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