Monday, Jan 11, 2015
Mark is widely thought to be the earliest gospel to have been written. Mark doesn't spend any time on the birth of Christ, or the genealogy. He gets right to the heart of the matter. Maybe that's why the other authors included it...Mark wrote first and left it out, so they added it in.
John the Baptist spent his time baptizing people (go figure). In Jerusalem around the temple area there are large holes cut into the bedrock. They have steps going down into them, sometimes there were two sets of steps. I was told that these were filled with water so the priests going into the temple could ceremonially cleanse themselves before entering the temple. They would exit on the clean steps, so they didn't become contaminated again. It was just ceremony, there wasn't any actual bathing going on there...but it adds some depth to what John was doing. The idea that everyone needed to be cleaned and prepared for "ministry" was a fresh and welcome idea.
In verse 12 you will notice it was the Spirit that sent Jesus into the desert where he was tempted. God doesn't ever tempt us, but he does allow us to be tempted. That's so we can resist, and build our spiritual strength. I have a theory that Jesus came out of the desert very hungry and probably physically weak, but spiritually very strong. Oddly enough, that's when the devil shows up to tempt him (we'll get to that on Wednesday).
As I have mentioned before, the word "Gospel" means "good news", and the good news is summarized partly in verse 15. "The time is now! if we repent of our sins, God will forgive us and restore us to a right relationship with Him, and we will inherit everything that His children are supposed to". (again, only part of that message is here, but Mark records the beginning of it)
Did you notice that the disciples left "immediately" when Jesus called. I think this is a key teaching. Okay, maybe you didn't obey as soon as you should have...but you can begin immediately NOW. So, wherever God is prompting you to obey....just do it. If it means sacrifice on your part, don't be afraid, God is able to make it up to you many times over.
Simon (also called Peter) and Andrew were brothers. Apparently Peter was married and his mother-in-law lived with them. Actually that could have been common in biblical times. Families were much closer together than they are today, here in the U.S. The Jews today often live in small very close communities called a "kibbutz". Each one had it's own "home school teachers" and every resident of the kibbutz had a job to support the rest. The one I saw was very communal, but it worked very well. The kibbutz is fairly recent (last 150 years) I wonder if they are popular because the Jews are so family oriented. It sort of reminded me of the Amish in our area.
In verse 40 Jesus heals a man but instructs him not to talk about it. I think He did that so that He could move around more easily, without crowds slowing Him. Of course, this kind of good news is going to get out no matter what you say. On the other hand...why would he have to instruct the demons not to give credit to Him? I don't think they wanted to, but because of who He is, they were compelled to acknowledge Him! Jesus tells the man to offer the sacrifices (or to give them to the priests who will receive and offer them) so that the priests will be made aware of his healing.
This is important, because this guy can't rejoin his family until he is cleared by the priests. Although he doesn't need the approval to be healed, he is told to obey the Old Testament law as a witness to those who haven't heard yet.
Is it possible that God is asking you to do something that you know you don't have to do in order to be saved (or healed), but that you should do anyway....perhaps as a witness to others?
enjoying the quiet moment and the Word of God,
PR
Monday, January 11, 2016
Friday, January 8, 2016
Matthew 3
Jan 8, 2016
The ancient traditions held that Elijah (Israel's greatest prophet) would return to usher in the time of the Messiah. Isaiah, a great prophet in his own time, said as much in the quote contained in this chapter. But later, when Jesus is questioned on the subject he says that Elijah has already come. (Matthew 17:12) meaning that John the Baptist is the one who came "in the Spirit of Elijah" (which is to say "John came filled with the Holy Spirit, which is the exact same Spirit that filled Elijah".)
John's clothes are mentioned because they were the standard garb of a prophet. Matthew is telling us that "John was a prophet, like the prophets of old". I wonder if Christians today can be recognized by the way they dress, or talk, or the places that they go....you could look at John the Baptist and know that he was someone set apart. God ordained that, and I have to imagine that God approved of the clothing that he wore. Does any of that carry forward to today? I don't care to develop the thought much further now...I'm just thinking in print.
