Posts Tagged ‘jesus’

Jesus’ birth and death

Monday, January 9th, 2012

UNDOUBTEDLY, ONE COULD find more contrasts than comparisons between Christ’s birth and death…

Yet, a study of both reveals some interesting parallels.  Both changed the world and have altered the impact of eternity.  Consider the following:

1) At both, He was rejected of men (Luke 2:7; Mark 15:15).

2) At both, He was cast “outside” (Luke 2:7; Hebrews 13:12).

3) At both, Mary was there (Luke 2:7; John 19:26).

4) At both, myrrh was present for use upon Him (Matt. 2:11; John 19:39).

5) At both, there was darkness (Matthew 2:10,14; Matt. 27:45).

6) At both, His body was wrapped in clothing (Luke 2:7,12; Mark 15:46).

7) At both, a Herod becomes curiously involved (Matt. 2:7ff; Luke 23:7ff).

8) At both, there was worship-though the first was genuine and the second mocking (Matt. 2:11 and Luke 2:13-14; Mark 15:19).

9) At both, wise men recognized His deity (Matthew 2:1ff; Mark 15:39 and Luke 23:41)

10) At both, Jew and Gentile were there.

11) At both, He was hailed as King-though one was in earnest and the other in jest (Matt. 2:2; Mark 15:26,32).

12) At both, an “honorable” man named Joseph was present (Matt. 1:19 + Luke 2:16; Mark 15:43).

13) At both we find the chief priests and scribes involved (Matt. 2:4-6; 27:1ff).  (Neal Pollard)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

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Touchdown Jesus

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

The official name for the 62-foot-high statue was “King of Kings”. Folks who passed by the Solid Rock Church on I-75, just north of Cincinnati, had an irreverent label for it: “Touchdown Jesus”. The original thought was for Jesus to be appealing to His Father in heaven for help. Others saw the outstretched arms as reaching for a pass headed His way.

All had the same view of this religious statue on the night of June 14, 2010. Lightning struck the image, setting it ablaze. The loss was total, calculated at $300,000 for the statue and another $400,000 for the amphitheater built around it. Church leaders vow to rebuild.

The story, of course, has the nation atwitter. It seems every major news outlet has carried some version of the story, and Twitter has been churning out comments like these: “Score one for Darwinists, who must be having a giggle”; “I am still cracking up about Touchdown Jesus being destroyed by an … act of god”; “God Votes with Lightning and Touchdown Jesus Burns”; and – you had to expect this one – “Holy Smoke!”

There does seem to be a touch of irony in this news story. It is not uncommon for people to destroy religious icons. A recent example occurred in 2001 when members of the Taliban dynamited two monumental Buddhas that had been carved into the sandstone cliffs of Afghanistan in the 6th century. The destruction of the “King of Kings” statue, however, was a natural act. Many do indeed view the incident as an act of God.

Whether or not God sent the lightning to destroy this statue is not our question. We do see, however, warnings in the Bible against placing trust in visible objects instead of in God.

The second of the ten commandments was clear: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image – any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:4). Even while God was giving this command to Moses on Mt. Sinai the people of Israel were fashioning a gold calf to worship (Genesis 32). God was outraged, and always has been when people venerate physical objects.

Instead of spending precious resources on material icons, wouldn’t it be wiser to focus on faith – that which can’t be seen with our eyes? Paul obviously thought so: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). The New Testament never encouraged anyone to fashion images to lead people to God. It does urge us to develop our faith through the revelation God has given us (Romans 10:17).

Gazing upon religious relics pleases many. But what will please God – the One we really need to please? “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Since faith comes by hearing God’s word, pleasing God means doing the things God has commanded. Nothing more, nothing less.

I don’t regard the news of a statue being destroyed by lightning as funny. But perhaps this is an opportunity to reflect on what the Lord really expects of us.

