Week of 3 Easter, April 6 thru 12

Seasonal Note: I’m beginning a new Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:

http://www.commontexts.org/

and:

http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html

The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.

The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:

http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com

Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (with God's help), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.

3 Easter Sunday
April 6, 2008

Psalm 16 -- Trusting in God
Acts 2:14a, 36-47 -- The Gospel of Salvation
1 Peter 1:17-21 -- The Blood of Christ
Luke 24:13-35 -- News of the Resurrection
Psalm:

The psalmist (David, the great shepherd-king of Israel), takes refuge in God and asks God to preserve him. He acknowledges that the Lord is his God, and he acknowledges that there is no good apart from the Lord. The people of the land who the psalmist regards highly and has delight in are the saints (literally “holy ones;” purified and dedicated to the Lord). Those who choose any other god will come to disaster and grief. The psalmist vows not to participate in blood sacrifices to idols, drink of their cup, or even speak their names.

The Lord is the psalmist's chosen portion and cup, and the psalmist entrusts his destiny to the Lord. The boundaries of his inheritance in the Lord are generous, to the psalmist's great benefit. He praises the Lord who counsels him and teaches his heart even while he is sleeping. He always puts the Lord first; because the Lord is his help and strength, the psalmist will not be shaken. Therefore the psalmist rejoices in joy and gladness, and has the assurance of security, believing that the Lord will not abandon the psalmist to the kingdom of the dead “or let thy godly one see the pit” (the grave; Psalm 16:10). The Lord shows him the path of life, fills him with the joy of the Lord's presence, and is the provider of all good things forever.

Acts:

The Day of Pentecost, when the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit was first given to the followers of Jesus Christ, is the birthday of the Church. On that first Pentecost, the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit occurred with the sound of a mighty wind, and the disciples began speaking in foreign languages. Thousands of people around the congregation came to see what the excitement was about, and Peter, (who had denied knowing Jesus to menial servants of the high priest on the night of Jesus betrayal; John:18:15-27), now filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed the Gospel (“Good News”) of forgiveness and salvation by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. He proclaimed the guilt of the people of Israel for delivering Jesus to be crucified, and told them that God had designated Jesus both Lord (ruler) and Christ (Messiah; both mean “anointed;" designation by God to be the Savior and eternal king God has promised in his Word, the Bible).

When the people heard this they were stricken with guilt, and asked how they could be saved from God's wrath, and Peter told them to repent (acknowledge their sin -disobedience of God's Word- and change their ways) and be baptized, with water, for the forgiveness of sin) in the name (Joel 2:32; the power and authority) of Jesus Christ and all their sins would be forgiven, and they would receive the gift ("baptism;" "anointing") of the Holy Spirit. The promise of peace with God (Isaiah 57:19), through his anointed Savior, is for all who respond to the call of God in Jesus Christ, those who are close and those who are far from God. Peter urged them to save themselves from the wrath of God which is coming upon this wicked generation.

Those who accepted and believed Peter's words were baptized, about three thousand souls (we all are eternal beings in physical bodies). The new believers were "discipled" by the "born-again" disciple/apostles (students who had become messengers; of the Gospel of Jesus Christ). They attended church to receive instruction, fellowship, participation in the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion; the Eucharist; the sacrificial feast) and worship.

The fear (awe and respect for the power and authority of the Lord) was upon all. The believers in Jerusalem established a communal lifestyle. Each sold his possessions and contributed the proceeds to all as any had need. They attended temple daily and ate together daily, praising God with glad and generous hearts; and they were highly regarded by everyone. The Lord was increasing daily those who were being saved (from eternal condemnation).

