Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus

(This is the last in a series of 365 meditations on the genealogy of Jesus Christ, from Abraham to Jesus, as well as the prophets and personalities who supported them. This entire series is organized with daily readings by date, and also available by podcast, both accessible using CONTENTS. It can also be accessed in Apple Podcasts and other podcast websites – search for “Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus” by Bruce McClellan.)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-meditations-from-the-genealogy-of-jesus/id1556198265

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Sometimes when life looks to be the most hopeless, a new and wonderful beginning is about to happen. Though we may be at the low point of, “What now, Lord?”, the dawning of a joyful reality, by grace, is often ready to appear just beyond our visible horizon.

On the third day after the death and burial of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus completely fulfilled the Father’s will by living a pure and sinless life, then laying down His life for the complete atonement of sin for all who would believe on Him. But His immediate disciples were not yet aware of Jesus’ miraculous resurrection from the dead.

Jesus’ disciples had gathered after His death, huddled together in complete despair, not knowing at all what to do next. To make matters worse, some likely felt guilty about abandoning Him to the Romans while fleeing in absolute fear for their lives. But God was about to turn their dark mourning into the bright light of wonderful joy.

³⁶ And as they were saying these things, He (Jesus) Himself stood among them. He said to them, “Peace to you!” ³⁷ But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. ³⁸ “Why are you troubled?” He asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself!  Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” ⁴⁰ Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet. ⁴¹ But while they still were amazed and unbelieving because of their joy, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, ⁴³ and He took it and ate in their presence.

⁴⁴ Then He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” Luke 24:36-49 (HCSB)

Appearing to them after His resurrection, Jesus instructed His followers to remain in Jerusalem until they experienced the gift of the Holy Spirit, Whom they would receive on the day of Pentecost.

Then, forty days after His resurrection, Jesus returned to heaven, being taken up before their eyes.

⁵⁰ Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. ⁵¹ And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵² After worshiping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³ And they were continually in the temple complex praising God. Luke 24:50-53 (HCSB)

The disciples’ promised experience would occur ten days after Jesus’ ascension. Per His instructions, the 120 believers had been gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem for a season of intense prayer, waiting, in anticipation, for something very special to come. The Holy Spirit would be poured out upon them in dramatic fashion, as witnessed by a large crowd gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.

Upon receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples were filled with a new boldness and conviction in their faith, and would never again run away in fear from opposition or trouble. After living out fruitful and successful lives of ministry, turning many hearts to the Lord, many of these disciples would end up paying the ultimate price, being put to death for their faith. They were steadfast to the end, proclaiming their commitment to the name of Jesus right up until their final breath.

One of the youngest of the twelve apostles, John, would still be alive six decades later. While in exile for his faith on the island of Patmos, he was given a vision of Christ’s future return, as recorded in the book of Revelation.

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. ² I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

³ Then I heard a loud voice from the throne:

Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity,
and He will live with them.
They will be His people,
and God Himself will be with them
and be their God.
⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will no longer exist;
grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,
because the previous things have passed away.

⁵ Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” ⁶ And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life. Revelation 21:1-5 (HCSB)

That coming day will fulfill God’s eternal plan that began with the Lord’s directive to the sojourner, Abraham, calling out a people of faith. Later, the Lord called Moses from out of a burning bush, selecting him to free God’s people from slavery in Egypt and to lead them into a Promised Land. Later, David, a faithful king, would rule over God’s chosen people, and the authority of his throne is preserved forever for Jesus to one day reign on from Jerusalem. And all the prophets, many of whom wrote down God’s plan in the scriptures, foretelling of the redemption and the promise of God’s restoration for people of faith. These writers will have the balance of their prophecies fulfilled at the return of Jesus Christ.

This collection of meditations is the story of the people who lived out this journey as members of the genealogy of Jesus, as well as the prophets and personalities who were chosen to lead, encourage, and guide them. May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit and be strengthened in faith as we read their story in His word, seeking to learn from Jesus as we follow in His footsteps. May we be found ready, filled with faith, with the oil of the Holy Spirit burning brightly in our hearts, when Jesus returns in glory to call all believers to our eternal home.

