursuit, children are a precious blessing and should be reminded of their worth.
However, the idea that each of us is "the most important person in the world" causes some problems. If we are each "the most important", our rights will get in the way of our relationships. Viewing ourselves in this way means we should always be given what we want, in spite of the needs of others, and so you can see how this attitude could result in behavior that is self-centered.
Selfishness is the cause of much heartache in the world. Children are abandoned by parents that don't want to be tied down to the responsibility of raising them. Husbands and wives are split apart when they refuse to see themselves as a team and instead demand that each have his or her own way in everything. Friends, community, etc. are all effected by an "every man for himself" mentality.
Jesus spoke a radical truth in this Scripture. "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Jesus told the people that, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Mark 8:34) Following Jesus means denying self, that our self-love will look like self-hate when compared to our Christ-love. Christ left no doubt - selfishness doesn't have a place in the lives of His followers.
Self denial , or self-discipline, could then be considered a virtue. The writings of most world religions would confirm that those adhering to the practices of that religion need to deny self in order to please their deity. Now, those of us who have made New Year's resolutions, or tried to stick to a diet will attest to the fact that self-discipline is no easy task! It can help tremendously if someone comes along side and encourages you.
Herein lies the difference when following Christ. We, His followers, are called to deny self, but we are not attempting to do it alone. His Holy Spirit, that He promised would come and dwell in those who believe in Him, encourages us. "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:13) So our selfishness dies when we choose to live by the Spirit. Jesus taught that we should, "...Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind mind with all your strength", and, "...Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29)
Loving God with all, and loving our neighbor as ourselves is self-less love. God demonstrated self-less love toward all of us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
If you are not the world's "most important person", who are you? Where does your self-esteem come from? In knowing this: God loves you, values you, and you hold a unique place in His Kingdom. You , "are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) The Creator of the Universe has a plan for you - sounds to me like you are a pretty important person after all!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Hosanna - What Does It Mean to You?
John 12:12-19
Also-Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44
When police investigate a crime they gather all the witnesses they find and listen to their testimony. The more witnesses, the better chance the police have in piecing together the events of the crime.
Our passage of Scripture in John, is also referenced in each of the other Gospels. By reading all of the accounts you will have a better understanding of the event we know as the "Triumphal Entry of Christ". The story is consistent, but each writer has a different perspective; when viewed together it becomes complete.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead many of the Jews began to believe in Him. They shared the testimony of what they had witnessed with the Jewish community. It wasn't surprising that a great multitude gathered at the Passover Feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 when He rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation. Lowly and riding on a donkey. A colt, the foal of a donkey." If you have read the accounts in the other Gospels you will see that this prophecy was fulfilled, even to the type of donkey! Interestingly, this is the only time recorded in Jesus' life on earth that He rides on an animal, so this wasn't a common practice that could easily be explained as a coincidence!
The crowds laid down clothing and palm branches along the way, shouting "Hosanna", "Blessed is the kingdom of our father David", "Hosanna to the Son of David", and "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord"! Hosanna means "save now". The same "save now" that we find in Psalm 118:25, "Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord I pray, send now prosperity." The people had witnessed, or heard the eyewitness accounts of Jesus great miracles - the most recent being a resurrection from the dead. They knew He could provide them with food, heal the sick, lame, blind, cast out demons, and He had power over death. What a great political leader He would have been! What a great King! They compared Him to the great King David who had led the nation to a golden era of prosperity. Yes, Jesus would've been the very best King the world had ever seen - and will be when He returns. But that time, He came with another purpose in His heart... to follow God's will and become the sacrifice for the sins of all.
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem seared the Pharisee's heart with hate. When they declared, "The world has gone after Him!", they were worried about their positions and the retaliation of the Roman government.
So, we are at the place again where we need to look at our own hearts. Do the acts of Christ stir up anger and hatred in your heart, perhaps because you worry about the effect it would have on what you value most in life - a position, a following, your world view?
Or, are you willing to follow for what you might get out of it? Prosperity, or maybe a miracle? When the first trial comes along, that kind of follower quickly abandons Christ.
Perhaps, you are one who looks at Christ and realizes that your "Hosanna", your cry of , "save now" is for your life to be changed by the sacrifice He made on the cross. That salvation is for eternity.
Also-Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44
When police investigate a crime they gather all the witnesses they find and listen to their testimony. The more witnesses, the better chance the police have in piecing together the events of the crime.
Our passage of Scripture in John, is also referenced in each of the other Gospels. By reading all of the accounts you will have a better understanding of the event we know as the "Triumphal Entry of Christ". The story is consistent, but each writer has a different perspective; when viewed together it becomes complete.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead many of the Jews began to believe in Him. They shared the testimony of what they had witnessed with the Jewish community. It wasn't surprising that a great multitude gathered at the Passover Feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 when He rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation. Lowly and riding on a donkey. A colt, the foal of a donkey." If you have read the accounts in the other Gospels you will see that this prophecy was fulfilled, even to the type of donkey! Interestingly, this is the only time recorded in Jesus' life on earth that He rides on an animal, so this wasn't a common practice that could easily be explained as a coincidence!
The crowds laid down clothing and palm branches along the way, shouting "Hosanna", "Blessed is the kingdom of our father David", "Hosanna to the Son of David", and "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord"! Hosanna means "save now". The same "save now" that we find in Psalm 118:25, "Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord I pray, send now prosperity." The people had witnessed, or heard the eyewitness accounts of Jesus great miracles - the most recent being a resurrection from the dead. They knew He could provide them with food, heal the sick, lame, blind, cast out demons, and He had power over death. What a great political leader He would have been! What a great King! They compared Him to the great King David who had led the nation to a golden era of prosperity. Yes, Jesus would've been the very best King the world had ever seen - and will be when He returns. But that time, He came with another purpose in His heart... to follow God's will and become the sacrifice for the sins of all.
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem seared the Pharisee's heart with hate. When they declared, "The world has gone after Him!", they were worried about their positions and the retaliation of the Roman government.
So, we are at the place again where we need to look at our own hearts. Do the acts of Christ stir up anger and hatred in your heart, perhaps because you worry about the effect it would have on what you value most in life - a position, a following, your world view?
Or, are you willing to follow for what you might get out of it? Prosperity, or maybe a miracle? When the first trial comes along, that kind of follower quickly abandons Christ.
Perhaps, you are one who looks at Christ and realizes that your "Hosanna", your cry of , "save now" is for your life to be changed by the sacrifice He made on the cross. That salvation is for eternity.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
At Dinner With Friends
John 12:1-11
Six days before Passover Jesus was sitting at a table in Bethany, in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. The same Lazarus that died, and was resurrected by Jesus. "...a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead." (John 12:9) Because of this resurrection many Jews were putting their faith in Jesus, and so the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus also.
The man recently back from the dead sat at the table with Jesus, his sister Martha served supper, and Mary sat at Jesus' feet...
A precious bottle of imported spikenard oil in hand, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus, then wiped them with her hair. The spikenard was worth about a year's wages to a day laborer, quite costly, and so special it was used to anoint the head of kings. The extravagant gesture wasn't missed by Judas Iscariot. He condemned her actions; pouring a year's wages on someone's feet was wasteful, the poor would've benefited greatly from the sum.The same poor would've also benefited from the coins Judas stole from the money bag!
I don't know the motivation in Mary's heart as she sat at Jesus' feet that day. Was she giving her all, anointing Him as her King, serving Him in the best way she knew how? Jesus told Judas to leave her alone, her actions spoke of His upcoming burial. Mary was commended through the ages for her generous act.
Mary's act is thought provoking...
Is everything I value poured out at Jesus' feet, for His use?
Or am I holding on tightly, thinking I know what's best...
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
It's All In How You Respond
John 11:45-57
After Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead many believed in Him. Their excited testimony of Jesus' miracle, and their own belief in Him as Messiah would've washed over the community, making waves, as it was told, and retold.
But another group was also there that day, and this group went straight to the Pharisees and shared the story. The Pharisees hated Jesus, and were waiting for an appropriate time to kill him.
One miracle, two very different responses.
The Pharisees and chief priests called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "From that day on they plotted to take His (Jesus') life" (John 11:53). In their reasoning Jesus had to die, otherwise they were going to lose, "both our place and our nation", because the Romans wouldn't tolerate the people's belief in Christ!
How often have we predicted the future in the same way! These men were no more privy to what would happen than we are, yet we fret and strive to control the outcome of things that are beyond our realm of power. They couldn't say for sure that the Romans would take away their political power if the people believed in Christ, but out of fear they decided Christ would have to die to preserve the nation.
