“Children, have you any food?” [John 21:5 NKJV]
Here we are the Monday after Easter. Many of you are back to work and some may be enjoying an extended break. Life gets back to the normal hum drum of work, family and day to day chores. The excitement of yesterday’s celebration still lingers in our memories. The music, the dramas, the sunrise service; the breakfast! To be blunt that Sunday celebration of the rising of Christ should not cause us to be anymore excited that day than we are any other day. It is just human nature to live in the moment. We are no different than the first followers. We do not have a lot of detailed information about what happened the Monday after Jesus arose. We do pick up from John that eight days later Thomas got his wish. Now we see sometime after that the disciples are obeying the Lord and waiting in Galilee for Him to meet them again. Some think Peter decided to give up on ever being restored by Jesus and went back to his day job. After all we do not know for sure how long they had been there waiting on Him. I on the other hand think different. Listen carefully to what Jesus asked them while they were in the boat. “Are you still hungry?” I arrive at this conclusion because He fixed them breakfast. I do not think this was a commercial fishing trip or one just for fun; but to catch something to eat. It is interesting that they did not know it was Him at first. They expected Him to meet them on the Mount of Olives or perhaps in an undisclosed location while behind locked doors while hiding from the Jewish leaders, but here He is; in all His Glory! Still doing what He always has and always will for His followers: feeding them.
The resurrection changed the body of Jesus from one that was destroyed for sacrifice to a body that was equipped to serve once again. His appearance may have changed but His mission had not! He reaffirmed that mission to Peter by first taking care of his empty gut and then feeding his starving soul. I can picture Peter lying on his side in the grass picking his teeth with a fishbone when Jesus asks; “Do you love Me Peter?” I think that Peter was wondering if Jesus still loved him after his denial. Jesus makes it clear that He never stopped loving Peter.
You may be wondering today, this day after Easter, if Jesus still loves you. I assure you; He does. He always has and He always will. The question is: do you love Him? Do you love Him enough to come to Him to be fed?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Dateline: Tuesday, Nisan 13, A.D. 33. City of Jerusalem
John 12 (NLT)
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
Dateline Jerusalem, Tuesday, Nisan 13, A.D. 33. (Jewish Press). We are in the crowd as this fellow from Nazareth, after entering the city a few days ago being welcomed as the one who would deliver Israel from Roman oppression and Pharisaical rule, has just announced that the thunder we just heard was actually a voice from heaven. For the past three years He has been going about the nation performing miraculous signs and saying that He is not only speaking for God as a prophet, but that He is the Christos, the anointed One of God; the Messiah. All of this being hard to believe about Him and especially now when He has said that He must die. We know from the Scriptures that the Messiah will never die, but will reign forever as Gods chosen ruler, so how can this Man, known as Jesus of Nazareth, the son of a carpenter conceived out of wedlock, possibly say He is the Messiah; and who is this “Son of Man” He talks about? Just as He is known to do, He leaves us with these sayings of His and disappears! Our Rabbis and teachers cannot figure it out; they say He is a blasphemer and a lunatic. However they cannot explain His miracles. One of them, Nicodemus, has said that “He (Jesus) has to be from God in order to do all these works.” The controversy is stirring the crowds as many believe He is the Messiah while others think He is nothing more than a zealot making up His own rules as He goes. We cannot get any pertinent information from His disciples, His followers, mostly comprised of public servants and unlearned fishermen, who seem to have no idea of what He is talking about but follow Him anyway. Word on the street has it that after He turned the temple upside down on Monday, running all the workers and vendors out and calling them all a bunch of “crooks” that the Pharisees and some others were plotting to have Him assassinated. I would not be surprised with all the turmoil surrounding Him if one of those close to Him would carry it out!
As of press time this evening we had still not been able to reach Him for any further comments. With preparations being made citywide for the celebration of Passover coming up I am sure He is still in the area and will no doubt show Himself at the most opportune time to get the most attention from the crowd once again. If He is not careful He may end up being charged with the crime of blasphemy by our leaders which may lead to imprisonment or even death; if the Romans feel He is a threat. Jesus of Nazareth; the Messiah, or a zealous, itinerant preacher trying to form a religion? Only time will tell.