Reflection

Where do you need the dawning of a new hope from the Lord?

Father God, we pray that the reader, wherever they may live on Your good earth, will find and experience generous portions of Your grace and mercy through Your word, tasting and seeing that the Lord is good. We pray Your blessing and protection on all who have the willingness and wisdom to seek to follow You. We ask this in the precious name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

May the Lord richly bless you with a beautiful day in His love, today and every day.

One weekend, several years back, a friend from church named Len and I were prayer partners at a weekend prison ministry event in Louisiana, hosted by Russell Roseberry’s InnerFaith Prison Ministry. It was Len’s first time participating in this type of ministry, and he was surprised how comfortable he felt there and how much he was enjoying it.

For most events, we volunteers were able to go around in the prison two by two, visiting, sharing, and praying with any inmates who wished to do so, on the prison yard, in the dorms, or along the rows of cell blocks. Many inmates did choose to visit with us that day, with hearts open and prepared by the Spirit of God.

At one point, while visiting with an inmate from outside his restricted cell, Len felt prompted to share the gospel account of the thief on the cross. In the account, two criminals had been condemned to die and were crucified alongside Jesus, one on His left, the other on His right. Len read from the scriptures how one of the criminals began to mock Jesus, while the other rebuked him for it.

³⁹ Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

⁴³ And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-42 (HCSB)

The man in the cell listened with a perplexed look on his face, then responded by exclaiming, “Today? Today you will be with Me in paradise? Really? This day? Today?”

He shook his head, barely believing it could be true – even a condemned thief can be saved in such a way? And we can all find ourselves in God’s heavenly presence, by faith, by grace, even those condemned to die on a cross?

Yes, it is true. Although not the recommended way to use the spiritual gifts and resources that God has made available to us, the thief on the cross really did get into paradise that day, turning to God in faith, just in the nick of time. Talk about cutting it close with the decision of a lifetime!

There is a caution, however. One speaker, Dr. Mike Smalley, has put it this way: the thief had a saved soul, but a wasted life. Although he experienced an authentic salvation and complete redemption, he never had the chance to put his new life to work in the flow of the Lord, bearing fruit for God’s kingdom. We have the opportunity to accomplish so much if we are willing to follow God’s will for us. Jesus told multiple parables about how we will receive heavenly rewards for such service.

The inmate that Len spoke to and prayed with has now probably been long released from his incarceration. We pray that he has been able to find his way into a good faith community, to be accepted and built up in love, and helped to lead a joyful and blessed life for the remainder of his days. God is a big God, capable of the greatest miracles of healing, redemption, and restoration in our lives, even for a thief on a cross, an inmate in a prison, or you and I. He is there, welcoming each of us to join Him and His kingdom today.

Reflection

What healing do you need from the Lord today? May He grant you the desires of your heart.

Father God, thank You for saving us by Your wonderful grace, made possible through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to move forward, bearing divine fruit as we live out the divine appointments and assignments that You have prepared for us to do. Teach us to love and serve others with patience, tolerance, and purity. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today!

After instituting the covenant of Holy Communion at His final Passover meal, Jesus girded himself with a towel and began to wash His disciples’ feet. After this most humble act, He warned them that the hour had come for Him to lay down His life for all believers. He also revealed that one of His disciples would betray Him.

Shocked and suddenly realizing that something very serious was happening, Jesus’ disciples did not really know how to respond. Seeking to ease their concerns, Jesus began to comfort them, assuring them that their (and our) eternal future would be one of great joy. It would be something to remember and hold onto during the dark hours ahead.

 ¹ “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. ⁴ You know the way to where I am going.”

⁵ “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:1-6 (HCSB)

Jesus laid it all out for them, simple, plain, and clear: No matter what happens, even the unthinkable, continue to place our focus on Him. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life. He loves us and has paved the way for us to live eternally with Him. He has covered all of our sins and shortcomings with God’s own righteousness through His sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. And He will return one day to take us to Himself. So, no matter what happens, keep the faith! This was valuable assurance for both his disciples then and for us today.

