Where is Your Hope?

Read 1 Peter 3:8-16

Context: Peter has just finished giving advice to husbands and wives, and he is talking about how Christians should live.

Text:

8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,

"Whoever would love life
and see good days must
keep his tongue from evil and his lips from
deceitful speech.

11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."[a]

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[b]; do not be frightened."[c] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (NIV)
Footnotes:
a. Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
b. Peter 3:14 Or not fear their threats
c. Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever heard the Diana Ross song, Mahogany's Theme (for you younger folks, Mariah Carey did a remake...)? The chorus goes like this:

Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you there's no open door
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?

What do you hope for? I imagine most of us are hoping for several things...health, financial stability, children who grow up to be good Christians, an enjoyable retirement. We hope that we make it through tough days, that the medical tests are negative, and that the car will make it to work in one piece.

It is almost assured that our hopes will not be fulfilled in all of these areas. As long as we hope for earthly things we will be disappointed. But if we can put our hope in God and in the reward of heaven, we know that hope will be satisfied.

Peter tells us to always be ready to give the reasons for our hope -- that includes our hope for an eternal future AND the explanation of why we can hold onto that hope while all of our earthly desires are crushed. How do you explain your reason for hope?

Faith In Times Of Trouble

Read Luke 9:18-27

Context: This text takes place not too long after Jesus fed the 5000 and just before the transfiguration.

Text:

18Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he
asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
19They replied, "Some say
John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets
of long ago has come back to life."
20"But what about you?" he asked.
"Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The
Christ[a] of God."
21Jesus strictly warned
them not to tell this to anyone. 22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many
things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and
he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
23Then he
said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take
up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose
it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man
to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is
ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes
in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you
the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the
kingdom of God." (NIV)

Footnotes:
a. Luke 9:20 Or Messiah

taken from www.biblegateway.com

There are a lot of reasons why I put off making a decision to accept Christ as my savior. One of them was fear. I was really afraid if I took that leap of faith, then God would test me by causing someone in my family to be very ill or allowing some disaster to happen. Looking back, I see that the disaster may have happened regardless of my decision (and no disaster occurred, thank God!), but with Christ I would have made it through successfully.

In the Old Testament God often struck people dead or took away rain, food, or other things when people disobeyed. Then there was Job, who never did anything wrong! It's easy to understand how non-Christians might be afraid of God's wrath -- when in reality they should be afraid NOT to be covered by His promise.

But verses like this, and a view of New Testament Christianity shows us clearly that being a Christian doesn't save us from life's trials, and in fact it can cause some (think of the martyrs). Jesus tells us we must take up our cross DAILY...and do whatever it takes to keep Him first in our lives.

What is your cross? Think about how you could witness to someone who was afraid to accept Christ. What would you tell him or her about God's presence in times of trouble?

The Truth Doesn't Care What You Believe

Read John 9:18-27

Context: This is part of John's introduction to his gospel and the foundation upon which it is based.

Text:

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[a] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[b] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV)

Footnotes:
a. John 1:13 Greek of bloods
b. John 1:14 Or the Only Begotten

taken from http://www.biblegateway.com/

There have been many firm beliefs in history that have been dashed on the rocks. The world is flat; the earth is the center of the universe and all things revolve around it; the Roman empire could not be beaten; the Titanic could not sink.

In every case, it didn't matter how strongly you believed these things to be true, they weren't.

The opposite is also true -- no matter how firmly you believe something to be a lie or a legend, the truth is not based on your conviction. It is simply the truth.

In our class on Sunday, each table discussed the evidence we'd heard about Christ and we were asked to make a decision. Not surprisingly, all tables unanimously agreed that Jesus is the Christ.

