John 20:19-31
Many people have a scar or two on their bodies, usually from surgeries or accidents. Sometimes people have plastic surgery to remove the signs of a scar, particularly if it is on the face. There is One who bears five scars on His body that will never be removed or covered up for all eternity. The Lord Jesus bears the scars of the nails in both hands and feet, along with the large, deep scar in His side from the spear which the soldier had thrust in. As we read from our Gospel passage today we will see how it was the sight of these scars that led to belief in Jesus’ resurrection.
As our Scripture passage opens we find the disciples hiding together in a room behind locked doors (vs. 19). They were afraid of the Jewish leaders who had just a few days earlier, arrested and executed Jesus. They were afraid that they, too, might be taken. Suddenly, without the door being unbarred and opened, Jesus appears in the midst of them. The first thing He says to this frightened group is “Peace”. It is only Jesus’ death that can bring peace between God and man.
All of the disciples had had a difficult time believing that Jesus had risen from the dead when the women had told them earlier that day. Jesus used the scars on His hands and side to prove to them that He really was Himself (vs. 20). One of the twelve disciples, Thomas, was not present that evening, possibly because he wished to grieve the death of Jesus in private. When he was told by the others that they had seen Jesus, Thomas scoffed (vs. 24-25). He claimed that he would not believe unless he saw the scars in His hands and side. Those scars must have meant a lot to Thomas, scars that he felt so bad that Jesus had received. We shouldn’t be too hard on Thomas, as the others had been reluctant to believe when Mary Magdalene and the other women had told them.
One week later, when the group was gathered together, including Thomas, Jesus suddenly appeared again. He called Thomas over and told him to put his fingers into the scars to prove who He was (vs. 26-28). Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for doubting. He met Thomas where he was in his faith, and provided what he needed. Thomas responded with great faith. He not only believed that Jesus rose and was Messiah, he believed in and proclaimed Jesus’ deity (vs. 28).
When doubts lead to stubbornness and unbelief then doubt is bad. However when doubts lead to honest questions and honest searching, then God provides answers that can lead to belief. When our faith falters, trust our Guide through life, and do what He says, trusting His instructions. Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see with our human eyes. We may not be able to see God at work in a specific instance, but we should still have confidence in Him. Jesus stated that we are blessed if we believe without seeing a sign (vs. 29). We have all the proof we need in the Bible.
In verse 31 we read the reason, the goal and purpose as why the Apostle John wrote his Gospel. He wrote his account so that we, those who read, may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s Son, and have eternal life in His Name. When we come to saving faith in Jesus, we then have a commission which He gave us (vs. 21). We are sent by God to spread the Gospel message. Our authority in this task comes from Him. Jesus demonstrated by His Words and actions what we are to do. As the Father sent Him, so He sends us. Jesus has given us the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to do His work (vs. 22).
The scars that Jesus bears on His Body to this day are precious to God, and should be to us, as well. He received those scars for love of each one of us. We are engraved and cut like scars, into God’s Hands (Isaiah 49:15-16). We are like an open wound on His Hand, unforgettable, always there for Him to see. These scars of Jesus are a reminder of God’s love for us.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Alpha And Omega
Revelation 1:1-8
When I was a child one thing that I enjoyed doing was sitting down with a volume of the encyclopedia, paging through it, and reading things that caught my interest. We had a complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, along with the thick Oxford English Dictionary. A - Z and everything in between. In our Scripture passage today we read one of the many different Names that the Lord Jesus has, that of Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. As we look into this passage, we will see the significance of that title.
The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea. The word “revelation” or “apocalypse” means to uncover or to reveal. When referring to a person, it means that person becomes clearly visible. The four Gospels revealed Jesus at His first coming in His humility. In the Book of Revelation Jesus is revealed in His exaltation in blazing glory. Although some people have been fearful of this book, it is one that gives much praise to God, showing His power and glory, and His ultimate triumph. It is also the only book in the Bible that comes with a blessing to the one who reads and responds to it in obedience (vs. 3).
There are a number of different names and titles that are given to Jesus in Scripture, such as the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, and Son of David. In verse 8 of our passage we see another one - the Alpha and the Omega, which is the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. An alphabet can be put together in endless combinations, and can convey all knowledge. Jesus is the supreme alphabet, and nothing is outside of His knowledge. He is the beginning and the ending, and everything in between. God’s power is supreme over all world events. He has sovereign control over everything and everyone.
There are also several other truths which the Apostle John gives in our Scripture passage that are worth looking into. In verse 5 we read where John calls Jesus the “firstborn from the dead”. There are several people recorded in the Bible who were raised from the dead, such as Jairus’ daughter, Lazarus, and the boy Elisha raised. However, they all had to die again. Jesus died, was raised, and will never die again! He is the first-born of the dead. Jesus conquered death for all eternity, and everyone who believes in Him will live forever.
