Clean & Unclean a Warning
"Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.
What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ”
Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.
“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
Matthew 15:1-20
Here Jesus points out that it’s not what we eat or take into our bodies that makes us unclean but what comes out of us.
Our words our deeds make us unclean. The fact that we eat with dirty hands is not the big deal the pharisees make it out to be.
By the time of Jesus the religious higher archy had formed tradition upon tradition. Rules around every law God had ordained to try and prevent people from breaking the law.
It had become so strict that the man made rules had become as important as the law itself. Making it very hard to be observant to the rules for the average person.
He notes that what we take in means little but what comes out of our mouth from our heart is what defiles us.
He states, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”
The other point He makes is that the Pharisees were also breaking the law. Jesus noting,
“And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
Within the church there are such people today. Pastors and evangelist who would say give to my ministry and God will give you back ten, fifty a hundred fold.
They have encouraged people to the point that especially those of meager means or the elderly have given far more than they could afford only to find the money doesn’t come back.
Don’t get me wrong I think we should give to our home church first what we can afford. A tithe of any amount. But we should not be giving so much as to make ourselves a burden on others.
There are many even in the church today that are not of God. They may look like honest preachers and evangelist but they are not of God.
These people whom God has not planted will one day be uprooted and burned in the fire.
The point here I believe is to be where of these people.
Think about it.
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Saturday, 26 April 2014
Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus Walks on Water
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
Matthew 14:22-36
This is another example of something if not true why would the early church let it be a part of Bible. The fact is it did happen it was true. But that aside there is something to be learned here.
Here Jesus has gone to pray he returns and the boat is off shore. It’s the fourth watch between 3:00 and 6:00am. When the disciples see Jesus coming. At first they thought him a ghost. However Jesus assured them it was him, whereupon Peter says,
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter I think represents a lot of Christians even today especially when it comes to miracles which the walking on water represented.
Today I firmly believe miracles happen. Sadly not as often as could happen, and this largely due to lack of faith of believers.
Peter had seen the miracles Jesus did, he was a believer yet when he seen, as the King James put it “the wind was boisterous” his faith faded and he began to sink.
It happens today. We know the miraculous can happen yet all to often we doubt and as a result begin to sink.
The people at Gennesaret didn’t seem to have any such doubts.
The fame of Jesus was such that when the recognized who it was scripture records,
“they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
The faith of the sick healed them. They believed and were rewarded for their belief.
It can be the same today.
I would however add a caveat here. All things that are done in the name of God must be done in accordance with God’s will. And God must get the glory.
I have witnessed healings. My pastor was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors had done all they could for him and said there was no hope.
My pastor if nothing else is a man of great faith. He left everything in the hands of God and we as a congregation and as individuals prayed for him.
Today he is cancer free. Confirmed by the doctors.
At the same time I’ve seen people with great faith die of curable illnesses. Why I really don’t understand.
My wife I think puts it best. She notes we are eternal beings. Absent in the body is present with the Lord. Additionally we don’t know when God will call us home.
So when someone dies. They at the very least are being cured. Illness and pain are gone. They are at peace in the presence of their Lord and God.
The key here is to do all you can to strengthen your faith as a believer and accept the will of God. Be that to cure you or to call you home.
Think about it.
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
Matthew 14:22-36
This is another example of something if not true why would the early church let it be a part of Bible. The fact is it did happen it was true. But that aside there is something to be learned here.
Here Jesus has gone to pray he returns and the boat is off shore. It’s the fourth watch between 3:00 and 6:00am. When the disciples see Jesus coming. At first they thought him a ghost. However Jesus assured them it was him, whereupon Peter says,
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter I think represents a lot of Christians even today especially when it comes to miracles which the walking on water represented.
Today I firmly believe miracles happen. Sadly not as often as could happen, and this largely due to lack of faith of believers.
Peter had seen the miracles Jesus did, he was a believer yet when he seen, as the King James put it “the wind was boisterous” his faith faded and he began to sink.
It happens today. We know the miraculous can happen yet all to often we doubt and as a result begin to sink.
The people at Gennesaret didn’t seem to have any such doubts.
The fame of Jesus was such that when the recognized who it was scripture records,
“they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”
The faith of the sick healed them. They believed and were rewarded for their belief.
It can be the same today.
I would however add a caveat here. All things that are done in the name of God must be done in accordance with God’s will. And God must get the glory.
I have witnessed healings. My pastor was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors had done all they could for him and said there was no hope.
My pastor if nothing else is a man of great faith. He left everything in the hands of God and we as a congregation and as individuals prayed for him.
Today he is cancer free. Confirmed by the doctors.
