Week of 3 Easter – April 26 – May 2, 2009
This is a 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:
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
Journalspace.com, my former 'blog host is being reorganized under new ownership. I no longer publish there. I have also lost mypodcast.com, my podcast host. This 'blog is mirrored at:
.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival Text-to-speech are available at:
Daily Walk 2 Year B Weekly Lectionary
Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (God willing), 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.
Podcast: 3 Easter B
3 Easter - Sunday B
First posted April 6, 2008
Podcast: Podcast: 3 Easter Sunday B
Acts 4:8-12 – Peter and John Testify in Jewish Court;
Psalm 139:1-11 -- No Place to Hide;
1 John 1:1-2:2 – Christian Lifestyle;
Luke 24:36-49 – Commissioning Disciples;
Acts Background:
Peter and John had gone to the temple to pray, as they did regularly, and had been accosted by a lame beggar. Peter healed him in the name of Jesus, and the healing attracted a large crowd. Peter began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which angered the Jewish religious leaders, who were jealous of the disciples' influence over the people. They arrested Peter and John overnight and brought them into the Jewish high court the next day to be tried. The Jewish religious authorities wanted to know by whose name and authority they were healing and preaching (Acts 3:1-4:7).
Acts:
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaimed that the cripple had been healed by the name and power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom the members of this Council had condemned to crucifixion. Jesus is the fulfillment of scripture (Psalm 118:22) of a stone rejected by the “builders” (these Jewish leaders) who has become the cornerstone (or keystone). “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Psalm:
The psalmist (David) realized and acknowledged that God knows every detail of our lives. God knows when we stand up and when we sit down. There is no place far enough that we can go that he doesn't know what we are thinking. God knows what we're doing when we're active and when we're sleeping. He knows what we're going to say and do before we say and do it. He is actively at work in our lives to test and discipline us. God's knowledge is far above us and unattainable.
Where can one go to be free of God's Spirit and God's presence? If we could go to the heights of heaven, God's Spirit is there. In the depths of the grave we are not beyond God's power. If we were to flee in earliest dawn, or dwell in the farthest, deepest part of the ocean, even there we are not beyond God's right hand (his power; Jesus Christ). Even if we could turn light to darkness God would still be able to find and see us because the darkest darkness is not dark to God.
1 John:
The Messiah has been God's plan from the beginning of Creation (John1:1-5, 14). John was testifying to what he and the other original Apostles (messengers; of the Gospel; evangelists) had personally seen and experienced. Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-5, 14; the Good News) of eternal life, who was with the Father, and was revealed to us. John was writing this Gospel so that the Apostolic eyewitness testimony would be preserved and proclaimed to us, so that we can have fellowship with all believers, and share in the joy of fellowship with God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ.
John had received the Gospel from Jesus Christ and was proclaiming it to us. God is completely good and righteous; there is no sin or evil in him at all. Those who claim to have fellowship with God while living according to sin and evil are lying (to ourselves and others) and not living according to truth. If we live according to the light of the Lord's righteousness we have fellowship with believers and are cleansed from all sin and unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus Christ. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10).
John had written this letter so that we might avoid sin, but if one does sin, we have an advocate with God the Father: Jesus Christ, the righteous one. He is the sacrificial offering providing forgiveness and cleansing for all our sins, once for all time and all people (who are willing to receive it by faith -obedient trust- in Jesus).
Luke:
Jesus' disciples were together in the place they were staying in Jerusalem (probably the upper room where they had celebrated Jesus' “Last Supper”). Jesus appeared among them, and they were frightened. He asked them why they were afraid and had unanswered questions. He showed them the nail marks in his hands and feet to confirm that he was their teacher and master, Jesus, and told them to touch him, to confirm that he was of human flesh and bone. He assured them that he was not a ghost (the spirit of a dead person). It seemed to them to be too good to be true, and they were utterly amazed. Jesus asked for food and they gave him some broiled fish, which he ate in their presence.
Then Jesus reminded them that he had told them before the crucifixion that all the (Old Testament) scriptures prophesying about him had to be fulfilled. “Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures (the Bible), and told them that the Messiah must suffer, and be raised again from the dead on the third day. Then (the Gospel of) repentance and forgiveness of sins, in Jesus' name, was to be preached to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. Jesus' disciples were eyewitnesses to Jesus' physical ministry, his death and resurrection, but they had to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower (and guide) them.
