Week of 2 Easter B - April 15-21, 2012

Week of 2 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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To get the most from these studies, it is suggested that you first read the scripture texts for the entry, and then the paraphrase and commentary. It is also recommended that you look up the scripture references, unless you recognize and recall them from memory.

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Podcast Download: Week of 2 Easter B
Sunday 2 Easter B
First Posted April 19, 2009; 
Podcast: Sunday 2 Easter B

Psalm 148 -- Hymn of Praise;
Acts 3:13-15, 17-26 -- Peter's Second Sermon;
1 John 5:1-6 -- Victorious Faith;
John 20:19-31 -- The Resurrection;

Psalm Paraphrase:

Let the Lord be praised in heaven and on earth. May all his angels and his heavenly army praise the Lord.

May the sun, moon, and stars praise him. May the highest heavens and even the heavenly storehouse of rain praise him.

Let everything in heaven praise the name of the Lord, because he is the creator of all things. The heavens were established by God's command. and are unchanging; He established the laws of nature which cannot be changed.

Praise the Lord, all the earth! Praise him from the depths of the oceans and all creatures in them, great and small. Praise him all the earthly elements: fire, hail, snow, frost, and stormy wind. They are all subject to God's command. Praise him all the earth: mountains, hills and fields. Praise him all the plants of earth, and all animals and birds.

Praise the earth all people: rulers and princes, all people young and old, men and women.

Let all praise the name of the Lord, for only he is worthy of praise and exaltation, and his glory is above heaven and earth. “He has raised up a horn for his people” (Psalm 148:14a). Praise the Lord for all his saints (those who are consecrated to God's service); for his people who are near to him (in obedience and trust). Praise the Lord!

Acts Background:

Peter and John had been going into the temple to pray (as was their custom) when they were accosted by a lame beggar. Peter healed him, and the healing attracted a crowd. By the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Peter began to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:1-12).

Acts Paraphrase:

Peter began, saying that the God of Israel, the God of their patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had glorified his servant (or “child;” the Messiah, as in Isaiah 52:13), Jesus. The Jews (the leaders and the people) had denied Jesus and demanded that he be crucified by the Roman governor, Pilate, after Pilate had decided Jesus was not guilty and was willing to release him. They chose to crucify the Holy and Righteous One (the Messiah) and to free a murderer instead. They killed the Author (“pioneer;” “founder”) of (true, eternal) life, whom God raised from physical death to eternal life. The disciples were eyewitnesses and were testifying to these facts.

It was by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus' name that the beggar had been healed. Jesus is the only source of true healing and saving faith.

Peter acknowledged that the people and their leaders had acted by spiritual ignorance, but they had thus fulfilled God's Word recorded of the prophets. Peter urged them to repent and return to obedient trust in God, so that their sin could be expunged, and that they could be spiritually refreshed by the presence of the Lord (through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit), so that they could receive the Messiah (Christ) which God had promised them.

Christ had returned to heaven where he was awaiting the fulfillment of God's Word declared by God's prophets and recorded in the Bible. Moses was the first, and had told them that God would raise up a prophet like Moses from their people, whom they were to trust and obey. Everyone who refuses or fails to trust and obey the “New Moses” would be destroyed from among God's people.

All the prophets thereafter, beginning with Samuel had prophesied “these days” (the coming of the Messiah in human flesh; and his crucifixion, death and resurrection). The generation of Jews who Peter was addressing were the sons (descendants) of those prophets and heirs of the covenant made with their forefathers through Abraham, that through his descendant all the people of earth would be blessed. God fulfilled that promise by sending Jesus in human flesh, first to the Jews, so that they could be blessed in turning away from wickedness (sin; disobedience of God's Word) so that they could receive eternal life.

1 John Paraphrase:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah; both mean God's “anointed” eternal savior and king of God's eternal kingdom), is a child of God. Everyone who loves God will also love his children.

Loving God and obeying God's commandments will demonstrate our love for God's children. The only way we can demonstrate our love for God is by keeping (remembering and obeying) his commandments. God's commandments are not too difficult for us to obey. Whoever is born of God (spiritually “born-again;” John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5-8) has overcome the world (that which is opposed to God; Romans 8:5-8). Only those who believe (trust and obey) Jesus as the (only begotten) Son of God will overcome the world.

