Looking for Ways to Catch Jesus

Prayer Practice:

Breath Prayer – Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. Consider using the list of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture.

Daily Reading: Luke 20:20-47

Devotional /Reflection

The Debate Is Over'

by Pastor Jeff Morlock

My wife says I enjoy arguing. Guilty as charged, though I prefer the word “debating”. In this passage Luke introduces a series of debates that happen in the Jerusalem Temple, where religious leaders set rhetorical traps for Jesus, hoping to trick him into saying something unpopular or blasphemous so that they can have him arrested.

Trap #1 involves the question of paying taxes to Rome. When Jesus concludes that both Caesar and God should be given that which belongs to them (and bears their respective images) the debate is over. For though tarnished by sin, all human beings bear the image of God. Are you giving your whole self to the Creator, or are their parts of your life that you’re withholding? What aspects of your life are you conceding to the wrong source of authority?

Trap #2 involves the Sadducees, an elite group of priests. While Sadducees don’t believe in the resurrection, they pose a question about it anyway, worded in such a way to imply its absurdity. One woman with seven husbands… what will their relationships with one another be after being raised? This trap is predicated on a single flawed premise: that life in the kingdom of heaven will be just like it is here and now. Jesus reminds them how the Law of Moses proclaims God as “I am”, who is also the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God. He is the God, not of dead patriarchs, but of those who have been brought from death to life. Again, the debate is over before it starts. If you’re keeping score, that’s Jesus – 2, religious leaders – 0. He evades their traps, answers their questions with authority, and causes them to grow strangely silent.

And now it’s time for Jesus to pose a question (v. 41). By quoting Psalm 110, he makes it clear that these leaders not only have a problem with his claim to both divinity and humanity; they also have a problem with the Hebrew Scriptures, where King David describes the Messiah as simultaneously God and man.

This brings the central issue clearly into focus: Jesus is this long-awaited Messiah! As those who bear His Image, who have his promise of resurrection - how then shall we live? Like the righteous rather than the religious, for starters (vs. 45-47). Do people recognize who you belong to? What might it mean this week to live as one who is being brought from death to life? What idea, habit, or allegiance needs to die in you so that you can fully live this resurrected life in Christ?

Prayer:
Jesus, you are the Way home for all who are lost, for you came to dwell with your people and open the gates of heaven to all who will believe. You are Truth, for you confound the wisdom of the wise and silence your enemies. You are the Life that is truly Life, for you rose again to conquer sin, death, and the evil one, who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. As we move toward the promise of Easter, keep us close to you and help us die to anything that would hinder our risen life in you. Amen.

A Savior Who is Willing

Matthew 8:1-4


Today we read about Jesus healing a man with leprosy.  He has just finished the “Sermon on the Mount” (chapters 5- 7) when this man approaches him and says “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean”.  Jesus responds, “I am willing.” “Be clean!”


There is something very powerful and comforting in the words “I am willing”.  We just celebrated Christmas and learned how God was “willing” to send Jesus to take on flesh and live as fully God and fully man in our sin filled world.  In today’s reading we see how Jesus was “willing” to demonstrate his love for us through his word (Sermon on the Mount) and a healing miracle.  At the end of Matthew we read how Jesus struggles with his upcoming trial and crucifixion, and yet was “willing” to submit to the Father’s will – In Matt. 26: 39 he prays “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 

Paul tells us more about Jesus being “willing” in Philippians 2:6-8:

 Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!


We have a savior who is “willing”!  What great news for us as believers and for those who have not yet come to faith in the only one who can save us.  


Jesus, thank you for being “willing”.  Thank you for being “willing” to love sinful people and to demonstrate this love by your death and resurrection.  Thank you for being “willing” to receive us into your church and to make us disciples.  Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help us live in relationship with you and fellow believers.  Help us to be “willing” to live in obedience to your commands and to share your love with others in 2020.  Amen.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

1 Peter 3:18-22

One thing almost everybody admits to being afraid of is, speaking in front of a crowd.
About twenty-five years ago, I joined a Toastmasters Club to improve my public speaking and confidence.

