I am not trying to defend what Peter did. However, I can understand why he did. Peter including all the disciples was scared and fearful for what was happening to Jesus and themselves. At this point, all the disciples of Jesus fled to hide from the Roman soldiers. It was only Peter at least followed the Roman soldiers who captured Jesus and took him to the house of high priest. According to the verse 54, Peter followed at a distance. He didn't want to be recognized as Jesus’ disciple and put himself in a danger. At the same time he couldn't betray Jesus by running away. Sooner or later peter was recognized by three different people who were in the courtyard. Peter dined his association with Jesus three times. At the very moment Jesus looked straight at Peter. The very person whom Peter confessed as his Lord previously was denied by his beloved disciple, Peter. However, Jesus didn't need to speak any words but looking at Peter's eyes to communicate His pain and grief of the rejection. By looking at Jesus and roster crowing Peter remembered what Jesus predicted about the very incident. AT the very moment Peter came to realization what he had done and how much it grieved Jesus. Verse 62, it says Peter wept bitterly. We know Peter truly repented of sin. True repentance brings changes. We can definitely see the transformation of Peter's life from that moment on.
We are all sinners like Peter. The consequence of sin is death. But for God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son as a sacrifice lamb to take our place. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, our sins can be washed away if we realize that we are sinners and truly repent of our sins. Our risen Lord and Savior not only forgive our sins but give us strength and power to live our lives truly transformed and victorious. Peter's story gives us hope and encouragement of Jesus using his failure as a stepping stone by which he can grow his faith in Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Luke 22:39-53
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.a]" style="line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]
45When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
Jesus Arrested
47While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"49When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
51But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.
52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns."
Now that I'm on spring break, I have a lot of time to myself and I must admit I have never been so tempted in my life to do whatever I please. In this passage, I see how Jesus, the son of God, as perfect as He is had to pray to His Father so that he would continue to do His will. I, not anywhere near Jesus' perfection, need to be in prayer ALL the time so that I could fight these temptations and also continue to follow His will for me.
I pray that I will have the strength to fight off any temptations and come to Jesus instead.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus/The Last Supper (Luke 22: 1-38)
Have a Blessed Passion Week everyone! Sorry we were not at church Sunday but Olivia and I are both down with a BAD cold. :( BTW... Olivia is being baptized/dedicated Easter Sunday during the Korean congregation service with both Pastor James and Rev. Yang. I know we probably have to cook but it would mean a lot if the EM members would be present for it. Maybe you could just come in during the baptism time.
Two things I wanted to share from today's passage:
1. Satan's attack
In verse 3:
"3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve."
I don't think I really noticed this sentence before. When we think of someone who betrays we think of Judas...I've even heard people use it as a label for someone who has betrayed someone. "You Judas!" But it was Satan who entered Judas, one of the twelve that were closest to Jesus to carry out the act of betrayal. We immediately and ultimately place blame on the person who did the bad act and shake our heads and wonder how anyone could do such a thing. We forget that it could be the work of Satan and that they have fallen victim to Satan's influence or power and that it could really happen to anyone of us.
In verse 31 Jesus says:
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
We are all subject to Satan's influence at any time but we can also ask God to protect us from this. We must follow Jesus' example and pray for one another that are faith would not fail and that we would not be under Satan's attack.
2. Who is the Greatest?
24Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The disciples started arguing about who was the greatest. When we think of someone who is great we mostly think of powerful leaders, winners, those with great power or money. This is probably how the disciples based their argument on too.
But Jesus goes on to say in verse 26:
26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
This is exactly the opposite of what the world teaches us. The greatest of all is the servant of all.
Two things I wanted to share from today's passage:
1. Satan's attack
In verse 3:
"3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve."
I don't think I really noticed this sentence before. When we think of someone who betrays we think of Judas...I've even heard people use it as a label for someone who has betrayed someone. "You Judas!" But it was Satan who entered Judas, one of the twelve that were closest to Jesus to carry out the act of betrayal. We immediately and ultimately place blame on the person who did the bad act and shake our heads and wonder how anyone could do such a thing. We forget that it could be the work of Satan and that they have fallen victim to Satan's influence or power and that it could really happen to anyone of us.
