Resurrection Guarantee (III): how would you react to a man risen from the dead?

 

His disciples’ world was upside down on the dawn of Jesus’ resurrection! It was only a beginning. He stayed on for forty days. How did His disciples initially respond to Him alive from the dead? They had thought they knew Him after three and half years, but His death had wiped out their confidence. They regressed into a void, not knowing anything anymore. 

The outcome of Jesus’ resurrection is the Good News! It brings forth life, a new life. The crucifixion, death and resurrection of the Son of God had destroyed the power of sin and death. His resurrection had given birth to the new life of many believers, who must believe in Jesus alone, being born again of the Spirit as God’s children, with the life of Jesus in us, thereby receiving eternal life. Why did the disciples not rejoice instantly at such a good news? Jesus had predicted this. He knew them even though they did not really know Him. 

When Jesus predicted His death and resurrection the disciples did not understand what He meant. They responded like any man who only knew and believed in the physical realm and things that could be seen which did not demand their faith in the supernatural reality. They were all shocked to the core to see Jesus in real life, coming back from the dead. 

The Gospels truthfully recorded the disciples’ doubt, unbelief, fear and directionless without the physical Jesus. 

John 20-21 recorded the resurrection and the subsequent event: 

Mary Magdalene first went and saw the empty tomb and went to tell the other disciples. Peter and John ran there and saw for themselves. They noticed the way the linen wrappings and head cover were lying there and believed.) 20:9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went again to their own homes.

Mary encountered the resurrected Lord Himself when she persisted at the empty tomb, crying and looking. Two angels talked to her. Then Jesus appeared and told her to go tell the other disciples. She did as the Lord told her. (John 20:11-18)  

The other disciples were still in fear of the Jews (who persecuted and arrested Jesus and put him to death through the Roman Governor) and gathered behind locked door. Even then, Jesus appeared to them and showed them His nailed hand wounds and pierced side. Then they were glad when they saw the Lord. (20:20)

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas was not there when Jesus came. And he did not believe them when they told him they saw the resurrected Jesus. In their second meeting, Jesus came and showed Himself again to His disciples and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” (John 20:24-29)

Note: At the sea of Tiberias: Directionless, the disciples returned to their old way of living. Peter initiated and others followed, back to fishing, and that night they caught nothing. when the morning came Jesus appeared, standing on the shore and told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, and they caught 153 large fish. He also cooked and gave them breakfast and ate with them. (John 21:1-13) This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. (John 21:14)

Note: Mark 16 recorded how Mary Magdalene saw Jesus and went and told the disciples who were mourning and weeping (like the people of the world) but when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. (16:10-11)

    16:12 Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. 13 They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.

    14 Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.

Note: Luke 24 recorded in great details what transpired between the resurrected Jesus and the reaction of His eleven apostles when they saw Him. The women followers believed and remembered what Jesus had told them beforehand, but the eleven and the rest of the disciples were still full of unbelief!

    The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women came to the tomb and did not find the body of Jesus. They saw two angels who reminded them what Jesus had told them about His resurrection on the third day.  24:9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 24:11 But the story sounded like idle tales/nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 

    Luke 24:12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

Luke 24: 13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

Note: Jesus noted they were like others, mourning and returning to their old way, just like the people of the world. And He rebuked them!

17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

After Jesus opened their eyes they went back to Jerusalem and  told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them. 

    Jesus appeared to all: Luke 24: 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

24: 41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.

Note: Matthew 28:7-9 The women were blessed because they believed. They feared the supernatural but they rejoiced at hearing the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and instantly believed! 

(The angels told them) 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

The Women Worship the Risen Lord 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.

John 16:22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 17:13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

Summary: Jesus knew how His disciples, including the eleven apostles would react. They would behave like the people of the world, fearful, shocked, sad, mourning, directionless, skeptical, reverting to their old way. When they saw the resurrected Jesus they would think they saw a ghost. And they feared ghost. They had never seen God. In their mindset they could not really believe that Jesus came back as Himself, the Son of God, God Himself. Jesus knew all these beforehand. What did he do to set them free from their old nature? (To be continued)

Resurrection Guarantee (II) Jesus said, Rejoice!

 

Cherish but weep not for the memories.

Weep not for the memories.” (My spirit prompted.)

