The Carpenter's Chapel (6)

Thanks Roger. Yes He bore our sin on the cross, as I just finished writing about. But now, the Good News-He's Alive!...

 

Friday August 26, 2005

Chapter 20

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
(John 20:1-8)
Jesus Christ is both Creator and Savior and, just as the miracle of special creation is the most certain testimony of true science, so the miracle of His bodily resurrection is the most certain testimony of true history.
There is, first of all, the witness of the empty tomb. When John first entered the tomb and observed the linen clothes and the napkin for His head collapsed inward on themselves, with the body gone, "he saw and believed."
Though the surely would have if they could have, neither the Jews nor the Romans could stop the spreading flame of Christianity by producing His dead body, for that body was alive again and soon ascended to Heaven, far beyond their reach.
Then there were at least ten appearances of the resurrected Savior to one or more of the disciples. Paul recounts some:
"He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present...After that He was seen of James; then all of the apostles. And last of all He was seen of me also."
(1Corinthians 15: 5-8)
These appearances were neither of a ghost nor hallucinatory, for He had "flesh and bones" (Luke 24:39); they touched Him, and talked with Him, and ate with Him.
These, and many other "infallible truths," so convinced them and multitudes of others, that their lives were transformed, and they became willing to live and even to die for Him. They suffered severely for their faith and had every incentive to assess the evidence critically, yet not one recanted. "The Lord is risen indeed" (Luke 24:34), and we certainly "have not followed cunningly devised fables." (2Peter 1:16)
Die for a lie? Hundreds, even thousands of first century christians went to their deaths rather than deny the Gospel account. This is a great testimony that Jesus was exactly Who these early Christians said He was: God in flesh, and our only hope for heaven. We today can trust Him just as these early believers did then.

 

Stop giving!

“And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.” - Exodus 36v6

As God renewed the covenant with Israel He did a work in their hearts. We read that he gave them willing hearts, wise hearts, knowledgeable hearts, skilful hearts, stirred up hearts,

It was obvious when that they had a heart a change when God asked for the work to be done and asked for offerings. When the time came everyone came to do the work at which they were skilled. Their hearts were in the work, and their hearts were in their giving. Exodus 36v5 says, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.”

“The people bring much more than enough for the work that needs to be done!” Can we even imagine that being said today? So much work was done and so much money was given that Moses had to tell the commanders of the people. “Don’t bring any more, stop giving folks, stop working!” The people had to be restrained from giving.

What was the key here? The people had a change of heart. When their hearts were changed they gave willingly, abundantly, and cheerfully. What would happen to God’s work today if His people had a truly changed heart in regard to giving? What if they changed heart resulted in giving which was willing, abundant, and cheerful. Our churches would have no needs, buildings were be paid for and missionaries would be supported.

God changes our hearts today through prayer, the reading of His word, and the work of the Holy Spirit. May we allow our changed hearts to make us the kind of givers that trhe people of Israel were.

 

Tuesday August 29, 2005

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
(John 20:9-10)
20:1-10 Early morning at the tomb
Now as we begin to study John's account of the resurrection of Christ, remember that the focus of the Gospel has been upon the Deity of Christ. John will not go into detail about all the women who came to the tomb, he will only mention Mary Magdalene; Nor will he speak of the angels or their message. In comparison, Matthews Gospel focuses upon the bribing of the guards, while Mark's emphasis is upon the message of the angels, while Luke adds the testimony of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. But John will focus upon the appearance of the Lord Jesus to Mary, and then to Peter and John followed by the appearance to the disciples, with a special appearance to Thomas.
This chapter begins with Mary bringing spices to the tomb. John identifies the time as "yet dark" on Sunday morning when she sees that the stone is already rolled away. Then John's gospel focuses upon Mary's message to Peter and John. As they arrive and inspect the empty notice that the Holy Spirit, through the writer, focuses upon the grave clothes. A minor detail, but yet a clue that points against grave robbers, a clue that suggests Jesus left the tomb as someone would leave a borrowed bedroom after a night stay. Peter and John survey the tomb with Peter still in disbelief. We don't know how much John "believed" as 20:9 tells us that they "knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead."