In situations that cause us to fear we also have a choice of response.
We can become angry, decide to lash out at the thing that brings fear, and use whatever means we have available to bring it under our control.
Or...we can follow God's instruction, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret - it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:7a, 8)
And then there is the response we make with greatest consequences of all.
Our response to what Christ has done for us.
, "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." ( 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4)
There are many who embrace the free gift of salvation that comes when they believe in Him, taking to heart the words in Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Jesus knew others would choose to reject Him. In John 3:36 He addressed them, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Another miracle, your response can mean life...or death.
After Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead many believed in Him. Their excited testimony of Jesus' miracle, and their own belief in Him as Messiah would've washed over the community, making waves, as it was told, and retold.
But another group was also there that day, and this group went straight to the Pharisees and shared the story. The Pharisees hated Jesus, and were waiting for an appropriate time to kill him.
One miracle, two very different responses.
The Pharisees and chief priests called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "From that day on they plotted to take His (Jesus') life" (John 11:53). In their reasoning Jesus had to die, otherwise they were going to lose, "both our place and our nation", because the Romans wouldn't tolerate the people's belief in Christ!
How often have we predicted the future in the same way! These men were no more privy to what would happen than we are, yet we fret and strive to control the outcome of things that are beyond our realm of power. They couldn't say for sure that the Romans would take away their political power if the people believed in Christ, but out of fear they decided Christ would have to die to preserve the nation.
In situations that cause us to fear we also have a choice of response.
We can become angry, decide to lash out at the thing that brings fear, and use whatever means we have available to bring it under our control.
Or...we can follow God's instruction, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret - it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:7a, 8)
And then there is the response we make with greatest consequences of all.
Our response to what Christ has done for us.
, "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." ( 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4)
There are many who embrace the free gift of salvation that comes when they believe in Him, taking to heart the words in Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Jesus knew others would choose to reject Him. In John 3:36 He addressed them, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Another miracle, your response can mean life...or death.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Very Slow Journey...Through John!
Joshua 1
I'm hijacking Journey Through John today and taking it to the book of Joshua.
Trust me, I have a reason...
Sunday morning in Bible study, Doug - our teacher, taught from the first chapter of Joshua. Moses, the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt, had passed away and Joshua became the new leader. In this first chapter God gives the new leader the same instruction over and again, "...Be strong and of good courage..." Strength and courage would be needed in bushels full with the task Joshua had ahead of him - he would lead the Israelites in to the land of Canaan to claim it as the inheritance from God that it was, and is. A covenant with the patriarch Abraham established this land as their own (see 1Chronicles 16:13-18).
Doug went on to point out that this, "...strong and of good courage...", could also be translated as, "be resolute and persevere". Resolve that you will do what God has called you to do, then keep doing it until He calls you to something else, or lets you know it's finished. Now, it's hard for me to relate to leading a massive group of people into the Promised Land - but resolving to do what God has called me to do and persevering at it, well that is convicting...
And takes us back to Journey Through John.
Way back in October when God led me to start this blog in response to Pastor Tony's message, I thought, "No big deal, I'll be done with John in 4-6 weeks at the most." Now it's June, and the blog is written through John 11:45. Eight months, and only a smidgen over halfway through! Resolution and perseverance...? Hmmm...
Can you relate to this? Is there something in your life that God has called you to, and you are overwhelmed in trying to start it, complete it, persevere at it? Trust me, I understand the tidal waves that can roll over your life and knock you right back to where you've started! It's hard to keep going, and easy to give up in despair that you will ever accomplish God's will, unless you read the rest of the instructions...
"...do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b)
We aren't alone when we follow God's will, God Himself is with us, wherever the journey of His will takes us. Dismay and fear are pushed aside, they can't stand in God's presence!
God's will is taking me on a Journey Through John... I know, I know it's a very slow journey - but thanks for going with me!
I'm hijacking Journey Through John today and taking it to the book of Joshua.
Trust me, I have a reason...
Sunday morning in Bible study, Doug - our teacher, taught from the first chapter of Joshua. Moses, the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt, had passed away and Joshua became the new leader. In this first chapter God gives the new leader the same instruction over and again, "...Be strong and of good courage..." Strength and courage would be needed in bushels full with the task Joshua had ahead of him - he would lead the Israelites in to the land of Canaan to claim it as the inheritance from God that it was, and is. A covenant with the patriarch Abraham established this land as their own (see 1Chronicles 16:13-18).
Doug went on to point out that this, "...strong and of good courage...", could also be translated as, "be resolute and persevere". Resolve that you will do what God has called you to do, then keep doing it until He calls you to something else, or lets you know it's finished. Now, it's hard for me to relate to leading a massive group of people into the Promised Land - but resolving to do what God has called me to do and persevering at it, well that is convicting...
And takes us back to Journey Through John.
Way back in October when God led me to start this blog in response to Pastor Tony's message, I thought, "No big deal, I'll be done with John in 4-6 weeks at the most." Now it's June, and the blog is written through John 11:45. Eight months, and only a smidgen over halfway through! Resolution and perseverance...? Hmmm...
Can you relate to this? Is there something in your life that God has called you to, and you are overwhelmed in trying to start it, complete it, persevere at it? Trust me, I understand the tidal waves that can roll over your life and knock you right back to where you've started! It's hard to keep going, and easy to give up in despair that you will ever accomplish God's will, unless you read the rest of the instructions...
"...do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b)
We aren't alone when we follow God's will, God Himself is with us, wherever the journey of His will takes us. Dismay and fear are pushed aside, they can't stand in God's presence!
God's will is taking me on a Journey Through John... I know, I know it's a very slow journey - but thanks for going with me!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Our Trial for His Glory
John 11:7-43
Jesus allowed Lazarus to die. When He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, and in the picturesque words of his sister, Martha, "...by this time there is a bad odor."
As Jesus approached Bethany Martha had left her home to meet Him. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." was her greeting for Him. Straightforward, to the point- the blame is yours Jesus! "But", she adds, "I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask."
Martha's brother is dead and she is grieving. One stage of grief has been identified as anger. Anger at ourselves for not being able to do more to prevent the death, anger at the person who died for leaving, anger towards others we blame for not saving our loved one...
Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, and she responds that she knows he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Words of hope, all was not lost, she would see him again one day. He tells her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." And then He asks her, "Do you believe this?" Martha responds, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." A life that goes on eternally even when our body ceases to function, our great hope that goes beyond the passing of life on earth. Jesus gives us the comfort found in this hope when we believe in Him.
Lazarus was Jesus's friend, He wept over his death. He shares the deep grief we feel in the loss of a loved one, He understood Martha's grief, and ours.
Jesus goes to Lazarus' tomb, prays, then calls in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" Bound in grave clothes Lazarus comes out of the tomb - alive! After witnessing this miracle, many came to faith in Christ.
Martha's sadness and grief were turned to joy. Her brother was alive!
Lazarus' sickness did not, "end in death. No, it is for God's glory, so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4) The crowd gathered in Mary and Martha's home to mourn Lazarus had the opportunity to see Jesus' miracle and believe in Him. God was glorified!
God's plan is beyond our understanding. What looks like grief to us may be part of His plan to bring others to faith in Him. When Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy were sent to prison for hiding Jews during WWII they faced great suffering, and for Betsy, death. Yet because they were in that prison and shared God's Word, many came to hear about Jesus, and believed in Him. How God could be glorified in a concentration camp is beyond our understanding, yet from this great bad came great good.
And so... rather than getting angry at God...perhaps we should ask that He use our trial for His glory...
Jesus allowed Lazarus to die. When He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, and in the picturesque words of his sister, Martha, "...by this time there is a bad odor."
As Jesus approached Bethany Martha had left her home to meet Him. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." was her greeting for Him. Straightforward, to the point- the blame is yours Jesus! "But", she adds, "I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask."
Martha's brother is dead and she is grieving. One stage of grief has been identified as anger. Anger at ourselves for not being able to do more to prevent the death, anger at the person who died for leaving, anger towards others we blame for not saving our loved one...
Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, and she responds that she knows he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Words of hope, all was not lost, she would see him again one day. He tells her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." And then He asks her, "Do you believe this?" Martha responds, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." A life that goes on eternally even when our body ceases to function, our great hope that goes beyond the passing of life on earth. Jesus gives us the comfort found in this hope when we believe in Him.
Lazarus was Jesus's friend, He wept over his death. He shares the deep grief we feel in the loss of a loved one, He understood Martha's grief, and ours.
