Category: Relationship

Posted on

The Rest is His-Story!

The purpose for Jesus’ coming to earth had been accomplished!

He showed the love of the Father to the world. He preached, did miracles, countered evil, healed the brokenhearted and broke the power of sin. It was finished.

The sinless, perfect Lamb had been sacrificed for the sins of the world and now there was only one more thing to do.

The rest is His-story.

“15 Jesus came near and started walking along beside them. 16 But they did not know who he was. 17 Jesus asked them, “What were you talking about as you walked along? The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy. 18 Then the one named Cleopas asked Jesus, “Are you the only person from Jerusalem who didn’t know what was happening there these last few days?”” Luke 24:15-17 CEV

Two men walking the road to home had been discussing the events that had taken place in Jerusalem and Jesus came near. He walked and talked with them for about seven miles the Bible says.

“22 Some women in our group surprised us. They had gone to the tomb early in the morning, 23 but did not find the body of Jesus. They came back, saying they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. 24 Some men from our group went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said. But they didn’t see Jesus either.” vs.22-24

They were in a quandary. What had happened to Jesus? If He was alive, where was He?

“…30 After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. 31 At once they knew who he was, but he disappeared. 32 They said to each other, “When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn’t it warm our hearts?” 33 So they got up and returned to Jerusalem. The two disciples found the eleven apostles and the others gathered together. 34 And they learned from the group that the Lord was really alive and had appeared to Peter.” vs. 30-34

They had probably been there when Jesus multiplied the boy’s lunch of loaves and fishes. There was something familiar about His ways and when He broke the bread and blessed it, they knew it was Him!

I am always taken back by the way Jesus personalizes Himself when He ministers to people. He brings the divine presence of God into the routine of daily life. When He first met Peter, James and John on the shores of the Sea of Galilee He helped them catch a boat-sinking load of fish and called them to be “fishers” of men. In His first miracle He provided wine for a wedding. Now, at the tomb He simply said Mary’s name and then He prayed over some bread and broke it. But each time His actions revealed the power of God.

He still comes in simple ways to touch and change our lives.

“46 He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. 47 They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, 48 you must tell everything that has happened.” Luke 24:46-48 CEV

His-Story must be told and He’s asking us to tell it!

Posted on

Up Before Dawn

I have always found it hard to sleep the night before I had something big to do the next day. I can only imagine how it must have been for Mary and the other women as they prepared to go to the tomb. Jesus’ burial had been hasty and they were going now to properly care for His body.

Up, before dawn, they were on their way. Who would roll back the stone? Would the soldiers arrest them because they were Jesus’ followers? No matter the questions, they went.

“The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. 3 The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead.” Matthew 28:1-4 CEV

I don’t know if the earthquake was felt throughout the entire city or just at the garden tomb but it was certainly something unusual. In fact, it was so frightening that season soldiers were paralyzed with fear.

When the women got there, the stoned was rolled away and the tomb was open. The angel appeared to the women and told them to go tell the disciples that Jesus was risen from the dead, just as He said he would.

“She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus’ favorite disciple and said, ‘They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him.’ 3 Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.” John 20:2-3 CEV

Peter and John got to the tomb and they went in. They found the cloth had He had been wrapped in and the cloth that had covered His face but there was no body. They left the tomb and went back to the other disciples but Mary stayed.

She was weeping. She stooped down to look inside, she knew Jesus wasn’t there so I’m not sure what she was hoping to see.

“and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus’ body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. 13 The angels asked Mary, ‘Why are you crying?’ She answered, ‘They have taken away my Lord’s body! I don’t know where they have put him.'” John 20:12-13 CEV

She was probably startled or even frightened by seeing the angels but her concern was for Jesus. Where have they taken Him? She turned to leave and she saw who she thought was the gardener.

“Jesus asked her, ‘Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?’ She thought he was the gardener and said, ‘Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.’ 16 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him, ‘Rabboni.'” John 20:15-16 CEV

In her darkest hour, in her deepest grief, Mary was looking for Jesus. While Peter and John left and went back the other disciples, Mary stayed. Wondering, searching, weeping.

And then she heard Him call her by name. She knew that voice, she heard the compassion in His tone. It was her Savior and Lord.

It was Jesus! He called her by name.

Our relationship with Jesus is a personal one. He was sent to die for the sins of the world but when we come into relationship with Him it becomes personal. When our eyes are filled with tears and our hearts are fighting fear, if we listen we will hear Him call us by name!

Posted on

The Silent Sabbath

I can only imagine what it must have been like to one of Jesus’ disciples on that Sabbath Day.

