Pre-Christmas Series: What is Advent?

The Advent Season is beginning and to honor this time of year I am taking a month long break from the “Bible at a glance” series to share daily thoughts on this most precious season of the year. This, along with Easter / The Passion of Christ in the spring are the backbone of the Christian faith. I hope you enjoy this month long respite from our standard study to hone in on this incredible time of year. Please feel free to leave a comment or question at any time.

 

Pre-Christmas Series: What is Advent?

 

Advent is the season of the year leading up to Christmas. The word advent itself means “arrival” or “an appearing or coming into place”. The Advent season lasts for four Sundays. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, or the nearest Sunday to November 30. Advent ends on Christmas Eve. The Advent celebration is both a commemoration of Christ’s first coming and an anticipation of His second coming. As Israel longed for their Messiah to come, so Christians long for their Savior to come again.

Advent is seen as a time to prepare one’s heart for Christmas and for the eventual return of Christ (and the judgment He will bring to the world). Churches that observe Advent usually decorate their sanctuaries in the liturgical color of Advent, purple (or in some cases royal blue). Some churches change the color to rose on the third or fourth Sunday of Advent to signify a greater emphasis on the joy of the season.

One of the most common Advent traditions involves the use of evergreen wreaths, branches, and trees. On the first Sunday of Advent, churches and homes are decorated with green to symbolize the eternal life that Jesus brings. An Advent wreath—an evergreen circle with four colored candles surrounding a white one in the middle—is placed in a prominent spot. The candles are then lighted one at a time, on successive Sundays. The first candle is the candle of “hope” or “expectation”. The three remaining candles on the perimeter are given various meanings depending on the church. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the center white candle is lighted; this is the “Christ Candle,” a reminder that Jesus, the Light of the Word, has come.

Advent calendars, used to count down the days till Christmas, are popular in many homes. An Advent calendar contains a number of covered “windows” that are opened, one a day, until Christmas Day. Each open window reveals a picture related to the season or a poem or a Bible verse or a treat of some kind. Many parents find that an Advent calendar is a good way to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas—although there are secular versions of the calendars, too.

Should Christians observe Advent? This is a matter of personal conviction. Here is the biblical principle: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord” (Romans 14:5–6).

There is certainly nothing wrong with commemorating Jesus’ birth and anticipating His return—such commemoration and anticipation should be an everyday part of our lives. Are Christians required to observe Advent? No. Does observing Advent make one a better Christian or more acceptable to God? No. Can celebrating Advent be a good reminder of what the season is truly all about? Yes, and therein lies its greatest value.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-Advent.html

Word for the Day

 

Word for the Day

 

JOHN: The Names of Jesus ...

            There are some 200 names and titles of Christ found in the Bible. We find 8 specific names / titles for Jesus in the Gospel of John. “Jesus gave himself names that pointed to special roles He was ready to fulfill for people. Some of these refer back to the OT promises of the Messiah. Others were ways to help people understand Him.” _{[TLASB; P.2315]} 

            In John 6:27, Jesus refers to Himself as the ‘Son of Man’. “But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man[a] can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” This is Jesus’ favorite name for Himself. It emphasizes His humanity ... but the way He used it point to His divinity.

            In John 6:35, Jesus refers to Himself as the ‘Bread of Life’. “Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” This verse refers to His life-giving role ... that He is the only source of eternal life.

            In John 8:12, Jesus refers to Himself as the ‘Light of the World’. “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” Light symbolizes spiritual truth. Jesus is the universal answer for people’s need of spiritual truth.

            In John 10:3-7, Jesus gives an illustration of a shepherd and a gate ... He refers to Himself as ‘the gate for the sheep’. “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice. Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” This title or name represents the fact that Jesus is the only way into God’s Kingdom.

            In John 10:11, Jesus refers to Himself as ‘the Good Shepherd’. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” This statement is a claim to divinity, with the focus on Jesus’ love & guidance.

            In John 11:25, Jesus refers to Himself as ‘the resurrection & the life’. Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. ^[a] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”

This means that not only is Jesus the source of life; He is the power over death.