Jesus goes to Lazarus' tomb, prays, then calls in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" Bound in grave clothes Lazarus comes out of the tomb - alive! After witnessing this miracle, many came to faith in Christ.
Martha's sadness and grief were turned to joy. Her brother was alive!
Lazarus' sickness did not, "end in death. No, it is for God's glory, so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4) The crowd gathered in Mary and Martha's home to mourn Lazarus had the opportunity to see Jesus' miracle and believe in Him. God was glorified!
God's plan is beyond our understanding. What looks like grief to us may be part of His plan to bring others to faith in Him. When Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy were sent to prison for hiding Jews during WWII they faced great suffering, and for Betsy, death. Yet because they were in that prison and shared God's Word, many came to hear about Jesus, and believed in Him. How God could be glorified in a concentration camp is beyond our understanding, yet from this great bad came great good.
And so... rather than getting angry at God...perhaps we should ask that He use our trial for His glory...
Friday, April 20, 2012
Jesus Waits Two Days
John 11: 1-6
We may be living in an age of great medical advancements, however, most of us have heard the words, "I'm sorry, there is nothing else we can do for them", spoken by a doctor regarding someone we love. These words can fill us with despair; if the doctor is helpless against the disease, we are even more so.
This is where we find Mary and Martha, the two sisters of Lazarus. Concern fills their hearts, Lazarus is very ill. It doesn't mention a doctor's visit, hospital stay, or aggressive testing. Most of what we know about healing the sick didn't exist at the time of Jesus. So it isn't hard to understand why people followed Jesus to ask for a healing touch - for themselves and their loved ones.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus knew that Jesus had the power to heal. When Lazarus is ill, it is natural that the sisters would send a message to Jesus, "Lord the one you love is sick."
I've always found what happens next somewhat troubling. If you love someone who is sick, and you have the power to heal them - wouldn't you drop everything and rush to their side? Jesus doesn't do that, instead He stays where He is for two more days. Troubling, until I remember Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
The higher purpose in this case is God being glorified through Lazarus' sickness.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus; they know He loves them. Because He loves them He stays where He is for two more days.
Which makes me wonder - when we are praying desperately for Jesus to heal someone we love, and it looks like He doesn't hear us, isn't answering - is staying away, could it be because He has a higher purpose for that illness to serve?
What comfort to know that our great God, "...has gracious intentions even in seeming delays." (Matthew Henry)
We may be living in an age of great medical advancements, however, most of us have heard the words, "I'm sorry, there is nothing else we can do for them", spoken by a doctor regarding someone we love. These words can fill us with despair; if the doctor is helpless against the disease, we are even more so.
This is where we find Mary and Martha, the two sisters of Lazarus. Concern fills their hearts, Lazarus is very ill. It doesn't mention a doctor's visit, hospital stay, or aggressive testing. Most of what we know about healing the sick didn't exist at the time of Jesus. So it isn't hard to understand why people followed Jesus to ask for a healing touch - for themselves and their loved ones.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus knew that Jesus had the power to heal. When Lazarus is ill, it is natural that the sisters would send a message to Jesus, "Lord the one you love is sick."
I've always found what happens next somewhat troubling. If you love someone who is sick, and you have the power to heal them - wouldn't you drop everything and rush to their side? Jesus doesn't do that, instead He stays where He is for two more days. Troubling, until I remember Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
The higher purpose in this case is God being glorified through Lazarus' sickness.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus; they know He loves them. Because He loves them He stays where He is for two more days.
Which makes me wonder - when we are praying desperately for Jesus to heal someone we love, and it looks like He doesn't hear us, isn't answering - is staying away, could it be because He has a higher purpose for that illness to serve?
What comfort to know that our great God, "...has gracious intentions even in seeming delays." (Matthew Henry)
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Are You the Deliverer?
John 10:22-42
"How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly." The Jews had gathered around Jesus and want to know, "Are you the Messiah, the One foretold by our prophets, the Deliverer promised to us?" Was Jesus the One who would finally release them from thier captivity?
These men knew God had delivered their people in the past. When their ancestors were living as slaves in Egypt, God sent Moses to lead them out of slavery to the Promised Land; "...The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God...The Lord said,'I have indeed seen the misery of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering...So now I am sending you (Moses) to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 2:23, 3:7,10)
In Jesus' time they were living in thier land, but under the brutal rule and occupation of the Roman government. The story of God's deliverance from Egypt was repeated each year at Passover. God could deliver them from the Roman occupation, He just needed to send a deliverer! So they are gathered around Jesus asking, wondering...
Jesus reminds them that He has performed miracles in the Father's name, and yet they don't believe. It's interesting that when Moses first went to the Israelites to tell them that God was going to deliver them from thier slavery, they don't believe either, "...but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage."
Then Jesus tells them "I and the Father are One." They pick up stones to kill Him - the Man who might be their Deliverer has claimed to be God! Moses delivered God's people without ever claiming to be God, this is blasphemy!
Or perhaps they were having a conversation, but not talking about the same thing...
They wanted delivery from the Romans, to have thier present situation fixed. Jesus wanted to give them so much more, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
Jesus was their Messiah, Deliverer, the One God sent to release them, not from Rome, but from the sin that held them captive. Jesus was concerned about that kind of slavery, " I tell you the truth," He said in John 8:34-36, "everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Jesus left these men and went back to where John had been baptizing in the early days. "And in that place many believed in Jesus."
Delivered forever from the bondage of sin...delivered into eternal life!
"How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly." The Jews had gathered around Jesus and want to know, "Are you the Messiah, the One foretold by our prophets, the Deliverer promised to us?" Was Jesus the One who would finally release them from thier captivity?
These men knew God had delivered their people in the past. When their ancestors were living as slaves in Egypt, God sent Moses to lead them out of slavery to the Promised Land; "...The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God...The Lord said,'I have indeed seen the misery of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering...So now I am sending you (Moses) to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 2:23, 3:7,10)
In Jesus' time they were living in thier land, but under the brutal rule and occupation of the Roman government. The story of God's deliverance from Egypt was repeated each year at Passover. God could deliver them from the Roman occupation, He just needed to send a deliverer! So they are gathered around Jesus asking, wondering...
Jesus reminds them that He has performed miracles in the Father's name, and yet they don't believe. It's interesting that when Moses first went to the Israelites to tell them that God was going to deliver them from thier slavery, they don't believe either, "...but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage."
Then Jesus tells them "I and the Father are One." They pick up stones to kill Him - the Man who might be their Deliverer has claimed to be God! Moses delivered God's people without ever claiming to be God, this is blasphemy!
Or perhaps they were having a conversation, but not talking about the same thing...
They wanted delivery from the Romans, to have thier present situation fixed. Jesus wanted to give them so much more, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
Jesus was their Messiah, Deliverer, the One God sent to release them, not from Rome, but from the sin that held them captive. Jesus was concerned about that kind of slavery, " I tell you the truth," He said in John 8:34-36, "everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Jesus left these men and went back to where John had been baptizing in the early days. "And in that place many believed in Jesus."
Delivered forever from the bondage of sin...delivered into eternal life!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Sheep in His Pasture
John 10:1-21
Reading the poetry of the Psalms paints beautiful pictures of God's care for us. In Psalms 100:3 we find, "Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture." With that I envision the sheep I saw in Ireland. Healthy, contented, in pastures full of green grass, protected by stone walls from predators, sheep farmers ready to care for thier needs. "The Lord is my Shepherd...", I am a sheep in His pasture.
God gave overseers to care for His sheep; priests, prophets, teachers to guide and care for thier spiritual growth. Moses and David are two such leaders that cared for God's people. As we continue to read the Old Testament we find that other leaders led the people astray. Instead of staying in God's pasture where He would feed them from His Word, they were led to follow false gods and religions. These leaders left God's sheep vulnerable to predators and the disease of sin.
God saw what was happening to His sheep. "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" He declared. (Jeremiah 23:1) "My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray..." (Jeremiah 50:6)
When Jesus came He looked out at a crowd of people - the sheep of God's pasture,and, "He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
"I am the good shepherd." Jesus proclaims. "The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
The hireling left the sheep during danger, he did not care for the sheep, "you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally." (Ezekiel 34:4)
Time and again we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd, searching for the lost, healing the sick...
"Hirelings" exist today. Those that would lead the sheep away from God's Word, then use them for thier own selfish purposes, " ...and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock..." (Ezekiel 34:9-10)
There is only One that can be called the Good Shepherd; Jesus, who laid down His life for us when He willingly went to the cross of Calvary and died for our sins.
Jesus laid down His life in love for the sheep, and His sheep know Him...
