Jesus claims to be God's Son ~
Today Jesus provides answers to all the grumbling. Not only was Jesus breaking the Sabbath (in the opinion of the Jews), He was also claiming to be equal to God. Here He tells the people, and us, who exactly He is:
1) He is obedient to God the Father. Everything Jesus does is in obedience to and for the benefit of God, His Father.
2) He raises the dead and offers eternal life.
3) He is our judge. This position has been given to Him by God the Father.
All who believe in the Son will have eternal life. At the end times, everyone will stand before Jesus to be judged. Those who believe will live eternally. Those who don't believe will be condemned.
Does that seem harsh? I know a lot of people who say that a loving God would never condemn anyone. But what is this condemnation? It is separation for all eternity from God. Now, God is good - so this will be an eternity separated from goodness and light. Not very pleasant. How can God do this? It's all because He loves us enough to let us choose. You can choose to believe, enter into a relationship with God, and spend all eternity with Him. Or, you can choose not to believe, deny God, and go your own way. God will honor whichever choice you make. He will never force you to do something you don't want to do. But, He will always pursue you. He will always call out to you. He made it so easy for you - just believe. Believe that He created you. Believe that He sent His Son to teach you, heal you, and die for you. Believe that His Son rose again so that you might have a relationship that leads to eternal life. God will never give up on you. So, the question becomes - will you give up on Him?
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
John 5:1-18
The Healing at the Pool ~
Jesus is in Jerusalem for the feast - which feast is it? We're not sure. It is definitely one of the three pilgrim feasts - Passover, Pentecost, or Sukkot. As you read John, you will note that he frames his gospel around the Jewish calendar of feasts, mentioning them often. This reminds us that Jesus was Jewish and he followed the Levitical Law.
Now, as Jesus is in Jerusalem he comes upon the Bethesda pool, which means "the house of graceful waters." It was a gathering place for the crippled and disabled who are seeking healing in the waters. It is said that the spirit of God would stir up the waters & the first person to bath during this stirring would be healed of their affliction. This link: http://biblewalks.com/Sites/Bethesda.html provides a history and some incredible pictures of the site.
Jesus went up to a man that had no one to help him, he had no hope. John tells us that this man had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed. An odd question right? Actually, it is a very astute question. Many people don't want to be healed. They have come to identify themselves with their affliction and aren't willing to give it up. However this man says yes & Jesus tells him to pick up his mat and walk. Which the man does - awesome.
However, he doesn't get very far before he is reprimanded by some Jews. You see, he is carrying his mat on the Sabbath. What's the big deal you ask? Well, Levitical Law states that no work should be done on the Sabbath. It is a day devoted to rest & your relationship with God. The religious leaders never wanted to break any of the Levitical laws, for that would be a sin, so they built hedges around the law. They actually started to define what "work" really meant - & they ended up with over 1,800 laws on what one could and could not do on the Sabbath. Basically, they took what was meant to be a relationship with God and made it into a list of do's & don'ts. Now, I think in their hearts this started out as a good thing. I mean, they were just trying to obey God & avoid sin. Unfortunately, they lost sight of God in all these rules. So, rather than praising God for the healing of a fellow brother in faith, they chastised him for carrying his mat!
Remember how I said that Jesus was a Jew who followed the Levitical Law - that's the law laid out by God when He spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Those laws were put into place for several reasons. One, they explain how we flawed, stained humans can have a relationship with the Most Holy God. Two, they show us how to stay healthy. Three, they show us how to get along with our neighbors. As Jesus will say in the upcoming Gospels, the sum of the Law is to love the Lord with everything you have and to treat others they way you want to be treated. These laws are put into place for our own good, for our own benefit. However, Jesus did not always obey the Pharisaical Law, because in obeying this law, man was actually breaking &/or losing sight of God's law. Everything Jesus did pointed back to His Father. As you go through life, remember that it's not about how good you can be, it's about how well you know Jesus. Do you call Him your friend, or do you call Him your keeper?
Jesus is in Jerusalem for the feast - which feast is it? We're not sure. It is definitely one of the three pilgrim feasts - Passover, Pentecost, or Sukkot. As you read John, you will note that he frames his gospel around the Jewish calendar of feasts, mentioning them often. This reminds us that Jesus was Jewish and he followed the Levitical Law.
Now, as Jesus is in Jerusalem he comes upon the Bethesda pool, which means "the house of graceful waters." It was a gathering place for the crippled and disabled who are seeking healing in the waters. It is said that the spirit of God would stir up the waters & the first person to bath during this stirring would be healed of their affliction. This link: http://biblewalks.com/Sites/Bethesda.html provides a history and some incredible pictures of the site.