–Timothy D. Hall

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Jesus' trials

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

 

  1. Before the trials started Jesus was arrested.
  2. Mt. 26:47 says a “great multitude” came to arrest the Lord.
  3. How many people are in a “great crowd?”
  4. Many believe that 500-600 people were sent to arrest the Lord.
  5. Imagine a police force that is tasked to capture a single man.
  6. They are told where they man is and 500 officers go to that persons’ house.
  7. Jesus’ trials began with some Jewish officials.
  8. Jesus went to Annas, Jn. 18:12-14.
  9. Annas had been appointed as high priest, but corruption had ousted him from office.

10.  People began to spit on Jesus.  He was hit.

11.  Mt. 26:67-68 – READ

12.  Along with the spitting there is hitting.  People used their palms to strike the Lord.

13.  Jesus was also blindfolded (Mk. 14:65), and people used this blindfold to mock Him.

14.  Jesus appeared before Annas, Caiaphas, and then the Sanhedrin, Mt. 27:1-2.

15.  The Bible says “many” false witnesses came forward to accuse Jesus (Mk. 14:56).

16.  Have we ever been accused of something we did not do?

17.  False accusations are no fun and Jesus knows exactly what this is like.

18.  People also twisted the Lord’s word (Mk. 14:58).

19.  After these three Jewish trials, there were three Roman trials.

20.  Jesus appeared before Pilate (Jn. 18:28-38), then Herod (Lk. 23:6-12) and then again before Pilate.

21.  Jesus appeared before Pilate “the next morning” (Mt. 27:1-2).

22.  John said it was “early” (Jn. 18:28).

23.  Jn. 18:31 – READ

24.  Pilate sent Jesus to Herod.

25.  Lk. 23:8 says Herod wanted to see Jesus perform a miracle.

26.  Jesus would not perform for Herod so this official and his men mocked Him.

27.  Lk. 23:11-12 – READ

28.  This was also the time when the crown of thorns was beaten into Jesus’ head, Mk. 15:17.

29.  After Herod had finished with the Lord, Jesus was sent back to Pilate.

30.  This began the sixth trial which is found in Lk. 23:14-16 – READ

31.  Pilate said he could find no fault with Jesus.

32.  Pilate made other attempts to free the Lord (Jn. 19:4-5).

33.  In the end the people would not be swayed – they wanted Jesus to be crucified.

34.  Eventually the people said “His blood be on us and our children” (Mt. 27:25).

35.  It was not long before Jesus died on the cross. 

36.  We need salvation from sin and Jesus provides that through His death.

37.  Jesus also provides so much more.

38.  His trials show that He can understand the things we go through in life.

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LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE FOR JESUS

Monday, December 7th, 2009

There has been a rash of “sightings” lately with which unbelievers have been having a field day. I refer to “Jesus sightings” people are claiming in such things as clouds, Cheetos, dental X-rays, cooking utensils, windows, walls, and trees. Wikipedia even has an entry for it (“Perceptions of religious imagery in natural phenomena”). People vehemently defend the idea that these are intentional, divinely sent images. Meanwhile, secular and agnostic witnesses to such claims gather up baby and bathwater together, using such superstitiousness to show how deluded those in Christendom really are. Yet, while responding to superstition in religion would be a fitting use of time, another thing comes to mind when hearing these sad stories. It is a reminder that people are looking for Jesus in all the wrong places.

They want some heavenly sign, some overwhelming feeling, some sensory sensation, and some sort of religious fireworks to create or validate their faith. While God has embedded plenty of these in the marvels of nature and creation, through the product of answered prayer that defies logic or explanation, and by the amazing process of transformation that occurs when people follow Christ, He calls on us to seek for Him in a much less electrifying and cataclysmic place.

When we pick up God’s Word and regularly, intently read, meditate, and study (cf. Psalm 1) it, we see Jesus come alive in powerful, sustaining ways! When we walk with the Lord each day, the resulting relationship built on His character and our trust in Him is powerful! When we actively serve Him and others and put into practice what He teaches us through the Bible, we see Jesus in a vivid way. Daily Christian living, the longer we practice it, brings Jesus into unmistakable, clear focus. Maybe that is what these “seers” truly desire, and what they need is our help to truly find Him. Let us take that as a challenge and help people really “see Jesus” (cf. John 12:21; Heb. 2:9).