            In John 14:6, Jesus refers to Himself as ‘The way, the truth, & the life’. “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the method, the message, & the meaning for all people. With this title, He summarized His purpose for coming to earth.

            In John 15:1, Jesus refers to Himself as ‘The True Vine’. “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.” This title has an important 2^nd part, “you are the branches”. As in so many of His other names, Jesus reminds us that just as branches gain life from the vine & cannot live apart from it, so we are completely dependent on Christ for spiritual life.

 

Up next is a spotlight on Lazarus ... until then, walk with the King and be a blessing!

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible [TLASB]; https://www.gotquestions.org/names-Jesus-Christ.html

^[a] Some manuscripts do not include ‘and the life’.

JOHN: Is Jesus really God?

Some who deny that Jesus is God make the claim that Jesus never said that He is God. It’s correct that the Bible never records Jesus saying the precise words, “I am God.” This does not mean, however, that Jesus never claimed to be God.

Take for example the words of Jesus in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” We need only to look at the Jews’ reaction to His statement to know He was claiming to be God. They tried to stone Him for this very reason: “You, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33, emphasis added). The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming—deity. When Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one,” He was saying that He and the Father are of one nature and essence. John 8:58 is another example. Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth … before Abraham was born, I am!” This is a reference back to Exodus 3:14 when God revealed Himself as the “I AM.” The Jews who heard this statement responded by taking up stones to kill Him for blasphemy, as the Mosaic Law commanded (Leviticus 24:16).

John reiterates the concept of Jesus’ deity: “The Word [Jesus] was God” and “the Word became flesh” (John 1:1, 14). These verses clearly indicate that Jesus is God in the flesh. Thomas the disciple declared concerning Jesus, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus does not correct him. Titus 2:13 encourages us to wait for the coming of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (see also 2 Peter 1:1).

The most important reason that Jesus must be God is that, if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). A created being, which Jesus would be if He were not God, could not pay the infinite penalty required for sin against an infinite God. Only God could pay such an infinite penalty. Only God could take on the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21), die, and be resurrected, proving His victory over sin and death.

 

Is Jesus God? Yes! Jesus declared Himself to be God. His followers believed Him to be God. The provision of salvation only works if Jesus is God. Jesus is God incarnate, the eternal Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8; 22:13), and God our Savior (2 Peter 1:1).

 

Up next are “The Names of Jesus” ... until then, walk with the King and be a blessing!

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; https://www.gotquestions.org/is-Jesus-God.htm

Thought for the Day ...

 

JOHN: Spotlight on Nicodemus ...

“All that we know of Nicodemus in the Bible is from the Gospel of John. In John 3:1, he is described as a Pharisee. The Pharisees were a group of Jews who were fastidious in keeping the letter of the Law and often opposed Jesus throughout His ministry. Jesus often strongly denounced them for their legalism (see Matthew 23). Saul of Tarsus (who became the apostle Paul) was also a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5).

John 3:1 also describes Nicodemus as a leader of the Jews. According to John 7:50–51, Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of the Jews. Each city could have a Sanhedrin, which functioned as the “lower courts.” Under Roman authority in the time of Christ, the Jewish nation was allowed a measure of self-rule, and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was the final court of appeals for matters regarding Jewish law and religion. This was the body that ultimately condemned Jesus, yet they had to get Pilate to approve their sentence since the death penalty was beyond their jurisdiction under Roman law. It appears that Nicodemus was part of the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.”

The first time we see Nicodemus is when he went to meet with Jesus under cloak of darkness. “Daylight conversations between Pharisees and Jesus tended to be antagonistic, but Nicodemus wanted to learn what the Lord was all about. We don’t know a whole lot about Nicodemus, but we know that he left that evening’s encounter a changed man.” 