April is a month that might bring sadness for those who remember their loved ones who had passed on. It is also a solemn reminder of hope and comfort for Christians. In 2025, Good Friday falls on April 18 followed by Easter on April 19. These two dates are very important to believers. Each Gospel tells us about the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Towards the middle of each gospel, Jesus talked about His impending death and resurrection on the third day.  He prepared the disciples mentally, emotionally and spiritually. (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22, John 11:25, 13:1) Indeed, the prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament and His predictions about His passion and resurrection all came to pass. The historical fact of Christ’s resurrection is confirmed by “many clear evidences” (Acts 1:3), including his appearances to over five hundreds of His disciples after He was raised from death, the amazing changes that the disciples believed occurred after his resurrection, the irrefutable evidence of his empty tomb, and the entire subsequent history of the Christian church.

Matthew 16:21 predicted the coming of the Passion and Resurrection: From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised to life.

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

Matthew 17:22 While they were still in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men 23 and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life. And they were greatly troubled.

Matthew 20:17-19 prophecy of crucifixion and resurrection: When Jesus went up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them: 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will sentence him to death, 19 and to the Gentiles to mock and flog and crucify him, and on the third day he will be raised.”

Matthew 26:32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee. ”

John 10:17 My Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. This command I have received from my Father.”

The resurrected Jesus commanded His disciples (us) to tell the world about His (Jesus-the Son) deeds and His person. We are commanded to share the gospel of Jesus with others (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8): “Jesus died and rose again, and all who trust in Jesus and repent of their sins will be forgiven and saved.”

The Psalms too, duly recorded many prophecies about Jesus’ crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection on the third day. The reality of His resurrection has given Christians throughout the ages sure assurance, comfort and hope, that this life on earth is not the end, because believers are given another life, a far better life, which is eternal. 

 Over a thousand years before Jesus was born, David prophesied Jesus’ resurrection as in psalms 16 and 22: Psalm 22:22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the church I will praise you.

Psalm 16:9-11 Therefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my flesh also dwells in hope. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor allow your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Today we continue to read a difficult verse in Psalm 116 in the light of the New Testament revealed above. (Refer to the Berean Study Bible)

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints/holy ones.”

Study Notes:

1. Jehovah

God’s covenant name, Jehovah, emphasizes His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

2. Author of Psalm 116

Traditionally believed to be written by David, the specific author of Psalm 116 is unclear. The psalmist expressed gratitude for being delivered from death.

3. Saints/Holy Ones

Refers to those who faithfully follow God, those who are set apart for His will. In Hebrew, the word is (chasidav), which means His faithful or godly ones.

“Precious in the eyes of the Lord”

This phrase emphasizes the importance God places on the life and death of His faithful followers. In a biblical context, the word “precious” usually refers to something that has great value or significance. The Hebrew word used here can also mean “expensive” or “rare,” indicating that God does not take the death of a saint lightly. This reflects God’s close involvement and care for His people, as described in other passages such as Psalm 72:14, where God is described as valuing the lives of the poor. This statement emphasizes the personal relationship between God and His followers, highlighting His omniscience and compassion.

Psalm 72:14 (a psalm of Solomon) “He will redeem them from oppression and violence, and their blood is precious in His sight,”

The term “saint” refers to those whom God has set apart for Him, and was often used in the Old Testament to describe faithful believers in Israel. In the New Testament, it is extended to all who have faith in Christ. The death of a saint is not seen as a loss, but rather a transition to eternal life with God. This view is consistent with the Christian belief in resurrection and eternal life, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, where Paul comforts believers by giving them the knowledge of those who have died in Christ. Theologically, this phrase can be connected to the concept of martyrdom, where the death of a believer is seen as a testimony to their faith and the glory of God. Historically, the early church viewed martyrdom as a powerful witness to the truth of the gospel, and this verse would provide comfort and reassurance to those facing persecution.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 A Word of Comfort for the Believers Who Have Died 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who are asleep, so that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

Summary:

The Value of Life and Death

God values ​​the life and death of His saints. Our lives are precious in His eyes, and our death is not a loss, but a transition to eternal life with Him.

God’s Sovereignty and Care

This verse emphasizes God’s sovereignty and His intimate care for His people. He is deeply involved in the lives of His saints, and their death means a great deal to Him.

Hope Beyond Death

For believers, death is not the end, but the gateway to eternal life. This perspective should bring comfort and hope, especially in times of mourning.

Live Like Saints

As saints of God, we are called to live lives that reflect His holiness and love. Our daily walk should reflect our faith in Him and our commitment to Him.

