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Episodes
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Teaching the disciples 2
Welcome back to our series, AGOG - A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 20 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we look briefly again at Jesus teaching his disciples!
Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will have been and will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been and will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Here we have a climax of the Gospels! Jesus has asked his disciples who they think he is. The disciples start out by saying who others thought he was. John the Baptist some say, yet others say Elijah or one of the prophets. In Matthew's account of this conversation, they also say Jesus was Jeremiah! So let us have a look at a couple of those.
Firstly, John the Baptist! Some people were saying that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead. Or perhaps he is Jeremiah raised from the dead! Of course, there is some similarity between the two men. Jeremiah was the 'weeping prophet', and Jesus was the 'man of sorrows'. Jeremiah called the people to true repentance from the heart, and as we know Jesus did. Both men were misunderstood and rejected by their own people. Both Jeremiah and Jesus condemned the false religious leaders and the hypocritical worship in the temple and were persecuted by those in authority. But that's where the similarity ends! Now we come to a climax of the Gospels.
Confession of who Jesus is
Jesus asks His disciples: "That's who others say that I am. But what about you? You have been with me for a while now, who do you say that I am?"
Peter rushed to answer "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!" Peter is emerging as a spokesperson for the disciples. Finally the eyes of the disciples are beginning to open to who Jesus truly is! Unlike a few days ago while crossing the Sea of Galilee, when they were whinging about a lack of bread while forgetting that Jesus had twice created bread out of nothing!
Jesus then imparts a blessing on Peter! "You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church." It was revealed to Peter by God the Father. It is a play on words as the name of Peter means 'rock'! Peter is not the rock on which the church will be built but rather what he confessed when he said Jesus was the Christ Messiah! On this confession by Peter about who Jesus really is, the disciples or apostles would be the foundation of the church! Death or satan would not be able to stop and overcome the Church - the Church would be living and dynamic!
Jesus then goes further and says to all the disciples, not just Peter, that the keys to the kingdom will be given. Here Jesus is giving authority to all the disciples to establish His church and be its leaders! Jesus who holds the keys of David (Isaiah 22:22 & Revelation 3:7) gives his own key to the disciples. Binding means to legislate and demonstrate. Loosing means to reprimand and excommunicate where necessary. The disciples have received from Jesus the authority to determine true doctrine, punish false teachers and unrepentant sinners! They were to exercise complete authority in the church. They were also to go about and tell people the good news of Jesus and what that means for people!
Why did Jesus tell the disciples to keep quiet about Him?
Now Jesus warns the disciples to keep quiet about him for now. Why did Jesus do that? There are various reasons. These disciples still had much to learn about him and what it meant to follow him. Additionally, the Jewish people were expecting a victorious Messiah who would free them from their slavery under the Romans (Isaiah 11v1-5). However, they had forgotten that their Messiah must suffer and die (Isaiah 53:1-12; Luke 24:26). The Jewish people also thought that the Messiah would set up an earthly kingdom, but Jesus came to set up an everlasting spiritual kingdom (Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15). If the disciples had gone from this place immediately proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, people would have tried to force Jesus to be the Messiah they wanted him to be and make him their king. Rather than letting Jesus be the Messiah he was to be, who the Servant would suffer and die. Ergo, it was necessary for the disciples to keep quiet about Jesus for now!
Come back tomorrow for Day 21 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We shall see together an example of why the disciples weren't quite ready to start fulfilling their mission and tell others about Jesus being the Messiah!
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Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Psalm 39
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For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David.
39:1 I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue.
I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
39:2 I was mute with silence.
I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.
39:3 My heart was hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:
39:4 “Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days.
Let me know how frail I am.
39:5 Behold, you have made my days handbreadths.
My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.”
Selah.
39:6 “Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain.
He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.
39:7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.
39:9 I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.
39:10 Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
39:11 When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth.
Surely every man is but a breath.”
Selah.