In verse 31 Jesus says:
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
We are all subject to Satan's influence at any time but we can also ask God to protect us from this. We must follow Jesus' example and pray for one another that are faith would not fail and that we would not be under Satan's attack.
2. Who is the Greatest?
24Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The disciples started arguing about who was the greatest. When we think of someone who is great we mostly think of powerful leaders, winners, those with great power or money. This is probably how the disciples based their argument on too.
But Jesus goes on to say in verse 26:
26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
This is exactly the opposite of what the world teaches us. The greatest of all is the servant of all.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Parable of the Weeds
"let both grow together until the harvest" (matthew 13: 30).in this story, we are told that "the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. but while everyone was sleeping, his enemies came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. when the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared".
within any group of professing believers are both wheat (true believers) and weeds (false believers). it is interesting in verse 29 how Jesus responds to His servants' suggestion that they just pull out the weeds.
"No", He answered, "because while you are pulling out the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them". this suggests two things:
1) that it is hard to distinguish between the two when they are immature and
2) that there is some kind of danger in identifying and uprooting the "weeds" (the unbelievers) until the wheat (the true believers) are fully mature in their faith. Jesus states in verse 30: "let both grow together until the harvest".
in other words, both unbelievers and believers must "grow" and be completely "rooted" in what they believe--heresies and half-truths for the first group; the absolute truth of God's Word for the second. the roots of each plant will grow very very deep over time. when they are at last pulled out, there will be no mistake as to who belongs to which group.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Today passage is Matthew 13:1-23, it is a parable that talks about a farmer that went out to sow his seed. "some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams" .
After some verses Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to his disciples. The seed is the good news, and the soil is different heart condition of those who hear the gospel. Some don't really care, some take with a open heart but whe the difficulty comes they give up, some can't leave the world to follow Jesus, and others understand and spreed the word to others,.
What is the condition of our heart ??
After some verses Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to his disciples. The seed is the good news, and the soil is different heart condition of those who hear the gospel. Some don't really care, some take with a open heart but whe the difficulty comes they give up, some can't leave the world to follow Jesus, and others understand and spreed the word to others,.
What is the condition of our heart ??
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
By changed relationships (Matt 12:46-50)
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
48 He replied to him,"Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"
49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
What a bad son he is when we think in general. He's saying his mother is not his mother and his brothers are not his brothers either. It's not natural for us and it's even weird. What we do is loving my family and being closer to them than to anyone elses. But Jesus says that the spiritual relation between him and us is closer than the one between blood ties. When I have any problem with someone in my family or with the closest, I really care it, think a lot of it, and try to fix it. But I'm not that desparate when I get far from Jesus, who is supposed to be the closest.
We are the people who's living for God's will, which makes us Jesus's brother and sister and mother. If we live without even knowing his will, he will say "I do not know you." at the end.
47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
48 He replied to him,"Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"
49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
What a bad son he is when we think in general. He's saying his mother is not his mother and his brothers are not his brothers either. It's not natural for us and it's even weird. What we do is loving my family and being closer to them than to anyone elses. But Jesus says that the spiritual relation between him and us is closer than the one between blood ties. When I have any problem with someone in my family or with the closest, I really care it, think a lot of it, and try to fix it. But I'm not that desparate when I get far from Jesus, who is supposed to be the closest.
We are the people who's living for God's will, which makes us Jesus's brother and sister and mother. If we live without even knowing his will, he will say "I do not know you." at the end.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Sign of Jonah - Matthew 12:38-45
38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
43"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
In this passage, Jesus refers to Jonah, the prophet. We all know the story of Jonah and how he was in the fish's belly for three days. Jesus states, in verse 40, how as Jonah was in the fish's belly for three day, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three day and three nights. I think he is predicting his death and how he will rise three days later.