“The next time we encounter Nicodemus in the Bible, he is functioning in his official capacity as a member of the Sanhedrin as they consider what to do about Jesus. In John 7, some Pharisees, and priests (presumably with authority to do so) sent some of the temple guard to arrest Jesus, but they return, unable to bring themselves to do it (see John 7:32–47). The guards are upbraided by the Pharisees in authority, but Nicodemus presents the opinion that Jesus should not be dismissed or condemned until they have heard from Him personally: ‘Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?’ (John 7:51). However, the rest of the Council rudely dismisses Nicodemus’s suggestion out of hand—they appear to have already made up their minds about Jesus.”

“Our last picture of Nicodemus shows him joining Joseph of Arimathea in asking for Jesus’ body in order to provide for its burial (John 19:39).” It was a risky, bold move that showed him to be steadily growing spiritually. 

“God looks for steady growth, not instant perfection. How well does your present level of spiritual growth match up with the length of time you’ve known Jesus?”

Up next is answering the question, “Is Jesus God?” Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing!

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: https://www.gotquestions.org/Nicodemus-in-the-Bible.html, The Life Application Study Bible.

Thanksgiving Thoughts from a Random Mind ...

What does it mean to be “thankful”? ... “Grateful, appreciative.” ^[1]

What does “grateful” mean? ... “Appreciative of benefits received.” ^[2]

What is Thanksgiving? ... “A public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor.”

When is Thanksgiving? ... “The fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag* Indians.”

When should thanksgiving be? Think about it. 

 

            Shouldn’t we be grateful/thankful each and every day? Now this concept may not mean anything to a “non-religious” person, but to those who follow Jesus, we really should feel an immense sense of gratitude toward our Creator consciously and continuously. You see God made us in His image, gave us a free will to do as we please and put together a plan to save us from ourselves once we stacked up sins from bad choices. Consequences can tend to be harsh at times. 

            “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness.” ^{(Psalms 103:8 ... Amplified Bible)}

“God has our best interest at heart – always. When He tells us to be wise and do certain things and live a certain way, it is always for our best; we never have to wonder. We don’t need to overthink it. And when He tells us not to do something or not to live a certain way, we can know that He is not trying to ‘restrict’ our freedom or invade our space. On the contrary, He is wanting to bless our lives and see us flourish.” ^[3]

The enemy wishes to distract us from serving God. He wishes to present to us a wide variety of appealing choices to keep us from making the Lord our primary focus. God offers us ETERNAL LIFE with Him. Satan offers us nothing but lies and a litany of broken promises. God’s Word stands on its own as being reliable. Satan offers nothing but heartache and pain. God gives us the right to follow after the enemy if we truly wish to, because He is NOT a dictator. 

So when you carve your meat of choice for the one day per year that publicly acknowledges the blessings that we’ve received, make sure you know who to thank. God is being widely ignored more and more with each passing year. Christianity is and has been under attack for eons. Don’t bend to pressure. I know several people who walked away from God for this or that reason. Don’t be one of them. Seek His loving guidance daily. Start each day with prayer for direction and that His perfect will for your life come to fruition that day. Make EVERYDAY Thanksgiving in your home and your life. Amen!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING MY DEAR BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST. 

MAY ALL OF GOD’S RICHEST BLESSINGS BE YOURS!!

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

^[2] American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

* A member of a Native American people formerly inhabiting eastern Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, with a present-day population in this same area.

^[3] https://bcachurch.com/principle-5-realize-that-god-has-our-best-interest-at-heart/

JOHN: Spotlight on John the Baptist

 

            The Baptist’s story is told in all four Gospels. His coming was predicted in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5. He is also mentioned frequently throughout the book of Acts.

 

"A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken'" (Isaiah 40:3–5). The Spirit of God was speaking these words thru the prophet Isaiah over 700 years prior to the birth of John the Baptizer. 

Just who was John the Baptizer. His name implies that he baptized new converts, and he did; however, John’s main mission from God was to be the appointed messenger that would announce the coming and then arrival of prophesied Messiah. John was the FIRST prophet called by God since Malachi, some 400 years earlier. 