1 Peter:

Peter admonishes believers, who call God their father, to act like his children. We are to conduct ourselves with the appropriate fear (awe and respect for the power and authority) of God, remembering that we are in exile here from God's eternal kingdom. Remember that we have been ransomed from bondage to the human weaknesses of our earthly ancestors, not with gold and silver which worldly people value but which are perishable, but instead, with the truly precious and eternally valuable blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus was like a perfect lamb, without defect, sacrificed to save us from eternal death and destruction. Jesus was destined to be our Savior from before the beginning of Creation (John 1:1-3, 14), but in God's perfect timing, has been revealed at the end of time for our salvation. Through him we have the assurance that God will raise us from physical death to eternal life, just as he raised and glorified Jesus, so that we will place our faith and hope in God.

Luke:

On the first Easter morning (Sunday) two of Jesus' followers were traveling from Jerusalem to Emma us (about seven miles away). They were discussing the news of Jesus' empty tomb. Jesus himself came to them and walked with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked what they were discussing, and they began to tell him how the prophet they had hoped to be the Messiah had been crucified, and that women among their group had gone to the tomb earlier that morning and had found the tomb empty.

Then Jesus told them that they were slow to believe what the prophets had said, recorded in scripture. Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures, beginning with Moses (the first five books of the Old Testament; the Torah; the Law), showing that it was necessary for him to suffer in order to receive eternal glory in fulfilling God's Word. As the two followers (disciples, but not the Twelve; one named Cleopas: Luke 24:18) came to their destination, Jesus seemed to be going on, but they invited him to come in and stay with them, pointing out that it was late in the day. So Jesus came in and at dinner with them he took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, passing it to the two men. At that moment they recognized him; but he vanished from sight. They checked with one another and each had been spiritually moved as Jesus had opened the scriptures to them.

Within the hour they departed and returned to Jerusalem and found the "Eleven" (the original disciples, minus Judas Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer), with the other followers of Jesus. They were told that Jesus had risen and had appeared to Simon Peter, and the two travelers told them what had happened on their trip to Emmaus, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

Commentary:

If we will put our trust in the Lord he is abundantly willing and able to preserve us eternally. The Lord is the only true God, and the only source of true refuge and security. David had trusted and obeyed the Lord and had grown spiritually in faith and knowledge of the Lord. He had learned from personal experience that the Lord was able and faithful to deliver and preserve David. David wasn't sinless, but he trusted in the Lord for his forgiveness. God's Word declares that David was a man having the heart attitude to do all God's will (Acts 13:22; Psalm 89:20).

In the time of David only a few individuals had a personal relationship with the Lord. David was a prophet, and he testifies to that personal relationship. Jesus came into the world to to make it possible for all who trust and obey Jesus to have a personal relationship with God, like David had.

Through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), we can have the same personal relationship with God that David had. The Spirit of the Lord will guide and teach us; will help, preserve, and strengthen us; will give us the assurance of eternal security and true, eternal life in his eternal kingdom. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we will experience the great joy of God's presence, and will be guided in the way that leads to eternal life. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
David was the Lord's "anointed" human King of Israel. He was intended by God to be a "forerunner" of the Christ ("Messiah;" both mean "anointed"), to show us what the Christ would be like. David was the "anointed" shepherd-king; Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who is God's "anointed" Savior and eternal King, the Son (descendant) of David, and heir God had promised, who would inherit throne of David eternally (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29).

Throughout the history of God's dealing with Israel, one of the main themes is the inheritance of land. Abraham followed God's command to go to a new land that God promised to give to Abraham's descendants. Abraham passed through the land, but he was a sojourner, not the owner.

In Egypt, the people of Israel were slaves who did not own land. In the forty years of wilderness wandering they were landless nomads. When they finally entered the Promised Land, the land was apportioned to the twelve tribes as an eternal inheritance. Boundaries establishing ownership of land were important.

The issue of land is intended to be a spiritual metaphor. God's people are aliens and sojourners in this world, who have an inheritance in the eternal "Promised Land" of God's kingdom in heaven through Jesus Christ. Christians are the "New Israel," the "New Children of Abraham,” through faith in Jesus.

