The Great Commission
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
This is why we Christians do as we do. We are called by our Lord and Saviour to go into all the world and tell all who will listen about the Salvation that can only come through Jesus Christ.
We are to teach what Jesus taught.
Jesus said
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
This is the message we have for the world. In Jesus God reached down to man. We did not have to earn our salvation. The apostle Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
And the writer of Hebrews writing,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith being
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Think about it.
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Monday, 21 April 2014
What Christians Believe
What Christians believe
“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
Luke 24:50-53
What an incredible moment in history. Jesus had rose from the dead and had walked the earth. He had been seen by many people and now scripture records he was taken up to heaven.
This is an event no other religion in the world has ever claimed about their founder.
Jesus died, was buried, descended into hell, rose to walk on this earth again and ascended into heaven.
Jesus told his disciples,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John14:1-4
It is a place all believers will go in due time. Nothing can separate us from that. Not all the persecution in the world.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Romans 8:34-39
In short no matter what happens to us as Christians we win.
It is this hope of eternal life that propels Christians to this day.
We have a message for the world.
That message being one of the love of God who reached down to his creation. To mankind and said I love you.
Through Jesus God truly understands what man is going through that is why he can judge us fairly.
Jesus who is God incarnate experienced all that there was to be a man. He knew what it was like to be tempted.
Jesus knew what it was like to do the mundane things in life. To walk along a dusty road, to feel the sun and the rain.
He knew what it was like to be loved. He understood the power of his fame. What it was like to have large crowds all around him.
Jesus also understood what it was like to be falsely accused of something he didn’t do. What it was like to feel the lash of men who hated him and put him to death in a most hideous way.
Yet while on the cross in agony he still said,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34a
The last recorded words of Jesus before going to heaven were,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
The way to heaven Jesus speaks about is simple,
Christians believe
Christians believe It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Christians believe the word of Paul to the Romans,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
Luke 24:50-53
What an incredible moment in history. Jesus had rose from the dead and had walked the earth. He had been seen by many people and now scripture records he was taken up to heaven.
This is an event no other religion in the world has ever claimed about their founder.
Jesus died, was buried, descended into hell, rose to walk on this earth again and ascended into heaven.
Jesus told his disciples,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John14:1-4
It is a place all believers will go in due time. Nothing can separate us from that. Not all the persecution in the world.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Romans 8:34-39
In short no matter what happens to us as Christians we win.
It is this hope of eternal life that propels Christians to this day.
We have a message for the world.
That message being one of the love of God who reached down to his creation. To mankind and said I love you.
Through Jesus God truly understands what man is going through that is why he can judge us fairly.
Jesus who is God incarnate experienced all that there was to be a man. He knew what it was like to be tempted.
Jesus knew what it was like to do the mundane things in life. To walk along a dusty road, to feel the sun and the rain.
He knew what it was like to be loved. He understood the power of his fame. What it was like to have large crowds all around him.
Jesus also understood what it was like to be falsely accused of something he didn’t do. What it was like to feel the lash of men who hated him and put him to death in a most hideous way.
Yet while on the cross in agony he still said,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34a
The last recorded words of Jesus before going to heaven were,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
The way to heaven Jesus speaks about is simple,
Christians believe
Christians believe It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Christians believe the word of Paul to the Romans,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
Sunday, 20 April 2014
The Resurrection of Christ
The Resurrection
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
In 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?
He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”
Then they remembered his words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”
Luke 24:1-11
The resurrection of Jesus is the one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions.
It is the cornerstone of our faith. Without the resurrection our faith has no meaning.
Jesus needed to overcome death and hell to truly be the Savior of the world.
Still when told about the resurrection the disciples who’d been with Jesus, who’d sat under his teachings for three years listened to the reports of the women and as Luke records “they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”
Their attitudes however would soon change. They would go on to see the resurrected Christ and bear witness to it throughout the world.
Still however many in the world today do not believe. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18.
While it may seem foolish it is the truth. If it were a lie it would be the biggest lie ever in the history of humanity.
The early Christians believed it.
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian, NOT A CHRISTIAN.
He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders. [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Think about it.
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
In 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?
He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”
Then they remembered his words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”
Luke 24:1-11
The resurrection of Jesus is the one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions.
It is the cornerstone of our faith. Without the resurrection our faith has no meaning.