39:12 “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry.
Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
39:13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more.”
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Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Jesus Teaches His Disciples 1
Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 19 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Mark 8:13-26 He got into a boat again and crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had forgotten to take any bread along and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus warned them, “Be careful! Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod!” They had been discussing with one another that they didn’t have any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying and asked them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you don’t have any bread? Don’t you understand yet? Don’t you catch on? Are your minds closed? Are you blind and deaf? Don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets did you fill with leftover pieces?” They told him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many large baskets did you fill with leftover pieces?” They answered him, “Seven.” He asked them, “Don’t you catch on yet?” As they came to Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus. They begged Jesus to touch him. Jesus took the blind man’s hand and led him out of the village. He spit into the man’s eyes and placed his hands on him. Jesus asked him, “Can you see anything?” The man looked up and said, “I see people. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes a second time, and the man saw clearly. His sight was normal again. He could see everything clearly even at a distance. Jesus told him when he sent him home, “Don’t go into the village.”
Jesus and His disciples have now crossed the Sea of Galilee. Jesus on the journey across the sea had warned them about the yeast of the Pharisees, Sadducees and King Herod. Why does Jesus include King Herod? Jesus mentioned King Herod because he was a fickle ruler who was mean and treacherous. Herod would do everything to compromise with others for his own benefit alone. Both groups had wanted further signs from Jesus! The Pharisees and Sadducees as we saw yesterday! Herod we discover later from Luke 23, had longed for Jesus to give him a further sign!
The yeast talked about by Jesus was their hypocrisy and evil. This was seen in evidence in our last study where they asked Jesus for a sign. Yeast in the New Testament is often used to illustrate evil. A little evil can spread a long way, much like yeast can in bread. Just as false teaching can decimate a church. Jesus was also warning his disciples to be convinced of the signs they had already seen, without coveting yet more signs!
The disciples however, were discussing between themselves the problem of not having enough food. They were thinking that the yeast Jesus was talking about was yeast which went into bread. Jesus knew what they were talking about. They had obviously forgotten that they had witnessed the great feeding of the masses, and that Jesus had the power to feed them. No wonder Jesus seems exasperated with them and rebukes them! It is as if he is saying to them “Look,guys! Don’t you realise who I am yet? Even though we have been together for a while now! Two times you have been with me and collected the leftovers after we fed the crowds together!”
Oh the disciples had seen and heard but they still were lacking spiritual discernment and were spiritually blind and deaf. Their hearts were still hardened towards him in that aspect for now. It was also an act of ingratitude towards Jesus, that having twice seen bread created from nothing, they were now showing anxiety about not having enough bread.
Then as if to exacerbate the point, Mark puts here a little story that isn’t in the other gospels. When they get to Bethsaida, a blind man is bought to Jesus. First Jesus heals his eyes in part. The man looks and sees people walking as if they were trees, so there is no clarity yet with his vision – but at least he can see in part! Then a second time, Jesus heals the man’s eyes fully and his sight is restored. Jesus didn’t want to be seen as only a healer and miracle worker, so he tells the man not to say anything.
Mark is making the point that the disciples at this time were like that blind man. They were like the man at the first stage of his healing. They couldn’t see the spiritual truths and lacked understanding. To the disciples at this time, Jesus was still only a miracle worker, wise man, prophet and healer. It would not be until later that they would fully see!
What about you? Again, I ask, who do you say Jesus is? What are you waiting for? Jesus is offering you free eternal salvation, by grace alone through faith alone! The choice is yours! Jesus loves you and because He loves you, He will not force you to love Him in return! But His love is compelling and He is calling you to come and take up His free offer of eternal life! It is not too late! Today can be the day of your salvation and new life! Are you going to acknowledge Him as your saviour or are you going to merely put him aside as a miracle worker or man of wisdom?
Come back tomorrow for Day 20 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We will see together, another example of Jesus teaching his disciples... See you soon!
