November 14, 2012

A Lie to Cover Up the Truth (11/14)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 28; Mark 16.

It is not uncommon to hear of government officials lying to cover up the truth about a particular matter. This was done by the chief priests in order to cover up the truth about Jesus’ resurrection.

“Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, ‘You are to say, “His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.” And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.’ And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day” (Matthew 28:11-15).

There are some lessons we can take from this:
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November 10, 2012

“If I Tell You, You Will Not Believe” (11/10)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 22; John 13.

While Jesus was on trial, He showed us that there will be some who will not accept the truth, even when it is plainly presented to them.

“When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, tell us.’ But He said to them, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I ask a question, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of God.’ And they all said, ‘Are You the Son of God, then?’ And He said to them, ‘Yes, I am.’ Then they said, ‘What further need to we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth’” (Luke 22:66-71).

During His time on the earth, Jesus had done enough to prove that He was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Yet the members of the Council refused to accept it. When they asked this question, Jesus knew that they would not believe the truth. They had already made up their minds that Jesus was a blasphemer and worthy of death.
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October 29, 2012

Believing Only Part of the Truth (10/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from John 11.

After receiving word that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, the chief priests and Pharisees met to determine what needed to be done about Jesus. They were concerned that if He continued, all men would believe Him, which would invite the wrath of the Romans (John 11:47-48). So the high priest, Caiaphas, offered some counsel.

“But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.’ Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they planned together to kill Him” (John 11:49-53).

Notice what the Scriptures tell us about what Caiaphas said. He had received a divine prophecy that “Jesus was going to die for the nation” (John 11:51). This was true. Jesus indicated that He was going to die as well (John 3:14-15; 8:28). Yet even though his message agreed with Jesus’ about this, Caiaphas and his allies were enemies of Christ. How?
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October 25, 2012

“The Scripture Cannot Be Broken” (10/25)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 10-11; John 10:22-42.

When Jesus declared His oneness with the Father – thus affirming His deity – the Jews wanted to stone Him to death (John 10:30-31). They believed Jesus was guilty of blasphemy when He made such a claim. The problem, though, was not with Jesus’ words, but with their understanding of the Scriptures.

“Jesus answered them, ‘I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?’ The Jews answered Him, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Has it not been written in your Law, “I said, you are gods”? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.’” (John 10:32-38).

Given the evidence they had, there was no reason why these Jews, if they were honest, should have rejected Christ. Yet, after Jesus said this, they tried “again to seize Him” (John 10:39).
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October 20, 2012

What Other People Say and What You Say (10/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27.

Immediately before promising to build His church, Jesus taught His disciples an important lesson about what to believe.

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven’” (Matthew 16:13-17).

It was helpful to recognize what others were saying about Jesus. Many people had misconceptions about Him, just as many people do today. But while it was important to be aware of this, the goal of Jesus’ instruction was not merely to point out the erroneous views that His disciples might encounter. It was also vitally important that the disciples themselves believed the truth about Jesus.
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September 22, 2012

Just As You Were a Curse, You May Become a Blessing (9/22)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Zechariah 8-14.

“‘It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong’” (Zechariah 8:13).

Though God’s people had been punished by Him for their unfaithfulness – and it had been done in a manner that was very visible and obvious to the nations around them – God was going to bless them such that they would “become a blessing.” This refers to the promise made to Abraham: “And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). God would keep His promise. But the people also needed to respond appropriately to the grace which God would show to them.
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August 18, 2012

"This Man is Not Seeking the Well-Being of This People" (8/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Jeremiah 28-40; Psalm 74, 79.

Jeremiah’s message was one that was filled with warnings of destruction. As we might expect, his “negative” message was generally not well-received. The attitude of his opponents is very similar to the attitude of those today who oppose the truth.

“‘Thus says the Lord, “This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.”‘ Then the officials said to the king, ‘Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of the people but rather their harm’” (Jeremiah 38:3-4).

Jeremiah’s message, though unpopular and uncomfortable, was one that the people desperately needed to hear. The ones who would heed his words and obey them would deliver themselves (Jeremiah 38:2). For those who rejected him, there would be punishment. But the officials did not like Jeremiah’s message and tried to turn the king against him by making two accusations:
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