Week of 2 Easter - C - 04/07 - 13/2013

Week of 2 Easter - C

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:

http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/ (Please bookmark this link).

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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 - C
Sunday 2 Easter - C
First posted April 11, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 2 Easter - C

Psalm 149 – Festival Celebration;
Acts 5:12, 17-32 – Apostles Arrested;
Revelation 1:4-18 – Preparatory Vision;
Matthew 28:1-15 – Easter Morning;
John 20:19-31 – Jesus Appears to His Disciples;

Psalm 149 Paraphrase:

Let us praise the Lord! Let us sing a new song of praise to him in the congregation of the faithful! Let Israel (the people of God; the Church) rejoice in his maker. Let the sons of Zion (the city of God on earth; the Church) rejoice in their king. Let us praise his name (his whole person and character) with dancing accompanied by the music of tambourine and harp. The Lord delights in his people, and clothes the humble in victory. Let his faithful ones exalt in glory; let them rejoice on their beds. May their throats be filled with God's praises and their hands wield two-edged swords to inflict vengeance upon worldly nations and chastisement upon worldly people, to bind worldly kings with chains  and worldly nobles with iron shackles; to execute the written judgment upon them. In this all his faithful ones will be glorified. Praise the Lord!

Acts 5:12, 17-32 Paraphrase:

The apostles (Jesus' original Twelve disciples minus Judas the betrayer) were together in Solomon's Portico (a remnant of Solomon's temple left  when the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, on the east side of the rebuilt temple). The apostles were doing many miracles among the people.

But the high priest and the party of the Sadduccees (one of the ruling parties of the Jews; members of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court of seventy elders) were filled with jealousy and had the apostles arrested and put in prison. That night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison door and led them out. The angel told them to return to the temple and preach the words of “this Life” (the Gospel), so they entered the temple at dawn and resumed teaching.

The high priest and Sadducees gathered the council of elders (the Sanhedrin) and sent to the prison to have the apostles brought before the council. But the officers who had been sent didn't find the apostles in the prison, so they returned and reported to the council that they had found the prison securely locked and guarded, but that there was no one inside.

The Jewish leaders were very puzzled and wondered how this would turn out. Then someone came and reported that the missing apostles were in the temple teaching the people. The captain and temple guards went and brought the apostles to the council, without treating them violently, because the guards were afraid the people would stone them.

When the apostles were delivered to the council, the high priest questioned them, saying that the council had strictly commanded them not to teach in [Jesus'] name, and yet the apostles had filled Jerusalem with their teaching. He accused them of trying to  make the Jews accountable for shedding Jesus' blood. But Peter and the other apostles answered: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

The apostles said that the Jews had killed Jesus by hanging him on a “tree” (a pole made from a tree-trunk to which a crossbeam was attached), but the God of the Jewish patriarchs raised Jesus from physical death and exalted him at God's right hand as Lord (King) and Savior to provide Israel with repentance and forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word). “And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit which God has given to those who obey him.

Revelation 1:4-18 Paraphrase:

The Apostle John was writing to the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (Asia Minor; present-day Turkey). Grace and peace (the traditional Greek and Hebrew salutations, respectively, which are only attainable through Jesus Christ) from God who always was, who is, and who always will be ("I AM;" Exodus 3:14), and from the the seven angels who are before the throne [or the fullness; completeness of the Holy Spirit] and from Jesus Christ, who is (eternally alive), who always was (from the foundation of the world: John 1:1-3), and who is to come again at the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-32; John 5:28-29). Jesus is the faithful witness (who obeyed God's will unto death on the cross), the first-born from the dead and the ruler of earthly kings.

Give eternal glory and dominion to him [Jesus] who loves us and has freed us from sin (disobedience of God's Word) and eternal death (which is the penalty for sin) by his blood (shed on the cross; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home), and has made us a kingdom of priests of his God and Father. Amen!