Encouragement in Grief

This verse can comfort those who are grieving the loss of a loved one who believed in the Lord, reminding them how precious their loved one’s life and death are in God’s eyes.

Mathew 28 described on the day after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb and found that the stone was rolled back and an angel told them this: 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.  18-20  And Jesus came and spoke to them…(about the Great Commission). 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Postscript: A personal note: Jesus said, “Rejoice!”

Jesus said, rejoice, and yet we weep. Why? Often it’s for the memories that we have cherished our whole life, finding hard to relinquish, having not yet tasted the other side, and thus we weep. The more I read about the saints in the Bible, especially those who lived a very long time, (for example, Enoch living 365 years, until God took him away without seeing death) the more I think of how they were able to perhaps outlive their loved ones and still spend quality time with God. I believe it has to be the assurance of meeting their loved ones in heaven that had pushed them on and on, walking each day, nearer and nearer the goal.

If our loved ones see us and know our getting stuck in time past, this lyrics excerpt of a song may be appropriate:

“I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories.” (Sarah McLachlan’s ‘Weep not for the memories’)

Post postsript: Just think, how long more can you afford to have your car stalled at the memory cross road? You need to let not your life pass you by. Don’t you think now is a good time to move on? Here, let Me take over the steering, let go and let Me (The Spirit spoke).

20250410 Καὶnos noted.

2024 Christmas Eve: Who is Jesus? List of His names and titles

How to know who Jesus is? Read His names!

Here is a list of some of the names and titles of our Lord and Savior: 

Revelation 1:8, Hebrews 12:2, 5:9, Matthew 12:18, John 6:32, 6:48, 1 Peter 5:4, Luke 9:20, Isaiah 9:6, Romans 11:26, Isaiah 40:3, John 10:11, Hebrews 4:14, Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 1:2, John 8:58, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:21, Zechariah 9:9, 1 Timothy 6:15, John 1:29, John 14:6, 8:12, 1 Timothy 6:15, Jeremiah 23:6, 1 Timothy 2:5, Daniel 9:25, John 1:41, Revelation 22:16, Job 19:25, John 11:25, Luke 2:11, Matthew 2:15, Malachi 4:2, John 1:9, 15:1, 1:14, 14:6, John 1:1, Revelation 19:13

ALMIGHTY: (Revelation 1:8) 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, [a]the Beginning and the End,” says the [b]Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Footnotes: Revelation 1:8 NU, M omit the Beginning and the End; Revelation 1:8 NU, M Lord God

AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: (Hebrews 12:2) 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Footnotes: Hebrews 12:2 originator; Hebrews 12:2 perfecter

AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION: (Hebrews 5:9) 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

BELOVED SON: (Matthew 12:18) 18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,

My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!

I will put My Spirit upon Him,

And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

BREAD OF LIFE: (John 6:32) 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. John 6:48 I am the bread of life.

CHIEF SHEPHERD: (1 Peter 5:4) 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

CHRIST OF GOD: (Luke 9:20) 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

COUNSELLOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE: (Isaiah 9:6) 6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

DELIVERER: (Romans 11:26; Isaiah 59:20,21) 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make straight [a]in the desert

A highway for our God. Footnotes

a. Or delivered

GOD: (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3) 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make straight [a]in the desert

A highway for our God. Footnotes

a. So with MT, Tg., Vg.; LXX omits in the desert

GOOD SHEPHERD: (John 10:11) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

COMPASSIONATE, GREAT HIGH PRIEST: (Hebrews 4:14) 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

HEAD OF THE CHURCH: (Ephesians 1:22) 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

HEIR OF ALL THINGS: (Hebrews 1:2) 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the [a]worlds; Footnotes

a. Or ages, Gr. aiones, aeons

I AM: (John 8:58) 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

IMAGE OF GOD: (2 Corinthians 4:4) 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

IMMANUEL: (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.[a]

Footnotes

a. Lit. God-With-Us

JESUS: (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31) 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name [a]Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Footnotes

a. Lit. Savior

KING: (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5) 9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your King is coming to you;

He is just and having salvation,

Lowly and riding on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.

KING OF KINGS, Lord of lords: (1 Timothy 6:15 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only [a]Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Footnotes

a. Sovereign

LAMB OF GOD: (John 1:29) 29 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

THE LIFE: (John 14:6) 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD: (John 8:12) 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Jeremiah 23:6) 6 In His days Judah will be saved,

And Israel will dwell safely;

Now this is His name by which He will be called:

[a]THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Footnotes

a. Heb. YHWH Tsidkenu

MEDIATOR: (1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

MESSIAH: (Daniel 9:25) 25 “Know therefore and understand,

That from the going forth of the command

To restore and build Jerusalem

Until Messiah the Prince,

There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;

The [a]street shall be built again, and the [b]wall,

Even in troublesome times.

