Daily Devotion

What is important?

2012-01-30T09:07:00.000-06:00

January 30, 2012

The Life of Jesus; read today: "Behold your mother."; John 19:25-27

ESV: John Chapter 19

[25] but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, Woman, behold, your son! [27] Then he said to the disciple, Behold, your mother! And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Jesus second words from the cross can be a mystery at first. He tells His mother that the disciple John is her son and tells John that Mary is his mother. It would almost seem that He was slightly delirious. History tells us Jesus had two brothers so why would Jesus let them take care of Mary?

History also tells us that they did not believe in Jesus statements that He was the son of God. While they would be responsible for for her physical needs they obviously could not take care of her spiritual needs. Jesus was saying from the cross what I need to hear today. The spiritual needs are always more important than the physical needs . Physical needs are important but they should never be more important than the spiritual. Something that I need to reinforce in my life.

Read for next time: Multitudes mock Jesus; Matthew 27:39-43; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35-37

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Dignity

2012-01-11T23:55:00.002-06:00

January 11, 2012
The Life of Jesus; read today: Soldiers divide the garments of Jesus; Matthew 27:35-36; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24

ABP: Mark 15:24. And having crucified him, they divided his garments, casting a lot over them, who should take what.

I learned in reading the commentaries for this verse, that the garments of the condemned man were considered the wages for the solders who did the execution. They would throw the lots and see which man got to choose first, second, etc. So this was a common occurrence at this time.

I can get a picture of what is happening here. Jesus is up on the cross, looking down on the men who have stripped Him and now are throwing dice to divide up his clothing. What little dignity He may have had was now gone. Jesus just gave it all.

A few night ago, my wife corrected my actions in front of the children. I felt that she had embarrassed me in front of the kids so I blew up and let her know my feelings. I guess my dignity was at stake here. I wonder when I will be more like Jesus and not let my emotions get in the way.

Read for next time: "Behold your mother."; John 19:25-27

Forgive them

2012-01-10T23:56:00.001-06:00

January 8, 2012
The Life of Jesus; read today: "Forgive them…"; Luke 23:34

Common: Luke 23:34. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they divided his garments and cast lots.

The first of Jesus sentences as He was on the cross. The sins that I have done are what is holding Him there, though logic would tell you it was the nails, it way my sin.

So He spoke to the Father about what was happeing. Forgive them, they do not know what they are doing here. They did not. Though they knew the scritpures, they did not realize what they meant. So Jesus spoke to that, forgive them.

Or was He talking about them? Was He looking down through the centuries to where I live today. When I want what I want and do what I need to make myself happy, and I pound that nail in a little harder, was Jesus looking at me and saying, 'Forgive him, he does not know what he is doing."

Read for next time: Soldiers divide the garments of Jesus; Matthew 27:35-36; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24

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What he wrote...

2012-01-08T01:11:00.003-06:00

January 8, 2012
The Life of Jesus; read today: Inscription written by Pilate; Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19-22

BBE: John Chapter 19
[19] And Pilate put on the cross a statement in writing. The writing was: JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
[20] The writing was seen by a number of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was put to death on the cross was near the town; and the writing was in Hebrew and Latin and Greek.

The Jewish leaders got mad at Pilate. They wanted him to change the words, and he would not. He said that what he had written was what he had written. The words are important. They tell us what Pilate thought of Jesus. yes, Pilate had to kill Jesus, there could be no king but Cesar, and he realized the Jewish leaders could have let this go, so he told them that as far as he was concerned, yes, Jesus was king of the Jews.

And He was, and it was said in all the languages.

And Pilate did what I should do. Declare Jesus kingdom to all that will listen.

Read for next time: "Forgive them…"; Luke 23:34

The center spot

2012-01-07T11:30:00.001-06:00

January 7, 2012
The Life of Jesus; read today: 2 robbers are crucified with Jesus; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27-28; Luke 23:33; John 19:18

ESV: John 19:18. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

What significance would it be that Jesus was hung in the middle between two thiefs? I know enough about the Bible that nothing is put there that is not significant. Sometimes you have to dig a little to see it though.

In our lives today we often put significance to a central position. The man or woman of honor at a banquet is often seated at the center of the table. When a Formula One driver wins a race, they put up a podium with the top three drivers, the winner at the center. Same with the Olympics.