Another interesting point is how he talks about the people of Nineveh and compares them to the Jews. Jonah was sent to warn Nineveh to repent or face God's wrath, even though Jonah didn't want to go or see these wicked people saved. Nineveh listened and repented, and so, in turn, they were spared. Now Jesus mentions "now one greater than Jonah is here," but the Jews were still blind to see who Jesus truly was, and they later rejected him, even though Jesus still loved them to the very end.
Jesus said that a wicked and adulterous generation asks for miracles. Jonah's survival in the fish's belly for three days and three nights was a miracle and Jesus death and resurrections was the greatest miracle of all time. The Ninevehites witnessed Jonah's miracle and listened to God's warning and message and they received it with obeying hearts and repented. The Jews, in Jesus's time, witnessed the greatest miracle of all time, but most were closed-hearted and couldn't see God's awesomeness and power.
We are a wicked generation, full of greed and adulterous ways. How will we respond to Christ's miracle? Will we repent or choose to remain stubborn in our sinful ways?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Jesus and Beelzebub (Matthew 12: 22-37)
22Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
24But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come
upon you.
29"Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
30"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31And
so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age
to come.
33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Jesus is accused of healing the demon-possessed in the name of Beelzebub, a demon -- Jesus explains patiently with examples why it doesn't make sense. the Pharisees are green with envy about how popular Jesus has become and make accusations that are not logical. envy can be so powerful -- it can make us blind to the truth
verse 30 says to me that there is no middle ground or neutral position when it comes to Christ -- if we are not with Him, we are against Him!!!
"...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." and "by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." what we say or do (the fruits) are important to Him... guess that's why Jesus repeats (back in ch. 6) these lessons of the good tree vs. good fruits
dear, sisters... let's be on alert today for what comes out of our mouths... may we choose to Bless God with our words and actions
Friday, March 19, 2010
Matthew 12: 15-21
Hey, remember a couple of weeks ago, we read about when Jesus healed two blind men, He told them not to tell anyone about it? We were puzzled by this and could only to speculate on the reasons why Jesus would do this. Again, we read about how Jesus healed the sick then warned them not to tell who He was but today's passage also includes 17: "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:"
The verse that stands out for me the most is:
" He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets.
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory"
While I don't understand everything about this passage, it gives me the impression that Jesus was a silent and gentle servant of God. Though He had the power to bring justice with thundering glory, God chose to accomplish His will quietly and withdrawn, gently, and slowly at the pace of One human man serving other human beings one at a time. It still puzzles me but not by confusion but by being in awe of Him.
The verse that stands out for me the most is:
" He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets.
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory"
While I don't understand everything about this passage, it gives me the impression that Jesus was a silent and gentle servant of God. Though He had the power to bring justice with thundering glory, God chose to accomplish His will quietly and withdrawn, gently, and slowly at the pace of One human man serving other human beings one at a time. It still puzzles me but not by confusion but by being in awe of Him.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Matthew 12:1-14
As I read the passages, I can't stop thinking about the Pharisees kept chasing after Jesus and tried to find any reasons to accuse and condemn him. At the time they saw Jesus' disciples pick the head of grains and eat them on Sabbath and accused them of breaking the law. The reason is picking the heads of grain is equated with reaping, which was forbidden on the Sabbath. However, Jesus pointed out that some of the actions in Old Testament were permissible because they outweighed the Sabbath law.
Then Jesus here in the verses is saying how much more the presence of Jesus with His greater purpose justifies the conduct of his disciples. The ultimate justification for the disciples’ violation of the Sabbath rest is that Jesus has supreme authority over the law.
