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Tag: Gospel

The Gospel is Good News to all who will humbly accept Jesus and listen to His teaching.

We refer to the four books of the Bible which tell the story of Jesus Christ as the Gospels. These books are named for their authors: Matthew, a Jewish Apostle; Mark, a disciple of the first generation who recorded accounts of Peter and the Twelve; Luke, a gentile Physician and disciple of the first century; and John, one of the Twelve Jewish Apostles chosen by Jesus.

  • Death’s Melancholy: Resurrection’s Rapture

    Death’s Melancholy: Resurrection’s Rapture

    “Then beginning with the scriptures of Moses and from all the prophets he uncovered the things concerning himself.” – the good news of Luke 24:27

    Scripture taught along a road from Jerusalem

    One of the the most remarkable verses in scripture comes to us from witnesses on a road to Emmaus from Jerusalem. Though less notable than much scripture, two followers of the crucified Christ learn scripture from him. We quickly learn the personal witness of Cleopas and one other follower who encounter the risen Lord in person! Jesus, as we might expect, picks up in teaching scripture just as the Lord had done for three years.

    Describing the Scene

    Matthew Henry [1662-1714], scriptural commentator from Wales U.K., describes the scene with much compassion for those who had just endured the traumatic events in Jerusalem.

    Our Lord Jesus went gloriously down to death, in spite of the malice of his enemies, who did all they could to make his death ignominious; but he rose again more gloriously, of which we have an account in this chapter; and the proofs and evidences of Christ’s resurrection are more fully related by this evangelist than they were by Matthew and Mark.

    One of these two disciples was Cleopas or Alpheus, said by the ancients to be the brother of Joseph, Christ’s supposed father; who the other was is not certain..

    They went to a village called Emmaus, which is reckoned to be about two hours’ walk from Jerusalem; it is here said to be about sixty furlongs, seven measured miles..

    Henry describes these two former followers of Jesus of Nazareth:

    They were sad; it appeared to a stranger that they were so. They had lost their dear Master, and were, in their own apprehensions, quite disappointed in their expectations from him. They had given up the cause, and knew not what course to take to retrieve it.

    Isn’t this how death of one we love and admire generally comes upon us?  Listen more to Henry’s account:

    Note, Christ’s disciples are often sad and sorrowful even when they have reason to rejoice, but through the weakness of their faith they cannot take the comfort that is offered to them. Being sad, they had communications one with another concerning Christ…

    Weep with them who weep

    Henry continues: Giving vent to the grief may perhaps give ease to the grieved; and by talking it over we may talk ourselves or our friends may talk us into a better frame.

    “Joint mourners should be mutual comforters; comforts sometimes come best from such.”
    Matthew Henry on the mourning of the Disciples after Jesus’ death.

    Though Christ had now entered into his state of exaltation, yet he continued tender of his disciples, and concerned for their comfort. He speaks as one troubled to see their melancholy.. Note, Our Lord Jesus takes notice of the sorrow and sadness of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions.

    Christ has hereby taught us, [1.] To be conversable. Christ here fell into discourse with two grave serious persons, though he was a stranger to them and they knew him not, and they readily embraced him. It does not become Christians to be morose and shy, but to take pleasure in good society.

    [2.] We are hereby taught to be compassionate. When we see our friends in sorrow and sadness, we should, like Christ here, take cognizance of their grief, and give them the best counsel and comfort we can: Weep with them that weep.

    Luke 24:13-35 excerpts

    [You may want to take time here to read Luke 24 or additional verses.]

    15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.

    Conversation along a road to Emmaus

    NOTE: The conversational style of their witness presumes who speaks, yet who says anything other than Jesus does not really matter.

    Cleopas: “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

    The unrecognized man now walking with them:  “What things?”

    Cleopas (most likely): “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.

    The other disciple: Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

    Cleopas (perhaps): Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.

    The unrecognized, risen, Son of Man: “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

    Reaction to the Risen Christ!

    Can you image their reaction and sudden recognition of their witness of the Risen Christ?

    From this point forward, their journey would be transformed. Sorrow lifts toward rapturous joy! Jesus once more walks with those He loves. The Lord begins teaching more scriptures from the books of Moses. He unwraps so many verses from the scriptures written about Him by the Prophets.

    Jesus’ words from Isaiah and other Prophets we have just read must have pierced the hearts of these two disciples. For He spoke of His life as predicted by scripture and explained why the Lord’s crucifixion for our sins had to take place.

    What a glorious walk to Emmaus after having left Jerusalem dejected and directionless.

    Conclusion to conversation at journey’s end

    28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther..

    Cleopas:  “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.”

    ,, So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread,,

    Jesus (familiar words of blessing, to this effect):

    ‘This is my body which is given for you…

    He broke it and gave it to both disciples…

    31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

    And he vanished from their sight!

