The Word of God

Psalm 119:33-37 “Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”

           While this is considered by many to be one of David’s Psalms for structural and content reasons, his name doesn’t appear in the beginning as the author, so it is generally considered one of the “orphan psalms”. It is the longest chapter in the Bible at 176 verses and has long been read for its’ inspiration.

          The writer implores God to teach him His ways. Key words are littered through these four verses: teach me, give me understanding, direct me, turn my heart, and turn my eyes. The writer is asking God to act on his behalf for a specific reason; he wants to follow God’s decrees, keep His laws, and not turn toward selfish gain or worthless things. How badly do we all need to pray this for ourselves? I know I have stumbled badly throughout my walk with God and need to commit these verses to memory and then live them. Saying these words and following through are two completely different things. Our world is filled with distractions that draw us away from the things of God. We become so easily entangled with obligations and chores, leaving little time to seek God. It is in God that we find what we are truly looking for and need so badly: peace, contentment, comfort, love, forgiveness, mercy. These are found in no one else.

          Once we get into the word of God and allow it to speak to us, it will change our perspective on things. Sure, we must tend to things during the day, but we needn’t allow those things to dictate our lives. Within the Bible lies a wide variety of truth, inspiration, wisdom, encouragement, and guidance to last a lifetime. Let God into your daily life. Seek His face and pray for others. Watch God work as you rely a little more on Him each day.

 

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

 

          The word of God can speak to the human heart like nothing else can. It’s God’s instruction manual for life. Let it minister to you in the deepest part of your heart and soul. Allow your spirit to connect with the Spirit of God and feed on His wisdom. His word will give you strength and encouragement even in your darkest hour. God is with you wherever you go ^{(Joshua 1:9)}. He will not forsake or abandon you ^{(Deuteronomy 31:6)}. God can be relied upon, just like His word, to take you in life where you need to go for His glory.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Two Kinds of Wisdom

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” - James 3:13

            James 3:13-18 speaks of two kinds of wisdom, although I personally hesitate to refer to the second type as ‘wisdom’ at all. If you have a bitter, envious, selfish attitude, it didn’t come from the Lord, but rather his evil counterpart, Satan. With envy and selfish ambition comes nothing of a positive or godly nature. These negative attributes produce chaos and disorder in due time. Sadly, even those who call themselves Christians can be prone to this type of attitude. 

                  The way to combat these attitudes is to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit within you. Emulating Christ is paramount for the believer. Without His example how would we fully know how to live a godly life. Studying scripture will take you so far, but it is easier for some to learn better by seeing a lesson, even if it happens to be in our mind’s eye. Illustrations are plentiful in scripture and help us to know how to live as well. 

                  Real and not fake humility is pretty easy to spot. Doing godly deeds without making a show of it is being humble. Making sure those around you know who you are and what you are doing is not. In Matthew 6:3 Jesus announces the following: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,…”. It’s absolutely NOT important if ANYONE knows what you are doing for another. Deeds done in humility is placing others before yourself. 

                  Though not created for man, sadly the Lake of Fire will be filled with many who professed Christ yet didn’t live for him at all. That’s trampling on God’s grace. It’s like taking a wonderful gift from someone, setting it aside and never opening it. In some cases, not even thanking the person for it. Follow God’s standards daily as you seek to resemble Christ. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

True Friendship

“I thank my God every time I remember you.”- Philippians 1:3 

 

friend noun 1a: one attached to another by affection or esteem.

 

            Although the Apostle Paul is saying this to the church at Philippi, I would like to generalize this scripture to make a point about our own brothers and sisters in the faith; those throughout our lives who have been our friends, not to mention, a wonderful blessing to us through thick and thin. There are those individuals, perhaps family members, perhaps co-workers, someone in your neighborhood or church members, who have meant a lot to our spiritual growth in this life. Some are in our lives for only a short while, a single chapter in our lives, then are gone. They are a true friend to us, and we thank God every time they come to mind. They are encouraging, empathetic, kind, helpful … they are living examples of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. There is a mutual love and respect for one another. No judgment or condemnation comes from their lips. They are understanding and supportive, no matter what we have gotten ourselves into. That is a true brother or sister in Christ; that is a true friend. They don’t condone misdeeds in any way, seeking to be instructive rather than combative, so as not to hurt us and/or drive us away. When a true friendship has been forged, it cannot be severed by age or distance. 