Regarding his birth, John’s father, Zechariah, a Levitical priest, received an angelic visitation to announce his son’s birth. (John 1:8-23) This was a very common practice when announcing the births of major figures in the OT. ^[1] The angelic announcement proceeded in stages: the child's name (v. 13), the response to the child (v. 14), the position and character of the child (v. 15) and the mission of the child (vv. 16-17). The child was to be named John. When God names a child, that child is especially significant in God's plan (Gen 16:8, 11; 17:19; 1 Kings 13:2; Is 7:14; 49:1; Mt 1:21; Lk 1:31). This child will be great before God. In Luke 7:28 Jesus says that no one greater had been born of woman before John. His greatness emerges from his prophetic role and from his function as a forerunner to Jesus, as the rest of Luke 1 makes clear.

John was uncompromising in his faith and belief in God. Though he didn’t have the entirety of scripture at his disposal at that time, for the NT had yet to be written, His godly knowledge came from all the portions of OT scripture he found to read. 

John lived a disciplined life of self-denial in the mountainous area of Judea, between the city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. He wore clothes made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, the typical garb of a prophet. His diet was a simple one—he would avoid drink & eat nothing but locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4). John lived a simple life as he focused on the kingdom work set before him. His lone message was for people to repent of their sin and serve God.

 

WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST?

 

            1) That God doesn’t guarantee an easy or safe life to those who serve Him.

            2) Doing what God desires is the greatest possible life investment.

            3) Standing for the truth is more important than life itself. 

 

            Up next we will throw a spotlight on Nicodemus. Until that time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible, p.2279; https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ivp-nt/Announcement-Johns-Birth.

^[1] (Gen 16:10-11; 17:15-19; 18:10-15; 25:23; Judges 13:3-21) 

Thought for the Day (A prayer) ...

May all God's richest blessings be yours ... Richard Keller - Bread of Life Ministries

Thought for the Day

 

JOHN: The Mega-Themes (2) ...

THE HOLY SPIRIT 

 

            Jesus told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would be sent to them as a helper after he ascended to heaven. It would be the Holy Spirit that would indwell, guide, counsel, and comfort whoever follows the Lord. Thru the Spirit the presence of Christ ... his presence and power, would be manifest and multiplied in all who believe.

            The Holy Spirit is who draws us to Christ in faith. We must have the indwelling of the Spirit to know and understand all Jesus taught. As we allow the Spirit to do his work in us, we can personally and directly experience Jesus’ loving guidance.

 

THE RESURRECTION

 

            Each depiction of Christ’s death at Golgotha, tells us he will rise from death 3 days after. The disciples and many eyewitnesses had verified this. His resurrection from the dead, combined with his coming to show himself to them took the disciples from frightened deserters to dynamic leaders of the faith. Jesus’ resurrection reveals his conquest of death and is the keystone to our Christian faith.

            Just as the disciples were changed, so we too can be changed, which then gives us the confidence that our bodes will one day be raised to live with Christ forever and all time.

We must understand that it is the power that raised Christ from the dead that gives us the ability to follow him each and every day. If we put in the effort based on God’s word, we can become all God wants for us.

 

            God is incredibly faithful to us. As astounding as it may seem, we can acquire peace, joy, compassion for others and Christ-like love simply by turning our lives over to him. He isn’t some dictator who desires to rule over you, but rather a benevolent God who only has our greatest benefit in mind. We always have our free will to do as we please; however, allowing our faith and trust in the one true God to expand will enable us to resemble Christ is all we think, say and do. It’s not all about you, but rather, all about God and his mission of peace for the world and each individual in it.

 

Up next we shine a spotlight on John the Baptist. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

JOHN: The Mega-Themes ...

Jesus Christ, Son of God 

 

            John reveals to us the uniqueness of Jesus. Why is he unique?  Because he is God’s special Son AND is also fully God! For that reason Jesus is uniquely able to reveal God to all who wish to know with clarity and accuracy.

            Because Jesus is God’s Son, we can believe what he says without question or apprehension. By trusting him we will have an easier time understanding God’s message to us and be more able to fulfill his will and purpose in our lives.

