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

a skeptical and condescending half brother of our Lord as a defense witness? a most misunderstood man

Prologue

I found it difficult to put up a case for him. So I put on hold for quite sometime and prayed about it. The answer finally came. “Heureka! Heureka!” (I have found it!) I will write about his relationship with Jesus, his half brother.

Prologue: James, the half brother of Jesus

Jesus grew up in a sizable family that included four half brothers—James, Joses, Simon and Judas (who would later write the epistle of Jude)—and sisters, at least two (Matthew 13:55-56). James did not seem involved in Jesus’ ministry and yet became a prominent figure in the early New Testament church. He is most likely the author of the Epistle of James. He appeared a somewhat indifferent and even a skeptical, condescending sibling to Jesus. So why was he chosen as another leading witness for the risen Christ Jesus? Here is his own account (as read and constructed mainly from the Scriptures, some historical references, and my own understanding).

James’ narrative account of his relationship with Jesus

One of the men, a brethren, from the Jewish counsel came last night, and told me urgently that the Jewish religious leaders have decided my death sentence secretly, and they are coming to take me for stoning soon. Strange to say, I am at ease and have peace and joy in my heart. As my last farewell, I would like to talk about my relationship on earth with Jesus.

I am James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of you already know that I am also the younger half-brother of Jesus (Yeshua). I was born after my parents returned from Egypt with Jesus, who was five years my senior. As you probably know, there is little record of me in the four gospels of Jesus Christ. And all the records therein about me (as a family members) did not show a close relationship between us (his half-siblings) and Him. As you also probably know by now, having read my letter to the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion, I am a man of few words, and am careful with my tongue.

The age gap between Jesus and the rest of us was not a barrier in our sibling relationship. But it means that Jesus had to undertake more responsibilities for the family. Our parent(s) were very pious and made sure that at five years old one was fit for the Scripture, at ten years the Mishnah (oral Torah, interpretations) at thirteen for the fulfilling of the commandments, and at fifteen the Talmud (making Rabbinic interpretations).

Jesus was full of the Spirit of God: full of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, might, and the reverential fear of the Lord. We always know He is special and unique. And He was gifted and anointed in teaching. As required of all Jewish boys, He learned a trade in addition to teaching the Scripture. My father Joseph has taught Him all about our family trade: stone masonry and building construction. At thirteen, He started working with my father and traveled daily to work on large building projects in the capital city of Sepphoris, about an hour’s walk from Nazareth. At twenty he decided to continue the vocation with my father, who became frail and frequently ill. My father died when Jesus was twenty-five and he handed over the legacy to Jesus.

However, when Jesus reached the official maturity age of thirty for authority (able to teach others) He handed over the family business to me and became a full time teacher. Although my desire was to be a teacher supervisor of a synagogue, I had to continue the family trade. Strictly speaking, according to my mother Mary, I am the first born of Joseph and have the right to Joseph’s legacy.

My mother told us much later about the prophecies from two godly prophets at the temple when my parents took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. A just and devout man named Simeon confirmed that Jesus would bring salvation to all peoples. And a prophetess, Anna, also confirmed that Jesus would bring redemption. My mother too, was a woman with few words, and she kept all the things about Jesus in her heart. She taught us to respect Jesus as the eldest and much older sibling in the family. And we observed that He was very different from us from young.

When Jesus taught, He showed the kind of authority that no one did. He was anointed. He even taught the religious teachers themselves (the pharisees, scribes, and teachers). I saw the miracles and divine healings He performed. I was at the Cana wedding where He turned 180 gallons of water into the choicest wine. Any sibling of such a powerful person would have expected Him to get rich quick and bring the family to a life wherein we each could choose to pursue our own desires. But, alas, He stayed aloof and away from the family.

What we could not understand and accept was that He chose to travel most of the time, followed by an ever increasing multitude of all sorts of people. He did not appear to bother about His own care, like having proper meals and rest. We were doing well in our family business and had our own house and the women could cook and clean for him. He could have led a comfortable respectable teacher’s life at home. But He seemed to forget that He even had a family. My mother was especially upset at one time when He rejected our looking for Him and offer to take Him home for food and rest. He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” We just could not understand Him.

Mary, my mother however, did not give up. She joined a few women and followed Him whenever He was nearer home. Later, she joined the group of women, and followed Him to Jerusalem and saw Him to the end. She got to know Mary Magdalene, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herold’s steward, Susanna, Mary the mother of James, and many others who provided for Jesus from their substance. Jesus indeed had many mothers and sisters and brothers. They took good care of Him. Our worldly concern for Him was proven unnecessary.