Having been raised in glory after His atoning mission was complete, Jesus now provides all believers with a new relationship with the Father. Previously, only a high priest could enter God’s divine presence in the Holy of Holies, located in the temple in Jerusalem, and then only once a year after being cleansed by a blood sacrifice. But when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple that separated holy God from unholy people was torn in two, from top to bottom, opening the way for all believers. Reading from the gospel account of Jesus’ death on the cross:

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, ⁴⁵ because the sun’s light failed.  The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. ⁴⁶ And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.” Saying this, He breathed His last.

⁴⁷ When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” ⁴⁸ All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. ⁴⁹ But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Luke 23:44-49 (HCSB)

Through faith in Christ, all believers are made holy by His sacrifice and may now approach the Father directly with our prayers and petitions. As Jesus had explained to His disciples on Passover night:

⁷ “If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”

⁸ “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own.  The Father who lives in Me does His works. ¹¹ Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. John 14:7-11 (HCSB)

We have all been offered countless divine blessings as a result of Christ’s incredible sacrifice. But, as with any gift, it is still up to us to receive them. For whatever reason, many will choose to decline and reject Jesus’ loving offer and sacrificial covering. Many others WILL receive Him in faith, and will enjoy the gift of eternal fellowship with Him in the place that He has prepared for us. If we do not yet know Him, we can begin that relationship right here, right now. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

May the Lord richly bless you with the very best of all His gifts today!

Reflection

It is a privilege to be free to enter the Father’s throne room, welcomed by Him at any hour of the day or night, to make our prayer petitions or just to rest in His presence. We have been cleansed, qualified, and made righteous to do so by our faith in the loving sacrifice of Jesus, our eternal Savior and Redeemer.

Father God, thank You that You always hear our prayers and care so deeply about us. Your grace, mercy, and generosity are gifted to us without limit. We look forward one day to celebrating our fellowship and worship in the physical presence of Your courts, residing in the place that Jesus has prepared for us. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a blessed and glorious day in the Lord today!

When confronted by a teacher of the law trying to trap Him in His words, Jesus answered with a truth we can all live by. The man asked:

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the great and foremost commandment. ³⁹ The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB)

In the previous meditation, we saw how Jesus addresses the first of these two main commandments with the Parable of the Ten Virgins. The grace of God draws us in love to pursue Him in faith, such that He is able to fill our hearts with the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the oil that fuels our lamps to shine as a testimony to Him and a blessing to those around us.

In a later parable, in Matthew 25, Jesus addresses His second great commandment, as given here – to love others as we would love ourselves. He seems to indicate that the sum of our thoughts, actions, and motives towards others in life reveal our true nature and the authenticity of our faith.

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

³⁵ For I was hungry
and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you took care of Me;
I was in prison and you visited Me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? ³⁹ When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’

⁴⁰ “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’  Matthew 25:31-40 (HCSB)

This is the relatively easy part of the parable, as even the hardest of people can think of times when we shared something in kindness, or reached out to give aid or comfort to someone going through a difficult season. But Jesus did not stop here.

⁴¹ Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!

⁴² For I was hungry
and you gave Me nothing to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me nothing to drink;
⁴³ I was a stranger
and you didn’t take Me in;
I was naked
and you didn’t clothe Me,
sick and in prison
and you didn’t take care of Me.’

⁴⁴ “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You?’

⁴⁵ “Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’

⁴⁶ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:41-46 (HCSB)

I must be frank – this section of the parable has always challenged my theology. Virtually the entire New Testament rests on salvation through a living faith in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By grace, we are saved through faith, and not by works, as Paul explicitly writes in Ephesians 2, verse 8. Yet, this parable implies that our salvation rests on whether or not we sought to share with and comfort others in their times of difficulty and trial.

So, are we saved by faith? Yes. Are we saved by works? The apostle Paul says “not by works”. But Jesus’ younger half-brother, James, born of Joseph and Mary, has some critical insight in his biblical book, the book of James.

 ²⁶ For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26 (NASB)

Whatever the case, Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats is an important reminder for me to keep the needs of others in the forefront of my mind. I need to refocus daily on being like a “sheep”, following the Good Shepherd, with a genuine faith that reflects His compassion for others. And whenever I find myself thinking like a goat, looking out only for my own welfare and interests, I need to quickly readjust. Jesus’ parable emphasizes just how important this refocusing is.

