THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:38-42 “A disciple of Jesus, secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.” (John 19:38) Joseph Arimathea is a secret disciple because he fears Jewish leaders. Nicodemus is a Jewish leader, so he talks to Jesus at night (John 3:2). I spoke with a disciple from Iran who told me about secret disciples in…
Author: Norm
It is finished!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:28-37 “‘It is finished.’ He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30) For His whole life, Jesus was under attack. Satan did everything he could to get this ‘Adam’ (human) to fail. But unlike all other Adams and Eves, this one beats Satan. He stays true to God, and…
The Jerusalem God loves!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 122 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6) When this Psalm was written, the old covenant temple was in Jerusalem. Today, the new covenant temple (believers) are everywhere. “For God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:17) As Jesus followers, our Jerusalem is wherever Jesus followers are. Pray…
A heart that works!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 3-4 “A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” (Romans 3:28) Paul writes to Jews who thought God accepted them because of the law. Just follow the rules and God will be happy; He will see you as righteous. But Paul challenges this rule-focused righteousness; what about…
God’s judgment – giving us what we want!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 1-2 “God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.” (Romans 2:2) God is not unfair, mean or extremely picky about our sins and failures. God knows what is going on in our hearts, the good, the bad and the ugly. We are harder on other’s sins than our…
King of the world!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:16-27 “It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19) Pilate is not just shaming Jesus, he is mocking the Jews. With this message is another message: ‘you Jews are under Rome’s rule!’ ‘Your king, your leaders, your people and your land – it belongs to Rome!’ Pilate won’t…
Vote for Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:12-16 “We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15) The religious leaders are pledging loyalty to Caesar. Many religious leaders in Nazi Germany did the same to Hitler. Are religious leaders loyal to political parties and leaders today? Who should we as Jesus followers be loyal to? Christians should be political (i.e….
What kind of leader am I?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:1-11 “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” (John 1:11) In Genesis 1, God (from above) gives humans power over the world. This is how God set up His creation kingdom: God-like humans ruling for Him. All humans in some way are authorized and…
Am I open to the truth?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 18:28-40 “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37) Pilate is trying to figure out the truth about Jesus. But when Jesus speaks truthfully, he does not like what he hears. He may ask “what is truth?” but what he really wants is “what is convenient!” I know someone…
Hope despite harm?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 121 “The Lord will keep you from all harm.” (Psalm 121:7) But as I read the psalm, I always feel a hesitation as I read some words. He will keep us from all harm, He will not let our foot slip? What happens when we do slip, what happens when we do…