April 4, 2012
Do you ever think about the two men walking — alone — really bummed out discussing the horrid events that occurred in (or outside)
Jerusalem just a few days prior. Here are two men walking to
Emmaus discussing the various events — some would say miracles — that had been occurring in and around those parts and they very well knew of the person (Jesus) however it appears that they didn’t know either Jesus himself, or other members of the group, then the masses who had come to know Jesus?
And they were conversing with each other after leaving Jerusalem on the way to Emmaus about a seven miles away. And in Luke 24:15 we are literally treated to the most outstanding story of teaching heard by any student any where. It is stated that as they were walking they were joined by a third party and something had obscured their vision and therefore they were unable to recognize their new traveling companion.
Starting at verse 17: And he (the traveler) said to them: “What are these words that your are exchanging with one another as you are walking? Overwhelmed by utter shock, these two men stated “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” And after the traveling companion stated, “what things” the two began the story of “Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word in the sight of
God and all the people.” Now then, these two men were believer’s in the
Christ; however, they did not know the entire infinite details. They had been to the make-shift trial, followed by the savage and barbaric beatings and watched him crucified.
Of course that’s not all; they indeed got word early in the morning that the women had been visited by angels at the tomb, they themselves went to the tomb and also witnessed it empty. Can you imagine what the next six or so miles was like when Jesus said to them: “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken. Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things to enter into His glory?”
Then starting in Luke 24:27 it states: And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the
Scriptures. Well just as life would have it, they had reached Emmaus and they urged Him saying “Stay with us for now it is getting toward evening, and the day is nearly over…” Well low and behold He accepted! And upon reclining to eat and after blessing the bread and upon giving it to them…their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. So what did they do then?
“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” And immediately they returned to Jerusalem and found the group that had gathered together and they said, “The Lord has really risen and appeared to Simon, and began to tell about being joined by this mysterious traveler who taught them about the Scriptures.
I have loved that story enormously throughout the years; imagine if you will, being a little shaky in your knowledge of the Scriptures and being blessed by the very person who the Scriptures were written about!
February 22, 2012
Have you ever been so happy with your faith and what God does for us? Seriously now — how many of us think on a daily basis that we were created to, for, and by God? How many of us read the word of God to see how many times — over and over again — God comes to us in our time of need?
“But God being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loves us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ” (by grace you have been saved.) (Eph 2:4-5). Mercy as we know means not getting what we deserve; moreover, with his great love for us, even when we are so filthy what did he do — he made us alive with his son Jesus Christ. For what..? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and of course self-control; then we are told “against such things there is no Law” (Gal. 5:22-23).
Now I am positive that if that doesn’t just about having you come out of your skin — just remember who you are dealing with — God. Furthermore, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforhand, that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).
And again from Galatians 5, we are told that” if we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25).
Now after researching, reading, and preparing for what is on the front page regarding what Iran is doing in the name of Islam — thwarting the death penalty — because a person just decided to change his own belief system from Islam to Christianity. Yes, we are as our religion states…we know how to love because He first loved us.
February 1, 2012
When I really listen and then critically reflect on the amount of folks in our nation who are unemployed – I literally am moved to tears. The folks I’m addressing here are those who love their work, enjoy getting up and doing whatever it is that they do.
My heart aches when I think of the down-trodden Mid-West; what’s happened to
America‘s auto industry, and just about every industry one could endeavor to think about – including medicine. Doctors are getting fed up and who’s to blame them? If one ever wants a visual example of compassion – I suggest watching a
nurse work and who could ever figure out the minds of
teachers? For what they are paid
they have to love their work; moreover, I think its part of their lives.
In Ecclesiastes 5: 9-20 especially verse 18 we are reminded to make sure we enjoy the joy of working; moreover, enjoy in the fruit of our labors. “It is good and fitting for one…to enjoy the good of all his labor.” Make no mistake about it – there are copious amounts of virtue and dignity from really honest and hard work. Yet, somewhere someone got fed a bill of goods that life is work, work, and more work and I don’t believe God intended it to be.
There wouldn’t be mention of the Sabbath if God wanted to create machines. Furthermore, I am so convinced that God loves our companionship more than we’ll ever give him credit for…thank goodness! The word of God teaches us that God expects us to work (2 Th.3-8-12). But he also wants us to enjoy in some of the rewards – without guilt or remorse – that we’ve earned. I can’t help but believe that the entire spirit of Christmas is the notion that God wants us to feast with loved ones and family for his sake and for his love.
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April 4, 2012
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Hello, Jon Paul!
It’s been a while since I’ve come around, but I’m glad I did. Your most recent WFW (12/08/10) is a wonderful reminder I think we could all use. It reminds me of a great book I read recently… Honor’s Reward by John Bevere. The point of the book is honoring others out of love. Most people don’t realize that love is not an idea or a suggestion — it’s a command. Jesus said several times in John (and John himself said it throughout 1 John) that we are to love one another. That’s the new commandment that Jesus gave us. And while that may sound easy, if we think about it, we realize that if we all loved one another, most of our problems would be solved! There would be no stealing, fighting, coveting, hatred, etc. When we love one another, we think of them more than ourselves, honor them more highly then ourselves, and we see things begin to change. Great post.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
~Jay
9.29.10 Excellent bit of truth, Jon-Paul, particularly this line:
No matter what our situation is, or how hopeless it may look, we know with the full assurance of faith that we will find evidence of God’s goodness in every situation.
I think, more often than not, that this position requires the Holy Spirit to change our definition of “goodness.” As discussed in previous comments, I ask if Jesus death on the cross can be defined as goodness? Of course it can! It’s the ultimate goodness for so many of us.
Yet when a Christian suffers we pray against that suffering. I think a better prayer would be that God use the circumstances to His glory.
