March 19, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 9 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.65 through 4.68 (pages 122-125)
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.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost but knew that some would not listen, like the people around Noah, the people of Sodom, and many people even today that busy themselves with the things of this world and miss the big picture. Worshipping the creation and forgetting about the creator!
Like the 10 lepers healed and only one came back to acknowledge who healed him.
“Whoever tries to keep the life they have will lose it. But whoever gives up their life will save it” we must be willing to die with Christ and pick up our cross daily, we follow Him knowing it won’t always make us rich or popular but we are doing our Father’s work and that is the least we can do in return for all He has done for us!
Amen, Kelly!
On Lent day 9
Jesus told His followers that He would come again when we would least expect it. I found the comment about the vultures gathering to be confusing. Then Jesus asks whether He will find believers on earth when He comes again.
Hey Suzanne, the comment on the vultures is in reference to knowing when Jesus will return. Vultures gathering is a way to find a dead body. In the same way certain events will accompany Jesus return so we can “know” when it is coming and when it is here.
Make sense?
In the healing of the ten lepers. They all shouted for Jesus to heal them and He did. But only one of them returned and was thankful. How often are we thankful for all the things He has done in our lives. This man was a Samaritan. Latter the Pharisees asked Jesus a question. When will God`s kingdom come. He told them that when he comes you will know it. And He will shine like lighting flashes across the sky. It will be like the days of Noah when there was sudden destruction upon all mankind. [ No worldwide flood this time] God promised after Noah`s flood that there wouldn`t be another worldwide flood. He gave His promise with the rainbow. Genesis 9; 12-17. Then Jesus brings up Sodom where God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their evil ways. Our world has gotten so evil today that it seems like the time of His return is near. Of course we don`t know the day or the time of His coming. Only the Father knows. But we should be ready for His return. We know that He holds the furture in His hands. And we are on the winning side for we are with Him.
Day 9
4.65-4.68
Day 9 4:65-4:68
How sad that the leaders of Israel’s response to the raising of Lazarus is fear and judgement. What a foolish statement to say if He keeps doing these miracles people are going to believe in Him, so we have to stop Him. And because we are afraid of what the Romans will do, we have to kill Him. But people can be like that. They can also get something great and not go back and say thank you. Let’s try not to be those kind of people, especially being grateful to God!
And now in a different context, Jesus is asked when the kingdom of God will come. Well don’t you get the picture. It is here in Jesus’ presence on earth. But in terms of what they really meant as to when God will come and make everything right and judge those who are wrong, in that sense, it will come suddenly and when people least expect it. Think about the times God’s judgement came in the past. It was when life was happening and then boom, it was too late to change. In many ways Jesus is saying here you always need to be ready for His return and although there will be signs when He is coming, once it is happening it will be unmistakeable and you won’t be able to do anything about it. You won’t even be able to get a change of clothes, forget about changing what fate awaits you when He gets here. The time to get ready is now, not then!
Jesus did not have to touch the lepers to heal them; they just needed to believe and they were healed. Only one person came back to thank him and he was a Samaritan. Let’s not forget to do that when God answers our prayers! When Jesus comes again everyone will know it and it will happen when people least expect it. They will be engaged in their regular daily activities when, all of a sudden, Jesus will appear. One will be taken, and one will be left. Keep praying to God about your needs, cares and concerns. He is your loving Father, and he wants to give you the desires of your heart that are in line with his will.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I have felt that the story of the widow and the unjust judge has been especially pertinent these past few years.
The widow is appealing to the judge for justice against her enemies and the judge delays, but eventually answers. Jesus tells us the purpose of the story:
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
We should not lose heart or doubt that God will bring justice to the earth.
“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
Keep praying!