But with the cross, the Romans saved the center cross for the worst of the criminals that were being murdered. It is hard to believe that Jesus would have had the center cross for just claiming to be King of the Jewish people. As I think about it, it was appropriate, He was taking on Himself the sins of all the people who ever were and would be. All that sin is a lot, more than any criminal would ever do. By placing Jesus where they did, they made a statement without even knowing it.

Read for next time: Inscription written by Pilate; Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19-22

Crucifixion

2012-01-05T23:54:00.000-06:00

January 5, 2012
The Life of Jesus; read today: He is crucified on the 3rd hour; Mark 15:25

YLT: Mark 15:25. and it was the third hour, and they crucified him;

Kind of says it all, doesn't it? No wiggle room here, he was crucified, with all that it meant. There was pain involved. In our capital punishment we make sure that the guilty do not feel the pain that they made their victims go through. The Romans were not that kind. They made sure that everyone saw the pain, that way others would think twice about breaking the law. I can barely imagine the pain that Jesus went through.

I started writing this devotional a few years ago when I was recovering from surgery. I had some time to sit and pray and got the leading that I should do this, so I started it. But the pain I was in those few days before the surgery, oh how bad it was. I can remember saying that if someone told me to stand on my head and make a noise like a duck and the pain would go away, I would have done it. I hurt so bad I was nearly in tears. Yet, what I suffered was no where near what Jesus did.

I can only imagine what it was like for Him, as they put the nails in the hands and feet. I can imagine Him saying I could make this stop so easily. Yet He did not. What suffering I go through is nothing compared to what He had. And that is not just the physical pain, but the mental pain as well. So much here to think about.

Read for next time: 2 robbers are crucified with Jesus; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27-28; Luke 23:33; John 19:18

Gall

2012-01-04T22:48:00.002-06:00

January 2, 2012
The Life of Jesus; read today: Soldiers offer Jesus sour wine mix; Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23

ASV: Matthew 27:34. they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink.

Wine was to be given according to scripture, to those who were facing death (Proverbs 31:6-7), but this was not a normal drink of wine. They mixed with it gall, a bitter tasting drug. wine would have deadened the pain He was in, the drug would have maid it so He would not have noticed. It is much like what we do in the United States when we do death by lethal injection. A drug is given to make the person unconscious, then the drug that will stop the heat is given. No pain is felt. If Jesus had taken that mixture He would not have lived the hell that He was about to go through.

He tasted it though. The bitterness of the gall was a taste of the sin He was about to feel. He could taste the bitterness and drink it down and not feel the pain, or He could live the pain. The choice was to be His. He rejected the drink. He wanted to suffer so that I would not have to suffer. Any thing less than full consciousness would not have brought the victory over death, hell and the grave.

Read for next time: He is crucified on the 3rd hour; Mark 15:25

Place of the skull

2012-01-03T00:56:00.004-06:00

January 2, 2012
The Life of Jesus; read today: Jesus carries the cross; John 19:17

LEB: John 19:17. and carrying for himself the cross, he went out to the place called The Place of a Skull (which is called Golgotha in Aramaic),

It was a place of the skull. Means nothing to me in this day and age, but to the people of Jesus time it meant a lot. It was a place where supposedly Adam was buried. More importantly it was a place where peoples bones were thrown. It was an unclean place. Unclean places make a person unclean. Under Jewish law, they needed a sacrifice to become clean again. A lamb was always a good sacrifice.

So, into this unclean place came the one that would make us all clean again, that would make it so that there was no more sacrifices needed.

It was bad enough all the other things that He had to go through for me. One more degrading thing like being killed in an unclean place should not make a difference. But it does. He did it for me. What more can I do for Him?

Read for next time: Soldiers offer Jesus sour wine mix; Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23

They took Him away

2012-01-02T01:11:00.001-06:00

January 2, 2012
The Life of Jesus; read today: Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified; John 19:16

Godbey: John 19:16. Therefore he then delivered Him to them that He should be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.

They took Jesus, He was lead away. I know the Bible does not lie, but is there a fib here? Could Jesus ever been taken away. That would mean there was some resistance, but we all know that Jesus gave His life willingly.

He was a man just like I was. I know that the humanity in Him cried out to live. The flesh I am sure wanted to continue. But He gave it all for me. I sometimes want my own earthly desires to be met, the humanity of my self crying out to get what I want.