Then Jesus here in the verses is saying how much more the presence of Jesus with His greater purpose justifies the conduct of his disciples. The ultimate justification for the disciples’ violation of the Sabbath rest is that Jesus has supreme authority over the law.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Rest for the Weary
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
God desires for us to come to him with all our burdens and worries, for He will give us true rest. Often times we try to take matters into our own hands and become so worn out with nothing accomplished as an end result. As God describes His heart to us in this passage, how could we not want to go to Him. Though it may not be easy for most of us to put aside our pride, may we be able to go to God with a humble and honest heart on a daily basis.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Woe on Unrepentant Cities
20Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Jesus is issuing a warning to the cities that had seen the powerful miracles and work of Jesus first hand but did not repent. I think this is really a warning to us as believers who are blessed and have been given so much such as the liberty to worship freely, born in Christian homes and brought up in the church, have unlimited access to the Bible and really any information/knowledge of God's word that we could ever want and have have seen miracles happen in our own lives and the lives of others.
We are the recipients of God's grace and every day blessings in ABUNDANCE yet we still lead unchanged lives, have not repented and turned from our sins completely to follow Him. Jesus is not just talking to these random far off cities like Tyre and Sidon but he is talking to me and to you. We should pray for repentant hearts and heed Jesus's warning in this passage.
Jesus is issuing a warning to the cities that had seen the powerful miracles and work of Jesus first hand but did not repent. I think this is really a warning to us as believers who are blessed and have been given so much such as the liberty to worship freely, born in Christian homes and brought up in the church, have unlimited access to the Bible and really any information/knowledge of God's word that we could ever want and have have seen miracles happen in our own lives and the lives of others.
We are the recipients of God's grace and every day blessings in ABUNDANCE yet we still lead unchanged lives, have not repented and turned from our sins completely to follow Him. Jesus is not just talking to these random far off cities like Tyre and Sidon but he is talking to me and to you. We should pray for repentant hearts and heed Jesus's warning in this passage.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Should We Expect Someone Else?
"are You the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" matthew 11:3john the baptist, the most powerful and effective witness for Jesus Christ that the world had ever seen, was languishing in prison, awaiting certain death by execution. john had testified with such conviction and power that Jesus was the Son of God. yet as he wasted away in prison, and "heard what Jesus was doing", he began to waver in his faith and doubt his own message. he sent his disciples to ask,
"are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
john had certain expectations of what he thought Jesus would do, but none of these expectations were met by Jesus's actual ministry. i suspect that this happens to us as well, especially when we are going through a hard time. we put our faith in Jesus and place certain expectations on Him. isn't He supposed to deliver us from our difficulties or solve the problems in our lives? when He doesn't do these things, we too begin to doubt Him. inwardly we say, "are you really the one who was to come--are you really who you say you are?
i think our problem is that we keep "expecting someone else". we don't accept Jesus on His terms, only our own.
Jesus responds to john in this way: "go back and report what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor". by His coming, and through His healing of diseases and His raising of the dead, Jesus was giving a foretaste of what God's kingdom would be like one day--no disease, no death, no sin.
Jesus may not have met john's expectations, just as He doesn't always meet ours. but He is changing all of us deep from within, opening our blind eyes, causing our deaf ears to hear, raising us from the dead, and forgiving us of our sins, so that we might be able to meet our problems and difficulties without being crushed by them. i don't think Jesus minds our doubts and questions. but we need to accept His answers and trust that He knows what He is doing.
the danger is that because our expectations of Jesus are not met, our faith weakens and our hearts get hardened. that is why He says, "blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me". i think if we see Him and love Him for who He is, we will find that He will more than exceed our expectations and be "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine".
Friday, March 12, 2010
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples
I had a privilege to cover all 42 verses in this chapter. It was hard to pick just one to share but this verse always strongly grabs my attention:
This was God's way to reach out to the lost souls. Jesus greatly demonstrated this example and freely gave us love, time and compassion. He has shown us kindness though we are undeserving. We ought to learn from the best example and freely give our love, time and compassion to others.
(sorry for the late post--il & i are extremely busy taking care of his parents...)
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
This was God's way to reach out to the lost souls. Jesus greatly demonstrated this example and freely gave us love, time and compassion. He has shown us kindness though we are undeserving. We ought to learn from the best example and freely give our love, time and compassion to others.