Watch! He is coming on the clouds (Acts 1:9-11). Every eye will see him, everyone who pierced him and every tribe of earth will mourn on his account. Nevertheless, so be it!

The Lord God is the “Alpha and Omega” (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet), the one who is, who always was, and always will be, the Almighty.

John is the brother of all believers. All of us will suffer tribulation, and share in the kingdom of God (now and in eternity) in Jesus Christ, and all will need patient endurance. John was exiled to the isle of Patmos in the Agean Sea, because of his proclamation of God's Word and his testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day (Sunday) he was filled with the Holy Spirit and heard a loud voice behind him as loud as a trumpet, commanding him to write down in a book what he was about to see in visions, to send to the seven churches in Asia, to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

He turned in the perceived direction of the voice and saw seven lampstands of gold. In their midst he saw one with the appearance of a “son of man” (compare Daniel 7:13-14) whose clothing is symbolic of royalty, eternity, wisdom and immutability. The Son of man held seven stars in his right hand, a sharp two-edged sword came forth from his mouth, and his face shown like the sun at full strength.

John fainted with fear at his feet, but the Son of man put his right hand upon John and told him not to be afraid. He declared that he is the first and last (Acts 1:8), he is the living one who died physically and rose to eternal life. He has the keys to death and Hell (the word used means kingdom of the dead). He commanded John to write the visions he sees, both what now is, and what is to take place hereafter. The seven lampstands symbolize the seven churches, and the seven stars symbolize the seven angels assigned to them.

Matthew 28:1-15 Paraphrase:

After the Jewish Sabbath (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) early on the first day of the week (Monday, at dawn), Mary Magdalene and the “other” Mary (the sister of Jesus' mother, the wife of Clopas and mother of “little” James), went to the tomb to prepare Jesus' body for burial. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone sealing the tomb, and sat upon it. The angel's appearance was supernaturally bright like lightening and his clothing was as white as snow. Guards posted at the tomb were paralyzed with fear. The angel told the women to not be afraid; he knew they were looking for Jesus but that Jesus was no longer there, for he had risen as Jesus had told them.

The angel told the women to see where Jesus had been laid, that was now empty, and then to go to the disciples and tell them that Jesus had risen from the dead and that they would see him in Galilee. The angel had delivered the message he'd been given for them. So the women left the tomb and hurried to tell the disciples.

On the way Jesus came to them and said, “Hello!” The women fell at his feet, took hold of them and worshiped him. Then Jesus told them not to be afraid; they were to go and tell the disciples to go to Galilee where they would see Jesus.

While the women were going to the disciples, the guards went into Jerusalem and told the Jewish leaders what had taken place. The leaders convened the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin, and the council decided to bribe the guards with money and protection from the Roman civil government, and told the guards to say that the disciples had removed Jesus' body while the guards were asleep on duty. The guards took the money and assurance and did as the council told them; and this story was circulating among the people at the time this Gospel was written (probably in the last third of the first century A.D.).

John 20:19-31 Paraphrase:

On the evening of the first Easter Sunday the disciples were were in the upper room (where they had shared the Last Supper with Jesus) and the doors were locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared and stood among them, saying “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). Then Jesus showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were happy when they saw the Lord. Jesus again offered his peace to them and told them that he was sending them as the Father had sent Jesus. Then he breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. He told them they had the responsibility to forgive or retain the sins of anyone.

Thomas, one of the Twelve original disciples, called the Twin, was not present when Jesus appeared. So when the other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord, he replied that he would not believe unless he could see and touch the nail marks in Jesus' hands and touch the spear wound in Jesus' side.

Eight days later the disciples were again in the upper room, and Thomas was also there. Again Jesus appeared and stood among them. Again he offered them his peace, and then he told Thomas to touch the wounds in Jesus' hands and side, so that Thomas would not be faithless, but believing. Thomas said, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus replied that Thomas had believed because he had seen Jesus; but those who believe without seeing will be blessed. There are many other miracles which Jesus did which are not recorded in this book (the Gospel of John), but the ones that are recorded here were written in order for its readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God, and that through believing they may have life in Jesus' name.