Do you know the Good Shepherd?
Reading the poetry of the Psalms paints beautiful pictures of God's care for us. In Psalms 100:3 we find, "Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture." With that I envision the sheep I saw in Ireland. Healthy, contented, in pastures full of green grass, protected by stone walls from predators, sheep farmers ready to care for thier needs. "The Lord is my Shepherd...", I am a sheep in His pasture.
God gave overseers to care for His sheep; priests, prophets, teachers to guide and care for thier spiritual growth. Moses and David are two such leaders that cared for God's people. As we continue to read the Old Testament we find that other leaders led the people astray. Instead of staying in God's pasture where He would feed them from His Word, they were led to follow false gods and religions. These leaders left God's sheep vulnerable to predators and the disease of sin.
God saw what was happening to His sheep. "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" He declared. (Jeremiah 23:1) "My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray..." (Jeremiah 50:6)
When Jesus came He looked out at a crowd of people - the sheep of God's pasture,and, "He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
"I am the good shepherd." Jesus proclaims. "The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
The hireling left the sheep during danger, he did not care for the sheep, "you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally." (Ezekiel 34:4)
Time and again we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd, searching for the lost, healing the sick...
"Hirelings" exist today. Those that would lead the sheep away from God's Word, then use them for thier own selfish purposes, " ...and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock..." (Ezekiel 34:9-10)
There is only One that can be called the Good Shepherd; Jesus, who laid down His life for us when He willingly went to the cross of Calvary and died for our sins.
Jesus laid down His life in love for the sheep, and His sheep know Him...
Do you know the Good Shepherd?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Can Your Guide See?
John 9:35-36
Jesus said, " For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.". Some Pharisees who were with Him heard Him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."
The physical healing of a blind man sparks the anger of the religious Pharisees. The man is thrown out of the synagogue for acknowledging Jesus as his healer. Jesus searches him out, and comes right to the point, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man asks who He is, so that he may believe in Him. Jesus tells him, "You have now seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you." The man believes in Jesus and worships Him!
The Pharisees, who are there listening, ask if they are blind also. Interesting, because in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 23 we find Jesus calling the Pharisees blind guides, blind fools, blind men...
If you were climbing Mt. Everest, a life or death experience, would you put your trust in a guide that is blind? No, that would most certainly result in death, especially in the case of a climber who had never been to the summit. Why then, do we trust "religious" guides who are blind?
These guides - the Pharisees - were shutting "the Kingdom of Heaven in men's faces". (Matthew 23:13) They wouldn't enter the Kingdom by trusting in Christ and following Him, nor would they allow those who wanted to enter the Kingdom to do so. Their blindness would lead others to death because, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life..." (John 3:36) Though we are referring to the Pharisees from Jesus' time in this Scripture, would you not agree that there are many who would guide us away from belief in Christ in our own day?
Are you following a blind guide? Or, more importantly, are you following Jesus?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Jesus said, " For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.". Some Pharisees who were with Him heard Him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."
The physical healing of a blind man sparks the anger of the religious Pharisees. The man is thrown out of the synagogue for acknowledging Jesus as his healer. Jesus searches him out, and comes right to the point, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man asks who He is, so that he may believe in Him. Jesus tells him, "You have now seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you." The man believes in Jesus and worships Him!
The Pharisees, who are there listening, ask if they are blind also. Interesting, because in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 23 we find Jesus calling the Pharisees blind guides, blind fools, blind men...
If you were climbing Mt. Everest, a life or death experience, would you put your trust in a guide that is blind? No, that would most certainly result in death, especially in the case of a climber who had never been to the summit. Why then, do we trust "religious" guides who are blind?
These guides - the Pharisees - were shutting "the Kingdom of Heaven in men's faces". (Matthew 23:13) They wouldn't enter the Kingdom by trusting in Christ and following Him, nor would they allow those who wanted to enter the Kingdom to do so. Their blindness would lead others to death because, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life..." (John 3:36) Though we are referring to the Pharisees from Jesus' time in this Scripture, would you not agree that there are many who would guide us away from belief in Christ in our own day?
Are you following a blind guide? Or, more importantly, are you following Jesus?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
From Celebration to Explanation
John 9:13-34
The man who had been blind since birth can now see. Jesus Christ's touch brought light to the man's dark world. The beauty of God's creation, the faces of those he loved, must have amazed him as he viewed them for the first time. Can you imagine the celebration going on in his heart at that moment?
The religious Pharisees were so concerned with whether or not a law was broken during the healing, that they fail to see the bigger picture - a blind man's sight was restored! Praise God! A miracle happened and instead of rejoicing, they are nit-picking.
The man's parents are called because the religious leaders doubt the miracle. Was this man even blind to begin with? Really, Pharisees! You passed by him for years - did you even look at him, or was that beneath you? The parents verify that the man was blind, but are afraid - to acknowledge Christ would cause them to be put out of the synagogue.
So they summon the man back for more questioning. He doesn't know anything about Jesus, except this: "I was blind, but now I see!" Then he goes on to share some profound wisdom with them. "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." The man who has been blind since birth knows more about God than the religious men who have studied the law for years. Were they impressed? No, they threw him out!
When we believe in Christ, the Light, and He heals our spiritual blindness, the darkness is gone and we live a new life of faith in Him. Like the blind man we will face those that ridicule or doubt the miracle Christ has performed in our lives. When this happens will we be ashamed to acknowledge who Christ is, like the man's parents, or we will we choose to follow the man's example and tell the truth about Jesus?
The man who had been blind since birth can now see. Jesus Christ's touch brought light to the man's dark world. The beauty of God's creation, the faces of those he loved, must have amazed him as he viewed them for the first time. Can you imagine the celebration going on in his heart at that moment?
The religious Pharisees were so concerned with whether or not a law was broken during the healing, that they fail to see the bigger picture - a blind man's sight was restored! Praise God! A miracle happened and instead of rejoicing, they are nit-picking.
The man's parents are called because the religious leaders doubt the miracle. Was this man even blind to begin with? Really, Pharisees! You passed by him for years - did you even look at him, or was that beneath you? The parents verify that the man was blind, but are afraid - to acknowledge Christ would cause them to be put out of the synagogue.
So they summon the man back for more questioning. He doesn't know anything about Jesus, except this: "I was blind, but now I see!" Then he goes on to share some profound wisdom with them. "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." The man who has been blind since birth knows more about God than the religious men who have studied the law for years. Were they impressed? No, they threw him out!
When we believe in Christ, the Light, and He heals our spiritual blindness, the darkness is gone and we live a new life of faith in Him. Like the blind man we will face those that ridicule or doubt the miracle Christ has performed in our lives. When this happens will we be ashamed to acknowledge who Christ is, like the man's parents, or we will we choose to follow the man's example and tell the truth about Jesus?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Light Takes Away Darkness
After struggling with a major glitch that was keeping me from posting, suddenly, today I have access to compose on this blog! I'm not sure how, or why it wouldn't work before, but rather than spend time puzzling over those questions I will seize the opportunity to carry on in the book of John!
John 9:3-12
Jesus, the Light of the World, meets a man who has been blind - in the dark - since birth.
Does Jesus leave him in darkness? No, He tells His disciples that while it is day He will do the work of the One who sent Him. On that day, God's work would be displayed in the life of that particular blind man.
Jesus spit on the ground, made mud, and put it on the man's eyes. It makes no sense that dirt and saliva would heal this man's eyes, and perhaps that's the point. An expensive tube of ointment, far beyond the man's reach in its cost, might be expected to heal - but mud? If a healing occurred, then it would be a truly unexpected miracle! Something only God could accomplish.
Jesus then gave instructions for the man to wash in the pool of Siloam, the man did, and went home with his sight.
On his way home he passes neighbors and people who had seen him begging. There was a debate over who he was - the miracle left him a changed man that some couldn't even recognize. The man insists that he is the same man they knew as a blind beggar. "Then how were your eyes opened?", they demanded. The man gave them a testimony that displayed the work of God in his life - the story of Jesus's healing touch that brought light to his darkness.
When we believe in Jesus, our life, like the blind man's, is forever changed. The people that we have lived and worked with may not recognize us, because the difference He makes in our life is so great. As we share the story of how Christ has touched our life, God will be glorified. And the ones we share our testimony with may have a question: "Where is this Man?" The blind man didn't know where Christ was at the moment they asked, but if we know Christ as our Lord and Savior we have an answer for those who ask: "He's in my heart - and can abide with you, too. All you need to do is ask!"
