Devotions

His Name Has Made This Man Strong

by  • 

Believers were devoting themselves to the Lord and more were being added every day.

Having Favor With All the People

Acts 2:42–47
This was an easy time where people were of one mind and joined themselves together devoting themselves to the Lord. In Acts 2:42 we see them “devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers”. And, in Acts 2:46 we see them “every day, devoting themselves to meeting* with one purpose in the temple courts* and breaking bread from house to house, they were eating their food with joy and simplicity of heart” and this purity, this joy, this simplicity, their time praising God had a result. In Acts 2:47 we see them “having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding every day to the total of those who were being saved”. The number of believers grew.

At The Hour of Prayer

Acts 3:1–10
We see the daily pattern, from the time the apostles came back to Jerusalem, they had been gathering in Acts 1:14 “with one mind” and as we just read in Acts 2:46 “with one purpose”. It was at the third hour (Acts 2:15), that the Holy Spirit had been poured out. It is important to remember that “The daily worship (in the temple) consisted of the offering of a burnt offering and incense in the morning and the afternoon; it was carried on by the priests, but there was always a congregation of people who stood where they could see the priests going about their duties and entering the sanctuary”.1

Morning and afternoon were the times when people gathered in the temple court and the apostles were gathering with others for prayer at these times. In Acts 3:1 (LEB) Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

The tradition, the cultural norm, was for the in-firmed to sit at the gate to the temple courts where they would ask for alms, for donations. They didn’t have any means of support other than the kindness and generosity of people going by. So, in Acts 3:2, we see a man “being carried” and in Acts 2:3 “he saw Peter and John” and asked …

Peter and John had walked this way before, twice a day for some time. And, Jesus also had walked this way and might have walked by this very man. He had been lame for forty years. Acts 2:2 says “he was placed every day at the gate”. On this day, in Acts 2:6 But Peter said, “Silver and gold ⌊I do not possess⌋, but what I have, this I give to you—in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”

Why on this day? The Bible doesn’t say specifically. Was it that on this day, God suddenly wanted to heal this man? For me, on this day, this man asked, believing he would receive. In Matthew 8:13 (LEB) And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go, as you have believed it will be done for you.” And the slave was healed at that hour. And, Jesus said in Matthew 9:29 (LEB) Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done for you.” But there is also Peters response, and I believe he now is moved by the Holy Spirit to respond. The way Jesus said it was in John 12:49-50 For I have not spoken from myself, but the Father himself who sent me ⌊has commanded me⌋ what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So the things that I say, just as the Father said to me, thus I say.”

The God of Our Fathers, Has Glorified His Servant Jesus

Ac 3:11–18
After being lame for forty years, this man was healed. It wasn’t Peter and John that had performed a miracle, as Peter says in Acts 3:13 (LEB) The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, after he had decided to release him.* But, Peter doesn’t stop by only saying God glorified Jesus by doing a miracle. He hits these people hard with the rest of the story, in Acts 3:14-15 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and demanded that a man—a murderer—be granted to you. 15 And you killed the originator of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses!

Every Soul Who Does Not Listen …

Acts 3:19–26
Peter is very strong with then and says in Acts 3:19–20 (LEB) Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be blotted out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and he may send the Christ appointed for you—Jesus. Then he reminds them in Acts 3:25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed.’ So the blessing of all the people on the earth begins with them. And Peter hits them hard again saying God sent Jesus to them first in Acts 3:26 God, after he* had raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning each of you back from your wickedness!” But they are hard hearted and stiff necked people as they were in 2 Kings 17:14 (LEB) But they did not listen and they stiffened their necks, like the necks of their ancestors who did not believe in Yahweh their God.

And While They Were Speaking

Acts 4:1–4
The leaders did not want to hear about Jesus or anything about the resurrection from the dead. This is because the Sadducees did not believe that the soul continued to exist after death or that people suffered punishments or received rewards after they died.2

What the Sadduccees and the priests believed really didn’t matter because in Acts 4:4 But many of those who listened to the message believed, and the number of the men was approximately five thousand. The Sadduccees, together with the priests and the captain of the temple did though, have the authority to place Peter and John in custody to hold them fr a hearing, which they did.