Jesus comes to us through the water and the blood; not by water only (i.e., not by water baptism alone; water baptism is for repentance and forgiveness of sin, so that one is ready to receive the gift ,“baptism,” of the Holy Spirit). Blood is symbolic of the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:6; Genesis 9:4; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21).

John Paraphrase:

In the evening of the Sunday of Jesus' resurrection, the disciples were gathered together (probably where they had celebrated the Lord's Supper). They had barred the door, for fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared and stood among them. He offered them peace and then showed them the wounds of crucifixion in his hands and side. They were glad to see Jesus. He offered them his peace again, and told them that he was sending them into the world with the Gospel, as God had sent Jesus. Jesus told them to receive the Holy Spirit (first), and he gave them the authority to forgive or retain the sins of others.

Thomas, one of the Twelve who was called the Twin, wasn't present when Jesus came, so the other disciples told him, but Thomas said that he would not believe them unless he saw and touched the wounds to Jesus' hands and side.

The next week the disciples were gathered together, and Thomas was among them. Again Jesus appeared to them without having the door opened. Again he offered them peace, and then told Thomas to touch the wounds of the nails in his hands and the spear wound in his side. Jesus told Thomas not to be faithless but believing. Thomas answered him saying, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus told Thomas that he had believed because he had seen for himself, but more blessed would be those who believed without having seen.

“Now Jesus did many other signs (miracles revealing who he is) in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book (the Gospel of John; and by implication, the New Testament); but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, believing, you may have (eternal) life in his name” (John 20:30-31).

Commentary:

God is the Creator of the Universe. God has a purpose for this Creation which will be and is being fulfilled. The meaning and purpose of life in this world is for us to seek and come to know and have fellowship with God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27). This lifetime is our only opportunity to learn to trust and obey God's Word, and our only opportunity to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. This is only possible through the “baptism (“anointing;” “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).

Jesus Christ is the horn of salvation who God has raised up for us. The altars built to God in the Old Testament were built with upraised corners like horns, presumably to contain the fire for the burnt offerings. According to the Old Covenant of Law, anyone who had sinned accidentally could receive sanctuary by grabbing hold of a horn of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28). The resurrection of Jesus Christ reveals Jesus as the Messiah, (Christ; God's “anointed” eternal Savior and King).

On the night of Jesus' betrayal and arrest Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times, even to the most menial servant of the high priest (John 18:15-17). Now Peter boldly proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus, without fear, beginning with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13; note verses 14-42). This was now Peter's second public sermon (Acts 3:12-26).

Many who heard Peter were convicted of their sin and believed in the Gospel (Acts 2:37-42). It is important to note that today many people refuse to hear about their sinfulness and their eternal condemnation, and are unmoved by calls to repentance.

The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit refreshes us spiritually and gives us eternal life. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we are spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8). Through the Holy Spirit we have daily personal fellowship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9).

The record of God's dealing with his people, Israel, in the Old Testament, was intended to be a parable, a verbal picture of life in this world. God's saving act of bringing Israel out of slavery and death in Egypt is one example, foreshadowing Jesus' mission as the “New Moses” who brings us out of bondage in the “Egypt” of the present world order, through the “sea” of baptism into Jesus Christ, through the “wilderness” of this present lifetime, through the “river” of physical death (without getting our “feet wet;” i.e. physical death not having any power over us; Joshua 3:14-4:7) and into the eternal Promised Land of God's kingdom in heaven.

Jesus is the descendant of Abraham fulfilling God's promise to bless all nations through him. Jesus is the descendant of David fulfilling God's promise to David of a descendant who would reign on the throne of David forever (2 Samuel 7:5-13; Psalm 89:20-29). Jesus is the only source of true eternal life (John 14:6)

Everyone who believes (trusts and obeys) Jesus is spiritually reborn as a child of God (John 1:12-13), but this is not automatic. We must seek the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit and claim it by faith. Water baptism is the baptism of John the Baptizer (Mark 1:4), the role inherited by the Church, and is intended to give us repentance and forgiveness so that we are ready to receive Jesus Christ through his indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2-6). I personally testify that is my own experience.

We personally experience the love of God for us through his indwelling Holy Spirit, and by the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are able to demonstrate our love for God by our obedient trust in his Word.

This world is fallen in sin from the beginning (Genesis 3:6). God created it perfectly good (Genesis 1:31); but humans have introduced sin (disobedience of God's Word). The bad things that happen in this world are the result of sin.