Jesus needed to overcome death and hell to truly be the Savior of the world.
Still when told about the resurrection the disciples who’d been with Jesus, who’d sat under his teachings for three years listened to the reports of the women and as Luke records “they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”
Their attitudes however would soon change. They would go on to see the resurrected Christ and bear witness to it throughout the world.
Still however many in the world today do not believe. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18.
While it may seem foolish it is the truth. If it were a lie it would be the biggest lie ever in the history of humanity.
The early Christians believed it.
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian, NOT A CHRISTIAN.
He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders. [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Think about it.
Saturday, 19 April 2014
His Burial
His Burial
Luke records,
“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.
Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.
It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.
Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
Luke 23:50-56
Matthew records
“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and 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.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.”
Matthew 27:57-61
I have no doubt that this was the lowest point in the lives of the believers.
They had sat under the teachings of Jesus for the better part of three years yet they still didn’t understand the full ramifications of what he had said.
They were human and at this point in time had no comprehension about the resurrection.
They were in deep mourning for the lost of a friend and a teacher.
Sometime ago a man wrote the following. I think is sums up the life of Jesus and what Joseph and Mary the mother of Christ who had been with him from the beginning might have felt.
What would she do now? Her mind vacillated, uncontrollably between joy and uncertainty. She could hide it, at least for a while. But, then tongues would wag. It was a small village. Everyone knew everyone. Word of her condition would spread along the gossip highway. She’d be disgraced!
Still she knew it was of God and deep inside she knew it would all work out.
Then she thought Joseph! ... what of her fiancé? He’d have no choice, but to let her go. He hadn’t done a thing, yet, he’d get the blame. Just for the sake of his reputation, she’d have to go. She’d have to face this alone. For a moment, her racing mind slowed, as she thought about what she’d been told. ELIZABETH! Elizabeth. The angel had said Elizabeth was with child. She would understand, she would know what to do. She’d go to Elizabeth.
Joseph
PREGNANT. What has she done! How could she have done such a thing! He loved her. He thought she loved him...
For a moment, his mind became a whirling dervish of thoughts and emotions out of control.
How could she bring such a disgrace down on both of them, like this. How was it possible...
Then as suddenly as it started, the tirade in his mind abated, allowing the love he felt for her to surface. Despite what she had apparently done, he still loved her. Yet, her condition seemed to say, she did not love him.
Perhaps, by divorcing her quietly, it would make it easier for her. Joseph lay back on his bed and fell asleep.
O what joyous night! What blessed revelation! What blessed assurance! He would make Mary, his wife! Just as the angel had commanded. Together, they would rejoice that Mary had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.
Together, they would rejoice with the shepherds, as they told of the visit from the heavenly host.
They would give praises to God with Simeon and Anna, as they gave thanks for the fulfillment of His promise to Israel!
They would make haste fleeing along the dusty roads to Egypt.
Mary, would feel the anguish of a mother watching her own son die in agony on a Gentile cross under a blackened sky.
She would also experience the elation of the empty tomb, the resurrection of her LORD and the love of her God.
Have you?
Think about it.
Luke records,
“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.
Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.
It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.
Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
Luke 23:50-56
Matthew records
“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and 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.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.”
Matthew 27:57-61
I have no doubt that this was the lowest point in the lives of the believers.
They had sat under the teachings of Jesus for the better part of three years yet they still didn’t understand the full ramifications of what he had said.
They were human and at this point in time had no comprehension about the resurrection.
They were in deep mourning for the lost of a friend and a teacher.
Sometime ago a man wrote the following. I think is sums up the life of Jesus and what Joseph and Mary the mother of Christ who had been with him from the beginning might have felt.
Images of Love
MaryWhat would she do now? Her mind vacillated, uncontrollably between joy and uncertainty. She could hide it, at least for a while. But, then tongues would wag. It was a small village. Everyone knew everyone. Word of her condition would spread along the gossip highway. She’d be disgraced!
Still she knew it was of God and deep inside she knew it would all work out.
Then she thought Joseph! ... what of her fiancé? He’d have no choice, but to let her go. He hadn’t done a thing, yet, he’d get the blame. Just for the sake of his reputation, she’d have to go. She’d have to face this alone. For a moment, her racing mind slowed, as she thought about what she’d been told. ELIZABETH! Elizabeth. The angel had said Elizabeth was with child. She would understand, she would know what to do. She’d go to Elizabeth.