John 9:3-12
Jesus, the Light of the World, meets a man who has been blind - in the dark - since birth.
Does Jesus leave him in darkness? No, He tells His disciples that while it is day He will do the work of the One who sent Him. On that day, God's work would be displayed in the life of that particular blind man.
Jesus spit on the ground, made mud, and put it on the man's eyes. It makes no sense that dirt and saliva would heal this man's eyes, and perhaps that's the point. An expensive tube of ointment, far beyond the man's reach in its cost, might be expected to heal - but mud? If a healing occurred, then it would be a truly unexpected miracle! Something only God could accomplish.
Jesus then gave instructions for the man to wash in the pool of Siloam, the man did, and went home with his sight.
On his way home he passes neighbors and people who had seen him begging. There was a debate over who he was - the miracle left him a changed man that some couldn't even recognize. The man insists that he is the same man they knew as a blind beggar. "Then how were your eyes opened?", they demanded. The man gave them a testimony that displayed the work of God in his life - the story of Jesus's healing touch that brought light to his darkness.
When we believe in Jesus, our life, like the blind man's, is forever changed. The people that we have lived and worked with may not recognize us, because the difference He makes in our life is so great. As we share the story of how Christ has touched our life, God will be glorified. And the ones we share our testimony with may have a question: "Where is this Man?" The blind man didn't know where Christ was at the moment they asked, but if we know Christ as our Lord and Savior we have an answer for those who ask: "He's in my heart - and can abide with you, too. All you need to do is ask!"
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Something Good Out of the Bad Stuff
John 9:1-3
Jesus passed by a man, blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" The disciples are asking this question because it was taught that a person with a physical ailment from birth had parents or grandparents who had committed sins that caused the ailment.
Imagine, for a moment, the burden in that belief. When our children were born I remember waiting anxiously as they were checked to see if there were any physical problems that required medical attention. What relief we felt when they were declared healthy. The parents of the blind man wouldn't have known that relief. They would instead have a burden of guilt they carried, wondering what sin they had committed that resulted in the loss of thier baby's sight.
Jesus tells his disciples that, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
The man's blindness wasn't caused by his parents, or himself. I don't believe Jesus is saying they had never sinned because Romans 3:23 tells us, "... all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." What He is telling His disciples is this - their sin was not the cause of the blindness. And somehow, in that blindness, the work of God was going to be displayed in his life.
If we skip a few pages to John chapter 11 we read the story of Jesus' friend Lazarus, who becomes gravely ill. When Jesus received word of this illness, He responds, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Lazarus did die, and was placed in the tomb, but that wasn't the end. Jesus raised Lazarus up to live again, and many that were there and saw what Jesus did put thier faith in Him. The illness and death of Lazarus had a greater purpose. The work of God was about to be displayed in the blind man's life also.
There are times when trials come to our life as the consequences of our sinful actions. Sometimes, though, hard things happen for no apparent reason. We see from the Scripture we've looked at that these may be opportunities for the work of God to be displayed in our lives, and used to bring others to believe in Him.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Jesus passed by a man, blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" The disciples are asking this question because it was taught that a person with a physical ailment from birth had parents or grandparents who had committed sins that caused the ailment.
Imagine, for a moment, the burden in that belief. When our children were born I remember waiting anxiously as they were checked to see if there were any physical problems that required medical attention. What relief we felt when they were declared healthy. The parents of the blind man wouldn't have known that relief. They would instead have a burden of guilt they carried, wondering what sin they had committed that resulted in the loss of thier baby's sight.
Jesus tells his disciples that, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
The man's blindness wasn't caused by his parents, or himself. I don't believe Jesus is saying they had never sinned because Romans 3:23 tells us, "... all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." What He is telling His disciples is this - their sin was not the cause of the blindness. And somehow, in that blindness, the work of God was going to be displayed in his life.
If we skip a few pages to John chapter 11 we read the story of Jesus' friend Lazarus, who becomes gravely ill. When Jesus received word of this illness, He responds, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Lazarus did die, and was placed in the tomb, but that wasn't the end. Jesus raised Lazarus up to live again, and many that were there and saw what Jesus did put thier faith in Him. The illness and death of Lazarus had a greater purpose. The work of God was about to be displayed in the blind man's life also.
There are times when trials come to our life as the consequences of our sinful actions. Sometimes, though, hard things happen for no apparent reason. We see from the Scripture we've looked at that these may be opportunities for the work of God to be displayed in our lives, and used to bring others to believe in Him.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Monday, January 30, 2012
Too Stubborn!
John 8:48-58
What kind of men were calling Jesus a Samaritan and demon possessed? Religious leaders and men presumed to know God's Word. Thier words carried weight with the crowd. Certainly no one in the community would tell them that their father was the devil, as Jesus just had.
Jesus knew thier hearts. Though these men knew the law, they did not keep the law in the spirit God had given it. They knew not to murder, but still hated thier brothers. They knew not to commit adultery, but lusted after another's wife. They were liars and hypocrites. Since Satan was the father of lies - they were his children.
Jesus could have given up on them. Instead He tells them over and again that something was missing in their religion. By refusing to believe that Christ was the Son of God they were condemning themselves to eternal death. To know life they would have to believe.
Stubborness can condemn us also - and cause us to do things with severe consequences. The religious leaders began by ridiculing Jesus, became annoyed and angry, and at the end were murderous. As leaders, thier sin of stubborness had consequences for the people who listened to them rather than Christ, leading them to the same condemnation.
"So, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..." Hebrews 3:7-8
Hardening our hearts against Christ and refusing to believe has eternal consequences!
What kind of men were calling Jesus a Samaritan and demon possessed? Religious leaders and men presumed to know God's Word. Thier words carried weight with the crowd. Certainly no one in the community would tell them that their father was the devil, as Jesus just had.
Jesus knew thier hearts. Though these men knew the law, they did not keep the law in the spirit God had given it. They knew not to murder, but still hated thier brothers. They knew not to commit adultery, but lusted after another's wife. They were liars and hypocrites. Since Satan was the father of lies - they were his children.
Jesus could have given up on them. Instead He tells them over and again that something was missing in their religion. By refusing to believe that Christ was the Son of God they were condemning themselves to eternal death. To know life they would have to believe.
Stubborness can condemn us also - and cause us to do things with severe consequences. The religious leaders began by ridiculing Jesus, became annoyed and angry, and at the end were murderous. As leaders, thier sin of stubborness had consequences for the people who listened to them rather than Christ, leading them to the same condemnation.
"So, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..." Hebrews 3:7-8
Hardening our hearts against Christ and refusing to believe has eternal consequences!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Who's Your Father?
John 8:37- 47
Okay, so who is your father?
"Abraham is our father"
We can read about the covenant between God and Abraham in Genesis 15. Abraham and his wife Sarah were childless, and beyond the time of life to expect the birth of a child between them. Yet God shared this with Abraham, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be." Abraham believed these words from God. Abraham and Sarah did have a child, as God had promised. As time went on Abraham's descendants grew to become a nation, the men speaking with Jesus were truly descendants of Abraham. Jesus confirms thier claim, "I know you are Abraham's descendants."
Physically from the same line as Abraham, spiritually, though they couldn't make this claim. Why? Because Abraham believed God when He spoke to him, and many of his physical descendants did not. In fact they wanted to kill Jesus, "You are ready to kill me because you have no room for my word." Abraham gladly received God's word, so Abraham is not thier spiritual father, but they are from the the family of thier father Satan. "You do what you have heard from your father", Jesus tells them, and, "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning..."
"You are doing the things your own father does."
Satan is the adversary against God and Jesus. Many of the religious leaders were adversaries against Christ when they set themselves in opposition against Him. Rather than believe God's Word as Abraham did, they resisted Christ's teaching to the point of wanting Him dead. In this respect they became spiritual children of Satan, doing the things he did.
"The only Father we have is God Himself".
Jesus has pointed out that they are not true sons of Abraham, because they will not listen to His what He is telling them. The people then point out that they are not illegitimate, they are the people that God chose to be His own. God is thier Father. What they don't see is that it's more than a label, it's what's in thier hearts.
Now the same holds true for us. Perhaps your parents believe in Jesus Christ. Thier belief doesn't make you a Christian. Becoming a believer is a relationship between you and Christ and involves a change in your own heart. Or maybe you joined a church at some point in your life and identify with that denomination. Joining a church doesn't take the place of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a fine thing to attend church, but a commitment to Christ is what's necessary.
Do you oppose Christ, like Satan, or do you believe what He says, like Abraham?
Who is your Father?
Okay, so who is your father?