 

Eternal Life

 

            Because Jesus is God there is no beginning or end to his existence. He just IS. Now I’m not going to pretend that I understand that, but I have chosen to believe it. You see, we don’t have to understand something to believe it. For me, the clincher is that if God said it I have chosen to believe it is true. Knowing what I know about the Lord, the scriptures, and my inability to do very little of eternal value on my own, I lean on Christ and trust that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide me as long as I have an open mind and even a modicum of discernment. 

            Before the world began the Son lived with the Father and with him will reign throughout eternity. John’s gospel reveals to us the power and magnificence of Jesus, even prior to his resurrection. He offers eternal life to us NOW so that we can begin living an intimate, eternal relationship with him. There’s no need to wait. Redemption is available at this very moment. By trusting Christ now we can have a new life that lasts forever.

 

Belief

 

            John’s gospel records 8 specific signs, or miracles that reveal to us the nature of Jesus’ power and endless love. These signs encourage all to believe in him. We see his power over his entire creation and his unconditional love for all people, redeemed or not. Yes, that’s right. The vilest sinner is loved by God. What that person DOES is NOT loved by God. That is where his spiritual army comes in. We must pray to be led to share our beliefs whenever the Spirit provokes us to. It can be daunting for sure, but the Lord is with us. Satan plants the suggestion of fear and we balk. I’m guilty of that myself. We shouldn’t be ashamed or feel guilty ... just crank up our faith and trust another notch or two and move on. Try not to dwell on negative thoughts and results. When we fail we learn.

            “Believing is active, living, and continuous trust in Jesus as God. When we believe in his life, his words, his death, and his resurrection, we are cleansed from sin and receive power to follow him. But we must respond to him by believing.” When we do this our whole life will change for the better. We will begin to make decisions based on Jesus words and the scriptures. We will begin to act and react a little bit more like our savior each day (if we allow the Spirit to lead, guide, and educate us in the ways of God.). Believe, without question, but that belief should leave us with a burning desire to please God and emulate Jesus. THAT is truly what following Christ is about. Change must take place. It’s no longer all about ME ... it’s about Jesus IN me, the hope of glory. 

            Up next we will complete our look at the Mega-Themes of John’s Gospel. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; p.2276.

Thought for the Day

 

Thought for the Day

 

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN at a glance ...

PURPOSE: To prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God & that all who believe in him will have eternal life.

AUTHOR: John the apostle, son of Zebedee, brother of James, called a “Son of Thunder”.

ORIGINAL AUDIENCE: New Christians & searching non-Christians

DATE WRITTEN: More than likely sometime between A.D. 85-90.

THE SETTING: Written after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 & before John was exiled to the island of Patmos.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Of the 8 miracles recorded, 6 are unique to John’s gospel, as is the “Upper Room Discourse”(chapters 14-17). Over 90% of John is unique to his Gospel ... John doesn’t contain a genealogy or any record of Jesus’ birth, childhood, temptation, transfiguration, appointment of the disciples, nor any account of Jesus’ parables, ascension, or great commission.

            In this gospel, John makes it very clear that Jesus wasn’t just a man; he is the eternal Son of God. Jesus is the light of the world because he offers the gift of eternal life to all people. How blind and foolish it is to call Jesus nothing more than an unusually good man or moral teacher. In deference to the fact that he is said to be the eternal Son of God, we should pay close attention to his divine identity & life-giving message.

            Jesus met with individuals, preached to great crowds, trained his disciples, and debated with the religious leaders of the day. The message he shared was met with mixed reactions. There were those who worshipped him, some who were puzzled, some who shrunk back, and some who plotted to silence him. We see the same type of responses today. Times have changed, but people’s hearts remain hard. 