Joseph
PREGNANT. What has she done! How could she have done such a thing! He loved her. He thought she loved him...
For a moment, his mind became a whirling dervish of thoughts and emotions out of control.
How could she bring such a disgrace down on both of them, like this. How was it possible...
Then as suddenly as it started, the tirade in his mind abated, allowing the love he felt for her to surface. Despite what she had apparently done, he still loved her. Yet, her condition seemed to say, she did not love him.
Perhaps, by divorcing her quietly, it would make it easier for her. Joseph lay back on his bed and fell asleep.
O what joyous night! What blessed revelation! What blessed assurance! He would make Mary, his wife! Just as the angel had commanded. Together, they would rejoice that Mary had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.
Together, they would rejoice with the shepherds, as they told of the visit from the heavenly host.
They would give praises to God with Simeon and Anna, as they gave thanks for the fulfillment of His promise to Israel!
They would make haste fleeing along the dusty roads to Egypt.
Mary, would feel the anguish of a mother watching her own son die in agony on a Gentile cross under a blackened sky.
She would also experience the elation of the empty tomb, the resurrection of her LORD and the love of her God.
Have you?
Think about it.
Friday, 18 April 2014
The Death of Jesus
The Death of Jesus
“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.”
Matthew 27:26-51
Here we have the death of Jesus. Jesus calls our “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
On that moment on the cross Jesus became the perfect sin sacrifice for all mankind. For that moment he was separated from God.
But that separation would be brief. He would descend into hell and conquer death and sin and rising again to this world going on to ascend into heaven. Allowing salvation to come to all who would believe in Him.
The crucifixion also highlights the choice for mankind.
In the two criminals that were put to death with Jesus, Luke records,
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left....
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:32,33, 39-43
Each criminal on that day had a choice. The same choice we have today.
One rejected Jesus mocking him. Not believing He was the Messiah.
The other confessed his sin to Jesus even confessed his belief that Jesus was who he said he was and asked that Jesus forgive his sins. To which Jesus replied,“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus made it clear when he said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
To all mankind Jesus calls out saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
As a Christian I can honestly say that, those words are true.
No matter what I have gone through in life from my deepest valleys to the highest points of my life. God has always been with me.
I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am redeemed of God. That one day I will stand before God and he will accept me as one of His own.
My prayer for you dear reader is that you will come into that peace only Jesus can give.
Please think about letting Jesus into your heart and life this day.
“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.”
Matthew 27:26-51
Here we have the death of Jesus. Jesus calls our “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
On that moment on the cross Jesus became the perfect sin sacrifice for all mankind. For that moment he was separated from God.
But that separation would be brief. He would descend into hell and conquer death and sin and rising again to this world going on to ascend into heaven. Allowing salvation to come to all who would believe in Him.
The crucifixion also highlights the choice for mankind.
In the two criminals that were put to death with Jesus, Luke records,
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left....
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:32,33, 39-43
Each criminal on that day had a choice. The same choice we have today.
One rejected Jesus mocking him. Not believing He was the Messiah.
The other confessed his sin to Jesus even confessed his belief that Jesus was who he said he was and asked that Jesus forgive his sins. To which Jesus replied,“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus made it clear when he said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
To all mankind Jesus calls out saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
As a Christian I can honestly say that, those words are true.
No matter what I have gone through in life from my deepest valleys to the highest points of my life. God has always been with me.
I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am redeemed of God. That one day I will stand before God and he will accept me as one of His own.
My prayer for you dear reader is that you will come into that peace only Jesus can give.
Please think about letting Jesus into your heart and life this day.
Thursday, 17 April 2014
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion
“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.”
Mark 15:33-41
The Crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus is the most holy moment of the Christian faith.
At this moment in time we Christians believe that Jesus took upon himself the sin of the entire world.
It is a seminal event in the history of the world. John the Baptist said of Jesus,
...“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29b.
Jesus showed in human terms how far God would go to reconcile fallen mankind to himself.
Yet some today would deny that this happened. However there is proof outside the Bible in none other than the Jewish Talmud,
The Talmud makes note of Jesus' crucifixion. It is dated as "on the eve of the Feast of the Passover" in agreement with the Gospel (Luke 22:1; John 19:31). Similar again to the Gospel (Matt. 27:51),
Flavius Josephus in his book, The Jewish War, also confirmed these events.