God's Word declares that we are all sinners, who fall short of God's righteousness (doing what is right, good and true according to God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). God loves us and doesn't want any of us to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). God has designed a Savior into Creation to be the only sacrifice acceptable to God, once for all time and people who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust), for the forgiveness of our sin (Acts 4:12). Only through Jesus Christ by his indwelling Holy Spirit can we overcome the sinful nature we were born with into this world (Romans 8:1-9; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).

Thomas, one of the Twelve original disciples of Jesus Christ was not present when Jesus manifested himself to them. Thomas wanted to see for himself the wounds of crucifixion in order to believe in Jesus' resurrection. Jesus manifested himself to them again eight days later and wanted Thomas specifically to see and touch Jesus so that Thomas could believe.

The eleven remaining of the Twelve (minus Judas Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer) were eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection. Jesus commanded them to wait in Jerusalem (the Church is the modern equivalent, the “New Jerusalem” on earth) until they had received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8) before going into the world carry on Jesus' mission to bring forgiveness and salvation to a spiritually lost and dying world.

No one after Jesus' ascension into heaven would be able to examine and touch Jesus as Thomas had. They were going to have to rely on the eyewitness testimony of the disciples, recorded in the Bible.

God has intentionally given us the freedom to choose whether to believe in him and his Word. So God doesn't force proof upon us. Jesus deliberately usually referred to himself as the Son of man, which was true, but which allowed his hearers to decide for themselves who he is, with a hint from Old Testament prophecy (Daniel 7:13-14).

For those who need proof, in order to believe, there is none! But for those who believe there is abundant proof (John 6:68-69).

I believe that the Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was God's intended replacement of Judas Iscariot, Christ's betrayer. While the disciples were awaiting the gift of the Holy Spirit, they decided to pick a replacement on their own, without realizing the difference the Holy Spirit would make. They chose Matthias by “chance” (like rolling dice), and Matthias was never mentioned again in the Bible. In contrast, after Paul's conversion, most of the rest of the New Testament is by or about him.

Paul is the prototype of a “modern,” “post-resurrection,” “born-again” disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel), and represents what each of us can also be. Paul apparently never knew Jesus during Jesus' physical ministry on earth. Paul was confronted on the road to Damascus where he was intending to persecute Christians (Acts 9:1-9). Paul confessed, repented and accepted Jesus as his Lord (Acts 9:5) and began to obey Jesus (Acts 9:6-9).

Paul was "discipled" by a “born-again” disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-16), until Paul was “reborn (Acts 9:17-18) and then Paul began fulfilling the Great Commission which Jesus had given his disciples to be carried out after they had been filled with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).” Thereafter, Paul was a “born-again” disciple making “born-again” disciples and teaching them to do the same. Timothy is an example. (2 Timothy 1:6-7; 2:2).

Paul, and all truly “born-again” Christians since, have a personal daily fellowship with Jesus, and can personally attest that Jesus is alive and risen from physical death. We have a new and better way of access to Jesus through his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:7). By the indwelling Holy Spirit we have instant access to him personally which is not dependent upon geography or communication equipment. We are spiritual eyewitnesses as much as the original disciples were physical eyewitnesses.

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)?

Monday 2 Easter B
First Posted April 20, 2008; 
Podcast: Monday 2 Easter B

Psalm 139:1-12 – We Cannot Hide from God;

Paraphrase:

Our Lord knows all about us. He knows when we get up and when we sit down. He knows all our thoughts without being near to us. The Lord knows our activities and our resting. He knows what we are going to say before we speak. The Lord tests and disciplines us. His knowledge is far above ours and is unattainable.

Where could one hide from God's Spirit? How could one escape from his presence? God inhabits heaven. Even death and the grave cannot hide us. Even by getting up at dawn we cannot flee from him. Even in taking refuge in the most distant depths of the sea, we cannot escape from the reach of his right hand (Jesus Christ) to lead and guide us. Even if we could command darkness to cover us we cannot escape from his hand, because darkest darkness is not dark for the Lord.

Commentary:

God knows everything about us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we're going to do and say before we do and say it. Yet he loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17).

God disciplines us like a good father disciplines his children, because we really are his children, since he is our Creator, whether we acknowledge him or not. Good human parents intend discipline to be in their children's best interest, but sometimes they make mistakes. God's discipline is perfect, and really is in our very best interest.