God’s eternal presence is not limited by time (vs. 4). He has always been present, and will be into time without end. Yahweh is the great I AM - the One who always was, always is, and always will be (Exodus 3:14). The Trinity is also represented in these verses (vs. 4-6). The Father - Him who is ,who was, and who is to come - I AM. The Holy Spirit is represented by the seven spirits who are before the throne. (Throughout the Bible the number 7 represents completeness. John is identifying the fullness of the Holy Spirit.) And the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Faithful Witness (John 14:9). He is the Firstborn from the dead (John 11:25). And He is the Ruler over the Kings of the Earth (John 19:11; Romans 13:1).
In verse 7 we read that Jesus will return to earth with clouds. These are not ordinary clouds, but clouds of glory, the Shekinah glory, like the cloud of glory in the Old Testament which surrounded the Ark of the Covenant with Moses. Those who demanded Jesus be put to death will see Him in His glory (Zechariah 12:10). There is no other book in the Bible that so exalts the Lord Jesus as the Book of Revelation does.
We do not know when the Lord Jesus will return. It could be at any time (vs. 3). Thus, we must always be prepared, as we don’t know the time nor the day.
When I was a child one thing that I enjoyed doing was sitting down with a volume of the encyclopedia, paging through it, and reading things that caught my interest. We had a complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, along with the thick Oxford English Dictionary. A - Z and everything in between. In our Scripture passage today we read one of the many different Names that the Lord Jesus has, that of Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. As we look into this passage, we will see the significance of that title.
The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea. The word “revelation” or “apocalypse” means to uncover or to reveal. When referring to a person, it means that person becomes clearly visible. The four Gospels revealed Jesus at His first coming in His humility. In the Book of Revelation Jesus is revealed in His exaltation in blazing glory. Although some people have been fearful of this book, it is one that gives much praise to God, showing His power and glory, and His ultimate triumph. It is also the only book in the Bible that comes with a blessing to the one who reads and responds to it in obedience (vs. 3).
There are a number of different names and titles that are given to Jesus in Scripture, such as the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, and Son of David. In verse 8 of our passage we see another one - the Alpha and the Omega, which is the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. An alphabet can be put together in endless combinations, and can convey all knowledge. Jesus is the supreme alphabet, and nothing is outside of His knowledge. He is the beginning and the ending, and everything in between. God’s power is supreme over all world events. He has sovereign control over everything and everyone.
There are also several other truths which the Apostle John gives in our Scripture passage that are worth looking into. In verse 5 we read where John calls Jesus the “firstborn from the dead”. There are several people recorded in the Bible who were raised from the dead, such as Jairus’ daughter, Lazarus, and the boy Elisha raised. However, they all had to die again. Jesus died, was raised, and will never die again! He is the first-born of the dead. Jesus conquered death for all eternity, and everyone who believes in Him will live forever.
God’s eternal presence is not limited by time (vs. 4). He has always been present, and will be into time without end. Yahweh is the great I AM - the One who always was, always is, and always will be (Exodus 3:14). The Trinity is also represented in these verses (vs. 4-6). The Father - Him who is ,who was, and who is to come - I AM. The Holy Spirit is represented by the seven spirits who are before the throne. (Throughout the Bible the number 7 represents completeness. John is identifying the fullness of the Holy Spirit.) And the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Faithful Witness (John 14:9). He is the Firstborn from the dead (John 11:25). And He is the Ruler over the Kings of the Earth (John 19:11; Romans 13:1).
In verse 7 we read that Jesus will return to earth with clouds. These are not ordinary clouds, but clouds of glory, the Shekinah glory, like the cloud of glory in the Old Testament which surrounded the Ark of the Covenant with Moses. Those who demanded Jesus be put to death will see Him in His glory (Zechariah 12:10). There is no other book in the Bible that so exalts the Lord Jesus as the Book of Revelation does.
We do not know when the Lord Jesus will return. It could be at any time (vs. 3). Thus, we must always be prepared, as we don’t know the time nor the day.
Monday, April 29, 2019
Wisdom
Psalm 111
Wisdom is an attribute that many people would like to have. That is a quality and trait that we hopefully look for in those we want in important positions. We would hope that our political and business leaders would have wisdom, and most people would like to be known as wise. In our psalm for today the Lord instructs us exactly how one might gain true wisdom. Let’s look into today’s Scripture and see how we might find real wisdom for our lives.
