Week
of Easter - B
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:
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:
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Podcast Download: Week of Easter B
Easter
Sunday - B
First Posted April 12, 2009;
Podcast: Sunday Easter B
Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Rejoice in Our Salvation;
Psalm 118:1-2, 15-24 -- Our Salvation;
1 Corinthians 15:19-28 -- Resurrection Through Christ;
Mark 16:1-8 -- The Empty Tomb;
John 20:1-9 (10-18) -- The Empty Tomb;
Isaiah Paraphrase:
On the mountain of Zion (the temple mount; the heavenly city) The
Lord of hosts (of a vast army), will prepare for all people a feast
of rich food and fine, well-aged wine. On this mountain he will do
away with the veil that lays over the nations (Gentiles) and the
minds of all people. He will remove death from us for ever. He will
dry the tears from all faces, and will remove the reproach of his
people from all the world. Then his people will declare that he is
our God, for whom we have waited to save us. This is the Lord; let
us rejoice in his salvation, for which we have waited.
Psalm Paraphrase:
“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love
endures forever! Let Israel say, 'His steadfast love endures
forever'” (Psalm 118:1-2).
Listen to the joyful songs of victory in the houses of the
righteous. The right hand of the Lord is valiant and exalted! “I
shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
Although the Lord has chastised me strongly he has not abandoned me
to death” (Psalm 118:17-18).
“Open the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and
give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous
shall enter through it” (Psalm 118:19-20).
I thank the Lord for answering my call and becoming my salvation!
“The stone which the builders (Jewish religious leaders) rejected
has become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is
marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let
us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:22-24; compare Matthew
21:42-44; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:7-8). Save us, O Lord, and prosper
us, we pray. “Blessed is he who enters (comes) in the name of the
Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord” (Psalm 118:26).
1 Corinthians Paraphrase:
“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people
most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (died physically;”
1 Corinthians 15:19-20). One man (Adam) sinned (disobeyed God's
Word), and introduced (eternal) death into Creation. Now through
Christ has come resurrection from the dead and eternal life.
As we all die through our physical relationship with Adam, so also
are we made alive through our spiritual relationship with Christ.
Christ is the “first-fruits,” then at his (second) coming, those who
belong to Christ. Then the end (of the temporal age; this Creation)
will come, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father,
having destroyed every worldly rule, authority and power.
Jesus will utterly vanquish all his enemies, in fulfillment of
scriptural prophecy (Psalm 8:6; Matthew 28:18). God is not included
in those who are subjugated under Christ. When all things are
perfectly subjugated to Christ, Christ is perfectly subjugated to
God, so “that God may be everything to everyone.
Mark Paraphrase:
After the sabbath (Saturday; thus: Sunday morning) Mary Magdalene,
Mary, the mother of James, and Solome came to the tomb very early,
at dawn, bringing spices to prepare Jesus for burial. They were
wondering how they could roll away the large stone blocking the
tomb. But when they saw the tomb, the stone had already been rolled
away.
Entering the tomb they saw a young man (an angel) dressed in white,
and they were amazed. He told them not to be frightened. He said he
knew they were seeking Jesus of Nazareth who had been crucified. He
said that Jesus had risen and is no longer in the tomb, showing them
that the place where Jesus had been laid was empty. He told them to
go and tell Jesus' disciples, especially Peter, that Jesus was going
to Galilee where they would see him, as Jesus had promised. The
women “fled” because they were astonished and trembling with fear,
and said nothing about what they had experienced to anyone
John Paraphrase:
Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb early Sunday morning while it
was still dark, but when she found the stone sealing the tomb rolled
back, she ran to where the disciples were and told them that Jesus'
body had been removed and she didn't know where. Peter and “the
disciple Jesus loved” (i.e., John) ran to the tomb.
John outran Peter and arrived first. He looked into the tomb and saw
the grave cloths lying there but did not go in. When Peter arrived
Peter went into the tomb and saw the shroud lying, and the facecloth
rolled up by itself. Then John also entered and believed (that Jesus
had risen). They did not yet know the prophecy of scriptures that
the Messiah must rise from the dead.
Commentary:
Jesus has prepared the feast foretold by Isaiah six or seven hundred
years before Jesus' first coming. Jesus instituted the feast of the
New Covenant of salvation by grace (as a free gift; unmerited favor)
to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, on the
night of his betrayal and arrest (Matthew 26:26-29).