In this situation it is pretty obvious what the answer should be, and I'm sure there were a few folks who may still be unconvinced but they were embarrassed to say something. Regardless of what we may say in public, we are each held accountable for the beliefs we hold in our hearts.
The Bible says that if we only believe, we will truly become sons (and daughters) of God. All we have to do is believe! Often easier said than done. Believing that Jesus is the Christ causes us to throw out prior beliefs about right and wrong, about the ability for one to be resurrected, about our true future.

Only God can clear away the doubt and reveal the truth. If you still have questions, continue to seek out the truth. Ask for wisdom and faith. The more you seek Him, the more He will show you the truth.

They Pray for Our Persecution

Read Hebrews 10:32-11:2

Context: Paul has talked about Christ's sacrifice and he's been encouraging the Hebrews to persevere through the trials they are facing.

Text:

32Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38But my righteous one[a] will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him."[b]

39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for. (NIV)

Footnotes:

a. Hebrews 10:38 One early manuscript But the righteous
b. Hebrews 10:38 Hab. 2:3,4

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Did you know that some of the Christian leaders in China are praying that American Christians will face persecution for their faith? Not so that we would get a taste of what they suffer, but so that we would get a taste of the strength of conviction and holy blessings that are received as a result of persecution. They see a nation enamored with the fun of 'playing church' and full of a shallow faith that can't withstand a tight budget, much less true persecution.

What is your reaction to this prayer? At first I was a little miffed that someone would wish pain on others, but the more I looked at organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, the more I realized that we know little about the deep faith in the unseen that our brothers under persecution have gained.

We hesitate to tell a co-worker about Christ because we are concerned with their perception of us. These people are willing to hold illegal churches in their homes and to distribute contraband Bibles in the face of the assurance of prison or even death if they are caught.

So, this year, have you talked more about your Christmas holiday than your Christ? I'm sure I have.

Circumstantial Evidence of the Resurrection

Read 1 Cor 11:23-26

Context: A short one today! Paul is criticizing the Corinthians for the way they operate their churches. This particular passage is his instruction for effective communion.

Text:

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.(NIV)

Taken from www.biblegateway.com

The tradition of communion offers more circumstantial evidence that Jesus was more than a man. Can you think of any other person in all of history whose death is celebrated instead of the great things he did when he was alive? On Monday, America celebrated Martin Luther King day. We were reminded, as we should be, of the things this minister did to change America's perspective on racism. Unfortunately his dream has yet to be fulfilled, but in general our country has come a long way from separatism as a direct result of Dr. King's efforts -- actions which resulted in an undeserved and untimely death.

When we get together to remember Jesus, we are actually celebrating the fact that he gave his body and shed his blood so that we may have life. We don't remember the many miracles he did, the way he changed history, or the amazing speeches he delivered. In our society that is actually pretty morbid, yet it is the greatest thing Jesus ever did. By dying, he opened the door to eternal life. That is worth celebrating!

Circumstantial Evidence

Read Acts 10:9-23

Context: Peter is in Joppa and he has recently raised a faithful servant, Tabitha (Dorcas), from the dead. He is staying with a tanner named Simon. At the same time, a God-fearing centurion named Cornelius had a vision telling him to go find Peter.

Text:

9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."

21Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"

22The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. (NIV)

Footnotes:

Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.

Taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever had an experience that totally changed your perspective about something? This may seem like frivolous example, but it's one I haven't been able to shake for several weeks.

In December I saw the musical, Wicked. This is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz. I grew up with the Wizard of Oz on big screen -- we looked forward to getting free tickets to the show at the end of each school year and making the fun trip to the movies. I'll always remember covering my face and peeking through my fingers when the camera did a close up on that hideous green face of the Wicked Witch of the West!

Well, without giving away too much of the story, this musical shows the witch of the West as a real person who has been discriminated against and exiled because she didn't want to go along with the 'politically correct' violent actions of the Wizard! The good witch was also caught up in circumstances, but she was so concerned about the perceptions of others that she did what she was 'supposed' to do, not what she believed to be right. I hope I never make assumptions about the character of other people based on their actions again!