Commentary:

“The Word of God is living (“quickened”) and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). It is the weapon of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:17). The indwelling Holy Spirit will help “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples recall all Jesus' teachings (Acts 14:26) and give us what to say at the moment it's needed (Luke 21:11-1221:13-15). It is by the Word of God that worldly nations and people will be chastised, and worldly kings and nobles will be restrained.

We cannot accomplish God's purpose in our own human strength, but only by the guidance and empowerment of the “baptism” (gift) of the indwelling Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the Church is the modern equivalent) until they had been “born-again, before going into the world with the Gospel (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).

The Holy Spirit cannot recall to our memory what we have not read. To equip ourselves with the sword of the Spirit we must read the entire Bible at least once, and then we must read portions daily with meditation and prayer, with a lectionary such as this, which will help us prepare for Sunday worship.

Any average reader can easily read the entire Bible in one year. There are numerous one-year reading plans available. I favor ones which include portions of Old and New Testaments each day (see free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right, home).

It is by the “baptism" of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we are spiritually “born-again.” Only Jesus “baptizes” with the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The infilling with the Holy Spirit is not automatically conferred by some Church ritual such as water baptism (see False Teachings, sidebar, top right, home). The “baptism” of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible ongoing event (Acts 19:2).

Worldly rulers tried to restrain the Apostles from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but it was not God's will for them to be restrained. The angel (or Spirit) of the Lord released them from imprisonment, guided and empowered them to return to the temple to continue preaching Jesus, and gave them what to say before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council of seventy elders. When the rulings of worldly authorities conflict with the Word of God we must obey God rather than men.

Jesus' miracles of resurrection and his own resurrection were intended to show that there is existence beyond physical death, and that Jesus can raise the physically dead to eternal life. Jesus is the pioneer who “blazed the trail” to eternal life (Hebrews 2:10-11). He is the first-born from physical death to eternal life. Jesus is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, and nations, and people and worldly rulers and nobles will be accountable to him on the Day of Judgment at Christ's return (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

The Day of Judgment will come for everyone who has ever lived in this world. Christ will come on the clouds of heaven as he ascended into heaven. This world began with God and will end with God (John 1:1-5, 14).

“Born-again” Christians are called to be a kingdom of priests of God the Father. We are to be mediators between God and mankind. We have an obligation to proclaim the full Gospel, both the wonderful promises and the fearsome warnings, so that mankind will repent of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and turn to the Lord in obedient trust.

Jesus usually referred to himself as the Son of man, which is true because he had a human mother. He is Son of God because he was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:31-35) and has the fullness of God within him (Colossians 2:8-9). Jesus referred to himself as the Son of man so that the listeners could decide for themselves who Jesus is, with a hint from Daniel 7:13-14.

The sharp two-edged sword coming forth from the mouth of Jesus in John's vision symbolizes the Word of God. Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:14).

On the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9), Jesus' face and his clothing became supernaturally luminous with the glory he had in heaven before his coming and the glory he had when he ascended.

Moses is the forerunner and preview of the Christ, the mediator between God and his people. When Moses had been in God's presence on Mt. Sinai (Horeb), his face shone with supernatural radiance, so that the people were afraid to see it (Exodus 34:29-35).

When God's face “shines upon us” it is a sign of his favor. We receive the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

The face and clothing of the angel at the tomb also were supernaturally luminescent, indicating that he had come from the presence of God in heaven.

Jesus had told his disciples at least three times beforehand that they were going to Jerusalem where Jesus would be arrested, crucified, buried and then rise from the dead on the third day (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-3; 20:17-19), but they didn't understand and were afraid to ask (Luke 18:31-34), so they did not remember these sayings of Jesus until the angel reminded the women at the tomb. They didn't remember that Jesus had told them beforehand that they would see him in Galilee after his resurrection (Matthew 26:31-32), until the angel reminded the women. Even then the disciples were slow to believe the women's testimony (Luke 24:10-11).