At the same time I’ve seen people with great faith die of curable illnesses. Why I really don’t understand.
My wife I think puts it best. She notes we are eternal beings. Absent in the body is present with the Lord. Additionally we don’t know when God will call us home.
So when someone dies. They at the very least are being cured. Illness and pain are gone. They are at peace in the presence of their Lord and God.
The key here is to do all you can to strengthen your faith as a believer and accept the will of God. Be that to cure you or to call you home.
Think about it.
Friday, 25 April 2014
The Five Thousand and You
The Five thousand and You
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus always attracted a crowd such was his teachings that people wanted to hear him.
I always think of it in modern terms as Billy Graham being followed by the crowds he had in the arenas.
It must have been incredible to see.
The crowds that followed Jesus witnessed fantastic things. They seen him preform miracles and other things such as the feeding of the five thousand men mentioned here along with women and children.
Yet in the end these people were not around when it came to the crucifixion. There the mob whipped up by those who were against Jesus politically cried crucify him.
All the good Jesus did ultimately, come the day of his trial before Pilot meant nothing.
Pilot is recorded as saying,
“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.”
Luke 23:13,14
His wife advising him saying,
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Matthew 27:19.
Pilot was in a bind. He couldn’t afford a riot. That would look bad in Rome so in the name of political expediency he gave in to the Jewish leaders and let him die.
Would it have been any different today. Who knows.
The one thing we all have to decide on however is Who is Jesus?
Is he a good man, a prophet, a teacher, or is He the One and Only Son of God who wants to have a personal relationship with you.
You dear reader are the one who must decide.
Please think carefully about it.
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus always attracted a crowd such was his teachings that people wanted to hear him.
I always think of it in modern terms as Billy Graham being followed by the crowds he had in the arenas.
It must have been incredible to see.
The crowds that followed Jesus witnessed fantastic things. They seen him preform miracles and other things such as the feeding of the five thousand men mentioned here along with women and children.
Yet in the end these people were not around when it came to the crucifixion. There the mob whipped up by those who were against Jesus politically cried crucify him.
All the good Jesus did ultimately, come the day of his trial before Pilot meant nothing.
Pilot is recorded as saying,
“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.”
Luke 23:13,14
His wife advising him saying,
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Matthew 27:19.
Pilot was in a bind. He couldn’t afford a riot. That would look bad in Rome so in the name of political expediency he gave in to the Jewish leaders and let him die.
Would it have been any different today. Who knows.
The one thing we all have to decide on however is Who is Jesus?
Is he a good man, a prophet, a teacher, or is He the One and Only Son of God who wants to have a personal relationship with you.
You dear reader are the one who must decide.
Please think carefully about it.
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Jesus Herod and John's Beheading
Jesus Herod and John's beheading
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.”
Matthew14:1-12
A quick History lesson, Heodias, was at the time of John the Baptist beheading the wife of Herod Antipas. However she’d been the wife of his brother. Herod had convinced her to marry him. Something forbidden under Jewish law while the brother was living.
It was their relationship that John was speaking against.
His actions obviously upset Herodias enough to want to kill him.
Scripture records, “Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.”
Still he had him in prison.
It was only after the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod that he gave her what she asked for, John’s head on a platter.
What I think is important here is how Jesus reacts. Matthew records,
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”
Matthew 14:13a.
Jesus did not as they say come out swinging. He didn’t call Herod a murderer. Instead he left the area.
There were probably two reasons. One the obvious being that Jesus didn’t want to upset Herod and incur his wrath because it wasn’t time for him to go to the cross yet.
The other could have been as simple, although it is not said in scripture, Jesus forgave Herod.
Jesus knew that John’s ministry had to diminish as his increased and unfortunately this is the way it went.
This was obviously a crisis for Jesus but he handled it well. He moved away from the area and continued with his ministry.
There’s a lesson to be learned here for Christians. It concerns how we handle a crisis in our life.
Some complain and say why me. Some blame it on the devil. Others simply pick things up and continue on.
I know when our house burned down. It was a tragic event. We lost all our earthly possessions in less than an hour. Making it worse we had no insurance.
I was working night shift at the time a hundred twenty kilometres away from home.
I remember my wife calling me and leaving work in a hurry.
I also remember that for the almost two hours it took to get there I prayed like I have never prayed before.
But believe it or not today I joke and say it was the easiest move we ever made. It was as it turned out the best.
We moved over a hundred fifty kilometres that day to what is now our home.
The fire happened on Friday morning and by Sunday afternoon we were calling people to tell them to stop giving us things.