Then Jesus took them out of Jerusalem to Bethany, about two miles away, on the Mount of Olives, and there he raised his hands and blessed them, and then ascended in to heaven in their sight. The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy and constantly praised God in the temple.
Commentary:
Jesus is the name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11) ; the only name in heaven or on earth by which we can be saved from eternal condemnation and destruction (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the name of the Lord (John 20:28; Colossians 2:8-9). Jesus is the name in whom we must be spiritually healed and raised from death to eternal life.
We have all been born physically alive but spiritually dead. This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “reborn” 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 meaning and purpose of this life is to seek, find, come to know and have fellowship with God, our Creator. This is only possible through Jesus Christ (John 14:6), through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. God is not far off. He is near to us, but he will not reveal himself to us unless we earnestly and sincerely seek him. God is not obligated to be all that a loving, faithful, all-powerful God implies, unless we are willing to be his obedient, trusting people.
There is no place in our lives where we are beyond God's help; but there is no place we can flee to and hide, to escape his power and authority. We cannot conceal and deny our sins; he knows every little detail about us. Everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to him on the Day of Judgment at the end of our lives (at the end of time for us individually and personally; and no one knows when that will be).
In the time of Jesus, a name was more than a label. Names were given to describe the character of the one named. At times of changed circumstances names were changed to reflect those changes [Abram: Abraham (Genesis 17:5) ; Jacob: Israel (Genesis 32:27-28); Saul of Tarsus: Paul the Apostle (Acts 13:9)]. It was believed that knowing a person's name gave power over that person; calling upon him by name obligated him to answer (Genesis 4:26b; 32:29-30; Romans 10:13-15a).
The second of the Ten Commandments forbids the taking of the name of the Lord in vain. Any unbeliever who says “God” or “Jesus” or “Christ” is violating the Second Commandment, and will be eternally accountable on the Day of Judgment.
Jesus warns us that just calling ourselves “Christians” or calling Jesus our Lord does not make it so, and is not going to save us from eternal condemnation. A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c), who has been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift (“baptism;” “anointing”) 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).
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 B
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First posted April 7, 2008
Podcast: 3 Easter - Monday B
Psalm 23 – Our Shepherd
Those who allow the Lord to be their shepherd will not lack any good, necessary thing. He will give us rest and feed us in good pastures. He will lead us to still waters. He restores our souls. For his name's sake he will lead us in the way of righteousness.
We will not fear any evil, even though we walk through the valley of spiritual darkness and death. The Lord will go with us, so we will be comforted by his power and authority to defend and protect us.
In the presence of our enemies the Lord prepares a feast for us and anoints us with oil; our cup overflows. We can be confident that we will receive goodness and mercy all our days, and know with certainty that we will be in the Lord's presence forever.
Commentary:
We are God's spiritual sheep. God has promised to be our shepherd (Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:12, 23), and he has fulfilled that promise in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16).
This Psalm was written by David, the great “shepherd-king” of Israel. David was intended by God to prefigure Jesus Christ, God's “anointed” Savior and eternal king. David was a shepherd boy who became king of Israel.
God has designed this Creation from the very beginning with God's Messiah (Christ; both words mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek) “built in” to Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). A thousand years before the coming of Jesus Christ, God was giving us a verbal “picture” of the Savior through David.
Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Shepherd-King of Israel. Jesus is the descendant of David (Matthew 1:1, 20; 21:9), the heir to the eternal throne of David, which God promised to David (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29).
Jesus is the Good Shepherd through whom we have every good, necessary thing. He feeds us spiritually (Jesus is the “bread of life” John 6:35; his body is the Lamb of the “New Passover”) and he gives us the spiritual water of eternal life (Jesus is the only source of “living water;” 2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29). That “living water” is the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit within us (John 7:38-39).
Jesus restores our souls. We have all been created as eternal beings in temporal physical bodies (John 5:28-29). We have all been born physically alive but spiritually “unborn.” This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8). Our souls are restored by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which is only received only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.