The Jewish leaders had asked Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor, to post guards at the tomb to prevent the disciples from faking Jesus' resurrection. When their best efforts failed to prevent Jesus' resurrection, the Jewish leaders then bribed the guards to spread the lie that this is what had happened. To this day there are heresies spread in the world and even within the Church, denying Jesus' resurrection. For example, some suggest that Jesus wasn't actually dead, and revived in the cool tomb. Some suggest that it was not necessary for Jesus to actually rise from the dead.

Paul refutes these types of heresies, which were present in the first-century church and persist to this day, in 1 Corinthians 15:1-28. Furthermore, every truly “born-again” Christian has personally experienced the risen Christ and testifies that Jesus is eternally alive.

After the crucifixion, the disciples were in hiding behind closed doors, afraid that the Jewish leaders would have them crucified next. They had barred the doors, but that didn't prevent Jesus from appearing among them any more than posting guards and sealing the tomb could prevent his resurrection.

Jesus told his disciples that he was sending them to complete the mission which God had sent Jesus to begin. He told them to wait and receive the Holy Spirit first (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).

He told them it was their responsibility to forgive sins or retain them. To the repentant they are to pronounce forgiveness; but to the unrepentant, they are to excommunicate them from Church membership so that they can realize their sinful condition and receive forgiveness through repentance, and then return to obedient trust in God's Word.

Too often the nominal Church today tolerates sin among its membership, such as homosexuality and adultery, even among its ordained clergy. The Church is not doing its members or leaders any favor by tolerating sin. As long as an unrepentant sinner is a member in good standing he (or she) has tacit (implied; inferred) Church approval, and has no reason to repent and change his (or her) lifestyle.

Jesus gave instructions on Church discipline to his disciples (Matthew 18:15-18), Peter's rebuke of Simon the magician (Acts 8:9-24),and his rebuke of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), for example. Paul demonstrated Church discipline in dealing with immorality in the Corinthian Church in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5.

Thomas and the other disciples had witnessed Jesus' miracles of resurrection of the dead, most notably Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:38-44). I presume that Lazarus did eventually die physically again and was ultimately raised to eternal life. Still, Thomas refused to believe Jesus' resurrection without seeing physical proof.

Jesus doesn't want us to be unbelieving and thus lose eternal life. We haven't had the opportunity to witness Jesus' miracles during Jesus' earthly ministry, but we can still witness his resurrection and his miracles worked for us in our lives, if we will trust the eyewitness testimony in the New Testament and begin to trust and obey Jesus' teachings.

As we do so he will manifest himself to us (John 14:21). We will come to know personally with certainty for ourselves that he is risen indeed, and is eternally alive. As we walk in obedient trust in the Holy Spirit we will experience numerous healing, feeding, and redeeming miracles in our life (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right, home).

Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 14:8-11; John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative power of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; compare Genesis 1:3, 9). When Thomas declared that Jesus is his Lord and God, Jesus did not deny or correct it. In contrast, when Paul and Barnabas were mistaken for gods in Lystra on Paul's first missionary journey they refused the designation (Acts 14:8-18).

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 - C
First posted April 12, 2010;
Podcast: Monday 2 Easter - C

Psalm 30 – Thanksgiving for Healing;

Paraphrase:

I will praise and magnify you, O Lord, since you have lifted me up and not allowed my enemies to rejoice over me. When I cried to you for help, you healed me. You have raised up my soul from the land of the dead and restored me to life from the grave.

Let all his saints (those who are committed to God's service) give thanks and praise to the Lord. His anger is only momentary, but his favor is for a lifetime. Sorrow may linger for a night, but joy comes with the morning. When I was prosperous, I thought I couldn't be shaken. The Lord's favor had made me as strong as a mountain. Then the Lord hid his face, and I was undone.