Jesus was obedient to be baptized by John, just as His Father wanted. Verse 15 tells us that. Obedience is key to maintaining the relationship with God. Jesus says to us in John 15:10 that if we love Him we will obey.
We never know when our obedience to God will reap great dividends, that's why we need to remain obedient all the time. Even when we think it doesn't matter, or no one is looking. Obedience is always rewarded, and disobedience always sets us back, and stalls our growth.
On a completely different note: I have mentioned before when blogging that this passage helps us understand the existence of the Trinity. Jesus is in the water, a voice comes from heaven, and at the same time a fluttering presence descends on Jesus. Three distinct representations of God.
Blessings,
PR
The ancient traditions held that Elijah (Israel's greatest prophet) would return to usher in the time of the Messiah. Isaiah, a great prophet in his own time, said as much in the quote contained in this chapter. But later, when Jesus is questioned on the subject he says that Elijah has already come. (Matthew 17:12) meaning that John the Baptist is the one who came "in the Spirit of Elijah" (which is to say "John came filled with the Holy Spirit, which is the exact same Spirit that filled Elijah".)
John's clothes are mentioned because they were the standard garb of a prophet. Matthew is telling us that "John was a prophet, like the prophets of old". I wonder if Christians today can be recognized by the way they dress, or talk, or the places that they go....you could look at John the Baptist and know that he was someone set apart. God ordained that, and I have to imagine that God approved of the clothing that he wore. Does any of that carry forward to today? I don't care to develop the thought much further now...I'm just thinking in print.
Jesus was obedient to be baptized by John, just as His Father wanted. Verse 15 tells us that. Obedience is key to maintaining the relationship with God. Jesus says to us in John 15:10 that if we love Him we will obey.
We never know when our obedience to God will reap great dividends, that's why we need to remain obedient all the time. Even when we think it doesn't matter, or no one is looking. Obedience is always rewarded, and disobedience always sets us back, and stalls our growth.
On a completely different note: I have mentioned before when blogging that this passage helps us understand the existence of the Trinity. Jesus is in the water, a voice comes from heaven, and at the same time a fluttering presence descends on Jesus. Three distinct representations of God.
Blessings,
PR
Matthew 2
Jan 7, 2016
The only account of the wise men given to us is recorded in Matthew. Thanks, Matt.
You have probably heard most of the conjecture on this passage before, but I will jot a few things down just in case.
There were likely more than three wise men, we only depict three because three gifts were mentioned. In reality, there were probably many gifts, and a caravan of people. The wise men could have been astrologers, or they could have been court officials, or something similar. Probably astrologers, since they noted the star appearing.
The three gifts they brought have been compared to the three offices that Christ held. Gold for a King (a ruler) and Frankincense for a Priest. Myrrh was a burial spice, and a pain killer so it speaks to Christ as the sacrifice. Jesus is the only person who fulfilled all three roles. For instance, the king was never allowed to be the priest....when Saul tried it and took upon himself Samuel's role (1 Samuel 13) God punished him by removing him as king.
One more thing that is interesting to me.. When I visited Bethlehem we went to the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest buildings in the region. The reason that the marauding Arabs didn't destroy it when they conquered the area is because there were images of three Arabs carved into the entryway door. (the wise men from the east were probably from Iran or Iraq...maybe north from Turkey...but they were recognized by the invaders). That adds a dimension to the Christmas account. Jesus didn't come just for the Jews, he came for everybody. The journey of the wise men to worship the new King tells us that.
I found myself wondering when Herod died.... since that's when Jesus, Mary and Joseph returned from Egypt. As it turns out, Herod didn't live long after Christ was born. If Jesus was born around 3 BC, then Herod fell from power and died around 1 BC. The Bible doesn't say that Joseph returned the same month, but it would have been within that year, probably. So the holy family wasn't in Egypt for more than a year or two at the very most. The gifts that the wise men brought likely sustained them during their travel..and some think that they provided for Mary for the rest of her life. But there's nothing written about that.
Stray thought: the gifts of the Magi weren't all meant to be used immediately. sometimes God gives us today what will be needed tomorrow...or maybe much later.