Reflection

When or where am I most prone to think like a “goat”, thinking only of myself?

Father God, help us to take this vital parable to heart today, to reflect Your love and compassion to those around us, exhibiting patience and tolerance with them. Help us to be generous and tender peacemakers, rather than always seeking to win every potential conflict we face. Help us to forgive those who have hurt us, and to make amends to those we have hurt or offended. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a beautiful day walking with the Lord today.

God has placed us here on earth for a purpose. We have the freedom of choice to 1) pursue Him and His plan for us, 2) reject Him and His spiritual world, or 3) live somewhere in between the two end members, hedging our bets, just in case. Near the end of His three-year ministry, Jesus told the parable of the Ten Virgins, which, I believe, is about those who choose the first or third scenarios, the believers and the hedgers.

 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.² Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ ⁷ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹ “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ ¹² But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)

I have puzzled over the interpretation of this parable for many years, not quite sure what Jesus was intending to convey by it. And I am apparently not the only one who has difficulty with it. One time, while visiting a church in Louisiana, I heard a sermon given on it, and realized that, to my memory, it was the only time I could ever recall this passage being preached on in a church service.

But this morning, as I read it, it seems to have a simple clarity. So here goes.

Jesus often referred to His worldwide church of believers as a “bride”, and the Great Banquet to be given at His return as the great Wedding Supper. Perhaps we people of faith, weak as we are, are represented by the first group of five virgins. By grace, Jesus’ believers, even the latest of bloomers, have been identified from the beginning of time to spend eternity with Him. No matter what else our calling, we, like those virgins, have a very important role to play in our future – to meet Jesus at His return, with our spiritual “lamps” burning. Having taken Him and His kingdom seriously at some point in our lives, either early or late, we now worship and serve Him. We seek to bear divine fruit for His kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the “oil” in the “lamp” of our hearts.

In Jesus’ parable, when news of the bridegroom’s imminent arrival is heard, these first five virgins immediately go out to meet Him with oil in their lamps. They were ready, with faith in Christ alive in their heart.

The second group of five virgins quickly realize that they have erred by not taking their spiritual lives seriously. They never really sought a faith relationship with Jesus, with which they would have received the “oil” of His Holy Spirit. They had spiritual lamps, or hearts, that were potentially as effective as the ones the first five virgins had, but theirs were empty of oil. Now, at the last minute, they scrambled to make up for lost time, desperately trying to find some oil to light their lamps. They followed along later to meet the bridegroom, who is now clearly identified by them as “Lord”.

The fact that these five took their lamps along suggests that they might have had some knowledge of God, and maybe believed that Jesus existed. Anyone who chose to outright reject God likely “discarded” their lamps long ago, hardening their hearts and choosing to live without any regard for the Lord and His ways. This second group of five virgins might have even had a form of religion, but never sought an actual faith relationship with God, which would have provided them with the spiritual oil they needed. Perhaps they had a half-belief, keeping the idea of God simmering on the back-burner of their minds, but otherwise going about their lives with an indifference to His presence.

Many believers have lived at least a portion of their lives in that state. I know I have. But God continually draws us towards Him and will shake us from our spiritual stupor of ignorance if we have only a shred of willingness to believe. From this mustard seed of faith, He will grow deep spiritual roots, producing divine fruit from His ever-flowing grace and goodness. Our new faith in Jesus leads to our spiritual rebirth, and fills our hearts with His Holy Spirit.

May the Lord fill us all to overflowing with His Spirit, and may He burn brightly in the lamps of our hearts for all to see, drawing them to His goodness today. And may we all be eager and ready to meet Him when the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, one day returns.

Reflection

How do you interpret the Parable of the Ten Virgins?

Father God, help us to always be prepared for the return of Jesus, whether He comes in our lifetime or when we meet Him at our death. Fill us with His Holy Spirit through faith, so that we may produce divine fruit for the kingdom and be a bright light of hope for those around us. Guide and protect us as we seek to follow Your will in our lives. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a bright and glorious day in the Lord today.