Human wisdom changes, like the number of planets in our solar system recently changed. The wisdom of God is perfect and eternal, unlike what the world falsely calls wisdom. God in his most foolishness, is wiser than the greatest wisdom of mankind (1 Corinthians 1:17-31).

In God's wisdom, he designed Creation so that mankind cannot know God through wisdom. The only way to know God is through Jesus Christ, crucified, which seems like foolishness to worldly people (1 Corinthians 1:21; John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

God wants us to know God's eternal wisdom. That wisdom is recorded in God's Word, the Bible, and is fulfilled, embodied and demonstrated to the world in Jesus Christ, the “living Word” (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative power of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Genesis 1:3, 9).

The ultimate fulfillment of divine wisdom is individual and personal, 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). Jesus warns that we must be spiritually “born-again,” (John 3:3, 5-8) and that spiritual rebirth is only by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (See God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).

Through the indwelling Holy Spirit one has personal knowledge of and fellowship with God, our Creator, and with our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, our Comforter and Counselor, who will teach us all things and help us recall to our memory all that Jesus teaches. He opens our minds to understand the Scripture (the Bible; Luke 24:32, 45). The Holy Spirit gives Jesus’ disciples what to say at the moment it is needed (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11-12). I personally testify to these truths.

Discipleship is not an optional category of “super-Christian.” A Christian is by definition a disciple of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c). By that definition, many “Church members” would fail. Jesus warns his followers that it is not those who call themselves Christians, or claim Jesus as their Lord, but only those who trust and obey God's Word, who are saved (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46).

When we begin to trust and obey Jesus as our Lord, we will receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. As we learn to recognize the Holy Spirit's “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12) within us and to trust and obey his guidance we will grow spiritually to ultimate spiritual maturity at the Day of Judgment at the Lord's Second Coming (Philippians 1:6 RSV).

It takes a “born-again” disciple to make “born-again” disciples. How can one who is spiritually, eternally “dead” guide one to discipleship and “rebirth” in Jesus Christ? Yet in many nominal “Churches” today this is the problem. Unless the Church is led by spiritually “reborn” disciples of Jesus Christ, and new believers are discipled unto spiritual rebirth, there will be no “reborn” leaders and “disciplers.” It will be a spiritually dead “Church.”

There is a Day of Judgment coming, when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what we have done in this lifetime. Jesus is the Righteous Judge, and the standard by which all will be judged. He will judge the living (“quickened”) and the dead in both the physical and spiritual senses (1 Peter 4:5). Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “reborn” in this lifetime, and will enter God's eternal kingdom in heaven. But those who have rejected Jesus, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will spend eternity in destruction in hell with all evil, eternally separated from God who is the source and giver of every necessary and good thing (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

The Lord knows each of us completely. We won't be able to hide anything from his knowledge, and there won't be any place for us to hide from his judgment. People will see the signs of Christ's Second Coming and will be fainting with fear but there will be no place to hide (Luke 21:25-27)

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)?

Tuesday 2 Easter B
First Posted April 21, 2009; 
Podcast: Tuesday 2 Easter B

Acts 4:8-12 -- Peter and John Arrested;

Background:

Peter and John had healed a lame man at the gate of the temple and they attracted a crowd. So they proclaimed the Gospel of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and thousands were believing. This angered the religious leaders who were jealous of their influence with the people, and they arrested them, to stand trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court of seventy priests and elders. The court asked them by whose authority or name they had done this healing (Acts 4:1-7).

Paraphrase:

When Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he proclaimed that the healing done to the cripple was by the power of the name (the whole person and character) of Jesus Christ, whom this same court had condemned to crucifixion but whom God had raised from the dead. Jesus is the stone which was rejected by these “builders” but has become the cornerstone or keystone (fulfilling scripture: Psalm 118:22). “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; compare John 14:6).

Commentary:

Jesus had told his disciples that they would have to face trial by various authorities, and that the disciples would be given what to say at the moment it was required, and this was the beginning of that fulfillment (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11-12). Peter had been so afraid on the night of Jesus' betrayal and arrest that he denied knowing Jesus three times, once to the most menial maidservant of the high priest (John 18:15-27). Now that he had received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13), he was boldly proclaiming the Gospel to the court, headed by the high priest, who had condemned Jesus, and had the power to condemn them also.

