Debate

October 27, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Caiaphas condemns Jesus; Matthew 26:62-66; Mark 14:60-64; Luke 22:66-71


ESV: Luke Chapter 22
 [67] If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe,


Our job as Christians is not to force what we believe, but to let others know the word.  Some will not want to hear, and that is OK. Others will hear and accept, that is great.  But some, like these leaders, are looking for ways for you to trap yourself.

When I run in to these people, I take my example from Jesus.  I tell them what I believe you will not believe and then stop the discussion.  All they are trying to do is turn me away from my faith. They do not wish to discuss, which means a giving and taking of  opinions, they want to convert.

Know your faith, and know when to let the others have theirs.



Read for next time: Sanhedrin beats Jesus; Matthew 26:67-68; Mark 14:65

Can I Get A Witness

October 27, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  False witnesses testify; Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59


ESV: Mark Chapter 14
 [55] Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. [56] For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. [57] And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, [58] We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands. [59] Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.

Jewish law said that any action against a criminal should be done by at least two if not more witnesses.  They were about to sentence Jesus to death and they could not get two witnesses to agree to what He had done.

Jesus stayed calm through it all.  Why? Because He knew, from two witnesses, who He was. God the father and the Holy Spirit gave witness to Him of His destiny and who He was through out His life.

When people get angry around me I too have to learn to listen not to those who attack me,but to the two (or more) who know me and what I am. They are the same ones Jesus knew to listen to.

Read for next time: Caiaphas condemns Jesus; Matthew 26:62-66; Mark 14:60-64; Luke 22:66-71

Injured

October 27, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Guards beat Jesus; Luke 22:63-65


Darby: Luke 22:65. And they said many other injurious things to him.

There are a lot of different words used in various translations, I like this one.  The King James uses blasphemously in place of injurious.  With the usage of today, that would imply they spoke out against Jesus in a way to injure the religious belief of Him. In order to so that, it would imply that they knew who Jesus really was. So while slanderous in today’s standards, they were more injurious to Jesus then.

And Jesus being injured by the words and actions of these men is something that I can relate to with a little more ease.  I have had my share of things said to hurt me by a wide variety of people.  In the end, I have had to learn one thing.  It does not matter what others say about me, it only matters what I say about myself. No one can make me feel any way, I make myself feel the way I do.  I imagine that Jesus did the same thing.  When they tried to break Him, He told Himself who He was.  He was not what they said He was, He was the Son of God.

It is a lesson that I have to re-tell myself from time to time. I am not what others tell me I am.  I am what God says that I am. He says that I am good.

Read for next time: False witnesses testify; Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59

Rooster Crow Experience

October 26, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Peter's 3rd denial - relative of Malchus; Matthew 26:73-75; Mark 14:70-72; Luke 22:59-62; John 18:26-27



Weymouth: Matthew Chapter 26
 [73] A short time afterwards the people standing there came and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your brogue shows it." [74] Then with curses and oaths he declared, "I do not know the man." Immediately a cock crowed,

In my own life there have been cases when I have had a ‘rooster crow’ experience like Peter did here. Some I did not listen to, most I did. In every case, it was God gently nudging me to listen to Him and take the right actions.  Why?

Why am I not able to live the best life possible? Why do I need God to prompt and nudge me?  I guess because I am imperfect. I have flaws. I say things that I will do and then do not do them. I try not to, but I have this thing called flesh that wants its needs met more than it should.

Like Peter, who put the needs of his life before Jesus life, I also will have moments when I will hear the rooster crow, and weep when I realize how off course I am.  Then God knows that I am back on course for Him for a while.


Read for next time: Guards beat Jesus; Luke 22:63-65

The company you keep

October 25, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Peter's 2nd denial - by the fire; Matthew 26:71-72; Mark 14:69-70;Luke 22:58; John 18:25



MKJV: Mark 14:70. And he denied it again. And a little after, those who stood by said again to Peter, Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech agrees.

My daughter was feeling a little down last night. She had problems dealing with the stuff at her school.  I listened for a while and then I told her, I can not understand what you are going through, but I went through a lot of the same stuff.  Reading today’s verse brought that back to me.  Whether we like it or not, the people we hang around with tend to rub off on us.

And so it was with Peter. Jesus was a Galilean, Peter was too, that must make him a follower of Jesus.  Their speech was of a similar nature. While the Bible does not record it, I am sure that there were other similarities as well.  Peter tried to hide those things, deny them, to save his flesh.