            Jesus carefully taught the disciples how to carry on after his death. They must not allow anything to put a halt to their believing in Christ. Even after he predicted his own death and resurrection the disciples still didn’t believe it when reports came in after Jesus’ resurrection that he had been seen. Thomas emphatically said he wouldn’t believe Jesus was alive until he could touch his hands and his side. This was not faith, but Thomas needed actually physical proof. Before we’re too hard on Thomas for his lack of faith, think about how you would react to the news that the Christ, whom you had seen crucified, was now said to be alive again. Pretty unbelievable. 

            Up next are the Mega-Themes found in John. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

LUKE: The Trial of Jesus ...

            Jesus’ trial was actually a series of hearings, carefully controlled to accomplish his death. The verdict was predetermined, but certain “legal” procedures needed to be followed. A lot of effort went into condemning & crucifying an innocent man. Jesus went thru an unfair trial in OUR PLACE so that we would not have to face a fair trial & receive the well-deserved punishment for our sins. Innocence dying in place of the guilty. Pretty incredible if you think about it. 

There were actually 6 trials or more correctly, hearings and here they are with scripture references ...

 

* There was the first trial before Annas, who while he was no longer the high priest, may have still wielded a lot of power among the others of his kind. [John 18:13-23]

 

* The 2^nd trial was before Caiaphas, who was the ruling High Priest. His responsibility in the matter was to gather evidence for the full high council hearing that was to follow. [Luke 22:54, 63-65]

 

* The 3^rd trial was before the Sanhedrin or the High Council. This was the formal religious trial & condemnation to death. [Luke 22:66-71]

 

* The 4^th trial was before Pilate, the highest Roman authority in their area. All death sentences must be approved by the Roman government. [Luke 23:1-6]

 

* The 5^th trial was before King Herod, the ruler of Galilee. It should be noted that sending Jesus off to stand before Herod was both a courtesy to the King, since Jesus came from Herod’s Galilean district and a guilt-sharing move by Pilate. [Luke 23:7-12]

 

* The 6^th or final trial ended up once again having Jesus stand before Pilate. This would be his last effort to avoid condemning an obviously innocent man. [Luke 23:13-25]

 

What is good?

 

No matter how good we may think we are, the filthy rags that are our sins, accumulated throughout our lives finds us already condemned in the eyes of God.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 19:17, “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” So you see it’s not at all about just being good, because then that begs the question who determines what is good and what is sin? Man? Hardly. Only a righteous, holy God can properly assess what is good and fair and just for everyone with no prejudice or malice.  

            Up next is the gospel of John. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

LUKE: List of events found only in this gospel account ...

             Being a physician it stands to reason that Luke would be very precise is his handling of the events that took place while he was a disciple of Christ. Here is a listing of 12 events that took place that are only found chronicled in the gospel of Luke ...

 

1:5-80 ...          The special events that led up to the birth of John the Baptist & Jesus.

2:1-52 ...          Certain events from Jesus’ childhood.

3:19-20 ...       King Herod puts John the Baptist in prison.

4:16-30 ...       Jesus is rejected in Nazareth.

5:1-11 ...          Jesus provides a miraculous catch of fish.

7:11-17 ...       Jesus raised a widow’s son from the dead.

7:36-50 ...       A sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet.

8:1-3 ...            Women travel with Jesus.

10:1-18:14 ...  Events, miracles, and teachings during the months prior to Christ’s death.

19:1-27 ...       Jesus meets Zacchaeus & later tells the parable of the Kings 10 servants.

23:6-12 ...       Jesus’ trial before King Herod.

24:44-49 ...     Some of Jesus last words prior to his ascending back to heaven.

 

“Luke is the third Gospel (an account of Jesus’ life and ministry) in the New Testament. Luke tells Jesus’ story in extensive detail, more so than any other Gospel. Luke records miracles, sermons, conversations, and personal feelings (Lk 2:19 - “...but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”). The writer is a thorough historian who researched everything (Lk 1:3 - “Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, ...”.). And Luke’s attention to detail shows: not only is his the longest of the four gospels, but it’s also the longest book of the New Testament. 

The book of Luke shows us Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:10 - “For the Son of Man^[a]came to seek and save those who are lost.”). We learn all about the God-man in whom we’ve placed our faith. We see how He lived, how He died, and how He rose again.