Jesus went up to a man that had no one to help him, he had no hope. John tells us that this man had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed. An odd question right? Actually, it is a very astute question. Many people don't want to be healed. They have come to identify themselves with their affliction and aren't willing to give it up. However this man says yes & Jesus tells him to pick up his mat and walk. Which the man does - awesome.
However, he doesn't get very far before he is reprimanded by some Jews. You see, he is carrying his mat on the Sabbath. What's the big deal you ask? Well, Levitical Law states that no work should be done on the Sabbath. It is a day devoted to rest & your relationship with God. The religious leaders never wanted to break any of the Levitical laws, for that would be a sin, so they built hedges around the law. They actually started to define what "work" really meant - & they ended up with over 1,800 laws on what one could and could not do on the Sabbath. Basically, they took what was meant to be a relationship with God and made it into a list of do's & don'ts. Now, I think in their hearts this started out as a good thing. I mean, they were just trying to obey God & avoid sin. Unfortunately, they lost sight of God in all these rules. So, rather than praising God for the healing of a fellow brother in faith, they chastised him for carrying his mat!
Remember how I said that Jesus was a Jew who followed the Levitical Law - that's the law laid out by God when He spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Those laws were put into place for several reasons. One, they explain how we flawed, stained humans can have a relationship with the Most Holy God. Two, they show us how to stay healthy. Three, they show us how to get along with our neighbors. As Jesus will say in the upcoming Gospels, the sum of the Law is to love the Lord with everything you have and to treat others they way you want to be treated. These laws are put into place for our own good, for our own benefit. However, Jesus did not always obey the Pharisaical Law, because in obeying this law, man was actually breaking &/or losing sight of God's law. Everything Jesus did pointed back to His Father. As you go through life, remember that it's not about how good you can be, it's about how well you know Jesus. Do you call Him your friend, or do you call Him your keeper?
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32
Jesus Eats with Sinners at Matthew's House ~
Matthew calls himself Matthew, but Mark & Luke call him Levi. What's the deal?
"The answer is very simple. Both are true because Matthew and Levi are the same person. Matthew is the Greek name and Levi was the Hebrew name. As a tax-collector, Matthew worked for Greek-speaking Romans. He gathered taxes from Hebrew-speaking Jews." http://carm.org/bible-difficulties/matthew-mark/was-taxman-named-matthew-or-levi
Have you ever read a passage of Scripture & thought, "What's the deal?" Well, fortunately for you, you live in the twenty-first century where the Internet is just a click away. CARM.org (Christian Apologetics and research ministries) is one of my favorite sites for answering difficult questions. It provides simple, easy-to-understand answers to many questions you might have. So, don't read the Word & be left wondering. Get on-line & find some answers! I would offer one piece of advice though - Get your answers from a reputable site. If the site has to do with New Age, Christian Science, or Agnostic/Atheism - don't get your facts from them! They are simply twisting God's Word. If you read something that doesn't seem to line up with the rest of Scripture - don't listen to it.
Now, on to the rest of this passage. Matthew was a tax collector. These men were pretty much despised by the Jews because, while they were Jewish, they worked for the Roman government collecting taxes. For their work, they earned a commission, which they set themselves. So, many tax collectors collected very high taxes, making high commissions. If you didn't pay, well they had all sorts of power to force your hand. So, basically, they were seen as traitors & cheats.
But Jesus didn't see Matthew that way. Jesus looked into his heart & saw a man that would do great things for the Gospel. In fact, Matthew is the author of the Gospel of Matthew (go figure.) Now, when Jesus called, Matthew followed. He left behind a very high paying job to be a missionary. That takes faith - a good bit of faith. Matthew was honored by the call & he had a party for Jesus.
Who came to the party? Matthew's friends. See, Matthew didn't have upstanding Jewish friends, no they wouldn't spend time with a traitor like him. Matthew had "sinners" for friends. People that didn't line up with the Pharisees idea of right. Did Jesus turn up his nose at these people? No! He accepted the invite & hung out with them. Now, Jesus never sinned, so He was able to hang out with out sinning. Hmmmmm . . . I think we need to take this lesson to heart when we spend time with non-Christians. We don't need to make them feel bad for what they do, but we don't need to enter into sinful behavior with them.
Of course Jesus was questioned about His behavior & I find His answer very interesting: He quotes a verse (another prophecy) from Hosea. Hosea 6:6 in fact. Jesus didn't come to save the already saved. Jesus came to offer hope, mercy, and eternal life to those who had no clue what those things were. Jesus told people - I am the way, the truth, and the light. Follow me. Leave behind that life of sin that's just dragging you down & find out what life is really all about. Find joy, peace, grace, mercy, & salvation in me. He's calling you to that life, are you living it?
Matthew calls himself Matthew, but Mark & Luke call him Levi. What's the deal?