Although not explicitly referred to by name, later rabbis identify the person as Jesus. These references to Jesus are neither sympathetic to Him or His Church. Also these writings were preserved through the centuries by Jews, so Christians cannot be accused of tampering with the text.
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.” [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Note what Josephus states, “They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.”
Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the suffering Messiah spoken of by Isaiah in chapter 53 of his book,
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:3-6.
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:10,11.
Jesus laid down his life for you and for me. He became the ultimate sacrifice that we may have eternal life. A life with God.
Think about it.
“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.”
Mark 15:33-41
The Crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus is the most holy moment of the Christian faith.
At this moment in time we Christians believe that Jesus took upon himself the sin of the entire world.
It is a seminal event in the history of the world. John the Baptist said of Jesus,
...“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29b.
Jesus showed in human terms how far God would go to reconcile fallen mankind to himself.
Yet some today would deny that this happened. However there is proof outside the Bible in none other than the Jewish Talmud,
The Talmud makes note of Jesus' crucifixion. It is dated as "on the eve of the Feast of the Passover" in agreement with the Gospel (Luke 22:1; John 19:31). Similar again to the Gospel (Matt. 27:51),
Flavius Josephus in his book, The Jewish War, also confirmed these events.
Although not explicitly referred to by name, later rabbis identify the person as Jesus. These references to Jesus are neither sympathetic to Him or His Church. Also these writings were preserved through the centuries by Jews, so Christians cannot be accused of tampering with the text.
Flavius Josephus, who lived until 98 A.D., was a romanized Jewish historian. He wrote books on Jewish history for the Roman people. In his book, Jewish Antiquities, he made references to Jesus. In one reference he wrote:
“About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.” [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
Note what Josephus states, “They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders.”
Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the suffering Messiah spoken of by Isaiah in chapter 53 of his book,
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:3-6.
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:10,11.
Jesus laid down his life for you and for me. He became the ultimate sacrifice that we may have eternal life. A life with God.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
A Note on Christians
A Note on Christians
Easter is almost upon us and over the next few blog entries I will be writing about it. I however thought it interesting to, for just a moment to point to a quote from outside the Bible about Christians. A quote from Pilny the Younger a non-Christian.
Piliny the Younger was a Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor writing to Emperor Trajan he wrote,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind..."
The book of Acts comments on what the early believers did, noting,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47.
The early church seems to be a together thing. They looked after each other and met together to break bread, the praised God and enjoyed favour of all the people.
Additionally as they continued in this unity the Lord added to their numbers.
People seen in those early believers something they wanted to be a part of. They seen the reality of Christ in the life of those early Christians.
It is something the world needs to see in believer today.
It is something I believe true believers still show today.
Francis of Assisi wrote, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
I believe this is what the early church did. I believe also that this is what true Christians today are still doing.
Think about it.
Easter is almost upon us and over the next few blog entries I will be writing about it. I however thought it interesting to, for just a moment to point to a quote from outside the Bible about Christians. A quote from Pilny the Younger a non-Christian.
Piliny the Younger was a Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor writing to Emperor Trajan he wrote,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind..."
The book of Acts comments on what the early believers did, noting,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47.
The early church seems to be a together thing. They looked after each other and met together to break bread, the praised God and enjoyed favour of all the people.
Additionally as they continued in this unity the Lord added to their numbers.
People seen in those early believers something they wanted to be a part of. They seen the reality of Christ in the life of those early Christians.
It is something the world needs to see in believer today.
It is something I believe true believers still show today.
Francis of Assisi wrote, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
I believe this is what the early church did. I believe also that this is what true Christians today are still doing.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Passover
Passover
“The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
“This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbour, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs.
That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts.
Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD'S Passover.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”
Exodus 12:1-14.
Yesterday as I write this our Jewish friends started to celebrate Passover. The time when the death angel passed over the children of Israel and struck the first born of Egypt.
Egypt can be looked on as the symbol of oppression for all generations.
Over the centuries the Jews have been oppressed by it seems like an endless stream of tyrants. All of these oppressors have come to a sorry end.
Hitler the worst in recent memory killing six million men women and children. Their only crime being born Jewish.
The Jewish people are a remarkable people.
