December 27, 2022
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Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 27 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.13 through 4.16 (pages 80-82)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
Advent Day 26&27
Day 27 read.
Reading 4:9. Had a conversation with my nephew who is here for Christmas to visit his mother. Went to the Catholic Church she attends. He got a hold of me today saying he will never enter that church again. He said the priest was telling that he had no problem when he looked in the mirror with his relationship with God. That he could say merry Christmas to himself but not many in church he could say to. My nephews children ages 7and 9. To say the least were confused perfect example of flowing purple robes but dead man’s bones. Wouldn’t know the Holy Spirit if it was under his nose. I could tell you much more. But I’ll leave it at he loves to be served. But does not serve others. So reminds me of Jesus very loudly telling the Pharisees they say they follow all their rules and that makes them righteous. But they don’t follow. The next few chapters is our Lord having compassion on many people. Just watched Jesus of Nazareth awesome movie showing the compassion Jesus had on many. 4:13. Pharisees looking for a sign. Doesn’t matter what Jesus did. Jealousy was so strong Pharisees wanted him not only dead. But to suffer. 4:14. I asked my nephew how many people were at that Catholic Church. He said not to many. No kids. And everyone seemed very unhappy. The yeast of the modern day Pharisees is being exposed. 4:15. Anyone know why Jesus used mud and saliva to cure this man’s blindness? Heard someone give a great explanation years ago. But I forget. Peter. You are the messiah the son of God. Upon this rock I will build my church. For Catholics, this explains why Peter was the first pope, but we know better. Ok sorry about the catholic bashing, but I believe they are the modern day Pharisees
That is interesting, Mark. Tyler’s friend, Mark, asked if they could go to a Catholic mass together when they were in town so they went together. Mark said to me at our Christmas eve service that they went to a Catholic mass and that no one was there. He said that he loved our church because there are people of many ages there. He said, “I love seeing all of the families and different ages. Why do you think that that is? Why do you think your church is so full?” I said, “faithfulness to the gospel. No compromise to what the world is pressuring the church for. The world will tell you that you need to be “seeker friendly” and make accommodations for sinners, but that’s why Jesus came! To save us from our sin!”
Day 27
4.13 – 4.16
As much as miracles enhance faith, they also contradict it. Once we see something, then we are no longer operating in faith. The problem comes in when we demand a sign from God in order to believe. That is what is addressed here, and so the sign He will give them is His death and resurrection. And we all need to be careful of the yeast of legalism. The subtle ways we make our lives about our efforts and our righteous behavior rather than on God’s power and His righteousness. And once again Jesus uses a physical action to heal, and as I said in the last section, it must have something to do with the person being healed and what they need as opposed to Jesus needing to depend on anything beyond His and the Father’s power to heal.
And what a tremendous revelation that Peter has here. It doesn’t make Him the pope, but it is significant compared to what the other apostles were thinking/saying. And what a tremendous promise Jesus makes about the power the apostles will have on this earth. Keys to the kingdom are pretty significant and some or all of that will be fulfilled after Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom on earth.
Demanding things of God never seems like a good idea. God wants us to believe and our faith to be established in all He has already done. He shouldn’t need to perform for us.
The Pharisees were so jealous and threatened by the true power Jesus possessed they looked to every small reason to discredit Him. Their focus always on the law and not their hearts but this did not stop Jesus from healing and helping and teaching those who needed Him.
Please post this one, the last one was not completed/edited. Thanks and Happy New Year!
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were wanting to see a miracle performed, just for them, to prove Jesus was from God all the while he was performing miracles all over the place.! This just shows how narcissistic they were and blinded to the truth of his coming. And although Jesus’ followers did not always understand his teaching and they lacked faith, Peter was spot on when he told Jesus he was the Messiah. He was given a great promise for boldly speaking the truth that God revealed to him. That he would have the keys to God’s kingdom, be responsible for building the church, as well as speaking God’s judgement and God’s forgiveness on the earth. God rewards those who speak the truth boldly and with confidence!