 “There was a man named Joseph, who was from Arimathea in Judea. Joseph was a good and honest man, and he was eager for God’s kingdom to come. He was also a member of the council, but he did not agree with what they had decided.

52 Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 He took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in fine cloth. Then he put it in a tomb that had been cut out of solid rock and had never been used. 54 It was Friday, and the Sabbath was about to begin.[a]

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and watched how Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb. 56  Then they went to prepare some sweet-smelling spices for his burial. But on the Sabbath they rested, as the Law of Moses commands.” Luke 23:50-56 CEV

The quiet, the grief, the anxiousness, the heart break, the disillusionment, the fear.

They had truly believed that He would set up an earthly kingdom and now He, their Messiah, was dead. Hope was gone. Fear invaded their silence – would the soldiers be coming for them next? Would they be accused, tried and crucified?

Across the city there was a commotion going on at Pilate’s court.

“On the next day, which was a Sabbath, the chief priests and the Pharisees went together to Pilate. 63  They said, ‘Sir, we remember what this liar said while he was still alive. He claimed in three days he would come back from death. 64 So please order the tomb to be carefully guarded for three days. If you don’t, his disciples may come and steal his body. They will tell the people he has been raised to life, and this last lie will be worse than the first one.’

65 Pilate said to them, ‘All right, take some of your soldiers and guard the tomb as well as you know how.’ 66 So they sealed it tight and placed soldiers there to guard it.” Matthew 27:62-66 CEV

These were the same men that had Jesus arrested and hauled to Pilate’s court the day before. They were scared. If Jesus was who He said He was He would be raised from the dead and that was frightening.

There was no silence here.

“ Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross. 15 He defeated the rulers and powers of the spiritual world. With the cross he won the victory over them and led them away, as defeated and powerless prisoners for the whole world to see.” Colossians 2:14-15 ERV

The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse behind the rock that sealed the tomb. Jesus met His enemy; the one who had tempted Him in the wilderness, the one who had stirred up the hatred against Him. There in the world of the spirit, Jesus defeated Satan and his powers; Jesus stripped him and showed the world that Satan had been defeated!

“56 Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57 But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

When God seems silent, when our hope is gone, remember there is victory for us in Christ Jesus. Break the silence and raise your voice in praise!

Posted on

Why Was Friday Good?

Why is this Friday called Good? Good for whom?

The Road to the Cross stopped here. The sky was dark. The temple curtain was torn in two. The earth quaked. Jesus died.

“Then Jesus gave another loud cry and gave up His spirit and died.51 At once the curtain in the house of God was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks fell apart.” Matthew 27:50-51 NLV

Certainly, it wasn’t good for Jesus disciples and followers. They were crushed and brokenhearted by the events which had just taken place.

Good for Mary? She saw her Son brutally killed. No, it wasn’t good.

“When the Roman officer saw what had happened, he praised God and said, ‘Jesus must really have been a good man!’ 48 A crowd had gathered to see the terrible sight. Then after they had seen it, they felt brokenhearted and went home. 49  All of Jesus’ close friends and the women who had come with him from Galilee stood at a distance and watched.” Luke 223:47-49 CEV

“Jesus’ mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and his favorite disciple with her, he said to his mother, “This man is now your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “She is now your mother.” From then on, that disciple took her into his own home.” John 19:25-27 CEV

The devil probably thought it was a good day. The religious leaders and their council thought it was a good day.

“What we preach is God’s wisdom. It was a secret until now. God planned for us to have this honor before the world began. 8 None of the world leaders understood this wisdom. If they had, they would not have put Christ up on a cross to die. He is the Lord of shining-greatness.” I Corinthians 2:7-8 NLV

For the thief hanging on the cross beside Jesus it was a good day. For each one of us, it was a good day!

“ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. ” Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

For God, the Father, it was good and for Jesus, it was finished!

“Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:21 CEV

“After Jesus drank the wine, he said, “Everything is done!” He bowed his head and died.” John 19:30 CEV

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:2 ERV

As I’m concluding this writing the words of an old hymn are bubbling up from my soul. Written in 1707, this song tells my story “When I Survey the Wonderous Cross”.

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Yes, Good Friday! The day the road ended at the cross.

Posted on

From the Garden

It’s so hard for me to write this morning. My heart is pounding, there’s a lump in my throat and my eyes are holding back the tears. Jesus knows the cross is before Him, so He prays from the garden.

“Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his disciples went with him. 40 When they got there, he told them, ‘Pray that you won’t be tested.’ 41 Jesus walked on a little way before he knelt down and prayed, 42 ‘Father, if you will, please don’t make me suffer by drinking from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.’ 43 Then an angel from heaven came to help him. 44 Jesus was in great pain and prayed so sincerely that his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood.” Luke 22:39-44 CEV

There’s no easy way to put this. We are the reason that Jesus was in that garden painfully pouring out His heart to the Father. It was our sin that condemned Him to death. The Father chose our lives over His and Jesus willingly gave up His life as a ransom for us all.

“For the Son of Man did not come to be cared for. He came to care for others. He came to give His life so that many could be bought by His blood and be made free from sin.” Mark 10:45 NLV

Instead of praying as Jesus instructed them, the disciples fell asleep. When Jesus woke them, He told them they should have been praying for strength because they were about to be tested in a greater way than they ever had been before.

“While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd came up. It was led by Judas, one of the twelve apostles. He went over to Jesus and greeted him with a kiss. 48 Jesus asked Judas, ‘Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” Luke 22:47-48 CEV

Judas betrayed Jesus with a sign of affection, a kiss. Jesus’ words must have cut his heart like a knife. Jesus, the Son of God, who could have destroyed them all with a word from His lips or a wave of His hand allowed them to arrest Him and take Him away.

“ Jesus was arrested and led away to the house of the high priest, while Peter followed at a distance.” Luke 22:54 CEV

Impetuous Peter, who had just sliced off a man’s ear, followed the arresting party from a distance.

A crowd had gathered in the courtyard of the high priest and were sitting around a fire. A girl recognized Peter as someone who had been with Jesus. Peter denied it.

Then someone else pointed out that Peter had been with Jesus, and he denied it. One more time, another man insisted that Peter must have been with Jesus.

“This time Peter began to curse and swear, ‘I don’t even know the man you’re talking about!’ 72 At once the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had told him, ‘Before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don’t know me.’ So Peter started crying.” Mark 14:71-72 CEV

“ The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered that the Lord had said, ‘Before a rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will say three times that you don’t know me.’” Luke 22:61 CEV

Betrayed by a kiss and now denied with a curse!

Is it any wonder that Jesus was in such anguish as He prayed in the garden? Those who knew Him best left Him alone in the time of His greatest need.

“I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.” John 17:20-22 CEV

These are just a few of the words that Jesus was praying before He was arrested. He prayed for us, from the garden and He’s still praying for us today.

Posted on

Are We There Yet?

No, but we’re getting closer!

We’re almost at the end of the road, that road that led to the cross.

Jesus had made His historic entry into Jerusalem. People were cheering and shouting, excited to have the Miracle Worker in their town. The first place Jesus went was to the Temple.

Because it was the time of Passover the town was filled with people and so was the Temple. Merchandisers had set up booths in the Temple, they were selling things. Jesus chased them out and said this:

“He told them, ‘The Scriptures say, “My house should be a place of worship.” But you have made it a place where robbers hide!’” Luke 19:46 CEV

The animosity toward Jesus began to rapidly increase.

“Each day, Jesus kept on teaching in the temple. So the chief priests, the teachers of the Law of Moses, and some other important people tried to have him killed. 48 But they could not find a way to do it, because everyone else was eager to listen to him.” Luke 19:47-48 CEV

These were Jesus’ final days. He spent them preaching – encouraging and instructing the people. Warning them of things to come. His heart was for the people; He wasn’t concerned about His own safety and protection.

How do we find that kind of resolve? How do we find strength in the time of adversity? Let’s see what Jesus did.

“Don’t spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you 35 like a trap. This day will surprise everyone on earth. 36 Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.

37  Jesus taught in the temple each day, and he spent each night on the Mount of Olives. 38 Everyone got up early and came to the temple to hear him teach.” Luke 21:34-38 CEV

He didn’t spend His time worrying about the concerns of life. Remember, He was 100% human. He knew what it was like to be hungry, to have taxes to pay, to have family concerns. He had people who depended on Him. He had responsibilities and if anyone had cause to worry, He did.

His instruction to the people in the Temple and to us is simple. Don’t spend all your time worrying about things. “Watch and pray”. That’s what He did; each day he taught in the Temple and each night He went to the Mount of Olives, this was His place of prayer.

Did He ask the Father, “are we there yet”? This week, these last few days were what He had been preparing for. Thousands of years of prophesy had been speaking of this time, this week, this Passover.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:2-3 ERV

I’d like to encourage you with this. Watch and pray. Don’t worry. We’re almost there!

Posted on

On The Way

Today is the day many around the world celebrate as Palm Sunday. The start of Easter week. To Jesus’ disciples it was just another day, a day when they began to think about preparing for Passover.