In less than thirty-six hours we had a new place to live, someone had donated a livingroom suite. Others beds and clothing as well as dishes plates and cooking utensils. Everything we needed to start our lives over. God had provided. For which I am very thankful.
At the time our children were young and really don’t remember it. Which is good.
What our kids do remember is being brought up in and excellent Church with strong Christian principles that encourage living the Christian lifestyle here in St. Catharines. It may not have happened where we lived previously.
Today not only my wife and I are serving the Lord, but our now adult Children are also. Both work diligently as volunteers in their church. Sometimes I think they live there.
Our youngest son now a carpenter uses his skills by going on a missions trip every year for a month to help various missions. He helps in the building of Schools and orphanages as well as other things.
He even helped in the rebuilding of some homes after hurricane Katriana.
Jesus I believe set the example for us.
He faced adversity yet he didn’t complain he simply did what God called him to do.
Are you?
Think about it.
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.”
Matthew14:1-12
A quick History lesson, Heodias, was at the time of John the Baptist beheading the wife of Herod Antipas. However she’d been the wife of his brother. Herod had convinced her to marry him. Something forbidden under Jewish law while the brother was living.
It was their relationship that John was speaking against.
His actions obviously upset Herodias enough to want to kill him.
Scripture records, “Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.”
Still he had him in prison.
It was only after the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod that he gave her what she asked for, John’s head on a platter.
What I think is important here is how Jesus reacts. Matthew records,
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”
Matthew 14:13a.
Jesus did not as they say come out swinging. He didn’t call Herod a murderer. Instead he left the area.
There were probably two reasons. One the obvious being that Jesus didn’t want to upset Herod and incur his wrath because it wasn’t time for him to go to the cross yet.
The other could have been as simple, although it is not said in scripture, Jesus forgave Herod.
Jesus knew that John’s ministry had to diminish as his increased and unfortunately this is the way it went.
This was obviously a crisis for Jesus but he handled it well. He moved away from the area and continued with his ministry.
There’s a lesson to be learned here for Christians. It concerns how we handle a crisis in our life.
Some complain and say why me. Some blame it on the devil. Others simply pick things up and continue on.
I know when our house burned down. It was a tragic event. We lost all our earthly possessions in less than an hour. Making it worse we had no insurance.
I was working night shift at the time a hundred twenty kilometres away from home.
I remember my wife calling me and leaving work in a hurry.
I also remember that for the almost two hours it took to get there I prayed like I have never prayed before.
But believe it or not today I joke and say it was the easiest move we ever made. It was as it turned out the best.
We moved over a hundred fifty kilometres that day to what is now our home.
The fire happened on Friday morning and by Sunday afternoon we were calling people to tell them to stop giving us things.
In less than thirty-six hours we had a new place to live, someone had donated a livingroom suite. Others beds and clothing as well as dishes plates and cooking utensils. Everything we needed to start our lives over. God had provided. For which I am very thankful.
At the time our children were young and really don’t remember it. Which is good.
What our kids do remember is being brought up in and excellent Church with strong Christian principles that encourage living the Christian lifestyle here in St. Catharines. It may not have happened where we lived previously.
Today not only my wife and I are serving the Lord, but our now adult Children are also. Both work diligently as volunteers in their church. Sometimes I think they live there.
Our youngest son now a carpenter uses his skills by going on a missions trip every year for a month to help various missions. He helps in the building of Schools and orphanages as well as other things.
He even helped in the rebuilding of some homes after hurricane Katriana.
Jesus I believe set the example for us.
He faced adversity yet he didn’t complain he simply did what God called him to do.
Are you?
Think about it.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
Faith in Jesus
Faith in Jesus
“When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?
Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
Matthew 13:53-58.
Here Jesus is in his home town teaching. He obviously did some miracles although not many vs 58 noting “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
His home town is similar to today. Miracles do happen but not as many as could happen if people had more faith.
Still Jesus did not come to be a miracle worker. He came to reconcile man to God. Jesus himself saying,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Like the people in Jesus home town the people in the world today have the choice to accept Him as Lord and Savior or turn away from him.
The choice is always there it is up to the individual to decide.
Think about it.
“When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?
Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
Matthew 13:53-58.
Here Jesus is in his home town teaching. He obviously did some miracles although not many vs 58 noting “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
His home town is similar to today. Miracles do happen but not as many as could happen if people had more faith.
Still Jesus did not come to be a miracle worker. He came to reconcile man to God. Jesus himself saying,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Like the people in Jesus home town the people in the world today have the choice to accept Him as Lord and Savior or turn away from him.
The choice is always there it is up to the individual to decide.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
The Great Commission
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.
“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.
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.
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