Leo Tolstoy wrote,
“The Jew is the emblem of civil and religious toleration, ‘Love the stranger a sojourner,’ Moses commands, ‘because you have been strangers in the land of Egypt.’ And this was said in those remote and savage times when the principal ambition of the races and nations consisted in crushing and enslaving one another.
As concerns religious toleration, the Jewish faith is not only far from the missionary spirit of converting people of other denominations, but on the contrary the Talmud commands the Rabbis to inform and explain to everyone who willingly comes to accept the Jewish religion, all the difficulties involved in its acceptance, and to point out to the would be proselyte that the righteous of all nations have a share in immortality.
Of such a lofty and ideal religious toleration not even the moralists of our present day can boast.
The Jew is the emblem of eternity. He whom neither slaughter nor torture of thousands of years could destroy, he whom neither fire nor sword nor inquisition was able to wipe off from the face of the earth, he who was the first to produce the oracles of God, he who has been for so long, the guardian of the oracles prophecy, and who transmitted it too the rest of the world—such a nation cannot be destroyed. The law is everlasting as is eternity itself.”
I am a firm believer in blessing Israel when ever possible. In Genesis God made a promise to Abram,
“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:1-3.
Today the 15 Nissan 5754 (April 15th 2014) take time to pray for Israel, the Jewish people throughout the world and the peace of Jerusalem.
“The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
“This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbour, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs.
That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts.
Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD'S Passover.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”
Exodus 12:1-14.
Yesterday as I write this our Jewish friends started to celebrate Passover. The time when the death angel passed over the children of Israel and struck the first born of Egypt.
Egypt can be looked on as the symbol of oppression for all generations.
Over the centuries the Jews have been oppressed by it seems like an endless stream of tyrants. All of these oppressors have come to a sorry end.
Hitler the worst in recent memory killing six million men women and children. Their only crime being born Jewish.
The Jewish people are a remarkable people.
Leo Tolstoy wrote,
“The Jew is the emblem of civil and religious toleration, ‘Love the stranger a sojourner,’ Moses commands, ‘because you have been strangers in the land of Egypt.’ And this was said in those remote and savage times when the principal ambition of the races and nations consisted in crushing and enslaving one another.
As concerns religious toleration, the Jewish faith is not only far from the missionary spirit of converting people of other denominations, but on the contrary the Talmud commands the Rabbis to inform and explain to everyone who willingly comes to accept the Jewish religion, all the difficulties involved in its acceptance, and to point out to the would be proselyte that the righteous of all nations have a share in immortality.
Of such a lofty and ideal religious toleration not even the moralists of our present day can boast.
The Jew is the emblem of eternity. He whom neither slaughter nor torture of thousands of years could destroy, he whom neither fire nor sword nor inquisition was able to wipe off from the face of the earth, he who was the first to produce the oracles of God, he who has been for so long, the guardian of the oracles prophecy, and who transmitted it too the rest of the world—such a nation cannot be destroyed. The law is everlasting as is eternity itself.”
I am a firm believer in blessing Israel when ever possible. In Genesis God made a promise to Abram,
“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:1-3.
Today the 15 Nissan 5754 (April 15th 2014) take time to pray for Israel, the Jewish people throughout the world and the peace of Jerusalem.
Monday, 14 April 2014
Giving to the Poor
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Matthew 5:42
Here Jesus point to people in need.
We need to have compassion on the poor. It’s easy in our society to look down on a poor person especially someone on the street that may be panhandling.
We have no idea why that person is in the position they are. But if we can afford it, it never hurts to give something.
I heard not to long ago a preacher on television condemning people on welfare calling them “lazy bums.” telling them to go out and get a job.
I know a lot of people on welfare.
Most of those I know are not in the system by choice. Some were laid off from their jobs. Others are on it because of medical reasons.
None of these people like going to the government cap in hand asking for a hand out. It frankly is demeaning. And welfare where I live at least pays far below the poverty line. Making it hard sometimes impossible to make ends meet.
True there are a some who play the system but there not as many as one would like to think.
Most people want to work and many poor people do. The minimum wage where I live is ten dollars an hour a subsistence living at best. Well below the poverty line.
The provincial government realizing it is too low is raising it much to the displeasure of some business groups.
I’ve read that in the United States the basic minimum wage is in some places below five dollars an hour.