Footnotes

a. Or open square

b. Or moat

(John 1:41) 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the [a]Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).

Footnotes

a. Lit. Anointed One

MORNING STAR: (Revelation 22:16) 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

REDEEMER: (Job 19:25) 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,

And He shall stand at last on the earth;

RESURRECTION AND LIFE: (John 11:25) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

SAVIOR, Christ THE LORD: (Luke 2:11) 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

SON OF GOD: (Matthew 2:15) 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Malachi 4:2) 2 But to you who fear My name

The Sun of Righteousness shall arise

With healing in His wings;

And you shall go out

And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

TRUE LIGHT: (John 1:9) 9 That[a] was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

Footnotes

a. Or That was the true Light which, coming into the world, gives light to every man.

TRUE VINE: (John 15:1) “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

TRUTH: (John 1:14) 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

WORD: (John 1:1) n the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

WORD OF GOD: (Revelation 19:13) 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 John 5:11-13

11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has [a]life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [b]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Footnotes

[a] 1 John 5:12 Or the life

[b] 1 John 5:13 NU omits the rest of v. 13.

2024-12-24 Καὶnos

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion Day 7: Whom did Jesus come to heal?

Jesus was born for this. The Bible is full of stories of the downs and outs. Crowds thronged Jesus, including the rich, the famous and the powerful, those with ample means to donate and contribute to His ministry, some of whom might have employed tough strong body guards to open their way to access to Jesus. When everybody was rushing against time, Jesus always slowed down, paused, looked around and stopped for the sick, weak, lowly, poor, voiceless, and even an outcast, and showed God’s great mercy and grace (undeserved favor) for such individuals to ensure that they got heard and their needs attended to. He knows the Father’s hearts, and He follows the Father’s will. 

Who were the ones that Jesus stopped for? Here are some general and specific examples, spanning over old and young, men and women, Jews and foreigners, 

Indeed, all sorts of sick, physically or mentally afflicted or oppressed people who came to Him were healed and set free. They were of all ages, races, nationalities, social classes and financial status, cultures/political/religious affiliations. He was concerned with their spirit, soul and body health. The Bible recorded some of such incidents and those He healed, delivered, and paid special attention. Here is an unexhaustive list: 

Matthew 8: a leper; a Roman Centurion’s servant; Peter’s mother-in-law;  two demon-possessed men set free.

Matthew 9: a paralytic; Matthew (Levi, Luke 5) the tax collector (soul and spirit); a 12th year old girl restored to life, a woman who had bleeding issue for 12 years healed instantly; two blind men received their sight -healed; a mute man healed.

Matthew 12: healed a man with a withered hand on Sabbath in a synagogue; also healed a demon-possessed, blind and mute man.

Matthew 14: Showed His compassion for the great multitudes who followed Him on foot from the cities and healed their sick. At evening He fed them, by miraculously multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed about five thousands men, besides women and children. (Provision)

Matthew 14: Many sick people begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment and as many as touched it were perfectly well.

Matthew 15: A gentile (Greek) woman showed her faith and cried out to Him to heal her severely demon-possessed daughter and she was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 17: A deaf and dumb spirit tormented boy with seizure was healed despite the unbelief of even the boy’s father. 

Mark 2: Forgave and healed a paralytic carried by four men who had faith and were undeterred by the crowd. They  uncovered the roof and let down the bed so Jesus could heal him. (Spirit, soul and body)

Mark 10: Let the little children come to Him, took them up in His arms and blessed them.  (Special attention.)

Mark 12: Took note of and praised one poor widow who could had only two small copper coins and gave all to the temple. (Special attention.)

Luke 7: Raised from dead the son of a widow of Nain. (Special attention.)

Luke 7: While being a guest in a Pharisees’ house, Jesus let a repentant sinner woman wash his feet with her tears, wipe with her hair, kiss his feet and anoint them with fragrant oil. (Spirit, soul and body)

Luke 14: Healed a man with dropsy on Sabbath in the home of a ruler of the Pharisees. 

Luke 15: All the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. (Spirit and soul)

Luke 17: Ten lepers cleansed, including a Samaritan. 

