The chief priests and the Pharisees are furious. This man from Galilee is upsetting the system. People are making all kinds of claims about him. Some even say he is the long awaited Messiah. How can this be?
The religious leaders call a meeting. They need a plan. Jesus has to be stopped. During this meeting Caiaphas, the High Priest, makes an incredible statement.
"You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
Unknowingly Caiaphas had become a prophet. He and the others wanted to get rid of the threat to their way of life, their way of thinking, their nation. One man vs a nation. They choose their nation. Jesus must die.
Yes, Caiaphas, you were so right. It is better for one man to die for the people.
Yet, so wrong. Not because you and your group decided he was a threat and needed to die. He died to save us. Jesus died. He saved a nation. He saved a world. He save mankind.
2000 years later, I read your statement. I already had the spoiler alert. I already know what you said to Jesus when they brought him to you late one night. I already know what you helped set into motion. The "menace" you tried to get rid of for the sake of your nation fulfilled your prophesy. You were so right yet you were so wrong.
John 11:45-53
Matthew 26: 62-66
Monday, August 22, 2016
Thursday, July 14, 2016
They Know
The demons said their name was Legion because there were so many of them. Jesus was about to send them packing! Away from the men they had been tormenting. They begged to be sent into a nearby herd of pigs. The book of Luke says they didn't want to go into the bottomless pit. Jesus agreed to their request. The entire herd was drowned.
Before they left the man, they said screamed at Jesus, "Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God's appointed time?"
Torture
BEFORE GOD'S APPOINTED TIME
They know
Matthew 8:28-34
Luke 8:31
Before they left the man, they said screamed at Jesus, "Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God's appointed time?"
Torture
BEFORE GOD'S APPOINTED TIME
They know
Matthew 8:28-34
Luke 8:31
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Winning the Fishing Lottery
They had been out all night. Even though the nets were empty, they still needed to be cleaned. A night of hard work, with nothing to show, and still the nets had to be cleaned. Jesus stepped into Peter's boat and asked him to push it out into the water. This is where he sat and taught the crowds.
And Peter listened. He may have gone back to cleaning the nets. More likely he was still sitting in the boat with Jesus.. But he listened. Imagine his surprise when Jesus was done talking to the crowd and said to go out where it was deeper and let down the nets to catch some fish. In typical Peter fashion, he argued with Jesus. "We worked hard all night and didn't catch a thing." Then he added, "But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." Peter had listened.
Peter and his partners were about to win the biggest fish lottery they had ever seen. The nets were so full they began to break. It took 2 boats to bring in all the fish. Water sloshed over the sides as they headed back to shore. The boats were on the verge of sinking under the heavy load. Peter was awestruck.
When the boats came to shore, Peter and his partners (James and John) left everything.
Their numbers were just called in the fishing lottery and they walked away.
This was their biggest catch ever and they turned from it.
They had won! Yet, they followed Jesus.
They left everything. Everything!
They left their world behind and became a different kind of fishermen. Jesus told them now they would fish for people.
Lives changed forever.
(Luke 5:1-11)
And Peter listened. He may have gone back to cleaning the nets. More likely he was still sitting in the boat with Jesus.. But he listened. Imagine his surprise when Jesus was done talking to the crowd and said to go out where it was deeper and let down the nets to catch some fish. In typical Peter fashion, he argued with Jesus. "We worked hard all night and didn't catch a thing." Then he added, "But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." Peter had listened.
Peter and his partners were about to win the biggest fish lottery they had ever seen. The nets were so full they began to break. It took 2 boats to bring in all the fish. Water sloshed over the sides as they headed back to shore. The boats were on the verge of sinking under the heavy load. Peter was awestruck.
When the boats came to shore, Peter and his partners (James and John) left everything.
Their numbers were just called in the fishing lottery and they walked away.
This was their biggest catch ever and they turned from it.
They had won! Yet, they followed Jesus.
They left everything. Everything!
They left their world behind and became a different kind of fishermen. Jesus told them now they would fish for people.
Lives changed forever.
(Luke 5:1-11)
Friday, June 17, 2016
Nine Months of Thoughtful Reflection
Zechariah got shocking news. His old age was about to be turned upside down. His wife Elizabeth would soon have a son. It was a culture where being barren was looked down upon. Now an angel was telling him his prayer was answered. They would have a son. His moment of doubt cost him his voice and maybe his hearing. He had nine months to think, ponder, and reflect.