Have a great day,
PR
The only account of the wise men given to us is recorded in Matthew. Thanks, Matt.
You have probably heard most of the conjecture on this passage before, but I will jot a few things down just in case.
There were likely more than three wise men, we only depict three because three gifts were mentioned. In reality, there were probably many gifts, and a caravan of people. The wise men could have been astrologers, or they could have been court officials, or something similar. Probably astrologers, since they noted the star appearing.
The three gifts they brought have been compared to the three offices that Christ held. Gold for a King (a ruler) and Frankincense for a Priest. Myrrh was a burial spice, and a pain killer so it speaks to Christ as the sacrifice. Jesus is the only person who fulfilled all three roles. For instance, the king was never allowed to be the priest....when Saul tried it and took upon himself Samuel's role (1 Samuel 13) God punished him by removing him as king.
One more thing that is interesting to me.. When I visited Bethlehem we went to the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest buildings in the region. The reason that the marauding Arabs didn't destroy it when they conquered the area is because there were images of three Arabs carved into the entryway door. (the wise men from the east were probably from Iran or Iraq...maybe north from Turkey...but they were recognized by the invaders). That adds a dimension to the Christmas account. Jesus didn't come just for the Jews, he came for everybody. The journey of the wise men to worship the new King tells us that.
I found myself wondering when Herod died.... since that's when Jesus, Mary and Joseph returned from Egypt. As it turns out, Herod didn't live long after Christ was born. If Jesus was born around 3 BC, then Herod fell from power and died around 1 BC. The Bible doesn't say that Joseph returned the same month, but it would have been within that year, probably. So the holy family wasn't in Egypt for more than a year or two at the very most. The gifts that the wise men brought likely sustained them during their travel..and some think that they provided for Mary for the rest of her life. But there's nothing written about that.
Stray thought: the gifts of the Magi weren't all meant to be used immediately. sometimes God gives us today what will be needed tomorrow...or maybe much later.
Have a great day,
PR
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Luke 2
Luke 2, January 6, 2015
For some reason the first thing that caught my eye as I read this very familiar account was the absence of the flight to Egypt. When you read Luke's account, it's as if it never happened. I mean, verse 39 says "they did what they needed to do, and then returned to Nazareth" (my words). There isn't even a mention that for months, or maybe a year? they were out of the country. Luke is a smart guy, he knew very well that they were in Egypt. Why leave it out? Some scholars speculate that it was because of the audience to which the letter was written. Matthew wrote to the Jewish people, who would have known that Herod's murderous anger was prophesied. Luke was writing to a Gentile audience...specifically to a gentleman named Theophilus. (Luke and Acts are companion letters). There was no need to mention the flight to Egypt to a Gentile, it would have required further explanation, and wouldn't have reinforced the story line at all. Therefore, Luke skips right over it.
It reminds me that there are undoubtedly other things that Jesus said and did that have escaped the pages of scripture. We won't know about them until we get to heaven, I guess.
Before I close this thought, I want to comment on Simeon and Anna. These two saints were praying and fasting in the temple for years...Anna had been there almost her whole adult life. From what I see written here, it was primarily for this purpose, to call attention to Jesus. I take away from this account that God would is pleased to allow some to remain in obscurity for many years, with only a 2-3 minute window of "fame". Anna wasn't looking to be famous, she was focused on being obedient, and while she was serving the Lord, and enjoying His presence, she was blessed with a special honor...to meet and prophesy over the Deliverer. It is a completely worthwhile use of a lifetime to remain obedient to the Lord, even if it means serving in obscurity. Also, the lack of fame and fortune are not indicators that God is displeased. Anna appears to have had little, but her name and her message are remembered and repeated more than any sermon you will ever hear.
Most of us (myself included) have enjoyed many confirmations of our ministry. Our friends encourage us and cheer us on. We see the results of our ministry all around us. Sure, we wish we were even more effective, but we see some effectiveness. I wonder if Simeon and Anna endured many years of wondering what their purpose in life was, or if they were really in God's will, while they waited for their moment. I wonder if Simeon ever prayed "how much longer, God?" or "Lord, did you already appear and I missed it?"