I did not follow Jesus physically. I tried to occupy myself with the family business while trying to live a normal life with normal expectation. By then I knew Jesus had not ambition to be a ruler of the Jews. I have kept updated of His teachings as many have heard and circulated them by word of mouth. I heard of all the good deeds and compassions he had shown to the multitudes. I had done a lot of thinking. Either He had lost His mind or He was just bluffing. But I knew Him from young, and I knew He was neither. Whilst I could not accept His claim that He was the Son of God, because that was against what I had learned from the Jewish religion, I could not deny that He was an honest, upright, just, moral, and righteous man of utmost integrity. His life was His proof. His teaching and His work were those above any human.

I skipped going to Jerusalem on that fateful holy week. I did not believe or expect that it would come to much despite the rumors going around about the people wanted to make Him king. Yet, the most important history for mankind was written that week by my half-brother, Jesus. He was arrested and sentenced to be crucified. And he resurrected on the third day and appeared to many people, all in all, the eleven remaining apostles, 500 disciples, those who knew Him personally and could witness for Him.

I was told later that while looking down from the cross, Jesus entrusted my mother to His apostle John, a faithful young brethren, who followed Him all the way to the crucifixion, and witnessed the empty tomb later, after the resurrection of Jesus on the third day. Why not me? Because I was not there? I was ashamed. I not only missed witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus and the earth shaking resurrection, I also missed HIs last words on the cross. Later I knew deep within Jesus did not do anything without His Father’s instruction. I accepted the Lord’s decision. I must say that John had treated her as his own mother, also named Mary. The two women became like blood sisters keeping each other company for many long years.

Jesus looked for me and called me out. Yes. After I knew of His death and burial, I sat alone in darkness, mourning for a brother I deeply missed. I no longer cared for worldly riches, status and political power. I was not disillusioned because He chose a sacrificial path instead. Why did I ever doubt Him? On one hand I wanted to believe and trust Him. On the other hand I doubted. I was like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. I kept listening to His enemies, those proud, religious hypocrites with whom I have associated myself. I have sent people to warn Him about their scheme. But He did not listen.

Jesus came to me when I was in despair. The resurrected Jesus, my Lord the Christ. He revealed to me, not as a ghost, but someone with flesh and bones I could touch and He showed me His hands and feet as well. He opened my understanding, that I could comprehend the Scriptures, and realized that all things that were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning the Messiah had been fulfilled in Him. He asked me to bring the whole family to join my mother and all the other apostles and disciples to wait in Mark’s mother’s big house in Jerusalem for the out pouring of the Holy Spirit.

And I did. We all did. We obeyed and waited. The rest is history. Jesus, the Son of God, proved exactly the Scriptures about Him are all true, and He is the long waited Messiah of Israel, the Christ for all mankind.

Here ends my farewell, James, a born again man of faith, humility, and prayer.

Kainotes, 2021-04-27

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Notes: Not long after writing his epistle, James was martyred in Jerusalem in A.D. 62. According to the first-century Jewish historian Josephus, James was accused by the high priest and condemned to death by stoning (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 20, chap. 9, sec. 1). Eusebius, a fourth-century church historian, adds details of James’ death. He states that the scribes and Pharisees took James to a public place, the top of a wing of the temple, and “demanded that he should renounce the faith of Christ before all the people . . .” But, rather than deny Jesus, James “declared himself fully before the whole multitude, and confessed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, our Savior and Lord” (Ecclesiastical History, 1995, pp. 75-76).

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Five hundreds credible eye-witnesses, all hand-picked by the Lord Himself

While being prompted to write this episode on the five hundreds eye-witnesses, I asked the Lord who they are. Then I realized that they had to be honest, reliable, accurate, living persons who knew Jesus personally, and because of their own personal miraculous experience with the supernatural Son of God, they became credible as witnesses for the risen Christ because many people already knew of them and their previous significant encounters with Christ and the resultant transformation in their lives! They were still alive when Paul and/or Luke interviewed them and recorded down their testimonies as eyewitnesses. They were alive in the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection and subsequent ascension. Why do I posit that the risen Jesus Christ had shown Himself to them? Because He would want to reassure them and further built them up to be His eye-witnesses. Since they had already faithfully given their healed testimonies to many about Him before, they could be entrusted with this greater work, testifying for the risen Jesus!