If we look at the situations that caused us to totally rethink a value or tradition that we have grown up with, we have an inkling of the shock Peter's dream was to his system. Not only had he never eaten pork, but no upstanding Jew had eaten pork since the days of Moses! It was completely ingrained in them that this was a major sin, requiring the sacrifice of animals in order to be back in God's good graces. Add this change to the multitude of others Christ brought -- following the rules won't get you to heaven, circumcision is no longer a prerequisite, socializing and even intermarrying with Gentiles was no longer a sin, and even working on a Saturday (the Sabbath) was now allowed -- and you see an incredible shift in the foundation of a religion that has remained strong for centuries.

All of this due to the death of one Jew on the cross, among some ten thousand Jews who died on the cross during this time frame, and you have some pretty strong circumstantial evidence that he was more than just a man.

Circumstantial Evidence - Part 2

Read Philippians 3:4-11

Context: Paul has been warning the Philippians to beware of those who are trying to convince them that circumcision is a requirement for salvation.

Text:

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Paul was a very dedicated Jew. He did all the right things, he pursued religious righteousness with a vengeance, and he worked hard to be successful. Unfortunately he was wrong.

Paul had one of the most famous conversions in history. In the course of just a few days he was rerouted into a totally different direction. Instead of being the hunter, he was now the hunted.

But regardless of how his heart changed, God still let him keep his basic personality traits -- his drive for excellence at his pursuits. When we are saved, God doesn't turn us into robots -- he maximizes the wonderful traits he gave us at birth and uses them to further his kingdom!

How have you changed since you became a Christian? How are you the same?

Circumstantial Evidence for the Resurrection

This Sunday Matt DeWitt will teach on the circumstantial evidence that leads to a firm conviction that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead. This week we will look at biblical text that has been used to support that evidence; today we'll compare texts from two different books of the Bible.

Read Mark 14:66-72 and Acts 5:25-32

Context: The text from Mark is believed to be documentation of Peter's experiences with Jesus. Jesus has just been arrested, and this is Peter's response. In the text from Acts, the apostles have been persecuted by the Sadducees. Peter has been jailed, but was released by an angel f the Lord who told him to "Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life."

Text:
Mark 14:66-72

66While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
"You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.
68But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.[a]

69When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." 70Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."

71He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about."

72Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[b] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice[c] you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.

Footnotes:

Mark 14:68 Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster crowed
Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have the second time.
Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.

Acts 5:25-32

25Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people." 26At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."

29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."(NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Is this really the same person????

The Resurrection Part 5

Read John 20:1-18

Context: The day of resurrection as reported by an eyewitness.

Text:

1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"
"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
16Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "
18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.(NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

The Resurrection Part 4

Read Luke 24:1-12

Context: Luke's researched account of the resurrection. The preceding text talks about how Joseph, a member of the Jewish Council, took Jesus' body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how the body was placed.

Text:

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8Then they remembered his words.
9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

The Resurrection

For the rest of the week I'm going to send you the different accounts of the resurrection in the gospels. We'll be talking about the resurrection evidence on Sunday, so I'll leave any commentary until then!

Read Matthew 28:1-15

Context: Continuation from yesterday

Text:

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.(NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

The Resurrection, Part 2

Read Matthew 27:57-66

Context: Jesus has died and his death was verified by a soldier's spear in his side. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. There was a huge earthquake which caused tombs to break open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. The centurion guarding Jesus exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

Text:

57As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63"Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."
65"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

I find it interesting that the guards were more aware of Jesus' clalim that he would rise again than the apostles were! The apostles all seemed to be very surprised by the resurrection.