(sorry for the late post--il & i are extremely busy taking care of his parents...)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Compassion
" 35 Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and heald their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. 36 When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were like sheep with no sheperd 37" What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples " How few workers!" 38 On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"
Jesus was moved by compassion, his heart broke seeing the people without direction. In the bible many times we are compared to sheep, because sheeps are totally helpless in finding food water, at defending themselves, avoiding danger... that was our situation without Jesus. But now that we have, it's our "job" as a christian to help the lost and needy.
It's our commandment to love the Lord our God and love our neighboor as ourselves, in the New Living Translations it says" The second is equally important.." Let's pray for compassion, God's heart for those people, for sure He will give to us!!
Jesus was moved by compassion, his heart broke seeing the people without direction. In the bible many times we are compared to sheep, because sheeps are totally helpless in finding food water, at defending themselves, avoiding danger... that was our situation without Jesus. But now that we have, it's our "job" as a christian to help the lost and needy.
It's our commandment to love the Lord our God and love our neighboor as ourselves, in the New Living Translations it says" The second is equally important.." Let's pray for compassion, God's heart for those people, for sure He will give to us!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute
27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
34But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
These verses show two stories but the result of healing the Blind and Mute doesn't seem to be what Jesus wanted. Does this passage mean we should be careful to tell people when we see God's power? Or what else?
28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
34But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
These verses show two stories but the result of healing the Blind and Mute doesn't seem to be what Jesus wanted. Does this passage mean we should be careful to tell people when we see God's power? Or what else?
The Dead Girl and the Sick Woman
Today's passage is two stories in one passage.
It tells the account of Jesus was approached by a ruler to come save is daughter, but on the way, a woman, who has been bleeding for 12 years, follows Jesus, hoping that if she just touches his robes, then she'll be healed. So she quietly touches the edge of his robe, and Jesus turns to her, telling her to take heart that her faith has healed her. When Jesus finally reaches the ruler's house, it's loud and bustling outside the house because the girl has just died but Jesus tells everyone that she is just sleeping. Everyone laughs at Jesus like He's crazy, but Jesus goes in and walks out with the girl, hand in hand.
As I was reading this, I wondered how these two stories were combine as one. There is no connection between the girl and woman, but I think this passage shows that all things happen for reason and in a particular order.
If you think about it, a girl was dying, and so one would see the urgency of the matter as her father begged and pleaded on her behalf, but then this woman comes from behind and is healed by touching His robes. This probably delayed Jesus from immediately going to the ruler's house before it was too late. Sadly, the girl died, but Jesus brought her back to life like it was nothing. I mean he told the mourners to go away because the girl was sleeping. And even though he was mocked and laughed at for His crazy comment, Jesus goes in and proves them wrong by bringing the girl out, alive and well. In the end, Jesus came through, even though it looked like all the odds were against him.
Now we should take a look at the woman, who touched Jesus's robes. She suffered for 12 long years. We don't know if she did something to warrant her to have such a disease, but all we know is that she was desperate. It was in that desperation and by her faith in Jesus that ultimately saved her because she didn't scream or wail to get Jesus's attention. She didn't even dare to approach him face to face. She figured that if she could be stealthy like ninja and discreetly touch the edge of his robe, that would be enough to heal her. So she quietly did what she had to do, and nobody would have noticed her until Jesus stopped and said something.
Things happen, in our lives, the way they do because it is according to God's will for us. Sometimes, it happens not the way we'd expect it to, or when we want it to happen, but we have to remember that God will always come through for us like He did for the woman and the girl. He has a plan and His ways are always good. The question, we have to ask ourselves, is do we have the faith to trust and obey.
Oh and an interesting fact that I remembered was that the girl was told to be 12 years old, in Mark and Luke's accounts, and the woman was bleeding for 12 years. The woman suffered for as along as the girl was alive. Coincidence, I think not.