In verse 10 of our psalm we read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The Lord repeats this word for word in Proverbs 9:10, and slightly different in Proverbs 1:7 where it reads that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Either way, the key to obtaining wisdom or knowledge is “the fear of the Lord”. Since we would like to have wisdom, it’s best to find out what the “fear of the Lord” is. This type of fear is a healthy respect and reverence for God’s power and authority, and not having a casual or flippant attitude towards Him which we find so much of today. A true fear of the Lord leads to respect for His commands and principles.
Life experiences and academic knowledge alone do not bring true wisdom. God is the source of wisdom, and He, alone, will give a foundation for making wise decisions. In the Book of Proverbs, chapters 1, 8 and 9, wisdom is personified and shown as an attribute of God. It comes from Him, so without the Lord one cannot be truly wise. As we obey the Lord and His commandments, He will give us more understanding and insight. The more we know God’s Word, the more wisdom we will gain.
There are several other verses in this short psalm which speak a message, as well. This is a psalm that encourages us to praise the Lord for many different reasons. We are told to praise Him for His works (vs. 2), His righteousness (vs. 3), and His grace and compassion (vs. 4). We are also encouraged in this psalm to praise the Lord for His provisions (vs. 5), His truth and justice (vs. 7), His redemption (vs. 9), and His wisdom (vs. 10).
Our praise to the Lord God should come from our whole heart and being (vs. 1). This is a command the Lord Jesus also gave us in Matthew 22:37. People frequently want to find out all they can about someone they have fallen in love with. We want to know what they like, and what they dislike. We like to know what their interests are, and what “makes them tick”. When we love the Lord, we should want to know about Him and His works. The best way to do this is through God’s Word, the Bible. As verse 2 says, as we study His Word, we will learn all about the Lord and His works.
In verse 9 we read that the Lord has sent redemption to His people. “Redemption” means the recovery of something or someone upon payment of a ransom. Before we came to Christ we were all slaves of sin. Jesus paid the price to redeem us by giving His life as a sacrifice. Before Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary, people could not come into God’s presence in the Holy of Holies. Now every believer can freely approach God’s throne through the Blood of Jesus.
This short psalm gives us many reasons to praise the Lord. He is our redeemer, having shed His Blood for our souls. He is also the source of all wisdom, which He bestows on those who fear Him.
Wisdom is an attribute that many people would like to have. That is a quality and trait that we hopefully look for in those we want in important positions. We would hope that our political and business leaders would have wisdom, and most people would like to be known as wise. In our psalm for today the Lord instructs us exactly how one might gain true wisdom. Let’s look into today’s Scripture and see how we might find real wisdom for our lives.
In verse 10 of our psalm we read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The Lord repeats this word for word in Proverbs 9:10, and slightly different in Proverbs 1:7 where it reads that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Either way, the key to obtaining wisdom or knowledge is “the fear of the Lord”. Since we would like to have wisdom, it’s best to find out what the “fear of the Lord” is. This type of fear is a healthy respect and reverence for God’s power and authority, and not having a casual or flippant attitude towards Him which we find so much of today. A true fear of the Lord leads to respect for His commands and principles.
Life experiences and academic knowledge alone do not bring true wisdom. God is the source of wisdom, and He, alone, will give a foundation for making wise decisions. In the Book of Proverbs, chapters 1, 8 and 9, wisdom is personified and shown as an attribute of God. It comes from Him, so without the Lord one cannot be truly wise. As we obey the Lord and His commandments, He will give us more understanding and insight. The more we know God’s Word, the more wisdom we will gain.
There are several other verses in this short psalm which speak a message, as well. This is a psalm that encourages us to praise the Lord for many different reasons. We are told to praise Him for His works (vs. 2), His righteousness (vs. 3), and His grace and compassion (vs. 4). We are also encouraged in this psalm to praise the Lord for His provisions (vs. 5), His truth and justice (vs. 7), His redemption (vs. 9), and His wisdom (vs. 10).
Our praise to the Lord God should come from our whole heart and being (vs. 1). This is a command the Lord Jesus also gave us in Matthew 22:37. People frequently want to find out all they can about someone they have fallen in love with. We want to know what they like, and what they dislike. We like to know what their interests are, and what “makes them tick”. When we love the Lord, we should want to know about Him and His works. The best way to do this is through God’s Word, the Bible. As verse 2 says, as we study His Word, we will learn all about the Lord and His works.
In verse 9 we read that the Lord has sent redemption to His people. “Redemption” means the recovery of something or someone upon payment of a ransom. Before we came to Christ we were all slaves of sin. Jesus paid the price to redeem us by giving His life as a sacrifice. Before Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary, people could not come into God’s presence in the Holy of Holies. Now every believer can freely approach God’s throne through the Blood of Jesus.