In 1 Corinthians 15: 3-7 Paul had this to say:

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

1 Corinthians 15: 3-7

After being prompted of the criteria, I am led today to read through the four gospels and the book of Acts to identify them and compile the following list: (Including those who were named and in addition to the five hundreds)

Mary Magdalene, the other Mary (mother of James and John), Mary the mother of Jesus, Salome, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herold’s business manager, and many other women from Galilee who followed Jesus to the cross and later visited the tomb, the two disciples who walked back to Emmaus (Cleopas and a companion), Peter (Cephas), the twelve apostles* (minus Judas Iscariot who hanged himself), and the others who have gathered with the eleven in Jerusalem while hiding from the authority right after Jesus’ arrest (and death), and James the half-brother of Jesus. (The twelve apostles included a new addition, Matthias.) Jesus lastly appeared to apostle Paul.

The five hundreds (Some of them)

At Capernaum, Galilee: a man in the synagogue, formerly possessed by a demon and was delivered and set free by Jesus right in front of a crowd in the synagogue. The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region. Many would have heard of this healed man’s testimony and got to know him.

Simon Peter’s mother in law. Jesus healed her of fever and she immediately got up and prepared a meal for Jesus and others in Simon’s house. People throughout the village came to her house after that to be healed by Jesus. Those who did not know her before got to know her and her testimony.

A man with an advanced case of leprosy in one of the villages. he was healed instantly by Jesus. Despite Jesus’ instructions this man not only went to the priest and certified his being totally healed and cleansed, this man spread the report of Jesus’ power everywhere, and caused vast crowds to go to Jesus to hear Him preach and be healed of their diseases.

The paralyzed man on a sleeping mat who was carried by four friends with faith who lowered him from the roof through a hole after removing the tiles, and Jesus saw their faith and healed the man instantly. The house was packed with religious leaders and teachers as well as a crowd. The healed man jumped up, picked up his mat, went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, praising God, exclaiming, “we have seen amazing things today!”

A man with a deformed right hand in the synagogue was healed and fully restored by Jesus on a Sabbath day, while Jesus was teaching. The enemies of Jesus went wild with rage and began to scheme how to get rid of Jesus. After that, large crowds from all over Judea, Jerusalem, even the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon came to hear Jesus and be healed, because healing power went out from Him and He healed everyone.

Capernaum: A Roman officer who loved the Jewish people and built a synagogue for them, sent respected Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his valued servant, who was sick and near death. The officer was later commended by Jesus for his great faith and belief that Jesus could heal by saying the word from where He was, instead of going to the man’s house physically. Jesus did exactly that.

At the village of Nain: Jesus raised a dead young man, the only son of a widow, at a funeral procession. The dead boy sat up from his coffin and began to talk. Jesus gave him back to his mother. Great fear swept the crowd, and the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside.

The immoral woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with an beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume at the pharisee Simon’s house, wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair and tears. Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases and became His followers. Many women who followed Jesus and contributed from their own resources to support Jesus and His disciples.

Family of Jesus (younger half-brothers and sisters) who, in addition to James, became converted after the death of Jesus and joined Mary, their mother to Jerusalem, among whom Jude (his youngest half-brother) who later wrote the epistle of Jude.

A demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee, who was homeless, naked, and living in a cemetary outside the town when Jesus went over to deliver and set him free from a legion of demons. Jesus commanded the demons to come out from the man and they entered a large herd of pigs who plunged into the lake and drowned. A great wave of fear swept over all the people in that region. The healed man with sanity completely restored, went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

A sunagogue ruler, Jairus, his wife, and their only daughter, raised from the dead (at twelve years old) by Jesus. The parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened. Obviously they could not help but witness. The house-full of people who were earlier weeping and wailing would have been stunned too.

The father and the boy who had an evil spirit that kept tormenting him, making him scream, and threw him into convulsions. The disciples failed to cast out the evil spirit. The father came to Jesus for help. Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Awe gripped the large crowd of people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.

The little child who was brought to Jesus’ side, and He told the disciples, “anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf, welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes My Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

The Bethany family with a big house: Martha (who was a caring and capable hostess showing regular hospitality to Jesus and His disciples), her sister Mary (who liked to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teaching, and anointed Jesus’ feet with a twelve ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, prophetically in preparation for His burial), and their brother Lazarus, who was raised from the dead (after buried for four days) by Jesus.

A woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit and had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. Jesus saw her while teaching in a synagogue on a Sabbath day, called her over and healed her. The leader of the synagogue and those who opposed Jesus were indignant and shamed, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things Jesus did, such as setting this woman free from Satan’s bondage.

A man whose legs and arms were swollen in the religious leaders’ house. Jesus was invited to dinner there and saw the poor man. He immediately healed the man after questioning the religious leaders and people who were watching Him closely, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” They could not answer.

