DID JESUS’ PLAN WORK?

Dr. Glen A. Thorp                                                                  April 7, 2013   
(All Rights Reserved)                                                             Matthew 28:16-20,
                                                                                                I Peter 1:3
 
                                       "DID JESUS’ PLAN WORK?"
                                               (Second on Easter)

"Had Jesus simply died on the cross, no one would have considered him to be any kind of savior, let alone the Savior of the world." (Mark Roberts)*

Last week we saw how Jesus’ disciples, discouraged and disillusioned, would have dropped the matter of Jesus like a hot potato that had scorched their hands. Once burned by their failed Messiah, they were not have been willing to pick him up again. Surely they wouldn’t have invented some bizarre theory about Jesus’ death being the source of salvation for the world.

A few days after his death, Jesus showed up again. He appeared, not as one who somehow managed to survive the deathly ordeal of crucifixion, but as one who defeated death itself! The life of God surging through his veins was available to all who put their trust in him.

Jesus’ plan was to entrust his followers with the responsibility of telling everyone they met of His life, death, resurrection and amazing love.

Because God raised Jesus from the dead, we can have confidence that Jesus is indeed the Savior. He did not avoid the Cross, since his death was essential to God’s plan of forgiving all.

The Question is: Did Jesus’ Plan Work?:

The paradoxical plan of salvation, in which Jesus took our sin and in exchange placed us in a right relationship with God, succeeded. Plan Worked!

Three Observations drawn from the Scriptures:

Assured of God’s Power.

A. Nothing Less Than Resurrection Power.

Christians worship on Sunday rather than Saturday because they gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Christians declared: Jesus Is Risen! on Easter. In reality, each Sunday, Christians should say: He Is Risen!, with a response:

He Is Risen Indeed!

Many of us attend worship because someone told us about Jesus. We heard our name called and our eyes were opened.

"Resurrection...gives shape and meaning to the rest of the story of God’s ultimate purposes...Excellent foundation for lively and creative Christian work in the present world." (N.T Wright)**

Some of us worship, like the disciples, with doubts.

God does not turn us away, rather invites us to come closer and see for ourselves. Worship is a time for raising questions and expressing doubts as well as honoring God.. Ultimately we will hear God say: "My Power, that created the Universe, that raised Jesus from the dead and empowered my people, throughout history to fulfill their given tasks, is available to you."

God’s Power: nothing less than resurrection power.

B. Authority Is Beyond Question.

All authority in heaven & earth: was given to Jesus.
When Jesus was asked by what authority did he healed, forgave sins, taught or did miracles etc. Jesus responded: My Father who is in heaven sent me ...

I do nothing on my own authority but speak as the Father has taught me.
God the Father gave Jesus authority over heaven and earth. It was on the basis of that authority that Jesus told his disciples to make disciples as they preached, baptized and taught.

Even as a Sheriff has authority to deputize anyone, so we too receive authority through Jesus Christ. Even as a deputy has the authority of enforcing the law or arresting someone, so have we been entrusted with the authority of forgiving sin (binding and losing) and have the (Keys of Heaven)
(Matthew 16:19)

We believe that this authority was given to all Christians not just Ordained Priests. We call it: "Priesthood of the Believers."

We have been given the power of rebuking Satan even as Jesus did, when Satan said: (Matthew 4:9)
All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me. 
We can stand against the attacks of evil. (Ephesians 6:10)
We need not be afraid!
All authority comes from God, the creator and sustainer of all this earth. 
God’s plan for creation includes Jesus, His disciples and us.

Assured of God’s Power..

 Commissioned By God.

Jesus says to the disciples and to us.
As the Father has sent me, so do I send you.
As we are commissioned to tell others the Good News and make them disciples for God’s Kingdom.

A. Take This Message...to your friends and family.

When someone leaves, her or his last words are very important. Jesus’ last words were: "take this message ..." The Disciples had seen that not all responded to Jesus’ message but that did not stop him from continually reaching out. He warned his disciples that their task would not be easy. They were commissioned to do take this message, with them where ever they went.

B. Make Disciples ...in all parts of the world.

How were 11 men or a total of 500 people to accomplish such an enormous assignment? Jesus told them:

Wherever you go talk about me.  Baptize those who favorably respond.
Teach them all I have taught you to obey.
In the NAME not NameS - Father, Son, Holy Spirit, (Trinity)

In other words: place my mark upon them and teach them my words. That is not what one would call a careful strategy. That was Jesus’ Plan and it worked! because the disciples who experienced God’s Power obediently did what they were commissioned to do. We are commissioned by God to share Jesus through our lives in God’s world Not by our own strength or strategy but God’s Power

Assured Of God’s Presence.

The disciple’s hearts must have almost stopped when they were commissioned with such a staggering task. Especially, when they realized Jesus was leaving them again.

The assignment was followed, in them same breath, with: and I will be with you.

A. Greatest Task ... in the world.

In previous missions Jesus had sent his disciples only to Jews. (Matthew10:5,6) Their mission now was worldwide. Jesus is Lord of the earth and he died for the whole world. "For God so loved the world"

We are to go–whether to our next door neighbors or to another country–and
make disciples. It is not an option. It is a commission given to all who call "Jesus Lord."

We are not all evangelists in the formal sense of that word. We all are gifted to "show God’s Love." As we use that gift we are furthering "Christ Great Commission."

As Ambassadors represents their countries, taking the message entrusted to them to other countries and how they act reflects on their home country, so we as Christ’s Ambassadors, represent God and are commissioned to deliver God’s Good News to this world. Everything we do reflects on God. When we love, give, forgive, show care and speak of Jesus, we reflect Jesus and God.