When you think of it, it would be pretty nice to be compared to Jesus. That when people see you, they see Jesus. That would mean you have been hanging around Him for a while and he is wearing off on you.  My only concern, for myself at least, is that I will wind up denying Him.


Read for next time: Peter's 3rd denial - relative of Malchus; Matthew 26:73-75; Mark 14:70-72; Luke 22:59-62; John 18:26-27

Testify

October 23, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Annas questions Jesus; John 18:19-24


GodsWord: John 18:21. Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I said to them. They know what I've said."

Interesting choice of words Jesus spoke. He did not tell them to go find people to testify, to go out to the streets to get the people. The reason was because at least two of them were close enough to give testimony, Peter and John.  At this point they should have come forward to testify for them, they did not.

Sometimes I feel bad that I do not make a stand for Jesus, and I should.  We all know that Peter would weep heavily in just a few more verses.  There is some ray of hope in this for me. I do not say that I am on the same level as the apostles, but I can see that they were human just like me and they went on to form the basis of Christianity as we know it.  They failed Jesus repeatedly, and yet He used them to build His church.  Kind of means there is still hope for me (and you).


Read for next time: Peter's 2nd denial - by the fire; Matthew 26:71-72; Mark 14:69-70;Luke 22:58; John 18:25

Self-preservation

October 23, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Peter's 1st denial - doorkeeping girl; Matthew 26:69-70; Mark 14:66-68; Luke 22:55-57; John 18:17-18


ESV: Luke 22:55. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

This was not Peter’s place. As one of Jesus closest people his position was at his side.  While Jesus was facing a trial of make believe charges, Peter should have been with Him.  So why was he warning himself by the fire.

Even though Peter was close to Jesus, he still has a human body.  That body has a need for it’s own self preservation. Being where Jesus was did not lead well to that.

How often have I not been by the side of Jesus when I should have. Recently a person where I work tore apart those of religious faith. This is not a person that I normally work in their area, so I just let them have their rant and got out.  Why. Self-preservation.  Why did I not say that I know otherwise.  I was like Peter,denying Jesus and warming myself with the fire of keeping my job.  I wonder how many others do this each day.



Read for next time: Annas questions Jesus; John 18:19-24

Following Jesus Safely

October 21, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Peter follows at a distance; Matthew 26:58; Mark 14:54; Luke 22:54; John 18:15-16

 ESV: Matthew 26:58. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end

I wonder sometimes how many of us are like Peter. I know I am in this case.  I do not want people to know I am a Christian sometimes.  So I follow Jesus but I keep back. Maybe I hear the off-color joke and let it pass with out any comment. So my walk with Jesus is compromised and I take a few steps back behind Him. When enough of these happen I am now back at a safe distance. It does Jesus no good at that time as I can not really tell others about Him.

Lord, help me learn not to follow at a safe distance. Let me be right up there with Him.



Read for next time: Peter's 1st denial - doorkeeping girl; Matthew 26:69-70; Mark 14:66-68; Luke 22:55-57; John 18:17-18

Finding Wisdom

October 20, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Jesus lead to high priest's house; Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53; Luke 22:54; John 18:13-14

In have often heard it said that even if a man is in sin, if he has accepted Jesus he can still speak the word of God and it can come to fruit.  Maybe God has this in mind one day.


BBE: John Chapter 18
 [13] They took him first to Annas, because Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest that year. [14] It was Caiaphas who had said to the Jews that it was in their interest for one man to be put to death for the people.


Caiaphas was no big fan of Jesus I am sure.  So the words that he spoke were aimed at having Jesus killed.  He was beginning to be noticed by the Roman government and the Jewish leaders feared that His popularity would mean more interferences and with that, a lack of power for themselves.  They wanted the status quo for themselves and the nation. If Jesus gets too much attention they are out of jobs.

In saying these words, he reveals that even sinners can speak the word of God. While it was good that Jesus die that they could get rid of their problem, it was also good for future generations that he die also.  Without that death, we are still dead in our sins.

One of the first devotionals I wrote for this running devotional talked about finding God’s word in every day things (http://dailydevotionbob.blogspot.com/2007/02/feb-12-2007.html). It covers Proverbs 1:20 where Wisdom is crying in the streets.  God’s word can speak to us from a TV show, a newspaper, from so many things, if we take the time to get His word in us. Only then will we see it in our lives.  If Caiaphas had more understanding of the scriptures, he would have seen the truth of his own words and not how he could protect himself.