    The other disciple (in mutual amazement) to Cleopas:  “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

    33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.

    Yes, even though it was toward evening, these two disciples who had just encountered Jesus immediately returned. They had just completed a seven mile walk, yet would return under the cover of darkness for about a three hour journey and ascent back into the Roman-guarded city of Jerusalem.

    35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

    Melancholy or Joy?

    What describes your mortal life? Does the inevitability of death (and yes, judgment) cause you grief?

    Christians speak of a rapture, really an overflowing indescribable joy in one sense.

    The Gospel of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus is filled with joy.
    “for those who believe.
    Yet you must believe in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit.”

    Scripture also prophesies a rapture of these last days as certainly as death destroys the flesh. Judgment of all, in Christ or against Christ (the only two choices). Resurrection lifts up the soul and the Lord creates a new and indestructible sinless body! Only by the purification of the Blood of Christ Jesus… only through Christ.

    The Bible speaks of a new Jerusalem, a new heaven and a new earth! An eternal place in the Presence of the LORD where:

    “..there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. – The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John: 21:4 KJV

    Who do you choose?

    Do you stand alone, justifying your sins by your own good works? After having done so little for the Lord, as we all may rightfully be convicted, are you facing death’s melancholy?

    Or in Christ Jesus, the incarnate son of man, born to a virgin, died for our sins as Perfect Sacrifice on a cross – in Christ the LORD, One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit, will you embrace the resurrection’s rapture? It is the Good News, the great joy, the glad tidings of Easter for those who bow down to the LORD.

    “He IS the Lord of love. Jesus IS. Worship the Lord our God, who loves you so much as to endure the Cross.” tweet=”Amen. Happy Easter. Joy and eternal life is ours in Christ Jesus.

  • Beyond Nazareth

    Beyond Nazareth

    Taking the long view – Beyond Nineveh and Nazareth

    Our long journey began in Beyond Nineveh with a look at Jonah, a reluctant Prophet who preached repentance to the largest city on earth. {Read about the beginning of our journey in the link above.} From Jonah’s home in the Galilean hills, Jerusalem would have seemed like a modern day New York City [Population 8.4 Million] compared to nearby towns of Nazareth and Capernaum.

    Just like Jerusalem compared to Nineveh, New York City pales by comparison to a distant city like Karachi Pakistan [Population 27.5 Million souls]. A familiar New York City is smaller even than two cities in China, Shanghai [24.3 Million] and Beijing [21.5 Million].

    Jonah of Gath-hepher, a town of Lower Galilee, about 5 miles from Nazareth

    The Lord sends Jonah to seek repentance from a distant unfamiliar city. Instead, Jonah sailed toward modern-day Spain rather than journey east toward modern-day Mosul Iraq. In fact, these foreigners repented!

    Isaiah Preaches Repentance and More

    Prior to the fall of Jerusalem many prophets foretold destruction by several conquering empires. One additional perspective of these turbulent times comes from the prophesies of Isaiah.  Yet a distant look Beyond Nazareth reveals hope of a Redeemer and Messiah. How distant? More than seven centuries.

    Isaiah 52:7

    How beautiful upon the mountains
    are the feet of him who brings good news,
    who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
    who publishes salvation,
    who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

    A Long Time from Nineveh to Nazareth

    We see jews made refugees not long after Jonah won non-believers in Nineveh to the Lord. Jerusalem captured, spared then rebuilt; conquered again and again (just as before). In first century Galilee powerful Rome to the west subdues all the Mediterranean. Israel (long defeated) doubts a prophet of note could reside in Nazareth [see John 1:46]. But a Prophet, yes more than a Prophet, would be called by others: Jesus of Nazareth. All would ask, is he the Messiah?

    Isaiah Prophesies a Far-distant Hope

    Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
    he shall be high and lifted up,
    and shall be exalted.

    As many were astonished at you—
    his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
    and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—

    so shall he sprinkle many nations;
    kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
    for that which has not been told them they see,
    and that which they have not heard they understand.

    Isaiah 52:13-15

    A son of man, suffering servant of the LORD; Jesus of Nazareth became best remembered for His Holy and Perfect Sacrifice of love on the cross. The distant time was eight hundred years before Christ and Isaiah spoke accurately of the pivotal event in the history of mankind.

    Isaiah 53: Description of the Messiah

    Now, twenty-one centuries after Jesus of Nazareth, scripture speaks to us – to the believer and to the sceptic in distant lands:

    Who has believed what he has heard from us?
    And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

    Prior to the fall of Jerusalem, before the rebuilding centuries later, centuries before Jesus of Nazareth the Prophet Isaiah describes our loving Lord.

    For he grew up before him like a young plant,
    and like a root out of dry ground;
    he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
    and no beauty that we should desire him.

