One More Point of Proof!
A day of great variety, Father! Thank You for the opportunity to encourage a fellow believer in difficulty. I would pray that his faith would be strengthened as he carries on.
John 19:16-27 (<<click here to read the passage)
As I read through today’s passage, John referenced an Old Testament passage of Scripture that was fulfilled during Jesus’ crucifixion. In this text, the division of Jesus’ garments by the Roman soldiers was prophesied in one of King David’s psalms.
I wanted to read the alluded to verse in context, so I opened the entire chapter of Psalm 22. It shouldn’t be surprising that that single verse wasn’t the only point of prophecy to come to fruition in Christ’s suffering. There were several in this chapter alone!
Here are several verses from that psalm. Some references are very obvious and for clarity, I have tagged some with their corresponding New Testament passages. (If you click on the bolded New Testament text it will open the passage.) But before you read it, I want to point out that David lived 1000 years before Jesus. I find it amazing!
1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Matthew 27:46)
….Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
….Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
……..
6 But I am a worm and not a man.
….I am scorned and despised by all!
7 Everyone who sees me mocks me.
….They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
8 “Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
….Then let the Lord save him!
….If the Lord loves him so much,
….let the Lord rescue him!” (Matthew 27:41-44)
9 Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb
….and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.
10 I was thrust into your arms at my birth.
….You have been my God from the moment I was born.
11 Do not stay so far from me,
….for trouble is near,
….and no one else can help me.
……..
14 My life is poured out like water,
….and all my bones are out of joint.
….My heart is like wax,
….melting within me.
15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
….My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. (John 19:28)
….You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
….an evil gang closes in on me.
….They have pierced my hands and feet.
17 I can count all my bones.
….My enemies stare at me and gloat.
18 They divide my garments among themselves
….and throw dice for my clothing. (John 19:23-24) NLT
Lord Jesus, before the world even came into being You had already set into place how You would redeem us. You knew we would rebel, but You loved us so and made plans to reconcile us to Yourself. Throughout the Old Testament, You planted Your word in Your prophets as one more point of proof that You and You alone are God! All praise to You!
Nov 3rd, 2021, Wed, 7:43 pm
Who’s in Charge Here?
Father, as I come before You, I do so humbly. I deserve none of the grace extended and lavished up me, but You continue to do so. You are truly an awesome and mighty God. All praise to You!
John 19:4-16 (<<click here to read the passage)
I cannot think of particulars, but I know in my time at Kohl’s there were times when a customer would blow up about something they thought they were entitled to – ranting and raving the entire time! After they had exhausted every avenue of argument most times, they would demand to see a manager – the top dog would certainly cave to their demands!
If you happened to be in proximity, it was always quite humorous (at least from a store associate’s perspective) when the person that had been chewing up and spitting out was the manager on duty!
Of course, there were always threats of calling our corporate headquarters and whatnot but rarely was that ever the case.
In this passage there is certainly a lot of ranting and raving, yelling and screaming, combined with a lot of threats, as well. But as we read through these verses, it is very obvious Who was in charge…and it was neither the Jewish leadership nor Pilate.
Pilate wanted to wash his hands of the whole thing (literally!), but the Jewish leaders wouldn’t have it and shot back with every counterattack that came to mind. Not surprisingly, they were the ones ranting the loudest, but they also had absolutely zero power when it came to calling for the death of their opposition, which is where Pilate fits it to it all.
In the end, Pilate caved when the Jewish leaders threatened to call “corporate headquarters” – Rome. And ultimately, they got what they had been clamoring for – Jesus’ death.
Through it all…Jesus remained composed. He knew the truth, he knew God’s plan, and he knew the reason for his trial. Despite the pressure and persecution, Jesus remained unmoved. It was really Pilate and the religious leaders who were on trial, not Jesus.*
The world around us may all be in a tither but as followers of Christ, we know with Whom we stand. And regardless of who thinks they hold the power; God alone is Sovereign. Throughout the ages, believers have stood firm in their faith. In the past and even today, many have yielded their very lives, and yes that is tragic, but ultimately, they were the victors. For as the Apostle Paul stated,
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. Philippians 1:21 NLT
Lord Jesus, may we abide in You regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Help us to attain that end for only then will we be victorious!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Nov 2nd, 2021, Tues, 5:14 pm
Slapping God!
Father, though it may be on the cool side, we are blessed with a beautiful, sunshiny day! All praise to our awesome Creator God!
John 19:1-3 (<<click here to read the passage)
I hadn’t gotten very far in my reading today when a particular phrase caught my attention. Pilate handed Jesus over to Roman soldiers to do with as they wanted before His crucifixion – unjust though it was! They forced a crown of thorns upon His head, dressed Him in a purple robe, and mockingly proclaimed,
“Hail King of the Jews!”, as they slapped him across the face. v3
The night before these events, after Jesus verbally stood up to the High Priest’s questioning, this took place.
Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded. John 18:22 NLT (Emphasis mine.)
Slapped…across the face…
Both times I’ve read that action, it has taken my breath away! They literally slapped GOD in the face! Their Creator! The Being whose power so towered over any of those present that with a mere thought, no words necessary, any number of things could have happened to them – the least of which is that they could have ceased to exist! How audacious! It is shocking in its reality!