Read for next time: Peter follows at a distance; Matthew 26:58; Mark 14:54; Luke 22:54; John 18:15-16

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On a side note, according to Blogspot, where this devotion has been since its beginning, this is the 1000 devotion I have written.  It started on Sunday Feb. 11, 2007.  If I had been at it daily I should have reached this milestone somewhere around the end of 2009.  I am two years late in reaching it.  I thank all those who have stuck with me in the various venues that it appears.  Along with Blogger it started with and still has a mailing list. Over the years I have added Google Orkut, Facebook, YouVersion and the newest one, Scriptly (http://docbob.scriply.com/).  If any of you are looking for a place to start a Bible Blog I recommend Scriptly as it has excellent tools build around Bible blogging.

When I started this devotion I had just finished surgery and was recuperating.  Since then I have lost a job, got a new job, got a promotion and step back down from it, and recently found out I have early stage prostate cancer.  I seek your prayers in everything, but especially that the next 1000 devotionals get done in a lot more timely fashion. I really have no excuse for the delays except personal problems that I have gone through and just have not had the time or energy to do them.

Thanks for all who have been with me and the new ones that have joined.  May we reach 2000 in about 2.7 years from now.

My Future

October 20, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today:  Jesus is arrested. The disciples flee; Matthew 26:55-56; Mark 14:48-52; Luke  22:52-54; John 18:12



NET: Luke 22:54. Then they arrested Jesus, led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance.

I think a lot of people, including myself, are a lot like Peter.  He followed Jesus for a long time and when times got rough he ran away.  But even though he ran, He still followed Jesus.  I know my own life was like that.  I ran from God at one point because I was not happy with the way my life was going in His hands.  I kept a close distance to Him though.  I would not go to church but I would make friends with people who were Christians.  In all of it I wanted to live life my way.

In reading ahead, we know that Peter too will want to keep his distance like I did. We also know he went on to be a driving force in the church.  All from a man who at this point in time would be considered a failure.

That kind of gives me a hope.  In life I have been a failure in so many things. I have messed up beyond belief.  Still, it is possible for me, as it was for Peter, to be used by God.


Read for next time: Jesus lead to high priest's house; Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53; Luke 22:54; John 18:13-14

Lessons from the past

October 19, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Jesus heals the high priest's servant; Luke 22:51



ESV: Luke 22:51. But Jesus said, No more of this! And he touched his ear and healed him.

Jesus put a stop to the madness around Him.  He got His men to stop the fighting and then He did something interesting.  From the previous verse, the owner of the salve is told to be the High Priest.  I can only stop and think what it was like, day in and day out when the High Priest looked at this man and his ear.  Did he dismiss the stories of the ear being cut off?  Did he wonder why Jesus would have done it?  Did he realize that Jesus was truly who He said He was, only too late?

Actions in my life, both by me and to me,are going to affect things for years to come, and I may never know what the results may be.  From time to time I need to stop and reflect on them, to learn from them.  I can only hope that the High Priest learned from the actions of Jesus.  I need to take a look at the actions of others to me, see what I can learn from them. There are lessons to be learned when I look at why things were done.


Read for next time: Jesus is arrested. The disciples flee; Matthew 26:55-56; Mark 14:48-52; Luke  22:52-54; John 18:12

Impulse

October 5, 2011
The Life of Jesus; read today: Peter severs the ear of Malchus; Matthew 26:50-54; Mark 14:46-47; Luke 22:49-50; John 18:10-11

I recently listened to a tape series about men who were failures in the Bible, but God was able to use them. These were men like Sampson, Abraham, and most especially David.  I think I would like to include one more into the mix, Peter.

I have to love Peter when it comes to reading about him.  Here was a man who was so bold as to attempt to walk on water. He was bold enough to take a stand that he would never run from Jesus, and he did try to make good on it.  He just did it, like he did so much in his life, the wrong way.

ESV: John Chapter 18
 [10] Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) [11] So Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?

Jesus knew the priority in his life, He knew what was to come.  Peter did not and tried, not knowing what Jesus knew, to do the right thing.  Jesus would use the impulsive actions of Peter for good later, but it still was the wrong thing to do.

So often in my life I have tried to help Jesus, tried to tell Him how to take care of my problems.  In reality, He knows what to do and I need to learn to trust Him to take care of things.  Like the servant’s ear, Jesus can make things right, but if I could learn not to try to do things my own way, maybe it would be better for all.


Read for next time: Jesus heals the high priest's servant; Luke 22:51