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Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Psalm 138
(as read by Miranda)
138:1 I will give you thanks with my whole heart.
Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple,
and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth;
for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.
138:3 In the day that I called, you answered me.
You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
138:4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
138:5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of Yahweh;
for great is Yahweh’s glory.
138:6 For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly;
but the proud, he knows from afar.
138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me.
You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies.
Your right hand will save me.
138:8 Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me;
your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever.
Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.
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Saturday Oct 28, 2023
Saturday Oct 28, 2023
18. Jesus Teaches Religious Leaders 2
Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 18 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Mark 8:11-21 The Pharisees went to Jesus and began to argue with him. They tested him by demanding that he perform a miraculous sign from heaven. With a deep sigh he asked, "Why do these people demand a sign? I can guarantee this truth: If these people are given a sign, it will be far different than what they want!" Then he left them there.
Jesus faced constant opposition from the religious leaders. Normally there wasn't much love lost between Pharisees and Sadducees! They had mutual contempt and hatred for each other. But because both groups felt threatened by Jesus, they engaged in acts of unity against Jesus.
These religious leaders came to Jesus spoiling for an argument. They were unable to object any longer against the faultless teaching of Jesus, so they changed tactics. They came with a cunning scheme to test and tempt Jesus which was to ask for him to give and provide them with a miraculous sign from Heaven. However, they asked for a sign not because they wanted to see if Jesus was the Messiah. They had already decided that he wasn't. Their request was insincere, as they were actually wanting evidence that Jesus was not the Messiah.
Oh they had heard about and seen Jesus performing miracles. Things such as: feeding the multitudes, healing people and raising Lazarus from the dead. But these miracles to their minds was insufficient evidence that Jesus was God's Son - the anointed Messiah. We know from other parts of the Gospel, they thought Jesus did those things by the power of satan. These leaders wanted special proof that Jesus was who He claimed to be, that He was indeed the anointed one sent from God and not sent by satan.
Jesus groans deeply when faced with these ungrateful religious leaders. These men were not seeking to glorify God but to glorify themselves and fill their own vanity. This caused Jesus' great vexation, frustration and grief. Jesus was guided by the Holy Spirit and had great zeal to do the work His Father had sent Him to do. Jesus' frustration was because of the stubborn obstinacy of those who were the religious leaders to believe He was sent from God as the Messiah.
Also Jesus didn't want to give complete evidence that He was the Son of God the Messiah. Here Jesus does however reinforce his faith in His Father to bring him back from the dead. In Matthew's account of this incident, Jesus recalls Jonah, saying that just as Jonah was in the great fish for 3 days, so would the Christ be killed and be in the grave for 3 days and then rise again by the power of God. If Jesus had given complete evidence, then there would be no room for faith. Faith only exists where the object of faith is beyond the finite knowledge of humanity. Jesus wanted to find out who had faith and who did not.
In both the accounts by Matthew and Luke, Jesus reminded these religious leaders, that they could tell what the weather was going to be like, by looking at the sky and the direction of the wind. In other words, they had already had all the signs and miracles, but they refused to believe them! They were unable to see the forest for the trees! Their hearts were closed to the anointed Christ hence why in Luke's account of this event, Jesus calls the religious leaders hypocrites! They were hypocrites, because even if Jesus did give them a miraculous sign, they still would not believe that Jesus was sent from God as the anointed Messiah. No matter what signs Jesus gave, the religious leadership would never believe Jesus as their Christ.
What about you? Again, I ask, who do you say Jesus is? What are you waiting for? Are you like the Pharisees and Sadducees demanding a sign or are you prepared to take by faith, what Jesus Christ offers you! He is offering you free eternal salvation, by grace alone through faith alone! The choice is yours! Jesus loves you and because He loves you, He will not force you to love Him in return! But His love is compelling and He is calling you to come and take up His free offer of eternal life! It is not too late! Today can be the day of your salvation and new life! Are you going to acknowledge Him as your saviour or are you going to merely put him aside as a miracle worker or man of wisdom?