This short psalm gives us many reasons to praise the Lord. He is our redeemer, having shed His Blood for our souls. He is also the source of all wisdom, which He bestows on those who fear Him.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
3,000 Souls
Acts 2:36-41
Have you ever been at a church service or heard a sermon where a real large number of people came forward to accept the Lord Jesus as Savior? That would be a very special and blessed occasion. In our passage today we read of the day that the Apostle Peter preached a message to a large crowd of people who had gathered together, and about 3,000 people accepted the Lord Jesus as the Messiah and their Savior.
Earlier in the chapter that our passage is taken from the Holy Spirit had descended upon the apostles and disciples that were gathered together. As they left the room where they had been gathered in while praying, and going outside, it quickly became apparent to the people in Jerusalem that the power of the Holy Spirit was upon these men and women. As a crowd gathered, questioning what was going on, Peter used this opportunity to tell them what had happened, and preached his first sermon, telling them about Jesus.
Peter and the other apostles were preaching the Gospel right in the center of Jerusalem, right where Jesus, only several weeks prior, had been sentenced to death. Just a few weeks ago they had all run and hid for their lives when Jesus was arrested, tried, and executed. Peter had even been afraid of a servant girl, and denied knowing Jesus. Now, though, he is boldly preaching the Gospel to the gathered crowd , including the very Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders who had ordered Jesus put to death. What brought about this change? It was the Holy Spirit, which they had just received.
The apostles and other disciples knew, truly knew down deep in their soul, the truth of the resurrection. If they had really stolen and hid the dead body of Jesus, which the religious leaders claimed, would they have continued to lie to the point of death? What would be the purpose of that? Some people can be deceived about a lie that someone has told them, they believe it, and might even die for it. However to knowingly make up a lie, would someone continue to proclaim it while being tortured and executed, like many of these men and women would be?
In verse 37 we read how after Peter finished proclaiming the Word of God, and the message of how Jesus died for their sins and had risen from the dead, the sword of the Holy Spirit of God cut into the people’s hearts (Hebrews 4:12). The crowd then asked Peter and the other disciples what they needed to do. Are we prepared to answer this question when someone asks us what to do to be saved? The first thing that Peter answered was that they needed to repent (vs. 38). After being told about Jesus, His death, and resurrection, one must repent and turn away from sin. They must change the direction of their life of rebellion against God. They need to turn to Christ and depend on Him for forgiveness. Genuine repentance involves more than just fearing the consequences of God’s judgment. The evil of sin must be forsaken, and Jesus must be totally embraced.
Peter also said that after the people believed Christ and repented they needed to be baptized. Baptism, itself, doesn’t save anyone, but it is something the Lord Jesus told us to do. It is something believers should do as an act of obedience to Him. Baptism publicly identifies the believer with Jesus and the Church. Through the waters of baptism we identify with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. We are baptized to show that our sins have been cleansed, not to cleanse our sins.
That first sermon of Peter’s on that first Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension to heaven was a straightforward one. Believe and accept Jesus’ death and resurrection, repent, and then follow through with baptism. That day about 3,000 men and women believed and were saved!
Have you ever been at a church service or heard a sermon where a real large number of people came forward to accept the Lord Jesus as Savior? That would be a very special and blessed occasion. In our passage today we read of the day that the Apostle Peter preached a message to a large crowd of people who had gathered together, and about 3,000 people accepted the Lord Jesus as the Messiah and their Savior.
Earlier in the chapter that our passage is taken from the Holy Spirit had descended upon the apostles and disciples that were gathered together. As they left the room where they had been gathered in while praying, and going outside, it quickly became apparent to the people in Jerusalem that the power of the Holy Spirit was upon these men and women. As a crowd gathered, questioning what was going on, Peter used this opportunity to tell them what had happened, and preached his first sermon, telling them about Jesus.
Peter and the other apostles were preaching the Gospel right in the center of Jerusalem, right where Jesus, only several weeks prior, had been sentenced to death. Just a few weeks ago they had all run and hid for their lives when Jesus was arrested, tried, and executed. Peter had even been afraid of a servant girl, and denied knowing Jesus. Now, though, he is boldly preaching the Gospel to the gathered crowd , including the very Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders who had ordered Jesus put to death. What brought about this change? It was the Holy Spirit, which they had just received.
The apostles and other disciples knew, truly knew down deep in their soul, the truth of the resurrection. If they had really stolen and hid the dead body of Jesus, which the religious leaders claimed, would they have continued to lie to the point of death? What would be the purpose of that? Some people can be deceived about a lie that someone has told them, they believe it, and might even die for it. However to knowingly make up a lie, would someone continue to proclaim it while being tortured and executed, like many of these men and women would be?
