early on Sunday

Luke 24 

1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, 

taking the spices they had prepared. 

2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 

3 So they went in, 

but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 

4 As they stood there puzzled, 

two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. 

Then the men asked, 

“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 

6 He isn’t here! 

He is risen from the dead! 

Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 

7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men 

and be crucified, 

and that he would rise again on the third day.”

Nicodemus

Many of us know that Nicodemus had a conversation with Jesus.

We're also familiar with what astounding thing Jesus said in verse 16.

We also may know what Jesus said in verse 17.

But how many of us have ever read the entire interview Nicodemus has with Jesus that night?

Well, here is all of that conversation...

John 3 

1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 

2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. 

“Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. 

Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

a wedding & wine

We've all heard about this, but we seldom read the full story.

Imagine being there & observing this event...

Imagine being at a wedding today & this kind of thing happens...

John 2 

1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee.

 Jesus’ mother was there, 

2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 

3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, 

so Jesus’ mother told him, 

“They have no more wine.”

4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.

9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.

Word

 

John 1

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

last meal

Tomorrow, in churches all over the world, this meal will be remembered...

Luke 22

 7 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. 

8 Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, 

“Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.

10 He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, 11 say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 12 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 13 They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”

19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.

Jesus talks about the future

Luke 21

5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”

8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.

12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.

20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. 22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people. 24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.

25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

29 Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30 When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.

34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

onetwoseven

 Psalm 127

1 Unless the Lord builds a house,
    the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
    guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2 It is useless for you to work so hard
    from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
    for God gives rest to his loved ones.

3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.
4 Children born to a young man
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
    He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

outcasts

Luke 19 

1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 

2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. 

He was the chief tax collector in the region, 

and he had become very rich. 

3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, 

but he was too short to see over the crowd. 

4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, 

for Jesus was going to pass that way.

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

word

Luke 18 

9 Then Jesus told this story 

to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness 

and scorned everyone else: 

10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. 

One was a Pharisee, 

and the other was a despised tax collector. 

11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 

‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people:

cheaters, 

sinners, 

adulterers. 

I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 

12 I fast twice a week, 

and I give you a tenth of my income.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance 

and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. 

Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 

‘O God, be merciful to me, 

for I am a sinner.’ 

14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. 

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, 

and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

reality check

Jesus gives us a reality check on what true servanthood looks like.

We have such a "success orientation" when it comes to "being a servant".

I'm always suspicious of people who put their hands over their hearts & say in all kinds of sanguine tones:

"All I want is to be a servant of the Lord."

I find those people usually have never been one.

Luke 17 

7 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, 

does his master say, 

‘Come in and eat with me’? 

8 No, 

he says, 

‘Prepare my meal, 

put on your apron, 

and serve me while I eat. 

Then you can eat later.’ 

9 And does the master thank the servant 

for doing what he was told to do? 

Of course not. 

10 In the same way, 

when you obey me 

you should say, 

‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

living

 A short blog today...

Remember that Paul was a tent maker, 

which was a very portable profession, 

& helped him support himself 

while he traveled around the Roman world.

1 Thessalonians 4

11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, 

minding your own business 

and working with your hands... 

12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, 

and you will not need to depend on others.

notorious

Luke 15

1 Tax collectors 

and other notorious sinners 

often came to listen to Jesus teach. 

2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain 

that he was associating with such sinful people;

even eating with them!

I've always found these two verses intriguing.

Tax collectors who were Jews were considered "collaborators" with the Romans.

 They are viewed as worse than the scum of the earth. 

Many of them were very wealthy, 

overcharging their fellow Jews with higher than necessary taxes. 

They were often reviled, 

attacked, 

& sometimes killed by their fellow Jews. 

They were social pariahs 

& outcasts, 

& were considered "unclean" 

& would "defile" anyone who associated with them.

I've always wondered what was considered a "notorious" sinner back then. 

I'm sure we all could come up with a healthy list of possibilities.

But notorious sinners would suffer the same treatment by their fellow Jews as was rendered on tax collectors.

They were reviled, ostracized, attacked, outcast, unclean, & defiling.

NO ONE would want to have anything to do with them.

And anyone who did would be considered as despicable as the notorious sinners.

I find it curious that these social pariahs WANTED to be around Jesus.

They obviously felt welcome by Him.

And evidently whatever He said or did was of interest to them.

I'm sure Jesus' disciples, being the knuckleheads they were, demonstrated the same reluctance & revulsion toward notorious sinners as other Jews did. 

But obviously Jesus managed to make them keep a lid on that.

And I've always found it interesting that Jesus must have clearly made it a point to make these notorious sinners feel welcome.

It's not surprising, given the fact that Jesus is God.

It's just interesting that Jesus exhibited such a quality of love that caused these notorious sinner feel draw to be around Him.

Of course, you know the obvious life lesson I'm gonna draw...

If we claim to be followers of Jesus, is there a similar quality of our love of other people that would include & encompass connecting with "notorious sinners" of our day & time?

I can't imagine what would be considered a "notorious sinner" these days!

We don't talk about sin much anymore.

Sin is not  an "in".

We've managed to explain away a lot of what was considered notorious back then.

And we have come to the point where so much of life is viewed as having "no absolutes", which leaves us with a strong "anything goes" mind set.

Never the less...

We all know there's plenty of notorious sinners still around, no matter our thinking or societal norms.

Are you & I so in tune with Jesus & His loving ways that: 

(1.) we WANT to be around "notorious sinners", 

(2) we don't care one little bit what our prissy, self-righteous friends & influencers think about our associating with such people, 

& (3.) that there is SUCH a quality of Jesus' love inside us that notorious sinner WANT to be around us.

Something to think about...

help comes from...

 Psalm 121

1 I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.

the Kingdom

Luke 13 

18 Then Jesus asked, 

“What is the kingdom of God like? 

What shall I compare it to? 

19 It is like a mustard seed, 

which a man took and planted in his garden. 

It grew and became a tree, 

and the birds perched in its branches.”

20 Again he asked, 

“What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 

21 It is like yeast used by a woman making bread.

Even though she used a large amount of flour,

the yeast permeated every part of the dough."

worrying

Luke 12 

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, 

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life:

whether you have enough food to eat 

or enough clothes to wear. 

23 For life is more than food, 

and your body more than clothing. 

24 Look at the ravens. 

They don’t plant 

or harvest 

or store food in barns, 

for God feeds them. 

And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 

25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 

26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, 

what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. 

They don’t work or make their clothing, 

yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 

28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers 

that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, 

he will certainly care for you. 

Why do you have so little faith?

29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. 

Don’t worry about such things. 

30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, 

but your Father already knows your needs. 

31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, 

and he will give you everything you need.

32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. 

For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. 

This will store up treasure for you in heaven! 

And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. 

Your treasure will be safe; 

no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 

34 Wherever your treasure is, 

there the desires of your heart will also be.

keep on

Luke 11 

1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. 

As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, 

“Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:

“Father, may your name be kept holy.
    May your Kingdom come soon.
3 Give us each day the food we need,
4 and forgive us our sins,
    as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

9 “And so I tell you, 

keep on asking, 

and you will receive what you ask for. 

Keep on seeking, 

and you will find. 

Keep on knocking, 

and the door will be opened to you. 

10 For everyone who asks, 

receives. 

Everyone who seeks, 

finds. 

And to everyone who knocks, 

the door will be opened.

11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 

13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, 

how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”