By What Name Did You Do This?

Acts 4:5–14
The leaders of the Jewish people all gather in Acts 4:5–6 (LEB) And it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes came together in Jerusalem, 6 and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest’s family. And, vs 7 says “made them stand in their midst”. If there ever was an intimidating setup, this was it. No counsel, no others on their side, just Peter and John facing … well, all of them. Peters response speaks for itself in Acts 4:8-12 and it is good to read it. The main points are in vs 8 the salutation, vs 9 the question, are we being examined about this good deed? vs 10 the answer, by the name of Jesus who you crucified and God raised. vs 11 the indictment against them, rejected by you. and vs 12 the offer, salvation.

Peter left them speechless, they didn’t know how to answer. The evidence, the lame man that had been healed, was right in front of them.

We Are Not Able to Deny It

Acts 4:15–22
In Acts 4:15 “they began to confer”, and in 16 and in 17 and the best they could come up with was in Acts 4:18 And they called them back and* commanded them* not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Peter and Johns response is well known, you might even say famous, in Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and* said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide! 20 For we are not able to refrain from speaking about the things that we have seen and heard.”

In Acts 4:21 “after threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them”. They could not deny the miracle, they could not quiet the people, they cold not stop Peter and John.

Study Verses

  • Acts 3:11–18
  • Acts 3:19–26
  • Acts 4:5–14

Today’s Reading

  • Acts 2:42-47
  • Acts 3:1-26
  • Acts 4:1-22

References

  1. 1. Marshall, I. H. (1980). Acts: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 5, p. 90). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
  2. 2. Porton, G. G. (1992). Sadducees. In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 5, p. 892). New York: Doubleday.
Devotions

We Hear Them Speaking the Great Deeds of God

by  • 

The power of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated through the apostles.

Wait for What Was Promised

Acts 1:1–5 LEB
At the end of the gospels, we see how hard it was for the disciples to believe, to recognize Jesus after He rose from the dead. Now, He speaks, gives orders to His apostles, as it says in Acts 2:2 LEB “through the Holy Spirit”. After Acts 2:3 LEB “many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking the things about the kingdom of God”. And Jesus gives them a command, one that is difficult for any of us, in Acts 1:4 “wait for what was promised”.

Why Do You Stand There?

Acts 1:6–11 LEB
They had been following Jesus as the leader and thought in Acts 1:6 “is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”, that he might rule. But this isn’t the plan. The plan is for them in Acts 1:8 “you will receive power when* the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.”

They are no longer following Jesus as the one on earth who is showing the will of the Father, as the one declaring the Kingdom of Heaven, now, they are the witnesses. It is time for them to move, to act, and they are in Acts 1:10 “staring into the sky”. The angels looking on ask in Acts 1:11 “why do you stand there looking?” There is nothing more behind them. Now, everything is in front of them, just as it is for us. There is no going back, there is only the life ahead of us.

With One Mind in Prayer

Acts 1:12–26 LEB
This was a large group, not just the apostles, in Acts 1:14-15 “together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers … a crowd of persons of about one hundred twenty at the same place”. And even so, there was order because Acts 1:14 says “All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer”. When we choose to come together, and engage ourselves in prayer, not the everyone praying everything kind of prayer we sometimes see, but with “one mind”, seeking God’s will and not pushing our own, there is order.

Then, in Acts 1:15 it says, “in those days”. It wasn’t the first day, and maybe not the second, and they may have been there for ten days, but somewhere as they were praying with one mind, in Acts 1:15 “Peter stood up” and began to speak. This is the way God wants to work among us. There was plenty of time for them to get through God’s agenda.

Peter reminds them all of the scripture and quotes Psalms 69:25, and the now empty seat among the apostles. Then in Acts 1:21-22, he talks about those other “men who have accompanied us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us” and says, “one of these men must become a witness of his resurrection together with us”.

It isn’t clear how many others there were, but two were now named. And, in Acts 1:26, Matthias was named. There are sometimes people that walk through the same experiences, and maybe even have the same or better qualifications, but God gives gifts Ephesians 4:8-16, and it is up to him to choose.