Jesus' name is not a “magic incantation.” One cannot appropriate supernatural power by invoking Jesus' name. Simply calling Jesus our Lord and calling ourselves “Christians” doesn't make it so, nor save us from eternal condemnation (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46). Jesus warns us that it is not those who call Jesus Lord, but those who trust and obey God's Word, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ who is the “living Word;" the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5,14)

Some itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to use Jesus' name and the name of the apostle Paul to cast out a demon, and the demon acknowledged the power and authority of Jesus and Paul, but not of those exorcists (Acts 19:13-16).

Simon the 'magician” had been converted by the Gospel which Philip, one of the Twelve original disciples, preached in Samaria (Acts 8:9-13). The Christian council in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had received the Gospel, and they sent Peter and John to pray for the new believers to receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, since they had been baptized with water, but had not yet received the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit. The apostles laid their hands upon the new believers and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was conferred by the laying on of the apostles' hands, he sought to buy that power. Peter strongly rebuked him, and he repented (Acts 8:14-24). “Simony” is the name for the purchase of spiritual offices in the Church with money (rather than by the Spirit).

Just adding Jesus' name to the end of our prayers doesn't obligate God to listen to and answer them. God is not obligated to be all that a good, loving, all-powerful God implies, unless we are willing to be his obedient, trusting people (Jeremiah 7:23; Ezekiel 11:20; Leviticus 26:3, 12; see also Jeremiah 11:4c-5).

Christians are, by definition, disciples of Jesus (Acts 11:26c). Discipleship is not an optional category of “super-Christian.” Disciples of Jesus Christ must and will be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, as they trust and obey Jesus' teaching.

Only Jesus gives (“anoints;” “baptizes” with) the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). Jesus warns his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the Church is the “New Jerusalem” on earth) until they have received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), before going out into the world to fulfill the Great Commission: to make (“born-again) disciples of Jesus Christ, and to teach them to trust and obey all that Jesus teaches (Matthew 28:19-20).

We cannot carry out the mission of Christ except by the guidance, empowerment and resources of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6c). The Lord doesn't give the Holy Spirit to people who are not going to trust and obey the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 42:5e; Romans 8:1-9). It takes “born-again” disciples to make “born-again” disciples. If the Church fails to make “born-again” disciples there will be no “born-again” disciples to select for leadership, and that is too often the problem in the “nominal” Church today.

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)?

Wednesday 2 Easter B
First Posted April 22, 2009; 
Podcast: Wednesday 2 Easter B

1 John 1:1-2:2 – Christian Lifestyle

Paraphrase:

The Apostles (Jesus' original disciples; students; who he called to be Apostles; messengers; of the Gospel) were eyewitnesses to the fulfillment of God's plan which was from the beginning of Creation.

That which was from the beginning (the “Word” of God) was revealed to the Apostles. What they had heard (from the Biblical scriptures) they have seen and touched. The (true eternal life) was revealed and the Apostles witnessed it and testify to it. That Word of life was with the Father and was revealed to the Apostles, who proclaim it to others, so that they may have fellowship with believers and with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. And John was writing this testimony so that we may share in the joy of Lord, that our joy may be complete.

This is the message of the Gospel which the Apostles have heard from the Lord and proclaim to all: God is completely good and righteous; there is no evil in him whatsoever. Those who claim to have fellowship with the Lord, but who participate in sin are lying to themselves and to us; they are not living according to truth. But if we walk in the light of God's light we have fellowship with other believers, and are cleansed of all sin 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).

The Apostle has written this so that Christians (in general, and new believers) will not sin; but if we do sin Jesus is our righteous advocate in our behalf with God the Father; Jesus has cleansed and restored us, and all who are willing to accept it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, to fellowship with God (which was broken by sin).

Commentary:

God has designed this Creation from the beginning to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God's Word. In order to allow us free choice whether to trust and obey God, and to allow us the opportunity to learn by trial-and-error, God has allowed the possibility of sin (which is disobedience of God's Word).

God knew that given free choice we would all choose to do our will, rather than God's. So we have all sinned, and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). God's Word declares that the penalty for sin is (eternal) death (Romans 6:23). God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally. He wants us to live eternally with him in paradise (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17).