Oh Jean! Please forgive my blind spot and not seeing when you first put in this comment! Sometimes I forget that they say the first thing to go is memory, or was that hearing?! Oh well…
I too believe that our own concept of goodness changes constantly. I’m not sure if the Holy Spirit interceeds immediately or just when. This much I do know, is that without the divine intersession of the Holy Spirit I beleive that humankind is incapable of the depth of understanding what you delightfully bring forth regarding Jesus’ mode of death.
Even so as long as it took, moreover, the beating and other autrocities he endured most of my friends, teachers, and pastors have always felt very sure that Jesus’ actual cause of death was from a broken heart. It took me longer than I wanted it too, but being able to pray for thanksgiving and joy at the pain and suffering of another person is the transformational quality we must see and do as followers.
So many times I have shared with friends, family, and wonderers that when the Lord’s suffering has influenced us, moreover, when we suffer we must have done something really good in order that God would find us worthy to endure. Many folks say “What! Are you crazy!” And I just try and explain that for what we’re going through at that particular time is what God wants and that our prayers should be for discernment, understanding, and knowledge along with a grateful heart.
How does a person forgive themselves? Do we go on like it never happened even though we are reminded constently of the hurt we caused others? Do we say, that was then and this is now and try to forget the past? No, I don’t think that’s what the Lord wants. God says, when we are in pain and seek the lord is when we can truly see and feel his love.
Maybe we all should feel guilty. We all have hurt others. We all have hurt ourselves and we all have sinned. Maybe a little guilt is good for the soul and good for our character.
The plain truth is, if it keeps us closer to God then it must be what we need.
PS I think about you too.
Have you ever really thought about why Jesus had to suffer the way he did? I, after all these years, can finally see… and I sometimes cry when realizing he did that for me. When you’ve sinned, I mean really did something that society would put in jail for and you have hurt someone you love like I did forgiving yourself can be very very difficult. Alot of people never get over there guilt. I know people, family members, that died a slow death because they couldn’t forgive themselves for things they said or things they did. Sin can be a very ugly thing. Knowing that the Lord forgives me, and still sees me as brand new helps tremendously.
And now realize he did that for all of us. He must have suffered greatly. Think about that.
Gary,
Thank you indeed for your insightful and very meaningful words. And in answering your first question – YES! – I think about why Christ had to suffer the way he did. I think this very point is why I respect and admire Mel Gibson as much as I do with regards to his “The Passion of the Christ” graphic depiction of the beating, flesh being ripped off of his body, and how everything that surrounded Christ’s death was somehow mocked to the point of using nails and giving him a soured, dry rag to moisten his lips.
There can be no measure as to how much Christ did – inasmuch as he was dying for those gone yesterday, today during his time, and for those in all future generations until the end of time. Thinking about sin in today’s world brings me back to Scripture; “For the wages of sin is death;” and with every fiber of my being I believe this to be true. Have you ever stopped and thought just how much sin there is in the world in one hour? One day? Although He states that once we’ve been forgiven – puff! – like smoke it’s gone, I wish I had the capacity to understand that it’s not God making me feel bad – it’s me!
Remembering that Christ died and paid a heavy wage so that I could have eternal life with him and all my brother’s and sister’s is a humbling thought. It does however help me greatly to realize that Christ says, “You have been forgiven” I wonder if I dwell on it have I really learned? Better still is the notion of do I really know Christ? Make no mistake about it…letting go and letting God is no easy feat.
However, let’s never take lightly what he was actually doing out there. Feeling much the same as you do, Scripture takes on a completely different meaning when Christ states, “He who wishes to follow after me must first deny himself, pick up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it: but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” Absolutely nothing!
Hey! I’ve been thinking of you quite a bit lately. Everything going okay with you and yours? Keep in touch!!!! Cheers matey!
me
Hey there Jon Paul!
Thanks a lot for the reminder. If we don’t exercise, our muscles will atrophy. Just like muscles, we need to exercise our faith everyday or else they get weaker and weaker. Some people sit around and call themselves Christians, but they don’t exercise, and therefore get weaker and weaker. But the more we spend time in the Word (and James 1:22 is the perfect Scripture to quote), the more we grow in God and the better we know Him! Wow! I’ve never thought of it quite this way, but you put it into words perfectly!
God bless, and have a blessed week!
~Jay
Thanks so much Jay! It’s nice to know that a short piece of writing can move a person. As you know already, with God, it;s the little things that I find are HUGE!
Missed you lately…whatz you been doing (burning Qurun’s)?
jps
Haha! Nope… I don’t even own a Qurun!!
(I find that burning Qurun deal to be ridiculous, BTW.) What have I been doing? Mostly finding myself addicted to twitter and blogging. 
Thanks again for your great post. I’ll make sure I come around more often.
God bless!
~Jay
You know Jay it’s not been intentional my 2 or 3 week lack of WFW. I am just flat out busy! I think of writing some things down; then I think of our audience! One thing that we don’t have is “Baby Christians” we have people who are versed in the Word and make great commentary.
This certainly doesn’t imply that I intend on missing anymore WFW’s! I have and will always believe that the more we hear the Word of God or are exposed to it the better we become from receiving that blessing. Imigine that…we get blessed with God’s word and we benefit tremendously by growing into Christians all for nothing but a simple submission and commitment to our Lord!
Thanks for you reply it was awesome! Cheers!
jon-paul
Encouragement surely is important, Jon-Paul. There’s a woman in our Bible study who is an encourager par excellence. She is always looking for a way to lift someone up. I tease her that she’s obsessive about it – and she agrees with me.
And the day surely is drawing nearer. I look at the fields, white for harvest, and, instead of saying, ‘Come, Lord Jesus,’ I say, ‘Lord, we need more time!’