John 21:14-25
Today's reading will bring us to the end of our journey through the book of John.
And yet, what we have read about Jesus only touches the tip of the iceberg, "...There are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written..."
After Jesus' crucifixion Peter went back to fishing. His statement of purpose, "I am going fishing.", gave other disciples something to do, also. They went fishing with him!
Have you ever know a "Type A" person? They go from event to event, project to project, barely slowing down between each, always looking forward to the next. When we read about Peter throughout the Gospels, he seems to fit that profile. And imagine how many events he had witnessed if all that Jesus had done during His earthly ministry couldn't be written down because the, "...world itself couldn't contain all the books that would be written..."! Each day would've been filled with meaning and purpose.
And then the cross...
The hiding in fear behind a closed door...
With Jesus gone, what purpose did life have?
Jesus did not leave Thomas in doubt....and He did not leave Peter without purpose.
"...do you love me? ...Feed my sheep..."
Even though Peter had betrayed Jesus, there was still a reason for him to go on. Jesus had a plan for Peter that was much bigger than a fishing boat, nets and fish. We see the plan lived out in Acts 2. Peter was in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Now filled with the Holy Spirit he stood before a crowd of devout Jews from, "every nation under heaven", and Peter raised his voice to tell them about Jesus Christ... that they needed to, "Repent...be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...be saved from this perverse generation."
God has a purpose for us too.
Perhaps you doubt that statement. You, like Peter, may have denied Jesus over and again. How could He possibly care about you? How could you have a part in the work of His Kingdom?
"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)
Jesus gave Peter a purpose. You are not here randomly, He has a purpose for you, too!
Believe what you have read in the book of John. Jesus loves you. He died for you. He offers eternal life with Him if you repent of your sins and confess Him as your Savior. He will walk with you every day of your life and reveal the purpose He has for you.
And you will be amazed...
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Empty Nets, Full Nets!
John 21:1-13
Peter and some of the other disciples were together at the Sea of Tiberias. They were no longer locked up in fear, but had gone back to the place of two great miracles; this is where Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:1-15), and where He walked on water (John 6:16-24). Imagine the excitement of following Jesus each day, not knowing what miracle He might next perform. Imagine the emptiness the disciples surely felt when He was no longer there leading and teaching them.
And so we see the fisherman Peter, at the sea, back to doing what he had before Jesus chose him as His disciple - fishing. The others climb into the boat with him and spend the night casting their nets, but catching nothing. And as they fished, perhaps they reminisced. Peter himself had walked on these very waters! They had all seen the wind and waves obey Jesus as He calmed the stormy sea! Though Jesus wasn't with them, He had given them many experiences to think about, teaching to remember, a new way to live.
Daylight breaks, and on the shore Someone shouts to them, "Children, have you any food?" No fish, no food - empty nets and empty stomachs! The One on shore calls to them again, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." They don't know who this is yet - and since they've been fishing all night you can imagine that they probably have cast that net to the right a few times! But they cast it out anyway - after all, what do they have to lose? The net is so full of fish when they try to pull it out that they can't bring it all the way back into the boat!
What may have started as a dismal day is suddenly full of excitement! John realized Jesus was on the shore, Peter jumped out of the boat to get to Jesus as quickly as he could, the rest joined him as the boat came near. Jesus had breakfast ready - bread and fish.
Jesus didn't forget about His disciples. He appeared to them time and again, strengthening their belief.
Because we don't see Him, we sometimes forget Jesus is near. That He cares about us. That He provides what we need, especially when all our own efforts leave us empty!
Our lives are like the disciples' nets- empty when we forget Jesus and go our own way, full when we listen to His instruction for us!
Peter and some of the other disciples were together at the Sea of Tiberias. They were no longer locked up in fear, but had gone back to the place of two great miracles; this is where Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:1-15), and where He walked on water (John 6:16-24). Imagine the excitement of following Jesus each day, not knowing what miracle He might next perform. Imagine the emptiness the disciples surely felt when He was no longer there leading and teaching them.
And so we see the fisherman Peter, at the sea, back to doing what he had before Jesus chose him as His disciple - fishing. The others climb into the boat with him and spend the night casting their nets, but catching nothing. And as they fished, perhaps they reminisced. Peter himself had walked on these very waters! They had all seen the wind and waves obey Jesus as He calmed the stormy sea! Though Jesus wasn't with them, He had given them many experiences to think about, teaching to remember, a new way to live.