"Abraham is our father"
We can read about the covenant between God and Abraham in Genesis 15. Abraham and his wife Sarah were childless, and beyond the time of life to expect the birth of a child between them. Yet God shared this with Abraham, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be." Abraham believed these words from God. Abraham and Sarah did have a child, as God had promised. As time went on Abraham's descendants grew to become a nation, the men speaking with Jesus were truly descendants of Abraham. Jesus confirms thier claim, "I know you are Abraham's descendants."
Physically from the same line as Abraham, spiritually, though they couldn't make this claim. Why? Because Abraham believed God when He spoke to him, and many of his physical descendants did not. In fact they wanted to kill Jesus, "You are ready to kill me because you have no room for my word." Abraham gladly received God's word, so Abraham is not thier spiritual father, but they are from the the family of thier father Satan. "You do what you have heard from your father", Jesus tells them, and, "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning..."
"You are doing the things your own father does."
Satan is the adversary against God and Jesus. Many of the religious leaders were adversaries against Christ when they set themselves in opposition against Him. Rather than believe God's Word as Abraham did, they resisted Christ's teaching to the point of wanting Him dead. In this respect they became spiritual children of Satan, doing the things he did.
"The only Father we have is God Himself".
Jesus has pointed out that they are not true sons of Abraham, because they will not listen to His what He is telling them. The people then point out that they are not illegitimate, they are the people that God chose to be His own. God is thier Father. What they don't see is that it's more than a label, it's what's in thier hearts.
Now the same holds true for us. Perhaps your parents believe in Jesus Christ. Thier belief doesn't make you a Christian. Becoming a believer is a relationship between you and Christ and involves a change in your own heart. Or maybe you joined a church at some point in your life and identify with that denomination. Joining a church doesn't take the place of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a fine thing to attend church, but a commitment to Christ is what's necessary.
Do you oppose Christ, like Satan, or do you believe what He says, like Abraham?
Who is your Father?
Monday, January 23, 2012
A Slave to Something
John 8:30-36
When Jesus spoke, many put thier faith in Him. Sometimes I try to imagine what it must've been like to believe in Jesus, then to sit at His feet like Mary did, and learn what it meant to be His disciple - first hand, from the mouth of the Savior.
On this day He was teaching about freedom. Christ was telling them that if they held on to His teachings, they would know the truth, and that truth would set them free.
Free from what? Not the rule of Rome, Jesus wasn't referring to earthly oppression - though the believers take Him literally when they reply that they have never been slaves of anyone. Perhaps they had forgotten Egypt and the time thier ancestors spent oppressed by slave drivers into forced labor... (See Exodus 3:7-9).
Jesus wanted them to know about another type of slavery. "...Everyone who sins is a slave to sin." We sin when we are disobedient to God. For example, Jesus gives instructions found in Matthew 6:25-26, 34 against worrying. To worry, then, would be sin. Who of us hasn't allowed the futility of worrying take root in our life? Our mind labors over the "what ifs" of tomorrow, the "if only I could go back and do it differently" of the past, until the weight of it all oppresses us. We become a slave to worry.
Following Jesus instruction, "...Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.", would give us freedom.
Paul wrote about the same slavery and freedom in Romans 6. He reminds his readers that they used to offer the parts of thier body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness (v.19), and that when they offered themselves to obey someone, they became slaves of the one they obeyed (v.16). If they offered themselves to sin, they became slaves to sin and that would result in death. There is another choice, though. We can offer ourselves as slaves to obedience - which leads to righteousness (v.16) - and gives us freedom!
However, this isn't something I can do on my own - neither can you. Determining that you don't want to sin, and that you do want to obey God is pleasing to Him. Unfortunately, we can't free ourselves from the slave driver that sin is. Only One has the power to release us from bondage - that One is Jesus Christ.
"So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
When Jesus spoke, many put thier faith in Him. Sometimes I try to imagine what it must've been like to believe in Jesus, then to sit at His feet like Mary did, and learn what it meant to be His disciple - first hand, from the mouth of the Savior.
On this day He was teaching about freedom. Christ was telling them that if they held on to His teachings, they would know the truth, and that truth would set them free.
Free from what? Not the rule of Rome, Jesus wasn't referring to earthly oppression - though the believers take Him literally when they reply that they have never been slaves of anyone. Perhaps they had forgotten Egypt and the time thier ancestors spent oppressed by slave drivers into forced labor... (See Exodus 3:7-9).
Jesus wanted them to know about another type of slavery. "...Everyone who sins is a slave to sin." We sin when we are disobedient to God. For example, Jesus gives instructions found in Matthew 6:25-26, 34 against worrying. To worry, then, would be sin. Who of us hasn't allowed the futility of worrying take root in our life? Our mind labors over the "what ifs" of tomorrow, the "if only I could go back and do it differently" of the past, until the weight of it all oppresses us. We become a slave to worry.
Following Jesus instruction, "...Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.", would give us freedom.
Paul wrote about the same slavery and freedom in Romans 6. He reminds his readers that they used to offer the parts of thier body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness (v.19), and that when they offered themselves to obey someone, they became slaves of the one they obeyed (v.16). If they offered themselves to sin, they became slaves to sin and that would result in death. There is another choice, though. We can offer ourselves as slaves to obedience - which leads to righteousness (v.16) - and gives us freedom!
However, this isn't something I can do on my own - neither can you. Determining that you don't want to sin, and that you do want to obey God is pleasing to Him. Unfortunately, we can't free ourselves from the slave driver that sin is. Only One has the power to release us from bondage - that One is Jesus Christ.
"So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Monday, January 16, 2012
Stumble in Darkness or Walk in the Light
John 8:12
Jesus' teaching in this scripture reveals that He is the "light of the world", and that whoever follows Him, will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Jesus didn't want people to stay in the dark. Following Him would bring them into the light. He wanted the people to know the full life He came to bring them. (see John 10:10) A life lived in the light.
Have you ever tried to walk in the dark in an unfamiliar setting? It's fine as long as you're in a big, open space. Add some obstacles though, and soon you are stumbling and falling.
Life is that unfamiliar setting. None of us know what obstacles lie waiting in the future. We may have long periods of good health, prosperity and strife-free relationships - the dark doesn't seem so bad then. But when obstacles come out of nowhere - bad news at the doctor's office, the boss tells you the company is downsizing and doesn't need you, your spouse leaves - you find yourself stumbling, or worse falling into fear and depression as the dark closes in.
Following Christ doesn't keep the obstacles I've mentioned out of our lives. What does happen, though, is that His light puts them into perspective. Darkness can paralyze us with fear, the obstacles assume overwhelming proportions. Christ's light reveals them for what they are, situations we can get through by walking with Him in His light. Trying to get through life's obstacles on our own will only keep us stumbling in the dark!
Think about these verses:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
We don't have to stay in the dark.
We can choose to follow Christ - the light of the world, the light of our life!
Jesus' teaching in this scripture reveals that He is the "light of the world", and that whoever follows Him, will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Jesus didn't want people to stay in the dark. Following Him would bring them into the light. He wanted the people to know the full life He came to bring them. (see John 10:10) A life lived in the light.
Have you ever tried to walk in the dark in an unfamiliar setting? It's fine as long as you're in a big, open space. Add some obstacles though, and soon you are stumbling and falling.
Life is that unfamiliar setting. None of us know what obstacles lie waiting in the future. We may have long periods of good health, prosperity and strife-free relationships - the dark doesn't seem so bad then. But when obstacles come out of nowhere - bad news at the doctor's office, the boss tells you the company is downsizing and doesn't need you, your spouse leaves - you find yourself stumbling, or worse falling into fear and depression as the dark closes in.
Following Christ doesn't keep the obstacles I've mentioned out of our lives. What does happen, though, is that His light puts them into perspective. Darkness can paralyze us with fear, the obstacles assume overwhelming proportions. Christ's light reveals them for what they are, situations we can get through by walking with Him in His light. Trying to get through life's obstacles on our own will only keep us stumbling in the dark!
Think about these verses:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
We don't have to stay in the dark.
We can choose to follow Christ - the light of the world, the light of our life!
Friday, January 13, 2012
The First to Throw a Stone
John 8:1-11
Jesus is back at the temple, and a group surrounds Him as He sits down to teach.
A woman, led by the teachers of the law and Pharisees, is brought to stand in front of Jesus and those He's been teaching. "Teacher," they say, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women, now what do You say?" Rather than answer, Jesus bends over and writes on the ground with His finger.