They Were All Filled With the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1–13 LEB
The apostles were still all together in the same place, with their crowd of people, praying with one mind when in Acts 2:1 “the day of Pentecost had come”. Then in Acts 2:4-6 (LEB) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out. 5 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when* this sound occurred, the crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one was hearing them speaking in his own language.

This was not something done in secret, behind closed doors, in fact, it was such an event, that everyone around took notice. And they said, in Acts 2:7 “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?”.

It is easy for us to read past the meaning here, “This word was used as a name of contempt as applied to our Lord’s disciples (Luke 22:59; Acts 2:7)”. 1

And, the contempt ran deep, not just in manner of speech but also as being suspect of rebellion, “Dialect distinguished them from Jews in Jerusalem and Judah, particularly the difficulty in distinguishing the sounds of the gutturals that are important in Hebrew and Aramaic. Peter’s Galilean style of speech set him apart from the courtyard crowd during Jesus’ trial (Mark 14:70; cp. Acts 2:7). Jesus was identified as being from Galilee (Matt. 26:69). Pilate used this as an excuse to get Herod to hear Jesus’ case (Luke 23:6–7). Galileans had a reputation for rebellion and disregard of Jewish law (Acts 5:37), so they could be regarded as sinners (Luke 13:2).” 2

But God had promised something better than their history, “the designation “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isa 8:23)”. 3

And, here in Acts 2:8-12 we see the great diversity of people’s that were in Jerusalem. All of them hearing in their own native tongue. All amazed. All trying to understand what was happening.

This wasn’t an event planned and scheduled by men. God did this. I don’t mean that we should not try to engage people with the message of the Kingdom, I simply mean that there are times and seasons when God moves in ways that are beyond our natural understanding. I should also note, that this came after a season of united prayer where they were together with one mind.

Pay Attention to My Words

Acts 2:14–24
Peter begins to speak and to say this is fulfillment of prophecy. He says, in Acts 2:15 (LEB)
For these men are not drunk, as you assume, because it is the third hour of the day. And “The third hour of the day” denotes nine o’clock (in the morning). 4

Then in Acts 2:16-21 Peter quotes from Joel 2:28–32 which ends in vs 21 with “And it will be that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved”. And, Peter says again, Israelite men, listen to these words!”. Then he goes on to say, “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power and wonders and signs” and in vs 23 “you executed” which is a direct indictment of them all as “lawless men”. But, Peter doesn’t stop there, he goes on to say in Acts 2:24 “God raised him up”.

God Has Made Him Both Lord and Christ

Acts 2:25–36 LEB
In Acts 2:25-28 Peter is quoting Psalm 16:8–11 which says “for you will not abandon my soul to Sheol;”. And in Acts 2:30 Peter quotes Psalm 132:11 which promises that “One from the fruit of your ⌊body⌋ I will set on your throne”. Then in Acts 2:34-35 he quotes Psa 110:1 which is “A declaration of Yahweh to my lord”.

All of this would have been easily understood by these men, that Jesus descended from David and is rightful heir to the throne, and by calling him “my Lord” he exalts Jesus to a new position, not just as David’s son, but as Lord of all. And, in Acts 2:36, Peter makes it absolutely clear that it was the Messiah, the Lord, Christ that they crucified.

What Should We Do?

Acts 2:37–41 LEB
Peter’s message had been blunt, maybe even brutal and Acts 2:37 says, “they were pierced to the heart”. Once they asked, “what should we do?”, the answer was simple, in Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”.

This is the work Jesus came to do, to make a way for our repentance, to make a way for us to be reconciled to God. And in Acts 2:39 “the promise is for you and for your children, and for all those who are far away, as many as the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Study Verses

  • Acts 1:1–5
  • Acts 2:1–13
  • Acts 2:37–41

Daily Reading

  • Acts 1:1-26
  • Acts 2:1-41

References

  1. 1. Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.
  2. 2. Brand, C., Draper, C., England, A., Bond, S., Clendenen, E. R., & Butler, T. C. (Eds.). (2003). Galilean. In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 615). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
  3. 3. Freyne, S. (1992). Galilee: Hellenistic/Roman Galilee. In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 2, p. 895). New York: Doubleday.
  4. 4. (n.d.). The Lexham Figurative Language of the New Testament Dataset.
Devotions

You Follow Me

by  • 

Jesus gives final instruction to his disciples.