            We all have someone, perhaps more than one, who falls into that category. Actually, a true friend can be somewhat of a rarity. Frankly, our wife or husband really should be our best, most true friend, in addition to being our lover and life companion. God has blessed us with true friends whom we need to thank Him for. They are stabilizers; they help add structure to our lives. God knows what we need and provides these people in our lives to help lighten our burdens as we walk through this valley of tears called life. May God be praised for His wisdom and compassion, for without the friends who enter our lives, our struggles this side of heaven would be much greater. Hopefully we are that type of friend to someone. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The World for Your Soul

“What good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul?”- Mark 8:36 

            The world tantalizes with wealth, glitz, glamour and fame. People become slaves to fashion and live paycheck to paycheck chasing that next big event or technological advancement. Their attention is kept focused on anything and everything that promises satisfaction, fun and popularity. The devil is an expert at deceit. Those trifles dangled in front of them are nothing more than a mirage that shall disappear when you need them the most. Christ asks a very poignant question to those following him: what good is it to gain everything and yet have nothing and what good is it to lose your very soul in the process. The time spent chasing after temporal things would have been better spent seeking eternity, for it is in the things that shall NOT pass away that true satisfaction is found. 

            The world scoffs at Christians. ‘Look at all you are missing’, they say. ‘Only the weak-minded need Jesus’, they say, ‘He’s nothing more than a crutch.’ They don’t understand. Perhaps they never will. Christians find hope and peace and true freedom in their relationship with God. It has nothing to do with religion; it is an intimate, personal relationship with our Creator. So, while the world chases after the unattainable, we shall continue to seek God and gain far more in the process than those in the world shall ever possess. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

 

The Visible Image of God

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation …”. - Colossians 1:15

            If Colossae existed today, it would be in the southern section of modern-day Turkey. The issue in this church was the infiltration of some believers who were attempting to combine elements of paganism and secular philosophy with Christian doctrine. Paul wrote to combat these errors and show that Christ alone is more than sufficient to meet all a believers’ needs than anything outside God’s standards. This letter was written in approximately 60 AD.

                  The first sentence in verse 15 speaks directly to the divine nature of Christ. Not only is Christ equal to God ^{[Philippians 2:6]}, but ISGod ^{[John 10:30, 38; 12:45; 14:1-11]} by virtue of the saying that he is “the visible image of the invisible God”. Jesus “is and was and is to come”. He was the most intimate part of creation in that he existed prior to there being anything in existence. There is nothing our Lord cannot do for us and is in complete control of everything he has created.

                  Paul spent a good portion of his letter emphasizing that our focus must be on Christ as our sole provider and sustainer. We must also focus on God’s word and not another person’s perception of what God meant with what he said. The standard we must follow is God’s word and his word alone. Worldly philosophies and conjecture re: Christianity will only confuse you, not draw you any closer to God. Draw close to God. Rid yourself of worldly habits that can quickly turn into sin. Praise the Lord with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Praise his name without ceasing, for this is what we are called to do. Until next time walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries 

The Unconditional Love of God

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”- Romans 8:38-39

                  Nelson Rockefeller once said, “Never forget that the most powerful force on earth is love.”  1 John 4:8 says, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:16 says, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” It stands to reason that the most powerful force would be identified with the most powerful being.  God is All-Powerful, as in Omnipotent! There is no greater power in existence than the power God has. The power of LOVE is far-reaching and eternal because God is eternal and is everywhere at one time. Therefore, there is an aura of love that exists everywhere. Sometimes it is concealed by the emergence of evil, but the potential for love to burst forth is always there.

                  So, our verses for today point out that nothing in existence can pry us from God’s far-reaching love. He HAS and WILLalways love us. He may not like what we think, say, or do all the time, but it won’t keep him from loving us. God loved us before we were conceived in our mother’s womb.  

                  I thought of something today … I know God loves me unconditionally and always will. You know why? Because if my wife can love me unconditionally despite the inane and silly things I say and do at times, I know that God has an even greater capacity to love me without conditions being placed upon that love. I also love my wife with an abiding and unconditional love; she is a great lady!