Luke’s Gospel is written in ways that Jewish and non-Jewish people can understand and appreciate. In Luke, Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah; He is also the savior of the nations (Lk 2:30–32 - “So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. Finally, the woman also died.”). Whereas Matthew traces Jesus’ ancestry to Abraham (Mt 1:1 - “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.”), Luke charts His lineage all the way back to Adam (Lk 3:38 - “Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.”). This isn’t surprising—after all, Luke spent a great deal of time with the apostle Paul, who shared the good news with both Jewish and Gentile audiences.

 

Why Luke was written?

 

Luke states his purpose right away: this book is meant to give believers an accurate, chronological understanding of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Luke investigated the events of Jesus’ life by speaking with eyewitnesses (Lk 1:2 - “They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from those who from the beginning were servants of the word.”), giving Theophilus (and us) a thorough record of the things Jesus did and said. Luke is written to a Christian with little education in the life of Christ, making this book a terrific starting point for believers interested in studying His life today.” ^[1]

                  Up next is a deeper look at Jesus’ trial. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

^{[a] “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.} 

^[1] https://overviewbible.com/luke/

LUKE: Spotlight on Martha, older sister to Mary & Lazarus ..

            In Bethany, where these three lived, Jewish culture required that no one be turned away from the door of an individual. It was considered shameful to do so regardless of who it was or what hour of the day or night it was. 

            Martha, being the older sister, pretty much always sought to be in control of whatever situation the three family members found themselves in. Martha was the one who was always busy. In Bethany she was known as a very hospitable homemaker and hostess. Martha was detail oriented, in that she tended to every precise detail of what she was doing. Because of the way she was socially wired, Martha found it very difficult to relax and enjoy her guests. Martha gently chastised Mary’s lack of assistance with all the preparations for Jesus visit. Martha’s frustration was so intense that she sought Jesus’ help in the matter. No expecting what resolution the Lord would present, she was a little surprised when Jesus gently corrected her attitude and showed her that what she was doing, though good, was not the best thing she could and should be doing. Giving personal attention to her guests should be way more important than the comforts she tried to provide for them.

            When Jesus heard that Lazarus had died ^[1], Martha ran to him as he approached the scene. Martha displayed both disappointment mixed with a small level of hope. What could Jesus do now that the body had been buried for 4 days. It was naturally expected that an unbearable stench from the grave (a cave cut out of rock) would emanate from the cave where Lazarus was buried. Jesus wasn’t at all concerned about that. Because of his own impending resurrection, not only would the Lord be victor over death, but of resurrection and life!!

            Martha always had a strong desire to do everything exactly right; however by doing this, it kept her from seeing the entire picture. In spite of this, Jesus always exhibited patience with her. There are two important lessons we can learn from Martha. 1) There are times when we must be silent and respectful, always listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit; 2) There is a proper time to listen to Jesus and a proper time to work for him.

            Up next are the 12 gospel accounts found ONLY in Luke’s gospel. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

^[1] John 11:1-44 ... the death & resurrection of Lazarus.

LUKE: Spotlight on James the disciple of Christ ...

            There were three of Jesus’ 12 disciples that the Lord handpicked for some special training. James, his brother John, and Peter. Peter would become a powerful speaker, John would become a prolific writer, and James ended up being the first of the disciples to die for his faith. 

            In scripture James was always mentioned before his brother John. This showed that James was the older of the two. James & John’s father, Zebedee, owned a fishing business where the sons worked along with Peter & Andrew. They lived in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee.

            “When a Samaritan village rejected Jesus, he and John wanted to call down fire from heaven upon the place.” For this reason James & John were both given a nickname by the Lord ... “the sons of thunder”. 

