Hey blog surfers, no Sunday School commentary this week. I have been with my wife Becky at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital since Wednesday. She had some corrective surgery done and is slowly recovering. We have had a bit of trouble getting a pain medication to work, but she has been up and moving around some, and we hope to come home today. Thanks to everyone for their gifts, calls, flowers, cards, snacks, messages, Tweets, and e-mails. These expressions of care and concern are greatly encouraging and appreciated.
Jesus’ Resurrection: Fact or Fiction Luke 24:1-53
“Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, there is no resurrection of the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:12 (HCSB) In an age when the supernatural is discounted in the mainstream media by all but a few weirdoes, the above question from scripture needs to be asked. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the central truth of the Christian faith.
In fact, people have questioned and discounted the concept of the resurrection from the dead since the days when Jesus walked the earth. The resurrection from the dead was the central focus of the Apostles’ preaching, and raised no small controversy; it also brought them much opposition. Examine the following scriptures:
- “The same day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to Him and questioned Him:” Matthew 22:23 (HCSB) – For the full account read verses 23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40.
- The central statement by Jesus Himself concerning the resurrection is here: “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (HCSB)
- When the disciples were seeking to choose a replacement for Judas, they used the following criteria: “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection.” Acts 1:21-22 (HCSB)
- The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the central focus of the Apostles’ preaching: “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.” Acts 4:33 (HCSB)
- Preaching the resurrection of Jesus from the dead brought great opposition. See Acts 4:2; Acts 17:32
Jesus’ resurrection was announced by angels, confirmed by His physical presence with disciples, and prophesied in Old Testament Scriptures. “After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 (HCSB) Have you examined the proof? Are you convinced?
Jesus spoke plainly to His followers about His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 20:17-18). We know we do not have every word Jesus spoke to His followers, only their recollections as they wrote under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. How much more He must have spoken on this all-important topic! And yet, after His crucifixion and burial, His followers could only think of the past, and wonder about the future. They forgot His words! Until….
“He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’? And they remembered His words.” Luke 24:6-8 (HCSB)
But Jesus knew His followers would need further confirmation. They would need more than en empty tomb; they would need to see His body!
“Why are you troubled? He asked them. And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet.” Luke 24:38-40 (HCSB)
“For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (HCSB)
When Jesus appeared to His disciples, He reminded them of the things He previously had pointed out from the Scriptures, namely that each major section of the Old Testament speaks of His death and resurrection. The Law of Moses refers to the first five books of the Old Testament; the Prophets to the Books of Joshua–2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea–Malachi; and the Psalms to the rest of the Old Testament. In making such widespread prediction of Jesus, the Old Testament is a Christian book from beginning to end. Jesus is the key to the Holy Scriptures, all of which bear witness to Him.
Moreover, Jesus’ pointing out to the disciples Old Testament texts about Himself shows that God’s purpose has always been to declare the good news of His salvation to all nations. Old Testament passages about the Messiah that Jesus taught to the disciples may have included the following: His role as Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-19); His sufferings as the saving Servant (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53:1-9); and His triumphant resurrection (Psalm 16:9-11; Isaiah 53:10-11). Jesus also may have pointed out that early in human history God promised the seed of woman (ultimate fulfillment in Jesus) would crush the head of the Devil as symbolized by the serpent’s temptation of Adam and Eve to sin (Genesis 3:15). Jesus taught that Moses’ making a bronze serpent to save the rebellious Israelites (Numbers 21:6-9) looked forward to Jesus being lifted up on the cross (John 3:14-15). Psalm 23, the shepherd psalm, looks forward to Jesus as the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Jesus’ favorite self-designation as the Messiah was “Son of Man,” possibly because of Daniel’s use of the term to refer to Messiah’s eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14). Still other Old Testament passages Jesus may have referred to are Jeremiah 23:5-6; Daniel 9:26; and Zechariah 12:10; 13:7.
Examine the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. Allow God’s Spirit to open your understanding of these truths as He did for His disciples (see Luke 24:45). Believe in the resurrected and living Lord Jesus Christ! Turn away from sin, accept His forgiveness, and put Him in charge of your life today!