Do you feel that way about your spouse? Do you understand that you are loved by your Maker, and nothing will ever change that? Believe it … embrace it as a fact. YOU ARE LOVED!! Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

                  

The Death of Lazarus

John 11:25 - “Jesus said to (Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

          This is the accounting of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Mary, the one who put perfume on the feet of Jesus on another occasion and her sister Martha had sent word to the Lord that their brother, Lazarus was sick. Take note that Jesus said in response that Lazarus would not die. “When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’” ^{(John 11:4)} Jesus loved all three very much yet stayed where he was two more days. If He had come directly Lazarus might have still been alive and the purposes of God would not have been fulfilled. This is a perfect example of how God knows, and we do not. God says in Isaiah 55:8 “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.” God always knows what He’s doing and always knows what is best. The word ‘always’ is an absolute word. It means that God knows each and every time, making no mistakes. God never has to ponder His plans or question Himself. How does He know? He knows because He is omniscient, the knower of all things. There is never a time when God is lost or confused. We are the ones who stumble and fall on our face, not God.  
          Jesus is the source of everlasting life. It is only through Him that we can reach our eternal destination. There is nothing we can do to achieve this on our own. All we must do is believe in Christ; however, it’s a little more detailed than that for even the devil and his demons believe in Jesus and shudder in terror at the mention of His name. ^{(James 2:19)} We must surrender our will to the one true living God. If we do so we will never truly die. Oh, we will die physically, but not spiritually. Our physical tent, which houses our soul and spirit, will turn to dust in the ground, but our soul and spirit shall live on in heaven with God for all eternity.  
          Jesus purposely waited so that Lazarus would die. This way He could reveal the miraculous power of God in the resurrection of His friend. This is what Christ meant when He said what He did in verse 4 shown above. God always knows exactly what He’s doing; therefore, we can absolutely and positively trust Him in all things all the time. Do you believe this? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Terrible Day of the Lord

“But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.”- 2 Peter 3:10 ^NLT

            Scripture tells us that no one knows the hour or the day when the Lord shall return. ^{[Matthew 24:36]} Only the Father knows. Believers in Christ should be anticipating his return as if it were going to be today. Non-believers, who live their lives outside of God’s family, are too busy with other things they deem essential to their lives. That is precisely why they will have no idea what is coming and thus will not be prepared.

                  Knowing that the earth will be burned up, why wouldn’t we place our confidence in that which is lasting and eternal? Being bound to the earth, with its valueless treasures and frivolous pursuits is a sure death sentence. God knows all this which is why his patience with mankind is long suffering. He knows the stubborn ways of man. He knows their rebellious nature. But he loves them just the same and gives them every opportunity to receive forgiveness for their sins.

                  I have said on multiple occasions that we must assess our walk, not compared to anyone else on this earth, but to God himself. Just because perfection is unattainable doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be our goal in this life. Believers should ask themselves this important question: Do I spend more of my time piling up possessions or striving to develop a Christlike character? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

“Easter” Scripturally Refuted

1. Worship Must Be Regulated by Scripture Alone

Deuteronomy 12:32 – “See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.” “Easter” is an addition. It has no place in the worship God has commanded.

 2. Pagan Practices Are Forbidden in the Worship of God

Deuteronomy 12:30-31 – “Be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods... You must not worship the Lord your God in their way…” God absolutely forbids using pagan customs as a means of worshiping Him.

 3. God Desires Worship in Spirit and in Truth

John 4:23-24 – “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth… for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” Worshiping God with Easter traditions—eggs, rabbits, and man-made rituals—is neither spiritual nor truthful.

 4. Christ’s Resurrection Is Remembered Weekly, Not Annually

Acts 20:7 – “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…” The Lord’s Day (every Sunday) is the biblically appointed time to remember Christ’s resurrection—not once a year in a festival of mixed pagan origin.

 5. The Apostles Gave No Example of Easter Observance

2 Thessalonians 2:15 – “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” The apostles gave no command to celebrate Easter. If it were important, they would have included it in their teaching.

 6. God Commands Separation from the World’s Religious Ways

2 Corinthians 6:17 – “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” The world, Roman Catholicism, and other religions celebrate “Easter.” That should cause every godly soul to pause.