I cried and made supplication to the Lord. How would my death glorify the Lord? Would my dust praise him? Would my dust testify to his faithfulness? O Lord, hear my cry and be gracious to  me. Be my helper.

You have turned my mourning into dancing. You have changed my sackcloth to clothing of gladness. My soul must praise you and not be silent. I will give thanks to you for ever, O Lord!

Commentary:

When things are going well for us we tend to think that we have God's favor and that we deserve it. None are worthy of God's favor. We have it only because of God's steadfast love and faithfulness.

Only God can save us from our spiritual enemies. It is only when we acknowledge this and cry to God for help that we can be lifted up above their power. Our spiritual enemy, who is ultimately Satan, seeks our eternal death. Only Jesus can save us from eternal death and give us eternal life (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).

God disciplines us for our good, like any good father. For the moment all discipline is painful, but his discipline yields eternal benefits (Hebrews 12:11). God's promise is that, if we will endure through the long night of mourning, we will experience his eternal joy.

When we are successful we consider it our own deserved achievement. The Lord lifts his favor and protection and allows us to experience our vulnerability so that we will realize our need for him. We need to learn to call upon him in difficult times.

The Lord wants us to call upon him in times of trouble so that we can experience his power and ability to help us. As we do so, he causes our faith to grow from a tiny mustardseed, our “yes,” to informed certainty.

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 - C
First posted April 13, 2010;
Podcast: Tuesday 2 Easter - C

Acts 9:1-20 – Paul's Conversion;

Paraphrase:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus), hating, and threatening the disciples of Jesus with murder, asked the high priest for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, authorizing Paul to arrest followers of the Way (one of the earliest names for Christianity; see John 14:6) and bring them them to Jerusalem. As he approached Damascus he was struck down by a bright light. He heard a voice addressing him as Saul, and asking why Saul was persecuting him. Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord” (Acts 1:5a)?

The voice replied that it was Jesus, who Saul was persecuting. The voice of Jesus told Saul to arise and go into the city and he would be told what to do. The men accompanying Saul heard the voice but saw no one and were speechless. Saul arose, but when he opened his eyes he wasn't able to see anything, so his traveling companions led him into Damascus by his hand. For three days Saul was blind, and ate or drank nothing.

At Damascus there was a (“born-again”) disciple, Ananias. The Lord called to him by name and told Ananias to go to Straight Street, to the house of Judas and ask for Saul of Tarsus, who was staying there. Saul had seen a vision of a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on Saul and restore his sight.

Ananias replied that he had heard that Saul had done much evil to Christians at Jerusalem, and that he knew Saul had come to Damascus with authority from the high priests to arrest Christians. But the Lord told Ananias to go, because the Lord had chosen Saul to be his instrument to carry the Lord's name to the Gentiles, earthly kings, and the children of Israel; and Saul would suffer much for the sake of Jesus' name.

So Ananias went and entered the house where Saul was staying, saying to Saul that he had come to restore his sight and help him be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he was able to see again. Then he arose and was baptized, ate food, and was strengthened. For several days he was among the disciples at Damascus and immediately proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God.

Commentary:

I'm convinced that Paul is the one intended by God to replace Judas Iscariot, the one of the original Twelve disciples and apostles; Judas had betrayed Jesus. The Eleven remaining disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the “baptism” (“gift;” “anointing”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit. While they were waiting they decided to choose one to replace Judas, but they didn't have the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. They chose Mattias by chance; like rolling dice (Acts 1:15-26). Matthias was never heard from again in the New Testament record. In contrast, after Paul's conversion, most of the rest of the New Testament is written by or about Paul.