It was celebrated in the context of the Feast of Passover, the
commemoration of God's deliverance of Israel from slavery and death
in Egypt. The blood of the lamb providing the feast was used to mark
the doors of the houses of Israel in Egypt, to save them from the
final plague of death of the first-born of the Egyptians.
Jesus' blood shed for us on the cross delivers us from eternal
death, which is the penalty for sin (disobedience of God's Word;
Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus is our “Moses” and our “Joshua,” who leads us out of bondage
to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this present world order, through
the “wilderness” of life, through the “river” of physical death, and
into the heavenly “Promised Land” of God's kingdom in heaven.
The Church celebration of the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion;
Eucharist) is a foretaste, the “first-fruits,” a “security deposit”
of the “marriage feast of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, and his bride, the
Church, in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 26:26-29; Revelation
21:2-8). God taught Israel the concept of “first-fruits” in the
harvest offerings to God of the first fruits of the harvest.
There is a spiritual “veil” covering the minds of unbelievers which
prevents them from understanding and seeing the glory of God's Word
(2 Corinthians 3:13-16). Only Jesus can remove that veil, only
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 risen Jesus opens the minds of his disciples to
understand the Bible scriptures (Luke 24:45), through his indwelling
Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9).
The indwelling Holy Spirit is the Spirit of (divine, eternal) Truth,
(John 14:17). The indwelling Holy Spirit teaches Jesus' disciples
all things and recalls to their memory all that Jesus taught (John
14:26). The indwelling Holy Spirit gives his disciples words and
wisdom no on will be able to contradict or resist (Luke 21:12-15). I
can personally attest to these truths.
Jesus is the door to righteousness, the righteousness of God
attributed to us by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Romans 3:22).
The true Church of Jesus Christ is the gateway to heaven through
faith in Jesus Christ.
We have all been born physically alive but spiritually dead
(unborn). This lifetime is our only opportunity to seek and come to
know and have fellowship with God our Creator, and to be spiritually
“born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. Neither can be
accomplished except by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Christ has been raised from physical death to eternal life. He is
the first-fruits of our inheritance in God's eternal kingdom. Every
truly “born-again” Christian disciple testifies that Jesus is alive!
His tomb is empty! We have a personal daily fellowship with Jesus
through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The indwelling 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).
We can say with absolute assurance that we will not die; we will
live eternally. We will praise our Lord's deeds for our salvation.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of Psalm 118:22 of a “stone
which the builders (the Jewish religious leaders) rejected, who has
become the head of the corner (the cornerstone, or keystone).
Israel turned away from their Messiah, Jesus Christ, but I don't
believe that they are irrevocably “lost” and beyond eternal
salvation. But they will have to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and
Messiah. Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of our
sin and our salvation; there is no other name in heaven or on earth
by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). No one can come to God the
Father except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Jesus is the right hand of God (Acts 2:33). No one can receive Jesus
until they say “Blessed is he who enters (comes) in the name of the
Lord (Psalm 118:26a; Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 13:34-35); Jesus is the
name of the Lord!
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? 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)?
Easter
Week Monday - B
First Posted April 13, 2009;
Podcast: Monday Easter B
Psalm 148 -- Praise the Lord;
Paraphrase:
Praise the Lord, all the heavens; praise him in the highest. Praise
him, all his angels and the hosts of heaven (a large number of
people; an army).
Praise the Lord, sun, moon and stars; praise him highest heavens.
Praise him, storehouse of rain. Let the Universe praise the name of
the Lord. God commanded and they were created. He established them
forever; he established the laws of nature which cannot be changed.
Praise the Lord all the earth; the depths of the oceans and the
sea-monsters that inhabit it. Fire, hail, snow, frost and wind are
at his command. Mountains and hills, and the plants and animals that
inhabit the earth, also! All people: Kings princes, worldly rulers,
and their peoples, young and old, great and small.
Let everything praise the Lord, because his name alone is great and
his glory is above all heaven and earth. He has raised up a “horn”
(of salvation; the raised corners of altars; a sinner could receive
asylum by grabbing the “horns” of an altar; 1 Kings 1:50; 2:28). He
exalts his saints, the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise
the Lord.