God has designed the Messiah, God's anointed eternal Savior and King of God's eternal kingdom into the structure of this Creation from the very beginning. Jesus is God's one and only provision for forgiveness of our sin and salvation from eternal destruction (Acts 4:12). Salvation is a free gift, to be received by faith in Jesus, not by doing “good deeds” (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is only one way to know divine, eternal truth, only one way to be restored to fellowship with God which was broken by our sin, and the only way to have true, eternal life (John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).

God has limited this Creation, and we ourselves, by time, because God isn't going to tolerate sin and evil forever. If God allowed sin in his eternal kingdom it wouldn't be paradise.

We are all born physically alive but spiritually dead (unborn). This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) to true, eternal life and 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). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself if one has truly been "born-again" (Acts 19:2).

From the very beginning of Creation the Lord has been progressively revealing his plan for Creation, first through Creation itself, then through the Bible, which is the record of God's dealings with Israel, and through Israel, to all people of the world.

God began to reveal his Messiah (Christ; both mean God's “anointed”), his provision for salvation, when the first man and woman committed the first sin (Genesis 3:15). Throughout the Old Testament God's Word promises the coming of the Messiah.

God began to establish the eternal kingdom of his obedient trusting people with the call of Abraham (Abram; Genesis 12:1-3). The history of God's relationship with Israel is also intended to be a series of parables, metaphors, of life in this world.

The history of the Exodus from slavery in Egypt describes our spiritual condition. We are all in slavery to sin and death in the “Egypt” of the present world order. Jesus is our “Moses” who leads us out of slavery, through the “sea” of baptism into Jesus Christ, and through the wilderness of this present lifetime. Jesus is our “Joshua” who leads us through the “river” of physical death (without getting our “feet wet;” physical death won't have any power over us; Joshua 3:14-17) and into the eternal “Promised Land” of God's eternal kingdom of heaven.

David, the great shepherd-king of Israel prefigures the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14), and the Son of David (Matthew 1:1; 21:9), the eternal heir to the throne of David.

God was preparing Israel for the coming Messiah, but Israel kept forgetting the lessons they had learned about trusting and obeying God's Word. As a result, they were unready to recognize and receive Jesus.

The New Testament is the eyewitness accounts of the fulfillment of God's promised Messiah. The Gospel and Letters of John were written near the end of the First Century A.D., and John was one of the last “eyewitnesses,” writing his testimony so that we might believe (1 John 1:3; John 20:30-31).

Jesus is the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived out in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the light of righteousness (John 1:5; 3:19-21) spiritual enlightenment (John 1:9), and eternal life (John 1:4; John 8:12). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10b, 24) with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Genesis 1:3, 9).

Jesus has risen from physical death to eternal life, and every truly “born-again” disciple of Jesus Christ can testify to that truth, from personal experience! We can say with Peter, that we have believed and have come to know that Jesus has the words of eternal life (John 6:68-69 RSV).

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)?

Thursday 2 Easter B
First Posted April 23, 2009;
Podcast: Thursday 2 Easter B

Luke 24:36-49 -- Jesus Commissions his Disciples;

Paraphrase:

In the evening of the day of Jesus' resurrection, the disciples were together in Jerusalem (probably in the upper room where Jesus ate the Last Supper with them), and Jesus came among them. The disciples were startled and afraid, thinking it was a ghost. Jesus asked them why they were afraid. He showed them the nail marks in his hands and feet. He told them to touch him and see that he had flesh and bones. They could hardly believe for joy and were awe-struck. He asked for something to eat, and they gave him some broiled fish, which he ate.

Then he said that he had told them that all the scriptures in the law of Moses, the prophets and psalms (the Jewish Bible; our Old Testament) about him must be fulfilled. “Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). He told them that the scripture prophesied that the Christ should suffer, and rise from the dead on the third day. “And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). His disciples were to testify to these things (Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection). “And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Then Jesus led them out of the city to Bethany (two miles from Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives). He lifted his hands and blessed them and departed into heaven. And his disciples returned to Jerusalem, filled with great joy, and were in the temple continually, giving thanks and praise to God.

Commentary:

It was Jesus who appeared to his disciples, not some ghost; not the spirit of one who was dead. He had flesh and bones, showing the marks of his crucifixion, and he was able to eat. Jesus was truly alive, but he was able to be present among them without them unbarring the door to let him in (John 20:19, 26). He had the same supernatural power he had during his physical ministry (for example: Matthew 14:25-27).

Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. His disciples were eyewitnesses to the fulfillment of those prophecies. Jesus had told them, at least three times recorded in scripture (Luke 9:22; 44-45; 18:31-33), before the fact, that he would suffer and die, and be raised from physical death to eternal life, and they were witnesses to those facts.

Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures (the Bible). There is a “veil” over the minds of people, preventing them from understanding the scriptures. Only by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus and by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, can that veil be removed (2 Corinthians 3:13-16). The Gospel is spiritually discerned, and unspiritual people cannot understand and accept it (1 Corinthians 2:12-14).

Jesus commanded his disciples to testify to the fulfillment of scripture in Jesus Christ, and to continue the mission of Christ to preach repentance and forgiveness of sin in Jesus' name (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), beginning right where they were, in Jerusalem (the modern equivalent is the Church: the “New Jerusalem” on earth). But note well that they were to await the “baptism” (“anointing;” “gift”) of the Holy Spirit before they carried out that command ( Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).

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

Christians are by definition disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c), who must be “born-again” (John 3:7); not merely “church members.” By that standard there are many nominal “Christians,” who do not qualify. Jesus warns us that it is not those who call Jesus “Lord” or call themselves “Christians” who are saved, but those who know, trust and obey God's Word, (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46), by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the “living Word;” the Word of God fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative power of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Genesis 1:3, 9).

Jesus' disciples had been “discipled” by Jesus, in Jesus' presence constantly, day and night, for three years. Yet they were not ready to go into the world to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ, which is to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins, until they had been filled with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Likewise, we cannot accomplish the mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ except by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6c).

Too often the nominal “Church” today is failing to make “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples of Jesus Christ, and settles instead for making “church members,” “fair weather Christians” who participate if it is convenient and in their perceived interest. Jesus warns that one must be “born-again” in order to see the kingdom of God which is all around us now, and to see (and enter) it ultimately in eternity.

Jesus' disciples were eyewitnesses to Jesus' ascension into heaven. Jesus has promised to return to judge the living (quickened) and dead, in both the physical and spiritual senses (1 Peter 4:5; John 5:28-29). Jesus will return on the Day of Judgment, just like his disciples saw him ascend (Acts 1:9-11).

Jesus will be the judge and the standard of judgment. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord, who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “reborn” and will enter God's eternal kingdom in heaven. We will be caught up in the clouds like Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Those who have rejected Jesus and have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).

Jesus' Second Coming will be with great supernatural power and glory (Matthew 24:30-31). His disciples will rejoice with great joy at his coming. Those who have rejected him will be terrified, but there will be nowhere to escape or hide (Luke 21:25-28).

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)?

Friday 2 Easter B
First Posted April 24, 2009;
Podcast: Friday 2 Easter B

Ezekiel 34:11-16 – The Good Shepherd;

Paraphrase:

The Lord declares that he will seek his sheep as a shepherd seeks his flock when they have been scattered. The Lord will seek and rescue his flock when they have been scattered as on a day of clouds and thick darkness. The Lord will bring them out from the peoples and countries where they have been scattered and bring them into their own land, and will feed them in good pasture on the mountains of Israel. There they will lie down in good grazing land. The Lord himself will be their shepherd. He will give them rest. He will bring back the straying, heal the crippled, strengthen the weak, and guard the fat and strong. He will watch over them and will feed them with justice.

Commentary:

Ezekiel was a prophet to Judah, the remnant of Israel, from just before the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, and during the exile of the people to Babylon in 587 to 517 B.C. God had promised that the exile would last seventy years and that God would gather and bring back his scattered flock (Jeremiah 25:11-12). God did keep his promise, and brought back his scattered flock.

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to be the Good Shepherd of his flock (John 10:11-15). Jesus has been God's plan for forgiveness of our sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10) and salvation from eternal condemnation (Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home) from the beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the only one who seeks to rescue us in the spiritual darkness of this world; who alone can provide us with spiritual food and give us spiritual rest, healing, protection, and justice.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Psalm 23, written by David, the great human shepherd-king of Israel, a thousand years before the physical coming of Jesus Christ. David was deliberately intended by God to prefigure the Messiah. David was a shepherd boy who became the great human shepherd-king of Israel.