Paul is the prototype and illustration of a “modern, post-resurrection, born-again” disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ, as all of us can and should be. He didn't know Jesus during Jesus' physical ministry on earth. He was confronted by the Holy Spirit of the risen and ascended Jesus (Acts 1:4), he accepted Jesus as Lord (Acts 1:5a), became obedient to Jesus (Acts 1:6-8) repented of his sin (Acts 1:9), was discipled by a “born-again” disciple, Ananias (Acts 1:10-17), was “born-again” (Acts 1:18) and then began proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:20). I know that Ananias was a “born-again” disciple of Jesus Christ because he had a personal relationship with the Lord (Acts 1:10).

Paul was as much an Apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) as the original Eleven). He was fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) which was given to the disciples of Jesus Christ to be fulfilled after they had been “born-again” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). He was making “born-again” disciples (2 Timothy 1:6-7) and teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

Too often, the nominal Church today is failing to make “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ and is settling for making members, “fair-weather” “Christians,” and building “buildings” instead of building the Kingdom of God. If the Church doesn't make “born-again” disciples there will be no “born-again” leaders. It takes “born-again” disciples to make “born-again” disciples. If one knew how to be “born-again” one would not be unregenerate (un-reborn).

The Church has inherited the role of John the Baptizer, to call people to repent and be baptized with water for the forgiveness of sins, to cleanse them spiritually to prepare them to receive Jesus Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible ongoing event (Acts 19:2).

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 - C
First posted April 14, 2010;
Podcast: Wednesday 2 Easter - C

Revelation 5:11-14 – Worthy is the Lamb;

Paraphrase:

The Apostle John had a vision of God on his throne. Around the throne were twenty-four elders (symbolizing the twelve Old Testament patriarchs, and the twelve New Testament Apostles). There were four living creatures at the sides of the throne (perhaps symbolizing man and all creatures) with six wings, constantly singing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:1-11; Compare Isaiah 6:2-3).

Around the throne were myriads (ten thousands; a large number) of myriads and thousands of thousands (a number too large to be calculated) of angels, saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing (seven-fold praise; seven indicates perfection, completeness). John heard every creature in heaven and on earth declare that both God and the Lamb are equally worthy of eternal praise. The four living creatures said, “Amen” (so be it) and the elders fell down and worshiped God and the Lamb.

Commentary:

This is the Apostle John's vision of the risen and ascended Jesus at the right hand of God in heaven [the second article of the Apostle's Creed, the statement of the Biblical (as recorded in the New Testament) Apostolic (as received directly from Jesus and taught by the original Apostles, including Paul) doctrine (the basic tenets of Christian faith); Acts 2:34].

The Church is the “New Israel” (people of God), the “New Jerusalem” (city of God on earth), the heir of the Old Testament patriarchs; Galatians 3:6-9). Jesus is the “New Moses,” the mediator of the New Covenant (Testament) of Grace which is received by faith in Jesus Christ, which Jesus initiated on the night of his betrayal and arrest (Matthew 26:26-29). The Last Supper (Holy Communion; Eucharist) is the “New Feast of Passover.”

Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of Passover, the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins (disobedience of God's Word; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home) whose flesh provides the spiritual feast and whose blood marks believers to be “passed over” by the destroying angel (Exodus 12:1-14). Jesus' Apostles (the Eleven of the original Twelve, minus Judas Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer, plus Paul -Saul of Tarsus- the “modern, post-resurrection, born-again disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ, whom God intended to be Judas' replacement) are the patriarchs of the “New Israel,” the “New Covenant.”

There is a Day coming when every tongue, in heaven and on earth, will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God (Philippians 2:9-11). This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and come to find and have fellowship with God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through Jesus Christ, by the “baptism” (“gift;” “anointing;” “infilling”) 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).

God has designed this lifetime so that we have the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God's Word or not, and the opportunity to learn by trial-and-error that God's will is our best interest. Right now we have the freedom to reject Jesus as Lord, and to refuse to trust and obey him, but there is a Day coming when he will command and we will have no choice but to obey.

In that Day we will declare that he is the Lord, but it will be too late to change our eternal destiny. If we have rejected him as Lord and have refused to trust and obey him now, during this lifetime, we will spend eternity separated from his love and providence in eternal destruction in Hell with all evil.