It tells the account of Jesus was approached by a ruler to come save is daughter, but on the way, a woman, who has been bleeding for 12 years, follows Jesus, hoping that if she just touches his robes, then she'll be healed. So she quietly touches the edge of his robe, and Jesus turns to her, telling her to take heart that her faith has healed her. When Jesus finally reaches the ruler's house, it's loud and bustling outside the house because the girl has just died but Jesus tells everyone that she is just sleeping. Everyone laughs at Jesus like He's crazy, but Jesus goes in and walks out with the girl, hand in hand.
As I was reading this, I wondered how these two stories were combine as one. There is no connection between the girl and woman, but I think this passage shows that all things happen for reason and in a particular order.
If you think about it, a girl was dying, and so one would see the urgency of the matter as her father begged and pleaded on her behalf, but then this woman comes from behind and is healed by touching His robes. This probably delayed Jesus from immediately going to the ruler's house before it was too late. Sadly, the girl died, but Jesus brought her back to life like it was nothing. I mean he told the mourners to go away because the girl was sleeping. And even though he was mocked and laughed at for His crazy comment, Jesus goes in and proves them wrong by bringing the girl out, alive and well. In the end, Jesus came through, even though it looked like all the odds were against him.
Now we should take a look at the woman, who touched Jesus's robes. She suffered for 12 long years. We don't know if she did something to warrant her to have such a disease, but all we know is that she was desperate. It was in that desperation and by her faith in Jesus that ultimately saved her because she didn't scream or wail to get Jesus's attention. She didn't even dare to approach him face to face. She figured that if she could be stealthy like ninja and discreetly touch the edge of his robe, that would be enough to heal her. So she quietly did what she had to do, and nobody would have noticed her until Jesus stopped and said something.
Things happen, in our lives, the way they do because it is according to God's will for us. Sometimes, it happens not the way we'd expect it to, or when we want it to happen, but we have to remember that God will always come through for us like He did for the woman and the girl. He has a plan and His ways are always good. The question, we have to ask ourselves, is do we have the faith to trust and obey.
Oh and an interesting fact that I remembered was that the girl was told to be 12 years old, in Mark and Luke's accounts, and the woman was bleeding for 12 years. The woman suffered for as along as the girl was alive. Coincidence, I think not.
Monday, March 8, 2010
fasting
the religious folks remark to Jesus about his disciples. Jesus defends his disciples and offers and explanation... about being guests of a bridegroom... i wonder if anyone understood?
sewing patches and talk of wineskins... few of us sew and most of us have never held a wineskin in our hands... but they are illustrations about timing and appropriateness...
we are all at different places in our walk with Christ... i do believe we have to be very cautious about how we judge how some practices our faith... fasting or attending sunrise services, or...
sewing patches and talk of wineskins... few of us sew and most of us have never held a wineskin in our hands... but they are illustrations about timing and appropriateness...
we are all at different places in our walk with Christ... i do believe we have to be very cautious about how we judge how some practices our faith... fasting or attending sunrise services, or...
Friday, March 5, 2010
Because we are sinners, Jesus calls us to follow Him.
What stood out for me about this passage is the difference between how Matthew came to follow Jesus versus how some others went to follow Jesus but was challenged. The contrast I see is how the followers in chapter 8 verses 19 and 21 seemed to think they had what it took to follow Jesus and made a decision to follow Jesus on their own terms. But Matthew was a person who came to follow Jesus not on his own initiative but by Jesus' initiative.
One person said, 'I will follow you wherever you go' but Jesus seems to be saying to him ' be careful of what you're asking for because wherever I go will not provide the comforts and security you have been used to' Another said, 'I will follow you, BUT-' and we know how Jesus responded to him as well. But Matthew, he was someone who was still in his old way of life when Jesus found and called him to be a follower. Without hesitation or delay, "...Matthew got up and followed Him".
"When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" I too would ask, 'Why would Jesus hesitate to accept some people that resolve to follow Him and instead go and find this tax collector- this sinner stuck in a sinful life.
