Lessons from Easter

Below I have listed, briefly, truths that I have learned or come to understand from the Gospel of John, from the garden of Gethsemane to the Crucifixion. I encourage you to read through an account from one or more of the Gospels as well, praying that God would help you to see him as you should.

1. Caiaphas was married. Annas was his father-in-law. Up until now, I had superimposed Roman Catholicism over Jewish customs in that regard. Interesting, right?

2. It was the leading priests and Temple guards who led the charge to say, "Crucify him!" It was not the masses. Sad how those closest to God's word spoke the most evil about him, behind his back and to his face.

3. Pilate believes that Jesus is the King of the Jews. He first asks Jesus if he is a king, to which Jesus responds, in effect, "Are you asking, or just repeating what you have heard? The second time Pilate asks, Jesus says, "You say that I am a king." A declarative statement. Pilate goes on to try and convince the chief priests and the crowd that Jesus is king, but they do not accept him. Pilate inscribes "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" on a sign to place on Jesus' cross, despite the priests' objections.

4. Jesus said, "I thirst," in order to fulfill what the Scriptures say concerning him. That was a conscious move. Am _I_ actively fulfilling the Scriptures concerning _me_?? What's more, do I even know what the Scriptures have to say about me? Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

I thank the Lord for enlightenment concerning his word. May these days bring you into an especially poignant remembrance and appreciation for the death, burial and Resurrection of God.

Live in Love.

posted from Bloggeroid

Bring in the New Year

(Had trouble posting yesterday)

Matthew 17:24-27 ESV

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?" And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."

Ephesians 2:11-13 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands (;) remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

1 John 3:1a ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

The family gets all the perks.

Have you realized that, in confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and believing God has raised him from the dead, you become royalty? What better lineage than the Almighty's? What better inheritance than every spiritual blessing, access to the Lord's divine nature, and to share in the glory of the name above all names?? Did you see the word 'commonwealth' in Ephesians chapter 2?

Join the commonweatlh; be adopted and transformed. What a worthwhile resolution for, you know, as soon as possible. And forever.

Commonwealth under the King of Kings = very yes.

posted from Bloggeroid

You Bow

Imagine that you find yourself in the presence of a king one day. NOW what's the procedure?

I read (at sandradood.com/ideas/etiquette1.html) that if the king were in certain room, and you enter that room, then you have entered the king's presence. Specifically, the royal family members (king, queen, prince, and princess) are each in a circle with a 20-foot diameter! This diameter is referred to as a presence. Whenever entering the presence, one must "render courtesy," by either a bow or curtsy, to show acknowledgement of that person's position of power. Rendering courtesy is also a way to signal that you wish to speak with the king. When you have finished speaking with the king you thank the king for his time, back away a few steps, and then leave the king's presence. Did you know that even the throne has a presence in front of it?!

There are other formalities and regulations that go along with associating oneself with royalty, but I want us to rest here for a spell. Extrapolating Sandra's thoughts a bit, and ushering ourselves into thinking spiritually, are we who adhere to the lordship and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ, are we not in the presence of a king every day of our lives?

We are presented into God's presence according to the first chapter of Colossians, verse 21. We have access to the throne, says Hebrews, chapter four, verses 15 and 16. If then this is the case for us, how now should we live? There is a difference between entering a room and entering a room where the king is. One feels at ease to go about one's normal routine as one chooses, when the room has no royal presence. The room of the king, however, becomes the king's presence. Something has to change. There will not likely be rowdiness, idle chatter, or even haste to attend to one's own needs, before checking for the king's approval. All affairs that needed to be carried out would be done with particular attention so as not to disturb or interrupt the king. Everyone present would be every ready to respond in the case of the king calling upon them. The requests and suggestions of the king would be attended to and received with the utmost honor, haste, and care. All things would be run smoothly, so long as they are run under the authority of the king.

What about you? How do you live the life you live in the body? Are you aware that you have been brought into the king's presence? Have you acknowledged the power of God? Are you in a position to hear and obey the word of your king? Are you orienting your very life according to the king's desires and plans? How do you render courtesy, and how often? Is the king aware that you wait upon him? Do you really know His Majesty?

If entering the king's presence or requesting his leave requires a bow or curtsy, what is the appropriate attitude for remaining there?

You are ever in a presence not your own, but into which you have been taken up, that you might be one with him who called you to himself.
Hebrews 12:29 - For God is a consuming fire.

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