Daylight breaks, and on the shore Someone shouts to them, "Children, have you any food?" No fish, no food - empty nets and empty stomachs! The One on shore calls to them again, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." They don't know who this is yet - and since they've been fishing all night you can imagine that they probably have cast that net to the right a few times! But they cast it out anyway - after all, what do they have to lose? The net is so full of fish when they try to pull it out that they can't bring it all the way back into the boat!
What may have started as a dismal day is suddenly full of excitement! John realized Jesus was on the shore, Peter jumped out of the boat to get to Jesus as quickly as he could, the rest joined him as the boat came near. Jesus had breakfast ready - bread and fish.
Jesus didn't forget about His disciples. He appeared to them time and again, strengthening their belief.
Because we don't see Him, we sometimes forget Jesus is near. That He cares about us. That He provides what we need, especially when all our own efforts leave us empty!
Our lives are like the disciples' nets- empty when we forget Jesus and go our own way, full when we listen to His instruction for us!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Innocent?
John 19:13-24
Pilate caved in to the religious leaders and mob, releasing a murderer and turning over an innocent man; who was mocked...crowned with thorns...spit on...beaten...then sent to the Place of a Skull to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26-33) Before turning Jesus over, Pilate wanted to make one thing clear, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person." (Matthew 27:24) He told the crowd Jesus was innocent, that he "found no fault in Him". He was released from liability for the acts that would follow.
Or was he?
Pilate found himself in a position that many of us do when we try to please everyone. When we try to be politically correct at the cost of the truth. When we cave in and go along with everyone else, even when we know we are wrong.
In high school there was a sweet Christian girl in my English class. She seemed a little old-fashioned to most of us, but I can still remember that she had a nice smile and was kind to everyone. For several weeks her chair was empty, and when she did show up again something had changed. Her eyebrows were gone, her normally fair complexion was chalk white...and she was wearing a wig. A natural redhead with beautiful hair it was now styled in an artificial cut that mimicked something our mothers would've worn. It started with a few whispers, then some giggling, and soon everyone was laughing or commenting on the wig. It was cruel, and though I didn't laugh, I didn't do anything to stop what was happening. Innocent, right?
Or was I?
When Jesus was hung on the cross to die Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of The Jews". The chief priests are back at Pilate's door immediately, saying, "Do not write, "The King of the Jews", but, "He said "I am the King of the Jews". Surely Pilate will cave in again, right?
But he didn't. "What I have written, I have written.", he told them.
Not a politically correct answer for an ambitious man, but the truth.
The truth about Jesus, that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords...and forgives even those of us who cave in...
Pilate caved in to the religious leaders and mob, releasing a murderer and turning over an innocent man; who was mocked...crowned with thorns...spit on...beaten...then sent to the Place of a Skull to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26-33) Before turning Jesus over, Pilate wanted to make one thing clear, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person." (Matthew 27:24) He told the crowd Jesus was innocent, that he "found no fault in Him". He was released from liability for the acts that would follow.
Or was he?
Pilate found himself in a position that many of us do when we try to please everyone. When we try to be politically correct at the cost of the truth. When we cave in and go along with everyone else, even when we know we are wrong.
In high school there was a sweet Christian girl in my English class. She seemed a little old-fashioned to most of us, but I can still remember that she had a nice smile and was kind to everyone. For several weeks her chair was empty, and when she did show up again something had changed. Her eyebrows were gone, her normally fair complexion was chalk white...and she was wearing a wig. A natural redhead with beautiful hair it was now styled in an artificial cut that mimicked something our mothers would've worn. It started with a few whispers, then some giggling, and soon everyone was laughing or commenting on the wig. It was cruel, and though I didn't laugh, I didn't do anything to stop what was happening. Innocent, right?
Or was I?
When Jesus was hung on the cross to die Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of The Jews". The chief priests are back at Pilate's door immediately, saying, "Do not write, "The King of the Jews", but, "He said "I am the King of the Jews". Surely Pilate will cave in again, right?
But he didn't. "What I have written, I have written.", he told them.
Not a politically correct answer for an ambitious man, but the truth.
The truth about Jesus, that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords...and forgives even those of us who cave in...
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
A Way that Seems Right...
John 18:12-27, Luke 22:54-62
"...I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered." Mark 14:27
That night Jesus was arrested and led away. "...one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand..", "Then they all forsook Him and fled." (John 18:22, Mark 14:50)
God's will, God's timing, fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
God's will is not always what I expect, most often not my own will. If I had lived in Jesus' time I would have expected Him to stay on earth until He was old. Until all the sick were healed, and all the sinners made clean. Maybe until He had established an earthly kingdom utopia. My vision would have been limited by my understanding of His purpose.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord." Isaiah 55:8 We are limited by our inability to see beyond the very second we are living, for surely the expectation of what we believe will happen next can be interrupted by any number of circumstances!