 CONCLUSION

“Easter” is not Christian in origin. It is a mixture of:

•                Pagan fertility rituals,

•                Catholic syncretism*, and

•                Human tradition.

It is not commanded by God, not modeled by Christ, and not practiced by the apostles. It dilutes the truth, corrupts the purity of worship, and associates the holy Name of Christ with heathen customs. Jeremiah 10:2 – “Do not learn the ways of the nations…”; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 – “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

Let us worship the risen Lord Jesus every Lord’s Day, and reject every counterfeit observance that would compromise the purity of the Gospel. To do less is to mix light with darkness—and that is something the Lord never blesses. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The information for this study was provided by a dear sister in Christ whom I’ve known for many years, whose name shall be withheld for privacy reasons.

* Fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion.

NOTE: While I don’t have much to say about Lent or “Holy Week”, I don’t see any harm in Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, for they are, at least as far as I’ve experienced, Christocentric, as in Christ centered worship.

Easter vs. Resurrection Day

Facts about “Easter”

The holiday commonly known as “Easter” is one of the most widespread traditions in professing Christendom. Yet both its pagan and Roman Catholic roots are indisputable—and its observance finds no warrant in the Word of God. When measured by the standard of Scripture, Easter stands condemned as a man-made invention, borrowed from idolatry, and unfit for Christian worship.

Pagan Roots of “Easter” 

 

1. Origin of the Name “Easter”

The name “Easter” comes from Eostre (or Ostara), a pagan fertility goddess worshiped in early Anglo-Saxon and Germanic tribes. Her spring festival celebrated fertility, renewal, and new life. The rabbit and egg were her symbols—representing fertility and reproduction.

 

Note: The Greek word Pascha in the New Testament refers to Passover, not “Easter.” The one appearance of the word “Easter” in Acts 12:4 (KJV) is a mistranslation.

 

2. Spring Fertility Rites

Pagan spring rites honored nature’s rebirth after winter and often included: Eggs (symbols of new life), Rabbits (fertility), Sunrise services (honoring the rising sun, not the risen Son). These customs were not only non-Christian, but directly tied to idolatrous worship and nature-based deities.

 

ROMAN CATHOLIC ROOTS

 

1. Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.)

Rome formally established “Easter Sunday” as a feast to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, separating it from the Jewish Passover. The date was fixed according to pagan lunar calculations: the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox.

 

2. Blending Paganism with Christianity

The Church of Rome attempted to “Christianize” pagan spring rituals to attract converts. The result was a religious festival cloaked in Christian terminology, but pagan in spirit and practice.

 

3. Lent and the Easter Season

The 40-day observance of Lent, leading up to Easter, has no biblical basis. It mirrors pagan fasting and mourning rituals (see Ezekiel 8:14—mourning for Tammuz). Events such as Lent, Holy Week, and Good Friday are all Roman Catholic inventions—not apostolic practices.

 

                  To poo-poo this assessment of the holiday and say it’s just innocent fun is to make a mockery of the truth regarding the day. God is not mocked and while celebrating the holiday as the secular world does won’t cause you to lose your salvation and send you to hell, it’s roots in paganism should make you uncomfortable and cause you to change your way of thinking. If you doubt any of this, research the holiday for yourself. On Monday, I will conclude this brief study. The information for this study was provided by a dear sister in Christ whom I’ve known for many years and whose name shall be withheld for privacy reasons. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Why Did Jesus Have to Die for Our Sins?

                    To say, “Jesus died for our sins,” is really to say, “Jesus died because of our sins.”.  Romans 6:23 tells us “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” According to scripture we were all sinners committed to a sentence of death with no way to stop sinning and no way to remove the sin. By His immeasurable grace ^{(undeserved favor)} Jesus willingly and willfully chose to die in our place. Jesus took the full punishment that was due us on Himself. His was a substitutionary death, in that He substituted Himself for us. As if all that wasn’t enough, He prayed that we would be forgiven. Since Jesus paid the debt we owed, God forgave all who have placed complete and unwavering trust in Him. ^{(2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:1-10)}

                  Christ’s death and resurrection means that whoever places their faith in Him will have total access to the Father. John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is “… the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except thru me.” Sin created a chasm between man and God … Christ bridged that chasm.  Upon Christ’s death all the OT sacrifices were made null and void. Those sacrifices were temporary anyway, having to be repeated annually for the forgiveness of sin. Hebrews 10:10 makes it clear: “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Christ was the remedy for annual atonement.