For more information about trusting Christ as Savior and Lord go here.
Jesus: Delusional Dreamer or God’s Messiah? Luke 23:1-56
Now there’s a question for the Easter season! If you were brought up in a conservative bible-believing church the question is a no-brainer. But what about those who were denied that privilege? What about the people you work with? What about the neighbor across the road? What about the casual web surfer that just stumbled across this article? What do they (or you) think?
Every day there are some who respond to the cross of Christ with disrespect, and others who respond with humility. What makes the difference is their beliefs concerning Jesus. All through the gospels, and for millennia afterwards, people respond differently to Jesus. In Luke 23 we see responses that parallel those people make today.
Some just stood watching, curious but distant and unaffected (Luke 23:35). All held various opinions about Jesus, His claims, and the treatment He was receiving. But opinions are like armpits: everyone has more than one and they all stink! They were unmoved by the abuse, the blood, the injustice of it all. Perhaps they had witnessed it all before. Perhaps they thought Jesus was just another anti-Roman rabble-rouser with delusions of grandeur. Perhaps they were sympathetic to His plight, but unwilling to voice their concerns. Whatever their motivations or lack thereof, they are simple bystanders.
Others scoffed and mocked Jesus (Luke 23:35b). They made fun of His seeming ridiculous claims of Messiah-ship. These understood the danger Jesus posed to their way of life. The religious leaders’ hypocrisy and decided lack of spiritual vigor has highlighted by Jesus’ humility and quiet confidence. His words rang with fresh power and gave the people a glimpse of the God they were supposed to be worshipping. They loosed the yoke of legalistic ritual and encouraged the people to look into the face of their loving Father. This would not do! Such liberty and power was a threat to their own political power base and livelihood. No matter that Jesus’ words were God’s own Truth – away with this trouble-maker!
The Roman soldiers mocked Him and laughed at this Jew who claimed to be the son of a god (Luke 23:36). These were hardened men who feared neither god nor man; they had been to this mountain before. They had lost count of how many insolent Jews they had crucified here. This was just another of many. The laughter and derision they displayed hid the callous over their hearts, worn there by countless brutal acts.
One of the criminals crucified with Jesus hurled insults at Him as well (Luke 23:39). In desperation he sought to goad Jesus into some self-serving miracle, in order to be rescued from his own plight. To him, Jesus was a possible means to an end. Nothing more.
But others responded altogether differently…
The other thief recognized his own unworthiness and Jesus’ deity (Luke 23:40-42). He knew he must pay the price for his own crimes, and asked to be remembered in mercy. He also understood that Jesus was without sin (vs. 41b). And Jesus responded to him with mercy and grace! “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
A hardened centurion, commander of a thousand men, veteran of numerous bloody battles, was pierced to the heart by Jesus’ selfless acts and words on the cross (Luke 23:47). No one else he had ever put to death thought of others and not themselves. No one else displayed such confidence in death. No one else’s death caused the earth to grieve. Surely, this Man was the sinless Son of God, dying to redeem mankind back to God.
Who is Jesus to you? A figure of history? The leader of one of the world’s great religious movements? A great teacher and example of goodness? A deluded maniac who died needlessly for a false cause? Just another man? Or is He the sinless, risen, reigning Son of God? What do you believe about Jesus? Whether you are a loyal believer, church member, or casual reader, you need to examine the claims of Jesus in the bible to really see who He is. In the coming weeks, spend time reading the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Seek to discover who Jesus really is, and why He matters to you. And check this blog every week for additional insights and thoughts about Jesus.
I dare you!
OK, I seriously need this!
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My first wild turkey of the 2009 spring season. A 15 pound jake (juvenile male) with a 4 inch beard. Thanks to my friend and hunting partner Kirby Webb for hosting me at his great turkey hunting spot!