When we are spiritually “reborn” we experience the Lord's presence through the storms and trials of life. As we trust and obey the Lord we will learn that he is faithful and powerfully able and willing to comfort, protect and defend us. We can be sure that he will bring us through the valley of the shadow of physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
In this world we are surrounded by the enemies of our eternal souls. The Lord has prepared a great feast for us in their presence, in this world. It is the feast of the Lord's Supper, (Holy Communion; the Eucharist). Jesus is the Lamb of the “New Passover” which Jesus initiated on the eve of his crucifixion (Matthew 26:26-29).
The Lord is described as the gracious host, who provides a lavish feast for his guests and treats them with generous hospitality. The feast is spiritual and spiritually discerned. Worldly, unspiritual people cannot understand how a tiny piece of bread and a tiny cup of wine or grape juice can be considered a feast, but for those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus and have been “born-again,” they experience the spiritual richness of personal fellowship with the Lord and with other believers.
Spiritual things seem so “imaginary,” or “insubstantial” to worldly people, in contrast to material things which seem so solid and “real” (1 Corinthians 2:13-14). But it is really the material things of this world that will pass away, and only the spiritual will last forever.
“Born-again” believers are “anointed” with the Holy Spirit, the “oil of gladness” (Hebrews 1:9; Psalm 16:11) in the presence of the Lord, and the cup of blessing (1 Corinthians 10:16) overflows to us. We can be certain that we are secure in the goodness and mercy of the Lord, by the presence 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).
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 B
First posted April 8, 2008
Podcast: 3 Easter - Tuesday B
Acts 4:23-33 – Boldness in Proclaiming the Gospel
Background:
Peter and John had been arrested and tried by the Jewish Court for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Court could not find them guilty of anything, but ordered them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. The apostles responded boldly that they would not comply with the Court's ruling (Acts 4:13-22).
Acts:
As soon as they were released, Peter and John went to their friends (Christians; the Church), and when they heard what the Court had said, they prayed together, to their sovereign Lord, the Creator of the Universe. They declared that the prophecy their ancestor, David, had written (in Psalm 2:1-2) by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was being fulfilled: The Gentiles rage and the peoples believe in worthless things. The kings and rulers of earth united against the Lord and his “Anointed-” Certainly in Jerusalem Herod and Pontius Pilate had united with the Gentile and Jewish peoples against Jesus, the servant, the “anointed” of the Lord, to do what the Lord had foreknown and foreordained to take place.
So the Church prayed that, knowing the unbelievers' threats, he would give his servants (the apostles; the Church) the power, courage and opportunity to speak God's Word with boldness, while the Lord reaches out to heal, “and signs and wonders are performed in the name of thy holy servant, Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” Acts 4:30-31).
The Christians in Jerusalem were united in heart and soul, and they shared everything they had with one another. The apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ with great power, and all displayed the great grace (in their generosity; joy; thanksgiving) of God upon them.
Commentary:
The rulers and peoples of the world (non-Christians) still hate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the apostles (messengers) of the Gospel. Many nominal “Christians” profess the Gospel and like the parts of the Gospel that make them feel good, but hate the parts which convict them, like “sin,” “tithing,” “obedience” to God's Word, “discipleship,” “death” and “Hell.”
God knew at the very beginning of Creation, that in giving us freedom to choose whether to trust and obey him, we would choose to pursue our own will, instead of God's will. Disobedience of God's Word is the definition of sin. God knew that we would all sin and fall short of God's standard of righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), recorded in his Word, the Bible, and exemplified in Jesus Christ, the “living Word” (John 1:14).
God's Word declares that the penalty for sin is eternal death, eternal destruction in hell with all evil. (Romans 6:23). God designed the Savior, Jesus Christ, into Creation from the beginning (John 1:1-5). Jesus is the one and only Savior (Acts 4:12), the only way to be forgiven of sin, the only way to be restored to fellowship with God which was broken through sin, the only way to know divine, eternal truth, and the only way to have eternal life (John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Forgiveness and eternal salvation are only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ 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).