                  Christ’s death and resurrection means we’re guaranteed forgiveness when we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Galatians 3:22 says, “the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” 1 Peter 3:18 proclaims: “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God.” May God’s grace and mercy be yours this day and may your faith in Him never falter. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries                 

The Passion 25

Footnotes

 

CHRISTIANITY

            After Jesus's death, his followers, particularly the apostles, spread his teachings, establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire, and Christianity, initially a Jewish sect, gradually gained traction, eventually becoming a major religion. 

Initially, the Christian message was primarily directed towards Jewish people in Galilee and Judea, but after Jesus's death, his followers expanded their outreach to all of Israel and eventually the Jewish diaspora*. 

The apostles, led by figures like Peter and Paul, played a crucial role in spreading the Christian message. Paul of Tarsus, who initially persecuted Christians, had a significant impact on the development of Christianity, particularly in spreading it to non-Jewish communities. 

Christianity grew rapidly, with churches being established in various cities of the Roman Empire, including Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, and Rome. Early Christians faced persecution from the Roman authorities due to their refusal to worship Roman gods. Over time, the early Christian churches evolved, and the concept of a unified church, eventually known as the Catholic Church, emerged. The New Testament, which contains the Gospels and other writings, was compiled and became a central text for Christians. The Christian faith spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, eventually becoming one of the world's major religions.

This concludes our look at The Passion. Next we will move on to another topic, until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.\

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* The scattering of the Jews to countries outside of Palestine after the Babylonian captivity.

The Passion 24

Footnotes

 

NICODEMUS

After Jesus' death, the Bible records Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, assisting Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus' body for burial. Nicodemus brought a mixture of spices for anointing the body, which was a customary practice for Jewish burials. Beyond this, the Bible is silent about Nicodemus's later life and activities. 

The Gospel of John mentions Nicodemus twice after Jesus' death. He is described as a secret disciple of Jesus, who was afraid of the Jews. He and Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus' body down from the cross and prepared it for burial. 

Some traditions suggest Nicodemus later became a follower of Jesus and was cast out of the Sanhedrin. Other traditions claim he lived in the home of Gamaliel, another member of the Sanhedrin. Some say Nicodemus was baptized by Peter and John. 

The Bible does not explicitly state whether Nicodemus became a follower of Jesus or what happened to him after assisting with the burial. There is no scriptural evidence to support or refute the traditions about his later life.

 

 

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA

 

After Jesus' death, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and secret follower of Christ, asked Pilate for Jesus' body and buried it in his own unused tomb, which was then sealed with a large stone. Legends and traditions later developed around him, including his travels to Britain and founding the first Christian church there. 

The New Testament mentions Joseph of Arimathea in all four Gospels, highlighting his role in the burial of Jesus. Joseph, a "secret disciple" of Jesus, approached Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, and requested the body of Jesus for burial. Pilate granted the request, and Joseph, with the help of Nicodemus, prepared Jesus' body for burial and placed it in a new tomb that Joseph had built for himself. After Jesus' body was placed in the tomb, a large stone was rolled against the entrance to seal it. 

A popular legend states that Joseph, after the resurrection, traveled to Britain, bringing the Holy Grail (the cup used at the Last Supper) with him and establishing the first Christian church in Glastonbury, Somerset. Another legend claims that Joseph planted a staff that miraculously grew into a flowering thorn tree, which still blooms at Glastonbury on Christmas Day. Joseph of Arimathea is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, and remains the patron saint of morticians and undertakers. 

More footnotes next time; until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Passion 23

Footnotes

 MARY & JOSEPH

 

After Jesus' crucifixion, the biblical accounts indicate that Mary, Jesus's mother, was entrusted to the care of the apostle John. Jesus, on the cross, said, "Behold your son!" to Mary and "Behold your mother!" to John.  