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 - C
First posted April 15, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday 2 Easter - C

John 21:1-14 – Risen Jesus in Galilee;

Paraphrase:

After appearing to the disciples in Jerusalem (John 20:19-29), Jesus revealed himself to the disciples in Galilee as he had said (Matthew 26:32;  28:7), at the Sea of Tiberius (Sea of Galilee). Seven of his disciples were together: Peter, Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Peter decided to go fishing, and the others came with him.

After the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus stood on the beach at dawn, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus asked them if they had caught anything and they told him they hadn't. Jesus told them to let down the net on the right side of the boat and they would find some. When they did so, their nets were filled so that they were unable to haul them in because of the weight of the fish. Then “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John) recognized Jesus and told the others that it was the Lord. When Peter heard this he put on his clothes, since he had stripped for work, and jumped into the sea. The others came in the boat dragging the net, since they were only about a hundred yards off.

When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus told them to bring some of the fish they had just caught. So Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, filled with one hundred and fifty-three large fish. Despite the number and weight of fish the net was not torn. Jesus told them to come and eat breakfast. Everyone knew it was Jesus and none needed to ask. Jesus took bread and fish and distributed it to them. For the third time, Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples since his resurrection.

Commentary:

This moment of fellowship with the risen Jesus is reminiscent of the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-14), and both are previews of the fellowship we will have with Jesus in heaven. The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion; Eucharist) is a foretaste of the fulfillment of the New Passover feast in heaven.

Jesus' miracles of physical feeding (and healing) were intended to show that he can feed (and heal) us spiritually. Physical feeding only lasts until the next mealtime; physical healing only lasts until the next time we get sick. But spiritual feeding and healing last for eternity.

Many people were coming to Jesus only for what he could do for them physically. The five thousand who were fed with the five barley loves and two fish wanted to take Jesus by force to make him their “food king” (John 6:15). When they couldn't find Jesus they went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee looking for him, seeking more free bread and fish (John 6:26-27).

God's Word declares that we are all sinners who fall short of God's standard of righteousness (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). Jesus is God's one and only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). Unless and until we recognize and acknowledge our sinfulness, we cannot seek and receive the spiritual healing and feeding which only Jesus can supply.

The disciples had learned to trust and obey Jesus and had experienced his supernatural power and faithfulness. They were experienced fishermen with long experience fishing the Sea of Galilee. They'd fished all night and caught nothing. Why should they obey Jesus' command to let down their nets again?

We can't receive the blessings that Jesus wants to give us unless we are willing to trust and obey Jesus. Jesus asks why we call him our Lord if we are unwilling to trust and obey his commands (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46).

Faith is not getting whatever we believe if we believe “hard enough.” Faith is not “wishing on a star” or on birthday candles. Saving faith is only by obedient trust in Jesus Christ.

The risen Jesus appears to his disciples who trust and obey him today. Every truly “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple of Jesus Christ testifies to this truth. Jesus promises that if we love him we will keep his commandments and he will manifest himself to us through his indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (“baptizes with;” John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible ongoing experience (Acts 19:2). 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)?

Friday 2 Easter - C
First posted April 16, 2010;
Podcast: Friday 2 Easter - C

1 Peter 2:21-25 – Call to Discipleship;

Paraphrase:

Christians are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who suffered for us. So we also endure suffering for the sake of the Gospel, to save the lost. Jesus was completely sinless (Hebrews 4:15); he did not lie; he did not revile those who reviled him. When he suffered he did not make threats; instead he entrusted his cause to God the Father who judges justly. He took upon himself, on the cross, the punishment for our sins, so that, having died to sin, we might live for righteousness. Through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, we have been healed by the wounds he received. We had all gone astray, but have now returned to our Shepherd, who is the guardian of our souls.

Commentary:

Christians are by definition disciples (students) of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who have been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the “baptism” of the 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 “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible ongoing experience (Acts 19:2).