Peter was ready to fight to the death rather than stumble that night. He spoke brave words and drew his sword. But when God's will was done, and Jesus was led away, Peter denied Him - just as Jesus said he would.
For all our brave words, for all our determination to stand for Christ - no matter what that might involve, we too will stumble. We may deny. Because God's will may involve things we don't expect.
If God allowed us to determine what was best, it would result in anything and everything but the best. Proverbs 14:12 says, " There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Our will, our understanding of what needs to take place in order that we may spend eternity with God, can result in our spiritual death. There are not many ways to God- only one, Jesus Christ, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6). There are no works good enough to open Heaven's door, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians 2:8).
It was God's will that Jesus died for our sins. It is His will that we believe Jesus died for our sins. So we are left with a choice - do we accept God's will?
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, 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, December 5, 2011
Plans and Purpose
John 6:25-29
Don't we all want to know the reason for our existence? Why we are here, and what we are supposed to be doing while we're here? So we set out on a search for something to give our lives validity; a great career, fame, fortune, fulfilling relationships. Any of these will give us something to do - a goal to reach, will fill our time and maybe our scrapbook. Some might even give us a line or two in a Google search!
Does God have plans for us? Psalm 40:5 says, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare." Yes, He is involved and interested in our life plans.
The crowd that Jesus fed is surprised to find Him across the lake the next day. He knows thier motive for seeking Him out; they were there because He fed them. So He tells them not to, "... work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." So they ask Jesus what action was needed on their part, "... to do the works God requires?"
What does God require of us? We know He has plans, ..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11), but how do we know what those plans are - what do they look like in our lives?
"...The work of God is this;" Jesus answered the crowd, "to believe in the One He has sent." God's plan for us is to believe in His Son Jesus, "the One He has sent." In Christ we find our purpose, the plan God has for us. Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10).
We have a reason for being here. God has a plan for our lives. Our existence has meaning and purpose. The Creator of the Universe is interested in you, personally, and what action does He require on your part?
To believe in the One He has sent - Jesus.
Don't we all want to know the reason for our existence? Why we are here, and what we are supposed to be doing while we're here? So we set out on a search for something to give our lives validity; a great career, fame, fortune, fulfilling relationships. Any of these will give us something to do - a goal to reach, will fill our time and maybe our scrapbook. Some might even give us a line or two in a Google search!
Does God have plans for us? Psalm 40:5 says, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare." Yes, He is involved and interested in our life plans.
The crowd that Jesus fed is surprised to find Him across the lake the next day. He knows thier motive for seeking Him out; they were there because He fed them. So He tells them not to, "... work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." So they ask Jesus what action was needed on their part, "... to do the works God requires?"
What does God require of us? We know He has plans, ..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11), but how do we know what those plans are - what do they look like in our lives?
"...The work of God is this;" Jesus answered the crowd, "to believe in the One He has sent." God's plan for us is to believe in His Son Jesus, "the One He has sent." In Christ we find our purpose, the plan God has for us. Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10).
We have a reason for being here. God has a plan for our lives. Our existence has meaning and purpose. The Creator of the Universe is interested in you, personally, and what action does He require on your part?
To believe in the One He has sent - Jesus.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
A Second Time - How?
John 3:1-10
Nicodemus - a man who had everything! Knowledge, power, and according to history - wealth.
A simple conversation with Jesus would quickly show him there was something he lacked; something his knowledge, power and wealth were unable to attain.
John 3:2 tells us that Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night. Perhaps it was the only time he could speak with Jesus privately. He's already discussed Jesus with his colleagues, "...we know you are a teacher who has come from God." He then refers to the miracles that Jesus had performed.
The miracles were powerful signs to those who witnessed them. Back in John 2:11 the miracle just performed revealed Jesus' glory - and the disciples put their faith in him.
Nicodemus wants to talk to Jesus about the miracles.
Have you ever thought you had a situation completely figured out, and so you go to God in prayer and explain to Him exactly what needs to be done so the situation can work out the way you want it to? When God's answer comes, it's completely different than what you've asked for. Why? Because He knows what you really need.
Jesus knew what Nicodemus really needed - something we all need - to be born again. A confounding answer to an inquiry on miracles.