B. Greatest Presence ... presence in the world.

Jesus said: I AM With You! How is Jesus with us?
Jesus was with the disciples physically until he was taken into heaven,
then spiritually through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4)

John Calvin writes: "The pronoun I must be viewed as emphatic; as if he had said that the apostles, if they wished zealously to perform their duty, must not consider what they were able to do, but must rely on the invincible power of those under whose banner they fight."

The Holy Spirit would be Jesus’ presence that would never leave them or forsake them. Jesus continues being with us today through the Holy Spirit.

We are:

Assured of God’s Presence,
Commissioned By God
Assured of God’s Power

We have been Commissioned to carry on Jesus’ Plan. Wherever we go we are to talk about Jesus, telling of His love and desire for all to be forgiven and begin a new life.

I Invite you to write down, if you are a Christian, "why you are a Christian and what Jesus has done in your life." That way you will be "Ready to give reason for the hope within you."

"Do You Believe In Easter?" If so why?

Write it down.

If you are not a Christian and or do not believe in the message of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead celebrated at Easter, write down your reasons for not believing. Are you open to discussing those reasons? If so, I am willing to converse with you. In the message comment of this blog give me your contact information and I will try contacting you. Otherwise, I encourage you to speak to a Christian whom you know and trust with the reasons you don’t believe in Jesus or the reasons for Easter.

If you are a Christian, I encourage you to carry a small Bible, New Testament or Book of the Bible with you to use and give to the person with whom you are sharing the Good News Easter and God’ Transforming love..

Charge and Benediction at the end of worship.

Those attending worship will hear:
From the Old Testament: 

The Lord bless you and keep you,                           
and be gracious unto to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance
upon you and give you peace.Both now and in Life everlasting. Amen.

From the New Testament:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
And the Love of God,
and the Communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all. Amen.
　
The raised hands are a sign of authority which comes from Jesus. The Benediction is not a prayer. It is a Commission given with Jesus’ Authority.

__________________________________________

* Mark D. Roberts, Jesus Revealed

** N.T Wright: (Bishop of Durham,
Church of England) Surprised by Hope

Death Defeated

Dr.  Glen A. Thorp                                                      Matthew 28:1-1        
(All Rights Reserved)                                                  March 31, 2013

                                        "DEATH DEFEATED"                                                (Easter Sunday)

If you attended a Maundy Thursday Service, the last words you
likely heard were:  "They handed him over to be crucified." 
The last hours of Jesus’ life were a total confusion for his disciples:

-Their leader had been arrested without his resisting.
-He was mocked, tried and convicted in an illegal trial,
with no defense.
-The disciples fled out of fear for their own lives.
-Peter had enough courage to follow Jesus but denied ever knowing
Him, when he was backed into a corner.
-John was one disciple who saw Jesus hanging on the cross.
-"Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses and
the mother of James and John" were among the many women,
with Jesus’ mother, witnessing the cruelty and Jesus’
agony on the cross.
-The darkness which engulfed the land, when Jesus died only
characterized the darkness, loneliness and anger the disciples
must have felt.  "Something, terrible, grand and awesome had
occurred on the place of the skull."  Latter the disciples learned
that at the moment Jesus gave up his spirit and died,                  
"The veil in the temple was torn - hence the Holy of Holies would
be open for everyone and the cross had sealed a New Covenant.
Power of New Life had begun!

None of this was clear to the Scattered Followers.
That Sabbath beginning at sundown Friday running through
sundown Saturday, while Jesus’ body lay in a borrowed tomb
not fully prepared for burial, must have been the longest period
of time in His follower’s lives: 

-Feeling the dread of death and life with out Jesus.
-What would they do now?
-How could they worship a God who allowed such a
great man, who had done so much good and transformed
so many lives including their own to suffer such cruelty and death?
-They lived in utter defeat!

History dramatically changed that week, (Holy Week.)
The closing scene, was - First Easter Morning!

-That Band of Cuddled, Cowards who abandoned Jesus
in a time of Crisis "Took On The World!"
What brought about the change? 
Death was Defeated! We read: Jesus did not remain in the ground, but conquered death
by rising up and personally meeting his disciples.

Three Imperatives: Apply to Us!

Urged to Believe! (Matthew 28:6)

The women who had seen Jesus nailed to a Roman Cross,
declared dead, removed from cross and placed in a tomb
(Joseph from Arimathea) (Matthew 27:57-61), saw the huge stone
rolled in front, sealing the tomb.  (Read Matthew 27:62-66)

Imagine the urgency the women must have felt as dawn dispelled
the darkness.  Maybe they were awaken by a violent earthquake.
They could hardly wait to complete the preparation of Jesus’ body
for burial. What emotion must have gripped the women when they
saw the large stone had been moved from the opening of the tomb. 

-Fear: Grave Robbers? Desecration of Jesus’ body?
-Joy: Angel of God: "Do Not Be Afraid! Good News!

I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
The news was too good, was it true? It was beyond belief.
God knew that. That is why a Messenger was sent. 
The Angel reminded the women of Jesus’ promise that he would
not remain in the tomb but rise to life. 

The Angel gave Four Messages applicable to us as well. 

1. Do Not Be Afraid. - The Resurrection brings Joy!
When you are afraid, remember the empty tomb!
2. He Is Not Here. - Jesus is not dead, not found
among the dead.  He is alive among his people.
3. Come and See. - The women could check the
evidence.  (Force of the Greek Verb is one of
"seeing with intention of being a witness.") 
Remove all doubts. The reason the stone was
rolled back was not so Jesus could get out but so
that all could see the tomb was empty. 
It is still empty today! The resurrection is a historical fact! 

(Jesus gradually revealed himself, bringing his followers along
according to their capacity to comprehend.)

(Read Matthew 28:11-15) – Guards are bribed.

The fourth message was the second imperative:

Urged to Share! (Matthew 28:7)

4. Go Quickly and Tell the Disciples: - The women were conferred
the honor of proclaiming the Good News: The joy of the resurrection.

We too are to share the good news about Jesus’ resurrection.

Imagine the excitement those women felt when they saw the
empty tomb and heard the Angel’s Message: Christ has risen!

When You hear good news, what is the first thing you
want to do? "Tell Someone, right?"
You grab the phone and call your friends and family
to spread the news!

Angie could hardly contain herself. She wanted us to know and
give thanks to God for her granddaughter’s being able to come
home after three months in the hospital fighting for her life. 
"We are pregnant. Our baby was born.  I got a new job. 
I was accepted into graduate school. We just got engaged. 
We made NCAA-Basketball Final Four!"

There is little doubt the women didn’t need the urging to tell
others – but they were assured that it was OK to tell others.
The women were given a specific message to take to the disciples.
It was another of Jesus’ promises: I will meet you in Galilee.
(Matthew 26:32)

It is in context of Jesus telling the disciples and especially
Peter that they would "fall away on account of me ...
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

Jesus’ resurrection is the Key to Christian Faith.

Five Reasons:
1. Jesus kept his promises. Just as he said, he rose from the dead. 
We can be confident that he will accomplish all that he has promised.
2. Jesus’ bodily resurrection shows the living Christ is ruler of
God’s eternal kingdom, not a false prophet/imposter.
3. We can be certain of our resurrection because he was
resurrected.  Death is NOT the end! There is a future life
Death Swallowed by Triumphant Life.
Who got the last word, of Death?Oh Death, who’s afraid of you now? (I Corinthians 15:55)
4. The power that brought Jesus back to life will bring our
spiritually dead selves back to life.
5. Resurrection is the basis for the churches’ witness to the world. 

The implication is that Jesus is more than a human leader;
he is the Son of God!

Urged to Rejoice! (Matthew 28:9)

Once again, imagine the emotions those women were experiencing:
"Awe & Great Joy," as they ran off to tell the disciples the
wonderful news!  Suddenly Jesus steps into their path and his first
words were: Xaipete!  The NIV translates the word as: Greetings:
Hello, hi, good morning, aloha, shalom, ciao the list is endless.
The word Jesus uses is lost in the English Translations.
None capture Xaipete! The word is the imperative form of Xaipw=
Rejoice! Be Glad! Be Joyful! Be Full of Joy!
Even those words loose the impact. Illustrations of same word
Used of the "Wisemen ... when seeing the star."
Jesus: ... "you reward is great in heaven."
When lost sheep was found he ...

Wouldn’t it be exciting if we greeted each other with rejoice!
rather than Hello!  In this word we are not rejoicing in our
situation but in the Hope demonstrated on Easter. Xaipete!

When we have seen the evidence and felt despair turn to
hope we cannot but Rejoice!  We of all people should rejoice
because we have the certainty the Death is Defeated!

It is that assurance that allows us to rejoice when people
mock us. When life is rough.  When we face death.
There is nothing you or I will ever experience that
Jesus did not experience. We have the promise that
Jesus conquers all forces and that nothing can separate
us from his love, not even death!

Jesus reaffirms the message given to the women

Go tell my brothers (Disciples) to go to Galilee; there they will see me.
The temptation of the women would have been to cling to Jesus.

"We lost you once, we don’t want to loose you again.                                                                        " From the other Gospels we read that the disciples
did not believe the women or were still afraid and
remained behind locked doors rather than traveling
to Galilee, so Jesus met them there and then in Galilee.

Thus the Three Imperatives are given to us today

Believe! (The Evidence)
Share! (Don’t keep Good News to yourself)
Rejoice! (Your Fears are conquered)

I Corinthians 15:13-30:  Affirms the implication of Jesus' resurrection for us.

12-15 Now, let me ask you something profound yet troubling.
If you became believers because you trusted the proclamation
that Christ is alive, risen from the dead, how can you let people
say that there is no such thing as a resurrection? If there’s no
resurrection, there’s no living Christ. And face it— if there’s no
resurrection for Christ, everything we’ve told you is smoke and
mirrors, and everything you’ve staked your life on is smoke and
mirrors. Not only that, but we would be guilty of
telling a string of barefaced lies about God, all these affidavits
we passed on to you verifying that God raised up Christ—  
sheer fabrications, if there’s no resurrection.

16-20 If corpses can’t be raised, then Christ wasn’t, because he was
indeed dead.  And if Christ weren’t raised, then all you’re doing is
wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It’s even worse for those
who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they’re already
in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few
short years, we’re a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been 
raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries.*

Do You Believe In Easter?

If so, live in it’s hope and share it's good news with others!

　* Taken from The Message.

DEVOTIONAL

                DEVOTIONALS for March 18-22, 2013

MONDAY –  Read Matthew 16:1-12

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.  Red sky in the morning,
sailors take warning.” Jesus was asked of the religious
leaders for a sign from heaven.  Jesus’ response: 
“You can tell the weather by the sky.  But you can’t
interpret the signs of  the times.” Jesus had spoken clearly,
performed miracles, including feeding 5,000 people (Mt. 14:1-21)
and healed many people.  The religious authorities tried explaining
away the miracles, as sleight of hand, coincidence or use of evil
power.  They believed only God could do a sign in the sky.
This, they were sure was beyond Jesus’ power. Jesus could                                    
have easily impressed them.  He refused. knowing that
no sign would convince them.  He remembered how Satan
tested him to use his power to attract a crowd. (Mt. 4:1-11)

We’re starting the last week of the 40 day sof Lent,
identifying with Jesus’ 40 days of testing.  
As we journey with Jesus to Jerusalem and his Triumphal Entry,
(Palm Sunday), notice how little the people know him and
especially what he was to face that last week of his life, 
(Holy Week).  Even his disciples didn’t understand, even though
Jesus had told them that he was going to Jerusalem, as we will 
read tomorrow,  arrested, tried, crucified and rise from death. 
Thus Jesus’ response to the Religious Leaders was:
"The only sign you will receive is the sign of Jonah.” (Mt. 12:38-42)
Jesus knew miracles never convince skeptics.  Sometimes we
want a miracle to affirm our faith.  Jesus said: 
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 
(Jn. 20:29)  Let us simply step forward in faith, believing what 
we read is true.  We may be surprised by miracles that God
will do in our lives.

Question:

What is the connection between yeast and what
Jesus was teaching?  (Mt. 16:6,12)

Prayer:Jesus, you came that we may have experience life
in its full dimensions.  As we journey with you to
Jerusalem this week, help us appreciatewhat it cost
for us to have life.

TUESDAY –   Read Matthew 16:13-28

 “From that time on” marks a turning point in Jesus’
ministry.  He is headed for Jerusalem, despite knowing
what faced him.  Jesus emphasizes his death and
resurrection.  It is vital understanding that what we will
commemorate next Holy Week was part of God’s
plan for us.  Jesus was not forced to do anything he did
not choose.  Yet, the disciples still didn’t grasp Jesus’ purpose. 
They had a preconceived notion about the Messiah. 
Notice how impetuous Peter tries stopping Jesus.                                                         
Jesus’ strong response:  “Get behind me Satan!” (Mt. 16:23)
illustrates what we read yesterday,
how Satan still wanted to trip up Jesus.

Jesus uses a picture: “take up your cross and follow me” (Mt. 16:24) that the disciples understood.  Crucifixion was a common Roman method of execution and condemned criminals were forced to carry their own crosses through the streets to the execution site.    Following Jesus meant true commitment, risking death and not turning back.  (Mt. 10:39)  The disciples were to learn the cost of following Jesus.  In giving their lives to Jesus, they discovered the real purpose of living. 

Do we make choices as though life is all we have or do seek to follow Jesus knowing that our choices may be costly?  Jesus’ promise is that “even if we lose our lives, we will find it ”  Our life on earth is but a brief span.  Jesus promises because he died and was raised to life, we too will be given life eternal.  During these next two weeks let us seek to live as Jesus taught even if it means we may have to pay a cost of popularity, being made fun of or abuse.

Question:

1.       How would respond if Jesus asked you:  “Who do You say that I am?                                           (Mt. 16:13)

Prayer:
 

Tuesday:    Jesus, give us the courage and your wisdom to speak of love and sacrifice to those who have not heard of or chosen not to follow you.  May we pick up our cross and follow you.

WEDNESDAY – Read Matthew 17

If you have skied, hiked or even driven in the mountains, you know the “High of being at the Top.”  If you’ve been blinded by the sun reflecting off freshly fallen powder snow or gone on a retreat in the mountains you likely tried capturing that experience hoping never to forget it.  After a few hours in the silence of the high Sierras or San Gabriels, you likely don’t want to come back down to the hustle and traffic of the flat lands.  I’m sure Peter, James and John who witnessed this glorious event did not want to return to the reality of normal life.  If there was a moment when Jesus was glorified it was the one recorded in Mt. 17:1-13.  What significance was this event in Jesus’ life and what difference does it make in our lives?

It was an encouragement for Jesus.  He knew his time on Earth was coming to an end.  He had told his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, even though he was a wanted man.  He would face a trial resulting in death.  Yet, Jesus, the human, may have questioned his decision.  Later, Jesus was to pray: (Mt. 26:39)  My Father, everything is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet  not as I will, but as you will.  Jesus was affirmed by Moses, Elijah, most of all by God the Father.  Jesus went to the mountain to pray: What would you have me do?  (Lk. 9:28-29).  All my plans and intentions are before you Father. God the Father responded, This is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased.  Listen to him.  (Mt. 17:5)   “He has chosen the right road. The cross is not only inevitable, it is essential in completing my plan”.

It was a great encouragement for the disciples.  Seeing the Giver- Interpreter of the Law, Moses and the First Prophet, Elijah, talking with their Master and witnessing his glory-physical transformation (II Pt. 1:16-18) affirmed Jesus was the Son of God.  It is a great encouragement for us.  The Transfiguration affirms for us who Jesus is and helps us understand His death.  “Jesus was not dragged unwillingly to death but he came forward  of his own accord as an offer of sacrificial obedience.”  (Calvin)   Jesus’ transfiguration helps us understand why “mountain top experiences.”  They are an encouragement and renewal of energy which we need to live in mundane life.

Question:
 
Have you found that after a “Mountain Top” experience you often
are faced with challenging situation as Jesus did in Matthew 17:14-20?
Prayer:

Wednesday:    Almighty God, you are able to make all things news and restore life anew every morning, help me never to be conformed to this world but transformed by your Holy Spirit.

THURSDAY – Read Matthew 20:17-34

 Jesus predicted his death for the third time as he approached Jerusalem.  He must have thought, “Do the disciples comprehend what I have taught them for three years?”  They were arguing about the “positions they would have in His kingdom.”  (Mt.20:20-28)  The argument seemed to have started when the mother of James and John kneeled before Jesus asking him the favor of granting her sons the right to sit on either side of Him in His kingdom.  Jesus said:  Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?  “We can,” Jesus responded:  You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at right or left is not for me to grant.  This sounds similar to “Take up your cross and follow me,” we read about on Tuesday.  When the other ten disciples heard about the request they were indignant.  Jesus was facing the cross and his disciples were arguing about who would be in leadership with Jesus. 

Jesus used this incident as “teaching moment.”  Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man (Jesus’ term for Himself) did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.  Jesus described leadership from a new perspective instead of using people, we are to serve them.  Jesus’ mission was to serve others and give His life away. 

Jesus was teaching, and later illustrated when he washed his disciple’s feet, that a real leader has a servants heart.  Servant leadership appreciates other’s worth and realizes that the’re not above any job.  Are we like James and John’s Mother, asking God to give us something in return for our faithfulness to God?  Or do worship God for who God is and what God has done?  Mt. 27:56 says that the mother of James and John was present when Jesus was crucified.  James was put to death by a sword, ordered by King Herod.  (Acts 12:1-2).  John spend the latter years of his life in prison.  Both were servant leaders who paid a price for  inviting others to receive and follow Jesus.  It looks like they applied what Jesus taught them.

Question:
       
Do you know what Maundy Thursday is in Holy Week? 
If not look up the Words to see what it means.  If you know, the meaning
what is the connection between Mt. 20:26 and Jn. 13:12-17?

Prayer:
 

Thursday:     Loving God, let us hear again your Word:  “Chose today whom you will serve.” Help me to serve you and your people.  Speak Lord for your servant in listening.

FRIDAY – Read Matthew 21

What first comes to your mind when you think of Palm Sunday?  A more accurate term is Passion Sunday.  Jesus finally allows his disciples to “let loose” and shout “Hosanna to Son of David!  Blessed is he comes in the name of the Lord.”  Up this time, Jesus kept his disciples or anyone from “making him king.”  Jesus arranged, beforehand, for the use of the donkey, Sending his disciples to get it, he said:  “If anyone asks anything reply:  “The Lord has Need of it.”  He fulfilling what the Prophet had spoken 500 years earlier demonstrating he was the Messiah. (Zechariah 9:9)

Jesus riding on a donkey was a Messianic claim.  Jesus was offering himself to the people, at a time when Jerusalem was surging with Jews from all over the country and the known world, as the Anointed One of God.  “One who brings Peace.”  It took Courage for Jesus to enter a hostile city.  However enthusiastic the crowd, the religious authorities had sworn to eliminate him.  Jesus deliberately set himself at center stage so that every eye would see him and every ear hear about him.  God’s plan was that everyone would know when Jesus was crucified.  “For God So Loved the World that He Gave His Only Begotten Son ...(Jn. 3:16)

Jesus was Claiming he was the Messiah, Liberator and Savior.  If he had claimed to be a prophet, he would not need to die.  We must acknowledge Jesus a King and Savior or reject him and decide what we will do with him. This was one of the few places where Jesus’ Glory is recognized on earth.  Jesus boldly claimed he was King and the crowd gladly joined him.  These same people bowed to political pressure and deserted him in just a few days. Jesus’ Appeal was not claiming an earthly kingship.  He wanted the kingship of our hearts.  In the west, a donkey is a despised beast; but in many parts of the world and especially in the Eastern nations it was a noble beast.  Often a king would ride an ass as a sign that he came in peace not war.                                                                  When Jesus entered Jerusalem he claimed the kingship of peace.

  We have something to celebrate.  Our King has come!  He entered Jerusalem, triumphantly, boldly, majestically and courageously defiant of all authorities who wanted to kill him!  At last he allowed his people and us to proclaim Jesus King.  Jesus comes as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We can throw off all restraint, and like those greeting Jesus, throw our coats before him.  This is the message of Palm Sunday.  Our King has come.  Hosanna, Rejoice!

Question:

Palm Sunday is called Passion Sunday?  Can you think why?  If not look It up in a dictionary or search engine?  Read Luke 19:41-44

Prayer:

Friday:     Jesus, give me the courage to move out or my comfort zone and join in publically proclaim you are King of Kings,  Lord of Lords and Savior of the World.

 

Bring Glory to God

 Dr. Glen A. Thorp                                                    March 3, 2013
 (All Rights Reserved)                                              John 11:1-17, Psalm 116:1-9
 
                                "BRINGING GLORY to GOD"
                             (Seventh in a series: "Seven Signs in John")

If you received notice that a close friend or loved one was dying,
what would you do? John gives us another insight into Jesus’ life and
ministry as he retells what Jesus did when he received such a notice.

As we have been looking at the "signs," miracles Jesus performed,
we have seen how Jesus’ conversations are used to teach theological principles.
This story is no exception. Jesus statement: This sickness will not end in death.
is misunderstood. Jesus clarifies what he meant. We read how Jesus related
to his disciples, to his friends and what he did.
More importantly, we learn why he did what he did.

From the first miracle Jesus performed in the small village of Cana in
Galilee, where he turned water into wine, to this last sign Jesus did, it was
to bring glory to God and bring people to God that they would believe.

In studying the Signs Jesus did, we have seen that he acted with compassion,
whether through his healings or feeding 5,000, in order that people be drawn
closer to God. We are invited to respond even as those who witnessed or
heard of the signs and wonders Jesus executed.

One of John’s thesis is that Jesus, the Light of the World, came that people
need not live in darkness. He came that we might have life in fulness.
Those themes appear again in this passage.

It is my hope and prayer that we will respond as Jesus did
by living to bring glory to God.

Three statements from Jesus will give us a clearer insight into Jesus.

The sickness will not end in death.  (John 11:4)

This happened in order to bring glory to God, and it
will be a means of by which the Son of God will receive glory.
The story is very human. A close friend of Jesus, Lazarus was critical.
His sisters, Mary and Martha send urgent word to Jesus:
Lord, the one you love is sick ... They did not say: "Come!"

They knew he would come. The relationship between Lazarus and Jesus
was special.  They knew of the Government Official in Galilee who went
to Jesus asking Jesus to come:  My son is dying. 
Jesus told the father:  Go your son will live.

"If he did that for someone he didn’t know, surely he will come
because our home has been a place of refuge for Jesus."

Their home. in Bethany, was two miles east of Jerusalem and a perfect
place to get away from the crowds. Jesus did not have a permanent place
to live so he was reliant on the hospitality of others.

When the sisters said: The one whom you love:
The Greek word used was phileo - brotherly (Philadelphia) Love:
one for another.  John uses: agape-God’s love for us:
Jesus loved Martha, Mary, Lazarus.

Yet when he received the message, instead of immediately dropping
everything and returning to Bethany, Jesus said: 
This sickness will not end in death.
We may ask: "why didn’t Jesus immediately respond?"

Beginning with verse 18 we see two sisters grieving because Lazarus
did die. Martha, the first to greet Jesus, says: 
If you had been here, my brother would not have died. 
I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. (John 11:21)
Later Mary says: Lord, if you had been here my bother would not have died.
(John 11:32)

The next two verses are some of the most precious in the New Testament: 
When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews who had come with her,
also weeping, Jesus was deeply moved and troubled.

The Greek word: embrimasthai = deepest emotions, anger, indignation
at the disease (Brokeness). Tarrassein= reflexive verb-"troubled himself"
In verse 35, the shortest verse in the Bible, Jesus wept.

The Jews said: See how much he loved him! Could not he who opened
the eyes of a blind man have kept this man from dying?

Why didn’t Jesus respond when told of Lazarus’ illness?

Jesus said: The sickness will not end in death.
We just read that Lazarus died.
Did Jesus not know what was going to happen?
Did Jesus choose not to act?

Those are questions we may ask ourselves when we believe
God does not respond to our prayers as quickly as we wished.

Jesus said: This sickness will not end in death. It is for God’s glory and
so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.
The implication is: because Jesus loved Lazarus, Martha and Mary
so much that he chose not to heal Lazarus.
That is difficult to comprehend. It was even more difficult for the sisters.
Jesus KNEW what he was doing!

Jesus acted solely on his own initiative rather than because he was
persuaded or compelled by others.

The First Statement was: The sickness will not lead to death.

The Second Statement found in John 11:9 is:

Lazarus has fallen asleep;

I Am going to there to wake him up.
It had been two days since he received the news of Lazarus’ illness.
The disciples were startled and responded:
Lord, if he sleeps he will get better.
John points out that the disciples misunderstood what Jesus said.
Jesus clarifies the statement and teaches a lesson.

The disciples thought: "If Lazarus is sleeping that means he is getting better."
There is no mention as what the illness was. If it resulted in a high fever,
restlessness of the body would deny sleep. Thus when sleep came,
it was a good sign.The disciples took Jesus at his word, Lazarus is asleep.
"Why wake him?" They also knew Jesus was a wanted man. 
But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you and
you are going back there?

Jesus left Jerusalem after healing the blind man. (Last Week’s Blog)
His authority for healing the man had been challenged.
Jesus responded: My authority comes from God my Father.
Jesus was charged with demon possession. Jesus answered:
Before Abraham was I Am!
I Am is what God called Himself and the Jews never say out loud.
Jesus was accused of blasphemy and they tried stoning him,
but he disappeared. He went to East side of the Jordan River.

The disciples were afraid and didn’t want to return to the region
that might result in the arrest and death of their leader.
Jesus responded to their concern: 
Are there not twelve hours in daylight?
A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. 
It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light. (vs. 10) 
What did Jesus mean?

Jesus was teaching: a.) A day cannot finish until the 12 hours are up.
                                b.) There is enough time to accomplish the task.
                                c.) There are only 12 hours & cannot be extended.
Main lesson: While walking in the light there is no fear stumbling.

Jesus uses the analogy of the sun. John transfers the analogy to Jesus and
one of the themes running through his Gospel. 
Jesus is the light that came into the darkness and
the darkness could not overcome it.

The man blind from birth, when healed, saw the very source of light,
Jesus Himself. Essentially Jesus was telling the disciples
"We need not be afraid for my hour has not come.
When my task on earth is accomplished, then my life will end.
It will not end before I have finished all the work the
Father has given me to do."

Secondly: "Those who have the light of life, Jesus,
there is no need of being afraid of stumbling in the dark."

We have God’s very source of light available to us, through Jesus.
There is noone who can remove the light of guidance from us if
we are in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The First Statement: The illness will not lead to death.

The Second Statement: Lazarus has fallen asleep ...

The Third Statement:  That you may believe.

Jesus clarified that Lazarus was not just asleep but had died.
Then he startles his disciples saying: 
Yet for your sake, so that you may believe,
I am glad I was not there. But let us go to him.

What did Jesus mean by this statement? It is at the very heart
of the Gospel and is the main theme of this story.

We may cry out: "God why didn’t you act quickly enough to prevent
Lazarus from dying?" Jesus’ response: "Because I loved you,
I chose not to act.  What you are about to experience will be far
greater than anything I might have done in healing Lazarus."
The disciples and we have seen Jesus perform many
miracles (signs) and healing people of illness and disabilities.
Jesus deliberately waited until after Lazarus died to go to him,
in order to strengthen the disciples’ faith and prepare them for the
fact that Jesus would die but that he would be raised again.

As a writer, John tells the story. The evidence is presented.
It is up to you to decide whether you believe it is true or just fiction.
If you do not believe that Jesus had the power and authority to raise
Lazarus from the dead, it unlikely you will believe Jesus was raised
from the dead.

If you believe Jesus was raised from the dead, it is likely you believe
Lazarus was raised from the dead. If Lazarus was raised from death
you can be assured you too will be raised from death. The difference is
that Lazarus returned to this earthly existence. Whereas you will receive
your permanent reward in your heavenly existence.

One of themes of this story is two sisters who deeply loved their
brother, acted in faith that Jesus could heal their brother, but saw their
brother die.  When Jesus arrived four days later, the sisters were angry
that Jesus had not come when asked: may have thought, "why come now,
you are four days too late."  They knew that Jesus loved Lazarus and
must have an reason for not coming. Never in their wildest hope
did they think they would see their brother alive again.

John carefully points out that Lazarus had been in the grave four days.
The religious leaders taught that the first three days after death were critical.
It was during those days that soul left the body and went to God.
Once the soul left it could not return to the body. We read:
"Jesus waited four days" and yet raised Lazarus from death.
              
In hindsight we are able to understand what Jesus meant:
This ailment is not to death but for the Glory of God.

God had a deeper purpose than just healing a person.
God, the Father wanted to demonstrate to His Son’s disciples,
to those who heard of Jesus’ power, and to assure Jesus that he
would be raised from the dead. The reason Jesus waited was so that
his disciples would believe in him as the Resurrection and Life. (vs. 25).

I AM the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, e
ven tho she or he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
This is affirmed on Easter, commemorating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
It is used at most funerals and memorial services offering hope that our
existence does not end at death.

Another theme is that Jesus’ life could not be taken from him before
God’s time. Jesus encouraged his disciples to not be afraid and realize
there was only a limited time in which the work given to him could be
accomplished.  The implication for us is that we too have been given
a task with a limited amount of time to accomplish it.
We may not know the length of our life, as Jesus did, but we can be
assured that the task given to us will be completed.
We need not fear for we have the light of life in our bodies.
That light will guide us as we follow where God leads us.
In contrast, the religious leaders were in darkness.
They did not believe Jesus and tried stopping him from teaching and
performing miraculous signs demonstrating God’s power.

Jesus’ victory over death forms the supreme crisis in Jesus’ life.
It resulted in the Jewish leaders intensifying their attempts to take Jesus’ life.
Unbelievers tried, in every possible, to put Jesus to death.
While believers found that Jesus is the ultimate triumph over death.

As we go through these "Happy/Sad" days of Lent with Jesus the Master,
I encourage you to read the remainder of John 11 and see Jesus’ human side.
He must have struggled as hard and you or would if we knew a close friend
was dying.  We would want to be present with Lazarus as he went through
his last moments on earth.  Jesus must have been tempted to use his
supernatural power to heal Lazarus. Even as he did not, in his temptation,
chose not to heal Lazarus...Better way!

Jesus’ obedience to God the Father ultimately lead him to the cross.
There on the cross Jesus was glorified, because he took upon himself
all of the world’s sin.  On the cross Jesus gave his life,
that we might have life eternal.

At the end of Lent we will celebrate the day Jesus triumphantly
entered Jerusalem.  It is likely, many of those praising Jesus were present
when Jesus raised Lazarus.  They quickly spread the good news and that
drew the crowd. During Holy Week, we will read how one by one those
same people deserted Jesus and ultimately,
He faced the cross alone.

John’s theme throughout this series is that what leads us to believe in Jesus is
not just the miraculous signs he performed. rather faith that what we read is true.
Do you believe Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead? If so by what power
did he do it?  The religious leaders said it was satanic.
Jesus’ followers believed it was God’s Power!

Throughout this series, you have read about who Jesus is based on the
"signs/miracles" he did. Has it given you a clearer picture of who Jesus is?
Has your insight lead you to, by faith, following Jesus?

John ends his book:  Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the
presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 
                                                                                          (John 20:21)
 This is what the seventh, yes all the signs in John illustrate.
Next week I will begin a series of Devotionals about what Jesus
told and illustrated to his disciples and us about why he was going
to Jerusalem even knowing it would lead to his death.
Lazarus’ death and being raised to life was a "foretaste" of what
Jesus would experience for us, ultimately destroying the power
of physical death and promise of life eternal:
 for those who believe and are called by his name.

Do you have that assurance? It not, I encourage you to ask Jesus to
come into and take control of your life. If you do this or want to learn
more about what to do, leave a note on "comments" and I will write you.

("The Bible," a new television series starting on the History Channel,
this Sunday, 3.1.13. Produced by Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Voice)
and his wife Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) the ten-hour
presentation is a dramatic and ambitious project. It’s also a labor of love
for the Burnetts, who began this endeavor with a noble and classical goal:
to encourage people to read the Bible.)

It will also give a visual presentation to some of the stories covered in
this series. There are five segments from the Old Testament and five
from the New Testament.  The "signs/miracles" will be in second part.     

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

BRINGING GLORY TO GOD!

　

　

　

　





　

　

　

A Miracle Happened

Dr. Glen A. Thorp                                                 February 24, 2013
(All Rights Reserved)                                            John 9, Exodus 34:29-34
    
                               "MIRACLE HAPPENED HERE"
                             (Sixth in a series: "Seven Signs in John")

How long must you keep us in suspense?
If you are the Messiah so plainly. (John10:24-25)
How would you respond to such a question?
What makes Jesus absolutely unique?

John seeks to give us the answer in his Gospel and especially in signs/miracles
that Jesus did.  Jesus responds to the question:
     I have told you, but you do not believe.
     My deeds done in my Father’s name are my credentials. 
                                                                             (John9:26)                               

  The Context is the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles Chanukah. The "Dedication"
of the Temple after it was desegrated by a Syrian General and Commemorates
God’s Faithfulness and assurance that no darkness can quench the True Light."
A Menorah was lit. First day two, then one each day, recalling the "miracle that
there was only enough oil for one day, but it lasted eight days. Later Menorahs
were used in homes. Words associated with Chanukah are:
Latkes,(special pancake) Gelt, (Gold Coins) and Driedel-four sided top.
On each side a Hebrew word meaning a:
"Great Miracle Happened Here"

Each time the driede was spun it remindedthe players of God’s power
and faithfulness.

Miracles still Happen Here.

John briefly narrates the story of the Miraculous Healing.
　
　
　
　

He is more interested in the interaction between the Pharisees and the
Blind man.  Through a series of interrogations John shows that as the
blind man increases in knowledge of Jesus while the Religious Leaders
blinded themselves to the Light, plunging into darkness.

In one way, the story is allegory of us all.

We All were born Spiritually Blind. Some of us were fortunate to meet
Jesus early in life, especially if we were raised in a home where Jesus’s
love was demonstrated and taught. Others of us remained
Spiritually Blind because no one ever told us about Jesus or if someone
did, we were not ready to listen let alone ask for spiritual healing.

This story is about one who sat in darkness and was brought to see
the Light, not only physically but spiritually.  It is also about those
who could see, the Religious Leaders, becoming spiritually blind.
John begins the story with a blind man receiving sight and ends
with the Pharisees becoming spiritually blind.(John 10:41)

The care with which the evangelist has drawn his portraits of increasing
insight and hardening blindness is masterful. Three Times the former
blind man who is truly gaining knowledge, humbly confesses
his ignorance (10:12, 25, 36).  Three Times the Pharisees,
who are really plunging deeper into abysmal ignorance of Jesus,
make confident statements about what they know about him.
                                                                          (10:16, 24, 29)

The blind man’s confrontation with the Pharisees in 24-34
is one of the most clearly written dialogues in the New Testament.         

Before Jesus acts, he explains the purpose and meaning of the healing.
He says that "Light was coming into darkness, that God’s
power might be displayed."
　

　
　
The Festival of Dedication was a time of reflecting on the past,
what Israel and Judah had done that led to seeing their
Temple desegrated. The Disciples asked:
"Who sinned, this man or his parents." (2)

Jesus does not address the issue of suffering.
He shows what God can do in any person.
        He was born blind that the power
        of God could be seen in him.  (9:3)

As the people were lighting candles in commemoration of the
miracle that occurred in 164 B.C., Jesus performed another
miracle and says:  I Am The Light of the World.(5)
As a sign of that Light, Jesus gives sight to one born blind.

Everyone knew God was the source of Power that allowed
Jews to be victorious over the Syrians. Jesus intentionally uses:
Ani hu. Used only of God.
As we saw last week, Jesus said:
Be not afraid, I Am here. (Ego Emi-Yahweh)
Ani hu - I Am the source of the Light.
That is why the Jews split over Jesus’ source of power
in healing a blind man. Some said: "It is Demonic,"
while others: "Healing the blind is one of the
signs of the Messiah." (Isaiah 29:18, 35:5, 42:7).

"The Source must come from God."
Notice the Progression of Understanding which the
blind man goes through. When questioned: how he
received his sight the man said:
The man called Jesus made paste and smeared it on my eyes.
 
The man’s knowledge of Jesus was what others said
and Jesus’ touch. He had not yet seen Jesus.

The Religious Leaders called the man to give account as to
how he had gained sight.  The former blind man retold the story.
Since Jesus had made clay, and it was forbidden to work on the
Sabbath, they Leaders said:
This fellow is no man of God, he does not keep the Sabbath.
Others said: 
How could such signs come from a sinful man?
Finally, the man answers: He is a Prophet. (9:16-17)
The Miracle could not be denied.

So the Parents we summoned and asked:
Is this your son, whom you say was born blind?
How then does he now see? (9:19) 

The parents fearful of being bared from the Temple said: 
We know this is our son and that he was born blind,
but how he sees we do not know,
nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him yourselves. 
He is of age. He will speak for himself. ( 9:20-23)

So for a second time the Pharisees call in the formerly
blind man and said:
Give God the praise.  We know that this man is a sinner.
The man responded: (9:24-25)
Whether the man is a sinner I do no know.
One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.
The Religious Leaders were asking for a confession of guilt.
                                                                       (Joshua 7:19)
At the very least if a miracle occurred, that it was
God's power not Jesus’ Authority.

The former blind man responds: 
Never since the world began has it been heard
that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 
If this man where not of God he could do nothing.

The man boldly acknowledges that
Jesus comes from and with God’s authority.  (9:32-33)

The Pharisees said: You were born in utter sin
this was their explanation why he was born blind)
and would teach us? They cast him out.
The formerly blind man was beginning to see the truth of
　
who Jesus was, while the Pharisees were becoming totally
blind to God’s miraculous action. (9:34)

In contrast to the action of the religious leaders,
Jesus looks for the man who had been healed and asks:
Do you believe in the Son of Man?
  
The formerly blind man answered:
Who is he sir, that I might believe in him?

Then comes the most precious words:
You have seen him, and he is the one who speaks to you.

He said: Lord. I believe. and he worshiped him.
The man who had been physically and spiritually blind now,
literally, saw the one who had healed him.

More than that he gained complete insight into the
fact that Jesus was not only a Prophet and Man of God,
but the Promised Messiah, God Himself.

Jesus concludes the episode saying:
39 For judgment I have come into this world, so that the
blind will see and those who see will become blind.

40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this
and asked,  "What? Are we blind too?"

41 Jesus said, If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin;
but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
This is the heart of the story. As people received information
about Jesus, they became more and more liable to respond
to that information.  While they are spiritually blind,
they have an excuse for not responding to Jesus.
Once their eyes are opened, if they close them to truth,
they are guilty of rejecting God’s miraculous transforming love.

A Great Miracle happened on that Chanukah.
An even greater miracle occurs each time one of us responds
to the light of the Good News that Jesus is God incarnate
(human form). We are assured of God’s Faithfulness
and that there is no darkness that can extinguish the light of God’s truth.

As you have been reading about who Jesus is based on the
"signs/miracles" he did, has your insight become brighter or darker?
Is your spiritual blindness turning into spiritual sight? John ends his book:
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples,
which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)

This is what the sixth sign in John illustrates.

Next week we will look a seventh sign:
"BRINGING GLORY to GOD" based on John 11:1-17.