We Have Seen the Lord

John 20:24–29 LEB
The disciples are struggling to believe what they are seeing. John 20:29 (LEB)  Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

By Believing You May Have Life in His Name

John 20:30–31 LEB
This is the reason that Jesus came, that we might have life. And this is also the reason these things are recorded. John 20:31 (LEB) but these things are recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by* believing you may have life in his name.

As we read, we believe and life comes.

I Am Going Fishing

John 21:1–7
What do you do when the last three years of your life end in a horrible death of the one you put your hope in. Peter’s faith was in Jesus, the man he walked with and he didn’t yet understand the promise of God that was being fulfilled right in front of him.

And, the others went with him.

Come, Eat Breakfast

John 21:8–14 LEB
They went fishing to get away, to occupy themselves in their time of sorrow. And, what does Jesus do? Tracks them down, cooks them breakfast, and fills their net with fish.

Feed my lambs, Shepherd my sheep, Feed my sheep

Jn 21:15–19 LEB
Jesus explained to Peter that it wasn’t any longer about what Peter needed. And, it wasn’t any longer about their relationship together. It was about Jesus sheep, his people.

You Follow Me

Jn 21:20–23 LEB
We each have our own path to follow, our own life to lead. Why not work on the plan and purpose God has for us and let others work on theirs. Yes, there are some things for us to do together, but when Peter, in John 21:21 said “What about this one?”, Jesus responded in John 21:22 “What is that to you?”. In other words, mind your own business!

How often do we want others to be doing what God called us to do?

His Testimony is True

John 21:24–25 LEB
These things were written for our benefit by those that were there. What things have we witnessed that we can testify about? God is still confirming his word with signs following.

Study Verses

  • John 20:30–31
  • John 21:1–7
  • John 21:20–23

Daily Reading

  • John 20:24-31
  • John 21:1-25
Devotions

Have Faith in God

by  • 

Jesus gathers his scattered sheep, his disciples, and commissions them.

The Eleven Disciples Went into Galilee

Matthew 28:16–20 LEB
We find here, the commission Jesus gave at the end of the gospels. And, we might think that the disciples were ready to go after their three years of ministry with Jesus. But, look at what it says here in vs 17 “When they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted”. This idea that Jesus died, and rose again to ascend to heaven and take His place at the right hand of the Father, that was a lot to take in. They had just seen him crucified. Their doubt didn’t slow Jesus down in the least, He said, well, let’s read vs 18, 19, 20 “All authority has been given … Go …”.

Whatsoever You Pray and Ask for, Believe

Mark 11:22–25 LEB
Jesus had taught them how they should individually pray because here he said, “whosoever” which is any one person and then goes on to say “he”, which is any individual. This is spoken by Jesus to instruct each of us individually. Let’s look at the words Jesus spoke.

  1. Have faith in God
  2. Whosever shall say …
  3. Believe that what he saith cometh to pass
  4. He shall have it

Notice that He doesn’t say pray or ask here. He says, “whosoever shall say”. What you say matters. And, these things we say are to the world around us.

Then He says, therefore

  1. Whatsoever ye pray and ask for
  2. Believe that you receive them
  3. You shall have them
  4. And, whensoever ye stand praying, forgive

These are things we say to God. These are the words of faith. These are the words that begin with the delegated authority God has given us and puts everything under the power of God to perform His word.

Again here, Jesus is talking about specific issues that are to be dealt with by you as an individual.

And we, in the Church have made a major point of this personal accountability with God. When I seek God, I will find Him. When I call on God, He will answer. And salvation is a personal choice that no one can make for you, will you accept Christ as savior and Lord?

But there is one more thing to consider, What is God saying to us?

He Charged Them, Wait for the Promise

Acts 1:4–5 LEB

The final command through his earthly ministry with his disciples happened as Jesus gathered them together as a group. He didn’t want them scattered here and there. And we all recognize the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurred, but it didn’t happened until they came together in one place.

