His Final Week

March 26th, 2013 dsisler

When I was in Bible college years ago, a required class for everyone was The Life of Christ. A couple of options were offered. I chose to study the final week of Christ’s life. One full semester of the final week Jesus was on this earth.

 

There is so much information in the Bible about that week. Much of the teachings of Christ that are available to us were spoken during His final week.

 

A book that has been on my shelf since college is Halley’s Bible Handbook.[i] In this book there is a great chart about the last week and Jesus’ movements. I want to share this with you.

 

The Last Week of Jesus’ Life on Earth
Saturday Jesus arrives in Bethany (John 12:1)
Sunday The Triumphal Entry. Jesus weeks over Jerusalem
Monday The fig tree cursed. Merchants thrown out of the temple
Tuesday Jesus’ last day in the temple. Judas’s bargain with the priests (or the next day?)
Wednesday Day of quiet at Bethany
Thursday Evening: the Last Supper Night: the agony in Gethsemane
Friday Trial and crucifixion
Sunday Jesus rises from the dead

 

During this final week, Jesus spent much of his time in the temple with great crowds, which included Jewish leaders. Jesus spoke with the crowds and Jesus also used the time in the temple to heal those in need of healing. So what are some of the issues Jesus talked about and shared with this group?

 

Jesus cleared the temple…again. He reminds the merchants that the temple is a house of prayer, not for buying and selling. (Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48)

 

Jesus cursed a fig tree…for not having figs. The lesson He taught was that of faith. He stressed to the disciples that faith in God leads to great blessings. Faith leads to answered prayer. (Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:20-25; Luke 21:37-38)

 

Trying to trap Jesus, the Pharisees sent some of their students to ask Jesus a question on paying taxes. Jesus, of course sees right through this. I can almost see Him ask for a coin. Giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s was His answer. And that answer astonished them…it also quieted them! (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26)

 

Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment given. “Love the Lord your God with all your heat and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Just another reminder of how we are to live our lives. (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34)

 

Jesus was a people watcher! It thrills me because I enjoy watching people too! As the crowd came into the temple to place their offerings in the treasury, Jesus watched. He noticed how the rich would throw in large amounts of money. He also noticed a poor widow, giving all that she had. “Two very small copper coins.” The lesson Jesus shared with the disciples was that giving from poverty was far better than giving from wealth. It means giving all there is…sacrificial giving. (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)

 

This is just a short list of what Jesus had to say to those in the temple and along the road. It was the last time He would be able to teach to some in this crowd. He was intentional in His teachings. He felt a sense of urgency. He knew His life was coming to an end and Jesus wanted to share as much as possible with those willing to listen.

 

Jesus’ final week. There is much to be learned from His behavior during this time. What have you learned? What are you willing to learn? Why not take the time this week to read through His final week. You’ll be amazed at all Jesus has to say.

 

Tomorrow…be ready to run through the last six parables that Jesus shared before His crucifixion. Jesus was certainly busy!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] Henry Halley, Halley’s Bible Handbook (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), p. 539

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Peter

March 25th, 2013 dsisler

This week leads up to the most important event of Christianity. For us, we celebrate Easter morning to remember a particular morning many years ago. The morning Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead.

 

I plan to write more about that and other events that took place during that holy week as the week goes on, but what I’d like to concentrate on today is a person. Peter.

 

Jesus chose Peter on the banks of the Sea of Galilee. Peter was fishing with his brother Andrew when Jesus approached them and said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) These words changed Peter’s life forever.

 

We all know Peter as the outspoken disciple. The one who always asked the questions no one else was willing to pose.

 

Peter was one of the closest followers of Jesus and was nearby for several events. One was the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13). He wanted to build shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. But Jesus asked that nothing be discussed until after His resurrection.

 

Peter was also with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus took Peter and the two sons of Zebadee away from the other disciples. He asked them to “keep watch.” Being tired, the trio was unable to keep their eyes open. Jesus was disappointed three times by these men.

 

Of course, these aren’t the only times Peter is mentioned in the New Testament. Here are a few others you might remember:

 

Peter asked the question about forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35)

Peter gave his confession of Jesus (Matthew 16:13-20)

Peter walked on the water (Matthew 14:22-36)

Jesus washed Peter’s feet (John 13:1-17)

Jesus predicted Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:31-35)

Peter denied knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75)

Peter ran to the empty tomb (Luke 24:12)

Jesus brought Peter back into the fold (John 21:15-19)

 

But something changed in Peter after the resurrection of Jesus. And even more so after the Day of Pentecost. If we jump ahead to the Book of Acts, we see a man who was completely changed.

