March 17, 2024
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 28 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.31 through 5.33 (pages 161-163)
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.
The Life of Jesus 5.31-5.33 and Jonah chapter 2.
”To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.“
Jonah 2:6 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jon.2.6.NIV
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to us. What an amazing reality that God really lives within us, guiding us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. As Paul says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God in your body.”( 1 Cor 6:19-20)
“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me.”
We should not stress about things of this world, for all they bring is sin and doubt. Instead trust in God, trust that He will have things happen as He made them to be. Trust in God in the past, present, and future, trust that, “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”(Romans 8:28).
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”(Matthew 6:34).
To combat stress and anxiety think about the promises that God has made to you and that He loves you more than you can imagine. Think about good things, that promote Spiritual health and growth.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever it just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, thing about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”(Philippians 4:8-9)
Great verses to help with anxiety, John! God is with us!
I just binged the readings to bring me up to 5:33. I love this book because it brings such clarity about the teachings of Jesus. I’ve read this twice now and still get a better understanding of the Word.
Jesus because of what He has been sharing about His coming death is giving His followers comfort in that when He comes back they will be with Him in Heaven in the many rooms that He has prepared. 1 Thess. 4: 16,17 { For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we be with the Lord.} 18 { Wherefore comfort one another with these words.} Jesus is the only way that anyone can be saved. He says : { I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.} Rom. 10: 13 { For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.} Jesus promises that when He leaves; the Holy Spirit will come and indwell each believer. After Jesus ascended to Heaven the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell believers. He was also to teach and bring to remembrance whatever Christ said to them. { the disciples}. This is why the Apostles and those that were eye witnesses of the events and healings, etc. of Jesus were used to write about what they saw. They were inspired of God. 1 Tim. 3:16 { All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.} The Apostle Paul was given instruction by Jesus Himself when he encountered Jesus. Now the Holy Spirit that dwells in us teaches and guides us when we listen to Him. He even helps our prayers when we can`t even say a word. It is so very important to get into God`s Word on a daily basis and let the Holy Spirit teach us. God bless.
Great thoughts, Dennis! The ministry of the Holy Spirit to the believer is so incredible.
Luke 22-24; John 1
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really know me, you will knowfn my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
”“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”“
John 14:1-4 NKJV
Jesus gives assurance that He will prepare a place for His followers, and that He will come back and get them.
While we are waiting, He leaves the Holy Spirit and peace.
I have this memorized from this summer’s VBS.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.” John 14:27
5.31 – 5.33 (John 14:1-31) One of my favorite chapters of the Bible. The intimacy, care, and provision shown by Jesus to His disciples here is so incredible. And to know that these words were not just for those who were with Him that night, but are for us as well…thank you Lord Jesus for your Word, and thank you for coming with the Father to make your home with us through the indwelling of your Holy Spirit in us…you truly are Immanuel…God with us.
“I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”
The complete work of Christ on earth made a way for us when there would be no other way. We can work, obey the law, but we will always fall short. He provided a way for us to be in relationship with Him and even more overwhelming He provides His Holy Spirit to be in us to provide us strength when we are weak, peace when we are troubled, joy when we are sad! It is our power cord to God…imagine not only dying for us but above and beyond He provides the constant support to operate in Him in every aspect of our lives!
Day 28 what comfort reading these promises in these readings. He has prepared a place for us, he has left us a Helper the Holy Spirit until he returns. He didn’t leave us alone, the Holy Spirit lives in us, he guides us in our lives. Jesus talks about his peace that he leaves, “I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid. “ Unless you know Christ you will never experience that peace. We are so Blessed to be able to have that kind of peace in our lives, and to know that he is coming back for us one day soon. Blessed Assurance!
This a side note about the Judas mentioned here. John the Apostle is very clear to us that it is not Judas Iscariot so this leaves the other Judas; also known as Jude or Lebbeus or Thaddeus. We know little about him but he is not believed to be the author of the Bible book , Jude. That is believed to have been written by the half- brother of Jesus who came to Christ latter. Just like his brother James, who also was a half-brother of Jesus and also got saved latter. Also author of the book James. We have this question to Jesus: { Lord, how will you make yourself known to us, but not to the world?} I am not sure but this is probably the only time that he is mentioned asking a question. I think that he is only listed as one of the Apostles. He is the least known of all the Apostles. Most sources think that the book of Jude is written by Jesus half-brother. I researched this before when we studied the book of Jude. But some believe that the author was Jude, one of the 12. All the Men of the Bible believes that which is one of my source books. I believe that the author of Jude is the half-brother of Jesus. The author of Jude calls himself the brother of James. Anyways this is not a study of the book of Jude but about the little known Apostle Judas, one of the 12. Anyways not trying to confuse but just giving information. God bless.
How often God comes to humankind through His agents and says, don’t be troubled, don’t be afraid. And what greater assurance and guard against fear is the reality that this life really isn’t the point. The point is the life to come and Jesus provides the way to get there. He has welcomed these disciples into relationship with Him so they could know the Father as well and be welcomed into eternal relationship with Him. We and all who believe in Jesus as the way will come to the same understanding and receive the same benefits. How amazing that we are associated with God and His kingdom as we live on this earth. And yet even more amazing is that in addition to being associated with His kingdom on the outside, is that God sends His Spirit on the inside so we are associated and empowered by His kingdom within. And because of this relationship and this power, it only makes sense that we would love this great God who has given so much, and if we love Him, then of course we are going to do what He ask us….just like we would with anyone we love. But how amazing that God brings all these things together to make us right on the outside and the inside. And He never leaves us alone because we are always in Him and He is always in us! And what peace that should bring. The world cannot know that peace because they only have what they have and can only pursue things that are external and really can’t satisfy. But we have Jesus in us who gives fullness of life and provides power over those dynamics that would seek to separate us from all the goodness and righteousness that God would provide. May we grab hold of everything that Jesus provides and promises here as we trust Him for who He claims to be!
Amen, Pastor!
Lenten 2024 – Day 28
Lenten day 28