In verse 37 we read how after Peter finished proclaiming the Word of God, and the message of how Jesus died for their sins and had risen from the dead, the sword of the Holy Spirit of God cut into the people’s hearts (Hebrews 4:12). The crowd then asked Peter and the other disciples what they needed to do. Are we prepared to answer this question when someone asks us what to do to be saved? The first thing that Peter answered was that they needed to repent (vs. 38). After being told about Jesus, His death, and resurrection, one must repent and turn away from sin. They must change the direction of their life of rebellion against God. They need to turn to Christ and depend on Him for forgiveness. Genuine repentance involves more than just fearing the consequences of God’s judgment. The evil of sin must be forsaken, and Jesus must be totally embraced.
Peter also said that after the people believed Christ and repented they needed to be baptized. Baptism, itself, doesn’t save anyone, but it is something the Lord Jesus told us to do. It is something believers should do as an act of obedience to Him. Baptism publicly identifies the believer with Jesus and the Church. Through the waters of baptism we identify with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. We are baptized to show that our sins have been cleansed, not to cleanse our sins.
That first sermon of Peter’s on that first Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension to heaven was a straightforward one. Believe and accept Jesus’ death and resurrection, repent, and then follow through with baptism. That day about 3,000 men and women believed and were saved!
Friday, April 26, 2019
Obey Man Or Obey God?
Acts 5:29-32
Being a follower of Jesus Christ, and living the Christian life, is often not very popular. It can also get one in a lot hot water if the government opposes the work one does for Jesus, especially spreading the Gospel. In our passage today from the Book of Acts we read of how the apostles ran up against the ruling authority of Jewish religious leaders and found themselves in serious trouble. As we read their response to the leaders, we can ask ourselves if we would have responded similarly.
Earlier in our chapter in Acts, Peter and some of the other apostles had been preaching the Gospel message of Jesus. They were also healing sick folk and casting out demons from those afflicted (Acts 5:14-16). This angered the high priest and other religious leaders. They thought that once Jesus had been arrested and executed that they were done with Him. They were greatly mistaken, as now they kept hearing that Jesus had risen from the dead, and His followers kept preaching and spreading His message. The high priest and the Jewish leaders had the men arrested. However, an angel opened the doors of the jail, setting them free to go and preach the Gospel in the Temple (Acts 5:17-28). When they arrested the apostles again, the authorities told them that they had been told to stop preaching in the Name of Jesus. They didn’t want to be held responsible for Jesus’ death, which of course they were. Our passage for today contains the response that the apostles gave the high priest and other religious leaders.
Peter responded to them by saying that they had to obey God rather than man (vs. 29). The Jewish leaders had told them to stop preaching and teaching in the Name of Jesus. If they continue to do so they will be arrested and beaten. God told them to spread the Gospel around Jerusalem, Judea, and to the ends of the world (Acts 1:8). They had already been arrested once before (Acts 4:1-23). Who do they obey? For the apostles, this required no great thought. They knew that they had to obey God first.
Christians should, in most circumstances, obey their government authorities (Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17). However, when the government gives decrees and laws that are contrary to God’s Word, God and His Word must be obeyed over and above the law of the land. Generally there is little disagreement between the two, but occasionally in some countries or under some regimes there arises a conflict. We see this a few times in the Scriptures. When the Israelites were living in Egypt, Pharaoh gave a command that all male Hebrew babies born were to be killed. However the Hebrew midwives disobeyed that law and allowed them to live (Exodus 1:15-17). Pharaoh’s rule - kill the baby boys. God’s law - do not kill. They obeyed God rather than man.
In the Book of Daniel we read where a decree was made that no one was to pray to any God except to the emperor for a period of time. Daniel was not going to follow that law and continued to pray to Yahweh as he always had (Daniel 6:4-10). Emperor’s rule - don’t pray to God. God’s law - worship only Him. Daniel obeyed God rather than man. He ended up being cast into the lion’s den, but Yahweh protected him.
There have been at various times and various places around the world where worshipping the Lord Jesus has been dangerous or even illegal, where owning and reading a Bible could get someone arrested and imprisoned, possibly even killed. Disobeying Pharaoh could have gotten the midwives in severe trouble. The Lord protected them. Disobeying the Persian emperor was dangerous, even for a high-ranking official like Daniel. He was thrown to the lions, but God protected him. Peter and the apostles knew the danger they were in if they disobeyed man’s law and continued to preach the Gospel message of the Lord Jesus. They were frequently arrested and beaten. Eventually all of the apostles (except John) were executed for being followers of Jesus and preaching His message. They knew that they must obey God rather than man. If a similar challenge ever comes to us, do we have the courage and conviction to do the same?