"The answer is very simple. Both are true because Matthew and Levi are the same person. Matthew is the Greek name and Levi was the Hebrew name. As a tax-collector, Matthew worked for Greek-speaking Romans. He gathered taxes from Hebrew-speaking Jews." http://carm.org/bible-difficulties/matthew-mark/was-taxman-named-matthew-or-levi
Have you ever read a passage of Scripture & thought, "What's the deal?" Well, fortunately for you, you live in the twenty-first century where the Internet is just a click away. CARM.org (Christian Apologetics and research ministries) is one of my favorite sites for answering difficult questions. It provides simple, easy-to-understand answers to many questions you might have. So, don't read the Word & be left wondering. Get on-line & find some answers! I would offer one piece of advice though - Get your answers from a reputable site. If the site has to do with New Age, Christian Science, or Agnostic/Atheism - don't get your facts from them! They are simply twisting God's Word. If you read something that doesn't seem to line up with the rest of Scripture - don't listen to it.
Now, on to the rest of this passage. Matthew was a tax collector. These men were pretty much despised by the Jews because, while they were Jewish, they worked for the Roman government collecting taxes. For their work, they earned a commission, which they set themselves. So, many tax collectors collected very high taxes, making high commissions. If you didn't pay, well they had all sorts of power to force your hand. So, basically, they were seen as traitors & cheats.
But Jesus didn't see Matthew that way. Jesus looked into his heart & saw a man that would do great things for the Gospel. In fact, Matthew is the author of the Gospel of Matthew (go figure.) Now, when Jesus called, Matthew followed. He left behind a very high paying job to be a missionary. That takes faith - a good bit of faith. Matthew was honored by the call & he had a party for Jesus.
Who came to the party? Matthew's friends. See, Matthew didn't have upstanding Jewish friends, no they wouldn't spend time with a traitor like him. Matthew had "sinners" for friends. People that didn't line up with the Pharisees idea of right. Did Jesus turn up his nose at these people? No! He accepted the invite & hung out with them. Now, Jesus never sinned, so He was able to hang out with out sinning. Hmmmmm . . . I think we need to take this lesson to heart when we spend time with non-Christians. We don't need to make them feel bad for what they do, but we don't need to enter into sinful behavior with them.
Of course Jesus was questioned about His behavior & I find His answer very interesting: He quotes a verse (another prophecy) from Hosea. Hosea 6:6 in fact. Jesus didn't come to save the already saved. Jesus came to offer hope, mercy, and eternal life to those who had no clue what those things were. Jesus told people - I am the way, the truth, and the light. Follow me. Leave behind that life of sin that's just dragging you down & find out what life is really all about. Find joy, peace, grace, mercy, & salvation in me. He's calling you to that life, are you living it?
Friday, July 20, 2012
Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26
I love this story. I love that this man's friends were willing to go to extreme means to help their friend. How often do we see someone in need but we let obstacles get in the way? Hmmm . . . there always seems to be some excuse for not following through. But not these guys - they made a way when there seemed to be no way.
Why? Why go to such extreme measures? I think it's because they truly believed in the power of Jesus. Can you imagine a faith like that?
The Pharisees couldn't. They witnessed the miracles of Jesus and only found fault. There was no awe or joy to be had in the healing of the lame and sick, only jealousy & doubt. These men were looking for the Messiah, but missed Him - even after He showed His authority & power again & again. Even as He fulfilled the prophecies these men had spent a lifetime learning.
What do you think the difference was? Why did educated men turn their back on Jesus, but everyday men embraced Him? I think it had to do with perception. Are you looking to love Jesus for Who He says He is or for what you want Him to be? The pharisees wanted power and authority. They looked to the coming Messiah to give it to them & rejected Him when He didn't. The everyday man wanted what Jesus had to offer..
How about you? Are you looking to define God or are you willing to be defined by God?
Why? Why go to such extreme measures? I think it's because they truly believed in the power of Jesus. Can you imagine a faith like that?
The Pharisees couldn't. They witnessed the miracles of Jesus and only found fault. There was no awe or joy to be had in the healing of the lame and sick, only jealousy & doubt. These men were looking for the Messiah, but missed Him - even after He showed His authority & power again & again. Even as He fulfilled the prophecies these men had spent a lifetime learning.
What do you think the difference was? Why did educated men turn their back on Jesus, but everyday men embraced Him? I think it had to do with perception. Are you looking to love Jesus for Who He says He is or for what you want Him to be? The pharisees wanted power and authority. They looked to the coming Messiah to give it to them & rejected Him when He didn't. The everyday man wanted what Jesus had to offer..
How about you? Are you looking to define God or are you willing to be defined by God?
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16
Jesus heals a man with Leprosy
During Jesus' day there was no cure for leprosy. Since it was contagious, a person with leprosy was an outcast, forced to live on the outskirts of town. In fact, the Old Testament laws required a person with a contagious, incurable disease to live outside of camp. If the person was healed from the disease, they were to present themselves to the priest, who would decide whether or not they were allowed to come back to camp. It may sound harsh, but this method of seclusion kept disease from spreading.