 

Wednesday, 31st August, 2005

To the Lord

Leviticus chapters 1-3

A consistent theme runs throughout the descriptions of the various offerings and sacrifices. In every case, and sometimes multiple times, we read phrases like, To the Lord, before the Lord, unto the Lord, etc. The key lesson that we can learn here is that in each case worship was not primarily for man, but to the Lord. He is always the focus every sacrifice which is being present.

In Romans 12v1we find an application for ourselves that sticks to this principle. “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable unto God…”

It is far to easy to have a wrong view of sacrifice. We sacrifice for our church, for the cause of missions, for the cause, for the family, or even for some human leader. When we sacrifice for those things we are sure to be disappointed. Men, organisations, and causes with let us down every time. Let our living sacrifice be made to the Lord and everything else will fall into place.

 

Friday, 2nd September, 2005
Sanctified and glorified

“Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spoke, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” - Leviticus 10:3

Nadab and Abihu were the eldest sons of Aaron. They had just started their priestly ministries, the fire of God had come down, and the people had fallen on their faces before Him.

For some reason, perhaps drunkenness, which is suggested from he latter parts of he chapter, Nadab and Abihu decided to start their own fire. God had just done a supernatural work, and the two priests tried to duplicate it with a common fire. God responds by raining down His fire from heaven, devouring Nadab and Abihu.

Moses went to Aaron with these words. “I will be sanctified…and I will be glorified.” God’s work is a supernatural work that must always be done His way. Nadab and Abihu tried to do God’s work in their own power and their own way.

God’s work is God’s work. In his work He will always be sanctified and glorified. His work is not for man to be set apart and glorified, but God. His work is God centred and not man centred.

God will be sanctified and glorified. That is a fact. We do well to recognise that and set Him apart and glorify Him in our lives.

 

Monday September 4, 2004

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
(John 20:11-18)
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene
Now the narrative turns to Mary Magdalene, who also returned to the tomb, and is found weeping in the garden. As she looked into the opening of the tomb, she saw two angels, though the text infers she didn't realize to whom she spake. Blinded by her grief of seeing her Lord crucified, she couldn't comprehend that he dad risen. She was only focused upon finding the body. Even when Jesus spake the same words in 20:15, it is as if she has her head buried in her hands and does not look up until she is shocked by hearing her name. One can imagine the look on her face as she realized Who had called her name. She went from sorrow to joy! Now don't let the liberals lead you to think that Jesus and Mary had some physical relationship. The popular novel. The DaVinci Code suggests that Jesus had a substitute, possibly Simon of Cyrene who, not only carried Jesus' cross, but took Jesus' place on that cross! They go on to say that though Jesus could barely walk, He slipped away from the Roman guards, married Mary Magdalene and had children who became the royalty of the thrones of Europe. It is 100% fiction based upon the ideas of an old cult group. In Luke 8:2 Mary is listed with a group of women who followed the Lord Jesus and the disciples. She is never mentioned alone (except for John's account at the empty tomb) and each of the other gospels mention other women being with her. Mary Magdalene is noted in scripture because of her faithfulness. (Note she is not the woman of 8:1-11 or the Mary that anointed Jesus in John 12.
. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself and saith unto Him, Rabboni, which is to say, master.
Jesus tells Mary "touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father." (20:17) as the Prophet, Jesus had always been willing to be touched by those in need, little children, etc., but now as our great High Priest ready to offer His precious blood upon Heaven's throne, He must be pure, holy and undefiled by the hands of sinful mankind. He instructs her to go, tell the disciples that He is going to ascend to the Father
The Christian calls Jesus Christ his Master, but do we really understand what this word means? The concept of masterhood has very little meaning without someone under oversight; the master must be master of a slave or a servant.
The word translated "servant" in many passages actually means "bond servant" or "slave," and implies a permanent condition. The one in bondage has lost all personal rights and lives solely to serve his master. "For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10). The slave in New Testament times didn't have a right to his own life.
There are several reasons why we should willingly place ourselves in bondage to Christ. First, He created us; we have no existence apart from His gracious sustenance (Colossians 1:16-17). Secondly, after our refusal to remain in submission to Him had brought us into slavery to sin, He paid an enormously high price to buy us back from that cruel master. Thirdly, His Father offers to adopt, as children, those who willingly accept Christ's masterhood and promises an inheritance along with that of His beloved Son. There are many guidelines in Scripture to aid us in becoming servants fit "for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2Timothy 2:21). In fact, our Master willingly became a servant to give us an example: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who...made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and...humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8). "Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet" (John 13:13-14).