 

Peter’s address to the crowd on this day was miraculous. He presented the Gospel in a clear, straight-forward manner. His message was convincing and convicting. Many believed what he had to say on that day and for many years to come.

 

So what made the difference? The Holy Spirit. Each disciple was “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:4)

 

And this was just the beginning. A quick read through the Book of Acts will show just how much Peter did at the start of the New Testament church. If you haven’t read through it recently, I would encourage you to spend some time in this book over the next few weeks.

 

This isn’t the end of Peter. There are two letters written by him in the New Testament. 1 and 2 Peter contain some great words of encouragement to “God’s elect” who were scattered about. They are words of hope for those being persecuted and words of warning against false teachers.

 

But I believe his overall message is of grace. Peter’s life showed that through the grace of God, he was who he was and was able to do what he did.

 

Can’t that be said of all of us? We are people just like Peter, who without grace and the Holy Spirit would be useless to God’s Kingdom.

 

These are some of my thoughts on Peter. Peter the man who couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Peter the man who had such great faith in Jesus. Peter the man who became an instrument to be used for God. Peter the man who understood grace.

 

I pray that each of us would have the same understanding of God working in and through us.

 

I end each blog with these words, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” They are Peter’s words. Taken from his letters. 1 Peter 1:2b and 2 Peter 1:2a. They have come to be meaningful and powerful to me. Maybe you’ll come to love them as much as I have.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Hosanna!

March 24th, 2013 dsisler

It’s hard to believe, but we are already at the end of March. This year is going so quickly. But isn’t it exciting today to be celebrating Palm Sunday? And if today is Palm Sunday, Easter is upon us as well.

 

Today, we believe, marks the day in history in which Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt. The day that led Jesus to His final week as the Incarnate on this earth. And what a day it was!

 

Jesus knew what His week would hold. Joy and laughter at the beginning with tears and sorrow at the end. Acceptance to rejection. Reception to abandonment. Believers to unbelievers. Worshipers to mockers. Triumph to defeat. This would be a difficult week. And Jesus knew it.

 

But Jesus also knew how the story would end. And because of His victory over death and sin, Jesus was able to endure the week ahead.

 

There was a great feast in Jerusalem. The city was filled with faithful feast observing Jews and this was Jesus’ opportunity to share His message one last time to the great crowds. There wasn’t much time left and Jesus needed to make the most of it. Jerusalem was the perfect place to be.

 

As they approached Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead to bring a colt for Him to ride. His instructions to these two were very specific in Matthew and vague in John, but the task was the same.

 

“Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her side. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” (Matthew 21:2-3 – NIV)

 

Jesus’ transportation was prepared. The crowds were also prepared. When they saw Jesus riding the colt, they threw their cloaks on the ground. Some had branches they had harvested and placed them on the ground as well.

 

Then the shouting began. “Hosanna! Hosanna!” The multitude praised Jesus. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The group confirmed that Jesus was from God. “Blessed is the King of Israel!” The great crowd acknowledged Jesus as King (John 12:13 – NIV)

 

Oh, the scene must have been glorious. No king before Jesus had received such a welcome. No king before Jesus had been God’s Son, sent for a purpose. The purpose of saving mankind from their sinful nature.

 

After this event, each Gospel shares just a little more for us to capture the scene. Matthew tells us that the “city was stirred” and wanted to know who this person was. The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11 – NIV)

 

Mark mentions that “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.” (Mark 11:11 – NIV)

 

In Luke, some of Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus to rebuke His disciples. Jesus replied, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:39-40 – NIV)

 

And finally in John, we see the disciples reaction. “At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.” (John 12:16 – NIV)

 

I wonder how confused I might have been had I been there that day. If I had been a faithful follower of Jesus from the beginning of His ministry. Would I too, not understand it? Probably. But what joy I would have felt had I been in the midst of the crowd, praising Jesus as King and honoring Him in this way.

 

Jesus was certainly praised and honored on this day, but God was glorified. For the Son was doing exactly as the Father had asked. In Jesus’ words, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (John 17:1 – NIV)

 

And just as Jesus glorified the Father, we too are to glorify God in all that we do. Listen to Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:16 (NIV), “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

 

And we also find Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV). “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

 

So this week as we prepare for the remembrance and celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, let’s remember that we are to bring glory to God in all that we do. God must be honored. God must be praised.