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
Dateline Jerusalem, Tuesday, Nisan 13, A.D. 33. (Jewish Press). We are in the crowd as this fellow from Nazareth, after entering the city a few days ago being welcomed as the one who would deliver Israel from Roman oppression and Pharisaical rule, has just announced that the thunder we just heard was actually a voice from heaven. For the past three years He has been going about the nation performing miraculous signs and saying that He is not only speaking for God as a prophet, but that He is the Christos, the anointed One of God; the Messiah. All of this being hard to believe about Him and especially now when He has said that He must die. We know from the Scriptures that the Messiah will never die, but will reign forever as Gods chosen ruler, so how can this Man, known as Jesus of Nazareth, the son of a carpenter conceived out of wedlock, possibly say He is the Messiah; and who is this “Son of Man” He talks about? Just as He is known to do, He leaves us with these sayings of His and disappears! Our Rabbis and teachers cannot figure it out; they say He is a blasphemer and a lunatic. However they cannot explain His miracles. One of them, Nicodemus, has said that “He (Jesus) has to be from God in order to do all these works.” The controversy is stirring the crowds as many believe He is the Messiah while others think He is nothing more than a zealot making up His own rules as He goes. We cannot get any pertinent information from His disciples, His followers, mostly comprised of public servants and unlearned fishermen, who seem to have no idea of what He is talking about but follow Him anyway. Word on the street has it that after He turned the temple upside down on Monday, running all the workers and vendors out and calling them all a bunch of “crooks” that the Pharisees and some others were plotting to have Him assassinated. I would not be surprised with all the turmoil surrounding Him if one of those close to Him would carry it out!
As of press time this evening we had still not been able to reach Him for any further comments. With preparations being made citywide for the celebration of Passover coming up I am sure He is still in the area and will no doubt show Himself at the most opportune time to get the most attention from the crowd once again. If He is not careful He may end up being charged with the crime of blasphemy by our leaders which may lead to imprisonment or even death; if the Romans feel He is a threat. Jesus of Nazareth; the Messiah, or a zealous, itinerant preacher trying to form a religion? Only time will tell.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Our Unfriendly Planet
Romans 8:20-21 (NLT)
Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
The devastating storm that passed through Friday left a path of destruction that we usually see on the evening news that happened somewhere else. The damage left behind is not only materially or physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. Fear and insecurity will plague many for a long time to come. Every time the wind gets up or the thunder rolls anxiety will arise having many wondering if it is happening again. My deepest heartfelt sympathy is for those directly affected by this event. Some say that God is trying to wake us up. Some say it is some sort of punishment for our rebellious lifestyles. Others think it is just a natural disaster that happens at times. The truth of the matter is: all three are correct.
The Scripture tells us why these things happen as they do. Earthquakes and Tsunamis, fires and floods, tornadoes and volcanoes, are all the result of the rebellious act that took place in the Garden of Eden long, long ago. We fail to realize the impact that sin has on all creation; not just us. God created and provided a once perfect world for His once perfect creatures. Free from natural disaster, free from disease, free from death. When the people He put in charge of it all stabbed Him in the back they not only reaped the consequences of their actions but the entire creation He had provided for them would change also. A planet that was designed and created to support eternal life for eternal creatures was changed into a place where they would have to labor to survive. Death not only came to them but also to their planet; the one you and I are on right now. The Earth is no longer “human friendly.” The entire planet “groans” as one translation puts it, waiting for the day that God tells us about in Revelation; the day that a new heaven and a new earth will be created for His “new” creatures. Born again humans living in a born again world!
The Apostle Paul put it this way; “What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory which will be revealed to us later.” These words do not bring a lot of comfort when you stand at the graveside of your loved one. They do not bring a lot of comfort when you stand where your home once stood and survey the rubble that was once precious belongings scattered across the fields into the trees. Scripture may not always bring us comfort at the moment but it always gives us hope! Hope in God. Hope in Christ. Hope in the future. The only things we can count on are the promises of God. The promise of eternal life; the promise of a secure future; and the promise of a better world.
Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
The devastating storm that passed through Friday left a path of destruction that we usually see on the evening news that happened somewhere else. The damage left behind is not only materially or physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. Fear and insecurity will plague many for a long time to come. Every time the wind gets up or the thunder rolls anxiety will arise having many wondering if it is happening again. My deepest heartfelt sympathy is for those directly affected by this event. Some say that God is trying to wake us up. Some say it is some sort of punishment for our rebellious lifestyles. Others think it is just a natural disaster that happens at times. The truth of the matter is: all three are correct.
The Scripture tells us why these things happen as they do. Earthquakes and Tsunamis, fires and floods, tornadoes and volcanoes, are all the result of the rebellious act that took place in the Garden of Eden long, long ago. We fail to realize the impact that sin has on all creation; not just us. God created and provided a once perfect world for His once perfect creatures. Free from natural disaster, free from disease, free from death. When the people He put in charge of it all stabbed Him in the back they not only reaped the consequences of their actions but the entire creation He had provided for them would change also. A planet that was designed and created to support eternal life for eternal creatures was changed into a place where they would have to labor to survive. Death not only came to them but also to their planet; the one you and I are on right now. The Earth is no longer “human friendly.” The entire planet “groans” as one translation puts it, waiting for the day that God tells us about in Revelation; the day that a new heaven and a new earth will be created for His “new” creatures. Born again humans living in a born again world!