This in a country that can’t even offer its citizens a good government health insurance as is done in all other western democracies.
The bottom line is no one in North America can live on five dollars an hour or ten dollars an hour.
Sadly many business groups complain about giving more to those on welfare or raising the minimum wage.
The same business groups that think its fine to allow multinational corporations to go to the government for grants and tax incentives to place their factories in a particular jurisdiction.
What one politician in Canada in the seventies called “corporate welfare bums”.
We as individuals, particularly we as Christian businessmen and women need to be benevolent towards the poor.
The Talmud tells a story that goes like this,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
Now I know there are many Christians out there that give a lot to the poor. Both domestically and to international aid. Christians are for the most part a giving people.
Still we as Christians need, I believe, to look at how we see those in need. We need to reach out to them and help them in any way that we can.
Christian businessmen and women need to look at what they are paying their employees and ask themselves is this enough for them to live on.
We should be lobbying our government to help the poor more.
I’m not saying here we should encourage people who are able bodied to sit around and collect a check.
What I’m saying is we should be helping the poor. If they need a few bucks fine. But if they need training to start earning a good living then companies and the government should be stepping up and offering it.
The old saying “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day teach him to fish and you feed him for life.” is very true.
We’re always going to have poor among us. But it is up to us as a society to help those we can particularly the sick, the disabled and those who cannot truly help themselves.
Keeping them on a subsistence living simply because it’s going to cost the government more money is not a good excuse.
If these persons were captured and in danger of dying at the hands of terrorist the same government that gives little to help the poor, would spend whatever it took to rescue them.
“If there is one area that identifies and unites Jews, no matter what their personal beliefs and practices, it is Tzedakah. Tzedakah is more than charity or philanthropy, noble as they are, more than man’s humanity to man, exalted as that is, more truly it is righteousness and justice. Without these qualities civilization would perish.
It is the highest ideal in Jewish teaching—for it is the highest application of Jewish ethical values. It is Judaism in action—and Judaism is inherently and deeply a religion of action, a way of life, a way of living.”
Jews are encouraged to give ten percent of their income to helping the poor. Even someone who is poor themselves is asked to give although they may give less than ten precent.
And there is an admonishing not to give so much as for you to become a burden on society yourself.
One Jewish teacher gave the levels of Tzedakah
1.Giving begrudgingly
2.Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3.Giving after being asked
4.Giving before being asked
5.Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6.Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7.Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8.Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant
I think the above list is something Christians need to look at carefully. Christianity came from Judaism. We share common values. I believe the spirit of Tzedakah should be one of them.
Think about it.
Matthew 5:42
Here Jesus point to people in need.
We need to have compassion on the poor. It’s easy in our society to look down on a poor person especially someone on the street that may be panhandling.
We have no idea why that person is in the position they are. But if we can afford it, it never hurts to give something.
I heard not to long ago a preacher on television condemning people on welfare calling them “lazy bums.” telling them to go out and get a job.
I know a lot of people on welfare.
Most of those I know are not in the system by choice. Some were laid off from their jobs. Others are on it because of medical reasons.
None of these people like going to the government cap in hand asking for a hand out. It frankly is demeaning. And welfare where I live at least pays far below the poverty line. Making it hard sometimes impossible to make ends meet.
True there are a some who play the system but there not as many as one would like to think.
Most people want to work and many poor people do. The minimum wage where I live is ten dollars an hour a subsistence living at best. Well below the poverty line.
The provincial government realizing it is too low is raising it much to the displeasure of some business groups.
I’ve read that in the United States the basic minimum wage is in some places below five dollars an hour.
This in a country that can’t even offer its citizens a good government health insurance as is done in all other western democracies.
The bottom line is no one in North America can live on five dollars an hour or ten dollars an hour.
Sadly many business groups complain about giving more to those on welfare or raising the minimum wage.
The same business groups that think its fine to allow multinational corporations to go to the government for grants and tax incentives to place their factories in a particular jurisdiction.
What one politician in Canada in the seventies called “corporate welfare bums”.
We as individuals, particularly we as Christian businessmen and women need to be benevolent towards the poor.
The Talmud tells a story that goes like this,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
Now I know there are many Christians out there that give a lot to the poor. Both domestically and to international aid. Christians are for the most part a giving people.