The Pharisees are correct, according to the law, adultery is a sin. In Exodus 20:14 one of the ten commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai states, "You shall not commit adultery." Leviticus 20:10 expounds on this further, "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife - with the wife of his neighbor - both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death."
Perhaps some of these leaders were there when Jesus taught on a hillside one day and stated, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
The religious leaders kept questioning Jesus until He finally replied, "If any one of you is without sin,let him be the first to throw a stone at her." From the oldest to the youngest the men melt away. If nothing else, they had sinned in not keeping the letter of the law, which stated that the man committing adultery was to be brought with the woman, and both were to die.
Jesus looked at the woman and told her He didn't condemn her, and that she was to leave her life of sin. It reminds me of the words recorded in John 3:17, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."
Jesus came to save sinners.
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinnners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Jesus is back at the temple, and a group surrounds Him as He sits down to teach.
A woman, led by the teachers of the law and Pharisees, is brought to stand in front of Jesus and those He's been teaching. "Teacher," they say, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women, now what do You say?" Rather than answer, Jesus bends over and writes on the ground with His finger.
The Pharisees are correct, according to the law, adultery is a sin. In Exodus 20:14 one of the ten commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai states, "You shall not commit adultery." Leviticus 20:10 expounds on this further, "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife - with the wife of his neighbor - both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death."
Perhaps some of these leaders were there when Jesus taught on a hillside one day and stated, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
The religious leaders kept questioning Jesus until He finally replied, "If any one of you is without sin,let him be the first to throw a stone at her." From the oldest to the youngest the men melt away. If nothing else, they had sinned in not keeping the letter of the law, which stated that the man committing adultery was to be brought with the woman, and both were to die.
Jesus looked at the woman and told her He didn't condemn her, and that she was to leave her life of sin. It reminds me of the words recorded in John 3:17, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."
Jesus came to save sinners.
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinnners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A Lack of Faith
John 7:45-53
My mother was born in San Diego, California at the beginning of U.S. involvement inWorld War II. Her mother passed away shortly after her birth. Her father, an officer in the Navy, received orders for the South Pacific. She was only a few months old when she left California to live in Iowa with a friend of the family.
If you didn't know my mother at that time, and met her as an adult, there would be no reason to believe her place of birth was on the West coast. Her home was in Iowa.
The Pharisees rejected Jesus with the argument that, "...a prophet does not come out of Galilee."
Yes, Jesus grew up in Galilee with His mother and father. Jesus wasn't born in Galilee, though, He was born in Bethlehem. In Luke 2:1-7 we find that Mary and Joseph left Nazareth in Galilee to go to Bethlehem to register in a census. Bethlehem was the town of David, Joseph was from David's line and so they were required to make the trip. While they were in Bethlehem Mary gave birth to Jesus.
The Pharisees were familiar with the passage of Scripture found in Micah 5:2, "But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small amoung the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Or in the King James Version "...whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." They were looking for the Messiah to come from Bethlehem.
In Matthew 2:1-18 we find the account of the Magi searching for Jesus. They came to King Herod in Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?". Herod called the chief priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Christ was to be born. The reply, "In Bethlehem, in Judea..."
The Pharisees refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah because He was from Galilee. What if they would've asked Jesus where He was born? Surely they could have inquired further into Jesus' background if they'd chosen to do so. Instead, they considered anyone who listened to Jesus as deceived; the people were supposed to determine who Jesus was based on the religious leader's beliefs. After all, they knew the law!
I'm not sure why Jesus didn't just call the Pharisees aside and tell them to search the records to see that He had been born in Bethlehem. It may be because believing in Jesus Christ requires faith, not just facts.Or perhaps He knew they still wouldn't believe - they'd witnessed amazing miracles with no change of heart.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:1-3
It takes faith to believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. It wasn't Jesus who was deceiving the people - it was thier leaders - who lacked faith.
My mother was born in San Diego, California at the beginning of U.S. involvement inWorld War II. Her mother passed away shortly after her birth. Her father, an officer in the Navy, received orders for the South Pacific. She was only a few months old when she left California to live in Iowa with a friend of the family.
If you didn't know my mother at that time, and met her as an adult, there would be no reason to believe her place of birth was on the West coast. Her home was in Iowa.
The Pharisees rejected Jesus with the argument that, "...a prophet does not come out of Galilee."
Yes, Jesus grew up in Galilee with His mother and father. Jesus wasn't born in Galilee, though, He was born in Bethlehem. In Luke 2:1-7 we find that Mary and Joseph left Nazareth in Galilee to go to Bethlehem to register in a census. Bethlehem was the town of David, Joseph was from David's line and so they were required to make the trip. While they were in Bethlehem Mary gave birth to Jesus.
The Pharisees were familiar with the passage of Scripture found in Micah 5:2, "But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small amoung the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Or in the King James Version "...whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." They were looking for the Messiah to come from Bethlehem.
In Matthew 2:1-18 we find the account of the Magi searching for Jesus. They came to King Herod in Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?". Herod called the chief priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Christ was to be born. The reply, "In Bethlehem, in Judea..."
The Pharisees refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah because He was from Galilee. What if they would've asked Jesus where He was born? Surely they could have inquired further into Jesus' background if they'd chosen to do so. Instead, they considered anyone who listened to Jesus as deceived; the people were supposed to determine who Jesus was based on the religious leader's beliefs. After all, they knew the law!
I'm not sure why Jesus didn't just call the Pharisees aside and tell them to search the records to see that He had been born in Bethlehem. It may be because believing in Jesus Christ requires faith, not just facts.Or perhaps He knew they still wouldn't believe - they'd witnessed amazing miracles with no change of heart.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:1-3
It takes faith to believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. It wasn't Jesus who was deceiving the people - it was thier leaders - who lacked faith.
Monday, January 9, 2012
A Crowd's Response
John 7:25-41
Jesus proclaims the truth about Himself to all. Each of us then has to decide whether or not we believe this truth.
Jesus is teaching during the Feast of the Tabernacles. The reaction of that crowd isn't unique - these reactions could've been recorded today:
What do the religious leaders think of Jesus?
Let's get rid of Him!
Many put thier faith in Him.
Arrest Him! (Today that would translate to: Arrest those that believe in Him!)
What He said confused many.
Some give Him a title other than Messiah. (He was a prophet, a good man.)
Others know "He is the Christ."
Some misunderstood what the Scriptures said about Him.
"...the people were divided because of Jesus."
Over and again in the book of John, Jesus proclaims who He is. There were some, trusting that His words were true, who believed and followed. There were some that were confused and looked to the religious leaders to tell them what to believe. Others were willing to concede that He was a good teacher or prophet, but refused to believe He was the Son of God. Some had a partial knowledge of what the Scriptures said, but didn't seek further to vanquish the doubts they held about Him. And then, a group who hated Him, wanted Him arrested, wanted to be rid of Him.
Truly, the people are still divided because of Jesus!
As you look at these responses to who Christ is, please search your heart for what you believe. Jeremiah 29:11 states, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."
God wants us to know who Jesus is - without a doubt!
Jesus proclaims the truth about Himself to all. Each of us then has to decide whether or not we believe this truth.
Jesus is teaching during the Feast of the Tabernacles. The reaction of that crowd isn't unique - these reactions could've been recorded today:
What do the religious leaders think of Jesus?
Let's get rid of Him!
Many put thier faith in Him.
Arrest Him! (Today that would translate to: Arrest those that believe in Him!)
What He said confused many.
Some give Him a title other than Messiah. (He was a prophet, a good man.)
Others know "He is the Christ."
Some misunderstood what the Scriptures said about Him.
"...the people were divided because of Jesus."
Over and again in the book of John, Jesus proclaims who He is. There were some, trusting that His words were true, who believed and followed. There were some that were confused and looked to the religious leaders to tell them what to believe. Others were willing to concede that He was a good teacher or prophet, but refused to believe He was the Son of God. Some had a partial knowledge of what the Scriptures said, but didn't seek further to vanquish the doubts they held about Him. And then, a group who hated Him, wanted Him arrested, wanted to be rid of Him.
Truly, the people are still divided because of Jesus!
As you look at these responses to who Christ is, please search your heart for what you believe. Jeremiah 29:11 states, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."
God wants us to know who Jesus is - without a doubt!