Hang in There! Nehemiah 6:1-16
Do you sometimes step up to serve the Lord, only to fade away before the task is finished? Adults often find it easy to get enthused about a new project—a diet, an exercise program, a savings plan, a home improvement project, a new ministry, etc. But it often doesn’t take long for their initial enthusiasm to wear off. Before we know it, we’re off the diet, we haven’t exercised in over a week, we’ve spent our savings plan money on a new gizmo, our home improvement project seems to be gathering dust, and we’ve been away from the new ministry idea so long we figure we might as well drop it. In such cases, persistence means the difference between success and failure.
Have you ever abandoned a project before it was complete? What caused you to give up? Often the task will seem like it will overwhelm us, and we are not skilled enough, strong enough, smart enough, _______________ enough to finish. So, we give up. The wet-blanket crowd winks with smug looks on their faces as they mutter to one another, “I knew that wouldn’t work.” Moreover, we are discouraged and down on ourselves for failing. When the next opportunity for service arises, we will tread lightly and most likely pass it by.
As a pastor I have seen this scenario played out all too often. The can-not’s win over the can-do’s and the work is greatly hindered. Nehemiah had dealt with detractors and nay-sayers throughout the entire project of building the wall. They had threatened and postured, and now in chapter 6, plot to do Nehemiah himself harm. They send messages to him under the guise of wanting to talk, and a thinly veiled threat. But Nehemiah would not be deterred. The work was most important; more important than wasting time and effort with negative critics who were enemies of God and His people.
We likewise should anticipate that any time we step up to serve the Lord, we may face potential distraction and possible discouragement. Sometimes distraction and discouragement may come from our enemies. Other times, they come through a temptation to settle for less than God’s best. Whatever the source, we need to look to God to strengthen us. Focusing on God and the strength He provides will enable us to hang in there and finish our task well.
The reward for persistence is summed up in Nehemiah 6:15: “The wall was completed in 52 days….” Success! God blessed their obedience and faithfulness. Now the intimidators became the intimidated! Nothing shuts the mouths of the wet-blanket crowd like the obvious blessing of God on His work. God’s faithful servants are vindicated, and His enemies are discredited.
Clear the Air Nehemiah 5:1-16
Often, when we step up to the Kingdom tasks God has placed before us, internal strife and injustice threaten to derail the work. Perhaps you have been involved in a painful church disagreement where parties felt neglected or mistreated. Maybe a family member remains at odds with you over a past slight. Possibly, tensions at work are at an all-time high as employees jockey for the most lucrative positions. In these scenarios and more, injustice and mistreatment can overshadow the mission before us and stop the work. Even as we engage in service to our Lord, we cannot mistreat or neglect others.
Nehemiah had been busy defending against outside opposition to the Israelites’ work, but inner strife and injustice posed a threat just as dangerous, and even more debilitating. Verses 2-5 highlight various concerns related to economic strain. No doubt many people were sacrificing their own time and economic resources to build the wall. Many had large families with sons and daughters and needed to purchase grain, and thus were mortgaging the fields, vineyards, and homes they owned. A famine had reduced various crop yields, making food scarcer and driving prices higher. Still others had borrowed money to pay the king’s tax. So Judah’s common citizens found themselves needing to borrow money and felt uncertain about their abilities to repay. Those who suffered economically complained about the unfair treatment they were receiving at the hands of their own countrymen. Wealthier Israelites were loaning money at exorbitant interest and in turn, taking their poorer countrymen’s homes, property, and even their family members as slaves for repayment of the debts. With no ability to pay and a continuing need for basic sustenance, their plight was growing worse and worse. Many worried that their debt would never be paid.
To his credit, Nehemiah listened to the hurts and complaints of the people. The solution to every problem begins with listening to the issues at stake. We must never allow ourselves to be so engrossed in the “projects” of ministry that we forget people are our ministry! Nehemiah listened to the people, determined that the needs were genuine, considered the problems and their causes, and moved quickly to confront the wrong.
The offending Israelites were acting like loan-sharks instead of brothers. They were seeking to get rich off the misfortune of others at a time when everyone needed to share in the work and its cost. Nehemiah was no respecter of persons. He may have been tempted to stay in the good graces of the wealthier nobles and officials, since they held power and riches. As governor it would have been easy to sweep this problem under the rug and chastise the complainers. However, Nehemiah knew that God is as concerned with how we do the work, as he is the work we do.