The world doesn't want to hear that there is only one way, God's way, to heaven. The world doesn't want to hear that the only way to be Christians, believers of Jesus Christ, is to be “followers” of his teaching and example, his disciples who trust and obey all that Jesus teaches (Matthew 28:19-20). Christians are by definition “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c)
In some parts of the world today being a Christian brings persecution and even death. The Church still today has opposition, even in America. In too many instances, nominal Churches in America respond by making Church “seeker-friendly,” preaching the parts of the Gospel that make us feel good, and avoiding the parts that make us uncomfortable. They are settling for making “members” instead of making “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ.
No wonder that in many instances the nominal “Church” today is in decline, and lacks power and influence in the surrounding culture. In many instances the Holy Spirit has departed from the Church and the Church doesn't even notice. Would that all our Churches would be shaken and filled with the power and glory of the Holy Spirit like the Jerusalem congregation!
Jesus declared that one must be “born-again” (John 3:3, 7) to see the kingdom of God all around us now, and to see and enter it ultimately in eternity. The way to a power-filled Church is to make “born-again” disciples who will make other “born-again” disciples (2 Timothy 2:2), and so that there will be “born-again” disciples to lead the Church. The place to start is to be “born-again” disciples ourselves.
The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ accurately and completely; to call people to repentance, through water baptism, and to prepare them to receive Jesus Christ, through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The only way to accomplish the mission of the Church is by the indwelling Holy Spirit within its members and leaders. It takes “born-again” disciples to make “born-again” disciples.
In too many instances mainline denominations are teaching false doctrine concerning the gift (anointing; baptism) of the indwelling Holy Spirit. They don't deny the Holy Spirit, but their teaching prevents rather than encourages its members to personally seek the gift of the Holy Spirit. The doctrine they teach is that the member automatically receives the Holy Spirit by some Church ritual, such as water baptism, or “confirmation” (affirmation) of baptism. The member doesn't experience the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit, but simply relies on the word of the leader or the doctrine of the denomination (See False Teachings, sidebar, right).
That's like the fable of “The Emperor's New Clothes;” they're spiritually naked while believing the “tailor” that they're wearing invisible clothes! The “anointing” of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible ongoing daily event. It is impossible to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not know it (Acts 19:2). If one must ask one's spiritual leader, one hasn't been. The Church should be asking the membership candidate!
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 B
First posted April 9, 2008
Podcast: 3 Easter - Wednesday B
1 John 3:1-2 Children of God
John 10:11-18 The Good Shepherd
1 John:
God our Father has shown us his love by calling us his children, and his children we are. The world doesn't recognize us as God's children because they do not know God. We are God's children now. What we will become has not yet been revealed, but we know that when he appears, we will be like him, as he is fully revealed to us.
John:
Jesus said that he is the good shepherd who gives his life for his sheep. A hireling sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep, because they do not belong to him and he doesn't care about them. So the wolf snatches and scatters the sheep. Jesus is the good shepherd; he knows each of his sheep and they know him, like God the Father knows Jesus and Jesus knows God the Father. Jesus gives his life for his sheep.
Jesus said that he had other sheep (other than the Jews). He will bring them also, and they will obey Jesus' voice. So all the sheep will be one flock with one shepherd. God the Father loves Jesus because Jesus will lay down his life, and will take it up again. No one will take Jesus' life from him; he voluntarily lays it down. Jesus has the power to lay it down, and to take it up again, by the authority of God.
Commentary:
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. He was perfectly obedient to God his Father, willing to be the good shepherd, laying down his life for his “sheep.”
The religious authorities had sought to kill Jesus for a long time before his arrest (John 5:18). They were unable to do so until the right time according to God's will. God planned it for after the celebration of the Passover feast, the “Last Supper.” God intended the Last Supper to be the sacrificial feast of the “New Covenant,” the “New Passover” (Matthew 26:26-29). The Jews were unable to accomplish their will until God allowed it in God's perfect timing. Jesus laid down his life at the time appointed by God's will.
Jesus died on the cross when he surrendered his spirit (John 19:30). He died before the two criminals crucified beside him. The authorities broke the legs of the other two, to hasten their death because the Sabbath was beginning (at sundown Friday). But in fulfillment of scripture (Exodus 12:46; 1 Corinthians 5:7b), they didn't break Jesus' legs because he was already dead (John 19:31-37). They pierced Jesus' side to make sure (Zechariah 12:10).