In any case, I celebrate and marvel at the faithfulness and dedication of these two faithful servants who remained holy for many years and spoke the right word at the right time. What satisfaction it must have brought to their soul as they realized that God was speaking through them.
Blessings,
PR
For some reason the first thing that caught my eye as I read this very familiar account was the absence of the flight to Egypt. When you read Luke's account, it's as if it never happened. I mean, verse 39 says "they did what they needed to do, and then returned to Nazareth" (my words). There isn't even a mention that for months, or maybe a year? they were out of the country. Luke is a smart guy, he knew very well that they were in Egypt. Why leave it out? Some scholars speculate that it was because of the audience to which the letter was written. Matthew wrote to the Jewish people, who would have known that Herod's murderous anger was prophesied. Luke was writing to a Gentile audience...specifically to a gentleman named Theophilus. (Luke and Acts are companion letters). There was no need to mention the flight to Egypt to a Gentile, it would have required further explanation, and wouldn't have reinforced the story line at all. Therefore, Luke skips right over it.
It reminds me that there are undoubtedly other things that Jesus said and did that have escaped the pages of scripture. We won't know about them until we get to heaven, I guess.
Before I close this thought, I want to comment on Simeon and Anna. These two saints were praying and fasting in the temple for years...Anna had been there almost her whole adult life. From what I see written here, it was primarily for this purpose, to call attention to Jesus. I take away from this account that God would is pleased to allow some to remain in obscurity for many years, with only a 2-3 minute window of "fame". Anna wasn't looking to be famous, she was focused on being obedient, and while she was serving the Lord, and enjoying His presence, she was blessed with a special honor...to meet and prophesy over the Deliverer. It is a completely worthwhile use of a lifetime to remain obedient to the Lord, even if it means serving in obscurity. Also, the lack of fame and fortune are not indicators that God is displeased. Anna appears to have had little, but her name and her message are remembered and repeated more than any sermon you will ever hear.
Most of us (myself included) have enjoyed many confirmations of our ministry. Our friends encourage us and cheer us on. We see the results of our ministry all around us. Sure, we wish we were even more effective, but we see some effectiveness. I wonder if Simeon and Anna endured many years of wondering what their purpose in life was, or if they were really in God's will, while they waited for their moment. I wonder if Simeon ever prayed "how much longer, God?" or "Lord, did you already appear and I missed it?"
In any case, I celebrate and marvel at the faithfulness and dedication of these two faithful servants who remained holy for many years and spoke the right word at the right time. What satisfaction it must have brought to their soul as they realized that God was speaking through them.
Blessings,
PR
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Matthew 1
Tuesday, Jan 5, 2016
There are three sets of 14 generations mentioned at the beginning of this chapter. I did some quick math and determined that a generation in the first set (Abraham to David) is 31 years. In the second set, a generation was 33 years, and in the 3rd set a generation is 38 years. There are some people who say that all the generations aren't listed here, or they are incomplete... I find that hard to believe, since any additional family members would have the generational line down in the 20's, or even lower. Except for the Exodus, we can clearly track Jesus's lineage all the way back to Abraham. That's important because prophecy clearly says that the Messiah would come from the clan of Judah, and this lineage proves it. It also demonstrates that God doesn't need us to be perfect in order to work through us. Rahab was a prostitute who turned traitor on her own country and hid several Israelite spies. Solomon was born to Bathsheeba, who slept with David while her husband Uriah was away at war. Okay, you probably can't deny the king when he commands you, but I am not trying to place blame. I'm just saying that God can use anyone. David and Bathsheeba weren't a couple that God put together, but after David repents, God clearly blesses him and his wife.
Moving on to Joseph, I recall that there isn't much written about him. This is one of the few passages we have. I wonder what happened to Joseph. I know he survives for their trip back from Egypt, and he and Mary have other children, but he disappears off the pages of history after that.
Was he an older man to begin with? Did God take him home to heaven so he wouldn't be here to see his son tortured? And if that's the case, why not take Mary? Why allow her to suffer? Maybe there wasn't a reason, maybe it was simply "his time".