In the end I must learn to be like Jesus, to let myself be taken to places I do not want to go so that the needs of those I love can be met.

Read for next time: Jesus carries the cross; John 19:17

Passover

2011-11-22T08:15:00.001-06:00

November 22, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Pilate sentences Jesus; John 19:13-15

Darby: John 19:14. (now it was the preparation of the passover; it was about the sixth hour;) and he says to the Jews, Behold your king!

Funny how we can see sometimes what is right in front of us but not see it at all. The Jewish people should have realized what was happening here. Here was a person that they could pretty much tell had no sin in His life. Passover was a time that a lamb was to be taken that was perfect and given up for the sins of the people. The comparison was there, why did they not see it?

I see the same in me however. I want the people around me to change, the fix themselves so that I can have a better life and be happy. Just recently I realized it is not all them, it is me as well. I need to see the reality that is me and get off of my self-centeredness. I need to see that Jesus died for me and that because of that I need to be the best me that I can be.

It was so easy though, when i could blame everyone else and not me.

Read for next time: Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified; John 19:16

Who is on the throne?

2011-11-21T12:04:00.001-06:00

November 21, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Pilate tries to release Jesus again; John 19:12

Weymouth: John 19:12. Upon receiving this answer, Pilate was for releasing Him. But the Jews kept shouting, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar's. Every one who sets himself up as king declares himself a rebel against Caesar."

Pilate has to make a decision here He can pander to the crowd knowing that an innocent man will die, thereby being able to keep his position. His other option is to release Jesus, in doing so he will get the Jewish leaders mad and they will tell his boss that he allowed a man to claim he was better than Cesar (the name is sort of like being called the king). In other words, keep himself on the throne, or let Jesus claim the throne.

Every day I face a choice. Though I have accepted Jesus as my saviour, there are times when I take Him off of the throne and put myself up there in his place. It is my desire to have what I want, and it usually is not healthy choice. The times that I have done better are when I can put Jesus up there and every day take time out to pray to Him, read the word and do some worship.

Just like Pilate I have a choice. Every day, I pray that I make the right one.

Read for next time: Pilate sentences Jesus; John 19:13-15

The greater sin

2011-11-20T14:11:00.001-06:00

November 20, 2011The Life of Jesus; read today: Pilate questions Jesus again; John 19:8-11

KJV: John 19:11. Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Jesus acknowledged that Pilate was sinning here. The greater sin, if there is such a thing of one sin being bigger than another, was that the Jewish authorities had turned Him over to Pilate to be killed. This is something that has a parallel in our modern life.

When I have an addiction it is a sin, there is no way to make that something that it is not What will need to be looked at is the cause of it. For many who have problems of co-dependency and/or addictions, the problems did not start in our adult years. They go back to what is called the 'family of origin'. People can affect you in many ways, some may even be very Christian like. The truth is, that you were affected, and though your sin is sin, the fact that it affected you makes it sin as well.

One of the first steps to healing is to forgive. So you need to do what Jesus did for Pilate, you must learn to forgive them. This is not an easy task. It is so easy for us to hold on to our lifestyle the way it is. It is however, necessary if we wish to grow.

Read for next time: Pilate tries to release Jesus again; John 19:12

Find no fault

2011-11-18T10:07:00.001-06:00

November 18, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Pilate tries to release Jesus; John 19:4-7

BBE: John 19:4. And Pilate went out again and said to them, See, I let him come out to you to make it clear to you that I see no wrong in him.

It is possible to see Jesus as the way to salvation but not act on it. Here he was with a man that he found no wrong in, yet he lacked the internal moral strength to do anything about it. He knew the right thing to do and yet he avoided it. For him it was a one time deal. Jesus was there and he had one chance to save him.

In my life before coming a Christian, I had the Gospel presented to me a number of times. I said, yes, I see that Jesus was a good man, that He died for me, I just do not think that is for me. Unlike Jesus and His one chance at being kept from being death, I had many chances to have Jesus as my savior.

It is possible to reject Jesus and then come to Him later. Pilate however did not have that chance. I am sure the Word would have told us about it if he had. I must realize when I tell others about Jesus that, like me, it is up to them to receive or reject and let them live with their choice.