It is then that we see thousands added to the Church. We see Peter walking down the street and people are healed by his shadow. What happened to them? Certainly, it was the baptism in the Holy Ghost but I think also, it was their coming together to build the Church, the body of believers in Jerusalem and outward from there.

  • They went to the temple at the hour of prayer and the lame man was healed
  • People sold land and gave it to the Church
  • The Church ministered to the widows, it wasn’t happening in the temple.

And now, God added to the Church daily.

Study Verses

  • Matthew 28:16–20
  • Mark 11:22–25
  • Acts 1:4-5

Daily Reading

Get the full message here:

Have Faith in God

Devotions

And Their Eyes Were Opened

by  • 

Jesus brings revelation of God’s plan to the Disciples.

Beginning From Moses and From All the Prophets

Luke 24:25–35 LEB
These disciples were walking with Jesus but did not recognize him, they were so sure he was dead. Even as he taught them, Luke 24:27 (LEB) And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures. They responded desiring to hear more, but still didn’t know him. Sometimes we need a familiar event to trigger our memory, and for these disciples, as they sat at the table together, they didn’t see him until he broke the bread and gave thanks.

He Himself Stood There Among Them

Luke 24:36–43 LEB
The two that had been on the road, Luke 24:33 (LEB) And they got up that same hour and* returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled, Luke 24:36 (LEB) And while* they were saying these things, he himself stood there among them. And they were afraid, and doubting, Luke 24:41 (LEB) And while* they were still disbelieving because of joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Do you have anything ⌊to eat⌋ here?”. Jesus did something that is very human, he ate. Our human emotions are sometimes hard to understand. They were joyful that Jesus was with them. They were marveling that someone could rise from the dead. And, they were still disbelieving, could this really be happening?

He Opened Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures

Luke 24:44–49 LEB
In Luke 24:44 Jesus said that he had told them all of these things, but they didn’t have any context or frame of reference to understand what God was doing. When Jesus was with them as their Teacher, they couldn’t imagine him as the lamb to be slain, the final sacrifice for sin. We have the same problem, God’s plan and purpose is bigger than anything we have ever experienced, how can we comprehend? But, we do have the Holy Spirit, the teacher, the comforter, the guide, who can open our minds to understand the scripture.

With Great Joy

Luke 24:50–53 LEB
They had been hiding for fear, and now they understand God’s plan. Now, they return to Jerusalem Luke 24:53 (LEB) And they were ⌊continually⌋ in the temple courts* praising God. Now, they are witnesses. Now they have purpose.

They Ran to the Tomb

John 20:1–9 LEB
Mary reported that the tomb was empty, John 20:2 (LEB) So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord from the tomb and we do not know where they have put him!”

He was dead, and now his body is gone, someone must have taken him??

So, Peter and the other disciples with him, ran to the tomb. But, touching a dead person made you unclean according to the law, so some stopped at the door. Peter was not worried about becoming unclean and boldly entered. It was true, the tomb was empty.

The Disciples Went Away Again to Their Own Homes

John 20:10–18 LEB
No one knew what to do. Mary stayed weeping in her grief, so sure someone had taken his body. Then, as often happens (see notes below), she turned to find Jesus behind her. We are often so firmly set in what we believe and know to be true, that we can’t see what is really happening and Mary, in John 20:15 (LEB) … thought that it was the gardener, and* said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him.”

It was when Jesus said her name, that she could see beyond her grief, and in John 20:16 (LEB) … She turned around and* said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni” (which means “Teacher”). Now, she knew him. Her grief was gone.

Notes: The Lord with us (* study)

  • In Zechariahs vision, the angel with him was talking to other angels, and they spoke to “the Lord of Hosts” who was standing next to Zechariah. Zechariah 1:12–13 (KJV 1900) Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? 13 And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
  • In John’s vision, he heard the Lord behind him. Revelation 1:10–11 (KJV 1900) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Fear of the Jews

John 20:19–23 LEB
At this moment, when they were afraid for their lives, thinking the worst, Jesus steps in.

John 20:21–23 (LEB) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 And when he* had said this, he breathed on them* and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins* of any, they are retained.”