Being a follower of Jesus Christ, and living the Christian life, is often not very popular. It can also get one in a lot hot water if the government opposes the work one does for Jesus, especially spreading the Gospel. In our passage today from the Book of Acts we read of how the apostles ran up against the ruling authority of Jewish religious leaders and found themselves in serious trouble. As we read their response to the leaders, we can ask ourselves if we would have responded similarly.
Earlier in our chapter in Acts, Peter and some of the other apostles had been preaching the Gospel message of Jesus. They were also healing sick folk and casting out demons from those afflicted (Acts 5:14-16). This angered the high priest and other religious leaders. They thought that once Jesus had been arrested and executed that they were done with Him. They were greatly mistaken, as now they kept hearing that Jesus had risen from the dead, and His followers kept preaching and spreading His message. The high priest and the Jewish leaders had the men arrested. However, an angel opened the doors of the jail, setting them free to go and preach the Gospel in the Temple (Acts 5:17-28). When they arrested the apostles again, the authorities told them that they had been told to stop preaching in the Name of Jesus. They didn’t want to be held responsible for Jesus’ death, which of course they were. Our passage for today contains the response that the apostles gave the high priest and other religious leaders.
Peter responded to them by saying that they had to obey God rather than man (vs. 29). The Jewish leaders had told them to stop preaching and teaching in the Name of Jesus. If they continue to do so they will be arrested and beaten. God told them to spread the Gospel around Jerusalem, Judea, and to the ends of the world (Acts 1:8). They had already been arrested once before (Acts 4:1-23). Who do they obey? For the apostles, this required no great thought. They knew that they had to obey God first.
Christians should, in most circumstances, obey their government authorities (Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17). However, when the government gives decrees and laws that are contrary to God’s Word, God and His Word must be obeyed over and above the law of the land. Generally there is little disagreement between the two, but occasionally in some countries or under some regimes there arises a conflict. We see this a few times in the Scriptures. When the Israelites were living in Egypt, Pharaoh gave a command that all male Hebrew babies born were to be killed. However the Hebrew midwives disobeyed that law and allowed them to live (Exodus 1:15-17). Pharaoh’s rule - kill the baby boys. God’s law - do not kill. They obeyed God rather than man.
In the Book of Daniel we read where a decree was made that no one was to pray to any God except to the emperor for a period of time. Daniel was not going to follow that law and continued to pray to Yahweh as he always had (Daniel 6:4-10). Emperor’s rule - don’t pray to God. God’s law - worship only Him. Daniel obeyed God rather than man. He ended up being cast into the lion’s den, but Yahweh protected him.
There have been at various times and various places around the world where worshipping the Lord Jesus has been dangerous or even illegal, where owning and reading a Bible could get someone arrested and imprisoned, possibly even killed. Disobeying Pharaoh could have gotten the midwives in severe trouble. The Lord protected them. Disobeying the Persian emperor was dangerous, even for a high-ranking official like Daniel. He was thrown to the lions, but God protected him. Peter and the apostles knew the danger they were in if they disobeyed man’s law and continued to preach the Gospel message of the Lord Jesus. They were frequently arrested and beaten. Eventually all of the apostles (except John) were executed for being followers of Jesus and preaching His message. They knew that they must obey God rather than man. If a similar challenge ever comes to us, do we have the courage and conviction to do the same?
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Focus On Things Above
Colossians 3:1-4
Where are our thoughts centered? That’s what Paul is focused on in our brief passage today. As believers, where is our mind dwelling? Those who follow the risen Savior should have different priorities than that of those in the world. Let’s look at what Paul is teaching us today.
As Paul begins this chapter in his letter to the church in Colossae, he identifies believers as being raised with Christ. We died with the Savior, and are now risen with Him, as well (vs. 1). As risen to a new life in Him, our thoughts, our concerns, our priorities should be centered where He is, above in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, our moral and ethical behavior should also change as we allow Jesus to live within us. The Holy Spirit will shape us into what we should be.
Christians who are living in the power of the risen Savior should strive to put heaven’s priorities into daily life. To do that we need to concentrate on what is eternal, not on what is temporary (vs. 1-2). What we think about all day greatly affects the type of person we are and what we will become. Thus, we need to focus our thoughts on things that honor God. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 6:19-21, when He said to lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth, for where our treasure is, there our heart is also. If our mind is constantly concerned with things of this world, than that is where our heart and affections are. If, instead, we are concerned with the things of Christ and His priorities, then our heart will be where His is. The resurrection of Jesus is not just something that happened in the past. It affects every follower of Jesus today. We need to set our hearts on heavenly things and loosen our grip on earthly things.
Often our minds are centered on our worries and problems. They plague us and bother us, sometimes so much that they are all we can think about. Paul was not immune to problems and troubles. However he didn’t dwell on his circumstances. When he and his missionary companion Silas were put in prison in Philippi for preaching the Gospel, after having been badly beaten, what did they do? Did they sit and worry about what else would happen to them? Did they bemoan their bad fortune? No, they started singing hymns and praising God! (Acts 16:19-36). God honored that and had them set free.
