'Jesus' Tagged Posts (Page 31)
Daily Devotions
Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” vs. 37b John 18:36-37 It would appear that truth has become a rare commodity in the climate of our culture and our times. Of course people still talk about the truth and say that they value it, but there is little agreement about…
Daily Devotions
The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved;” vs. 1 Psalm 93:1-2 As the psalmist searched for ways to describe the power and majesty of the Lord he ended up using the word “king.” It meant something different in those days than it does now. For us it simply designates the head of the royal family in those few countries…
Daily Devotions
As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him.” vs. 13 Daniel 7:9-10,13-14 Some people love to analyze dreams. They believe that these night visions, as they’re called in Daniel, can reveal hidden fears and aspirations, that they can even serve as windows to our souls. And if we happen to reveal our dreams to such persons…
Daily Devotions
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’” vs. 1 Mark 13:1-4 The disciple wasn’t wrong–the temple buildings were impressive. Herod the Great had wanted the structure to rival the temples seen in Rome and he had spared no expense. And even though the buildings have been destroyed, the foundation stones are still visible, and they are massive. For Galilean fishermen this would have been…
Daily Devotions
Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’” vs. 51 Mark 10:49-52 Jesus had a reputation as a healer. That’s the main reason crowds followed him from place to place and gathered whenever he stopped. We can understand their reaction. We all crave healing, and if conventional medicine doesn’t give relief many will seek out alternative sources, including those known as faith…
Daily Devotions
As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” vss. 8b-9 Hebrews 2:5-12 Psalm 8 had said that humans were created a little lower than angels and had been crowned with glory and honor. The…
Daily Devotions
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.” vss. 1-2 Hebrews 1:1-4 The folks who were writing epistles and gospels in the early Christian congregations understood that something substantial had happened in Jesus. It wasn’t just that he was a gifted teacher from Nazareth or that…
Daily Devotions
He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’” vs. 29 Mark 8:27-33 There is little doubt that Jesus of Nazareth existed. Only die-hard skeptics continue to say that there never was such a person, that all reports of his existence are only fabrications. Even if we doubt the accuracy of some gospel accounts it seems obvious that he preached and taught in Galilee and Judea at some point in the…
Daily Devotions
When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.” vss. 54-55 Mark 6:53-56 Once Jesus had been identified as a healer, there was no holding back of the crowds. His plan to take a brief time away with his disciples went by the boards as the word spread about his ministry. Everywhere he went, as soon as…
Daily Devotions
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.” vss. 7-8a Ephesians 1:3-8a When soldiers die in battle we commonly say that they have shed their blood for the sake of their country, and that they died to maintain our freedom. And of course we set aside days to remember their great sacrifice. Early Christians had a similar regard for the death of Jesus…
Daily Devotions
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” vs. 41 Mark 4:39-41 Mark closes his little story with a question that he knew most every devout Jew should be able to answer. Who is it that even the winds and the waves obey? It was in their psalms–they sang about it regularly. It was the Lord who wielded such control over the forces…
Daily Devotions
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.” vs. 26 John 15:26-27 According to John, one of the prime tasks of the Holy Spirit was advocacy. Because Jesus had not defended himself at his hearing before Pilate, all sorts of malicious and defamatory things were being said about him by his enemies, the religious leaders. After his death and resurrection…