 

Tuesday, 6th September, 2005

You be holy, for I am holy

“For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth”. - Leviticus 11v44

God lays it on the line here. For a while He has mentioning the principle of holiness. As we read through Leviticus it is clear to us that God places a great emphasis on holiness.

Once again we see the principle of separation – “sanctify [separate] yourselves and you shall be holy [separate] for I am holy [separate]” The Biblical principle of separation is one that is rarely mentioned in many pulpits today. Part of the reason is the abuse of the principle by many Christians who established a pharisaical, galatian. Legalistic view of separation with a whole list of does and do nots. Spirituality became, in some minds, based on how well one obeyed the rules and conformed to man’s standard of separation.

God’s standard of separation has nothing to do with human standards. It is based on His holiness and His standards as revealed in His word. It is a heart and attitude of being separate from the world. We must live among them; we cannot win them if we reject them. Our entire lives, every aspect of them, must be geared toward God’s holiness.

 

Wednesday September 7, 2005

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
(John 20: 19-21)
The so-called "great commission" of the Lord to His disciples is found in somewhat different form in each of the four Gospels and in still another form in the first chapter of Acts.
The words of Jesus, as recorded by John here, may well have preceded the most familiar rendering of this commission:
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
The commission was then further refined in Luke 24:47-48:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.
Still later, on a mountain in Galilee, He told the disciples:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
Not only were they to preach the saving gospel, implemented by true repentance unto remission of sins, based on His death, burial and resurrection, but then to "disciple" them, baptize them, and indoctrinate them in all His teachings.
Finally, just before His ascension, He summarized the commission once again:
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses of Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)
Above all, we are to go and witness to all people in all places, as God enables.

 

Thursday, 8th September, 2005

Do, keep, and walk

“Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.” - Leviticus 18:4

“I am the Lord you God” was all the authority God needed to give instructions to His people. In that simple phrase is all that we need to read to know that these instructions are to be followed.

What does God require of His people? It is more than just listening to His commands. It is more than just seeing what God has to say. Obedience always means action. Here, in the midst of giving various regulations God says to:

Do (observe) my judgements
Keep my ordinances
Walk in them

Today we are no longer bound by the law as the people of Israel were. Yet, God gives us these same instructions today. God lays down principles for living in the New Testament. He still expects us to do more than just read our Bibles.

The word “walk” is a key word in the New Testament. There are several instructions for walking. Walk by faith, walk in the spirit, walk in love, walk circumspectly, etc. There is a God walk that God’s people are always called to walk. It is always different than the world’s walk because it is based on doing His judgements and keeping His ordinances.

How is your walk today?

 

Monday, 12th September, 2005

Freewill thanksgiving

“And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.” - Leviticus 22:29

In the Old Testament the thanksgiving offering was a specific type of sacrifice. It was established to provide a way to express thanks for what God had done. Thanksgiving is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, Old Testament and New. It is often associated with sacrifice.

Why is thanksgiving a sacrifice? Thanksgiving forces us to get our minds off ourselves and our ability to meet our needs. Thanksgiving is humbling because it acknowledges that someone else has met our needs instead of us.

The thanksgiving sacrifice was to be offered of one’s own free will. True thanksgiving cannot be forced. We can make our children that “thank you,” but that does not make them thankful. We can say thank you, but that doesn’t really make us thankful.

A “gratitude attitude” is what is needed. True thanksgiving will always result in praise as noted by the writer of Hebrews – “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

When we really consider all that God has done for us, it is amazing that we even need to be reminded to give thanks.

As we pray today, let us focus on giving God a free-will sacrifice of thanksgiving. Sacrifice our own thoughts, desires, will, and perspective of whatever situation we are facing and give God the thanks He is due.