Still we as Christians need, I believe, to look at how we see those in need. We need to reach out to them and help them in any way that we can.
Christian businessmen and women need to look at what they are paying their employees and ask themselves is this enough for them to live on.
We should be lobbying our government to help the poor more.
I’m not saying here we should encourage people who are able bodied to sit around and collect a check.
What I’m saying is we should be helping the poor. If they need a few bucks fine. But if they need training to start earning a good living then companies and the government should be stepping up and offering it.
The old saying “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day teach him to fish and you feed him for life.” is very true.
We’re always going to have poor among us. But it is up to us as a society to help those we can particularly the sick, the disabled and those who cannot truly help themselves.
Keeping them on a subsistence living simply because it’s going to cost the government more money is not a good excuse.
If these persons were captured and in danger of dying at the hands of terrorist the same government that gives little to help the poor, would spend whatever it took to rescue them.
We as Christians should be leading the way in benevolence. The Jews have a word for it its called Tzedakah
Philip Bernstein explains it this way,“If there is one area that identifies and unites Jews, no matter what their personal beliefs and practices, it is Tzedakah. Tzedakah is more than charity or philanthropy, noble as they are, more than man’s humanity to man, exalted as that is, more truly it is righteousness and justice. Without these qualities civilization would perish.
It is the highest ideal in Jewish teaching—for it is the highest application of Jewish ethical values. It is Judaism in action—and Judaism is inherently and deeply a religion of action, a way of life, a way of living.”
Jews are encouraged to give ten percent of their income to helping the poor. Even someone who is poor themselves is asked to give although they may give less than ten precent.
And there is an admonishing not to give so much as for you to become a burden on society yourself.
One Jewish teacher gave the levels of Tzedakah
1.Giving begrudgingly
2.Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3.Giving after being asked
4.Giving before being asked
5.Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6.Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7.Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8.Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant
I think the above list is something Christians need to look at carefully. Christianity came from Judaism. We share common values. I believe the spirit of Tzedakah should be one of them.
Think about it.
Sunday, 13 April 2014
Treasure
Treasure
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46
Unfortunately many people in the world today particularly in North America are failing to see that the Bible and Jesus are indeed treasures of great price.
They see a material world only. Their only goal in life is to gather as many toys as they can before they die.
I once heard a very rich businessman say “the pursuit of wealth is the most noble of pursuits one can do in this life.”
He dose not believe in anything beyond this life.
My brother an atheist is fond of saying “the one who has all the toys at the end of life is the winner.”
Trouble is at the end of life the toys go to someone else. Materialism is ultimately useless as we come into this world with nothing materially and cannot take any of our material possessions with us.
Ask the Egyptian Pharaoh’s. They were buried with riches but the riches remained in this world while they are long gone to stand before God.
Take a look at particularly the rock stars over the years who have had fame and fortune only to die by their own hand in hopelessness.
A minister friend of mine many years ago sat at the bedside of a very rich man. He’d spent a lifetime accumulating wealth and little else.
He told my friend that while he admitted he liked the fun of acquiring the wealth, it meant nothing to him now as he prepared to enter eternity.
He only wished he’d got to know Christ sooner.
Materialism and for that matter atheism is in the end an empty cup.
The author of Ecclesiastes states,
“ I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
The book of Ecclesiastes concludes with,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
There is an old saying that still rings true. “Only one life will soon be past only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Where will you be at the end of your life? Will you stand before God as a pauper and here him say I never knew you, or will he welcome you as his child? The child of a king with all the rights there of.
Think about it.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46
Unfortunately many people in the world today particularly in North America are failing to see that the Bible and Jesus are indeed treasures of great price.
They see a material world only. Their only goal in life is to gather as many toys as they can before they die.
I once heard a very rich businessman say “the pursuit of wealth is the most noble of pursuits one can do in this life.”
He dose not believe in anything beyond this life.
My brother an atheist is fond of saying “the one who has all the toys at the end of life is the winner.”
Trouble is at the end of life the toys go to someone else. Materialism is ultimately useless as we come into this world with nothing materially and cannot take any of our material possessions with us.
Ask the Egyptian Pharaoh’s. They were buried with riches but the riches remained in this world while they are long gone to stand before God.
Take a look at particularly the rock stars over the years who have had fame and fortune only to die by their own hand in hopelessness.