The Day of Pentecost is the demonstration of the transforming power of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The disciples who had been afraid of the Jewish religious leaders (John 20:19), were now boldly proclaiming Jesus. The "born-again" disciples of Jesus began making "born-again" disciples in fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) which Jesus gave to his disciples to be carried out after they had received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5,8).

The ones who were saved of the thousands were those who accepted the indictment of guilt for the crucifixion of Jesus and repented. In a sense, we are all guilty of crucifying Jesus, because we have all sinned and have fallen short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10).

God's promise of forgiveness and salvation (from eternal condemnation; therefore, peace with God) and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit are available to all who are willing to claim it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.

The new believers were "discipled" by the "born-again" disciples. They began to apply Jesus' teachings in their daily lives. They trusted the Lord to supply their daily needs, and they shared their material resources with one another. They participated in daily worship and devotions, and in fellowship with one another.

Peter admonished believers to apply Jesus' teaching in their daily lives. Jesus warned that those who call him Lord should do what he teaches (Matthew 7:21-27, Luke 6:46). We are sojourners in this world and our land and inheritance is in the eternal kingdom of heaven.

Material things, gold in particular, seem so "real" and permanently valuable, but they are not. The things of real value and eternal permanence are those spiritual things which seem so vague and elusive. Jesus' blood is only received and discernible by faith (obedient trust).

Jesus is the perfect unblemished sacrificial lamb of Passover, His blood protects us from the destroyer (Exodus 12:7-13). Jesus is the Savior who has been part of God's plan from the beginning of Creation ( John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus' resurrection is the demonstration that there is existence beyond physical death, and our assurance that we will be raised to eternal life through faith in Jesus.

The meaning and purpose of life in this world is to seek and find God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27). This is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus is close to us; all we need to do is accept the truth of the Bible scriptures. If we seek to understand the Bible, the Lord will open our minds to understand it.

Jesus is close to us, but he will not force his presence on us. He allows us to choose whether to recognize him or not. If we recognize him we must invite him to stay with us, and if we do, we will have close personal fellowship with him (Revelation 3:20).

If we are willing to hear and really listen to the Word of God, we will be spiritually moved by it. If we will allow ourselves to respond in faith, we will recognize Jesus as our Savior and Lord. When we have recognized Jesus, we will be anxious to share our testimony with our friends.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Easter - Monday
April 7, 2008

Psalm 23 -- The Good Shepherd

Background:

This psalm was written by David, the shepherd boy who became the great (human) king of Israel.

Those for whom the Lord is their shepherd will lack nothing. The Lord will provide them with good "pasture" and "water." The Lord will restore their souls (life; vitality). The Lord will lead them in the way of righteousness for the sake of his name.

Even in the shadow of death (or deep spiritual darkness) they will fear no evil, because the Lord is present with them, and the Lord's power and faithfulness comfort them.

Even though surrounded by enemies, the Lord will prepare a feast for them in the sight of their enemies. The Lord anoints them with oil and keeps their cups filled to overflowing. The Lord's flock can be assured that they will experience goodness and mercy all the days of their lives, and they will dwell in the house of the Lord for eternity.
Commentary:

David had enemies that wanted to kill him, King Saul for one example, but the Lord preserved David and David prevailed. David was a forerunner of the Christ (Messiah; both words mean "anointed"), intended by God to be an illustration of the promised Messiah.

Jesus is the fulfillment of God's Word promising a Savior who would save his people from sin (disobedience of God's Word; see Matthew 1:21) and from eternal condemnation and eternal death which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23) (Matthew 1:21; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a righteous king who would be the Good Shepherd of his people (John 10:11a). We are all eternal beings in temporal bodies We have been born physically alive but spiritually dead. Jesus came to give us true, eternal life (John 10:11b).

We are all sinners (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus came to provide us with forgiveness, spiritual healing and nurture.