Does a dead person have any interest in this world? No! That is all over with for him. Paul reminds us in verse 3 that we have died with Christ and are now risen to a new life with Him when He rose again. Our interests should be where our real home is, in heaven. God wants us to start looking at life from His perspective, seeking what He desires. Don’t become attached to what is temporary.
Our circumstances may be dark, dreary, and gloomy, just like living in a shadowy valley where the fog and clouds constantly cover the landscape. However, if one climbs up the mountain, out of the clouds and valley, there is now sunshine and warmth. So it is when we set our hearts on things above, where Jesus is, and not on things on the earth. Let’s climb up out of the dark valley, up to where Jesus is. Let’s look at our life and the things of this world with His perspective, and make what He loves and His priorities ours.
Where are our thoughts centered? That’s what Paul is focused on in our brief passage today. As believers, where is our mind dwelling? Those who follow the risen Savior should have different priorities than that of those in the world. Let’s look at what Paul is teaching us today.
As Paul begins this chapter in his letter to the church in Colossae, he identifies believers as being raised with Christ. We died with the Savior, and are now risen with Him, as well (vs. 1). As risen to a new life in Him, our thoughts, our concerns, our priorities should be centered where He is, above in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, our moral and ethical behavior should also change as we allow Jesus to live within us. The Holy Spirit will shape us into what we should be.
Christians who are living in the power of the risen Savior should strive to put heaven’s priorities into daily life. To do that we need to concentrate on what is eternal, not on what is temporary (vs. 1-2). What we think about all day greatly affects the type of person we are and what we will become. Thus, we need to focus our thoughts on things that honor God. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 6:19-21, when He said to lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth, for where our treasure is, there our heart is also. If our mind is constantly concerned with things of this world, than that is where our heart and affections are. If, instead, we are concerned with the things of Christ and His priorities, then our heart will be where His is. The resurrection of Jesus is not just something that happened in the past. It affects every follower of Jesus today. We need to set our hearts on heavenly things and loosen our grip on earthly things.
Often our minds are centered on our worries and problems. They plague us and bother us, sometimes so much that they are all we can think about. Paul was not immune to problems and troubles. However he didn’t dwell on his circumstances. When he and his missionary companion Silas were put in prison in Philippi for preaching the Gospel, after having been badly beaten, what did they do? Did they sit and worry about what else would happen to them? Did they bemoan their bad fortune? No, they started singing hymns and praising God! (Acts 16:19-36). God honored that and had them set free.
Does a dead person have any interest in this world? No! That is all over with for him. Paul reminds us in verse 3 that we have died with Christ and are now risen to a new life with Him when He rose again. Our interests should be where our real home is, in heaven. God wants us to start looking at life from His perspective, seeking what He desires. Don’t become attached to what is temporary.
Our circumstances may be dark, dreary, and gloomy, just like living in a shadowy valley where the fog and clouds constantly cover the landscape. However, if one climbs up the mountain, out of the clouds and valley, there is now sunshine and warmth. So it is when we set our hearts on things above, where Jesus is, and not on things on the earth. Let’s climb up out of the dark valley, up to where Jesus is. Let’s look at our life and the things of this world with His perspective, and make what He loves and His priorities ours.
Monday, April 22, 2019
Seek The Lord
Psalm 105:1-8
In various places and times throughout the world there have been gold rushes, people packing up and leaving their homes to go out in search of gold, and hopefully strike it rich. Two famous ones in the United States were the California Gold Rush from 1848-1855, and the Alaska Gold Rush from 1896-1899. People often left their families and sold their belongings to travel and then buy equipment, searching for something they thought would make them rich and happy. Our Scripture passage for today tells us of something we should be seeking, something of infinitely more value than gold, and that is the Lord, Himself. Let’s take a look, and see what the Lord will teach us from His Word.
Psalm 105 is a fairly long psalm, and our passage today focuses on just the opening few verses. Here the author of this psalm instructs his readers to both seek the Lord and to call upon His Name. Calling upon the Name of the Lord is to both pray to and worship in the Name of Yahweh. The people of Israel, from the earliest days following their exodus from Egypt up until the captivity in Babylon, had been prone to falling away and worshipping idols and foreign gods. The psalmist tells his readers to call upon the Name of Yahweh, to praise Him, and to worship Him (vs. 1-3).