Commentary:
The meaning and purpose of life in this Creation is to seek and find
God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and to be spiritually “reborn”
(John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. Neither of these can be
accomplished except 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 gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a discernible, ongoing
event. One can know with certainty for oneself, whether one has been
“reborn” or not. Anyone who has to ask a theologian or pastor,
hasn't been! In fact, it is they who should ask us (Acts 19:2)!
God has designed this Creation to accomplish his purpose. He wants
to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust
and obey God's Word. In order to give us freedom of choice, he had
to allow the possibility of sin (disobedience of God's Word), but
God is not willing to tolerate disobedience and rebellion forever,
or at all in his eternal kingdom.
In this Creation we have all sinned 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). God loves us and doesn't want anyone to
perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). So, from the very
beginning of Creation, God has designed into it a Savior, Jesus
Christ (John 1:1-5, 14), through whom we can live eternally with God
in his eternal heavenly kingdom restored to paradise (John 1:1-5,
14). None of us deserves forgiveness and salvation, so that God can
give it to all who are willing to receive it by grace (unmerited
favor), as a free gift, received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus
(Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus is God's only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12), the
only way to know divine, eternal truth, to be restored to fellowship
with God which was broken by sin, and to have eternal life (John
14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus is the ultimate “horn of salvation” which God has raised up.
We are all sinners, but we can all receive “asylum” (forgiveness)
from the deserved punishment of our sins at the altar of God through
faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus' death was the only sacrifice, acceptable to God, once for all
time and all people, for the forgiveness of sin, and for spiritual
cleansing so that we can become the temple of the Holy Spirit and be
restored to fellowship with God our Creator.
Jesus' resurrection from physical death is intended to demonstrate
that there is existence beyond physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Jesus' ministry of physical healing, feeding and resurrection were
intended to demonstrate that Jesus also has the power to heal, feed
and raise us spiritually to eternal life.
The Apostolic witnesses recorded in the New Testament, and every
truly “born-again” disciple since, can personally testify that Jesus
is eternally alive. Those who trust in Jesus' promises will
experience for themselves their fulfillment.
Faith is not getting whatever you believe if you believe hard
enough. Faith is not “wishing on a star,” or making a “birthday
wish” before blowing out birthday cake candles. Faith is believing
the words and examples of Jesus Christ, and acting upon them in
daily life.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? 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)?
Easter
Week Tuesday - B
First Posted April 14, 2009;
Podcast: Tuesday Easter B
Acts 3:13-15, 17-26 -- Peter's Second Sermon;
Paraphrase:
Peter had healed a man who had been lame from birth, and a crowd had
gathered in amazement around Peter and John. So Peter began to
proclaim the Gospel, saying that the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, the God of the forefathers of Israel, had glorified Jesus,
whom these people, the patriarchs' descendants, had denied, at
Jesus' trial by Pilate, when Pilate was willing to release him
(Matthew 27:20-26). The people of Israel had denied God's servant
(their Messiah), the Holy and Righteous One, Jesus Christ. They had
asked for a murderer to be released instead, and had demanded the
death of the Author (pioneer; founder) of life, whom God raised from
death. Peter and John witnessed and testified to that.
Peter recognized that the Jewish rulers and people had acted in
ignorance. But Christ's suffering was the fulfillment of what all
the prophets had foretold. Peter urged them to repent and turn to
God in obedient trust, so that their sins would be expunged, and
that they could be refreshed by the presence of the Lord. Then
God would send the Messiah, Jesus, who had been appointed for them,
who must wait in heaven until the time that God fulfills all of his
Word, declared by his prophets from long ago.
Moses had told the people of Israel that God would raise up a
prophet like Moses, who the people were to hear, trust and obey in
all that he teaches. Everyone who does not obey that prophet will be
destroyed from among God's people (Deuteronomy 18:19; Leviticus
23:29). The coming of the Messiah had been proclaimed by Samuel and
all the prophets who came thereafter.
The people of Israel are the sons (descendants) of the prophets and
of the promise which God gave to Abraham (Abram), that all the
people of earth would be blessed through Abraham's descendants
(Genesis 12:3; 22:18). God had fulfilled his promise by sending the
Messiah Jesus to Israel first, to bless them by turning Israel from
their wickedness.