All three gospels tell us that Jesus had compassion on the man & healed him. I think it is interesting that the man didn't ask for healing, but rather made a statement that Jesus could heal him. There was no demand, just a simple belief - a simply trust that Jesus was able to do anything. Do you have that belief?
The conclusion of this reading tells us that Jesus asked the man to follow Old Testament tradition to go to the priest and be declared whole. Instead the man was so excited about his healing that he told everyone. Very understandable - if you had been cured of a death sentence, wouldn't you tell everyone? Unfortunately, the news made Jesus so popular with the people that He had to stay in the wilderness areas. Yet, people continued to come to Him. As we continue reading, we will see just how many people sought Him out.
During Jesus' day there was no cure for leprosy. Since it was contagious, a person with leprosy was an outcast, forced to live on the outskirts of town. In fact, the Old Testament laws required a person with a contagious, incurable disease to live outside of camp. If the person was healed from the disease, they were to present themselves to the priest, who would decide whether or not they were allowed to come back to camp. It may sound harsh, but this method of seclusion kept disease from spreading.
All three gospels tell us that Jesus had compassion on the man & healed him. I think it is interesting that the man didn't ask for healing, but rather made a statement that Jesus could heal him. There was no demand, just a simple belief - a simply trust that Jesus was able to do anything. Do you have that belief?
The conclusion of this reading tells us that Jesus asked the man to follow Old Testament tradition to go to the priest and be declared whole. Instead the man was so excited about his healing that he told everyone. Very understandable - if you had been cured of a death sentence, wouldn't you tell everyone? Unfortunately, the news made Jesus so popular with the people that He had to stay in the wilderness areas. Yet, people continued to come to Him. As we continue reading, we will see just how many people sought Him out.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Luke 5:1-11
Simon Peter has just become a follower of Jesus. In fact, in the previous chapter of Luke, Jesus had recently healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law. So, Simon Peter and his fishing partners - James and John are still getting to know Jesus. They have seen Jesus heal the sick, so why did this particular miracle so impress Simon Peter? I think it's because he understands fishing. He has spent his life fishing - he knows the best method, time, and place to catch fish.
But watch this, even though Simon Peter knows all about fishing, he obeys Jesus simply because he recognizes Jesus' authority. He does what Jesus asks & is rewarded with a miraculous catch of fish. How does he respond? By understanding his own sinfulness in comparison to Jesus. He is humbled - he knew all about fishing, but Jesus knew more. Yet look what Jesus does - He encourages. Jesus knows our hearts, knows our sins, knows right where we are at - & He still loves us, calls us, & gives us a purpose.
Jesus made Simon Peter a fisher of men. He can do the same for you. Are you willing to put your life in His hands? Are you willing to follow where He leads? Are you willing to set aside your knowledge & pride in order to obey His word?
But watch this, even though Simon Peter knows all about fishing, he obeys Jesus simply because he recognizes Jesus' authority. He does what Jesus asks & is rewarded with a miraculous catch of fish. How does he respond? By understanding his own sinfulness in comparison to Jesus. He is humbled - he knew all about fishing, but Jesus knew more. Yet look what Jesus does - He encourages. Jesus knows our hearts, knows our sins, knows right where we are at - & He still loves us, calls us, & gives us a purpose.
Jesus made Simon Peter a fisher of men. He can do the same for you. Are you willing to put your life in His hands? Are you willing to follow where He leads? Are you willing to set aside your knowledge & pride in order to obey His word?
Monday, July 16, 2012
Matthew 4:23-25: Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44
Notice that Jesus spent time away from others in prayer. He spent time talking with His Heavenly Father. In fact, He made it a priority. I recently heard a sermon in which the pastor asked, "What do you reach for first thing in the morning? Your computer, your phone, or your Bible? What is most important to you?"
Hmmmm . . . we look at Jesus and we see that He preached with great wisdom and He healed every illness & disease and we think, "Yep, He's God, of course He can do that." What we fail to remember is that He was also human. His power came from God & we have that same Holy Spirit living in us today. If you want wisdom, peace, joy, and confidence, start spending time with the One who created those things. Instead of grabbing your phone to see who might have sent you a text during the night, reach for your Bible & see what the Creator of the Universe has to say to you.
Hmmmm . . . we look at Jesus and we see that He preached with great wisdom and He healed every illness & disease and we think, "Yep, He's God, of course He can do that." What we fail to remember is that He was also human. His power came from God & we have that same Holy Spirit living in us today. If you want wisdom, peace, joy, and confidence, start spending time with the One who created those things. Instead of grabbing your phone to see who might have sent you a text during the night, reach for your Bible & see what the Creator of the Universe has to say to you.
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