He let Elizabeth know the baby would be named John.
He watched as Elizabeth's relative Mary came and told her own astonishing news.
He watched. He thought. He prayed.
Nine months later his voice was restored and he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
His chains of doubt were broken and replaced by a prophecy. I like the way the New Living Translation puts it. "He has sent us a mighty Savior." Other translations say "He has raised up a horn of salvation." (Luke 1:69) Salvation was no longer something to look forward to in the future. Salvation had come. Zechariah got it. Despite the fact, Mary had not given birth. Despite the fact, that it would be about three months before Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Salvation was now.
Salvation has come.
He let Elizabeth know the baby would be named John.
He watched as Elizabeth's relative Mary came and told her own astonishing news.
He watched. He thought. He prayed.
Nine months later his voice was restored and he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
His chains of doubt were broken and replaced by a prophecy. I like the way the New Living Translation puts it. "He has sent us a mighty Savior." Other translations say "He has raised up a horn of salvation." (Luke 1:69) Salvation was no longer something to look forward to in the future. Salvation had come. Zechariah got it. Despite the fact, Mary had not given birth. Despite the fact, that it would be about three months before Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Salvation was now.
Running in the Family
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. Luke 1:35-36
Mary got the astonishing news that she would soon be pregnant. What's more, her baron relative Elizabeth was also pregnant.
Babies
Cousins
A prophet
A Savior
Their story doesn't begin here. Their story begins in the generations before. In the mothers and fathers with great faith, who passed on that faith to their children and their children's children.
A family grounded in faith.
A family chosen by God.
A family to birth a child to prepare the way.
A family to birth a child to save the world.
Mary got the astonishing news that she would soon be pregnant. What's more, her baron relative Elizabeth was also pregnant.
Babies
Cousins
A prophet
A Savior
Their story doesn't begin here. Their story begins in the generations before. In the mothers and fathers with great faith, who passed on that faith to their children and their children's children.
A family grounded in faith.
A family chosen by God.
A family to birth a child to prepare the way.
A family to birth a child to save the world.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Feeding Family, Feeding Neighbors
Stomachs growl.
Shadows lengthen.
The sick are healed.
People are amazed.
No one leaves.
The disciples are getting nervous. Evening is approaching and there are 5000 men and their families who need to eat. They had an idea. They asked Jesus to send the crowd away so that they could go to the nearby villages to get something to eat, Jesus had a better, seemingly impossible, idea."You feed them." Was there a bit of sarcasm in their tone when they told him they only had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish? It was a kid's meal. Literally. A small boy's lunch. Did the boy watch in amazement as Jesus blessed the food and broke piece after piece off the bread until the entire crowd has been fed? Did his eyes widen as the disciples gathered up 12 baskets of food after everyone had had their fill?
Once again the crowd gathers. 4000 men and their families this time. It has been 3 days of miraculous healing. The people are praising the God of Israel. This time, Jesus approaches the disciples. The people are out of food. He has compassion on them. They need to eat or they may collapse on their way home. The disciples look around. The place is remote. No nearby villages, No farmer's market. No corner convenience store. Where could they possibly get enough food? Jesus asks them to take stock. What do they have? Seven loaves and a few fish will feed this crowd. After the crowd had their fill, there were 7 baskets of food left over.
Two similar miracles.
Two different groups.
When Jesus fed the 5000, he was feeding mostly Jews. He was feeding his family. They would have understood the significance 12 baskets of food left over. The 12 sons of Jacob were their patriarchs whose descendants became the 12 tribes of Israel. Each of the 12 disciples picked up a basketful of leftovers.
When Jesus fed the 4000, he was feeding mostly Gentiles. He was feeding his neighbors.They had heard of his miracles. They came bringing their lame, blind, crippled, and mute to be healed by this Jewish man. It was a long shot but he didn't turn them away. He had compassion on them and healed them. In return, they praised the God of Israel. Jesus' Kingdom was big enough for everyone. When the disciples asked where they could get enough food, maybe they assumed the miracle of feeding such a large crowd would never be extended to Gentiles. But it was and as a result 7 baskets of food were collected after everyone had their fill. As the disciples gathered these baskets, did they think about Jesus including the Gentiles in his miracles, in his mission? Did they see the 7 baskets and gasp as they counted realizing 7 is the number of completion?