Although the charging of interest on loans was technically legal according to the situation. God’s people were being oppressed in the name of greed even as they labored to complete His work, and by their own brethren! Nehemiah was quick to point out the wrong before all those involved. He challenged them to walk in the fear of God, or in a manner that was pleasing to God.
Nehemiah challenged the people to stop the loaning of money at interest and to return the properties that had been taken as payment. If work on the wall were to continue the people would require homes and sustenance. They could not work if burdened for the welfare of their families. Nehemiah himself set the example. He declared that he would also no longer loan money at interest, but would take steps to bring relief and succor to his countrymen. The most important thing was the work. Nehemiah was determined to do what was necessary to complete the work, even personal sacrifices.
Sometimes issues within the church threaten our effective witness outside the church. The Bible shares several examples of church problems that needed resolution before the church could move forward (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Cor. 6:1-8). How were each of these situations brought to resolution? Does your church face internal challenges? Is there strife at work or at home? If so, pray that God gives you ears to hear the hurt others are feeling. Pray that He gives grace to confront the wrong where it is, even if it is within you. Above all, set an example before others. Let nothing hinder God’s work or rob Him of the glory He deserves.
Don’t Despair Nehemiah 2:19-4:14
Have you ever been excited and passionate about serving the Lord or taking a stand for Him, only to be met by the wet-blanket crowd? This is the name I give to the group that always puts a damper on anything we try to do with God. Every church has them. Some are just against anything different that threatens their comfortable way of doing things. Others may speak against our work from their own ‘maturity’ and ‘experience’ and dampen our passion. Frequently they are speaking from their own spiritual defeats, and casing it as ‘experience’. Don’t allow the failures of others to drown your God-driven passion!
In his effort to step up and serve the Lord, Nehemiah faced numerous attempts to intimidate or discourage him and the people from their task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah learned that people who step up to serve the Lord must not allow opposition to their efforts to scare them off from their task.
As in Nehemiah’s day, any time God’s people step up to initiate a new ministry or project, someone may try to step in to impede the progress. A cynical proverb states, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Cynical or not, an element of truth remains, particularly when the good deed grows out of Christian faith. As we study Nehemiah’s life, we can see how he refused to give in to despair, choosing instead to remain steadfast in purpose. His example challenges us today to step up to serve the Lord even in the face of opposition.
The world and Satan hates God’s work, so anyone doing God’s work is naturally a target for opposition. Nehemiah’s opponents were upset because “someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites” (Nehemiah 2:10). When these enemies voiced their opposition to Nehemiah, he referred them to the highest authority – God! Verse 20 details his reply: “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success.” This is true for us as well. If God has laid the burden on us and led us to the work, He will grant success. We need not be disheartened when others question our motives, challenge our credentials, or mock our efforts. We must maintain our confidence in God and stay at the task!
In chapter 4 Nehemiah’s enemies begin to rally people of influence from the region to their side. They turn up the heat on Nehemiah and the workers with more mockery and insults, coming this time from people of influence. Perhaps a united front of district leaders could help stop the building of the wall. Although Nehemiah had the approval and blessing of the king, he did not wave his authority in their faces, or make an appeal back to the capitol. He again appealed to the highest authority – God. Nehemiah consistently prayed before he acted. He asked God for vindication of their efforts and for the nay-sayers to reap what they sowed. We also may face opposition and feel tempted to lash out at our opponents. Instead, we should ask God for justice and ask Him to divert evil plans when we find ourselves ridiculed and mocked for our willingness to step up and serve the Lord.
Nehemiah was very practical in his praying and his planning. He combined trust in God with common sense and hard work. I love his no-nonsense solution in 4:9: “So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.” When you step up to serve the Lord, be aware of your most vulnerable areas. That is where the enemy will strike first! Just as the rumors in Jerusalem revealed the enemies were aiming at where the walls were weak and the people were few, our enemies will aim at our uncovered flanks. Any time we engage in a project of service for the Lord, we should plan and maintain regular times of spiritual renewal and refreshment and curtail any and all avenues of temptation and weakness. The work depends on it!
