Jesus
GATHERING OPPOSITION
From the beginning of his ministry Jesus drew opposition from various people to his claims and his teachings. It is hard to imagine, especially when we see the "syrupy" Jesus so many people claim to follow, that he could ever have anyone opposed to him or his teachings. But the Bible presents a totally different Jesus -- a Jesus that was opposed and that said things that made many uncomfortable. A Jesus that presented the God of the Bible as...Continue reading "GATHERING OPPOSITION"
DISAPPOINTED DREAMS
When Jesus fed the 5000, some of the Jews saw great potential in him as being the Messiah; able to lead them to victory against the Romans, and thus restoring the kingdom to Israel. This is exactly what they wanted and what they desired. Their dreams of glory was to restore God's kingdom again here on earth, through one who is the descendant of David (John 6:14-15) How often do we want and expect something, just to be disappointed when...Continue reading "DISAPPOINTED DREAMS"
FEEDING 5000
The event that is recorded by all four gospel writers is the feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-14). The disciples of Jesus had just come back from the "limited commission" and Jesus encouraged them to get away from the crowds and rest in a desert place. Jesus knew that his disciples would need rest, or they could literally "wear themselves out" for the kingdom of God. (While I understand the need for rest,...Continue reading "FEEDING 5000"
THE MURDER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST 2
John had boldly preached the truth to Herod Antipas and Herodias, with the result being imprisonment in the dungeon of the fortress Machearus. Herod Antipas does not kill him; but allows him to languish there while he determines what to do. Perhaps he thought that by imprisoning John he would no longer be a problem. It is obvious that he at first was angry at his preaching, but the more he listened, the more he was afraid of John because...Continue reading "THE MURDER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST 2"
THE MURDER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Jesus was rejected at Nazareth and at Jerusalem, and his ministry was reaching the peak of popularity. At the same time, the opposition to Jesus and his teaching was growing stronger and stronger. Jesus had sent the seventy out on a limited commission, and they came back to him rejoicing in all the good in which they had a part. About that same time, word came to Jesus that his forerunner, John, had been put to death by Herod Antipas....Continue reading "THE MURDER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST"
JESUS' CLAIMS AND THEIR PROOF
Jesus had made some great claims that he was working with the Father in his mission on this earth, and the Jews understood clearly that Jesus was "making himself equal with God" (John 5:18). It is easy for someone to make claims about themselves and not be able to "back them up" or verify them in any way. As Jesus continues to talk with the Jews, he does give them proofs or evidence that did back up his claims as...Continue reading "JESUS' CLAIMS AND THEIR PROOF"
HEALING A MAN AT BETHESDA
The city of Jerusalem has many pools and springs around it which facilitated the myriad washings that the Jews were famous for, and one such pool was called the pool of Bethesda. Bethesda means "House of Mercy" and it was here that multitudes of sick were assembled; the blind, the lame, the atrophied all waiting to take advantage of the alleged healing powers of the water. A popular legend had it that an angel came from heaven and would stir...Continue reading "HEALING A MAN AT BETHESDA"
SOME LESSONS FROM THE LIMITED COMMISSION
Jesus was moved with compassion on the multitudes that followed him, and thus sent his disciples out to further his work and continue to preach hope to those lost sheep that needed his encouragement. He saw people harassed by the difficulties of life and by the religious leader's failures to lead them and help them in their burdens; he saw them neglected on the fields, starving for knowledge of God and His way, and he saw no shepherds watching out...Continue reading "SOME LESSONS FROM THE LIMITED COMMISSION"
JESUS HEALS TWO BLIND MEN
Matt 9:27-31 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." 30 And their eyes were opened. And...Continue reading "JESUS HEALS TWO BLIND MEN"
JAIRUS
While Jesus was feasting at Matthew's home, the ruler of the synagogue rushed into the home. He may have been one of the Jews who had come to Jesus on behalf of the centurion some time before (Luke 7:1-10); or he may have had nothing to do with Jesus, because of the opposition Jesus was beginning to garner. It is only conjecture on our part, but we do know that Jairus had obviously seen the healing power of Jesus, and...Continue reading "JAIRUS"
ASSOCIATING WITH SINNERS
After the call of Matthew, Matthew has a "farewell dinner" among all of his old friends and acquaintances. He invites Jesus and the other disciples to his home, and in this feast were publicans and sinners of all kinds. It is probable that, because Matthew was considered an outcast among the "better Jews," he had social interaction with those who were not as judgmental about his actions and what kind of work he performed. Hence, he invites all of the...Continue reading "ASSOCIATING WITH SINNERS"
JESUS FORGIVES AND HEALS A PARALYTIC
Anytime Jesus went into a city, even if it was one in which he had preached before, multitudes would soon throng to see him and hear him. In Matthew 9 Jesus came back to Capernaum, and in no time a dense crowd surrounded Jesus at the house. People could not move because of the press, and four men broke through the roof to get a paralyzed man to Jesus. It must have taken a great amount of faith on the...Continue reading "JESUS FORGIVES AND HEALS A PARALYTIC"
JESUS HEALS A DEMON POSSESSED MAN
Jesus reached the land of the Gerasenes, (also known as Gadara), in the hopes of having some time to rest. But once again, he was met by one who needed his help. A demon possessed man; torn by fury and madness, and deep in the dregs of degradation, came to meet him as he got off of the boat. Imagine the long nails, the dried blood on his arms and his legs and hands; his beard and hair caked with...Continue reading "JESUS HEALS A DEMON POSSESSED MAN"
JESUS CALMS A STORM
Jesus was a man with like passions and trials as all of us and he had experienced a great day of preaching and teaching. He had healed many and even had some to volunteer to follow Jesus. But Jesus knew himself -- his mission and the hearts of those who truly want to follow him. After such a tiring day, Jesus needed to get away and rest his spirit and renew time with his Father. In order to do that,...Continue reading "JESUS CALMS A STORM"
WHY TEACH IN PARABLES?
Multitudes followed Jesus and listened to him teach, and perhaps, after a period of time, most of them knew the facts and ideas he was presenting to them. Often, when listening to teachers and preachers, the hearer begins with idle curiosity. There is a desire to hear something new. The student wants to get the facts they are teaching, and listen to everything they have to say, before he or she will commit to what the teacher says. Then most...Continue reading "WHY TEACH IN PARABLES?"
A SINFUL WOMAN FORGIVEN Luke 7:36-50
Jesus was a social person, and becoming well known for his miracles and teaching, it was inevitable that he would be invited over to eat at people's homes. On one occasion a Pharisee invited Jesus to his home to eat. Perhaps there was curiosity on his part about Jesus, as the level of animosity had not yet grown to hatred. However, the Pharisee did not overly extend himself to this teacher, as was evident by his failure to extend even...Continue reading "A SINFUL WOMAN FORGIVEN Luke 7:36-50"
THE CALL OF MATTHEW
Jesus chose four fishermen to come and follow him, and to teach and enable them to become "fishers of men." Fishermen make good soul winners, as they know that they must cast out the bait; they must be patient; they must realize that they will not always be successful and they must persevere. These have to be qualities of soul winners. But Jesus also chose some to be his disciples that were very different from fishermen. Simon was a Zealot,...Continue reading "THE CALL OF MATTHEW"
JOHN AND JESUS
John the Baptist had done a great work in preparing the way for Jesus, and John, unlike so many people, had understood that this was his purpose and work -- preparation. But as is often the case, many would rather follow the preacher than listen -- really listen -- to the message the preacher is preaching. John had said to the Jews that questioned his ministry and baptism that he was not the Christ; nor the Prophet they thought would...Continue reading "JOHN AND JESUS"
CLEANSING THE TEMPLE JOHN 2
Between the miracle at Cana and the first Passover Jesus went to after he began his ministry Jesus spent a short period of time in the city that would be called "his own city" Capernaum. He then travels to Jerusalem to fulfill the requirements of the law (Exodus 23:14-17; 34:24; Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 16:16) and attend the Passover celebration. John is the one who records that Jesus attended three Passovers -- hence, most scholars believe that Jesus' ministry lasted three...Continue reading "CLEANSING THE TEMPLE JOHN 2"
CAN ANYTHING GOOD OUT OF NAZARETH?
Andrew and John had spent the evening with Jesus, and was so impressed with him and his teaching that they were convinced that he was Messiah. Andrew went to find his brother Simon, who, after spending some time with Jesus, began to follow Jesus as well. The day after meeting with Andrew and John, Jesus saw Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Much has been written about the ability of Jesus to simply say, “Follow me,” and get men...Continue reading "CAN ANYTHING GOOD OUT OF NAZARETH?"
THE MINISTRY OF JOHN
It was a time of change, and perhaps those in Judea at that time felt the need for things to change. Their "self-rule" had been replaced by the whims of a government that was based in Rome, and they were again under tribute to another foreign nation. Many devout Jews tried to withdraw from the world, condemning the corruption of the age and sins that attended it. Others "went along to get along," and did not even try to live...Continue reading "THE MINISTRY OF JOHN"
THE BOYHOOD OF JESUS
Jesus grew up in the small village of Nazareth, one of the Galilean towns that were despised by the Jews because of the place where they were located (John 1:46). It is Luke who tells us that Jesus grew as any other child in a Jewish family; emphasizing that . . . "the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." (Luke 2:40 NKJV). When one reads through the Apocryphal...Continue reading "THE BOYHOOD OF JESUS"
HEROD AND THE MASSACRE OF THE INFANTS
In the annals of history, Herod the Great was one of the most wicked and vicious kings that ever walked the earth. While the numbers of people killed pale in comparison to Hitler and Stalin, the cruel nature of this tyrant that ordered the massacre of two year old male infants emphasize the nature of the times in which Christ came. History tells us that Herod consolidated his kingdom, and was allowed to reign in Palestine first at the behest...Continue reading "HEROD AND THE MASSACRE OF THE INFANTS"
GETTING TO KNOW JESUS!
When we desire a relationship with someone, we like to know all there is to know about that person. In some situations we are thrust in a relationship with people, and we tolerate them or know just enough about them to help us in the desired goal (this is most true in the work or school environment), but if we see someone we really want to know - we really want as a friend or companion, we try to find...Continue reading "GETTING TO KNOW JESUS!"