Jesus arose from the dead on the third day, in fulfillment of scripture. Jesus had told his disciples at least three times recorded in the Gospels that he would rise again on the third day (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). In this text he again prophesied his death and resurrection (John 10:17-18), which he fulfilled.
Jesus knows each of his “sheep” and they know him and obey Jesus' voice. Jesus' “sheep” are his disciples who trust and obey Jesus and have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8), by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus gives the gift (“baptism;” “anointing”) 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).
“Born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ have personal knowledge of and fellowship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit within them. We hear and are guided by Jesus' voice. We know him and he knows us, the same way God the Father was in Jesus and Jesus in God the Father (John 14:10, 23).
The meaning and purpose of this temporal lifetime is to seek, find and come to know God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are all born into this world physically alive but spiritually “unborn.” This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” to eternal life, and Jesus is the only way (John 14:6).
There is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to Jesus for what they have done in their lifetime. Jesus will be the shepherd who separates the “sheep” from the “goats” (Matthew 25:31-33). Jesus is the Righteous Judge and the standard of Judgment by which all will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord, who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will be acknowledged by Jesus and will enter eternal life in paradise restored in God's heavenly kingdom. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction, eternal death, in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:34-46; 2 Thessalonians 1-5-10).
God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word), and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). He sent his only begotten Son to be the Lamb of the New Passover; to be the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus died for our sins so that we wouldn't have to die eternally for them ourselves (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Jesus is God's beloved only begotten (begotten by the Holy Spirit; Matthew 1:19-21; Luke 1:32-35) Son. Through faith in Jesus we are God's “adopted” children, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We become fellow heirs of God the Father with Jesus (Romans 8:17), and share in all the spiritual riches of the inheritance in God's eternal kingdom.
Jesus' resurrection from physical death demonstrates that there is existence after physical death. As Jesus was raised from physical death we will also all be raised (John 5:28-29). The question is, where we will spend eternity.
It isn't true that we cannot know with certainty whether there is life after death and whether there is a heaven or a hell until we die. The Holy Spirit within “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ testifies that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Only those who are spiritually lost and perishing don't know.
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 B
First posted April 10, 2008
Podcast: 3 Easter - Thursday B
Isaiah 40:25-31 – Wings like Eagles
Who is there like the Holy One, that we can compare him to? Look to the heavens and see; who has created all the stars in the sky? He brought them forth and knows their number, calling them by name. By his great power, none is missing.
Why do God's people think and say that God does not know their situation and has disregarded their right? Have they not been told and know that God is the Creator of everything on earth? He never grows tired and weak, and his understanding is beyond our comprehension. Even the strongest of young men become exhausted; “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31)
Commentary:
God is the Creator and sustainer of the Universe. God has made this vast Creation for one purpose: to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. God is not too busy to be bothered with us; we are his chief concern.
This lifetime is our opportunity to seek, find and come to know and have fellowship with God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27). If we earnestly seek God, he will allow himself to be found by us (Deuteronomy 4:29). The only way to find and know God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6), 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, 23). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9).
One cannot use worldly wisdom to come to knowing God, because God designed Salvation (from eternal destruction) and eternal life to be based on faith (obedient trust) in our Savior, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:21-23; Acts 4:12). For those who demand proof in order to believe there is none (1 Corinthians 1:22-23), but for those who believe there is abundant proof (John 6:68-69 RSV). The indwelling Holy Spirit within “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) believers testifies that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
God knows our situation and is able to supply all that we truly need, but God is not obligated to be all that an all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving God implies, unless we are willing to trust and obey him. If God seems to be far from us we should examine ourselves. If we draw close to God through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, God will manifest (reveal) himself to us (John 14:21-23). If we expect God to hear and answer our prayers, we must meet God's conditions for answered prayer (which see, sidebar, top right).
If we expect God to hear and answer us when we pray, and provide what we need, we must wait for his guidance and providence. Waiting for the Lord is extremely hard to learn, especially in our present culture, where we can make a phone call or use the computer to get seemingly instant answers. Waiting for the Lord requires faith that he does hear our prayer and know our needs, and that he is willing and able to help us in time of need.