The Bible doesn't provide details about Joseph after Jesus's birth. He’s not mentioned in the Gospels after Jesus's childhood, and it's widely believed he passed away prior to Jesus's public ministry, as he is not present at the Wedding at Cana or at Golgotha. 

Mary remained with the apostles in Jerusalem after Jesus's ascension, and she is also mentioned as being present at Pentecost. The New Testament provides limited information about Mary's life after Jesus's death, and her later life is primarily known through tradition and legend. 

Despite the lack of information about his later life, Joseph's legacy as the man who took Mary as his wife and supported his family has left an important impact on Christian tradition.

 

 

MARY MAGDALENE

 

Mary Magdalene was present at the crucifixion and remained faithful to Jesus, even after his death. She was also the first to visit the tomb on Sunday morning and witness Jesus's resurrection. After seeing the risen Jesus, Mary Magdalene was instructed to tell the apostles about the resurrection, making her the first to proclaim this news. Mary became a key figure in spreading the news of his resurrection to the apostles. 

Some traditions suggest that she accompanied John the Apostle to Ephesus, where she died and was buried. Other traditions, particularly in France, suggest she evangelized Provence and spent her last 30 years in an Alpine cavern. Many traditions depict her living a life of penance and solitude, either in France or Ephesus, after preaching the Gospel. 

Mary Magdalene is considered a significant figure in Christian tradition, respected for her faith, devotion, and role in spreading the message of the resurrection.

Footnotes continue in my next posting. Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Passion 22

Footnotes 

CAIAPHAS

After Jesus' death, the high priest Caiaphas continued to persecute Jesus' followers, as evidenced by his presence at the trial of Peter and John, and was eventually removed from his position by the Roman procurator Vitellius around 36/37 AD. 

The New Testament, specifically the Book of Acts, indicates that Caiaphas remained a staunch opponent of Jesus' followers and was involved in persecuting them. Caiaphas is mentioned in Acts 4:1-22, where he is present at the trial of Peter and John after they heal a lame man. 

Caiaphas was removed from his position as high priest by the Roman procurator Vitellius around 36/37 AD.  Josephus, a Jewish historian, mentions that Caiaphas was removed from office by Lucius Vitellius, the successor of Pilate.

 

 

HEROD ANTIPAS

Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great and ruled Galilee and Perea from 4 BCE until his exile in 39 CE. Herod Antipas's wife, Herodias, had a strained relationship with him, which led to a divorce and a subsequent conflict with Aretas IV, the king of Nabatea. Herod Antipas's nephew, Herod Agrippa I, accused him of plotting against Emperor Caligula. Caligula, the new Roman emperor, sided with Agrippa, stripped Antipas of his power and possessions, and exiled him to Gaul. Herodias accompanied Antipas into exile. Antipas died in Gaul at an unknown date, with Josephus stating he died in Spain.

 

 

PONTIUS PILATE

After Jesus's death, Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea, was recalled to Rome and later exiled, though the exact details of his fate remain somewhat unclear, with some accounts suggesting he committed suicide. 

After Jesus's crucifixion, Pilate was recalled to Rome by Emperor Tiberius, and he was later exiled to Gaul (modern-day France). Some sources, such as Eusebius of Caesarea's "Ecclesiastical History," suggest Pilate committed suicide on orders from Emperor Caligula sometime after 36 CE.

Other accounts, like those documented by the second-century pagan philosopher Celsus and the Christian apologist Origen, suggest Pilate simply retired after his dismissal. Pilate was the Roman prefect of Judea (26–36 CE) under Emperor Tiberius, and he presided over the final trial of Jesus and gave the order for his crucifixion.

 

                  Footnotes continue in our next posting. Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Passion 21

The Key

         The resurrection of Jesus is the key to the Christian faith. Why is that? Well, His rising from the dead was prophesied in the OT *, and promised by Jesus Himself. Just as He said, Jesus rose from the dead on the 3^rd day as promised.  Therefore, we can be confident that He will accomplish all He has promised. 

                  Jesus’ bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ is ruler of God’s eternal Kingdom and not a false prophet or imposter. His resurrection reveals to us that because it actually took place, death is not the end of the road for us ... there IS a future life.