Jesus' physical ministry was intended to show us by word and example how to live in obedient trust in God's Word. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate obedient trust by submitting to the most excruciatingly (Merriam-Webster: Latin: “from crucifixion; from the cross) painful death, on the cross. Crucifixion represents the ultimate painful physical death by torture.

Jesus' resurrection from the dead demonstrates that there is existence beyond this physical lifetime, and that God is able to save us even from physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15). We are not to pursue justice for ourselves, because we can't know everything, and cannot judge justly.

God's justice doesn't strike us dead the first time we sin. He doesn't want anyone to perish eternally but for all to be saved and have eternal life (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right, home). He has designed this world so that we have freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God's Word or not, and the opportunity to learn by trial and error that God's way is our best interest.

The Lord forgives us over and over, as often as we need forgiveness, provided that we are making an effort to trust and obey his Word; but we cannot deceive him. He knows our innermost thoughts and attitudes. He knows when we're not making a serious effort to know and do his will. The danger is that we may become callous to the promptings of our conscience, and that we may postpone commitment until it is too late (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

There is a Day of Judgment coming when Christ will return to Judge the living (“quickened”) and dead in both physical and spiritual senses (Matthew 25:31-46). Everyone who has ever lived in this world will be accountable to him for what we have done with the Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “born-again” in this lifetime and will enter eternal life in God's eternal kingdom in heaven. Those who have refused to accept Jesus as Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (John 5:28-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

We are all eternal beings in physical bodies. We will spend eternity in only one of two places: God's Kingdom restored to perfect paradise in Heaven with the Lord, or Hell; “outer darkness,” with all evil, eternally separated from the Lord. We have had the opportunity to learn in this lifetime that God is the source of every blessing. We are healed and fed physically and spiritually by God's providence and grace (unmerited favor; a free gift).

Imagine what eternity will be for those who are eternally separated from that grace and providence of God. Physical bodies fail and decay, but those who have not been spiritually “born-again” have no eternal spiritual body in which to continue in eternity. They will be cut off eternally from all the love, grace and providence of God, and will only experience anguish, suffering and grief for all eternity. Furthermore they will be fully aware of what great blessings they have lost.

Excruciating physical death by crucifixion cannot begin to compare to the eternal agony of destruction in Hell. Would you rather spend three hours dying physically on the cross, with the assurance of eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom, or dying an even more excruciating spiritual death which will never end?

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 - C
First posted April 17, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 2 Easter - C

John 10:11-16 – The Good Shepherd;

Paraphrase:

Jesus declared that he is the Good Shepherd, who gives his life for his sheep. A hired servant has no concern for the sheep. Seeing the wolf coming, he abandons them and flees, and the wolf snatches and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees because he has no emotional or material investment in the sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd; he knows each of his sheep and they know him. Jesus has other sheep (the Gentiles) who are not of this fold (the Jews). Jesus' sheep, both Jew and Gentile, will obey his voice and will be one flock, and Jesus will be their one and only shepherd.

Commentary:

From the very beginning of Creation, God has designed a Savior, the Good Shepherd, into Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). The promise of a shepherd-king was prefigured and demonstrated in David, the great human shepherd-king of Israel. The promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Psalm 23; 80:1-3; Isaiah 40:10-11; Ezekiel 37:23-24; John 10:11), the Son (descendant) of David (Matthew 1:1; 21:9, 15; 22:42-43).

Jesus' sheep are disciples of Jesus who trust and obey Jesus and have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the “baptism” of the 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 “baptism” of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible ongoing event (Acts 19:2).

By the gift (“baptism;” “anointing”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have a daily personal fellowship with the risen and ascended Jesus. We learn to recognize his voice and to trust and obey his commands. His indwelling Holy Spirit within us acknowledges that he knows us.

There is no longer a special category of God's particular people. Everyone who has been”born-again” by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit is one of Jesus' flock.

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)?