29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
It always strikes me how hard it was for even the disciples to believe. How could this be after all they saw firsthand? For Thomas it still came right down to seeing Jesus' wounds in person. This is why we need to be so into the Word, so we can grow closer to Jesus and deepen our conviction and belief in Him. He Has Risen!
knut
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
John 19
24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,
So this is what the soldiers did.
36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”[c] 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”[d]
Its interesting that they studied their law enough to know rules that they could use to justify putting Jesus to death for claiming to be the king of the Jews. But they didn't recognize, as the Crucifixion was in progress, that other things were happening just as the scripture said it would that should make Jesus is God. Shouldn't alarms have been going off in their heads saying uh oh we're in trouble?
Then again, who am I to talk? How much is in the bible that I should know by heart but have no recollection of or do not even take note of when I read it? How much instruction is right there for me that I do not use?
knut
Friday, May 8, 2015
John 18
20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
Jesus is in a unique position as a human being. If I were hauled in and questioned....probably about anything; there would undoubtedly be something I would not want to mention, or keep to myself. Just to make sure I didn't make myself look bad. But, Jesus never waivered once from his message. He is completely consistent. So, he has absolutley nothing to hide. I love his response. Go talk to the people that have listened to me. They will tell you who I am and what I'm about. My message has NEVER changed.
I find the rest of the chapter somewhat hard to read. You can feel the weight building. The people scheme and twist and deny.....but Jesus is focussed and on point. He knows what's coming, and yet he's completely solid. I found myself going back the move the Passion of the Christ as I read some of it.
have a good weekend.
tp
Jesus is in a unique position as a human being. If I were hauled in and questioned....probably about anything; there would undoubtedly be something I would not want to mention, or keep to myself. Just to make sure I didn't make myself look bad. But, Jesus never waivered once from his message. He is completely consistent. So, he has absolutley nothing to hide. I love his response. Go talk to the people that have listened to me. They will tell you who I am and what I'm about. My message has NEVER changed.
I find the rest of the chapter somewhat hard to read. You can feel the weight building. The people scheme and twist and deny.....but Jesus is focussed and on point. He knows what's coming, and yet he's completely solid. I found myself going back the move the Passion of the Christ as I read some of it.
have a good weekend.
tp
Thursday, May 7, 2015
John 17
Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
I read the message version this morning. I was having a hard time staying with the NIV.
I like these two lines. I can feel Jesus' empathy towards us. He knows it will be difficult, and he even references the enemy that fights to drag us down. But, in those 2 or 3 lines.....you can clearly see who has the ultimate power, and makes the ultimate decisions of what happens on this earth.
Just like yesterday. I think Jesus is saying these things not only for the benefit of those standing within ear-shot, but also for us. So we could somehow get a glimpse into his mindset at this crucial time.
tp
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
I read the message version this morning. I was having a hard time staying with the NIV.
I like these two lines. I can feel Jesus' empathy towards us. He knows it will be difficult, and he even references the enemy that fights to drag us down. But, in those 2 or 3 lines.....you can clearly see who has the ultimate power, and makes the ultimate decisions of what happens on this earth.
Just like yesterday. I think Jesus is saying these things not only for the benefit of those standing within ear-shot, but also for us. So we could somehow get a glimpse into his mindset at this crucial time.
tp
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
John 16
I had a lot that grabbed my attention this morning.
16 “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.
This one is right off the top. I'm blown away by how messed up us humans can make things....even when we are trying to do things in God's name. Without Jesus and the grace of God, there really is no hope for us.
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.
I just can't believe that the disciples still are in question as to who Jesus is. I would like to think that if I was there, I would be able to see it. Truth is I would be reacting to him exactly the same way they are. I would probably be very moved by the things he is doing and completely believe that he was sent from God, and then in the quiet moments wondering to myself if this is really true.
They've seen everything first hand. It would have been mind-blowing....and yet he still is asking them if they believe. Not that he needs to ask the question. He already knows the answer. Perhaps he is asking the question on our behalf. Maybe it is written here to show us that even the disciples needed help and they couldn't do it on their own......just to illustrate how much we need him.
tp
16 “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.
This one is right off the top. I'm blown away by how messed up us humans can make things....even when we are trying to do things in God's name. Without Jesus and the grace of God, there really is no hope for us.
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.
I just can't believe that the disciples still are in question as to who Jesus is. I would like to think that if I was there, I would be able to see it. Truth is I would be reacting to him exactly the same way they are. I would probably be very moved by the things he is doing and completely believe that he was sent from God, and then in the quiet moments wondering to myself if this is really true.
They've seen everything first hand. It would have been mind-blowing....and yet he still is asking them if they believe. Not that he needs to ask the question. He already knows the answer. Perhaps he is asking the question on our behalf. Maybe it is written here to show us that even the disciples needed help and they couldn't do it on their own......just to illustrate how much we need him.
tp
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
John 15
In my own self centered world....I really want to be liked. but,
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
This verse tells me that if I'm liked by the world...I'm not living a truth life for Christ.
Something to keep in mind.
I have really been trying lately to show others love. Christ said the greatest command is love, and when people look at Christians, they should see love. Its an interesting mix to show love, and be hated at the same time.
That doesn't seem to be a very good ROI. At least not in this world.
tp
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
This verse tells me that if I'm liked by the world...I'm not living a truth life for Christ.
Something to keep in mind.
I have really been trying lately to show others love. Christ said the greatest command is love, and when people look at Christians, they should see love. Its an interesting mix to show love, and be hated at the same time.
That doesn't seem to be a very good ROI. At least not in this world.
tp
Friday, May 1, 2015
John 14
I could probably write a book today.....but it's Friday, and I won't.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I love the language here of the Holy Spirit being "the Advocate". That give me comfort that he is acting as my advocate when it come to my relationship with the father. It also give me peace that Jesus say that the Holy Spirit will remind me of his teachings. With that on my side, I'm not sure how I could go wrong.
Its taken me a long time to come to the realization of the chronological order of the trinity and their involvement with us as people
1. God.....creator....and father....living with Adam and Eve and then being sometimes visible and present in the OT.
2. Jesus.....savior.....coming to sacrifice himself for all of humanity. The ultimate "cleaner"
3. Holy Spirit....our advocate.....the one that is in the world now. Gently nudging, reminding us of the teachings of Jesus, and what we should be doing.
Which then leads me to think that we are near the end of the plan for the earth. There were 3 phases in God's plan, and we are 2000 years into the 3rd phase.
have a great weekend!
If the world ends this weekend....I'll look for you at the gate! hahaha.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I love the language here of the Holy Spirit being "the Advocate". That give me comfort that he is acting as my advocate when it come to my relationship with the father. It also give me peace that Jesus say that the Holy Spirit will remind me of his teachings. With that on my side, I'm not sure how I could go wrong.
Its taken me a long time to come to the realization of the chronological order of the trinity and their involvement with us as people
1. God.....creator....and father....living with Adam and Eve and then being sometimes visible and present in the OT.
2. Jesus.....savior.....coming to sacrifice himself for all of humanity. The ultimate "cleaner"
3. Holy Spirit....our advocate.....the one that is in the world now. Gently nudging, reminding us of the teachings of Jesus, and what we should be doing.
Which then leads me to think that we are near the end of the plan for the earth. There were 3 phases in God's plan, and we are 2000 years into the 3rd phase.
have a great weekend!
If the world ends this weekend....I'll look for you at the gate! hahaha.
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