Luke 18: Counseled a rich young ruler. (Spirit and soul)

Luke 18: Stopped for a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, near Jericho and healed him.

Luke 19: Brought salvation to a rich chief tax collector, Zacchaeus and his house. (Spirit and soul)

John 4: Shared the Kingdom of God with a Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (Spirit and soul)

John 4: A Samaritan (foreign) woman who had five husbands and was living with one not her husband. (Spirit and soul)

John 4: Healed the dying son of a nobleman.

John 8: Jesus pointed out that not one of the accuser was without sin. So the adulteress was forgiven and not condemned, and He asked her to go and sin no more. (Spirit, soul and body)

John 9: Healed a man who was born blind. 

John 11: Raised Lazarus who was dead for four days. 

Summary of those whom Jesus healed and saved: Luke 5:31-32 NLT 31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Application: Think about why we need Jesus. Why is remembering His birth so important? What more do we still need to ask since He has given all He has for all mankind? 

2024-12-17 Καὶnos

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion Day 6: a greater present for Christmas!

Would you like to know the end before you begin? Imagine the pain of a parent of a child who knows of the short and painful lifespan of their child before birth or even conception. The Father God knew of what His beloved Son would go through even before the foundation of the earth. Jesus knew. He was there together with the Creator Father God and the Holy Spirit from the very beginning of this earth and mankind. What greatness in love for them to have agreed to let Jesus come to earth for the most excruciating painful assignment in spite of the foreknowledge of the eventual outcome This is what we need to think upon today as we walk with Jesus to the deeper end during this Advent (Sun, Dec 1, 2024 – Tue, Dec 24, 2024). 

What is Advent? the arrival of a notable person or thing. The first season of the Church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.

Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus’s birth at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, often referred to as Advent Sunday. The name comes from Latin adventus (‘coming; arrival’), translating the Greek parousia from the New Testament, originally referring to the Second Coming.

The first coming dealt with the salvation and redemption of mankind. What about the Second Coming? 

The Second Coming: Bible verses (Excerpts quoted from NLT Bible unless otherwise specified)

Matthew 24:36–44: “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.

Luke 21:25–28: 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”.  

John 5:28–29: 28 Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, 29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 

Revelation 1:7: Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.

And everyone will see him—

    even those who pierced him.

And all the nations of the world

    will mourn for him.

Yes! Amen!.

Hebrews 9:27–28 (NKJV): 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Matthew 24:26–31 (NKJV): “27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” “29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days … 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. “ (Three times in the NT we are told about the “trumpet call of God” which is always associated with the second Advent and the great resurrection of the dead. Matt. 24:31; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16.)

1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 (NKJV): But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52: 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 

John 14:1–3: ““Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

The Good News of the Second Coming of Jesus gives hope and assurance of a secured future. This brings Christmas to another level of depth about the grace and truth that came through Jesus’ first coming. 

Application: Continue to meditate on the goodness and love of God through giving all mankind Jesus, the ultimate present!

2024-12-16

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion Day 5: Neither ashamed nor afraid

 Often Christians are ashamed. Why? Where? How come? These are the questions for which we find answers from our brethren the apostle Paul today as we dive into deeper waters with Jesus. Jesus assured us not to be afraid. Paul assured us not to be ashamed. He was not ashamed too. 

Romans 1:16-17 New Living Translation

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.[a] 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”[b]

Footnotes

1:16 Greek also the Greek.

1:17 Or “The righteous will live by faith.” Hab 2:4.

1. Why are Christians ashamed to tell the Good News of Jesus even at His birthday celebration right now? They don’t know the power of God in the Gospel:
1. They are afraid of being rejected, ridiculed, not politically correct, judged, and worse, even persecuted. 
2. They do not know in Christian faith we are required to just believe and carry out our belief by faith in the living God.
3. God has assured of a divine power, through the Holy Spirit, to carry out to fulfill His purpose of saving lost souls.
4. This salvation is available for everyone who believes, regardless of race and past beliefs. 
2. What is this all powerful God-initiated Good news about Jesus?

Romans 1:3-5 New Living Translation

3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be[a] the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.[b] He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege[c] and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

Footnotes

1:4a Or and was designated.

1:4b Or by the Spirit of holiness; or in the new realm of the Spirit.

1:5 Or the grace.