In any case, I learn from Joseph that God's ways are beyond my understanding. I need only to trust his guidance and do my best to remain obedient. He will see to the rest.
It had to be difficult to look at Mary thinking she had been with someone else...and then later to think that she had given birth to the Messiah...to God himself. What God commands isn't always comfortable...but it's always worth it.
PR
There are three sets of 14 generations mentioned at the beginning of this chapter. I did some quick math and determined that a generation in the first set (Abraham to David) is 31 years. In the second set, a generation was 33 years, and in the 3rd set a generation is 38 years. There are some people who say that all the generations aren't listed here, or they are incomplete... I find that hard to believe, since any additional family members would have the generational line down in the 20's, or even lower. Except for the Exodus, we can clearly track Jesus's lineage all the way back to Abraham. That's important because prophecy clearly says that the Messiah would come from the clan of Judah, and this lineage proves it. It also demonstrates that God doesn't need us to be perfect in order to work through us. Rahab was a prostitute who turned traitor on her own country and hid several Israelite spies. Solomon was born to Bathsheeba, who slept with David while her husband Uriah was away at war. Okay, you probably can't deny the king when he commands you, but I am not trying to place blame. I'm just saying that God can use anyone. David and Bathsheeba weren't a couple that God put together, but after David repents, God clearly blesses him and his wife.
Moving on to Joseph, I recall that there isn't much written about him. This is one of the few passages we have. I wonder what happened to Joseph. I know he survives for their trip back from Egypt, and he and Mary have other children, but he disappears off the pages of history after that.
Was he an older man to begin with? Did God take him home to heaven so he wouldn't be here to see his son tortured? And if that's the case, why not take Mary? Why allow her to suffer? Maybe there wasn't a reason, maybe it was simply "his time".
In any case, I learn from Joseph that God's ways are beyond my understanding. I need only to trust his guidance and do my best to remain obedient. He will see to the rest.
It had to be difficult to look at Mary thinking she had been with someone else...and then later to think that she had given birth to the Messiah...to God himself. What God commands isn't always comfortable...but it's always worth it.
PR
John 1
Monday, Jan 4, 2015
Our second reading for this new year is the first chapter of John's Gospel. The Gospel of John is different than the other Gospels, as we will discover in the next few weeks. John was the last of the disciples to pen his letter, we speculate that he delayed because Jesus had given him care of his mother (See John 19:27). Maybe John waited until Mary had passed before he took time to publish his account. In any case, by the time John writes, the other three Gospels have been circulating for some time. John doesn't see a need to reiterate everything they said, so he takes a different approach. In his Gospel, the purpose is to prove to the reader that Jesus Christ really is the Son of God. So, the miracles that John mentions and the prophecies that he addresses, and the things that Jesus said (such as "I Am" seven different times) are all highlighted by John.
Some have said that in the first chapter of John we have the whole Bible in condensed version. It begins almost the same way as Genesis, reminding us that before the earth was ever created, God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit were communing together in perfect harmony. It was our creation, and our eventual sin that necessitated the insertion of Jesus into our timeline.
Today allow the powerful images of Jesus as the light of the world, and Jesus as the Word of God in human form to soak into your consciousness. All wisdom begins in Him, and He alone holds the key to the future. He is the center of everything that happens in all of human history. Before we can understand or appreciate anything that is written, we have to accept this basic truth.
Having established this fact, John skips over all mention of the birth of Jesus. There are no wise men in his account, no shepherds, no mention of Mary and Joseph. Why? Because that has already been written. John goes straight for the most important point. John the Baptist was the one who was miraculously born to an elderly couple in order to call attention to, and prepare the way for the Messiah.
Then you will notice that John immediately moves to the selection of the disciples. Wouldn't it be nice to know if John or Jesus saw each other at family reunions, or walked together on trips to Jerusalem for Passover? Sure, that would be interesting, but it isn't important. John has limited time and space in which to make his case, and is going to stick to the main themes.