Only Jesus can heal and nurture us spiritually. Only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus can we receive forgiveness of sin (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Only Jesus can give us eternal life. Eternal life is only by spiritual "re-birth" (John 3:3, 5-8) through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Is Jesus your Shepherd? Do you listen and recognize his voice? Do you follow his word and example? Do you let him give you the spiritual nurture that you need to grow spiritually?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Easter - Tuesday
April 8, 2008

Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60 – The First Martyr

Acts:

In the days following the the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were increasing rapidly. The Church in Jerusalem had adopted a communal style, but a dispute arose in the Church between the Hellenists (Jews who adopted Greek customs and language) argued with the Hebrews (conservative, traditional Jews) because the Greek widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

The Twelve Apostles summoned the whole group and told them to elect seven spiritually mature men, of good reputation and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to conduct the daily affairs of the Church, so that the Apostles' ministry of the Word and prayer would not be interrupted. The church members elected Stephen, who was full of the Spirit and of faith, and Philip, from among the Hebrews, and the other five were from the Greeks. These they consecrated by prayer and the laying on of hands.

The Word of God spread, the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and many of the priests of Judaism were also converted. Stephen was full of power and the favor of God, and he did great signs and wonders among the people. There was a synagogue of former slaves and many Jews from Africa and from Asia Minor in Jerusalem at the time, and they disputed with Stephen over his teaching.

Stephen was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, where Stephen defended his teaching. Stephen told the Jews they were stiff-necked (strong-willed; as God's Word declared: Exodus 33:3, 5) people who were "uncircumcised in heart and ears" (not submissive to God's Word; Jeremiah 9:26; Romans 2:29), always resisting the Holy Spirit. The Jews were following the ways of their ancestors, persecuting the prophets and those who declared the coming of the Messiah; and now they had betrayed and murdered their Messiah. They had received the Law from angels but didn't obey it.

At this, they were enraged, but Stephen had a vision of heaven and the glory of God, with Jesus at God's right hand, and he told the council, but they plugged their ears and seized him and dragged him out of the city and stoned Stephen to death. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of Saul (of Tarsus, who later was converted and became the Apostle Paul). As they stoned Stephen he knelt and prayed to the Lord to receive Stephen's spirit, and asked God to forgive his persecutors, and then he died.

Commentary:

Pentecost is the "birthday" of the Church, and the "baptism" ("anointing;" "gift) of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the spiritual "birthday" of Christian disciples. Because of the power of the Holy Spirit within all of the disciples, the Church was growing rapidly.

The Church needed some way to develop leaders because the Church administration was becoming too much for the Apostles. The Church members selected a few from among them who demonstrated the "anointing" of the Holy Spirit, were strong in faith and the knowledge of the scriptures, and were morally sound. Their role was not just menial jobs like waiting on tables, but included teaching and evangelism.

This is what should be happening in the Church today. Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the Church is the modern equivalent) until they were "born-again" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), and then they were to make "born-again" disciples, teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught them. (Matthew 28:18-20).

Too often today this is not the case in the "nominal" Church. If the Church doesn't make "born-again" disciples there won't be "born-again" Apostles to preach and administer the Church. There won't be "born-again" “disciplers” to make "born-again" disciples.

Too often, "evangelism" today amounts to inviting one's neighbors to attend church because it is "user-friendly," has nice "facilities," and an "entertaining" program. The Church is making "members" and building "buildings," but merely making "fair-weather friends,” who will come and participate if it suits them. Is it any wonder that the Church in many instances is languishing and declining.

The place to begin is to commit oneself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, to read the Bible completely once, and then portions daily with meditation and prayer. And to begin to apply God's Word in our daily lives. I personally testify that this has been my own experience (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right).

Saul of Tarsus (who became the Apostle Paul), who witnessed and approved of the stoning of Stephen, was confronted by the Spirit of the risen Jesus on Saul's way to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 9:1-21). He repented, accepted Jesus as Lord, began to obey Jesus' command (Acts 9:5-8), was "discipled" by a "born-again" disciple named Ananias (Acts 9:10-17), was "born-again" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, arose and was baptized, and immediately began proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples (Acts 9:18-22; 2 Timothy 2:2).