I wasn't sure how the Romans would seal a tomb, so I looked it up in the book, The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict. This is a compilation of research and commentary designed to provide factual evidence that Christianity is truth. I thought maybe they poured a type of wax or sealant around the opening of the tomb to secure the rock in place. But apparently this was more of a mark of government protection. It is reported by many of the writers in this book that a seal over a tomb was more like a rope or ribbon that was stretched across the rock horizontally and was well secured on either side of it. This was then 'sealed' with the rings of the government official, sort of like the old sealing wax seals on envelopes. This seal marked the fact that the government was protecting this area and that no one should move the rock at the risk of punishment.

In addition, they posted a guard to protect the tomb. They took a proactive stance to ensure no one stole the body -- a chance to prove once and for all that this band of disciples were intent on deceit.

The government couldn't hold Jesus back then, and, as we see in many countries where Christianity is illegal, they can't hold him back now!

The Resurrection - Part 1

Read John 19:28-37

Context: Jesus has been beaten and he's been nailed to the cross. At his feet the soldiers divided up his clothing. His mother, his aunt, Mary Magdalene, and John the apostle watch him suffer.

Text:

28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"[a] 37and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."[b]

Footnotes:

a) John 19:36 Exodus 12:46; Num. 9:12; Psalm 34:20
b) John 19:37 Zech. 12:10

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Did anyone ever tell you something about your newly born child that stuck with you throughout the years? When our youngest daughter was born, a neighbor who was into astrology told me that she and I would get along well and that we'd be great friends. I wasn't a Christian at that time, and I never really believed in the zodiac-stuff. I just smiled and thanked her and went on my way.

But even though I didn't believe she had insight into the future, I have never forgotten the conversation, and I've often thought about her statement...especially after really good conversations with my daughter and also after we've had disagreements. It's such a nice prophesy...I hope that it will continue to be fulfilled.

Mary heard a prophesy about her son, Jesus. When she and Joseph had taken him to the temple to offer him to the Lord (following Jewish tradition), a righteous man named Simeon met them in the temple courts. Simeon was full of the Holy Spirit, and God had told him that he'd not die before he saw the Lord's Christ. Simeon took the child in his arms and foretold the salvation of the Jews and Gentiles. Almost as an afterthought he turned to Mary and said, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:34-35)

I imagine that Mary thought about that prediction often throughout Jesus' life. When he ran into the corner of a table as a toddler and split open his head, when he was lost in the temple as a preteen, and when he was heartbroken, unable to find love as a teenager and seemed destined to live out his life alone. All of these experiences can feel like a knife in the soul when you are a parent. But now, thirty-three years later, she truly understands what Simeon meant. It's likely that she physically felt that sword being thrust into her own soul. She couldn't imagine that the pain would ever end.

And I'm sure she would have traded places with Jesus if it would relieve the suffering of her firstborn.

Who Was Jesus? - Part 4

Read Matthew 26: 62-66

Context: Jesus has been arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. He's been taken to the high priest, Caiaphas, who had gathered the teachers of the law and the elders. The chief priests and the whole Sandhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death.

Text:

62Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 63But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ,[a] the Son of God."
64"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered. (NIV)

Footnotes:

a. Matthew 26:63 Or Messiah; also in verse 68
taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever been in a no-win situation? If Jesus refused to answer or denied that he was the Christ, the Sanhedrin would convict him of perjury based on the witness of one who reported that Jesus had claimed to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. And if he told the truth, he would be guilty of blasphemy, a crime worthy of death.

This is one of the few places in the gospels where Jesus clearly tells the world who he really is. Yet this claim was so inconsistent with the beliefs of the priests and teachers, they were unable to reconcile it with the picture they had in their heads of the Messiah. Their whole lives had been devoted to their religion, and now this man claims that their religion is a farce. They were so caught up in centuries of tradition that they were blinded to reality, believing that if they could just make this man go away that all would be well.

It's sad to look back and see how the need to be right ruined any chance that these men had for eternal salvation. In reality, that's probably all that stands between any one of us and God's grace.

Who Was Jesus? Part 3...