Throughout the Bible, God has been progressively revealing his plan and purpose for Creation. The fall of mankind to sin (disobedience of God's Word) was no surprise to God. He had already known and had designed Creation to allow and provide for that situation. God wants us to have the freedom to choose for ourselves whether to trust and obey his Word, and to have the possibility to learn from “trial-and-error” that God's will is our very best interest.

The meaning and purpose of this Creation is to allow us to seek, find and have fellowship with God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible, by God's design, through Jesus Christ. Jesus is God's one and only Savior and eternal king of God's eternal heavenly kingdom, who has been designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14).

We have all been born physically into this world but are spiritually “unborn.” This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life 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). Through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit we have personal daily fellowship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 dealing of God with Israel is historical, but it is also intentionally designed by God to be a series of parables, metaphors, for life in this world. We are all slaves and exiles in the “Babylon” of this world. God has promised to restore us to the eternal Promised Land of his eternal kingdom in heaven.

Seventy years is a lifetime for adults at the beginning of Judah's exile. This lifetime is our opportunity to learn to trust and obey God's Word. At the end of our lifetime Jesus will lead us back from exile and into our Promised Land, if we have learned to trust and obey God's Word. Otherwise, we will die eternally in the “Babylon” of Hell.

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)?

Saturday 2 Easter B
First Posted April 25, 2009;
Podcast: Saturday 2 Easter B

1 Peter 2:21b-25 – Christian Duty;
John 10:11-16 – The Good Shepherd;

1 Peter Paraphrase:

Jesus suffered for us as an example for us to follow. He was perfectly sinless, and did not deceive. When reviled, he did not return reviling. When abused he did not threaten, but left judgment and recompense to God the Father, who judges justly. Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross, so we could die to sin and live for righteousness. Our healing was obtained by his wounds. “For you were straying like sheep, but now have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).

John Paraphrase:

Jesus is the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hireling who doesn't own the sheep flees when he sees the wolf coming, and the wolf grabs and scatters the sheep. The hireling doesn't care about the sheep, so he flees. Jesus is the good shepherd. He knows those who are his sheep, and the sheep know him, just like God the Father knows Jesus and Jesus knows the Father. Jesus lays down his life for his sheep. Jesus has other sheep (Gentiles; non-Jews). Jesus will gather them also and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Commentary:

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises that God himself would be the shepherd of God's people (Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 23:1-6, Ezekiel 34:1-31). Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28), who has risen from physical death to eternal life. Jesus is the Word of God, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in human form (John 1:1-5, 14).

Jesus came to show us, by word and example how to live in obedient trust in God's Word. Jesus came to cleanse us of sin (disobedience of God's Word) by his blood sacrifice on the cross, and to make it possible for us to receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can only satisfy God's standard of righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true, according to God's Word) by the blood of Jesus Christ and the guidance and empowerment 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). If we allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, we are no longer under the condemnation of God's Law (Romans 8:1-11). 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).

We are all eternal beings in physical, temporal bodies. We have all been born into this world physically alive but spiritually “unborn.” This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to true eternal life. This is only possible through the gift (“baptism;” “anointing) of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Only Jesus is able to give life to our eternal souls. Only Jesus can protect us from the enemies of our eternal souls, Satan and his demons.

This lifetime is our only opportunity to learn our Shepherd's voice and to learn to trust and obey him. As we trust and obey Jesus we will learn that his word is absolutely reliable and true. We will learn that he is abundantly able to spiritually heal, feed, protect and guide us.

Jesus fulfilled his promise to lay down his life for his sheep. The Church is the one flock, of both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) and Jesus is our one and only shepherd. Jesus wants to gather all of us into that one flock; the ones who are not in his flock are those who refuse or fail to trust and obey Jesus' voice (Matthew 23:37-39).

There are false shepherds in the world and even in the Church today, as there were in the time of Jesus' physical ministry. There is only one “good shepherd,” Jesus Christ. There are enemies of our souls who disguise themselves as “sheep” (Matthew 7:15-20).

The Bible is the standard by which we can discern truth from false teaching. Satan can quote scripture (Matthew 4:3-11). We need to know the Bible in order to avoid being deceived.

Knowing the Bible doesn't require formal or arduous study. Anyone can easily read the entire Bible in one year. Everyone should set aside a specific time each day to begin to read the Bible, with mediation and prayer. Once one has finished reading the entire Bible, there are other schedules for daily devotions that can be used (see free Bible Study tools, 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)?