Commentary:
Remember that Peter had denied Jesus three times, even to the menial
domestic servant of the high priest, on the night of Jesus' betrayal
and arrest. Now this disciple was boldly proclaiming the Gospel. The
difference is the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit which Peter and
the other disciples had received on the day of Pentecost (Acts
2:1-13). and which Peter immediately began to demonstrate (Acts
2:14-36). Today's text is Peter's second recorded sermon.
Jesus is the Author of true, eternal life. Jesus came to restore us
to true eternal life, which we lost through sin (disobedience of
God's Word; Romans 5:12; Genesis 3:3) because we've all sinned an
fallen short of God's Righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10).
Jesus became the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the
forgiveness of our sins (Acts 4:12) and our restoration to
fellowship with God and to eternal life (John 14:6; see God's Plan
of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus came to restore us to eternal life, and this is only possible
by being spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift
(“baptism,” “anointing”) with 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). 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).
Jesus is the pioneer of true, eternal life. Jesus is the
“first-born” of the dead to eternal life (Colossians 1:18). Jesus
was fully human and also fully divine (Colossians 2:8-9). He was the
first one in human flesh to die and be reborn to eternal life.
Jesus' resurrection demonstrates that there is existence after
physical death. Jesus came to free us from the fear of physical
death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
The Jews, to whom the Word of God, the Bible, had been given,
fulfilled God's Word by crucifying their Messiah, whom God's Word
foretold. The Jewish religious leaders refused to see that Jesus was
their Messiah, because they had ceased to be stewards of God's
people and had turned Judaism into their personal “empire,” using it
for their personal benefit; their status in society; their “career.”
Their people looked to their spiritual leaders for guidance, and
were misled (Mark 15:9-11).
God's offer of forgiveness was still available. All they had to do
was confess their sin and turn to God in obedient trust. The ones
who did became Christians. God removed his favor and protection from
the ones who didn't: the Jews.
The result was that Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 70
A.D., by the Romans, again fulfilling God's Word (John 11:48); the
Jews were scattered throughout the world and Israel ceased to exist
as a nation, until restored after World War II. The temple has never
been rebuilt. Judaism effectively ended at the crucifixion of Jesus
Christ, symbolized by the tearing, from top to bottom (Luke 23:45),
of the veil of the temple (the curtain separating the
holy-of-holies, the presence of God, from the people, indicating
that a new and better way had been opened into God's presence
through Jesus Christ).
The Jews are not irrevocably spiritually “lost.” Forgiveness and
salvation are still available to them, but only through faith
(obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Luke 13:34-35; John 14:6).
Through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit each of us can have
direct access to God's presence and a personal relationship with
God. Through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, every
“born-again” Christian disciple of Jesus can personally testify that
Jesus has risen and is eternally alive, because we have personal
daily fellowship with Jesus.
Jesus has ascended into heaven where he is our Great High Priest,
interceding for his people to God our Father. Jesus has promised to
return on the Day of Judgment at the end of time. We will all be
accountable to Jesus for everything we have done during our earthly
lives (John 5:28-29). Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and
Savior and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually
“reborn” during this lifetime and will enter eternal life in God's
heavenly kingdom. Those who have rejected Jesus, and have refused or
failed to trust and obey Jesus will receive eternal death and
eternal condemnation in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2
Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? 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)?
Easter
Week Wednesday - B
First Posted April 15,
2009;
Podcast: Wednesday Easter B
1 John 5:1-6 -- Victorious Faith;
Paraphrase:
Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ are children of God.
Those who love God will love his children also. If we love God we
will trust and obey God's commandments which will reveal our love
for his children. Our obedient trust in God's commandments is the
result of our love for God, and his commandments are not too hard
for us to keep. That which is born of God overcomes the world, and
that which gives victory over the world is our faith (obedient
trust). Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God have overcome
the world. Jesus has come to us by water (of baptism) and by blood
(shed on the cross).
Commentary:
Believers have been cleansed of sin not only by the water of
baptism, but by the precious blood of Jesus, sacrificed on the cross
for our salvation from sin and eternal death. God demonstrated his
love for us by sending his only begotten Son to die on the cross for
our sins, so that we wouldn't have to die eternally for them
ourselves (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). Through Jesus we experience
God's love by 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), and we respond to God's love with obedient trust, from
love, rather than from fear, as of the Old Covenant of Law.
Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ (God's “anointed” eternal
savior and king of God's kingdom) will trust and obey Jesus, and
they will be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8). 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
indwelling Holy Spirit is the mark of our adoption as children of
God (Romans 8:15-16).
God's commandments are not too hard for us to keep. God's will is
good, acceptable (possible; agreeable) and perfect (our best
interest; Romans 12:2). Keeping God's commands is the way we can
show our love for God and for others.
Water baptism is for repentance of sin to prepare us to receive
Jesus Christ (Mark 1:4). Jesus is the only one who can “baptize”
(“anoint”) with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. As we begin
to trust and obey Jesus' teachings, we will be “reborn” by the
“baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the
Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). Through the
indwelling Holy Spirit we have personal knowledge of and fellowship
with God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6, 21, 23).
Blood represents the spirit of the one whose blood it is. That is
why the Law of God given to Moses forbade the consumption of meat
with blood, or blood itself (Genesis 9:4). God doesn't want us to be
filled with the spirit of animals or demons, but with the Holy
Spirit. The blood of Jesus spiritually conveys the Spirit of Christ.
The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion; the Eucharist) is a spiritual
feast of the Lamb of God, Christ's body and blood (but note that
participating in the elements of Communion do not automatically
confer the Holy Spirit; Matthew 26:26-28).
Jesus' blood shed on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to
God for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 4:12). Jesus' blood
cleanses us and makes it possible for us to receive the indwelling
Holy Spirit and become a temple of the presence of God within us (1
Corinthians 3:16-17).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? 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)?
Easter
Week Thursday - B
First Posted April 16,
2009;
Podcast: Thursday Easter B
John 20:19-31 -- The Resurrection;
Paraphrase:
In the evening of the first day of the week, on the day of Jesus'
resurrection, the disciples were all together in the place they were
staying (probably the upper room where they had celebrated
Passover). The door was closed (barred) because the disciples were
afraid of the Jews. Jesus appeared, standing among them. He offered
them peace and showed them his hands and his side*. Again he offered
them peace and told them that he was sending them, as God the Father
had sent Jesus. Jesus breathed on them and told them to receive the
Holy Spirit. He gave them the authority to forgive or retain the
sins of others.
Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not there. When the
other disciples told him they had seen Jesus alive, Thomas refused
to believe unless he could touch the wounds of the nails in Jesus'
hands as the result of crucifixion, and the wound in Jesus' side
caused by the spear to insure that Jesus was dead* (John 19:31-37).
Eight days later, his disciples were again gathered, and Thomas was
present. Again the doors were shut, and Jesus came and stood among
them. Jesus offered them his peace, and then told Thomas to examine
and touch Jesus' wounds, so that Thomas would not be faithless but
believing. Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)! Jesus
said that Thomas had believed because he had seen Jesus, but more
blessed are those who believe without having seen. “Now Jesus did
many other signs in the presence of the disciples which are not
written in this book, but these are written that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that in believing you
will have (eternal) life in his name” (John 20:30-31).
Commentary:
In the evening of the day of Jesus' resurrection, the first Easter
Sunday, the doors were barred, because Jesus' disciples feared the
Jews. The Jews had crucified Jesus, and his disciples were trying to
avoid the same fate.
Jesus came and stood among them without having to open the door.
Jesus didn't want them to be frightened. He showed them the marks of
his crucifixion so that they could be sure it was he. He told them
to receive the Holy Spirit and then go into the world with the
Gospel, as Jesus had been sent by his heavenly Father.
The disciples were to stay in Jerusalem until they had received the
Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; Acts 2:1-13) before going
into the world to continue Jesus' mission. The modern equivalent is
the Church, the “New Jerusalem” on earth. Christ's mission cannot be
accomplished in human ability, but only by the power, guidance and
resources provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
Jesus bore the marks of abuse by worldly people, and his disciples
should expect to be treated no better. Jesus' disciples must be
willing to take up their personal crosses daily and follow Jesus'
example and teaching (Luke 9:23).
Thomas insisted on seeing before believing. Jesus wanted him to
believe. He was one of the eleven remaining (minus Judas, the
betrayer) eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection.
The original disciples got to see Jesus resurrected and alive, but
the believers to come after them would not be able to see as the
original disciples had; they would have to believe the testimony of
these disciples.