Paul was the original “modern,” "post-resurrection" "Born-again" disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul is deliberately intended by God to be the example of the disciples we "post-resurrection" "Christians" are to be. Paul's conversion was exceptional in its speed. But note that Paul was already formally trained in the Bible, and was zealous for God. Remember that the original disciples spent about three years, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with Jesus, and they were still not ready to be Apostles, until after they had received the Holy Spirit.

Paul was God's choice of a disciple to replace Judas' Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus. Note that while the disciples were supposed to be awaiting the anointing of the Holy Spirit, they decided to choose a disciple to replace Judas, but they weren't guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit because it had not yet been given (Acts 1:15-26). They selected the candidate by "lots' (like rolling dice; by "chance"). The man they picked is never heard of again in the New Testament. In contrast most of the New Testament after Paul's conversion is by or about Paul's ministry.

Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Easter - Wednesday
April 9, 2008

1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Endurance in Suffering

Christians are called to endure undeserved abuse and suffering, knowing that God will approve. Who will be approved for patiently enduring deserved punishment for wrongdoing? But God will reward those who patiently endure unjustly.
Christians have been called to follow Christ's example, who also suffered for us. Jesus committed no sin, nor did he lie or deceive. He patiently endured unjust reviling without reviling in return; when he suffered he did not threaten. He entrusted his his cause to God who judges justly.
Jesus suffered physically on the cross for our sins, in order that we should die to sin and live for righteousness. We have been healed by his wounds. Like sheep we had all gone astray, but now have been restored to our Shepherd who is the Guardian of our souls.

Commentary:

This is a fallen and sinful world. The desires of our human flesh are against the way of God (Romans 8:1-8). God knew how the world would respond to Jesus, but he designed his Creation and his plan of salvation (see sidebar, top right) to allow for that.

Jesus was perfectly sinless and he declared divine, eternal truth, and yet the world hated him for that. He knew that he was going to be crucified for our sins and he submitted to that destiny in obedient trust in God's plan (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19; 26:2, 39).

God's wisdom is vastly greater than ours, but seems foolish in human judgment (1 Corinthians 1:17-25). God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey him. He has given us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey him, while still reigning in power over his Creation. We can't vote him out. We can choose not to obey him, but the consequence will be eternal separation from God, who provides every good thing we need.

Jesus is God's only provision for our salvation from eternal condemnation (Acts 4:12), and has been part of God's plan for Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is not an afterthought to save Creation after mankind rebelled against God.

We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word) and fall short of his righteousness (doing what is good, right and true in God's judgment), which he demonstrated in Jesus Christ. Only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ can we be forgiven and meet God's standard of righteousness by the by the power and help of the Holy Spirit within us.

If we accept God's plan for our salvation, we must trust and obey Jesus. Jesus showed us how to trust and obey God's Word, and we must follow his example (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

The world hated and crucified Jesus, and we cannot expect better treatment from the world than he received. But we have the assurance the world cannot do anything to us, even physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15), that God cannot heal and restore, as Jesus' resurrection demonstrates.

Jesus came into the world to be the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 4:12). He also taught, by word and example, how to live in obedient trust in God's Word in human flesh in this world. He also came to make it possible for us to be cleansed of sin so that we could receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we are spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life.

Those who do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit do not belong to Jesus and do not have eternal life (Romans 8:9b; 1 John 5:11-13). It is only by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we have personal knowledge of and fellowship with Jesus and God the Father, our Creator and provider (John 14:23-24). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself, whether or not one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

The reason and purpose for life in this world is to seek, find and come to personal knowledge of God (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who restores and preserves his "sheep," and the Savior and Guardian of our (eternal) souls. We have all been created as eternal beings in temporal human flesh in a temporal world (John 5:28-29). The question is: where we will choose to spend eternity?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Easter - Thursday
April 10, 2008

John 10:1-10 -- The Door

Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a sheepfold. Jesus is the shepherd. Others who enter the sheepfold are thieves and robbers, who try to get in another way. The gatekeeper knows the shepherd and opens only to him. The shepherd enters by the gate, and he calls his sheep by name and leads them out. When he has gathered all his sheep he leads them and they follow him, because they know his voice. They will not follow another because they know their shepherd's voice, and others they do not know. Instead, they will flee from strangers.