The Apostle Paul put it this way; “What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory which will be revealed to us later.” These words do not bring a lot of comfort when you stand at the graveside of your loved one. They do not bring a lot of comfort when you stand where your home once stood and survey the rubble that was once precious belongings scattered across the fields into the trees. Scripture may not always bring us comfort at the moment but it always gives us hope! Hope in God. Hope in Christ. Hope in the future. The only things we can count on are the promises of God. The promise of eternal life; the promise of a secure future; and the promise of a better world.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Godly Advice; Priceless
And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. [1 Samuel 23:16 NIV]
Godly advice; what’s it worth to us? How about the man that was walking down the road and saw a fellow with a ladder leaning against a tall pole? He was on the top of the ladder with a steel tape trying to measure the pole. The guy asks what he is doing and he tells him that he is trying to find out how tall the pole is. He asks the guy why he did not measure it while it was on the ground and the guy responded with, “I don’t care how long it is; I want to know how tall it is.”
Sometimes people have a different perspective on things than we do. That is not a new revelation but our perspectives are based on where we are coming from at the time. David knew Saul was out to kill him. Saul’s forces numbered in the thousands and David had six hundred men with him. David inquired of God in Keilah, “Will Saul come here looking for me and will this people turn me over to him?” God answered yes to both questions. While David was hiding in the desert of Ziph at Horesh he must have been afraid that Saul would find him. Then help arrives; from Saul’s son Jonathan. He reminded David of Samuel’s prophecy upon Saul: “The Lord will tear the kingdom from your hands and give it to one of your neighbors.” Jonathan told David even Saul knew God would protect him when he said; “As long as the son of Jesse is alive you will never be the king of this kingdom.” Jonathan’s advice helped David that day as we later read in Psalm 54.
We need a Jonathan to come to us once in a while. We need to be a Jonathan sometimes too. Even the strongest of Christians need encouragement when in a pickle. That encouragement does not always have to come from a pastor or a counselor. It can come from you. We need to be reminded of who we are in Christ and encouraged to trust in Him from time to time. We need to remind others at times of God’s promises toward them. He is a lonely and miserable man that will not receive the godly advice of friends. He is a selfish and arrogant man that will not offer it to friends. You may need someone today to encourage you to continue to trust in the Lord, or you may know someone that needs you to tell them to trust in Him. Don’t wait until the pole is in the ground and they are up on a ladder; go to them while it is still lying on the ground!
Godly advice; what’s it worth to us? How about the man that was walking down the road and saw a fellow with a ladder leaning against a tall pole? He was on the top of the ladder with a steel tape trying to measure the pole. The guy asks what he is doing and he tells him that he is trying to find out how tall the pole is. He asks the guy why he did not measure it while it was on the ground and the guy responded with, “I don’t care how long it is; I want to know how tall it is.”
Sometimes people have a different perspective on things than we do. That is not a new revelation but our perspectives are based on where we are coming from at the time. David knew Saul was out to kill him. Saul’s forces numbered in the thousands and David had six hundred men with him. David inquired of God in Keilah, “Will Saul come here looking for me and will this people turn me over to him?” God answered yes to both questions. While David was hiding in the desert of Ziph at Horesh he must have been afraid that Saul would find him. Then help arrives; from Saul’s son Jonathan. He reminded David of Samuel’s prophecy upon Saul: “The Lord will tear the kingdom from your hands and give it to one of your neighbors.” Jonathan told David even Saul knew God would protect him when he said; “As long as the son of Jesse is alive you will never be the king of this kingdom.” Jonathan’s advice helped David that day as we later read in Psalm 54.
We need a Jonathan to come to us once in a while. We need to be a Jonathan sometimes too. Even the strongest of Christians need encouragement when in a pickle. That encouragement does not always have to come from a pastor or a counselor. It can come from you. We need to be reminded of who we are in Christ and encouraged to trust in Him from time to time. We need to remind others at times of God’s promises toward them. He is a lonely and miserable man that will not receive the godly advice of friends. He is a selfish and arrogant man that will not offer it to friends. You may need someone today to encourage you to continue to trust in the Lord, or you may know someone that needs you to tell them to trust in Him. Don’t wait until the pole is in the ground and they are up on a ladder; go to them while it is still lying on the ground!
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