I have been blessed with great people in my life to be able to follow their example. But this was and is not the situation for everyone. The last week of Jesus' journey on earth before his crucifixion we hear him telling the crowds and his followers about the scribes (teachers of the law) and the Pharisees. About how their lives are not good examples to follow. About how they do things to be seen of others. Jesus does not stop there. He goes farther in calling them hypocrites and speaks of how they are hindering people that wants to enter the kingdom of heaven, from entering.
It seems like that through out the scriptures God warns us of people like the scribes and Pharisees. "How their lives are not good examples to follow". I believe that the Apostle Paul challenges us to examine our lives to know that we are of God. I wonder what Jesus would be saying about some of us, if we lived in this setting over 2000 years ago?
My prayer this morning during Holy Week is that during our journey here on earth that we will indeed be that good example for others to follow.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Making Every Minute Count
Making every minute count is on my mind this morning as I study the life of Christ during Holy Week. One of the first things that Jesus did upon entering the city was he went to the temple. There he found things happening that was displeasing to him and states "It is written My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves (or a hideout for robbers)." Fortunately Jesus did not just turn around and walk out because of what was happening in the temple, but after dealing with those that was buying and selling in the temple, he begin to heal the blind and the lame that came to him there in the temple.
I have heard all of my life the story of Jesus going into the temple and casting out all them that sold and bought in the temple, overturning the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves in the temple. This always seems to be the emphasis place on this scripture. But in studying this week, the last week of the life of Christ on earth, I was reminded that this is not all that he did on this visit to the temple. He healed the blind and the lame and listened to the children cry out "Hosanna to the son of David".
In fact he leaves the temple that evening, goes to Bethany for the night, and returns early the next morning to begin teaching in the temple. On the way back he teaches a lesson on faith and prayer and says, And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. It sounds like to me that Jesus made good use of his time and made every minute count during His journey as the true Lamb of God! Have a bless day!
I have heard all of my life the story of Jesus going into the temple and casting out all them that sold and bought in the temple, overturning the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves in the temple. This always seems to be the emphasis place on this scripture. But in studying this week, the last week of the life of Christ on earth, I was reminded that this is not all that he did on this visit to the temple. He healed the blind and the lame and listened to the children cry out "Hosanna to the son of David".
In fact he leaves the temple that evening, goes to Bethany for the night, and returns early the next morning to begin teaching in the temple. On the way back he teaches a lesson on faith and prayer and says, And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. It sounds like to me that Jesus made good use of his time and made every minute count during His journey as the true Lamb of God! Have a bless day!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Holy Week
This week as we enter into the week of the crucifixion of Christ and a week before that noted event, His Resurrection, I encourage you to follow each day of the life of Christ as recorded in scripture. Today in the Christian church is known as Palm Sunday. Read Matthew 21:1-11 and Luke 19:28-44 of Jesus' ride into Jerusalem.
The cheering was on! Many from different settings of life stood alone the roadside cheering as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. No doubt many that had been touch by the life of Christ. They even took their coats and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road as they cheered praises to the Son of God.
But the cheering soon stopped as they noticed Jesus weeping. He was not weeping because he would soon face death but he was weeping for the city. Jerusalem had rejected the way of peace.
As you begin this journey with me in following the scriptures that relates to the Lamb's journey the week before his crucifixion, has the cheering stopped in your life? Do you find your life in disarray?
If so, my prayer for you today that as you read the scriptures this week and follow this daily devotion for Holy Week that you will find peace like a river that is overflowing at it's river banks!
Thanks for following with me in scripture this remarkable "Journey of a Lamb"!
The cheering was on! Many from different settings of life stood alone the roadside cheering as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. No doubt many that had been touch by the life of Christ. They even took their coats and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road as they cheered praises to the Son of God.
But the cheering soon stopped as they noticed Jesus weeping. He was not weeping because he would soon face death but he was weeping for the city. Jerusalem had rejected the way of peace.
As you begin this journey with me in following the scriptures that relates to the Lamb's journey the week before his crucifixion, has the cheering stopped in your life? Do you find your life in disarray?
If so, my prayer for you today that as you read the scriptures this week and follow this daily devotion for Holy Week that you will find peace like a river that is overflowing at it's river banks!
Thanks for following with me in scripture this remarkable "Journey of a Lamb"!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)