Feeding Family.
Feeding Friends.
Feeding Family.
Matthew 14:13-21
John 6:1-13
Matthew 15:29-38
Shadows lengthen.
The sick are healed.
People are amazed.
No one leaves.
The disciples are getting nervous. Evening is approaching and there are 5000 men and their families who need to eat. They had an idea. They asked Jesus to send the crowd away so that they could go to the nearby villages to get something to eat, Jesus had a better, seemingly impossible, idea."You feed them." Was there a bit of sarcasm in their tone when they told him they only had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish? It was a kid's meal. Literally. A small boy's lunch. Did the boy watch in amazement as Jesus blessed the food and broke piece after piece off the bread until the entire crowd has been fed? Did his eyes widen as the disciples gathered up 12 baskets of food after everyone had had their fill?
Once again the crowd gathers. 4000 men and their families this time. It has been 3 days of miraculous healing. The people are praising the God of Israel. This time, Jesus approaches the disciples. The people are out of food. He has compassion on them. They need to eat or they may collapse on their way home. The disciples look around. The place is remote. No nearby villages, No farmer's market. No corner convenience store. Where could they possibly get enough food? Jesus asks them to take stock. What do they have? Seven loaves and a few fish will feed this crowd. After the crowd had their fill, there were 7 baskets of food left over.
Two similar miracles.
Two different groups.
When Jesus fed the 5000, he was feeding mostly Jews. He was feeding his family. They would have understood the significance 12 baskets of food left over. The 12 sons of Jacob were their patriarchs whose descendants became the 12 tribes of Israel. Each of the 12 disciples picked up a basketful of leftovers.
When Jesus fed the 4000, he was feeding mostly Gentiles. He was feeding his neighbors.They had heard of his miracles. They came bringing their lame, blind, crippled, and mute to be healed by this Jewish man. It was a long shot but he didn't turn them away. He had compassion on them and healed them. In return, they praised the God of Israel. Jesus' Kingdom was big enough for everyone. When the disciples asked where they could get enough food, maybe they assumed the miracle of feeding such a large crowd would never be extended to Gentiles. But it was and as a result 7 baskets of food were collected after everyone had their fill. As the disciples gathered these baskets, did they think about Jesus including the Gentiles in his miracles, in his mission? Did they see the 7 baskets and gasp as they counted realizing 7 is the number of completion?
Feeding Family.
Feeding Friends.
Feeding Family.
Matthew 14:13-21
John 6:1-13
Matthew 15:29-38
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
30 Pieces of Silver
30 pieces of silver
The price paid to an owner of a slave gored by an ox.
If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty pieces of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death. Exodus 21:32
30 pieces of silver
The price paid to Zechariah for taking care of a flock of sheep.
I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay, but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:12
30 pieces of silver
The price of a slave. God noticed.
And the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord. Zechariah 11:13
30 pieces of silver
The price paid to Judas for betraying Jesus.
Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you? So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-15
30 pieces of silver
30 pieces of silver
The price in human terms.
30 pieces of silver
30 pieces of silver
Christ's death on the cross
The ultimate price.
The price paid to an owner of a slave gored by an ox.
If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty pieces of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death. Exodus 21:32
30 pieces of silver
The price paid to Zechariah for taking care of a flock of sheep.
I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay, but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:12
30 pieces of silver
The price of a slave. God noticed.
And the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord. Zechariah 11:13
30 pieces of silver
The price paid to Judas for betraying Jesus.
Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you? So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-15
30 pieces of silver
30 pieces of silver
The price in human terms.
Christ's death on the cross
The ultimate price.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Romans 6:23
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Straight From the News--612 BC
How long, O Lord, must I call for help?
But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,
but you do not come to save.
3 Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look,
I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people
who love to argue and fight.
4 The law has become paralyzed,
and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
so that justice has become perverted.
But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,
but you do not come to save.
3 Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look,
I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people
who love to argue and fight.
4 The law has become paralyzed,
and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
so that justice has become perverted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)