John, the evangelist and author of this Gospel was one of the last
remaining eyewitnesses when his Gospel was written at the close of
the first century. It was written so that those coming later would
be able to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and have
(eternal) life in Jesus' name, without having to see in order to
believe.
Note Thomas' confession (John 20:28). Anyone who doubts the divinity
of Jesus Christ should consider this verse. Jesus did not correct
Thomas, because Thomas spoke the truth. Compare a similar situation
in which the disciples were mistaken for gods (Acts 14:8-15).
There are many false teachings in our world and even in the nominal
Church today among which is denial of the deity of Jesus Christ.
These same false teachings were present in the first-century Church,
and are refuted in the New Testament. If we know the Bible we can
discern truth from error and refute false teachings (see Colossians
2:8-9; see also False Teachings, sidebar, top right, home).
It is not true that we won't know whether the Gospel is true until
we die. The only people who don't know for certain where they will
spend eternity are those who are spiritually “lost;” they are
spiritually dead without faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ,
because only Jesus can give us true, eternal life (John 14:6). We
must be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8). This “rebirth” is
only given to us in 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 New Testament of the Bible is the testimony of eyewitnesses to
the Gospel: the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus' teaching and his own resurrection from physical death
demonstrates that there is existence after physical death. Jesus'
resurrection was witnessed by more than five hundred people in
addition to the disciples, including Paul (1 Corinthians 15:3-10).
Paul was deliberately intended by God to be the replacement of Judas
Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer, among the Twelve. The other eleven chose
Matthias, while they were supposed to be waiting for the gift of the
Holy Spirit. Without the benefit of the guidance of the Holy Spirit
they picked one by chance, who is never heard of again. On the other
hand, after Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus to persecute
the Church, most of the rest of the New Testament is by or about
Paul.
Paul represents the prototype and example of a “modern,”
“post-resurrection,” “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student)
and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, which all of
us today can be. Paul had apparently never known Jesus in Jesus'
physical lifetime. He was confronted by the Spirit of Jesus on the
road to Damascus. We can experience the same conversion, although
not nearly as rapidly. Paul had already been formally trained in
Judaism and was zealous for God; he just needed to pointed toward
the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The other eleven were with Jesus
day-and-night for three and a half years, and yet were not ready to
go into the world with the Gospel until they had received the
“anointing” of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Paul didn't see Jesus physically, and yet he believed, and he gave
spiritual “eyewitness” testimony. Paul had experienced Jesus
personally in his conversion and thereafter.
All truly “born-again” Christians can and do also testify that Jesus
is risen and eternally alive. Are you willing to believe their
testimony without having seen for yourself?
Jesus has promised that he will reveal (manifest) himself to his
disciples (John 14:21). I personally testify to that truth (see
Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right, home).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? 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)?
*Jesus' physical death was demonstrated by the Roman Soldiers, by piercing, with a spear, Jesus' side, from which water (and blood) flowed. (John 19:31-38; Mark 15:44-45).
Easter Week Friday - B
First Posted April 17, 2009;
Podcast: Friday Easter B
1 John 5:4-12 -- Victorious Faith;
Paraphrase:
Those who are born of God (“born-again;” John 3:3, 5-8) have overcome the world (everything in this Creation which is opposed to God; John 3:19). Our faith (obedient trust in Jesus Christ) gives us victory over the enemies of God and of our souls (sin, death, and Satan). Only those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God overcome the world.
Jesus Christ has come to us by water (baptism*) and blood (shed on the cross). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, and testifies that Jesus has come (in the flesh, and through the Spirit within “born-again” believers). If we accept the testimony of human witnesses (Jewish law required two witnesses corroborate their testimony), the testimony of God is greater, because God has testified to the Son of God.
Those who believe in (trust and obey) the Son of God (Jesus Christ) have the testimony within themselves (the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit). Whoever does not believe God calls God a liar, because he does not accept the witness God has borne to his Son. “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life” (1 John 5:11-12).
Commentary:
We are born into this world physically alive but spiritually dead (“unborn”). God has promised to give us eternal life through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. That “rebirth” and life come to us 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). That is the testimony of the Holy Spirit within us (Romans 8:15-16).