A minister friend of mine many years ago sat at the bedside of a very rich man. He’d spent a lifetime accumulating wealth and little else.
He told my friend that while he admitted he liked the fun of acquiring the wealth, it meant nothing to him now as he prepared to enter eternity.
He only wished he’d got to know Christ sooner.
Materialism and for that matter atheism is in the end an empty cup.
The author of Ecclesiastes states,
“ I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
The book of Ecclesiastes concludes with,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
There is an old saying that still rings true. “Only one life will soon be past only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Where will you be at the end of your life? Will you stand before God as a pauper and here him say I never knew you, or will he welcome you as his child? The child of a king with all the rights there of.
Think about it.
Saturday, 12 April 2014
The Mustard Seed
The Mustard seed
“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.
Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”
He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Matthew 13:31-33.
Here Jesus uses a parable to explain how His kingdom will grow.
At the time the mustard seed was the smallest seed used by farmers. Yet it could grow up to three meters or more under good conditions.
This is how the Jesus’ kingdom grew.
It started out under humble conditions. From a stable in an insignificant town in a back water of the mighty Roman empire. Yet it has grown over the centuries to reach into every country in the world.
At approximately 2.2 billion believers it is the largest religion in the world today.
Why? Because the hand of God is upon it and nothing man can do will stop it. The proof is as they say in the pudding.
Christianity today is the most persecuted religion in the world one statistic I read was that one Christian dies every eleven minutes for their faith somewhere in the world. Meanwhile others languish in jail for their beliefs.
Yet despite all of this our faith is still growing.
The reason it’s growing is that it truly brings hope to all who embrace faith in Jesus Christ.
Christianity in it’s purest form is a faith of mercy. It shows God’s mercy toward mankind.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
The Apostle Paul reminds us,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
He also states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Christianity is God reaching down to man and saying, I love you. Despite your short comings and problems I love you.
He calls out,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Think about it.
“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.
Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”
He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Matthew 13:31-33.
Here Jesus uses a parable to explain how His kingdom will grow.
At the time the mustard seed was the smallest seed used by farmers. Yet it could grow up to three meters or more under good conditions.
This is how the Jesus’ kingdom grew.
It started out under humble conditions. From a stable in an insignificant town in a back water of the mighty Roman empire. Yet it has grown over the centuries to reach into every country in the world.
At approximately 2.2 billion believers it is the largest religion in the world today.
Why? Because the hand of God is upon it and nothing man can do will stop it. The proof is as they say in the pudding.
Christianity today is the most persecuted religion in the world one statistic I read was that one Christian dies every eleven minutes for their faith somewhere in the world. Meanwhile others languish in jail for their beliefs.
Yet despite all of this our faith is still growing.
The reason it’s growing is that it truly brings hope to all who embrace faith in Jesus Christ.
Christianity in it’s purest form is a faith of mercy. It shows God’s mercy toward mankind.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
The Apostle Paul reminds us,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
He also states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Christianity is God reaching down to man and saying, I love you. Despite your short comings and problems I love you.
He calls out,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Think about it.
Friday, 11 April 2014
Weeds
Weeds
“Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”
Matthew 13:24-30
Here Jesus talks about the good seed and the bad seed and how its hard to tell them apart especially when they are just sprouts.
He again give an explanation for this parable Matthew recoding,
“Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:36-43
Often in this world we cannot tell who is telling the truth about God and who isn’t.
We look in the churches and at those who claim to be Christians in the media both evangelist, pastors and others and they all look alike. It can be very hard to tell the real Christian from the fraud.
We have to look carefully at what is being said and evaluate it in accordance with God’s word the Bible.
It all comes down to what Jesus said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:22,23.
This is what Jesus is saying in the parable of the sower.
Think about it.
“Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”
Matthew 13:24-30
Here Jesus talks about the good seed and the bad seed and how its hard to tell them apart especially when they are just sprouts.
He again give an explanation for this parable Matthew recoding,
“Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:36-43
Often in this world we cannot tell who is telling the truth about God and who isn’t.
We look in the churches and at those who claim to be Christians in the media both evangelist, pastors and others and they all look alike. It can be very hard to tell the real Christian from the fraud.
We have to look carefully at what is being said and evaluate it in accordance with God’s word the Bible.
It all comes down to what Jesus said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:22,23.
This is what Jesus is saying in the parable of the sower.
Think about it.
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