Read for next time: Pilate questions Jesus again; John 19:8-11

Royality

2011-11-17T10:51:00.001-06:00

November 17, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Pilate's soldiers crown and mock Jesus; Matthew 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-3

ESV: John 19:2. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.

A crown and a robe of purple. That is was a sign of royalty in its day. So these would be expected to be given to Jesus as He was the King of the Jews. But these were not quite what they seem. The crown was made of thorns, and as it would be pushed on His head the spikes would break through the skin and He would bleed.

The robe also would not be comfortable to wear. Jesus had just been whipped by the Roman guards and the wounds were still fresh. The robe would have been put on His bloody body. As the wounds began to heal, the cloth from the robe would have the blood dried on to it, and become one with it. Any movement of the robe would have hurt the bruised skin and where it was dried on, it would once again rip the flesh and reopen the wound.

I sometimes think I have it so tough. I have had so many problems in this world. I have nothing like Jesus went through. Most of my problems are my own fault, none of what Jesus went through was His fault. When I am tempted to cry out, 'unfair', I need to meditate on what Jesus went through so that I could have life, and life eternal.

Read for next time: Pilate tries to release Jesus; John 19:4-7

Peer pressure

2011-11-15T13:12:00.001-06:00

November 8, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Pilate releases Barabbas; Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:38-40

It is so easy for us in current day to judge the people in the crowd when Jesus was being sent to Pilate. If I had been around would I have done what they did?

ESV: Matthew Chapter 27
[20] Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
[21] The governor again said to them, Which of the two do you want me to release for you? And they said, Barabbas.

I can tell myself all I want that I would never do to Jesus what they did, I would have stood up and tried to stop it, but there are two little words that would have kept me from doing so I am sure: peer pressure.

I know you are thinking that peer pressure is only done by youth and teens so that they can fit in and not be a dork. It really takes place in adult life also. We all want to be accepted so we will give in often to be part of the group. On the radio last week I heard a story about a man who was in a board meeting and he disagreed strongly with the person next to him on the issue being discussed at the time and they both let each other know. At one point the chairman took a vote saying that those who agree would signify by standing. One by one all the men stood up till he was the last one, and then, he stood us as well. Though he disagreed, he let the peer pressure take over in him.

We are no different. We want acceptance and to be part of what everyone is doing. We would have been part of that crowd as well. And we would have let the one who did not give in to pressure die.

Read for next time: Pilate's soldiers crown and mock Jesus; Matthew 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-3

BFF

2011-11-08T09:17:00.003-06:00

November 8, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Herod's soldiers mock Jesus; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:11-12

Jubilee2000: Luke Chapter 23
[11] And Herod with his court despised him and mocked [him] and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate.
[12] And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together, for before they were at enmity between themselves.

It is sometimes amazing what will bring people together. Using the social networking sites can be an experience. I live in Oklahoma and we have had some earthquakes here the last few days. On Facebook and Twitter I have seen the talk about these things increase, especially since the one we had most recently happened during a thunder storm. People were all excited we might be in the end times.

Another thing I have noticed on these social network sites, trying to talk about Christianity. If you are low key about it then nothing happens but no one really notices. If you tend to make a stand, then it is time for you to be bullied for your belief. Generally it is by groups of people that would not get along together. Things have not really changed. Herod and Pilate were enemies of each other, but over the matter of Jesus, though both knew it was wrong, they stood together and became best friends. For their friendship Jesus had to die.

Understand, taking a stand will bring out enemies. It is just amazing how that can bring people who would not otherwise be together to form a common bond.

Read for next time: Pilate releases Barabbas; Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:38-40

Seeking signs

2011-11-07T10:39:00.003-06:00

November 7, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Jesus before Herod; Luke 23:8-10

BBE: Luke Chapter 23 [8] Now when Herod saw Jesus he was very glad, having for a long time had a desire to see him, for he had had accounts of him, and was hoping to see some wonders done by him.
[9] And he put a great number of questions to him, but he said nothing.

Why did Herod want to ask Jesus these things. Like Pilate he was sure to know of the things Jesus had done. Unlike Pilate, he wanted a sign. I believe that God still uses signs and wonders today. However, they come not when people seek them, but when they seek God. Herod wanted a sign so he could talk about how he had Jesus doing things for him and raising his stature. That is the wrong reason.

I need to remember each day to keep my heart pure so that I will follow after Jesus not for what He can do for me, but so that I can thank the person who gives all life.

Read for next time: Herod's soldiers mock Jesus; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:11-12

What is the truth

2011-11-05T23:11:00.003-06:00

November 4, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Jesus before Pilate; Matthew 27:1-14; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:29-38

ESV: John 18:38. Pilate said to him, What is truth? After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, I find no guilt in him.

In verse 37 Jesus had just said His reason for coming, to bear witness to the truth. Now I am sure that Pilate knew who Jesus was. I am sure that the politics of the era were all to familiar to him. Having followed what was going on I am sure he understood the teachings of Jesus, or at least have heard about them. So he asks an interesting question. "What is the truth?"

That is a question that we all must ask. As a Christian I believe I have the truth, not a truth. Some may say that I am judgemental because I believe that way. My answer is that I am not the one that judges, God does.

I may present the truth to some one and they may choose to ignore it. It is no longer my problem. Pilate asked about the truth and he had it in front of him. All he does with it is to try convince the people not to kill Jesus. He does nothing to try to stop what is happening. Likewise when people hear the truth they can accept it as the truth, understand that it is a truth, or reject it. My job is to present it, there choice is theirs.

Read for next time: Jesus before Herod; Luke 23:8-10

Was Judas co-dependent?

2011-11-04T10:16:00.000-06:00

November 4, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Remorse of Judas; Matthew 27:1-10 Acts 1:16-20

NHEB: Matthew Chapter 27
[3] Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
[4] saying, "I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? You see to it."
[5] He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself.

For the last two years I have been part of a group that meets at my church that deals with addictions and co-dependency issues. I have learned many things over that time. One is that no one regrets something that they are about to do. The only time that they regret what they do is after the fact. The person who drinks does not regret it till after he looses his job. The co-dependant spouse does not regret their actions till they realize what they have helped create, or are hurt because of it.

Judas realized too late the situation he was in. I am thinking that he was a really co-dependant or had an addiction problem. He wanted Jesus to be a man of action and by betraying Him, Judas could force the situation. Only Jesus did not have the same agenda that Judas did. He had his own agenda and it meant redemption for all, not just freedom for the Jewish people.

And so he regrets what he did, and commits suicide. He could have thought things through and realized it was not as bad as it seemed. Or better yet, he could have talked it out with Jesus, seen what Jesus had in mind. He could have thought it out and seen the consequences.

And that is something that I need to see in myself as well. The actions that I take are what will influence my life in the future. If, before I do the thing that is hurtful, I take the time to think what my actions will do, to call a friend to help me get through it, then I will not do the thing that is destructive in my life. But that is hard to do.

Read for next time: Jesus before Pilate; Matthew 27:1-14; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:29-38

Passover

2011-11-02T22:37:00.001-06:00

November 2, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Jesus lead from Caiaphas to Praetorium; John 18:28

ABP: John 18:28. Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas unto the praetorium. And it was morning; and they did not enter into the praetorium, that they should not be defiled; but that they should eat the passover.

It is interesting that they would sentence a man to death is such a way. They did not want the blood on their own hands, so they took Him to the Roman leaders. More importantly they wanted to keep themselves pure so that they could eat the Passover meal, the very thing that Jesus was a symbol of.

Most interesting to me is that they wanted to do it in such a respectable way. When we read the book of Acts, we see that stoning was common as they did it to Stephen and many of the new converts. So why could they not do it here? They wanted to make sure that Jesus had the most horrible death possible.He was to put to shame so that His story would be discredited.

In life we will face many challenges from many people. They will try to discredit us. Just keep moving forward. Like Jesus, in the end you will be vindicated.

The Apostolic Bible Polyglot is a Greek-English Interlinear coded to Strong's numbers. Free printable PDFs can be downloaded and printed editions can be purchased at http://www.apostolicbible.com

Read for next time: Remorse of Judas; Matthew 27:1-10 Acts 1:16-20

The whole world

2011-11-01T11:01:00.003-06:00

November 1, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Sanhedrin beats Jesus; Matthew 26:67-68; Mark 14:65

GodsWord: Mark 14:65. Some of them began to spit on him. They covered his face and hit him with their fists. They said to him, "Prophesy!" Even the guards took him and slapped him.