They were on the way to Jerusalem.

“ Jesus took the twelve apostles aside and said: ‘We are now on our way to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will happen there. 32 He will be handed over to foreigners, who will make fun of him, mistreat him, and spit on him. 33 They will beat him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life.’

34 The apostles did not understand what Jesus was talking about. They could not understand, because the meaning of what he said was hidden from them.” Luke 18:31-34 CEV

Jesus knew that Jerusalem would be the place of His death. But, that didn’t stop Him from going.

“When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went on toward Jerusalem. 29 As he was getting near Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples on ahead. 30 He told them, ‘”Go into the next village, where you will find a young donkey that has never been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks why you are doing this, just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”

32 They went off and found everything just as Jesus had said. 33 While they were untying the donkey, its owners asked, ‘Why are you doing that?’

34 They answered, ‘The Lord needs it.’

35 Then they led the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its back and helped Jesus get on. 36 And as he rode along, the people spread clothes on the road in front of him. 37 When Jesus started down the Mount of Olives, his large crowd of disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. 38  They shouted, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God.’

39 Some Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, make your disciples stop shouting!’ 40 But Jesus answered, ‘If they keep quiet, these stones will start shouting.’” Luke 19:28-40 CEV

The people were excited to have Jesus with them. They had seen the miracles, they had experienced His love, there was no one like Him but He was a threat to the religious leaders. They were scared of Jesus; they were losing control and they felt that the Roman governors would hold them accountable for Jesus’ actions. They had to do something.

” Each day, Jesus kept on teaching in the temple. So the chief priests, the teachers of the Law of Moses, and some other important people tried to have him killed. 48 But they could not find a way to do it, because everyone else was eager to listen to him.” Luke 19:47-48 CEV

What do think it would be like if Jesus was here today? I think people would be the same; some would love Him, and others would hate Him. He would show compassion but would require a reverence and honor for the Father.

He is still here today because He lives in our hearts. There are some who hate His influence; some are seeking for a better life, a life with hope and peace. Then there are those of us who know Him and are willing to follow Him all the way to the cross!

Posted on

Confrontation on the Road

Having lived in Idaho and Montana for many years we were used to confrontation on the road. Other places have traffic jams, so did we!

There were times we would wait for herds of deer and elk; at other times we would fall in behind a cattle drive. We’ve even experienced the occasional confrontation with a band of sheep but most intimidation came from the bison in Yellowstone and the grizzlies in Glacier.

The road to the cross didn’t have any of these but there were confrontations all the same. Yesterday we saw the people in Jesus’ hometown becoming so angry with Him that they dragged Him to the edge of a cliff.

Now that’s confrontation – but it didn’t stop Him for preaching.

“Jesus went to the town of Capernaum in Galilee and taught the people on the Sabbath. 32  His teaching amazed them because he spoke with power.” Luke 4:31-32 CEV

In Capernaum, He encountered a man possessed by a demon. The man was prompted to cause a scene; he yelled out at Jesus telling those around that this was God’s Son.

“Jesus ordered the evil spirit to be quiet and come out. The demon threw the man to the ground in front of everyone and left without harming him. 36 They all were amazed and kept saying to each other, “What kind of teaching is this? He has power to order evil spirits out of people!” 37 News about Jesus spread all over that part of the country.” Luke 4:35-37 CEV

Confrontation isn’t always a bad thing. God used this situation to show His power and His compassion.

When Jesus left this meeting He went to the house of Simon for dinner. Once again, He was confronted with a situation that needed His attention. Simon’s mother-in-law was running a high fever and lying in bed. Before doing anything else Jesus spoke to the fever and it left the woman.

“ So Jesus went over to her and ordered the fever to go away. Right then she was able to get up and serve them a meal.” Luke 4:39 CEV

After dinner there was an even greater encounter.

“ After the sun had set, people with all kinds of diseases were brought to Jesus. He put his hands on each one of them and healed them. 41 Demons went out of many people and shouted, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But Jesus ordered the demons not to speak because they knew he was the Messiah.” Luke 4:40-41 CEV

All who came to Jesus, He touched and healed. He silenced the demons. Don’t let this go unnoticed. Jesus didn’t want or need their affirmation. He didn’t want anything that would discredit the works of God.

“ But something more important than John speaks for me. I mean the things that the Father has given me to do! All of these speak for me and prove that the Father sent me.” John 5:36 CEV

Jesus said, even the testimony of John the Baptizer wasn’t as important to His calling and ministry as the works that the Father was doing through Him. His credibility and reputation were established by the Father. Nothing else.

