March 9th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
I Have Set An Example Before You
John 13:1-17
“It was just before the ‘Passover Feast. Jesus, knew He would soon leave this world and those He loved, and He would now show them the full extent of His love“. (verse 1~NIV) The King James says, “He loved them to the end“. The ‘Greek word for end is Telos. “Specifically, in this verse, its meaning is ‘the utmost (the greatest) degree’ of an act, as of the love of Christ towards His Disciples.” Taken from my Hebrew~Greek Study Bible
“The evening meal was being served….Jesus got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waste. After He poured water into a basin, He began to wash His Disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around His waste.”
Peter said (when Jesus came to him), ‘Lord you shall never wash my feet’.
Jesus told Peter, ‘unless I wash you, you have no part with me’.
Then Peter said, ‘not just my feet, but my hands and head as well’.
Jesus said to Peter, ‘A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean, though not every one of you (Jesus is speaking of Judas, who would betray Him).’ Peter not only submits to Jesus, but he begs to be washed by Him.
“When Jesus had finished washing the Disciples feet, He said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example for you. Do what I have done for you. No servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” Receive the lesson of Christ. The Matthew Henry Commentary says, “Duties are mutual; we must both accept help from the brethren, and afford help to our brethren“. Jesus provided His Disciples with an excellent illustration of genuine love and humility…the task of a servant….washing their feet.
John 13:18-30
As we read on, we find Jesus predicting His betrayal by Judas. He reveals this to His Disciples, so that when it happens, they will BELIEVE in Him..in who He is……‘and as soon as Judas had taken the bread (see also Psalm 41:9), he went out’ (to betray Jesus).
John 13:31-38
Jesus had already been glorified through the miracles He had done. Now He seems to be speaking of being glorified in a more wonderful way, though it will be through His suffering. He begins to tell His Disciples that He will only be with them a little longer. He tells them that where He is going, they cannot come with Him. And before He reveals to Peter, Peter’s own denial…He gives the Disciples a new command. It is to “Love one another as He has loved them.” Jesus says, ”BY THIS, ALL MEN WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”
In Day 18, we talked about ‘following’ Christ. Today, in verse 36, Peter says to Jesus, “Lord where are you going (that we cannot follow you)?” Jesus now makes it clear that there will be a time that they will be able to follow Him. More of Jesus’ answer will be revealed to the Disciples in chapter 14.
In the last verse of chapter 13, Jesus reveals Peter’s denial….
Thought to Ponder: But do not let your heart be troubled……..
Scripture to Ponder: John 14
Posted in: Bible Studies, Sharing The Gospel
Tags: The Teacher
March 8th, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by Pam
Christ’s Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
John 12:12-19
For the Christian, this passage of Scripture is a call to victorious rejoicing. It is “Palm Sunday”. This day, Jesus fulfills the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, which says, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey!“ It is the announcement or the coming of Zion’s King. It is the announcement of the Messiah. This day is often referred to as “Passion Sunday”. It marks the beginning of “Holy Week”, and concludes on “Easter Sunday”. The Scripture tells us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted Him with palm branches…waving with shouts of “Hosanna! (Save now, I pray)…Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” (John 12:13) Although His disciples did not understand the significance of this act..at this time.. (John 12:16), the people rejoiced in Him as the Christ. At this point, because the word was spreading about Jesus and what He was doing (particularly raising Lazarus from the dead), the Pharisees become more threatened by Him. They fear that everyone will follow Jesus.
John 12:20-50
Now, even the Greeks are among those who want to meet Jesus. After all, one who can do such things as “turn water into wine”…”cause a blind man to see”…”cause a crippled man to walk”…and most recently, “a dead man to live again”….is worth seeking out. It is not enough just to come and see Jesus. What Jesus says is, “whoever serves me must follow me, and wherever I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (verse 26). Remember in chapter 1, verse 43, Jesus invited Philip to “follow Him”. In verse 12 of chapter 8, Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
I want to get a true grasp of what it means when Jesus says, “Follow Me“. “The ‘Greek word for follow is ‘Akoloutheo. The calling to follow Jesus involves an abiding fellowship with Him, not only for the sake of learning, but also for the sake of the salvation known or looked for, which presented itself in this fellowship. Thus following Jesus denoted a fellowship of faith as well as a fellowship of life, sharing in His sufferings not only inwardly, but outwardly if necessary. Such outward fellowship with Jesus, however, could not continue without inner moral and spiritual fellowship, without a life resembling His and in a self-denying sharing of His cross. The expression “following Jesus” occurs only in Revelation 14:14; John 8:12; 10:4,5,27 and John 12:26.” Taken from my Hebrew-Greek Study Bible, page 1661
It must have been rather confusing for Jesus’ followers, since on more than one occasion he said, “you cannot go where I am going” (7:34; 8:21; 13:33)….yet he said, “follow Me“. We’ll discuss this thought again in chapters 13 & 14.
Doubting Thomas, revisited….I am so thankful for the written word. Can you imagine, if Jesus was ‘physically’ with you how attached to Him you would be. Then all of a sudden, He’s ‘physically’ not there anymore. Thomas found it easy to say, “Let’s follow Jesus, so that we may die with Him” (11:16)..when Jesus was standing right in front of him. Until that day when Thomas saw, and touched Jesus after the resurrection, he did not understand . Thomas did not have the written New Testament to study and ponder. Thomas was not the only Disciple to doubt and fear. They all failed to stand (follow physically and in their hearts) by Jesus (Matthew 26:56). Have we not all doubted or feared, when our focus was taken away…when we have taken our eyes off Jesus and placed them on another matter?
Never fear…there is hope…in Jesus….even for us! Jesus’ promise is this….”But I, when I am lifted up will draw all men to myself” (verse 32).
The Scripture says beginning in verse 37, that many still did not BELIEVE, even though He had done miraculous signs in their presence. Yet, many among the leaders did BELIEVE. But, they would not confess their faith because of fear, “for they loved praise from men, more than praise from God” (verse 43). Then Jesus reminds all that “He does not speak on His own, but the Father who sent and commanded Him….my Father’s command leads to eternal life”. (verse 49-50)
Thought to Ponder: Let your focus be on “The Passion Of Christ” and His Purpose
Scripture to Ponder: John Chapter 13 (will be posted tomorrow morning)
Posted in: Bible Studies, Sharing The Gospel
Tags: The Teacher
March 7th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
God is a Transformer
He Transforms….
Our Broken Lives Into Something Suitable For Him…
Our Bondage Into Freedom…
Our Conflict Into Peace…
Our Ashes Into Beauty…
Our Mourning Into Dancing…
Our Heaviness Into Praise…
We Become New Creatures, In Him!
Posted in: Silent Sundays, Uncategorized
March 5th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
Yesterday, I left you with two questions that I was going to ponder.
Why did the Disciple Thomas find it easy to respond in BELIEF, in the current situation?
And, why did he ultimately respond with doubt, in a later situation?
I want you to know that I have an opinion about this now (some insight), but will write about it in a couple of days (just because it will seem more appropriate at that time). It’s always amazing to me how reading and studying the Word (and some wisdom from my “Hubby”), and letting it infuse (or penetrate) my heart can bring clarity in my mind. The Bible is the only book (for me) that I read, that causes me to become engaged in it’s Words. I would not hesitate to challenge anyone, yes, even a non-believer’, to read through the Gospels with an open mind…an not be affected by THE WORD. It is truly incredible..It is alive….as Christ!
The Passion of Christ
I love it, that here we are in John’s Gospel, at this time when we begin to focus on what Jesus Christ has done for us. Through this Gospel (as with Matthew, Mark and Luke), Christ has been preparing all who would hear Him, to BELIEVE that He has come to ”take away the sin of the world”. We are entering into “The Passion of Christ” and the “Resurrection of Christ”. From here on in, the hatred toward our Lord is played out in plots against Him, threats and cruel (more than we can imagine…even if we’ve seen “Passion of Christ”, the movie) physical punishment.
The passion of Jesus, what does it mean? The following is a quote from the website, ‘All About Jesus Christ’.
“Passion stems from the Latin word pati’, meaning to suffer. It was coined in the early 16thcentury to denote ‘the suffering of Christ on the cross’. Webster states the word passion is a strong feeling, especially of anger, love or desire. It says that passion is an emotion, an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. It also says that passion ‘is the suffering of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and His death….one version also states, ‘it is the capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces.’ What stronger force is there then God? Wasn’t it God who wanted ’The Passion of Jesus’ to be a reality?”
In John 11, verse 45, we see that “many of the ‘Jews which came to Mary (of Bethany), and saw (with their own eyes) that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, BELIEVED.” The Scripture also says, that after this some went and told the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Lazarus, being raised from death by Jesus, caused many to BELIEVE. Those Pharisees knew that if Jesus was allowed to continue, everyone would BELIEVE in Him (John 11:51-53). “So from that day on they plotted to take His life.”
In the beginning of Chapter 12, we read about Mary (of Bethany). We know from Scripture that Mary was a devoted Disciple of Jesus. When we read verses 1-11, we see that she has poured a costly perfume on Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair. This was an act that only one who understood who Jesus is, and what he was about to do, could have done. Jesus himself said, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial (verse 7).” You can read more about Mary in the Bible Study “The Disciple”, Days 15,16 and 17.
As we make our journey into the “Passion of Christ”, may we place ourselves in the midst of the “Gospel Message”. May we stretch and grow, as Disciples of Jesus Christ. Embrace your “Calling”. BELIEVE and walk with Him. BELIEVE in his authority and power and that His Word is Truth. BELIEVE in THE CROSS and THE RESSURECTION.
If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, Do It Today. It is the most important decision that you will ever make.
To Ponder: ”This Life Has Many Choices, Eternity Has (only) Two“. Quote: Song Title
Scripture to Ponder: Mark 2:17
Next: John 12:12-50; John 13
Posted in: Bible Studies, Sharing The Gospel
Tags: The Teacher
March 4th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
Please read John Chapter 11
This is a passage of Scripture that was discussed in detail in our last Bible Study “The Disciple”, Days 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Just go to Bible Studies, by subject, on my home page..and click on “The Disciple”. You should easily find Days 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
First of all, I feel like talking a little about a disciple named Thomas, mentioned in this chapter (verse 16). Everyone has heard about Thomas. He has been forever associated with one word, “Doubting”. What does it mean to doubt? It means to consider unlikely or impossible; to lack confidence in; slow to apprehend the meaning of Christ’s words. We will get into Thomas’ ’famous “doubting” episode, later in John’s Gospel.
Let me just put verse 16 in front of us..”Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Jesus had just made it plain to his disiples that Lazarus is dead (not napping)…and there had shortly before, been a conversation where the disciples tried to talk Jesus out of going to where Lazarus lay dead (the folks there had tried to stone Jesus). Now, this doubter, Thomas, responds with courage and loyalty, willing to die with Jesus. Why does he find it easy to respond, in BELIEF, in this situation? Why does he ultimately respond, with DOUBT, in a later situation. I’m going to have to ponder, on this one.
We will continue with this thought tomorrow, and on through John Chapter 12.
Posted in: Bible Studies, Sharing The Gospel
Tags: The Teacher
March 3rd, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
Test Your Knowledge of Wisdom
Scroll To The End of Post For The Answers
1. Definition of Wisdom (unscramble the letters)
The ability to ”cidsner” what is “ertu” , ”gtrih” , or ”italsgn” ; ”itginsh” .
2. Quote by Henry David Thoreau (unscramble the letters)
“It is “thcacareisrtic” of wisdom not to do “sedatpere” things.”
3. Which word is an antonym of wisdom?
Stupidity OR Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
4. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. True OR False
5. Wise men are slow to anger. True OR False
6. It’s okay to be associated with a gossip, as long as you don’t gossip. True OR False
7. Boasting about the future is good because it keeps us moving in the right direction. True OR False
8. Many counselors can be a mistake because of too many opinions. True OR False
THE ANSWERS ARE
1. Discern; True; Right; Lasting and Insight
2. Characteristic and Desperate
3. The Answer is Stupidity (Was that a stupid question…or what?)
4. True: Proverbs 1:17 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction”.
5. True: Proverbs 14:29 “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly”.
6. False: Proverbs 20:19 “He that goeth about with a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips”.
7. False: Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth”.
8. False: Proverbs 11:14 “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety”.
YEY! You Get An A+++++++
Posted in: Wisdom Wednesdays
March 2nd, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
The Parables
The Parables are an important part of Jesus’ teaching. What are Parables? They are simple stories that convey a deep meaning. They are extremely memorable and are filled with images that convey spiritual messages. We, as Christians, should place high value on them because they are not only the words of Jesus, but we also believe that they are taught by The Father. (see John 8:28 and 14:10)
Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
Read, John Chapter 10
The people whom Jesus is speaking to, understand well the concept of a shepherd and his (her) flock. The sons of Abraham tended sheep. Rachael was a shepherdess. King David was a shepherd. If I read Psalm 23, I can feel the rhythm of “The Lord is my shepherd”. It goes like this….
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still water, he restores my soul…he guides me…thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me….”
Understand?
I love this passage of Scripture (the Parables), because it is Jesus who is speaking to us, teaching us. “He calls his sheep by name. He goes ahead of his sheep and they follow him, because they KNOW his voice. His sheep will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away because they do not recognize the stranger’s voice. Jesus is the gate for his sheep. He is the open door through which his sheep are saved. He lays down is life for his sheep.”
In verses 10-18, we see the Grace of Christ. No one could take Jesus life from him. ”He laid down his life of his own accord for me and for you.” He offered himself to be our Savior. He is the offer-er and he is the offering. He laid down his life for his sheep.
These folks (the ‘Jews), how many times does Jesus have to say, “I have been telling you I am the Christ…..but you do not BELIEVE. The miracles speak for me because I do them in my Father’s name. My sheep hear my voice and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and NO ONE can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, NO ONE can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. He and I are one.” (verses 22-30)
Further explanation by Jesus about his miracles: “..BELIEVE the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” (verse 38)
Again, they tried to seize Jesus….but, he escaped, AGAIN….not because he was afraid….but, because his time had not yet come. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan. “Here he stayed and many BELIEVED in Him” (verse 42)
Thought to ponder: “He restores my soul“……I really need that today!!!!
Scripture to ponder: Hebrews 13:20 “The Great Shepherd”; 1 Peter 5:4 “The Chief Shepherd”
Posted in: Bible Studies, Sharing The Gospel
Tags: The Teacher
February 28th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
This is one of my favorite quotes…I believe it, with All My Heart!
“Because I am a woman, doesn’t make me a different kind of Christian. Because I am a Christian, makes me a different kind of woman.” by Elizabeth Elliott
Hope You Had A Great Weekend! I’ll Be Posting You Tomorrow….The Teacher: Day 15
Posted in: Silent Sundays
February 27th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
John Chapter 9
Jesus Heals A Man, Who Was Born Blind
Do Not Assume That Your Infirmities Have Come Because of Sin
When Jesus disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he be born blind (John 9:2)”, He said to them…..”Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life (John 9:3).” This blind man could not see Jesus, but Jesus certainly saw him. If we come to know or grasp anything of Jesus, it is because He first has known us. After Jesus healed this blind man, those who had seen him could not believe it was him. They said, “isn’t this the man we have seen begging”? They could not understand how he was healed (they did not believe).
Oh No, It’s The Sabbath Again
Beginning with verse 13, we see the ‘Pharisees begin the norm, they investigate the blind man’s healing. It’s the same old charge against Jesus. They said, “He does not keep the Sabbath”. The zeal of the ‘Pharisees is for their rites and rituals. I also believe they feel very threatened by Jesus and His message of perfect wisdom and holiness. The message is very foreign, to these learned men of the Scripture. They know the Scripture, but apparently don’t believe it. They are most interested in power.
I really like the (now healed) blind man’s final comment to the Pharisees, in verse 33. He said, “if this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” The ‘Pharisees just could not bear to think that Jesus could be the Messiah, because His teachings were contrary to their traditions and rituals.
Jesus Teaches of Spiritual Blindness
When Jesus heard that the ‘Pharisees had thrown the blind man out, He found him and asked, “Do you BELIEVE in the Son of Man”? The blind man said,”who is this man sir? Tell me so that I can BELIEVE in Him”. Jesus said, “you have seen him, and you are speaking to him, right now”. The Scripture says that the man BELIEVED and Worshiped Him (verses 35-38).
You claim to see, but you do not desire light and knowledge (you are spiritually blind)….this is what Jesus said to the Pharisees in verse 41.
Thought to ponder: Christ is most valued by those who have felt the need and want of him. It is the blind who come away seeing; it is the weak who become strong; it is the one who mourns who comes away rejoicing.
Scripture to ponder: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep follow me”. John 10:14
Posted in: Bible Studies, Sharing The Gospel
Tags: The Teacher
February 25th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Pam
Freedom From the Power and Penalty of Sin
To Those who BELIEVED in Him, Jesus said…
“If You Hold To My Teaching, You are Really My Disciples. Then You Will Know The Truth And The Truth Will Set You Free” John 8:31-32 NIV
If we do not get anything else out of chapter 8, we need to at least get this. If we hold to Jesus teaching, we are really His disciples. If we truly BELIEVE, then we must be FAITHFUL. I looked up a few words in the dictionary to get a grasp on what it means “to hold to His teaching”. To hold is to maintain my position. The King James uses the word ‘continue’. To continue is to maintain without interruption in a condition, or on a course. Other synonyms are ‘endure’ ~ to remain firm without yielding; ‘abide’ ~ endure without yielding and accept without objection. Wow! Hold To ~ even through difficult times, persecution….and even though yes….as some of Jesus disciples told Him in chapter 6 verse 60, ’this is a hard teaching’. But, ‘Be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world’ (John 16:33).
Now, we’ll go back to the beginning verses of John 8. Even in this matter, of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus tends to the work about which He came for. This woman, who is being publicly persecuted for her sin (pretty dirty of the ‘Pharisees to try to trip up the Lord, at the expense of this woman), is treated with mercy and compassion by Jesus. Yet, when Jesus sent her away, he did so with a caution…‘Go now, but leave your life of sin’ (John 8:11). Matthew Henry’s commentary says, “Christ’s favour to us in the forgiveness of past sins should prevail (become effective and continue) with us, ‘go then, and sin no more’.
If you have read Chapter 8, you know that Jesus’ persecutors are becoming more aggressive. The hearts of those persecuting Jesus are so closed, that they cannot see the truth right in front of them. It is so hard for me to imagine this. Everything Jesus says to them, is interpreted in the physical realm. I can’t understand how their hearts can be so closed to the Spirit and the Scriptures. I guess just because you can memorize the entire written Word, doesn’t make you a hearer of the Word.
Even thought Jesus is telling it exactly like it is, no one trys to lay a hand on him….that is until He says (verse 58), “I AM”. (see Exodus 3:14) Okay, them thar’ was fightin’ words to these people, because Jesus just declared His deity. He ranked Himself with God. They take his claim as blasphemy (strong irreverent behavior). Then, (I love this part…I can just imagine Jesus sort of fading away) “He hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds” (verse 59).
Magician?…NO!……The ‘I AM’?….YES!
More of Jesus Testimony Of Himself
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”. John 8:12
“I stand with the Father who sent me”. John 8:16b
Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be, and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:28-29
Posted in: Bible Studies, Sharing The Gospel
Tags: The Teacher