I posted a joke one day on my Facebook page. It said that ‘somedays I feel like the whole world is against me but I know that is not true, there are at least three third world countries that do not know who I am!”

In Jesus case, the whole world was against Him. It was bad enough that the Jewish leaders were beating on Him, they convinced the guards to do it as well. The fact is that He did take all the weight of the world, including those third world countries, on Himself.

I can not begin to understand the pain He went through. When I am feeling loneley, rejected and hurt, it would do me good to take the time to look at this verse once again.

Read for next time: Jesus lead from Caiaphas to Praetorium; John 18:28

Debate

2011-10-29T10:47:00.003-06:00

October 27, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Caiaphas condemns Jesus; Matthew 26:62-66; Mark 14:60-64; Luke 22:66-71

ESV: Luke Chapter 22
[67] If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe,

Our job as Christians is not to force what we believe, but to let others know the word. Some will not want to hear, and that is OK. Others will hear and accept, that is great. But some, like these leaders, are looking for ways for you to trap yourself.

When I run in to these people, I take my example from Jesus. I tell them what I believe you will not believe and then stop the discussion. All they are trying to do is turn me away from my faith. They do not wish to discuss, which means a giving and taking of opinions, they want to convert.

Know your faith, and know when to let the others have theirs.

Read for next time: Sanhedrin beats Jesus; Matthew 26:67-68; Mark 14:65

Can I Get A Witness

2011-10-28T22:39:00.000-06:00

October 27, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: False witnesses testify; Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59

ESV: Mark Chapter 14
[55] Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. [56] For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. [57] And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, [58] We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands. [59] Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.

Jewish law said that any action against a criminal should be done by at least two if not more witnesses. They were about to sentence Jesus to death and they could not get two witnesses to agree to what He had done.

Jesus stayed calm through it all. Why? Because He knew, from two witnesses, who He was. God the father and the Holy Spirit gave witness to Him of His destiny and who He was through out His life.

When people get angry around me I too have to learn to listen not to those who attack me,but to the two (or more) who know me and what I am. They are the same ones Jesus knew to listen to.

Read for next time: Caiaphas condemns Jesus; Matthew 26:62-66; Mark 14:60-64; Luke 22:66-71

Injured

2011-10-27T08:58:00.003-06:00

October 27, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Guards beat Jesus; Luke 22:63-65

Darby: Luke 22:65. And they said many other injurious things to him.

There are a lot of different words used in various translations, I like this one. The King James uses blasphemously in place of injurious. With the usage of today, that would imply they spoke out against Jesus in a way to injure the religious belief of Him. In order to so that, it would imply that they knew who Jesus really was. So while slanderous in today’s standards, they were more injurious to Jesus then.

And Jesus being injured by the words and actions of these men is something that I can relate to with a little more ease. I have had my share of things said to hurt me by a wide variety of people. In the end, I have had to learn one thing. It does not matter what others say about me, it only matters what I say about myself. No one can make me feel any way, I make myself feel the way I do. I imagine that Jesus did the same thing. When they tried to break Him, He told Himself who He was. He was not what they said He was, He was the Son of God.

It is a lesson that I have to re-tell myself from time to time. I am not what others tell me I am. I am what God says that I am. He says that I am good.

Read for next time: False witnesses testify; Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59

Rooster Crow Experience

2011-10-26T09:19:00.001-06:00

October 26, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Peter's 3rd denial - relative of Malchus; Matthew 26:73-75; Mark 14:70-72; Luke 22:59-62; John 18:26-27

Weymouth: Matthew Chapter 26
[73] A short time afterwards the people standing there came and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your brogue shows it." [74] Then with curses and oaths he declared, "I do not know the man." Immediately a cock crowed,

In my own life there have been cases when I have had a ‘rooster crow’ experience like Peter did here. Some I did not listen to, most I did. In every case, it was God gently nudging me to listen to Him and take the right actions. Why?

Why am I not able to live the best life possible? Why do I need God to prompt and nudge me? I guess because I am imperfect. I have flaws. I say things that I will do and then do not do them. I try not to, but I have this thing called flesh that wants its needs met more than it should.

Like Peter, who put the needs of his life before Jesus life, I also will have moments when I will hear the rooster crow, and weep when I realize how off course I am. Then God knows that I am back on course for Him for a while.

Read for next time: Guards beat Jesus; Luke 22:63-65