If we think we can provide our own help and answers, the Lord will let us try, in the hope that we will realize how much we need him. He wants us to learn by trial-and-error, and to realize that the world's answers may seem right for a time but will ultimately lead to disappointment and spiritual disaster.
God has intentionally limited this Creation and we ourselves by time. God wants us to be free to choose whether to trust and obey him or not, but God is not going to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his heavenly kingdom.
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
First posted April 11, 2008
Podcast: 3 Easter - Friday
1 Peter 2:11-20 – Christian Obligations
Christians are beloved of God and their brethren. We are aliens in exile in this world. We must abstain from the lusts of our physical bodies which are at war with our eternal souls. Let us maintain good conduct among the Gentiles so that if they accuse us of wrongdoing, our good deeds will be revealed to them at the Day of Christ's return and God will be glorified.
Let us be obedient to every human institution, for the Lord's sake, both to the emperor who is supreme and to those under him, who are appointed to encourage good behavior and punish wrongdoing. It is God's will that by doing what is right that we will silence ignorant people who don't know better. Let us live in freedom, using that freedom to serve the Lord and not as an excuse to do evil. Let us show respect to all people and to human authorities. Let us love our fellow believers, and fear (have appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of) God.
Let those who are servants of human masters treat their masters with respect, whether their masters are kind and gentle or abusive. Those who suffer unjustly with patient endurance in obedience to the Lord will have his approval; but those who suffer justly for doing what is wrong cannot expect God's approval.
Commentary:
We have all been created to be eternal souls in physical bodies. We are born into this world physically alive but spiritually “unborn.” This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. This is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, 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).
Christians are in exile in the “Babylon” of this present world. Jesus is our Lord and King and we are citizens of his eternal kingdom in paradise restored in Heaven. We are still in the pagan culture around us and still in physical bodies which are at war with our eternal souls and compete for our obedience.
God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word), and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). He sent his only begotten Son to be the Lamb of the New Passover; to be the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus died for our sins so that we wouldn't have to die eternally for them ourselves (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right).
If we trust and obey the Holy Spirit within us, we are able to resist our physical lusts and desires. We are freed from bondage to sin and eternal death, provided that we are obedient to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ within us (Romans 8:1-9).
Our conduct among secular society is a more powerful testimony than what we profess. Sadly, there are false teachings in the nominal Church today which also existed in the first-century Church and are refuted in the New Testament. One is “Cheap Grace:”* teaching that salvation (from God's eternal condemnation) is by grace (God's unmerited favor; a free gift) which is true; but without the requirement of discipleship and obedience, which is false (see False Teachings, sidebar, top right). When we fail to live according to the standards of God's Word, we bring dishonor upon the Lord and the Church among the secular community.
Another false teaching prevalent in the nominal Church today is “works-righteousness;” salvation earned by doing “good deeds.” Salvation is the by grace (the free gift of God) to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8). It cannot be earned, bought, or taken by force or deception. Salvation (being accounted righteous in God's judgment) is not by “good works,” so that none can boast of themselves in God's presence (Ephesians 2:9). But those who are truly saved will do “good works” prepared for us beforehand according to God's will (Ephesians 2:10). The author of 1 Peter is not teaching salvation by works; he is teaching Christians to live daily according to all that Jesus teaches by word and example (Matthew 28:20).
We are to live in obedience to every human institution and authority, as far as possible, when those authorities and institutions are producing the benefits of righteousness and freedom. When Peter and John were arrested and tried by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious supreme court, they had done nothing against the law, but were ordered not to preach in Jesus' name. They boldly told the court that they were not going to comply, and the court could judge for itself whether one should obey God or human authorities when there was conflict (Acts 4:19-20).
The Apostle Paul was tried before the Sanhedrin, and gave the high priest respect for the office he held, although the high priest's behavior was was contrary to the duty of his office (Acts 23:1-5).