As Jesus’ three year ministry was drawing near its end and the cross approaching, He received word that the brother of two of His closest friends was seriously ill.

¹ Now a man was sick, Lazarus, from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. ³ So the sisters sent a message to Him: “Lord, the one You love is sick.” John 11:1-3 (HCSB)

Mary and Martha are well known in scripture for being close to Jesus and for entertaining Him in their home. They are perhaps best known for the time when Mary sat at Jesus’ feet as He taught, while Martha was busy about the house, attending to the guests and quite disturbed that Mary was not up assisting her. Jesus gently let Martha know that Mary had chosen the better thing at that moment, as the Creator of the universe would not always be there, teaching among them.

The news about Lazarus’ sickness did not come as a surprise to Jesus. He knew that the Father had reason to permit it to happen, and a plan to use it for Jesus’ and the Father’s glory.

⁴ When Jesus heard it, He said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. ⁶ So when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. ⁷ Then after that, He said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.” ¹¹ He said this, and then He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on My way to wake him up.” John 11:4-7, 11 (HCSB)

The disciples were quite confused by Jesus’ expression of Lazarus being asleep. He had said it this way to indicate that it was not a hopeless situation, but in the end, Jesus told them plainly that Lazarus was, indeed, dead.

¹⁷ When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.  ²¹ Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. ²² Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.”

²³ “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

²⁴ Martha said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. ²⁶ Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.” John 11:17, 21-27 (HCSB)

In this grief-filled and painful situation, Jesus presented the joyous truth about His victory over death. We all, like Lazarus, will one day die, unless Christ returns first, and His believers shall rise from the dead to live with Him. He is the source of our resurrection and eternal life in God’s kingdom. Through the tragedy of Lazarus’ death, Jesus would clearly demonstrate the power and truth behind His words and promises.

³⁴ “Where have you put him?” He asked.

“Lord,” they told Him, “come and see.”

³⁵ Jesus wept. John 11:34-35 (HCSB)

We are made in God’s image, and, like Him, have tender and breakable hearts, filled with compassion and sorrow in such situations. Jesus, both God and human, has a heart filled with love like no other, and the overwhelming grief and pain experienced by His loved ones brought Him to tears. He began weeping, despite knowing full well what He was about to do for Lazarus. Jesus also expressed anger at the whole idea of death, which came about in the first place because of sin on the earth. Removing sin and the sting of death was the primary objective of His earthly ministry, and experiencing the grief around Lazarus and his loved ones likely gave Jesus further strength and conviction as He resolved to face His imminent, brutal suffering and death on a cross for our eternal salvation.

³⁸ Then Jesus, angry in Himself again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. ³⁹ “Remove the stone,” Jesus said.

Martha, the dead man’s sister, told Him, “Lord, he’s already decaying. It’s been four days.”

⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

 ⁴³ After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him and let him go.” John 11:38-40, 43-44 (HCSB)

It has been said that if Jesus had not specifically mentioned Lazarus by name, every dead person buried in that community tomb would have come out. But Lazarus was the one called, and it was Lazarus who came out. Jesus’ instructed the people to remove his grave wrappings to set him free, and returned him to his loved ones.

Painful as this whole experience was, Jesus used it to confirm His power to do everything that He has promised, even to raise His believers from the dead. It also reminds us to keep the faith and never lose hope, no matter how dark our situation may be. The divine Power that raised Lazarus from death is still there for us, and will work to help free us from any of the painful entanglements or trials that we might otherwise be overwhelmed by. In Jesus, all things are possible. He deeply loves us, along with the ones we deeply love.

Reflection

Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus despite their imperfections. He feels the same way about you and me.

He is the resurrection and the life. All who earnestly turn to Christ today will receive His eternal salvation. Are you among them?

Father God, Your resurrection power gives testimony to Your great glory, love, and generosity towards us. We receive Your gift of eternal life, offered through the death and resurrection of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We ask Jesus to come into our life to save and regenerate us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help us to live a holy life reflecting Your love to all. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

May you have a blessed and joyful day in the glorious presence of the Lord today.