Friday, January 6, 2012
The Source of Insight and Understanding
John 7:14-24
In the verses prior to this section we find Jesus' brothers headed to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles. Jesus didn't leave with his brothers, but stayed behind in Galilee, secretly making His way there after they left. (John 7:10)
The Feast of the Tabernacles took place at harvest time, starting on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar (this falls somewhere between September and October on our calendar). God instructed His people to celebrate the feast for seven days in the way He outlined for them in Leviticus 23:33-43. They were to go to Jerusalem and build booths to stay in during the celebration. The booths were a reminder that God had them live in similar dwellings when He brought them out of Egypt (Leviticus 23:43)
Side note: This feast is still celebrated, and the booths are still erected today. Here's an artist's rendering:
In the verses prior to this section we find Jesus' brothers headed to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles. Jesus didn't leave with his brothers, but stayed behind in Galilee, secretly making His way there after they left. (John 7:10)
The Feast of the Tabernacles took place at harvest time, starting on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar (this falls somewhere between September and October on our calendar). God instructed His people to celebrate the feast for seven days in the way He outlined for them in Leviticus 23:33-43. They were to go to Jerusalem and build booths to stay in during the celebration. The booths were a reminder that God had them live in similar dwellings when He brought them out of Egypt (Leviticus 23:43)
Side note: This feast is still celebrated, and the booths are still erected today. Here's an artist's rendering:
These are called "sukkahs", and a web search will show you all sorts of creative sukkahs or booths that are used in celebrating the feast.
I wondered why Jesus would leave Galilee to go to Jerusalem. It would've been safer at home, so why leave? It was God's will. How do we know it was God's will? By reading Deuteronomy 16:16, "Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles..." Jesus left Galilee to obey God.
The feast is halfway over when Jesus begins to teach in the temple courts. The people are amazed; Jesus knows what He is talking about - how is this possible when He hasn't studied? Jesus surprised everyone in a similar way when, at the age of twelve was found sitting among the teachers in the temple, and, "Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers..." (Luke 2:47)
These words from Psalm 119:97-104 certainly describe Him:
"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path."
What was the source of Jesus' insight and understanding? According to Him, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from He who sent Me."
Which gives me reason to wonder; what's the source of my insight and understanding?
If it's anything less than the truth found in God's Word, then it falls short.
In the last verse of this section, John 7:24, Jesus says to "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." How can we ever hope to do that if we haven't studied His Word?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Right Time to Go, the Right Time to Stay
John 7:1-13
So far we've read how Jesus turned water into wine, healed an official's son and a paralyzed man, fed over 5,000 people with food to spare, and walked on the sea. Following Him and watching these miracles must have been awesome!
The religious leaders didn't find Jesus quite so awesome; to them He was a threat. The words He spoke, the miracles, threatened thier authority. Rather than embracing the teaching of their Messiah and learning His ways, they plotted and planned to murder Him. With Jesus out of the way, their words would once again be the final authority on what God expected from His people. Their status would be restored.
Is Jesus aware of thier hatred? John 7:1 tells us, "After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take His life."
"You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles You do." , His brothers tell Him, "Since You are doing these things show Yourself to the world." Imagine having a big brother that can walk on the waves of the sea. Every where you went people would ask you about your brother, and you in your own way would become famous also. But if the big brother decides to hang out around home, and no one sees him walk on water anymore, well, there goes your ticket to fame! Maybe Jesus' brothers weren't quite as self-serving as I imagine, but I also know they didn't believe in Him yet - it tells us this in John 7:5.
Jesus tells His brothers, "The right time for Me has not yet come...". It wasn't time for His life to be taken, He knows the religious leaders are waiting. Jesus was on His Father's schedule, not His brother's or His own.
This hits me hard, because I am a list person! If it's written down to do, it must be done - and much of it has nothing to do with the Father's schedule! In fact it's kind of upsetting when He imposes His plans into that carefully written list. This, however, is the God that states in Psalm 46:10 that we are to "Be still, and know that I am God..."
Jesus knew when to be still.
The right time for Jesus to go to the feast was in secret, after the brothers had left.
Which makes me think that perhaps the lists should be thrown away. That this year I should look to my Father for the right time to be still, and the right time to go...
So far we've read how Jesus turned water into wine, healed an official's son and a paralyzed man, fed over 5,000 people with food to spare, and walked on the sea. Following Him and watching these miracles must have been awesome!
The religious leaders didn't find Jesus quite so awesome; to them He was a threat. The words He spoke, the miracles, threatened thier authority. Rather than embracing the teaching of their Messiah and learning His ways, they plotted and planned to murder Him. With Jesus out of the way, their words would once again be the final authority on what God expected from His people. Their status would be restored.
Is Jesus aware of thier hatred? John 7:1 tells us, "After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take His life."
"You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles You do." , His brothers tell Him, "Since You are doing these things show Yourself to the world." Imagine having a big brother that can walk on the waves of the sea. Every where you went people would ask you about your brother, and you in your own way would become famous also. But if the big brother decides to hang out around home, and no one sees him walk on water anymore, well, there goes your ticket to fame! Maybe Jesus' brothers weren't quite as self-serving as I imagine, but I also know they didn't believe in Him yet - it tells us this in John 7:5.
Jesus tells His brothers, "The right time for Me has not yet come...". It wasn't time for His life to be taken, He knows the religious leaders are waiting. Jesus was on His Father's schedule, not His brother's or His own.
This hits me hard, because I am a list person! If it's written down to do, it must be done - and much of it has nothing to do with the Father's schedule! In fact it's kind of upsetting when He imposes His plans into that carefully written list. This, however, is the God that states in Psalm 46:10 that we are to "Be still, and know that I am God..."
Jesus knew when to be still.
The right time for Jesus to go to the feast was in secret, after the brothers had left.
Which makes me think that perhaps the lists should be thrown away. That this year I should look to my Father for the right time to be still, and the right time to go...
Monday, January 2, 2012
Celebration
A departure today from journeying through the book of John to reflect on celebrating the birth of Christ.
It's been a few weeks since I've written, and frankly I'm convicted of my disobedience. Even more so when I consider that I stopped obeying God's will so I could celebrate the birth of His Son. Does that sound ironic to you? It does to me! And it reminds me of a story found in 1 Samuel 15. It starts in verse 2, with Samuel giving King Saul instructions to attack the Amalekites. The Lord has said that the Amalekites are to be completely destroyed, along with everything that belongs to them - nothing was to be spared. Saul takes his army and attacks the Amalekites, just as he's been told.
He starts off in the right direction. Something happens though, between verses 4 and 8. Saul decides he knows what's best, takes matters in his own hands, saves the king of the Amelekites and the best of thier livestock. When he sees Samuel, Saul is quick to tell him that the Lord's instructions have been carried out. When Samuel hears the bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle and confronts Saul, the king justifies his disobedience by saying that these were kept to sacrifice to God. He disobeyed, so that he would have something good to give God.
It's here that Samuel replies:
"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22
So it gives me pause to think that while Saul was hustling around taking care of cattle, sheep and a king, he should've been obeying God instead. God's instruction was to destroy the things that now came between Him and Saul. God didn't want the stuff - the livestock, He wanted Saul's obedience.
Why?
Well, I guess we will visit the book of John after all! It's there we find what Jesus had to say about obedience.
"Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him." John 14:21
Why did God want Saul's obedience? Why does God want our obedience? It shows Him that we love Him, and that's what He wants from us!
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5
Happy New Year!
It's been a few weeks since I've written, and frankly I'm convicted of my disobedience. Even more so when I consider that I stopped obeying God's will so I could celebrate the birth of His Son. Does that sound ironic to you? It does to me! And it reminds me of a story found in 1 Samuel 15. It starts in verse 2, with Samuel giving King Saul instructions to attack the Amalekites. The Lord has said that the Amalekites are to be completely destroyed, along with everything that belongs to them - nothing was to be spared. Saul takes his army and attacks the Amalekites, just as he's been told.
He starts off in the right direction. Something happens though, between verses 4 and 8. Saul decides he knows what's best, takes matters in his own hands, saves the king of the Amelekites and the best of thier livestock. When he sees Samuel, Saul is quick to tell him that the Lord's instructions have been carried out. When Samuel hears the bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle and confronts Saul, the king justifies his disobedience by saying that these were kept to sacrifice to God. He disobeyed, so that he would have something good to give God.
It's here that Samuel replies:
"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22
So it gives me pause to think that while Saul was hustling around taking care of cattle, sheep and a king, he should've been obeying God instead. God's instruction was to destroy the things that now came between Him and Saul. God didn't want the stuff - the livestock, He wanted Saul's obedience.
Why?
Well, I guess we will visit the book of John after all! It's there we find what Jesus had to say about obedience.
"Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him." John 14:21
Why did God want Saul's obedience? Why does God want our obedience? It shows Him that we love Him, and that's what He wants from us!
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5
Happy New Year!
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