 

Tuesday September 13, 2005
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
(John 20:24-29)

Jesus' second appearance to the disciples
Thomas was absent from the group when Jesus appeared the first time. He refused to believe the report of Jesus' return when he heard the testimony of his fellow disciples. Whether Thomas dismissed the witness of the others as a hopeful delusion or a ghostly occurrence, Thomas would not believe until he saw the nail prints in Jesus' hands. Eight days later Thomas got his request. As Jesus appeared the second time, the Lord turned specifically to Thomas and showed His doubting disciple the scars from His cross experience.
This account testifies to the Biblical claim that Jesus literally died and literally rose again. It wasn't some mystical "hocus-pocus", He had scars to prove it! Also Jesus offers for Thomas to touch these scars again showing us that He had a real physical body, yet it is a special glorified body as it is not contained by walls! Remember back in the Old Testament when Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord and Jacob refused to let go until he was blessed. Now Jacob was not holding on to thin air! The "man" had a real body, yet he spoke for God! Jesus appearing in His glorified body helps us get a glimpse of our resurrection body which the saints will inherit when we leave this old world (Phil. 3:20,21) Jesus could appear and disappear at will, yet He could sit down with the disciples and eat a meal! (Compare also Abraham's visit from the Lord in Gen. 18) Again this special, but yet physical body argues against the notion of some that Jesus didn't really have a physical body (in John's day it was called Gnosticism, now we see the same in the Christian Science cult as well as the New Age Movement).
John responded to this heresy in his day in 1John 1:1: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us"

 

Wednesday, 14th September, 2005

A priestly blessing

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” - Numbers 6v24-26

God gave the priests a blessing to pass on to the people. God keeps reminding us about His grace in the midst of His laws and instructions. Here He spells out a specific blessing.

· The Lord bless you
· Keep you
· Make His face to shine on you
· Be gracious to you
· Look with favour on you
· And give you peace

God knew that the nation of Israel was going to go through many trial and testing during their history. He never made a promise to stop those trials. He did however provide a way for them to have peace no matter what their circumstances.

True peace comes as a blessing from God. It comes as He keeps us, lets us see His face, shows us grace, and looks with favour on us. Peace is not dependent on circumstances; it is not dependent on us manipulating our situation. It is a result of us learning to depend on God’s blessings and seeking to live with His face shining on us and looking to His grace.

Remember today that as child of God was can depend on His grace daily to give us His perfect peace.

 

Thursday September 15, 2005

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
(John 20:30-31)

Just after telling us of how the Lord Jesus changed "Doubting" Thomas into believing Thomas, John now speaks to all of us to explain that the reason for his writing this gospel was so that we have faith in Jesus Christ, and therefore, we have life. The word "may" in this instance is not to be construed as being conditional, but speaks of what God, through the Lord Jesus, has granted to us. If you are in Christ Jesus, you have eternal life.