The Temple guard may have had an inkling as to who he struck. The Roman soldier probably had no idea whatsoever. Regardless, they were both guilty as all get out!
But neither Jesus nor His Heavenly Father retaliated. It was all part of the plan, no matter how humiliating it was… no matter how outrageous their actions were.
It is easy for us to be appalled by their actions. We can feel justified in pointing our finger at them, highlighting their cruel and over-the-top disregard for Jesus’ standing. But we must never forget that we – every single one of us! – are no less guilty than the guard and the soldier.
Every time we have defied God and done as we well pleased instead, we have, in essence, raised our own hand and slapped Him across the face! “I know better. You know nothing! How dare You tell Me what to do!”
Maybe those particular words don’t come out…but the attitude and mentality do…don’t they?
Lord Jesus, may we not judge the actions of others who have disobeyed and disregarded You and Your commands. May we humbly admit our sin and give ourselves over to Your rule over our lives. Forgive us our trespasses and sins. Amen.
Nov 1st, 2021, Mon, 12:29 pm
Wind Blown Leaves
Thank You, Father, for a day of rest. I needed it today for sure.
********
The other day while driving my bus I saw a single leaf blowing across the road. Isn’t that exciting? It wasn’t earth-shattering for sure, but it did get my thoughts rolling.
How often could that leaf be us – busy going from here to there. But so many times we are not in control – we are being driven by forces outside of ourselves.
We are driven by our society. We have to keep up appearances. Our kids have to be in all kinds of things if they are going to succeed in life. Many times, we spend long hours at work, spending even more hours before and after work trying to get up that ladder of success. For many, everything has to be just so, in our homes, with our vehicles, at work, in our relationships. It often spills over into our church activities and relationships as well.
There’s surely nothing wrong with being active and involved but there is also nothing wrong with saying “no”. As believers, we must diligently seek the Lord’s direction in everything. I’m sure there are some reading this post that just chuckled at that! It is much easier for us just to do what we do. Who has time to pray about everything we do? We’re busy enough as it is! And we sure don’t need something else slowing us down!
The Apostle Paul admonishes us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17,
Never stop praying. NLT
…be unceasing and persistent in prayer… AMP
…pray continually…NIV
Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean we have to drop to our knees, clasp our hands, bow our heads, and unceasingly, persistently, continually, and never stop praying. We’d never get anywhere and nor accomplish anything with that approach! But…we can live a lifestyle of prayer.
After all these years, I still struggle with prayer but some areas have improved. I often pray as my route begins each morning. I go through all the bus numbers in my fleet and pray for each driver, as well as our Transportation Director and our mechanics. In the past (and I need to start doing it again) I would pray for all the kids riding my bus. After you’ve driven it as long as I have, I can travel the whole route in my head, even praying for kids that used to or have never ridden my bus but are technically still on my route.
And that’s just one example of how to incorporate prayer into our lives.
A consistent, day-in-day-out relationship with Jesus helps, as well. We do things and it often comes to mind to seek the Lord’s direction and blessing on our efforts. Again, I’m no pro but I know He guides me, and I can feel His hand upon me. I know when what I’m doing is a good thing…and when I need to turn the other way and run!
So many people throughout their lives are always on the run, and age makes no difference. As children, as young adults, as parents, as middle-aged adults, as retirees, we all have things to pull us hither and yon. Things that take up our time and attention.
But the problem is, just like that leaf that blew across the road, it was in a hurry, but it ended up where the wind blew it, and now…it is forgotten. One of millions of leaves, left to decay and to be remembered no more.
Lord Jesus help us to seek You – to be driven by love – to make our efforts count not just for the here and now but for eternity. Amen.
Oct 31st, 2021, Sun, 7:39 pm
What Is Truth?
Father, this has already been a full day and there is more yet to come. Bless this time that we have together. Guide my heart and mind.
John 18:25-40 (<<click here to read the passage)
“What is truth?”
That was Pilate’s retort after his discourse with Jesus about Him being “King of the Jews”.
Jesus had closed with the statement,
“You say [correctly] that I am a King. This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth [who is a friend of the truth and belongs to the truth] hears and listens carefully to My voice.” v37b AMP
And Pilate responded “scornfully,” the Amplified Bible says, with the statement,
“What is truth?” v38a
Pilate seems to have thought as many do today. What is truth? I have my truth. You have your truth. It’s all relative. We all believe what we want to believe. The problem with that particular take on things is that we avoid absolute truth.
Absolute truth is something that is true at all times and in all places. It is something that is always true no matter what the circumstances. It is a fact that cannot be changed.
I can guarantee that even now some are frowning. Especially in our culture, we don’t like – no…we despise! – being told what to do, or think, or be. “I’ll do what I want! …when I want! …and how I want. And no one can tell me different!”
If we hold that all truth is relative…if we believe that truth is whatever the majority of people agree with, then we’re in trouble.
My study Bible goes on to say,
When there is no standard or acknowledgment of truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power. In Jesus and his Word we have a standard for truth and for our moral behavior.
Remember back in John 14:6 when Jesus said,
“I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” AMP
Don’t be like Pilate. Don’t be like so many others.
What is truth? Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and all He said and did! His very life is an example for us! Be like Jesus!
Oct 28th, 2021, Thurs, 12:47 pm