Jesus answers the pharisees by saying "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
There are so many ways Jesus' response speaks to me-
A few things I can put into words is that: My resolve is never enough to follow Jesus. My own determinations to be good, my religious disciplines or my experiences as a person who grew up around the name of Jesus is not what makes me a Christian. I am a Christian because Jesus saw that I was a sinner and I need Him just as a sick person needs a doctor. I felt relieved when I read Jesus saying 'I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.' That's me! Jesus, that's me! I am a sinner! I really don't have what it takes to be a "good Christian" or even a good person. It would take forever to make myself "good". Thank God, Jesus is not waiting for people that are good and righteous to follow Him. He came to seek out sinners like me.
We who profess to be Christians now, we were sinners first. We are sinners still trying to heed the call to follow Jesus on a daily basis. I see flaws and sinfulness in myself and other people that profess to be followers of Christ but instead of asking ' how can you call yourself a Christian' or 'how can you expect Jesus to be near', I need to remember that Jesus will not walk pass people because of their sinfulness. In fact, it is for that reason He came to earth. Jesus wants to have a relationship with us because He knows that we are sick with sin not because He sees that we have what it takes to follow Him.
One person said, 'I will follow you wherever you go' but Jesus seems to be saying to him ' be careful of what you're asking for because wherever I go will not provide the comforts and security you have been used to' Another said, 'I will follow you, BUT-' and we know how Jesus responded to him as well. But Matthew, he was someone who was still in his old way of life when Jesus found and called him to be a follower. Without hesitation or delay, "...Matthew got up and followed Him".
"When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" I too would ask, 'Why would Jesus hesitate to accept some people that resolve to follow Him and instead go and find this tax collector- this sinner stuck in a sinful life.
Jesus answers the pharisees by saying "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
There are so many ways Jesus' response speaks to me-
A few things I can put into words is that: My resolve is never enough to follow Jesus. My own determinations to be good, my religious disciplines or my experiences as a person who grew up around the name of Jesus is not what makes me a Christian. I am a Christian because Jesus saw that I was a sinner and I need Him just as a sick person needs a doctor. I felt relieved when I read Jesus saying 'I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.' That's me! Jesus, that's me! I am a sinner! I really don't have what it takes to be a "good Christian" or even a good person. It would take forever to make myself "good". Thank God, Jesus is not waiting for people that are good and righteous to follow Him. He came to seek out sinners like me.
We who profess to be Christians now, we were sinners first. We are sinners still trying to heed the call to follow Jesus on a daily basis. I see flaws and sinfulness in myself and other people that profess to be followers of Christ but instead of asking ' how can you call yourself a Christian' or 'how can you expect Jesus to be near', I need to remember that Jesus will not walk pass people because of their sinfulness. In fact, it is for that reason He came to earth. Jesus wants to have a relationship with us because He knows that we are sick with sin not because He sees that we have what it takes to follow Him.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
The famous story of two men and the paralytic man. I can vividly remember the picture of how these men brought the paralyzed man to Jesus. In verse 1-2, it says "Jesus saw their faith..." Jesus saw the faith of men who carried the paralytic as well as the faith of the paralytic himself. Because of their faith, they did such an act that no one was dared to do. We are certain that the people who were waiting to have their chance to meet Jesus and be healed by him gave hoses men the dirty look. They didn't care about that. Their only goal was to get the paralytic friend of theirs to Jesus so that the man would be healed. It was their faith that captured Jesus' attention. When the man was brought to Jesus in a dramatic way, Jesus addressed the paralytic’s spiritual sickness first although the man's main concern for himself appeared to be his physical illness. "...your sins are forgiven." Jesus addressed what is far more important and needed to the paralytic; healing of his soul by forgiveness of his sins. Jesus forgave his sins and restored the relationship that once had broken because of the man's sin. Jesus saved the man by not only setting the man free from the bondage of his physical disease but from the bondage of his sin. "Get up and take your mat and go home." It happened just as he said. When the paralytic was brought to Jesus, he was a paralyzed man unable to move. When Jesus touched his paralyzed spirit due to his sins and physical body, he walked out the place as a new man, we are certain that his life would be never the same.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Healing of Two Demon-Possessed Men
28When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,[a] two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"
30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."