Each week the ladies who organized it would honor one of the speakers of the day with some special recognition that they would make up. It was silly, but having received one of their honors, it felt good to be recognized because you knew that you had overcome your fear. You knew that you had gone outside your comfort zone.  You knew that you were growing.

We all like recognition. We all like to be honored. James and John, two of Jesus’ closest disciples, asked if they could sit in the seats of honor next to Jesus when he became king. Of course they had no idea what they were asking. But Jesus knew.

Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”        Mark 10:38 NLT

In fact, Jesus was able to endure the suffering because of what he knew would follow. What he knew was on the other side of the cross.

 ¹⁸ Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. ²² Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.          NLT

 Jesus knew that one day he would sit in the seat of honor with his Heavenly Father. He knew that he would hear His Father again saying, “This is my son whom I love. With you I am well pleased.” Those words were enough to carry Jesus through all the pain and suffering that he endured.

 Like Jesus, it will help us to endure the pain and suffering of this world if we keep in front of us that day when we will be in His Presence in hopes of hearing Him say to us, “You are my son; you are my daughter whom I love. With you I am well pleased.”

Jesus predicts His resurrection

17 ApriL                          

Read Matthew 16:21-28 and reflect on the passage.

I’ve heard the story of Jesus many times. In the songs of VBS and the drama of Tetélestai, I came to understand His trial, execution, and resurrection on a deeper level. Through personal study, I made more connections and found more answers. Over and over, I’ve been led to this story of hope, adventure, and the encouragement to seek more. Although I’ve read, heard, and sung this story dozens of times, I can’t possibly become immune to the deeply moving and intense selflessness, love, and pleading of Jesus in the last days of His life.

Jesus explains to the disciples—who have been by His side through the best and worst—the most pivotal event in history, and the worst torture and death a person could endure. He willingly gives Himself over because, regardless of the pain He will suffer, He has “in mind the things of God.” What’s more, His concern for each and every one of us is a plea to live the fullest, most intentional, most beautiful lives we can. Jesus asks me to deny myself and follow Him; what better story could I be a part of?

Questions

1. Do you want to be a part of the greater story?

2. Are you ready to deny yourself, give up the things of this world, and experience the “more” that is following Jesus?

Prayer

Lord, there’s no greater adventure, no greater journey, no greater life than the one lived with You. Thank You for Your selflessness and invitation. Amen.

—Abby Fullen

Your Room is Ready, Right This Way!

I wonder how many time Jesus has tried to convince me over the years that He is with me? How many times have I gotten myself into scrapes and tight places when He had to remind me that I am not alone? Even today there are moments when I cry out and He must certainly think, "Not again!" When will she recognize that I never left her?

As I read these nine verses over again, for the 7th and 8th time, different words and phrases become meaningful: Believe in God. (John 14:1) You know the way to place I am going. (John 14:4) I am the way. (John 14:6)

I especially am drawn to the words about a room, a special room just for me that Jesus must go ahead to prepare. But I am wondering why does He need to prepare the room? What is going to be so special about my room that He must make it ready for me? And then the light goes on! He is telling the disciples and you and I why had to go.

It is His leaving; His death and resurrection which prepared the place; made the room ready for me and for you. So now, we must focus on our room. When times get real uncomfortable and trouble takes over, it is the vision of my special room that can motivate me to continue the journey.

The reading today is like a deathbed scene; one which has played out in many of our lives. In this picture, it is Jesus who is preparing to leave His family and friends behind. In our own scenes, it may be a parent or a spouse or child or dear friend who is being made ready to see the room prepared just for him.

All we need to know is Jesus is the Way to that room.
And there is room for us.
We know Jesus, we know the Way.

John 14:1-9

He Is Risen!

John 20:1-18

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Unlike Matthew, Mark and Luke’s gospel readings on Jesus’ resurrection, focusing on the angelic appearance of the angels and Jesus, John approached the story of the empty tomb from the human response.

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark and found the stone removed from the entrance. She went immediately to the disciples to tell them.

John and Peter raced to the tomb. John arrived first, stopped, peered inside but did not go in. Peter flew right past John and entered the tomb.  Perhaps Peter was anxious about what Jesus would think of him after his betrayal and wanted to make things right. John responded quite differently. He paused outside of the tomb, possibly reflecting on all that had happened and just what it might mean. John 20:9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Mary Magdalene, though she was the first one there before sunrise and remained after the disciples had gone, did not grasp the meaning of the empty tomb. Though told by two angels and Jesus himself she did not comprehend. Finally when Jesus called her by name she believed, listened to Him, and left to deliver His message to the disciples.

We have many like Peter in our churches, anxious about being there because of past wrongs, or fearful of judgment from others and the Lord. There are others similar to John, keeping their emotions to themselves. Those not so anxious who have a good relationship with God and know they are beloved by Him. Then there are those like Mary, stuck in their faith, though they hear the Good News, are unable to internalize it because of bad things that have happened in their lives.

All of us have been lost no matter where we are now in our faith journey. Think back to when you began a serious walk with the Lord. Was there someone beside you, or in the background cheering you on and praying for you? Do you know someone who is hiding from God or has so much baggage from their past they are unable to feel his love?

Consider this Easter a new beginning for them. With your love and guidance they may finally be able to realize the promise that awaits them in Jesus’ death and resurrection!  Help another come alive in Christ. What an amazing gift!

Read/Listen to John 20:1-18

The Holy Spirit Gives Us the Mind of Jesus

In the 1974 movie Young Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) is trying to create life. He asks Igor (Marty Feldman) to get a brain for his “monster.” Igor returns and Dr. Frankenstein places it in his monster. Later, when his monster is not up to par intellectually, the doctor goes berserk. He learns that Igor gave him the brain from “Abby Normal.”  The monster knows a world different than the one he lives in.

Igor Selecting an Incorrect Mind

 

The monster has to be retrained. Fire scares him. He frustrates easily. He has to be taught to walk. His words are mere monosyllabic grunts. It is quite evident that the monster has the mind of “Abby Normal.”

 

Today’s reading is from 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

 

St. Paul has written to the Christians at Corinth. Corinth was a very rich port city, and, given its proximity to Athens, its citizens held a wealth of knowledge. Paul tells them that the wisdom he is preaching is far more valuable than the worldly knowledge they have. That wisdom, Paul continues, comes to them because they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

We too, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and it benefits us in many ways.

 

We can understand God’s Word. We can understand who Jesus was (and is). We can understand that his death forgives our sins. We can also understand that his resurrection gives us eternal life in a world  superior to, and far richer than, the world that we currently inhabit.

 

While we may have some knowledge of this world, the Holy Spirit enables us to know a world different than the one we live in. That world is the spiritual world and it ultimately leads to Heaven.

 

In a sense, the Holy Spirit retrains us. The fire from Satan does not scare us. We have patience and do not frustrate easily. We are taught to walk in the light. And we are able to speak words to others that testify that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

Unlike the monster, we have a functioning earthly mind. However, it is quite evident that the Holy Spirit gives us the mind of Christ as well.

 

Eyewitness

Eyewitnesses.


Some local news channels market themselves as Eyewitness News.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers like eyewitnesses to testify during court trials. Without eyewitness testimony and other hard facts, a jury can have a difficult time reaching a verdict in a trial. Eyewitness testimony was important during the Roman Empire and important during the time of Moses, some 3500 years ago.

Today’s story is John 20:24-31. You probably remember this story as that of Doubting Thomas. There is more, however, to the story than the doubts of one of Jesus disciples.

As a disciple, Thomas was an eyewitness to many of Jesus miracles. Because of what he saw during Jesus’ life, Thomas could say that the man Jesus was the Son of God.

 

Jesus made many promises to his disciples about the resurrection and heaven. He cryptically told them he would prepare a place for them at his father’s house (John 14:2). He also told them that after his death he would return (John 16:16).

This was probably difficult for all the disciples to believe, but it is clear from today’s reading that Thomas did not believe it. After all, most Jews thought Jesus would be another King David who would once again make the Kingdom of Israel a great nation on Earth. How wrong they were!

 

Thomas was also an eyewitness to the resurrected Jesus! He knew it was Jesus because of the holes in his hands and feet as well as Jesus' pierced abdomen.

Jesus was resurrected. Not only was Jesus the Son of God, but he also was God! If Jesus could be resurrected after his death, then surely his followers could also be.

There are no living eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection today. We only have the accounts of the disciples compiled in the Bible.

Before his death, the disciples did not understand who Jesus really was. Left to our own devices, we would not understand either.

Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit that enables us to believe, even if all the eyewitnesses died 2000 years ago! Our faith is a gift from God!

 

 

Easter Sunday The Resurrection

No matter how you say it, write it, sing it, shout it, or paint it............
He is Risen!
     (Watch this link!)

So What's the Big Deal?

“The word became flesh”, is a rather catchy phrase in John 1:9-17. So what's the big deal?

We know the phrase to mean that Jesus, 100% God and 100% man, came to earth. While here, Jesus did many wondrous things, but let’s focus on three.

All are sinners, have rejected God, and deserve eternal death. Yet God loves us so much that he sent Jesus who became a sin offering for our sin. Even more, Jesus was a scapegoat, taking our sins upon himself, so that we will be without sin. Jesus’ death justifies us, that is, makes us “right before God.”

That is good for this life, but what happens after our death? Jesus was resurrected from the dead. He appeared in his bodily form on earth for 40 days before going to heaven. We, in the form of our souls, also go to heaven after death. Eventually we will get a resurrection body.

This is hard to believe, isn’t it? Jesus was a man, and his body was resurrected. Witnesses attested to this fact. Therefore, if God can resurrect the body of Jesus then, he can also resurrect the bodies of all men, even forgiven sinners.

Finally, Jesus came to establish a kingdom, and it includes all believers, past, present and future. The kingdom is heavenly, yet through the Holy Spirit it is with us today.

Many at the time of Jesus believed that Jesus would be setting up an earthly kingdom. How wrong they were. Some theologians, even today, insist Christ will set up an earthly kingdom. But Jesus clearly stated, “My kingdom is not of this earth.” Our hope is in the next world, not this one.

When God’s plans are complete, we will get our resurrection bodies. The current creation will cease, a new creation will be formed and we will live there. It will be total bliss, with neither sin nor pain.

We are justified, will have eternal life and will be part of a perfect, sinless kingdom.

And that's the big deal about “The word became flesh”!  

Mark 15:21-37

"At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:33-34)

What does it take to get to the place where we wonder if God has abandoned us?  I don't think I have ever been that low yet.  I have felt pain and wondered where everyone had gone - but that was only a momentary feeling. I have not suffered physical and emotional and spiritual pain all at once.

I am sure those suffering from devastating illnesses or injuries have experienced this type of emotion.  This is another good reason to live close to God, to stay within arm's reach, or a knee-bend, of His presence.  When we are so comfortable we can talk to God, to cry out as Jesus did and not need to fear how our pleading will be received, that is a relationship that will stand forever.

God's heart must have broken when He heard His Son cry out.  But He knew the Resurrection was coming, Easter Sunday was and is, just around the corner.  See you at the foot of the cross on tomorrow.  It will be quite a celebration!

Read Mark 15:21-37 here

Listen to Mark 15:21-37 here

John 20:1-10

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

 So Peter and the  other disciple started for the tomb.  Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.  Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.  Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.  (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)  Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

I can't think of anything to be more thankful for than this.  Because Jesus died for us, we will be reunited with our loved ones in the not to distant future.  This is the first Thanksgiving Holiday without my husband and I am not sad because I know this to  be true.  

Have a blessed holiday today and know that I will be thanking God for sending His Son and I will be praising Him because He has made life worth living and dying for.  

Read the John 20:1-10 text here.  Listen to a reading of the John 20:1-10 text here.

Easter Morning Matthew 28:1-10

Easter morn and He is risen!
Oh Yes, He is risen indeed.

Easter morn and He is risen!
The Father's will, He did heed.

The sun is up let's celebrate,
Oh Yes, He is risen, indeed.

Our sins are gone both small and great.
All of our debts are washed clean.

The sun is up let's celebrate.
Tell me do you know what that means?

Jesus' risen, He reigns supreme!
All of our debts are washed clean.

Our souls for him He did redeem.
The angels proclaim, "He's not here".

Jesus' risen, He reigns supreme!
We no longer have to fear.

Easter morn and He is risen!
The angels proclaim, "He's not here".

Easter morn and He is risen!

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Matthew 28:1-10

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

It is Friday, but Sunday is coming!  How many times have we heard this shout during Holy Week? To the world, this merely means it is Friday -- the last day of work -- time to party.  Christians the world over recognize this line and know that it is Good Friday, but Easter Sunday is coming.

On the first Good Friday, the disciples experienced the loss of Jesus, their friend and teacher and a man they loved deeply.  The violent death of Jesus caused them to be afraid and to run.  They still didn't get it, didn't quite grasp what Jesus had been telling them.  Sometimes we too experience fear when someone we love dies.  

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

Because of Easter Sunday and the Resurrection we celebrate each year, there is such a difference in how we Christians mourn the loss of a loved one. It still hurts, there are still many tears and much sadness, but the difference lies with the fact we know for sure we will see that person again.  We are confident that Jesus is waiting to usher him/her into His house.  This is why Easter is such a glorious time of celebration each year.

Hang on, it is Saturday, but Sunday is coming!

Read the entire passage for today here at Biblegateway and the Message.

 Or read here for NIV interpretation.

Will We Recognize One Another? 1 Corinthians 15:29-41

One of the conversations Dave and I had, more than once during his illness, was about what happens when you die.  We talked about how Jesus is waiting for us and will take charge from the moment we leave this life.  I had the fun of reminding my husband that he was soon to be the recipient of a new body.  This vessel that had been giving him such trouble the last few weeks would soon be unrecognizable.

That comforted him, but it also disturbed him as he asked, “How will you know me when you get here?”  What a question!  I never really gave it any thought before that moment.  How will we know our loved ones?  I told him that I didn’t really know the answer to that question but was confident God had all of that under control.

The scripture for today confirms that answer for me, and the verse below echoes Dave’s question to me. 

 “But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" (1 Corinthians 15:35)
 

Paul teaches, we will still have our own personalities and individualities, but these will be perfected through Christ's work. Our resurrected bodies will be very different in some ways, but not all, from our earthly bodies. (Life Application Study Bible)

To read the entire text for today go to Biblegateway by clicking here.

The Empty Tomb John 20:1-9

The stone at the entrance to the tomb is gone. Where is the body of Jesus? While it is still dark, Mary is running to Peter and John. She tells them that the tomb is empty. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!”

Peter, who denied knowing Jesus, and John run quickly to the tomb to see what is happening. Their eyes settle on strips of linen lying inside the tomb. They see the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head neatly folded and laid aside. I can imagine a distressing stillness surrounding them.

Something happens to John and Peter as they stand peering into the empty tomb. It is said that John sees and believes. He believes Jesus is resurrected. John and Peter actually witness the resurrection through what they see in the tomb before it is written in Scripture as God's plan. How awesome, but overwhelming and confusing this experience must be!

As I read today's text, I find myself looking into the open tomb with John and Peter. I am a believer. I believe the tomb could not hold Jesus. I believe the evil in the world could not destroy the Truth of His resurrection. As at Easter, I raise my arms and say, "Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed!"

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Read today's text, John 20:1-9, on Biblegateway.

Hold On For Dear Life, John 20:11-18

This past December my husband and I took a much needed vacation. We went on a four day cruise, while my mom flew to our home to watch our three year old, Evan. This was the first time I was away from Evan for more than a day. As much as I needed and enjoyed the time with my husband, I have to admit when I came home I held on to my son extra tight.

In our passage today we have Mary seeing the risen Lord and crying out “teacher!” This is notable since a rabbi back then would not have spent time teaching women. We see a special relationship between Jesus and this woman. But I like the next verse, Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me…” I can just see it. Mary is hugging her Savior. After thinking Jesus was dead I’m sure she held on extra tight, not wanting to be separated from him again.

I want that relationship with Jesus. I want to cling to him and his word every day. I will hold on tight so nothing can steal Him from me.

Read today scripture on Biblegateway John 20:11-18

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