For the past few weeks we have been with our 16-year-old daughter as she deals with a 7mm kidney stone. She underwent a procedure to break up the stone, and then had to eliminate the fragments. Well, as I write this we are in the hospital again. One fragment was too large to pass through her system, so the earlier procedure had to be repeated. This time, doctors inserted a stent to aid in eliminating the remaining fragments. 
We should return home this afternoon. Kristen will return to the doctor’s office in a week for removal of the stent and, we hope, news that all the stone fragments are gone. Our prayer is that this episode has been a freak event, and not a precursor to a lifetime dealing with painful kidney stones. We appreciate all who have communicated with us and prayed for and with us.
Prepare Nehemiah 2:1-18
We live in a society that wants it now. It doesn’t matter what “it” is, we just want it immediately. Instant coffee, fast food, drive-thru banking, instant messaging….. and hurry up! Often, this mind-set invades our attitude toward ministry. We may see a need, even sense God’s hand at work, but if we cannot be involved in some surface way that takes a minimum of our time, we shun involvement altogether. Many do not want to invest the time to prepare for spiritual growth and service. Saturday night Sunday School lesson preparation is epidemic, and if learners can’t get what they need on Sunday morning, then forget it. Growing to spiritual maturity and serving the Lord in His Kingdom work requires patient and diligent preparation.
To prepare for what lies ahead we must prepare now. We must be investing in spiritual growth now. We must be diligent in our service where we are. Nehemiah already informed us of his place in the Persian kingdom in chapter 1. As chapter 2 begins we get a sense of how he performed his current duties to the king. We read that for the first time, Nehemiah was sad or downcast before the king. Until then, and for however long he had held the post, he had performed his duties with zeal and dedication. His heart was invested in his work.
Why should God place a new responsibility before us if we are not diligent in our current assignment? “Bloom where you are planted” is an axiom rich with truth. God will not reveal more of His will for our future if we are not following His revealed will now. Investment and preparation for our current work shows that we can be trusted with new challenges and responsibilities.
Nehemiah’s heart was already invested in the work God had laid on his heart. He grieved over the current situation of the Israelites in Jerusalem. He was prepared to use his influence with the king as God prepared the way. Examine the time frame of these events (chapters 1 & 2). Nehemiah had prayed for four months, since hearing of the sad state of affairs in his homeland. As he prayed, God had unfolded His wisdom to Nehemiah and given him a plan of action. Nehemiah’s quick prayer in 2:4 was preceded by months of concerted prayer and groundwork.
God is a God of detail. Look at the created order around us. God creates detailed plans and will share them with us in His time, when we are invested in His work. No doubt Nehemiah had researched the needs, what materials would be needed, and what was available locally in Susa and in Jerusalem. He had thought through what needed to be done and who was needed to accomplish it. When the time was right, and the king asked, Nehemiah was able to set clear goals and give concrete answers. No doubt this evidence of intelligent research influenced the king’s decision to grant Nehemiah’s request.
However, only so much preparation could be accomplished at a distance. When Nehemiah arrived, he took time to rest, think, no doubt pray, and then inspect the situation first-hand. He needed to see, feel, and experience Jerusalem’s devastation for himself. He could quickly see that this was not a task for one man alone, or even a chosen few. He would need to enlist the support of the entire population. Part of the preparation for stepping up to serve is sharing God’s vision with others. God used others to bring the vision of the needs to Nehemiah (chapter 1), and now He would use Nehemiah to share the vision with others.
Nehemiah identified with the Israelites; they were his people. He felt their discouragement at the sad state of the city. He drew the picture for them in plain terms. He shared what God had accomplished already, and what He could do through them. His personal commitment and conviction was inspiring to the people. When they saw God’s hand in the project, they agreed to join Nehemiah in the rebuilding effort.
As we prepare, pray, seek God’s will and timing, and share that vision with others, God works through us to accomplish His purposes.
What burden or need has God brought to your awareness? How is He preparing you for that work? What do you need to do to join in this preparative phase? Who else could God also be speaking to about the same task? Be aware of needs around you, and then prepare for God to use you!