People didn't understand what Jesus meant by this parable, so he used another example. Jesus said he was the door to the sheepfold. Those who came before Jesus were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not follow them. Jesus is the door to God's sheepfold and God's sheep go into God's fold, and out into God's pasture [only] through Jesus. Thieves come only to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came to give God's sheep life, and so that they might have it abundantly.

In a sense we are all God's "sheep" because God is our creator, whether we acknowledge him or not. But in another sense God's "sheep" are those who know and follow God's voice and God's "shepherd," Jesus Christ, God's Word fulfilled, embodied and exemplified (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:24).

There are false shepherds who have come before and after Jesus, who try to steal the sheep and lead them astray. Those who do not know God's Word will be deceived, and they will be robbed of their eternal inheritance in God's kingdom, and will die and be destroyed eternally in Hell.

Jesus is the door to God's sheepfold. His sheep know and follow him, and he knows who belongs to him. He is the only way to security within God's sheepfold, and the only way to spiritual sustenance, spiritual food and water, to sustain spiritual, eternal life and give spiritual growth and health.

Following false shepherds leads to eternal death and destruction; following Jesus leads to true, abundant, eternal life now, and in the world to come. There is no other way in or out of God sheepfold, for false "shepherds" or false "sheep" (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).

If we want abundant, eternal life in God's kingdom we need to learn to recognize God's voice in God's Word, the Bible and in Jesus Christ. We need to receive the abundant, eternal life that only Jesus offers, now, while we have time and opportunity. We must be "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8), by the gift ("baptism," "anointing") of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Easter - Friday
April 11, 2008

Lamentations 3:18-26 -- God is Our Only Hope

My glory and expectation from the Lord is gone. Remember the bitterness of my affliction; I have been cast out. My soul dwells constantly on my plight, and I'm brought very low.

But I remember this which gives me hope: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies a never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). My soul chooses the Lord as my portion, and so my hope is in him.

The Lord rewards those who seek him and wait for him. The best thing we can do is to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Commentary:

The lamentations were written after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. Judah, the remnant of Israel, was carried off to exile. The people certainly felt as if God had cast them away, and that the hope of glory and hope of inheritance in the Lord seemed lost.

When we go through great trouble it does seem that the Lord has abandoned us and that we have lost all hope. It's hard to think of anything else but our misery and loss, and the bitterness of our situation.

The author shows us that the best thing we can do is to recall the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord, which we can know from scripture, and also from personal experience if we have been walking daily with the Lord. The soul who chooses the Lord to be his destiny and portion has hope even in the most desperate situations.

The Lord doesn't immediately rescue us. We must accept our circumstances and patiently wait for the Lord to change them.

When trouble strikes, often we aren't prepared. We don't think we need God's help until that's all we have to hope in. We haven't sought the Lord, and we haven't prepared spiritually for hard times by reading the Bible. Those who have not experienced trouble before and who haven't read the Bible don't have the assurance and the spiritual resources God's Word can give.

The hardest things for us to learn to do, particularly in our society today, is to learn to wait quietly for the Lord's help and deliverance. We're so accustomed to "instant" answers, and to our own immediate actions to accomplish what we want. And it is very difficult, because of our high worldly expectations, to accept limitations and and reduced circumstances.