                  The Lord’s resurrection told us that the power that brought Jesus back from the dead to new life, then this power is also available to those who are spiritually dead. Believing in Jesus Christ ignites our spirit, bringing it back to life.

                  The resurrection of Jesus is the backbone of the church’s witness to the world. His rising from the grave proved Jesus was and is more than just a human leader; he is the Son of God. 

Pilate sensed something different about Jesus, the disciples knew He was sent by God, two Pharisees knew (Nicodemus & Joseph of Arimathea), and even some of the Roman guards knew on the dreadful day of the crucifixion that Jesus was the Son of God. Even Jewish historian Flavius Josephus admitted that Jesus was “more than just an ordinary man”.  Former atheist turned Christian theologian and apologist of the faith C.S. Lewis stated the following about Jesus: "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse."

                  Everyone in mankind must make a choice regarding Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, sin, and salvation. Weigh all that you think you know against the Bible. Let it speak to you. Pray that God reveals truths to you. Be patience. Have an open mind. This choice is far more important than any other choice you’ll make in your entire life. Don’t be flippant or cavalier and make sure to choose wisely. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

*Psalm 16:10 & Isaiah 53:10 - These passages are seen as providing assurance of Christ's resurrection after His death.

The Passion 20

At the Tomb

         The leading priests and Pharisees went to Pilate asking for guards to watch over Jesus tomb. Their major fear seemed to be not that Jesus would rise from the dead, but that the disciples would steal the body and say He had risen (Matthew 27:64). The disciples hid in fear, disillusioned and confused. 

It was at this point that the religious leaders were desperate to end what they considered to be an immense threat to their way of life and way of administering God’s Law. They added hundreds of additional laws to the Torah so as to have control over the people. Jesus was there to bring freedom in the spirit and freedom from man’s sins.  The leaders, though waiting for a Messiah, were looking for the wrong type of Messiah. They wanted a conquering warrior king, not unlike David, to defeat the Romans and their oppressive control over the Jewish people. God’s plan involved love, peace, and blanket forgiveness in exchange for obedience.

                  So once Jesus was placed in the tomb and tended to by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, the guards rolled the immense stone in front of the opening. The guards had been commissioned to watch over the tomb so no one could come and remove the body. 

                  Three days after Jesus was buried, early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and a friend went to visit the tomb. While on their way there was a great earthquake!! The earthquake was caused by an angel who had come down from heaven. He rolled aside the stone and sat on top of it. Matthew 28:3-4 ^{(Amplified Bible)} described the scene: “The angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. The guards shook, paralyzed with fear [at the sight] of him and became like dead men [fainted].” The angel told the women not to fear, that Jesus wasn’t there, but had risen just as He said He would. He added that Jesus was going ahead of the disciples and would meet then back in Galilee.  The angel didn’t roll the stone away to allow Jesus to get out, but so the women could go in to see that He had indeed risen. 

The angel had four messages for the women: 1 - “Don’t be afraid”; 2 – “He isn’t here.”; 3 – “Come and see ...” and 4 – “Go quickly and tell”. Under the circumstances not much needed to be said. The very otherworldly appearance of the angel was all that was needed to convince the women that this messenger was from Almighty God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

The Passion 19

Jesus Buriel

After Jesus death, “Joseph of Arimathea, who was a wealthy man, and honored as a member of the Jewish high council asked Pontius Pilate for permission to have the body of the Lord. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus ^{(John 19:38)}. The disciples who had publicly followed Jesus fled, but Joseph boldly took a stand that could have cost him dearly. He cared enough about Jesus to ask for His body so he could give it a proper burial.”

The tomb belonged to Joseph himself and was likely a man-made cave cut out of one of the many limestone hills in the area around Jerusalem. Such a tomb was large enough to walk into. After burial, a large stone would have been rolled across the entrance ^{(John 20:1)} .

Could Jesus have rolled away the stone that covered his tomb?   The entrance of a Jewish tomb was quite small, so the stone needed to cover the opening would only be 4-6’ in diameter, and approximately 1’ thick.  How much would such a stone weigh?  Depending on the type of stone used, it could weigh between 1-2 tons (2000-4000 pounds). This is quite heavy, but two men could move it into place (Mt 27:60; Jn 19:38-42).  The more difficult task was removing the stone to open up the grave.