These are simple words, but in them are first the anointing with power by the Holy Ghost. And then, the charge for them to go forward with the priestly duty, forgive. As Jews they would understand the role of the priest included atonement for sin and declaring wholeness, cleanness, for the diseased.

And, while we may see sin and sickness as separate problems, as Jesus said in Mark 2:9–12 (LEB) Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘Get up and pick up your stretcher and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—he said to the paralytic—11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your stretcher, and go to your home.” 12 And he got up and immediately picked up his stretcher and* went out in front of them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything* like this!”

Study Verses

  • Luke 24:25–35
  • Luke 24:36–43
  • Luke 24:44–49

Daily Reading

  • Luke 24:25-53
  • John 20:1-23
Devotions

Truly This Man Was God’s Son

by  • 

God’s Plan is revealed as Jesus gives up His life.

The Curtain of the Temple Was Torn in Two

Mark 15:33–41 LEB
As Jesus was going through the final hours, Mark 15:33 “darkness came over the whole land”. He experienced the separation from God that was part of our curse of sin and death. And, then finally expired. This was witnessed by the centurion and many that had followed Him. It was, for them, the end.

But look, Mark 15:38 “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

The curtain in the temple covered the most Holy place, where only the High Priest could go once a year, and that with a cord around his ankle for fear of death. The curtain is described in Exodus 26:33 (LEB) And you will put the curtain under the clasps, and you will bring the ark of the testimony there inside the curtain, and the curtain will separate for you between the holy and the ⌊most holy place⌋.

This most holy place was separate and could only be entered after atoning for sin as it says in Hebrews 9:22–24 (LEB) Indeed, nearly everything is purified with blood according to the law, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore it was necessary for the sketches of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf,

Our place in the new covenant is secure as it says in Hebrews 10:19–22 (LEB) Therefore, brothers, since we* have confidence for the entrance into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in the full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

The Day of Preparation

Mark 15:42–47 LEB
These who were caring for Jesus body, were to be preparing for the Sabbath where they could do no work. Time was short. And, as it says in Mark 15:43 (LEB) Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the council who was also himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came acting courageously and* went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. It took courage to stand before Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus.

Who Will Roll Away the Stone

Mark 16:1–8 LEB
Those who had cared for Jesus where not finished, and came for their final goodbye. These women didn’t know how they could complete the task but they went ahead. They found in Mark 16:4 that the work had been done, the stone had been rolled away.

They were told that Jesus was raised, he was not there. And, to tell the disciples to go to Galilee. Jesus had already said this to them in Mark 14:28 (LEB) But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” which is where Peter said, “I will never deny you”. Now, the message is sent to Peter and the disciples.

He Appeared

Mark 16:9–20 LEB
Jesus appeared to some individually, and then to the eleven together. He commissioned them in Mark 16:15 to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”.

Therefore, Go

Matthew 28:16–20 LEB
As they went to Galilee as he had told them, Matthew 28:18 says “Jesus approached them” and commissioned them by delegating the authority he has been given. He said “Go and make disciples of all the nations …”

And They Remembered His Words

Luke 24:1–12 LEB
We don’t always believe, even when the work of God is happening right in front of us. In Luke 24:9 “they reported all these things” and the response in Luke 24:11 was “these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they refused to believe.” But, Peter’s reaction was different, in Luke 24:12 he “ran to the tomb” and when he saw that it was empty, “went away to his home wondering”. Peter just didn’t know what to do next, even though Jesus had said, go to Galilee.

O Foolish and Slow in Heart to Believe

Luke 24:13–35
In Luke 24:13 “two of them were traveling to a village ⌊named⌋ Emmaus” which is not where Jesus had told them to go. Jesus joined them on the road, but they didn’t recognize him. In Luke 24:27 “he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures”. Then, finally, as they were breaking bread together, their eyes were opened and they saw him.

Sometimes we are slow to understand what God is doing, we may even be on the wrong road, but through his written word, we can get the revelation we need to get us back on track.

Study Verses

  • Mark 15:33–41
  • Luke 24:1-12
  • Luke 24:13-35

Daily Reading

  • Mark 15:33-47
  • Mark 16:1-20
  • Matthew 28:16–20
  • Luke 24:1-35