Sometimes people call attention to the gaps in Biblical history and try to plant seeds of doubt because of it. "it isn't complete" they say. "How can we believe that valuable information hasn't been left out?" My response is always "what has been written by different authors provides a seamless account of everything that is important to know for salvation". Sure, there are other events that we don't know about, but even if we knew them, it wouldn't change anything.
The Word has become flesh and chosen to live among us. And, in our time, the Word has chosen to live INSIDE us. What a wonderful time in human history to be alive!
PR
Our second reading for this new year is the first chapter of John's Gospel. The Gospel of John is different than the other Gospels, as we will discover in the next few weeks. John was the last of the disciples to pen his letter, we speculate that he delayed because Jesus had given him care of his mother (See John 19:27). Maybe John waited until Mary had passed before he took time to publish his account. In any case, by the time John writes, the other three Gospels have been circulating for some time. John doesn't see a need to reiterate everything they said, so he takes a different approach. In his Gospel, the purpose is to prove to the reader that Jesus Christ really is the Son of God. So, the miracles that John mentions and the prophecies that he addresses, and the things that Jesus said (such as "I Am" seven different times) are all highlighted by John.
Some have said that in the first chapter of John we have the whole Bible in condensed version. It begins almost the same way as Genesis, reminding us that before the earth was ever created, God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit were communing together in perfect harmony. It was our creation, and our eventual sin that necessitated the insertion of Jesus into our timeline.
Today allow the powerful images of Jesus as the light of the world, and Jesus as the Word of God in human form to soak into your consciousness. All wisdom begins in Him, and He alone holds the key to the future. He is the center of everything that happens in all of human history. Before we can understand or appreciate anything that is written, we have to accept this basic truth.
Having established this fact, John skips over all mention of the birth of Jesus. There are no wise men in his account, no shepherds, no mention of Mary and Joseph. Why? Because that has already been written. John goes straight for the most important point. John the Baptist was the one who was miraculously born to an elderly couple in order to call attention to, and prepare the way for the Messiah.
Then you will notice that John immediately moves to the selection of the disciples. Wouldn't it be nice to know if John or Jesus saw each other at family reunions, or walked together on trips to Jerusalem for Passover? Sure, that would be interesting, but it isn't important. John has limited time and space in which to make his case, and is going to stick to the main themes.
Sometimes people call attention to the gaps in Biblical history and try to plant seeds of doubt because of it. "it isn't complete" they say. "How can we believe that valuable information hasn't been left out?" My response is always "what has been written by different authors provides a seamless account of everything that is important to know for salvation". Sure, there are other events that we don't know about, but even if we knew them, it wouldn't change anything.
The Word has become flesh and chosen to live among us. And, in our time, the Word has chosen to live INSIDE us. What a wonderful time in human history to be alive!
PR
Friday, January 1, 2016
And so it begins.. Jan 1, 2016
Luke 1
The first two chapters of Luke are the only details we get from the good doctor on the details surrounding Christ's birth. And of that, more is written about John the Baptist than about Jesus. That's curious.
It seems that Luke gives us enough information to let us know that prophecy was fulfilled and that miracles of several types surrounded the birth. As for the other details, all the Gospel authors leave them unaddressed. It isn't that they wouldn't have some value, or be interesting...it's just that we have limited time and material with which to write, and we must quickly move to the most important things.
Even still, I find myself marveling at the way God works. Zechariah was a righteous man, and so was his wife...what must they have thought about being barren? How long ago did Zechariah quit praying for a child, only to have an angel show up in his old age speaking to him as if he had prayed only yesterday? The angel told Zechariah that he would be mute until the baby was born, and yet when John was born, Zechariah remained mute for another week...until the baby was named. I'll bet that was a long week for Zechariah, wondering if he would ever be able to speak again. I wonder if he was disappointed or afraid when he wasn't able to speak immediately after the birth of John.
The lives of Zechariah, Elizabeth and John are models of faithfulness in spite of circumstances. These were not followers whose faith was shaken every time things didn't go the way they expected. Instead, they remained devoted without regard to the current circumstances. A good example for all of us.
PR
PR
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