32He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Matthew 8:28-34 (New International Version)
Although the two men mentioned in this passage were demon-possessed, they knew who where their ulitmate authority came from...Jesus. Jesus is always in command, even of the devil. For example, these men ASKED Jesus to be sent to the herd of pigs rather than sending themselves as they pleased.
Also, I see that the men were aware of the day of judgement. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" They knew they were going to be judged one day, but thought the time came too soon.
When I think about how this passage could apply into my life, I am reminded of Jesus' authority above all things and the day of judgement. I can not continue to live life as if I have all the time in the world to live my life for Christ. The time is now, and I must continue to prepare for His coming.
30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."
32He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Matthew 8:28-34 (New International Version)
Although the two men mentioned in this passage were demon-possessed, they knew who where their ulitmate authority came from...Jesus. Jesus is always in command, even of the devil. For example, these men ASKED Jesus to be sent to the herd of pigs rather than sending themselves as they pleased.
Also, I see that the men were aware of the day of judgement. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" They knew they were going to be judged one day, but thought the time came too soon.
When I think about how this passage could apply into my life, I am reminded of Jesus' authority above all things and the day of judgement. I can not continue to live life as if I have all the time in the world to live my life for Christ. The time is now, and I must continue to prepare for His coming.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Jesus calms the storm
23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
I get scared, worry 24/7 and play out different scenarios in my head until I scare myself sick. All the while, Jesus, the God that even all of nature obeys is next to me...waiting for me to just place my faith in Him and ask for help.
Monday, March 1, 2010
the net of procrastination and delay
"Another disciple said to Him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
the second person in the passage had a sincere intention to follow Jesus, recognizing Him to be the Lord, but he says to Jesus, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
this seems reasonable, even noble at first. perhaps the man had responsibilities to his family that he had to fulfill. everyone could understand his position.
but if you think about it, what the man is really saying is this: "Lord, i will follow You, but first I'm going to wait until my father passes on."
in other words, this "disciple" (v 21) was going to wait until such and such an event happened in his life, and then He was going to follow Jesus. he would give his life to Jesus at some point. but he would do his own thing first.
do we recognize ourselves in this man, this delaying and putting off what we know we ought to do?
we say to ourselves that we will fully commit to the Lord at some point in the future, maybe when we finish school, or get married, or have children, or start working, or when we have our life and career in order, or when we get "those issues" resolved, or when we get a certain "feeling" or "conviction".
but we put off fully committing ourselves to the Lord, because we think we can do our own things first and then just "will" ourselves to follow Him wholeheartedly sometime in the future.
we are deceiving ourselves if we think that we can be more devoted at some future time,
what we are right now is a good indication of what we will be in the future, only more so. we know this because if we honestly look at our lives from childhood we know that we are essentially the same in our character now as we were then, only a thousand times more set in our ways.
this putting off of giving our whole heart to Christ is fatal, and the excuses behind it are as numerous and as varied as the number of people reading this blog.
it hardly needs to be said that this man who had every sincere intention of one day following Jesus once he got his own things done was deemed by our Lord as "not fit for service in the kingdom of God" (luke 9:62).
the great preacher charles spurgeon once told a story about a meeting satan had with his devils on how best to lead men to eternal destruction. one devil put forth a plan that was determined to be the very best of all of them:
"I will tell men that they have souls, and that there is a God, and that the Bible is true. I will leave them to believe as they will, but I have whispered in their ear that there is plenty of time to consider all this . . .
there was a hush, and the great master of demons said, "Thou hast done best of all. This is my great net in which I take more souls than with any other, this net of procrastination or delay."
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