Jesus comes to us personally and individually through the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17), the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). The infilling of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible ongoing event (Acts 19:2), through whom we have personal fellowship with Jesus Christ and God the Father.
John the Baptist came, baptizing with water for repentance and remission of sin, in order to prepare the people of God to receive the Messiah (God's “anointed” eternal Savior and King of God's heavenly kingdom), Jesus Christ. The Church is the heir to John's ministry of water baptism. Only Jesus “baptizes” with the Holy Spirit. The Church is to call us to repent and turn from sin to obedient trust in God's Word, to prepare us to receive Jesus in the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Jesus told his disciples to stay within Jerusalem (the modern equivalent is the Church, the “New Jerusalem” on earth) until they had received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), and then they were to go into the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to make disciples of Jesus Christ, teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught (Matthew 28:19-20). We cannot continue Christ's mission without the guidance, empowerment and resources of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word), and come short of God's standard of righteousness, and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus is the only way to be forgiven of sin, the only way to be restored to fellowship with God lost through sin, and the only way to have true, eternal life (John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus' blood shed on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to God, once for all time and all people who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust), for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of sin and salvation from eternal condemnation (Acts 4:12).
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and begin to trust and obey Jesus, his blood, shed on the cross, cleanses us spiritually so that we can individually be temples of the Holy Spirit within us.
On the night of Jesus' betrayal and arrest, Jesus instituted the New Covenant (Matthew 26:26-28 RSV note “g;” Hebrews 8:8-11; 12:24) of eternal salvation by grace (a free gift; unmerited favor), to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion; Eucharist) was celebrated in the context of the Feast of Passover (Exodus 12:1-51), commemorating the “passing-over” of the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when God delivered the final plague, death of the firstborn of the Egyptians, to gain Israel's release from slavery by the Egyptians. The meat of the Passover feast was a perfect, unblemished lamb, and the blood of the lamb on the doorpost and lintel marked the houses of the Israelites.
All of God's dealings with Israel recorded in the Bible were intentionally designed by God to be a parable and metaphor for life in this world, and revealing God's plan for Creation. Israel crossing the Red Sea on dry ground symbolizes Christian baptism. Jesus became the unblemished Lamb of God, who provides his body for the New Passover Feast, the Lord's Supper, and his blood, shed on the Cross marks us to be “passed over” by eternal death.
The Law given by God to Moses, forbade the eating of meat with its blood or drinking blood. People believed that the spirit of the animal was in its blood. God didn't want his people to be filled with the spirit of animals or demons (as in food sacrificed to idols; 1 Corinthians 10:20-21). When Jesus instituted the New Covenant, he declared that the wine was his blood, shed for us for the forgiveness of sin and we were to drink it.
This doesn't imply that Jesus miraculously transforms the elements of bread and wine into physical flesh and blood (transubstantiation). I also do not imply that anyone who participates in the Lord's Supper receives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit automatically. In fact, anyone who partakes the elements of Communion in an unworthy manner is drinking judgment upon himself (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
Too often in the nominal Church today, the Church has failed to make disciples, to teach them to know, trust and obey Jesus' teachings, and to guide new believers into spiritual “rebirth” (see False Teachings, sidebar, top right, home). A Church which doesn't teach its members to be spiritually “reborn” won't have “born-again” leaders or “disciplers.”
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?
*Jesus' physical death was demonstrated by the Roman Soldiers, by piercing, with a spear, Jesus' side, from which water (and blood) flowed. (John 19:31-38; Mark 15:44-45).
Easter Week Saturday - B
First Posted April 18, 2009;
Podcast: Saturday Easter B
Genesis 32:22-30 – Jacob Wrestles with an Angel;
Genesis Background:
Jacob was the heir of Isaac, son of Abraham; they were the three first patriarchs of Israel. Jacob had tricked Esau, his twin brother, out of his brother's inheritance, and had fled to Haran, his ancestral home (in modern-day southern Turkey near the Syrian border*) to avoid Essau's revenge, and to acquire a wife from his family's people. Jacob wound up with two wives, who were sisters.
Genesis Paraphrase:
Jacob was returning to his father's house, bringing all the animals and possessions he had acquired in Haran during the twenty years he spent there (Genesis 31:41). When they reached the ford of the Jabbok River at Penuel (east of the Jordan River, opposite Shechem), he sent his servants with some of his possessions ahead of him as an appeasement to Esau spacing three groups apart (so if the first group was destroyed by Essau, all would not be lost). That night he took his family, consisting of two wives, two maids, and eleven children and the remaining possessions across the Jabbok, but Jacob stayed alone on the other side of the river.
A man (a divine being) wrestled with Jacob until daybreak. When the man realized he could not prevail over Jacob, he touched Jacob's thigh and the thigh became dislocated. Then he told Jacob to let him go because the sun was rising, but Jacob refused to let him go unless he blessed Jacob. The man asked Jacob his name, and then said that he would no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, (meaning “He who strives with God”) because Jacob had striven with God and men and had prevailed. Jacob asked the man his name, and the man declined, but he blessed Jacob. So Jacob named that place Penuel (also spelled Peniel; both mean “The face of God”) because Jacob (Israel) had seen God face to face and yet had not died.
Commentary:
The ancient practice was to name people and things according to their nature or character. Jacob means “one who follows on another's heels; a supplanter.” Jacob was the second-born of (fraternal; because they didn't look alike) twins (I happen to be an identical, first-born twin), and came out holding the heel of his brother.
A name meant more than just a label; it signified one's self; one's person. Changed circumstances called for a new name. Israel also means “God strives,” or God rules.
Jacob had striven with Esau and supplanted him as the heir to their father's estate. In his twenty years in Haran (Genesis 31:41), he had striven with his father-in-law, Laban, and had prevailed.
Jacob had agreed to work for seven years for Laban's beautiful younger daughter, Rachel, but Laban had tricked Jacob into consummating his marriage with the older, homely daughter, Leah. Laban had talked Jacob into staying another six years because Jacob's care of Laban's herds had been blessed with productivity by God.
Jacob agreed, but asked that he be paid in animals and asked for the striped and spotted (less valued) of Laban's herds, so that it would be easy to separate them and catch Jacob if he cheated. God had prospered Jacob by causing the striped and spotted animals to be born more frequently than normal. So Jacob had prevailed over his father-in-law.
Jacob had a new nature when he returned to Israel. He wanted to be reconciled with Esau. He had also learned by experience that God was faithful to provide for and prosper him, as God had promised at Bethel, when Jacob started out on his journey (Genesis 28:12-15).
Jacob became the father of the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, and Israel became the name of his descendants, according to God's promise (Genesis 28:14).
The man who wrestled with Jacob didn't want to give Jacob his name because knowing his name would have given Jacob power over him.
God has been progressively revealing himself and his purpose for Creation through Creation itself, through the Word of God in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment and illustration of God's Word, lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). The Holy Spirit which is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, is the ultimate revelation of God to us personally and individually (John 1:1-5, 14).
Only Jesus gives the gift (“baptism;” “anointing;” “infilling”) 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).
There are a number of names, in the Bible, for God, but there is only one God. God is the God of Abraham (Genesis 24:42), Isaac (Genesis 28:13), and Jacob (Genesis 28:21-21; 31:13; Exodus 3:6); God Almighty (Genesis 35:11); Yahweh (Jehovah; LORD; Exodus 6:3); “I AM” (Exodus 3:14); God the Father (John 6:27. This is not intended to be a complete list).
Jesus is the ultimate name of the LORD (John 20:28). Jesus is the name above all names (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9), the only name by which we can be eternally saved (Acts 4:12).
There is only one God, in three “persons” (or "expressions"): God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity). God is God in heaven; God of this Universe, this Creation. Jesus is God the Son, the fullness of God in human flesh on this earth (Colossians 2:8-9), The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) within “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples of Jesus Christ, personally and individually.
The LORD God wants us to know his name so that we can call upon him, but he is not our “genie (JINNI) in a bottle” Religion is mankind's attempt to manipulate God to do our will. Christianity is about a personal relationship with God and the commitment to seek to know and do God's will through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ). The only way to know divine, eternal, truth, to come to knowledge of and fellowship with God which was broken by sin (disobedience of God's Word), and to have true, spiritual, eternal life is through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Just calling on Jesus' name or adding it to the end of our prayers won't save us or have our prayers answered as we want. Jesus warns us that calling him Lord, won't save us if we are not trusting and obeying his teachings and example (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haran