The blessings we have in Christ are far too many to number, but t is a blessing even to note just a few of those indicated by the words "we (or, you) have."
First of all: "In Him WE HAVE redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the richness of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
As a result: "Therefore being justified by faith, WE HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
Thus, through such promises, His Word assures us of salvation. "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that YOU HAVE eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1John 5:13). The reason that John wrote his first epistle is the same as why he wrote the gospel that bears hs name. Further assurance is given by the witness of the Spirit who indwell us when we believe in Christ.
There are many other blessings that are ours in Christ. For example:
"In Him WE HAVE obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the counsel of His will.
(Ephesians 1:11). We are joint-heirs with Him.
God has even confirmed His promises, As the writer of Hebrews says:
"That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope WE HAVE as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. (Hebrews 6: 18-19). Indeed, "WE HAVE a great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) ever living to intercede for us at the throne of God.
Finally, when God calls us home:
"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, WE HAVE a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2Corinthians 5:1)
The Gospel of John was written explicitly to lead people to salvation through faith in Christ. To do that, they must be shown that He was the very Son of the omnipotent God. This in turn required that certain great events in His human life become part of the written word, the holy Scriptures.
John's Gospel was written after the Jewish dispersion in 70 A.D., and so was written especially with the pagan world of evolutionary humanism in view. Both Jew and Greek needed to know that Jesus was more than a great man, or even a wonder-worker, but the Creator Himself.
Therefore, John began his evangelistic appeal with a great affirmation of creation, starting with the very words of the only real record of the creation in the ancient world-the book of Genesis. "In the beginning was the word...the Word was God...All things were made by Him...He was in the world , and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not" (John 1:1,3,10).
Then John described in detail seven great miracles of Christ, none of which could ever be duplicated by any sorcerer or magician. Solely by His own spoken word, He turned water into wine, healed a dying lad six miles away, gave perfect limbs to a lifelong crippled man, created food for a multitude, walked on water, made perfect eyes for a man born blind, and restored a friend to life who had been dead four days. Finally, He rose from the dead Himself. Many have been those through the years who, on reading this gospel, have said with Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"
The Gospel of John, as stated before, is the one book of the Bible specifically written for the purpose of leading men to Jesus Christ and salvation. It is structured around seven specially selected miracles of creation, or "signs" (John 2:11; 4:53-54; 5:9; 6:13-14; 6:19-21; 9:6-7; 11:43-45), each requiring supernatural power as well as knowledge. The book also contains many affirmations of His deity (there are seven great "I Am" statements and may exhortations to believe on Him (e.g., John 3:16) interspersed around the seven signs.
Finally, there is the detailed description of the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, climaxed by the glorious affirmation of faith by doubting Thomas, and then our text stating the purpose of the entire book.
If we are to be effective witnesses for Christ, we can do no better than to follow this same procedure. It is most significant that this begins with a strong emphasis on the special creation of all things, with an exposition showing that Christ Himself is the Creator (John 1:1-14). The judicious use of Christian evidences (e.g., the miracles) demonstrating the truth of many of His claims of Deity, climaxed by the overwhelming proofs of His own bodily resurrection (John 20: 1-29). All is interwoven with an uncompromising emphasis on the inerrant authority of Scripture (e.g., John 5:39-47; 10:34-36) and a clear exposition of His substitutionary death and the necessity of personal faith in Him for salvation (especially John 3:1-18). All combine to make the most effective way of bringing men to an intelligent, well-grounded decision to receive Christ as Savior and Lord.
The writer John reminds us that the Bible is not a history book. It's purpose is not to relate every detail of every day that Jesus lived while here on earth (see 21:25). Yet when it speaks of history, it is accurate to the very details. The purpose of this gospel is to relate enough evidence to convince the reader of the Deity of Jesus Christ and their need to accept Him as their Savior. From the very beginning, the Gospel of John has been focused upon the Deity of Christ Jesus and has brought before us several witnesses as well as several invitations to accept Him. In chapter one, we are given the facts of His Deity. In chapter two we see His creative power in turning water into wine. Chapter three He reveals His message to Nicodemus and the need of people, no matter how religious they are, to come to Jesus to be saved. The next chapter focuses upon the salvation of the woman at the well, a Samaritan who were people that were despised among the Jews. Many would consider this woman too great a sinner. Jesus taught here that God is no respecter of persons or of any race. Nor is there anyone who is too far lost in sin that they cannot come to Jesus. We go on to find that He is the great healer (physician), the bread of life, the light of the world, and the great "I am".
We hear the witness of the blind man in chapter nine and the great example of His power in raising Lazarus from the dead.
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." (20:31)
Every word of this gospel has been included to bring the reader to the point of decision as Pilate aptly stated:
"what shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:22)

Jesus is the Son of God. Will you accept Him as your Saviour and Lord, or will you reject Him and find out one day that He will be your judge?

 

Friday, 16th September, 2005

You have despised the Lord

“But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?” - Numbers 11v20

What could be worse than despising the Lord? For what offence would a people be told that they have despised the Lord? Surely this must be a “serious” sin like false worship or idolatry. Those might very well be, but in this context what is the sin which proves that they have despised the Lord?

This sin was simple – it was the sin of being discontent. God had delivered them and provided for them. They were on their way to His promised land, and yet they longed to go back to Egypt.

Their whinging and complaining displeased the Lord for they despised all that He had done. What He had done was not enough - they wanted more.

Whenever we complain about the lot in life He has given us we do the same. There is little we can do which is worse than despising Him. If we are guilty of that sin it is time to repent and turn to Him.

Lord, help us never to despise You with a discontent and complaining spirit.

 

Two generations of the past saw God's great signs and wonders: those who saw what God did in the deliverence of Israel from Egypt; and what His Son, the Lord Jesus did when he walked among man during His first coming.
At these times was there a great outpouring of love and appreciation to God for His wondrous works? One could add one of those laughing graemlins here, but there is nothing funny about it. It goes to the sad condition of the human heart.
Thanks Roger.