Being selected to be in Jesus’ inner circle meant a lot to James, however, he, as well as the others, misunderstood what Jesus’ purpose was. Their misunderstanding was evident when both James & John attempted to secure prime seating to the right and left of the Lord in his kingdom. Listen to Jesus’ response: “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” _{[Mark 10:38-40]} The ‘cup’ and ‘baptism’ Jesus referred to was his suffering and his death. This was to say that all the disciples would suffer and die for their faith. Would you be willing to die for your faith or would you deny him as Peter did? 

            The disciples didn’t grasp the meaning of Jesus words at the time, but after his death it began to become a bit clearer to them. At this particular time they still expected that Jesus would establish a kingdom on earth and overthrow the Roman Empire. This was not at all what God had planned.

            “James' zeal for Jesus resulted in his being the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred. He was killed with the sword on order of King Herod Agrippa I of Judea, about 44 A.D., in a general persecution of the early church.” ^[1]

            “Jesus promised eternal life to those willing to trust him. If we believe this promise, he will give us the courage to stand for him even during dangerous times.” ^[2]

                  Up next is a spotlight on Martha, the older sister of Mary & Lazarus. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

^[1] https://www.learnreligions.com/profile-of-apostle-james-701062

^[2] The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2213.

Thought for the Day

LUKE: Jesus’ encounters with women ...

            “As a non-Jew (Gentile) recording the words and works of Jesus’ life, Luke demonstrates a special sensitivity to other ‘outsiders’ with whom Jesus came into contact. For instance, Luke records five events involving women that are not mentioned in the other Gospels. In the first-century Jewish culture, women were usually treated as second-class citizens with few of the rights men had. But Jesus crossed those barriers, and Luke showed the special care Jesus had for women. Jesus treated all people with equal respect. The below passages tell of his encounters with women.” _{[TLASB; p. 2209]}

 

John 4:1-26 - Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman at the well ...

Luke 7:11-17 - Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead ...

Luke 7:36-50 - A sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet ...

John 8:1-11 - Jesus forgives an adulterous woman ...

Luke 8:1-3 - A group of women travel with Jesus ...

Luke 10:38-42 - Jesus visits Mary and Martha ...

Luke 13:10-17 - Jesus heals a crippled woman ...

Mark 7:24-30 - Jesus heals the daughter of a Gentile woman ...

Luke 23:27-31 - Weeping women follow Jesus on his way to the cross ...

John 19:25-27 - Jesus’ mother and other women gather at the cross ...

Mark 16:9-11 - Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene ...

Matthew 28:8-10 - Jesus appears to other women after his resurrection ...

 

            Throughout scripture women were seen to have a subservient role to men. In NT times this changed slightly in that while the women were still subservient to their husbands, the men were subservient in a way, by virtue of their deep love for their spouse. Women were respected for their role as the child bearer, a role that very obviously, men could not fulfill. This is why when a woman was barren, as in unable to bear children, it is viewed by society as someone who is being punished by God. This is why Joseph, being betrothed to Mary, considered quietly divorcing her so as to avoid shaming her; until an angel explained the entirety of the situation to Joseph. 

            Jesus didn’t present a world where women were segregated from men, but rather accepted all people equally, without exception. In the spirit of selflessness, believers today are to strive to treat all with the same love, patience, and compassion that Christ did. Life is a little more complicated today as equality for all involves many ungodly elements in addition to godly ones. It is somewhat difficult to navigate thru this maze without stumbling once in a while and dealing with parties that you may not theologically agree with can be tricky. However, treating women as women still stands as the biblical way to look at things. Respect is the key. Acceptance is also a key. This has nothing to do with diversity or gender bending, although we are to love them the same as anyone else. You can love others without supporting their lifestyle. We aren’t anyone’s judge and jury. We are ambassadors of God’s love. Almighty God is the only true judge. 

Women are a wonderful blessing from God and should be viewed and treated as such without exception. Giving someone, either male or female, honor, and respect, bolsters their self-respect. This is important as an avenue a person can take to see who they truly are and places value on them, just as God does. 

Up next is a spotlight on James, one of the 12 disciples. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: TLASB = The Life Application Study Bible.

 

NOTE: Take time to read each scripture reference to get the full picture of how Jesus interacted with women.