Read Matthew 16:13-20

Context: Jesus has been speaking and doing miracles in the regions of Gennesaret, Tyre, Sidon, and Madagan. He is far enough into his ministry that the Pharisees and Sadducees are testing him, looking for a way to discredit or even kill him.

Text:

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,[a] the Son of the living God."

17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it.[d] 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[e] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[f] loosed in heaven." 20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. (NIV)

Footnotes:

a. Matthew 16:16 Or Messiah; also in verse 20
b. Matthew 16:18 Peter means rock.
c. Matthew 16:18 Or hell
d. Matthew 16:18 Or not prove stronger than it
e. Matthew 16:19 Or have been
f. Matthew 16:19 Or have been

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Was Peter speaking for all the apostles, or was he the only one who felt certain that Jesus was indeed the Messiah they were awaiting? Peter had seen many miracles by this point in Jesus' ministry: a net full of fish when for hours before there had been none, perhaps water turned to wine at a wedding, healings, feeding of 5000 with a small boy's lunch, and he had even walked on water at Jesus' instruction. He had heard many public sermons and had been involved in a multitude of teaching sessions with Jesus and the other disciples. At what point did Peter really comprehend that Jesus was the son of God?

What caused you to really believe that he is the Christ?

Who Was Jesus, Part 2

Read Matthew 11:1-5

Context: Jesus has just finished giving his disciples instructions for going out into surrounding villages to heal sickness and chase away demons.

Text:

1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]

2When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

4Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b]are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." (NIV)

Footnotes:

Matthew 11:1 Greek in their towns
Matthew 11:5 The Greek word was used for various diseases affecting the skin—not necessarily leprosy.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

This passage was always interesting to me. John the Baptist had been baptizing Jesus when the heavens opened up, a dove came down, and God told the world that Jesus was his son. He had probably been told from birth about how his cousin was the savior. Now he had doubts? Maybe he was praying that Jesus would release him from prison if he was really the Christ. Or perhaps just being near Jesus and realizing that he was fully man was enough to cause one to doubt his sovereignty.

The other curious part of this passage is the response Jesus gave. He left it up to the interpretation of John and his followers to provide the true answer. What would have happened if Jesus had just said 'yes'?

On a side note, I read somewhere that Jesus rarely gave a direct answer to a question -- he almost always responded with a parable or another question. Because of this example, we probably ought to know better than to expect God to give simple 'yes' or 'no' answers to our prayer requests and pleadings for direction!

Who Was Jesus?

Ok, I'm a little slow at getting back in the swing of things! For the next few weeks we will be going through Lee Strobel's 'The Case For Christ'. Next Sunday the lesson revolves around who Jesus was and who he thought he was.

Read Matthew 4:13-17

Context: John the Baptist has been preaching in the Desert of Judea, baptizing people for the repentance of their sins.

Text:

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

At what point in his life did Jesus realize that he was truly the Son of God? The only glimpses of him that we see before his baptism are when he's an infant and when he's just coming of age. He had to know that he was uniquely gifted in his ability to understand scripture, but is that enough to convince him that he was God? I wonder what stories Mary told of his conception and birth...or did she and Joseph keep those things to themselves as they tried to raise Jesus and their other children? Knowing the example of Joseph and his jealous brothers, maybe they chose not to talk about it.

Did the young Jesus perform miracles on injured birds? Did he heal his own skinned knees? We don't have any record of that. Even if his mother had told him all about the prophecies and the circumstances surrounding his birth, after 33 years of a 'normal' life, I wonder if he really believed all he'd been told.

But now, in an undeniable way, God has claimed him as His own. Not only admitted to Jesus and the world that He loved His son, but also stated that He was pleased. Immediately following this, Jesus was led by the Spirit to the desert for forty days. Did anyone know where he had gone? Had Jesus known this would happen? If he had, I'm sure he stopped by at the Judean All-You-Can-Eat Cafe on the way!

I'm sure Jesus had a lot to think about during that 40 day trek.