 

“Hosanna! Hosanna!”

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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“Redeemer” – Musical Musings in March

March 23rd, 2013 dsisler

I’ve mentioned several times that music has been a large part of my life. From playing musical instruments to singing, I enjoyed every aspect of music.

 

If I had a “signature song,” it would have been a wonderful arrangement of “I Will Sing of My Redeemer.” It was an arrangement by a group of young singers and it told the message of the Gospel for their generation. Since then, any song about my Redeemer has been special.

 

So when I heard “Redeemer,” my heart began praising God for yet another generation receiving their own version of the Gospel.

 

And with Resurrection Sunday just a week away, let’s praise God for our Redeemer and that He indeed is alive. And what better way to do so than to listen to “Redeemer!”

 

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Chorus:
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

The very same God
That spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know, my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know
My Redeemer

He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives
Forever I’ll proclaim
That the payment for my sins
Was the precious life He gave
But now He’s alive and
There’s an empty grave!

And I know
My Redeemer lives
He lives
I know
My Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer

I know
My Redeemer lives[i]

 

To hear this inspiring song, click on this link. Sorry for the advertisement, but it is well worth the wait. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQfKoCzn3Eg

 

I found this quote by Nicole C. Mullen about this song and what inspired her to write it. “‘Redeemer’ was inspired by the scripture passage in the (Old Testament Book of) Job of when, while under his afflictions, Job stooped and said, ‘I know that my redeemer lives and at the last day, He will stand upon the earth.’ And how he was going to see God with his eyes and in his flesh—not another but he himself. How powerful—that regardless of what we go through, regardless of what the world tells us—that we can stand up with our shoulders back and our head straight and forward and say, ‘I know that I know that my Redeemer lives in spite of what I’m going through, in spite of what I’ve seen or what’s going on around me.’”[ii]

 

Job understood. Nicole Mullen understood. Now it is up to us to understand. The one thing that we can believe and know is that our Redeemer lives. And we can remember His death and celebrate His life and His resurrection over the coming week.

 

Join me today in repeating Job’s words. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25 – NIV)

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] Redeemer, Nicole C. Mullen, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, 2001

[ii] Wow #1 Hits

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“Shine Jesus Shine” – Musical Musings in March

March 22nd, 2013 dsisler

I am down to the last two songs to share with you this month. And I must say, just because they are the last two doesn’t mean they are my least favorites. No, the last two songs thrill my heart each time I hear them. I stop and sing them if I’m moving about. I think of Jesus when they are playing and that is the main reason I love these songs.

 

“Shine Jesus Shine” brings light to this dark world. It shares the hope that we receive through Jesus Christ and it shares His truth that brings eternal life.

 

There are a couple of phrases that touch me each time I sing them. “Search me, try, me consume all my darkness” is one. This of course reminds me of the passage in Psalm 139:23, but it’s the last portion that really makes me think.

 

Perhaps there are some dark areas in my life that need to be enlightened. Okay, I know there are! So yes, Jesus, shine to those areas and brighten up those corners. Take away the darkness. All of it. Consume the darkness! What a prayer!

 

The other line that catches my attention is “Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.” You’ve probably heard the phrase, “I may be the only sermon someone ever hears.” As a believer of Jesus, if my life doesn’t mirror Him, I could be turning someone away from Jesus by my actions or my words. My life must tell His story.

 

The Apostle Paul teaches us to live as children of light in Ephesians. He also teaches that we are to shine as stars in Philippians. Listen to his words. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the world of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” (Philippians 2:14-16 – NIV)

 

So today I share “Shine Jesus Shine” with you. Sing it. Believe it. Live it.

 

Lord the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness shining
Jesus Light of the world shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shine on me shine on me
(Chorus)

 
Lord I come to Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance
By the blood I may enter Your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
(Chorus)

 
As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
So our faces display Your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story
Shine on me shine on me

 

Chorus:
Shine Jesus shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze Spirit blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light[i]

 

And if you’d like to listen to this wonderful worship song, here’s a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLkni34o8uM

 

I pray that Jesus’ light will touch you in some way today and that you share His light with others.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] Shine Jesus Shine, Graham Kendrick, 1987

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  • "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19

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