Come back tomorrow for Day 19 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! See you soon!
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Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Psalm 124
A Song of Ascents. By David.
124:1 If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, let Israel now say,
124:2 if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us;
124:3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;
124:4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul;
124:5 then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.
124:6 Blessed be Yahweh, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.
124:7 Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
124:8 Our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
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Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
17. Teaching the religious leaders 1
Welcome back to our series, AGOG - A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 17 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we look briefly at Jesus teaching the religious leaders!
Cleansing the temple
(John 2:13-25) The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. He found those who were selling cattle, sheep, and pigeons in the temple courtyard. He also found moneychangers sitting there. He made a whip from small ropes and threw everyone with their sheep and cattle out of the temple courtyard. He dumped the moneychangers' coins and knocked over their tables. He told those who sold pigeons, "Pick up this stuff, and get it out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"
His disciples remembered that Scripture said, "Devotion for your house will consume me." The Jews reacted by asking Jesus, "What miracle can you show us to justify what you're doing?" Jesus replied, "Tear down this temple, and I'll rebuild it in three days." The Jews said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple. Do you really think you're going to rebuild it in three days?" But the temple Jesus spoke about was his own body. After he came back to life, his disciples remembered that he had said this. So they believed the Scripture and this statement that Jesus had made.
While Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover festival, many people believed in him because they saw the miracles that he performed. Jesus, however, was wary of these believers. He understood people and didn't need anyone to tell him about human nature. He knew what people were really like.
Jesus cleansed the temple twice! Our example here occurred about a year after His baptism and the second cleansing, occurred two years later. In the cleansing of the Temple, we see Jesus' indignation rise. The Temple was central to Jewish worship. This is not Jesus, meek and mild! This is Jesus the indignant and upset! Jesus is in Jerusalem with His disciples to celebrate the festival of Passover. When he arrived at the Temple, Jesus saw in the courtyard, traders selling sacrificial animals. He also saw money changers who were there exchanging normal money for the special currency used to pay the Temple tax.
So Jesus with righteous anger and indignation drove them out with a whip and upturning the tables. He was indignant that they were doing business and profiteering in the courtyard of His Father's house, the Temple. By cleansing the temple of such business, Jesus was making claim to being the Messiah, long foretold in the Old Testament. His disciples knew this to be a sign of Jesus being that Saviour Messiah figure. Psalm 69:9 predicted a zeal to protect the honour of God's Temple.
By behaving like this, Jesus was concerned for God's honour alone, for the Temple was for prayer and worship - not for the trading of merchandise, profiteering and banking. The religious leaders also knew it as a sign, hence they asked for a sign and a miracle to prove that Jesus did indeed have the authority to justify his actions. If Jesus did not give them a sign, He would merely be a lawbreaker, troublemaker and rabble-rouser. So Jesus offers them a sign "tear down this temple, and I'll rebuild it in three days."
Of course the religious leaders misunderstood Jesus' meaning. The temple was still not complete, so how could he tear it down? What Jesus actually meant is revealed by John, after the event! The temple Jesus was talking about was his own body. Throughout his public ministry, Jesus always had his crucifixion and his resurrection as his goal!
The sign Jesus would give to the religious authorities was his own resurrection, 3 days after his death! The resurrection which would be the final proof of Jesus being the Messiah they were waiting for! However, his own disciples were confused at this point and it was only after his resurrection that they would understand fully. It was then that they truly believe that Jesus was who He had always said He was. That Jesus was indeed the Son of God come to rescue the world from sin, death and decay.
Many people believed in Jesus because of his miracles but their faith was shallow. The remembered him as a great miracle worker, a leader and king - but certainly not their saviour and Messiah. Jesus didn't lean on them for support because He knew how fickle they could be. Jesus put his full trust on God the Father for support, because He knew how reliable and trustworthy He was!