We must not use our freedom to justify bad behavior. That was happening in the first-century church in Corinth and was rebuked by the apostle Paul (for example: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 6:9-20). If we do what is evil we will bear the consequences, but if we patiently endure unjust persecution for the name and Gospel of Jesus, we can be confident that the Lord will vindicate and reward us.
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)?
*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6
3 Easter - Saturday B
First posted April 12, 2008
Podcast: 3 Easter - Saturday B
John 16:16-22 – Reassurance
On the night of his betrayal and arrest, Jesus comforted his disciples to prepare them for what Jesus knew was coming. Jesus told them that in a short while, they would not see Jesus, but a little while more and they would see him. His disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying about not seeing and then seeing, and “because I go to the Father” (John 16:10). They wondered what Jesus meant by “a little while.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and so Jesus asked them if this was what they wanted to know. Then Jesus told them, “Truly, truly I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20).
Jesus compared the situation to childbirth. When a pregnant woman goes into labor she has anguish because her time of childbirth is painful, but when the child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish, because her sorrow is turned to joy at the birth of her child. So Jesus' disciples would have sorrow, but Jesus will see them again and then the disciples will have great joy, which no one can take from them.
Commentary:
Jesus had tried to prepare his disciples for his crucifixion. He had told them openly at least three times recorded in the Gospels, that he would suffer abuse and crucifixion, and that on the third day he would rise from the dead (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). But the disciples didn't understand about rising again. After celebrating the Last Supper, the Passover feast, with his disciples, before they went out to Gethsemane, where Jesus knew he would be betrayed and arrested, he told his disciples again, using the analogy to childbirth.
Jesus' prophecy of his death and resurrection were fulfilled. Jesus' resurrection from the dead turned the disciples' sorrow into joy, which cannot be taken from them. The resurrection demonstrated that there is existence beyond physical death.
Jesus' resurrection also demonstrates the complete truthfulness of God's Word and of Jesus Christ. The test of prophecy is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). God's Word is always fulfilled, and it is eternally true: it is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. Jesus' word is the Word of God, John 14:10, 24) with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; compare Genesis 1:3, 9).
Jesus is the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment and demonstration of God's Word lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). The Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the descendant of Abraham (Genesis 22:18; compare Matthew 1:1) the Son (descendant) of David (Matthew 1:20; 21:9) and the eternal king who inherits the throne of David (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29), A prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), an eternal priest like Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4), the shoot from the stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1, 10; Matthew 1:6), and the “anointed one” (Isaiah 61:1; compare Luke 4:16-21; note that Christ and Messiah each mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew respectively).
Jesus is the son of a virgin who was to be called Immanuel, meaning God with us (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14; compare Matthew 1:18-25; note that Jesus means Savior; Matthew 1:21), and the messenger of the (new) covenant Malachi 3:1; Matthew 26:26-29, RSV note “g;” Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8; 12:24). Jesus was God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28).
Satan is the present ruler of this world (1 John 5:19 RSV), but Jesus has defeated Satan at the cross (Hebrews 2:14-15), and Jesus' resurrection is the demonstration of that victory. The world hates Jesus and rejoiced at his crucifixion, but his “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples have the ultimate joy, which is eternal and cannot be taken from them. They have experienced the resurrection 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' death and resurrection was to his disciples advantage (John 16:7). At his death on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom symbolizing that Jesus had opened a new and better way into the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ (Luke 23:45b). Jesus is present within each of his disciples by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, giving them access to him anytime and anyplace.
The disciples didn't have to understand what Jesus was telling them at that moment. All they had to do was believe it (trust and obey; act accordingly). After they had experienced Jesus' resurrection they were able to understand.
Jesus told Nicodemus that one need not understand how the Holy Spirit is able to fill, guide and empower Jesus' disciples; they just have to believe (trust and act accordingly; John 3:7-8). We simply need to “believe,” to trust and obey Jesus, and we will experience for ourselves that what he teaches and prophesies is absolutely reliable and true (John 20:24-28). Then our “mustard seed” (Matthew 13:31-32) of faith, our simple “yes” to the Lord, will grow to spiritual maturity.
Jesus was willing to undergo the most painful physical death one can imagine, in order to give spiritual birth to eternal life to us. Our spiritual “rebirth” gives him great joy.
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)?