Can you imagine Nicodemus mentally changing gears - "How can a man be born again when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus goes on to explain that, " ...no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." All who are alive have been born in the first respect, those who believe in Christ as their Messiah would be born again in the spirit. Look at John 1:12-13, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
In John 3:9 Nicodemus asks "How can this be?" Jesus answers "You are Israel's teacher and you do not understand these things?"
Nicodemus - a man lacking something - and what he was missing was standing right in front of him!
Nicodemus - a man who had everything! Knowledge, power, and according to history - wealth.
A simple conversation with Jesus would quickly show him there was something he lacked; something his knowledge, power and wealth were unable to attain.
John 3:2 tells us that Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night. Perhaps it was the only time he could speak with Jesus privately. He's already discussed Jesus with his colleagues, "...we know you are a teacher who has come from God." He then refers to the miracles that Jesus had performed.
The miracles were powerful signs to those who witnessed them. Back in John 2:11 the miracle just performed revealed Jesus' glory - and the disciples put their faith in him.
Nicodemus wants to talk to Jesus about the miracles.
Have you ever thought you had a situation completely figured out, and so you go to God in prayer and explain to Him exactly what needs to be done so the situation can work out the way you want it to? When God's answer comes, it's completely different than what you've asked for. Why? Because He knows what you really need.
Jesus knew what Nicodemus really needed - something we all need - to be born again. A confounding answer to an inquiry on miracles.
Can you imagine Nicodemus mentally changing gears - "How can a man be born again when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus goes on to explain that, " ...no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." All who are alive have been born in the first respect, those who believe in Christ as their Messiah would be born again in the spirit. Look at John 1:12-13, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
In John 3:9 Nicodemus asks "How can this be?" Jesus answers "You are Israel's teacher and you do not understand these things?"
Nicodemus - a man lacking something - and what he was missing was standing right in front of him!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Right Picture
Perhaps you grew up with the same picture in your mind of Jesus that I did. The long flowing hair, perfect robes, uplifted eyes and a partial smile on His lips. The art museums I visited in Italy confirmed that this indeed was the way Jesus looked while on earth.
So the scripture today is surprising. The picture we have doesn't reconcile with Christ driving out the money changers and others who had turned the temple into a marketplace. This Christ had zeal for His Father's house, and in that zeal he was turning over tables and using a whip.
While the disciples watched we are told in John 2:17 that they were reminded of the words found in Psalm 69:9, "For zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me." They saw in Jesus fulfillment of Scripture.
The Jews demanded what authority Jesus had for his actions - though if they'd been listening, Jesus clearly stated it was His Father's house (see John 2:16). He was the Son going about the Father's business.
They asked Him for a miraculous sign, and He told them to destroy the Temple - meaning LHimself - and He would raise it in three days. This group took Him literally, though, and thought He was referring to the temple building that had taken 46 years to build. How confounding Jesus' words seemed at that time, but later, after His resurrection, they were recalled by the disciples. Those confusing words became words of hope that gave them reason to believe in the Scriptures.
In the pictures of Jesus I referred to at the beginning, He always looks kind of weak and puny. The picture from today's Scripture, however, shows us authority, and power. One who was not afraid to stand up for what was right. This is the picture I prefer!
"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
The four living creatures said, "Amen", and the elders fell down and worshiped." Revelation 5:13- 14
So the scripture today is surprising. The picture we have doesn't reconcile with Christ driving out the money changers and others who had turned the temple into a marketplace. This Christ had zeal for His Father's house, and in that zeal he was turning over tables and using a whip.
While the disciples watched we are told in John 2:17 that they were reminded of the words found in Psalm 69:9, "For zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me." They saw in Jesus fulfillment of Scripture.
The Jews demanded what authority Jesus had for his actions - though if they'd been listening, Jesus clearly stated it was His Father's house (see John 2:16). He was the Son going about the Father's business.
They asked Him for a miraculous sign, and He told them to destroy the Temple - meaning LHimself - and He would raise it in three days. This group took Him literally, though, and thought He was referring to the temple building that had taken 46 years to build. How confounding Jesus' words seemed at that time, but later, after His resurrection, they were recalled by the disciples. Those confusing words became words of hope that gave them reason to believe in the Scriptures.
In the pictures of Jesus I referred to at the beginning, He always looks kind of weak and puny. The picture from today's Scripture, however, shows us authority, and power. One who was not afraid to stand up for what was right. This is the picture I prefer!
"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
The four living creatures said, "Amen", and the elders fell down and worshiped." Revelation 5:13- 14
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