Generally speaking, the rolling stone was set inside a groove in front of the entrance, and secured from falling over by a stone wall that stood in front of tomb opening (the rolling stone was sandwiched between the tomb entrance and stone wall).  Often, the groove was not level, but slightly sloped.  To close the tomb, the stone would be rolled down the groove at a decline and come to rest in front of the entrance.  To open the tomb, the stone would have to be rolled up the groove at an incline. Given the structure of such tombs, it would not have been possible for Jesus to simply push the stone over from the inside of the tomb.  He would have to roll the 2000+ pound stone back up the groove without having anything to grip or any help.  Such a feat would not be possible for one healthy man, yet alone a man who had just been beaten to a bloody pulp by the Romans. Is it any wonder that an angel was the one who rolled away the stone. That gives us a strong indication of the strength of an angel.

                  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name and for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible

See http://eutychusnerd.blogspot.com/2009/04/rolling-stone.html.

The Passion 18

Jesus Dies 

                  When Jesus died the skies blackened so much so that Luke tells us “the light from the sun was gone.” The land was without sunlight for 3 hours. Luke is the one that tells us that just before Jesus breathed His last “the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.” ^{(Luke 23:45)} But it was Mark that added an important detail: “Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed His last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”

“The curtain contributed to the splendor of the Temple. From Josephus and rabbinic texts we can gain some idea of its appearance. Within that central structure of the Temple, the curtain covered the entrance to the Holy of Holies which was ... 60’ high by 30’ feet wide.” ^[1]

It was a woven curtain that was 4” thick, so the event that took place was quite impossible from a human standpoint. In other words, it is apparent that the tearing of the curtain was nothing less than a supernatural event. Man would not have been able to reach 60’ up at that precise moment, let alone tear in half the 4” thick woven material. The only way to effectively describe what took place was that Almighty God caused the tearing of the veil Himself. How else could it have happened?

That is an important detail, because it represented to believers that God was opening up the Holy of Holies (aka, the Most Holy Place) to all, not just the Jewish high priest. Up to that point the high priest was the only one who was allowed by God to enter the Holy of Holies. So man was now able to interact with his creator at any time.

Several guards acknowledged Jesus deity after the startling events of the day had transpired. It was certainly NOT a normal day. “This significant event symbolized Christ’s work on the cross. The Temple had three parts: the courts, which were for all the people; the Holy Place, where only priests could enter; and the Most Holy Place, where the high priest alone could enter once a year to atone for the sins of the people. It was in the Most Holy Place that the Ark of the Covenant, and God’s presence with it, rested. The curtain that was torn was the one that closed off the Most Holy Place from view. At Christ’s death, the barrier between God and humanity was split in two. Now all people can approach God directly thru Christ (Hebrews 9:1-14; 10:19-22).”

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible

^[1] https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2021/04/02/torn-temple-curtain/

The Passion 17

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

The Problem 

We’ve all done things that are wrong, plus we’ve failed to obey God’s laws. It was because of this that we’ve been separated from our Creator. To put it bluntly, separation from God means our death. By ourselves we can do nothing to become united with God. You can blame Adam & Eve if you’d like, but they didn’t commit YOUR sins.

Why Jesus is the Remedy to our Problem

                  He’s the remedy because He wasn’t only a man; He was also God’s unique Son. Because Jesus never disobeyed His Father, He alone was and is the only one who can bridge the gap between a sinless God & His sinful creation.

The Solution

                  It was Jesus who freely & willingly offered up His own life for us. It’s the GREAT EXCHANGE! Jesus took our place on a cross that was meant for each of us. He took all of our wrongdoing on Himself, thus saving us from the dreaded consequences of our own sin. Therefore, He took on all of God’s judgment, dying in our place.

The Results

                  Jesus took our past, present & future sins upon Himself so that we could have a new life, totally cleansed of sin. Because we are totally forgiven we’ve been reconciled to God. Furthermore, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is living proof that His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross was completely acceptable to God. His resurrection has become a source of new life for all who would believe that Jesus is the Son of God. To conclude, all who believe in Him will have a second chance at life as God intended all along. Sins forgiven, never to be thrown back in our face ever again. That is a result we can all live with.

                  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible