Posted on July 2, 2020 by llamapacker
John 7:25-52
We have been looking at Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles, and in this section, we will pick up the story at verse 25, where John shifts the narrative to focus on the “the people of Jerusalem” which are those in attendance who are “hometown” attendees. It would seem that at least some of them are aware of the plot afoot to kill Jesus.
Where the Messiah would come from is the subject of much discussion and speculation in this passage, and it is a very important question relating to the validation of Jesus in the eyes of many people. Can a Messiah come from Galilee? Would a Messiah come from anywhere in particular− or must he come from Bethlehem? After Jesus’ statement in 28-29, they want to seize Him, but are unable because His time had not yet come to die; the murmuring continues until the Chief Priest orders the temple guards to arrest Him. The question for us to ask is why? They were arguing among themselves about where the Messiah would come from; he should come from a place they don’t know about, but this guy came from Galilee; Jesus set them straight about where He really came from, and they want Him dead…?
Does that make sense?
Read more: https://lifereference.wordpress.com/2020/06/21/who-is-he-and-where-did-he-come-from-3/
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Posted on June 30, 2020 by llamapacker
John 11:1-44
This is a famous story about the miracle that Jesus performs in raising Lazarus from the tomb, but it is much more than that. Jesus will reveal much about His own death and the hope that we will have as a result. It probably begins in Perea where Jesus went after the last attempt to stone him, and opens with the news that His dear friend Lazarus was near death. Jesus’ reaction seems surprising, since one might expect Him to rush off to help, but He delays instead…
Jesus announces to His disciples that it’s time to get on to Judea. Assuming that He means to return to the temple to resume his teaching, the disciples voice the concern that His safety would be in question. Jesus uses the metaphor of day and night to tell them that it is still safe for Him to go, but the implication is that the time is short. Then He tells them that they will be going to see about their friend Lazarus and corrects the misunderstanding about him being “asleep” for Lazarus is dead. Good old Thomas is optimistic as always…
Verses 17-22 set the stage for the miracle: Lazarus has been in the tomb four days, Martha comes out to meet Jesus on His way, and there were many people in town who had come because of the death and funeral who would be witnesses for what would happen. Martha, upon meeting Jesus both scolds and demonstrates great faith. Whether or not her faith extended to raising her brother from the grave is a matter of interpretation, but she was certainly disappointed that He hadn’t intervened in the illness, which is a thought many of us have had at one time or another…
Continue: https://lifereference.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/the-resurrection-and-the-life-3/
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Posted on May 26, 2020 by llamapacker
A Broadcast with R.C. Sproul
What can we learn from the transfiguration of Jesus Christ? Today, R.C. Sproul depicts the moment when Peter, James, and John looked upon their Master’s radiant glory.
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Posted on May 20, 2020 by llamapacker
Colossians 2:15:
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Paul continues to explain what Christ has accomplished through his work. The cross and resurrection of Christ not only defeated our sin, but also all of the evil forces. Perhaps the false teachers were telling the Colossians they needed to observe certain rituals to keep the spirits away. However, the work of Christ is sufficient to cover everything. Satan and his evil forces have no power over the Christian because of the cross and resurrection of Christ!
It’s important for believers to understand that the powers of darkness have no power over them. Satan can tempt us, but he cannot make us do anything. However, he will do everything he can to get us off course and keep us from living in the freedom of the Gospel.
For example, as we have seen in Colossians, Christ has completely paid the penalty for sinners. There is no condemnation for those who believe (Romans 8:1). A born-again believer can walk in that freedom because all shame and guilt has been removed. However, Satan is the Great Accuser. We know we fall short of God’s holiness daily, and the Spirit of God within us convicts us. This conviction is a grace-gift that is meant to lead us to confession and repentance so that we might find healing and forgiveness in Christ. However, the forces of evil stand back and remind us of our guilt and try to flood us with shame and guilt. Satan knows if we are walking in shame then our worship of God and our witness to the world will be affected.
Read more: https://growingingrace.blog/2020/05/19/social-distancing-devos-colossians-215/
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Posted on May 6, 2020 by llamapacker
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Posted on April 7, 2020 by llamapacker
Colossians 1:19-20 reads:
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Verse 19 says that all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in him, which means Christ is fully God. It’s important that we affirm the full deity of Christ lest we fall into the error of making Christ a created being. Colossians 2:9 teaches that the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, which shows that Christ is truly divine and truly human! While this is difficult for our finite minds to grasp, it is important that we understand what the Scripture teaches about Christ. He is fully God, yet also a human who can sympathize with us in our weakness. Whether or not you hold to this truth has major implications to your faith!
The full deity and humanity of Christ also shows the unique ability for Christ to reconcile God and man. Because of man’s sin, punishment was necessary and it had to be paid by a human. However, all humans are sinful and thus nobody is worthy enough to provide a sufficient atonement for sin. Therefore, God himself put on flesh and took the punishment we deserve. Jesus is the only sinless human who was worthy to provide a pure sacrifice for our sin!
For study questions and to subscribe to this series: http://growingingrace.blog/2020/04/06/social-distancing-devos-colossians-1-19/
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