 

Monday September 19, 2005

Chapter 21

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
(John 21:1-3)
21:1-25 Epilogue: Preparing His Shepherds
We have a continuation of the thoughts of the previous chapter. We are told that Jesus appeared several times during a period of forth days (Acts 1:3; 1Cor. 15:5-8) This chapter focuses upon one of these appearances which happened at the Sea Tiberias (Galilee). The disciples had seen Jesus, yet they had failed Him. Peter had denied His master three times and although Peter was glad to know that Jesus was alive, he very possibly didn't feel he was worthy to be a disciple anymore. He turned to the other disciples and announced "I go a fishing". Now realize that he wasn't planning on taking a pole and a bucket of worms offshore. Fishing to Peter was a business and either he was going to restart his fishing business until the Lord came or he was literally throwing in the towel and returning full-time to his fishing business. When the Lord appears the next morning, Peter's reaction of shock seems to indicate that he felt the Lord would have nothing to do with him anymore. Six other disciples join him and begin to throw out their nets. There is no mention of seeking God's direction for their lives. We too, find ourselves following our own desires and goals. Instead of seeking God's will and waiting for His leading, we turn to our old ways of life. Yet Jesus comes to them where they are.

 

Tuesday, 20th September, 2005
The meekness of Moses

“Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” - Numbers 12v3

Meekness is not often thought of as a character trait of a leader. We find most leaders to be forceful and dynamic in getting done what they want done. Most of us take confidence in a strong leader and make that a mark of a true leader.

Who would want to follow a meek leader? Moses was called the meekest man on the face of the earth. The word meek implies that he was humble and gentle in his dealings. This man who had led the people out of Egypt, whom God has used to part the Red Sea, who spoke with God and received His Law was still called the meekest man alive.

Here his brother and sister attacked him for marrying an Ethiopian woman. They were jealous of the power God had given Moses to lead. God was displeased with this, but we read on Moses’ meekness.

Meekness is almost an ugly word for Christian men today. We have swallowed the world’s line that meekness, especially in men, is a sign of weakness. A brawling, angry, tough guy spirit is what is valued and respected in far to many circles today.

This is not the example that Moses set. It is not the example that Jesus set. Both were noted for their humility and meekness. I once heard meekness defined, not weakness, but as “power under control.”

Oh for the kind of meek spirit that Moses had. May we all recognise true strength and leadership comes with a meek and gentle spirit.

 

Thanks Roger.
You know that this is a verse sceptics look at to make a case that Moses did not write the first five books of the Bible. Would a humble man say, in essence, "I'm humble?"
But you know, the writers were moved along by the Holy Spirit. It could very well be that God wanted this in here to show the type of person that He will deal with.
All through the Bible God shows how He regards the humble and meek; and how He regards the proud also!

 

Wednesday September 21, 2005

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
(John 21:4-14)

After toiling all night without catching anything, they are tired and ready to clean their nets and go home to sleep. They hear a voice from shore which asks how they are doing at fishing. There is nothing strange here as it is an often asked question between fishermen. Yet this question is followed by a command to cast out the nets one more time with the promise of a catch. It is easy to imagine the reaction of these professional fishermen to some unknown know-it-all on shore telling them how they can be better fishermen! Yet for some reason they obey this mysterious voice from the beach and put down their nets. One wonders if they began to remember a few years prior when the Master had made a similar request (Luke 5:1-11). One can only imagine their eyes as the water began to boil! This would be like the frenzy that happens at feeding time at a fish hatchery. The water literally boil when the fish see the food hit the water.
They began to pull the net and the fish were winning! They needed help from others to retrieve the net and bring it to shore, yet the net did not break.
John was the first to realize that it was the Lord on shore and Peter didn't wait to row to shore but swam to meet Jesus!
There Jesus had a fire ready with fish and bread. Jesus gives these weary fishermen the great invitation, "Come and dine". Notice that Jesus never scolds their unbelief, but He focuses upon His love for these friends.
When we get to heaven we will not be scolded for our unbelief, but be rewarded for our labors of service for the Master (1Cor.3:9-15) Before you think that we can "goof off" and not be punished, just remember the thought of standing before someone you love and disappointing them. Also study the 12th chapter of Hebrews on the topic of chastisement. Remember, their failures had caused these disciples to give up any hope of being used by God. It is God that came to encourage, cleanse and enable this group of fishermen.