The Lord wants us to seek and find him (Acts 17:26-27). The Lord doesn't cause trouble, but he allows it in this temporal world. Everyone goes through trouble sooner or later on this earth. The Lord can use trouble to show us that we need him, that his love and faithfulness are steadfast and unchanging, and that he is powerfully able to bring us through whatever befalls us, so that we can learn to trust him. Even physical death is not beyond God's power to heal and restore.

I personally testify that when trouble first struck me, I didn't know the Bible, and I hadn't been seeking and walking with the Lord. I hadn't chosen the Lord as my portion, and I didn't want to accept my changed circumstances. It took me a long time to learn these lessons (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Easter Saturday
April 12, 2008


Hebrews 4:14-16 -- Mercy and Grace to Help
John 14:1-11 -- Jesus is the Way

Hebrews:

Jesus, the Son of God, is our great high priest, who has ascended into heaven, so let us hold firmly to our confession (compare 1 Timothy 6:12-13). Our high priest is able to understand and sympathize with our weaknesses because he himself has been tempted as we are, but without yielding to sin. So let us approach the throne of grace (unmerited favor) confidently, so that we can receive mercy (forgiveness) when we are in need.

John:

Jesus told his disciples to not worry, but to believe in God and in Jesus. Jesus was going to his father to prepare a place for his disciples with them, where there would be plenty of room for all of them, so that his disciples can be in permanent fellowship with him. Jesus told them that they knew the way Jesus was going. Thomas replied that they didn't know where Jesus was going, so how could they know the way. Jesus replied, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6). Knowing Jesus is the [only] way to know God the Father personally; if we have known Jesus we know God the Father.

Philip asked Jesus to show them God the Father so that their desire to know God would be satisfied. Jesus asked Philip, if after all the time Philip had been with Jesus, did he still not know who Jesus is? Anyone who has seen Jesus has seen God the Father; how then can they still ask Jesus to show them the Father. Do they not believe that God is in Jesus and Jesus is in God? The words Jesus says and the works he does are not his own; they are by the power and authority of God the Father within Jesus. Believe Jesus' word that he and God the Father are one, or else believe because of the works Jesus does (which reveal who Jesus is).
Commentary:

Jesus is our great high priest to intercede to God for us. He has lived in this world in our human flesh and has experienced all the temptations that we face, so he knows our situations, but he also resisted temptation, and he can help us resist successfully too by his presence and power within us. So let us hold firmly to our faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, the Messiah, God's "anointed" eternal Savior and King. We can approach the throne of God with confidence and receive unlimited forgiveness of all our sins, and divine help when we are in need.

Those who trust and obey Jesus are his disciples (John 14:15-17). We need not worry for anything, but keep on trusting in God and in Jesus.

Those who believe in God from reading the Bible will recognize and believe in Jesus. To those who believe (trust and obey) Jesus, Jesus will reveal himself and God the Father (John 14:21-23). Jesus will reveal himself to his disciples by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Jesus is the only way: No one can know God personally and individually apart from personal knowledge of Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit. No one can approach the throne of God except through Jesus Christ. No one can enter the kingdom of God in heaven except through Jesus Christ (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus is the divine Truth: (John 14:17). No one can know truth apart from faith in Jesus (John 1:9).

Jesus is true, eternal life. Only Jesus' disciples who trust and obey Jesus are spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:4, 5:39-40; 8:12).

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus (Romans 8:9). Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God in human flesh in this world; the Holy Spirit is the ultimate revelation of Jesus and God the Father personally and individually within Jesus' disciples.

God is a unity in three expressions or "persons." Jesus is in God and God is in Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus; not three "gods" but one God; the Holy Trinity. The word "Trinity" is not found in the Bible, but the concept is.

Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus' words testify that his words are true and reliable. Others can believe in his words and they will come to know Jesus personally and know from experience that his words are true.

Those who are unwilling to trust Jesus' words can look at the works of Jesus recorded in the Bible by eyewitnesses, and by the testimony of all the truly “re-born" disciples of Jesus Christ since then. Jesus' words and deeds reveal who Jesus is.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?