The one leper (out of ten lepers who were healed by Jesus) who came back to thank Jesus, falling to the ground at Jesus’ feet, shouting, “Praise God!” This leper was a Samaritan.

Some parents who brought their children to Jesus to be blessed. And He told the disciples not to stop them, and the truth that anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

The very rich young ruler who came to Jesus to ask what he should do to inherit eternal life. When he heard that he had to let go of everything he treasured and follow Jesus he became very sad. Jesus used his example to illustrate how the things of the world could become an obstacle for discipleship.

A blind beggar who sat outside Jericho. He shouted loudly for Jesus to give him sight. Jesus responded and instantly the man could see., and he followed Jesus from then onward. And all who saw it praised God, too.

Zacchaeus, the very rich tax collector, who climbed up a tree to see Jesus. Jesus called him by name, went to his house and be his guest. That same day, Zacchaeus became a changed man, donating half his wealth to the poor, giving back to those he had cheated on taxes four times as much. He became another true and faithful disciple of Jesus.

The Roman officer overseeing Jesus’ execution who saw what had happened at the crucifixion—the signs (darkness fell at noon time until three o’clock, temple sanctuary curtain torn down the middle), was converted and worshipped God, and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”

The two Jewish Sanhedrin counselors, also secret followers of Jesus: Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night to find out how to enter the Kingdom of God, and Joseph from Arimathea in Judea, who went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body for burial in his own new tomb.

The Samaritan woman at the well: She became an instant evangelist for Jesus after encountering Jesus at the well. Jesus told her about worshipping God in Spirit and in truth, as God is Spirit, and that He is the Messiah. She believed and witnessed to many Samaritans who became believers too.

In Jerusalem, A lame man at the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. The man was lying there together with crowds of sick people, and he had been sick for thirty-eight years. Jesus saw him, asked him whether he wanted to get well, and healed him instantly. The man stood up at Jesus’ command, rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking. This miracle happened on the Sabbath, in the sight of many, creating objections and investigations from the Jewish leaders. When questioned, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, who is above the Sabbath, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”

A woman was brought to Jesus for jurisdiction while He was teaching: Her accuser charged that she was caught in the act of adultery and they put her in front of the crowd at the Temple court. They charged that the law of Moses says to stone her and wanted to know what He said. He replied, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” They all left her alone. Jesus acquitted her and said, “Go and sin no more.”

A man born blind was healed by Jesus. He believed that Jesus was from God and argued His case before the Jewish leaders. They threw him out of the synagogue after that. Jesus appeared to him later and told him that He was the Son of Man. The man said he believed, and worshipped Jesus.

A woman who suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched the fringe of His robe, thinking that she would be healed if she touched his robe. Power came out from him and she was instantly healed. Jesus commended her for her faith.

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End notes: There are many more. I managed to list just a few whom I believe will stir us to think and ask ourselves: What had the Lord done for me? How may I witness for Him at this crucial time, which is like Noah’s time…

Kainotes, 2021-04-28

The Vital Signs of being Alive

Many tragedies occurred lately this 2019 Easter and Passover. I now recall reading this, “The big tragedy in the church today is that for the most part Christians major on and build their lives upon truths that are non-foundational or non-essentials.” The Bible teacher continued to state that “from the beginning it’s always been God’s intention that we be stable and well-balanced beings. It is not God’s will that we live unstable and unbalanced lives. This is not the quality of life that Jesus died to give us.” He said.

How may Christians live a balanced and stable quality life? Jesus came to give us truths (words) as our foundation to build our lives upon and not be shaken and fall. What are those word foundations? The teacher taught, “Righteousness by faith (Faith-Righteousness) is the cornerstone (or capstone) of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Why did God call Abraham righteous? Because he believed God. Likewise, we believe in Jesus whom God gave us through sacrificing His life for us and made us righteous before God by grace through faith. The teacher described the foundation truths as the vital signs of a person.

Daily we return to bed knowing how miraculous it has been that a day has passed and we are still alive. This is how many acknowledge these days.

What does Jesus say about living a good life with the right focus on earth? Let us read some of His words lest we forget.

Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)

Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Luke 7:22)

“If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (Luke 11:36)

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15)

[ Teaching about Money and Possessions ] Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Luke 12:22-23,25)

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,” (Luke 21:34)

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. (John 1:4)

For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! ” The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 5:21,39; 6:63)

[ Jesus, the Light of the World ] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, ” (John 10:10,11,15,17-18,28)

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (John 11:25)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:6,20)