–Neal Pollar

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"WHAT JOHN HEARD CONCERNING HEAVEN"

Monday, November 16th, 2009
 

John receives a vision about heaven in Revelation 21:1-8.  He heard a loud voice and it came from the throne (cf. 16:17; 19:5).  So, he receives this information from an unsurpassed authority and unrivaled royalty.  We read the throttling, earth-shattering effect of the infinite God as it were clearing His throat and calling John to rapt attention.  But what does God say to John?  He utters no fewer than six promises about heaven.John heard a promise of relationship (3).  Heaven is a place where we’ll be able to enter the inner courts of God’s presence.  The image of the tabernacle takes us back to the Old Testament, when only the High Priest on one day could come into God’s presence.  John pictures the saved being able to freely and intimately enjoy fellowship with God Himself.  We will see Him, talk with Him, live with Him, and know Him in a way only heaven will permit.

John heard a promise of relief (4).  John stresses that the things that bother us most now will be “no longer.”  They will have passed away.  Emotional and physical pain, wounds of body and spirit, and a hundred hundred different hurts will be no more. The all-powerful God will play an active role in making these hurts permanently past tense.

John heard a promise of renewal (5).  God’s power has already been sufficiently seen.  With unconditional promise and unqualified ability, He says, “I make ALL things new!”  Our built in limitations keep us from being able to comprehend the change from earth to heaven.  Yet, our new home, our new body, our new circumstances–all of it will be new!

John heard a promise of refreshing (6).  It is a HOPEFUL promise, as is proven by Who is giving it.  It is a SATISFYING promise, proven by the imagery describing it–”the water of life.”  It is a HUMBLING promise, as is proven by the way it is given–”freely (or without cost).”  For all that’s unsatisfying about this life, heaven will fill our every longing.

John heard a promise of residence (7).  John speaks of a spiritual inheritance borne of a new and intimate relationship.  I won’t be a stranger, guest, or temporary resident.  Heaven will be my eternal home.

John heard a promise of refuge (8).  Heaven will be wonderful because of who will not and cannot be there.  The child molesters, the perverse, the unfaithful, the rapists, the mass murderers or the atheists won’t be there.  Only the redeemed will be there.

Thank God that because of great texts like Revelation 21:1-8, we can be confident that there is more beyond and that it is beyond our fondest hopes.

–Neal Pollard

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A Privilege of Christian Loyalty

Monday, November 9th, 2009
 
    If we are “in Christ,” we are a child of God (Ephesians 1:5-7). Do you realize what a grand privilege that is? To be a child of One who has all power, as well as the Author of eternal life is a privilege that should be sought after above all things.
    Question: Do you enjoy taking care of your children? Do you enjoy providing for them? Do you enjoy helping them solve problems in their life? Do you enjoy “showing yourself strong” in their behalf (cf. 2Chronicles 16:9)? Do you still love your children when they “slip-up?” Aren’t you anxious to help your children be all that they can be? And, when you know you can trust your children, doesn’t it please you to be able to give them wider boundaries and more responsibilities?  Of course you do!  To explain “why” you do is something beyond words, and can only be summerized in the word “love.”
    “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:11).
    All God asks in return is for us to be loyal to Him. Do you think that’s asking too much? In 1John 3:18-19, it tells us that if we love in “deed” and “truth” (according to His word – John 17:17), then our hearts are ASSURED before Him. The same verses tell us that love is not just something we “talk” about, love is something we “do.” We demonstrate our love toward God by our obedience to His Will. In 1John 5:14-15, God promises to answer any prayer that is according to His Will, if we keep His commandments.
    Remember what God told David after David had sinned with Bathsheba? He said: “It was I who annointed you king … It was I who delivered you from your enemies … It was I who gave you your master’s house … It was I who gave you the house of Israel and Judah … and if that had been too little, I would have given you much more!” (2Sam. 12:7-8).  That’s the kind of God we have opportunity to serve, and all He asks in return is that we repent of our sins (Acts 17:30); that we are “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:27), where His love is (Rom. 8:39), and be faithful (Rev. 2:10).                  
                                                                               –Toby Miller

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