Today God’s Name is used as a curse word more often than not. However, it is a sacred Name. It is a Name that we can turn to for help or protection. King David said that trusting in the Name of the Lord was better than trusting in chariots or horses, the powerful military equipment of his day (Psalm 20:7). We are as safe in the Name of the Lord as we would be in a fortress tower (Proverbs 18:10). One day all of creation will bow to the Name of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son (Philippians 2:10-11). It will no longer be a Name that anyone will mock!
Sometimes, though, God seems far away from us. We call upon His Name, but still feel alone. Where are You, God? I call out for help, but feel like He is nowhere to be found. It is then that our psalmist says we need to seek Him (vs. 3-4). The people who went out following these gold rushes would have been sadly disappointed if they expected to find the ground just covered with nuggets of gold. They had to search for it, putting in great effort. That’s what God wants us to do for Him. We can’t just snap our fingers and the Lord appears at our beck and call, like a butler. We need to persist in our seeking of Him.
The most important way to seek after God is by carefully and diligently studying His Word, and learning from godly pastors and Bible teachers. Another way to help us seek God more closely is by looking at what God has done for us and others in the past. That is one thing that our psalmist writer of this psalm has done, by reviewing to the readers all of what God did for His people when He brought them out from Egypt.
The prophet Isaiah, in speaking God’s Word, said that we need to seek God and turn away from all of our wicked ways. If we return to Him, He will forgive and pardon our sins (Isaiah 55:6-7). Jesus, when speaking in His Sermon on the Mount, said that if we seek God, we will find Him, if we knock at His figurative door, He will answer (Matthew 7:7-8). God has promised that He will reward those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Only a comparatively few of those who went in search of gold in the many gold rushes ever struck it rich. Some did find a little, but not enough to make it worth their efforts, and many found nothing. When we diligently seek the Lord as we would for gold or other valuable gems, we are promised in His Word that we will find Him. No one who ever seeks Him will come away empty handed.
In various places and times throughout the world there have been gold rushes, people packing up and leaving their homes to go out in search of gold, and hopefully strike it rich. Two famous ones in the United States were the California Gold Rush from 1848-1855, and the Alaska Gold Rush from 1896-1899. People often left their families and sold their belongings to travel and then buy equipment, searching for something they thought would make them rich and happy. Our Scripture passage for today tells us of something we should be seeking, something of infinitely more value than gold, and that is the Lord, Himself. Let’s take a look, and see what the Lord will teach us from His Word.
Psalm 105 is a fairly long psalm, and our passage today focuses on just the opening few verses. Here the author of this psalm instructs his readers to both seek the Lord and to call upon His Name. Calling upon the Name of the Lord is to both pray to and worship in the Name of Yahweh. The people of Israel, from the earliest days following their exodus from Egypt up until the captivity in Babylon, had been prone to falling away and worshipping idols and foreign gods. The psalmist tells his readers to call upon the Name of Yahweh, to praise Him, and to worship Him (vs. 1-3).
Today God’s Name is used as a curse word more often than not. However, it is a sacred Name. It is a Name that we can turn to for help or protection. King David said that trusting in the Name of the Lord was better than trusting in chariots or horses, the powerful military equipment of his day (Psalm 20:7). We are as safe in the Name of the Lord as we would be in a fortress tower (Proverbs 18:10). One day all of creation will bow to the Name of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son (Philippians 2:10-11). It will no longer be a Name that anyone will mock!
Sometimes, though, God seems far away from us. We call upon His Name, but still feel alone. Where are You, God? I call out for help, but feel like He is nowhere to be found. It is then that our psalmist says we need to seek Him (vs. 3-4). The people who went out following these gold rushes would have been sadly disappointed if they expected to find the ground just covered with nuggets of gold. They had to search for it, putting in great effort. That’s what God wants us to do for Him. We can’t just snap our fingers and the Lord appears at our beck and call, like a butler. We need to persist in our seeking of Him.
The most important way to seek after God is by carefully and diligently studying His Word, and learning from godly pastors and Bible teachers. Another way to help us seek God more closely is by looking at what God has done for us and others in the past. That is one thing that our psalmist writer of this psalm has done, by reviewing to the readers all of what God did for His people when He brought them out from Egypt.
The prophet Isaiah, in speaking God’s Word, said that we need to seek God and turn away from all of our wicked ways. If we return to Him, He will forgive and pardon our sins (Isaiah 55:6-7). Jesus, when speaking in His Sermon on the Mount, said that if we seek God, we will find Him, if we knock at His figurative door, He will answer (Matthew 7:7-8). God has promised that He will reward those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Only a comparatively few of those who went in search of gold in the many gold rushes ever struck it rich. Some did find a little, but not enough to make it worth their efforts, and many found nothing. When we diligently seek the Lord as we would for gold or other valuable gems, we are promised in His Word that we will find Him. No one who ever seeks Him will come away empty handed.
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