Who do you say Jesus is? What are you waiting for? But further, what are you going to do with this Jesus? Are you going to acknowledge Him as your saviour or are you going to merely put him aside as a miracle worker or man of wisdom? It is not too late! Today can be the day of your salvation and new life!
Come back tomorrow for Day 18 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! See you soon at Partakers!
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Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Psalm 126 to Psalm 130
Often we hear the Psalms one by one, but today we offer you the chance to hear a group of Psalms read as a collection!
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Psalm 126
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
‘The LORD has done great things for them.’
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
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Psalm 127
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
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Psalm 128
1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labour;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots round your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD.
5 May the LORD bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children – peace be on Israel.
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Psalm 129
1 ‘They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,’ let Israel say;
2 ‘they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Ploughmen have ploughed my back and made their furrows long.
4 But the LORD is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.’
5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
‘The blessing of the LORD be on you;
we bless you in the name of the LORD.’
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Psalm 130
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
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Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
16. Teaching the living!
Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 16 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
John 11:30-46 Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
Resurrection and the Life - Jesus’ friend Lazarus was sick. His sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus about this, hoping that Jesus would come and heal him. Jesus replies to this family he loves, that he wouldn’t come just yet and that the illness would not result in death! How could he be so sure, particularly from a distance? Though Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead, he still waited a further days before going there. He knew it didn't matter whether Lazarus was dead 2 days or 4 days - dead is dead!
Such was the eagerness of Martha to see Jesus when he eventually arrived she left the house of mourners and expressed some faith that God would hear Jesus' prayers. She uttered that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the Saviour Messiah spoken about in the Old Testament.
Jesus' humanity - The emotions of Jesus, love, feelings, weeping, sorrow and anger are revealed. They reflect his true humanity and his heart of compassion for people. Did you note that Jesus grew angry? Most people are surprised that Jesus gets angry and some people even deny it! As Jesus is the life, Jesus is angry with death and decay, as they are the end result of sin. Jesus is angry because death hurts people, even people close to him. This stirs Jesus deeply. Jesus is full of compassion, pity, sympathy, grief and care for this family. He shares their pain and shows it in his tears. He loves them and is determined to show this love in practise. He weeps.
Jesus' Divinity - Then the moment of truth arrives! Will Jesus be true to his word and raise Lazarus back to life again? Some doubted but Jesus knew that God would answer his prayers. First he thanks God that for hearing him and then issues the command for Lazarus to come out! Is this not one of the great moments of the Gospels? Jesus was true to his word! God heard his prayers and Lazarus was raised from the dead! He was dead but now back to physical life! One day Lazarus would die physically again but for now he had new life! This Jesus even had authority over death and life! Amazing! Yet, just after this event, the Jewish authorities, who were watching carefully, came up with a plot to kill Jesus.
This story is also true in a spiritual sense. When you allow Jesus to be your saviour and rely on him for your salvation, you become spiritually alive! Until then, you are spiritually dead. What are you waiting for? Again, I ask, who do you say Jesus is? But further, what are you going to do with this Jesus and let Him bring you to life spiritually? It is not too late! Today can be the day of your salvation and new life!
Come back tomorrow for Day 17 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We will see together, somebody rejecting Jesus because the price of following Him was too high a price to pay! See you soon at Partakers!
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Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Psalm 57
57:1 Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you.
Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.
57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
57:3 He will send from heaven, and save me,
he rebukes the one who is pursuing me.
Selah.
God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.
57:4 My soul is among lions.
I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men,
whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
57:5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be above all the earth!
57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down.
They dig a pit before me. They fall into its midst themselves.
Selah.
57:7 My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast.
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
57:8 Wake up, my glory!
Wake up, psaltery and harp!
I will wake up the dawn.
57:9 I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples.
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
57:10 For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.
57:11 Be exalted, God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.