In summary, you have to believe this:

1. The Good News is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God
2. He was born into King David’s family line on earth, just as prophesied
3. He died for us and was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit
4. The God News is all about Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Application: Our belief is based entirely on the truth given in the Bible, as we believe by faith and not by sight. With man’s tendency to use our mind this is hard and quite impossible. But with God, nothing is impossible. This Christmas let us expect the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit from God making the impossible to possible!  

Note from my post on 2022-12-20: “Jesus has declared that He and His Father are one. Jesus also says this of us (His believers): “I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” And His Father is our Father. This is the greatest assurance today. As we are united with Christ and God, we have nothing to fear or worry about. His house is our house. His lives in us and His divine life is our real life. He does things with us, speaks to us and teaches us. He gives us all good gifts. He loves us to the extent of giving His Son to us, to redeem us so that we can return to Him and be reconciled with Him as His children. He sent His Son to purchase our life, pay for our healing and divine health too.”

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

2024-12-11 Καὶnos

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion Day 2: Death abolished! Immortality revealed!

 

The birth of Jesus has brought this Good News: “but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” 

Why is this Good News? The answer is : ...https://kzlam36.wordpress.com/2024/12/05/christmas-journey-day2-death-abolished-immortality-revealed/

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion: Day 1: The rising of the Morning Star

 Peter knew that he was leaving soon, and he wrote this. His last testimony. He knew Jesus. And he followed to the end. There is no record of his personal life except that he was married with a wife and also a mother-in-law! Peter brought his family...

https://kzlam36.wordpress.com/2024/12/04/let-the-day-dawns-and-the-morning-star-rises-in-your-hearts-christmas-meditation/

2024 not abandoned: a new spiritual journey

How may we hear God and understand Him more accurately? Last night while praying my heart purposed to start afresh the unfinished journey over the uncharted spiritual rough waters of Bible words. It is not a time to ask why. It is a time to ask how. How may this be done consistently and persistently? I believe the Lord has put this desire in my heart and will help me get going…

I have put a link to my Sound Mind Journal blog in this watchman’s menu, labelled: “A New Spiritual Journey 2013-2024”. The first 2024 post (from alphabet A) shortly to be posted will be on a word that caught my eye on the top of the list, a word that digs deep into my heart. The original series started on March 16, 2013 and paused for many years, suddenly revived over a short period during the last 20 days of the year 2021 (six chapters posted on 12/12, 13/12, 14/12, 15,12, 18/12, 19/12, 21/12) and remained silent since then. What happened? Why December and those dates? Only now I see the significance. Exactly two years after that, a sudden personal loss (death) took place.

What better time is there than now to start catching up with Jesus as He walks towards the cross 2000 years ago? (This year’s Good Friday falls on 29th March.)

καινός 2024-03-07

Wed, Feb 14, 2024 – Thu, Mar 28, 2024

Note: Lent lasts 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, excluding Sundays, is the six-week period leading up to Easter. It starts on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2024) and either ends on Maundy Thursday (March 28, 2024) or Holy Saturday (March 30, 2024), depending on the denomination. Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter is celebrated by Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox traditions. 

2024 how not to grieve over a devastating tearing asunder and loss of a beloved?

 

In the utmost sorrow and chaos inside out, spirit, soul and body, how does one stay sane and live on at least from day to day, eating and sleeping, halting the mind and the heart from a repeated constant reprise? It was impossible. Without God's grace and mercy and the immense working of the Holy Spirit, I could not have lived through the grief. I am still in its process and a work-in-process of a survivor of grief. 

A day before the fateful departure, at my urgent call, a closed relative of mine who loves her too drove seven hours to see us. She stood by the bedside and prayed in tongue until she heard from the Lord and saw vision. After that I walked her to the gate. I didn't want to hear what she had to say from the Lord. Prior to that she already told me her prompting from the Lord the moment I called her. It was the first time she knew of the condition. This was the verse she received for me:

Ecclesiastes 3 Everything Has Its Time

1 To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

2 A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted;

3 A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

4 A time to weep,

And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

However, I needed to hear and know what the Lord had again spoken and revealed for me. She told me at the gate what she received: a first vision of the beloved standing on a line between two groups on each side of the line. On one side was a group of those who have gone to heaven (her mom, brethren whom she had helped etc.) On another side a group of all those who wants her remain on earth to continue to help them. Both sides were crying out. 

The Lord said: "She can choose either way."

a second vision: a beautiful garden full of lovely sunshine and flowers.

a third vision:  of the beloved walking by herself and only her back view was shown. She was already walking real far along a calm and peaceful road. 

The above vision and hearing from the Lord confirmed what this narrator received earlier on one day after asking the Lord what next. "She can live as long as she wants to."

She did not tell anyone her choice. No one can assume anything. Only the Lord sees our hearts and knows. For a believers who follow the Lord and walks with Jesus closely, we have an example in the apostle Paul. 

Romans 14:7-8

7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

2024-01-17

when Jesus replied to Peter's request, “Come”, who responded?

Be surprised. It was not Peter. 

I always thought of how Peter, or rather, the body of Peter responded to Jesus saying one word, “Come!” And the body of Peter merely got down the boat, while its back was facing the voice of Jesus, and stepped onto the surface of the water in the midst of the sound of the wind and the raging water.

Was it Peter who heard the sound of Jesus and responded with his mind to process and reason the meaning and validity, and then decided that the odds outweighed the risk, and then mustered his faith to rise to a point where his fear was outnumbered? No, this explanation could not convince me.

I have previously been taught that it was the mind part of our soul, that blocked the working of the spirit, our born again spirit, which is joined to God’s Spirit and which enabled us to work miracle. That is the belief of many Christians.

Recently I attended a healing conference and listened to ten speakers who have been healed of years of serious, even life threatening diseases, physical and mental. Each of them came with a refreshing perspective of their own personal encounter with the Lord, through His written words, His voice speaking to them through the teachings of others or directly in the promptings of their hearts , visions, and signs and wonders of the Lord’s presence in the Spirit.

One thing that stands out to me is their relationship with the Lord. All of them assured us that it is simple and not complicated to have a Father-children relationship with the Lord, and to receive the healings from Him. I believe and agree to this.

For everyone who believes that God is Who He says He is, in the many names He calls Himself, as written in the Bible and in the testimonies of many life witnesses past and present, yes, we believe God is not complicated. He means what He says. He does not change. He is a living God right now in us.

So, coming back to the historical record of Peter’s body standing on the surface of the water and walking on it, I asked the Lord how could this be applied to my life while meditating on this truth after I listened to the speakers.

Then it dawned on me, just as Peter has urged us to expect this to happen when we really pay attention to what the Word is saying to us. “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;” (2 Peter 1:19)

I realized, in my heart, that God talks to my body. It is my body (which is formed of particles, and even the tiniest quarks without forms) that can listen and respond to God’s words. That makes it easy for Peter and for me too to respond to healing verses when they are read and spoken verbally. The sound of Jesus’ voice, speaking to us through whatever means, makes the crucial switch, from the seen impossible realm to the unseen impossible realm. It manifests in the physical body because our body is the one that can take action. Without a body, the word remains as a spirit.

Our body is programmed to hear God’s words and respond automatically, because He is the Creator of our body. So why are not everyone healed? Just as many Bible teachers have taught, the mind blocks the body from responding to God’s perfect “autoimmune” system. Paul has warned us against the works in the mind that do this damage to the body, and he also gave the one and only effective solution.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Peter was known for his quickness in response. His body responded to the Lord’s words faster than all the other disciples did. In the case of getting off the boat, standing on the water, turning to face the Lord, and walking towards Him, indeed his body acted supernaturally and perfectly in its action. It was effective until Peter’s mind caught up.

Here is a verse quoted regularly about what to do with our mind:

Isaiah 26:3-4 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah the Lord, is everlasting strength.

The Hebrew word “YETSER,” which was translated “mind” here, means “conception” and “imagination”. We can value something so much that we think of it day and night, and engrave an image of it even in our mind. In Joshua’s time there was only the teachings (ordinances/laws)revealed to Moses who duly recorded them in writings. The Lord commanded Joshua to speak them, meditate those words day and night and never depart from them, so that he could observe to apply all, and have good success and be prosperous in everything he did. Remember, that was the beginning of Joshua’s conquest of the promised land leading at least two millions of God’s people to take back their homeland from the aliens.

Joshua 1:8 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua needed supernatural courage and strength. And the Lord has given both in His words.

Peter, too, needed supernatural courage and strength to live his life after Jesus ascended to heaven. What did the walking on water incident prove? It proved to Peter once for all he could do the supernatural without effort. His body can just respond. So will his mind follow if he stayed his mind on the Lord all the time. Back to the boat incident, I believe Peter was thinking of Jesus, whom he trusted and loved and obeyed wholeheartedly, meditating on what Jesus has said and taught them, every word, all the time, even though he could not understand a lot of the deeper things, without the indwelling Holy Spirit then.

That was why, when Jesus showed up on the surface of the water, Peter’s first response was that was the safest place to get to, be with Jesus! His body agreed. At the word of Jesus, the body automatically responded to the voice of Jesus, “Come!” And the rest is history.

We all have a watershed point of no return. It takes a lifetime to condition our heart and our body to be in tune to the Lord’s voice. Is it hard? Listening to the ten speakers who brought good news about healing of our body is one way to tune up our body to Gods words and His immune system. I have to remind myself that like Paul has said and encouraged us not to give up or be distracted, interestingly, in his letter to the Philippians while in prison, and all three verses were arranged by later Bible compilers in the13th position in each chapter:

2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended (laid hold of it); but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians

How does God work in us to ensure we will and can do for His pleasure? He put Hi life in us. He speaks to us. Our body can hear and obey Him. He speaks through His words most time. Christ gives us His strength (His Spirit, His name, His words).

Our mind can be harnessed. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

This is the Word today from Paul in the prison cell, to the many out there, who are looking at the circumstances and analyzing with their mind.

2 Timothy 1:6-8 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (There is a Power to be used effectively, God’s way, that is, through the life of God in you. )

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, (do not be guilt-ridden or blame-focused, it will not get you better. What we all need is to read the letters of the Apostles, Paul’s, Peter’s, John’s, and emulate their way of handling setbacks with positive expectation for the good, staying our mind/heart on the Lord God who is good and worthy and faithful to His words. )

καί notes 2022-11-16

10th week 7th day: were you there?

In less than two weeks’ time will be the time of the calendar year when Jesus would be hung on the cross (historically). Today’s New Testament reading is ahead of 2016’s Calendar for the commemorative crucifixion date. In our Calendar, next Sunday will be Palm Sunday celebrated by many Christian churches. Many Christian churches hold special services on Palm Sunday where congregation members receive blessed palm leaves, which symbolize victory and joy. After Palm Sunday, when it comes to the subsequent week of watching, suffering, and victorious celebration of our Lord Jesus’ passion, Christians have three more holy days: Maunday Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Today’s reading from Mark chapter 15 is the chapter before the last chapter of Mark. I post the whole chapter here. I pray each of us who reads this receives form our Lord His own message for each of us as a believer and follower of Jesus. My own prompting in my spirit is “Watch the number of people participated and recorded in this chapter. See how each responded.” Yes, there are plenty of people from all walks of lives who have heard about Jesus and even witnessed what He has done, the preaching of the Good News of the Kingdom of God, the miraculous healing, the signs and wonders. I highlighted these people by bolding the letters in the verses. His religious enemies, the political and military head, military officer and soldiers, ordinary people (the crowd, the mob, the passerby), His disciples and followers. Women (specially mentioned and recorded here).

(I enclose at the end of this post the lyrics of a hymn “Were you there” which deeply touched y heart many years ago when I first heard it sung. )

Mark 15 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

15 Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council[a]—met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

2 Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

3 Then the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, 4 and Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?” 5 But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.

6 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner—anyone the people requested. 7 One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, a revolutionary who had committed murder in an uprising. 8 The crowdwent to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner as usual.

9 “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 10 (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 11 But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 12 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”

13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment.17 They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. 20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene,[b] was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) 22 And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”).23 They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice[c] to decide who would get each piece. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 Two revolutionaries[d] were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.[e]

29 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. 30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.

The Death of Jesus

33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[f]

35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”

37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

39 When the Roman officer[g] who stood facing him[h] saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph[i]), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.

The Burial of Jesus

42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation,[j] the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. 45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.

Footnotes:

1. 15:1 Greek the Sanhedrin; also in 15:43.
2. 15:21 Cyrene was a city in northern Africa.
3. 15:24 Greek cast lots. See Ps 22:18.
4. 15:27a Or Two criminals.
5. 15:27b Some manuscripts add verse 28, And the Scripture was fulfilled that said, “He was counted among those who were rebels.” See Isa 53:12; also compareLuke 22:37.
6. 15:34 Ps 22:1.
7. 15:39a Greek the centurion; similarly in 15:44, 45.
8. 15:39b Some manuscripts add heard his cry and.
9. 15:40 Greek Joses; also in 15:47. See Matt 27:56.
10. 15:42 Greek It was the day of preparation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?

Today’s Holy Bible reading: Psalms 37:30-40; numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Proverbs 11:5-6

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