We may not be confronted by a bison, or a demon possessed person, but we face other confrontations that are even more dangerous.

“ Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. 17 The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.” I John 2:16-17 CEV

When confronted we should do like Jesus, speak to the issue, and then go forward by God’s power and not our own.

Posted on

Unstoppable

Yesterday we saw Jesus facing down His greatness enemy and He emerged victorious.

“Jesus returned to Galilee with the power of the Spirit. News about him spread everywhere. 15 He taught in the Jewish synagogues, and everyone praised him.” Luke 4:14-15 CEV

He came back full of power and ready to take on the world with the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness. He went back to His hometown and this happened.

“he was given the book of Isaiah the prophet. He opened it and read, 18 ‘The Lord’s Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers, 19 and to say, ‘This is the year the Lord has chosen.’

20 Jesus closed the book, then handed it back to the man in charge and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue looked straight at Jesus. 21 Then Jesus said to them, ‘What you have just heard me read has come true today.’ 22 All the people started talking about Jesus and were amazed at the wonderful things he said. They kept on asking, ‘Isn’t he Joseph’s son?’…

 You will tell me to do the same things here in my own hometown that you heard I did in Capernaum. 24  But you can be sure that no prophets are liked by the people of their own hometown…28 When the people in the synagogue heard Jesus say this, they became so angry 29 that they got up and threw him out of town. They dragged him to the edge of the cliff on which the town was built, because they wanted to throw him down from there. 30 But Jesus slipped through the crowd and got away.” Luke 4:17-30 CEV

Now wait a minute!

At the beginning of the message they were excited to have Jesus there but at the end when He said that He had fulfilled the Scripture and that they weren’t accepting of Him, they tried to kill Him.

These were people who had seen Him grow up, people who knew His parents, people who had been kids and he probably played with them. Something, someone, had stirred up such anger toward Jesus that they physically dragged Him out of town and were trying to throw Him off a cliff.

I think it’s interesting that just days before this the devil had tried to get Jesus to jump off a cliff to prove He was God’s son and now an angry mob is trying to throw Him off one but He slips away in the confusion of the mob.

He is unstoppable!

The road to the cross was not an easy one. One moment people love you and the next they are trying to kill you. In spite of all of this He kept preaching, teaching, healing, loving and showing compassion.

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

If Jesus had stopped walking that road we would be lost and have no hope for peace with God. Thank God Jesus was unstoppable!

Posted on

God Was Pleased

We don’t have a lot of Biblical information on the young and formative years of Jesus, but we do know that His earthly parents were faithful to raise Him to love the Lord God and follow God’s statutes.

Each year they would take Jesus to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. You remember Passover, it’s when God told the Israelites to kill a lamb and place its blood on the door posts and lentils so the death angel would “pass over” their homes when he came through Egypt.

Here is the one story we do have about Jesus’ childhood.

” Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for Passover. And when Jesus was twelve years old, they all went there as usual for the celebration. 43 After Passover his parents left, but they did not know that Jesus had stayed on in the city. 44 They thought he was traveling with some other people, and they went a whole day before they started looking for him. 45 When they could not find him with their relatives and friends, they went back to Jerusalem and started looking for him there. 46 Three days later they found Jesus sitting in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was surprised at how much he knew and at the answers he gave.” Luke 2:42-47 CEV

Now please don’t over spiritualize this story.

We have two parents who thought their son was hanging with friends on their way back to Nazareth. At the end of the day, they find that he isn’t anywhere in the traveling party. They go back to Jerusalem, searching for him. It takes them three days. Three days, to find him!

They must have been worried sick. The city was crowded, the roads they traveled could be dangerous for someone alone; they searched…and finally found Him in the temple. He was learning from the elders and at the same time was amazing them with His knowledge.

“When his parents found him, they were amazed. His mother said, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been very worried, and we have been searching for you!’ 49 Jesus answered, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I would be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he meant. 51 Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and obeyed them. His mother kept on thinking about all that had happened. 52  Jesus became wise, and he grew strong. God was pleased with him and so were the people.” Luke 2:48-52 CEV

Young Jesus was obedient, wise, strong and He pleased His heavenly Father. He was already on the road that would lead Him to the cross. Along that road He touched the lives of the people He came in contact with – the friends, the Temple rulers, the people that came to the Temple to learn from them, His mother and the people in His village.

So, what does that have to do with you and I?

“God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. 20 And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God. 21 You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. 22 But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent.” Colossians 1:19-22 CEV

Jesus walked the road to the cross and pleased God so that you and I could have peace with the Father. We have been made holy, faultless and innocent because of Him!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress