This is the end.....Or is it the beginning?
The last three books of John describe the condemnation and death of Jesus Christ. In John 19 Pilate takes Jesus to a private area and virtually gives him every opportunity to denounce who he is. Pilate knows that Jesus has committed no crime, but the popular oppinion is that he is guilty. Pilate is more concerned with keeping the peace and not upsetting Caesar. Sound familiar? Pilate basically tries to relieve himself of responsibility by saying "you do what you wish with him but I don't think he has done anything wrong". The scripture foretold of everything that would happen to Jesus, and it all happened as described. How much strength and faith did it take for Jesus to continue to proclaim his love for God all the way up to his death upon the cross? He could have simply said, "your right, I'm not the son of God. I was just kidding." He probably would have lived if he did. But, the question is, how would he have lived? How many times have we denied God in order to make things easier on ourselves? How do WE go on living afterwards? I believe it is because of the forgiveness that is extended to each of us because Jesus did allow himself to die on that cross.
Finally, just as was foretold, Jesus rises from the tomb on the third day. He appears several times to his disciples before ascending to heaven. When the disciple Thomas heres that Jesus appeared to the other disciples, he says he will not believe it unless he is able to place his finger on the holes in Jesus' hand. It's funny how even the disciples lacked faith after all that had been shown to them. I guess most of us are not that much different than the disciples were!
So, although this was the end of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, it is really the beginning for all of humanity. Through the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus all of us have the opportunity for eternal life. Regardless of what we have done! The only question is, will we be like Thomas and demand to touch the holes in his hands and side before we believe? Or will we have the faith that Jesus said we should have? The decision doesn't seem to me to be a difficult one.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
(Day 27) John 1-12
Jesus says , "unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God". A majority of the scripture in the Gospel of John speaks of accepting Jesus and receiving everlasting life. In John 6 v11 Jesus feeds 5000 people from just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. When every one has eaten their fill, Jesus commands his disciples to "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost." Is he simply speaking about the fragments of bread? I believe this is again a reference by Jesus to how we should act toward our fellow man. In other words, if after hearing the gospel there are still people left over, we should work to gather up the "fragments" so that no one should be lost. I may be completely off on this one, but it seems to make sense and mesh with the teaching of Jesus from all of the other gospels.
In John 6 v 35 Jesus says, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." This statement from Jesus seems to be the most direct response he made. It was almost like he finally said "alright, here's the deal". There is no parable, no possible alternate meaning. Simply, I am the real deal, the son of God, believe in me and you will have eternal life. Really, by Jesus being so direct, it seems simple. Why do I struggle every day to follow what Jesus taught?
Another very direct and simple concept that Jesus puts forth in John is not judging other people. In John 7 v24 Jesus states, "do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." Why is it so hard for all of us, yes all of us, to not accept people without judging them? We are taught through out the scripture that it is not our job to judge our fellow man. That duty lays with God alone. In John 8 v7 Jesus says of a woman accused of adultery, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." Guess what? Every single one of them walks away without throwing one stone at her. Jesus simply says she is forgiven and tells her not to sin anymore. That offer is available to every single one of us. Even though it's not that difficult of a concept, I have to remind myself constantly not to judge other people. I'm willing to bet that most of us struggle with this. Would I be able to cast that first stone? No, I would have been the first to walk away.
In John 6 v 35 Jesus says, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." This statement from Jesus seems to be the most direct response he made. It was almost like he finally said "alright, here's the deal". There is no parable, no possible alternate meaning. Simply, I am the real deal, the son of God, believe in me and you will have eternal life. Really, by Jesus being so direct, it seems simple. Why do I struggle every day to follow what Jesus taught?
Another very direct and simple concept that Jesus puts forth in John is not judging other people. In John 7 v24 Jesus states, "do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." Why is it so hard for all of us, yes all of us, to not accept people without judging them? We are taught through out the scripture that it is not our job to judge our fellow man. That duty lays with God alone. In John 8 v7 Jesus says of a woman accused of adultery, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." Guess what? Every single one of them walks away without throwing one stone at her. Jesus simply says she is forgiven and tells her not to sin anymore. That offer is available to every single one of us. Even though it's not that difficult of a concept, I have to remind myself constantly not to judge other people. I'm willing to bet that most of us struggle with this. Would I be able to cast that first stone? No, I would have been the first to walk away.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
(Day 23) Luke 1 - 24
I'm back. No, I haven't really been gone. But the business of life has consumed me for the past week or so. It's funny,really, how not reading the scriptures has weighed so heavily on me. Almost like a bill that needs to be paid, or a stop that needs to be made. Any way, I am re-focused and back on track.
In Luke 1 v38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." I wonder what this news of becoming pregnant must have meant to Mary? These days it might not have been that big of a deal. But, during that time, an unmarried woman becoming pregnant? Not a good thing. But, Mary accepted it with complete faith and obedience to God. How much am I able to accept with complete faith and obedience?
In Luke 3 v9 John tells those that came to be baptized, "every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire". Again, the importance of "bearing fruit" is mentioned. I think this speaks to the saying that faith without works is dead. To me, it stresses the importance of trying to live everyday life in the way that Jesus would. When John is asked what shall we do? He tells them "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise". This sounds very familiar. This past Sunday, during the childrens sermon, Scott taught that Jesus said "whatever is done to the least of these, is also done to me." Yes Scott, I was paying attention! Again, if we are living our lives as Jesus did, we would be working daily to care for those who are in need. Whether it be a spiritual or physical need, we need to ask ourselves if we are doing all we can to help each other.
In Luke 4 v13 after Jesus had resisted every temptation from the devil it is written "and when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time." This tells me that the devil will always be waiting for a time when he can intervene and get me to give in to his temptation. Just because I am able to resist his temptations today, he will always be waiting for a more opportune time. This one, for me, is hard to swallow. So, your telling me that I will always have to be on guard? I'm strong today, but what about tomorrow, or next week, or even next year. I think that is why it is important for me to continue reading and studying the scriptures. This way I will always be mindful and aware that just as the devil is watching and waiting, so is God. As long as I keep that in mind I will be able to resist any temptation that is thrown my way.
In Luke 1 v38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." I wonder what this news of becoming pregnant must have meant to Mary? These days it might not have been that big of a deal. But, during that time, an unmarried woman becoming pregnant? Not a good thing. But, Mary accepted it with complete faith and obedience to God. How much am I able to accept with complete faith and obedience?
In Luke 3 v9 John tells those that came to be baptized, "every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire". Again, the importance of "bearing fruit" is mentioned. I think this speaks to the saying that faith without works is dead. To me, it stresses the importance of trying to live everyday life in the way that Jesus would. When John is asked what shall we do? He tells them "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise". This sounds very familiar. This past Sunday, during the childrens sermon, Scott taught that Jesus said "whatever is done to the least of these, is also done to me." Yes Scott, I was paying attention! Again, if we are living our lives as Jesus did, we would be working daily to care for those who are in need. Whether it be a spiritual or physical need, we need to ask ourselves if we are doing all we can to help each other.
In Luke 4 v13 after Jesus had resisted every temptation from the devil it is written "and when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time." This tells me that the devil will always be waiting for a time when he can intervene and get me to give in to his temptation. Just because I am able to resist his temptations today, he will always be waiting for a more opportune time. This one, for me, is hard to swallow. So, your telling me that I will always have to be on guard? I'm strong today, but what about tomorrow, or next week, or even next year. I think that is why it is important for me to continue reading and studying the scriptures. This way I will always be mindful and aware that just as the devil is watching and waiting, so is God. As long as I keep that in mind I will be able to resist any temptation that is thrown my way.
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