Jesus went to the cross in an unsurpassable act of love for us. Sin separated all of us from God, and there lay between us and Him an impassable canyon. All the “filthy rags” of my best efforts to qualify for heaven were on my side, and the blinding light of God’s absolute purity and holiness lay on the other. Since it is impossible for us to “earn” our way across this canyon, being far too deep and wide, faith in Christ became the bridge for us to cross over on. His voluntary death on the cross for our benefit is the complete and acceptable sacrifice for all of our sin, so that believers may eternally reside right in the midst of God’s holy presence. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit raises up all believers to a new, forever life with Him, our eternal King.

That is the gospel in a nutshell, the final focus of this series of meditations on the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Or is it? Jesus added one more, somewhat mysterious instruction to His followers:

²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. ²⁶ What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done. Matthew 16:24-27 (HCSB)

What does Jesus mean when He says that we believers must deny ourselves and take up our cross? For Jesus’ apostles, this would have special meaning, as tradition tells us that most of them actually did die for their faith, some of them on a literal cross. And globally today, some believers are still being killed as martyrs for their faith. But for most people, I believe Jesus is speaking of something different – putting to death our own selfish, self-centered desires and sinful actions, and choosing to live each day for Him. Seeking to follow Him wherever He leads, serving others’ rather than our own needs and wants. Frankly, this requires a constant effort and refocusing on and prioritizing the things of God. As the apostle Paul writes:

⁵ For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.  Romans 8:5-7 (HCSB)

Oftentimes, we fall short of ideal behavior, and end up saying or doing something offensive, not in keeping with the expectations of a citizen of God’s kingdom. When this happens, we are blessed to be able to approach the Lord in prayer to confess our sins and shortcomings, receive His forgiveness, then recommit our hearts to Him and His will. We make amends, if possible, to anyone we have hurt, and forgive others for their offenses in the same way that God has forgiven us. Easy to do? Not at all. But God will help us.

We are transferred into God’s kingdom by grace, through faith, in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us that, beyond salvation and an eternal presence with Him, believers will also be granted rewards when He returns from heaven with His angels to set up His kingdom here. Presumably, these rewards follow from the times that we walked in His Will, fulfilling the roles and good works that God prepared for us to do, and helped us to achieve.

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

Any act of choosing to follow God’s will and setting aside our own fleshly desires is, in essence, taking up our cross to follow Him. It is a life-long process of putting to death our old, selfish person and taking on the nature of Christ. This is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives within the hearts of all believers, worldwide.

It is a journey of progress, not perfection. As Pastor Craig Cooper often says, “I may not be who I want to be, but I am not who I used to be.” May we all seek to walk closer with Jesus as we take up our cross today.

Reflection

God’s forgiveness when we fail is offered with great abundance. Every victory that we do have, whenever we choose to follow Him rather than our own selfish ways, is celebrated with great joy on earth and in heaven.

Father God, thank You for Your amazing grace, mercy, and love that You pour out on each one of us every day. Help us to follow closer to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and to live a spiritually-fruitful life that is pleasing to You and a blessing to others. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a blessed and beautiful day the Lord today.

If Jesus were to ask you today, “Who do you say that I am?”, what would you reply? A good person? A wise man? A prophet? The Messiah? The Son of God?

Jesus did ask this very question to His disciples.

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:13-15 (HCSB)

William Wolfe has stated that the most powerful question one can ask a spiritually-hungry soul is, “Who do you think Jesus is?”. This brings immediate clarity to the most important question in life.

When Jesus asked the question of His disciples, He heard some of the limited views that others had of Him. But His apostles had seen first-hand the countless miracles Jesus performed, far surpassing anything God had done in the past to verify the authenticity for any of the prophets. And they had observed Jesus’ character twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and would have noticed any human failings, sins, or shortcomings if He had them. He did not.

Peter, the only disciple brave enough to get up out of a storm-tossed boat to walk upon the waves, spoke up:

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”

¹⁷ And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. Matthew 16:16-17 (HCSB)

Jesus would later state that, unless the Father draws us, none of us would come to faith in Christ (John 6:44). This is sometimes referred to as God’s prevenient grace. It is a gift of the preparation of our hearts to recognize Christ for who is, and for the willingness to reach out to Him in faith. Peter would become the first of many to recognize and proclaim the divinity of Jesus, the Messiah. His fledgling faith is the bedrock upon which the entire kingdom of heaven continued to grow and spread throughout the entire world.

¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19 (HCSB)

Peter was certainly given an impressive role and responsibility in God’s new kingdom.

With the foundation of His new church now firmly planted, Jesus would begin to reveal to His disciples the true mission of His first coming – to serve as the atonement for the sins of all believers, before, during, and after His earthly ministry. Peter, more focused on Jesus’ future role as the King of a new and eternal government, did not approve of this mission and tried to change Jesus’ mind. Given the extreme nature of the suffering that Jesus knew He was about to face, this must have served as a strong temptation for Him to avoid it. In fact, it was one of many ways that Satan would attempt to sidetrack and foil God’s plan to provide salvation for so many people, through faith in Jesus and His cleansing sacrifice. As Jesus explained to His disciples:

²¹ From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. ²² Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!”

²³ But He turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.” Matthew 16:21-23 (HCSB)

Peter got a sharp correction, but he was not the only one. One time, as I was planning to make an excuse to get out of an upcoming prison ministry event, I turned on a Christian radio station and immediately heard these same words, “you are thinking of the things of man, not the things of God”. Ouch! I changed my mind, decided to go, and experienced one of the most spiritually-wonderful weekends of my entire life.

If we are brave enough to ask someone who Jesus is to them, spiritual doors may be opened through the power of His name. We may not see results, and they may reject us, but God’s grace will still be at work. It may take the courage of Peter to speak up, but with God’s help, it could be the rich turning point in someone’s life journey. May God help us to do so.

Reflection

Who is Jesus to you?

Father God, grant us the courage to speak up and to ask people who Jesus is to them. Their life will get incredibly better if we do speak up and they eventually become believers. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today.

My relative Larry and I once went overnight fishing with another relative, Steve. Steve’s motorboat was quite adequate in size for the mild ocean waves we encountered cruising along the east end of Long Island, in New York. The fishing was good and the company warm and pleasant.

But during the wee hours of the night, to our surprise, a storm came up. Larry and I had been asleep on the deck in the back of the boat. Steve woke us up, and in his calm but urgent way, told us “You two need to move to the front of the boat, or we might not make it back.” There was just enough light to see the large waves following close behind us, and it was a frightening sight. After some tense moments and a lot of prayer, we made it safely back to shore, then went back to sleep – this time, in the car.

The following morning was clear, sunny, and calm, so we returned to fishing. On the way out, we went by a Coast Guard vessel towing a large sailboat. But all that was visible of the boat was the very top of its tall mast – the rest of the boat was submerged, a stark reminder of the tremendous power of the stormy sea.

This adventure helped me relate to one of Jesus’ disciples’ experiences. One night, in the early morning hours, they found themselves in a very similar situation on the Sea of Galilee, where violent storms can also quickly arise. We read about it in Matthew 14.

²³ After dismissing the crowds, He (Jesus) went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. ²⁴ But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. ²⁵ Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. ²⁶ When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”

²⁹ “Come!” He said.

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!”  Matthew 14:23-33 (HCSB)

The apostle Peter comes under a lot of criticism for his wavering faith in this situation, but from my own night on the boiling sea, I have only the deepest admiration for his courage in stepping out of the boat. None of the other apostles did! And for a brief time, Peter truly did walk upon the waves, held up only by a miracle of God, through faith.

Like Peter when he began to sink, our own desperate situations get resolved when Jesus reaches out His hand to us. No matter what trials we are facing, He is always there. Jesus has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We can trust Him to calm the waves that toss us about whenever these storms are threatening. May He safely carry you through any trouble you might be facing today.

Reflection

Would you have joined Peter, getting out of the boat to walk on the waves?

Father God, thank You for protecting us whenever the storms of life rise up to confront us. We lean upon Jesus to take our hand, calm the storm, and bring us through. We ask this in His name, Amen.

Have a blessed and peaceful day in the Lord today.