     

    He was despised and rejected by men,
    a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
    and as one from whom men hide their faces
    he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

    Does the world esteem God? Is the Lord not saddened by our grievous sin?

    Surely he has borne our griefs
    and carried our sorrows;
    yet we esteemed him stricken,
    smitten by God, and afflicted.

    But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
    upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.

    To be continued…

  • Who are my brothers?

    Who are my brothers?

    Family! Gotta love ’em

    I have two brothers and a sister, not to mention other challenging family members who generally disagree with my considered path which seldom offers the least resistance. Lately we’ve had some ‘family disagreements.’ Has that ever happened with you?

    We’re all hard to convince on important points of life, so in general most of us just go about our own way until someone comes to us mentioning that your brother or your mother (or father or cousin) wants to see you.

    What could be so important? Interruptions by brothers or family happen to all.

    Perhaps you recall an incident like this mentioned in a couple of the Gospels about Jesus. When I first read of it, I thought that Jesus seemed rude to ignore His family members. Now, after many such interruptions of my own agenda by family members I’m not certain that ‘rude’ is the best description, though I’ll bet my family frequently thinks I’m rude.

    Matthew 12:46-48 ESV

    While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him,

    “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

    Jesus had been teaching and had had a rough day. (More about that later.)

    Doesn’t it always seem like your brother or a family member shows up with an issue when you are busiest?

    Mark 3:31-34 BSB

    Continuing just a bit further in the same story as recorded by Mark:

    Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. They sent someone in to summon Him, and a crowd was sitting around Him. “Look,” He was told, “Your mother and brothers are outside, asking for You.”

    But Jesus replied, “Who are My mother and My brothers?”

    Looking at those seated in a circle around Him, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!

    Jesus’ Brothers Before & After the Resurrection

    We’ll visit the prior scenes and conclusion later, but moving ahead in our story here, authorities doubting the true identity of the Messiah ask:

    Is not this the carpenter’s son?

    Is not his mother called Mary?

    And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? – Matthew 13:55

    They mention Jesus’ sisters, question His wise teaching and mighty miracles and they even took offense to him.

    Once again Jesus makes a seemingly disrespectful comment about his community and family.

    “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” – Matthew 13:57b

    The world around Him is trying to disrespect the Lord, associating Him first to His brothers and sisters and mother. Have you ever experience that?

    Later John would reveal something of Jesus’ brothers and others who had witnessed the Lord’s teachings and healings. Even Jesus’ own brothers (half-brothers, really) challenged Jesus:

    “… If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” – John 7:4b

    Then John observes,

    For not even his brothers believed in him. John 7:5

    After Jesus’s resurrection and fifty days of witness on earth, observe Jesus’ brothers at Pentecost. The brothers (and sisters) of Jesus had proof. They then lived lives of witness along with the Apostles, but at first they had no faith.

    Acts 1:14

    All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers [adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings].

    True Brothers

    Brothers in a larger sense are ones connected to you closely, ones united by family and life and circumstance.

    [ctt title=”Even a prodigal brother may roam from the security and promise of those who were once inseparable.” tweet=”Are you a true brother to the Lord by your obedience to His will?” coverup=”zfRWy”]

    Some won’t change even if the Lord appears

    Some believed Jesus and they followed. He called these disciples brothers, even the many faithful who followed our Lord in addition to the Twelve. Yet looking back at Jesus’ day leading up to His half-brothers and mother beckoning the Lord from His teaching, we see the importance of His work.

    Let’s trace back the Lord’s teaching of the day He was interrupted by family.

    Matthew 12:

    46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.

    • 43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none… and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
    • 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
    • 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
    • 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks… 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
    • 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
    • 22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”

    It had all started with Jesus doing good: powerful healings. Jesus proved to eyes which would not see and ears that refused to hear: He IS the Son of Man, the Messiah!

    Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.

    14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him…

    15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known.

    Now moving forward once more to hearing Jesus’ question, “Who are my brothers…?”

    [ctt title=” “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” – Matthew 12:48-50″ tweet=”For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”” coverup=”w41LB”]

    49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

    Do you have a brother closer than those of your own blood?

    By the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ Jesus for our sins, we are redeemed into the family of God our Father.

    As beloved sons, beloved daughters, co-heirs of our same eternal inheritance in Christ, are these not our nearest brothers and our dearest sisters?

    Who is your brother, your sister, dearly beloved one of the Lord?

    Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ invites us into His Own Royal Family of the Most High! Even unsaved family and loved ones may join the Lord. They may by believing join our true brothers?

    Won’t you allow the Lord to speak into your life? For like in this story, He will have a place for you always at the time of His joyous return.

    Pray for our dear family in Christ, beloved. Pray also for me.