Remember: He Wrote the Book

Click Here: Read Luke 24

“One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  ” – Luke 24:18


There are those moments in our lives when the things we most expect to happen don’t happen, or the things we fear the most do happen.  Part of strengthening our faith in the Almighty Creator involves trusting that He is right even when everything around us seems to be going wrong.  Have you ever been disappointed in God Almighty?  Has there been a time in your life when you just knew that if God did things this way (or that way) that everything would turn out just perfectly?

Many had followed Jesus, believing that He was the Messiah, the Christ that had been foretold by the Prophets throughout their scriptures and teachings.  He had come to set things right for the children of God and redeem Israel back to a place of authority over the rulers of Rome.  Their expectations were set in this world and mostly involved taking over the power of Herod and then Caesar.  As they walked with Jesus for 2 years or so and saw the many miracles and acts of love He continually demonstrated, they had to be amazed.  I imagine that there were many late night conversations between the disciples about how amazing this man was and they would conjecture on when He would take over.  In their mind, I imagine, they were patiently planning how it would all take place.  How they would strike the authority of the day and take over the palace.  It was only a matter of time.  They had it all figured out.

Then He was taken from them.  He was captured by the Roman guard, beaten, crucified and buried.  Their dreams, their expectations and plans all went down the drain in a matter of 24 hours.   What was this about?  Was this man just playing the part and misleading them all this time?  Doubt began to creep into their minds alongside the sorrow of losing a friend.  Their understanding of the prophets of old, and the scriptures that had been handed down from generation to generation was suddenly less clear and confusion abounded. 

We all try to fit Jesus into our life and paint expectations for what He should and shouldn’t be.  We want Him to solve our problems the way we would solve them, and get to the answer sooner than later.  We view the situation and in our finite mind develop the strategy and vision on how to solve the problem.  We believe if God just does this, that and the other thing all will be well.  What we fail to realize is that we are living in God’s plan, He is not living in ours.  When we come to the understanding that we are not in control, but only a participant in a much bigger story authored by God the Father, then we can come to fully appreciate the love, grace and mercy He has given to us.

He was not born to make your life easier and to fit into your plan, but rather to ensure your eternal salvation is set and that you are fitting into God’s plan.  From that first Christmas morning to His death, resurrection and living word, He is here for you.  On this Christmas Eve 2018, gather the family together and tell the story of the man Jesus, for it is our responsibility to ensure the next generation and those around us are also privy to God’s plan of salvation.  Be blessed and have a very Merry Christmas.


© Sondove Enterprises, 2018
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Jesus – Born to Die

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“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2

There is an old saying “There are three guarantee’s in life. 1) we are born; 2) we pay taxes ~ 3) we die. As sad as it is, death is something that cannot be avoided. Science & technology have been trying to figure it out for the last century. But, to no avail; all they have determined is methods of delaying the inevitable. So it might be said that we all are born to die. With death comes the finality of our life and our ability to spread the “Good news” of Jesus Christ. For man is given but one life to live and one time to die. What we do in between is the legacy we leave to carry on after our passing.

This holds true for mortal-man, but was completely abolished in the man Jesus Christ. He certainly lived life to it’s fullest and left behind a legacy that every one of us strive to emulate. Unlike every other man, in death Jesus Christ actually began His real purpose. For through His death, the gates of Heaven were opened and the sins of mankind were forgiven. Just as the perfect lamb was brought forth by every Jewish father for the redemption of the sins of his family, so was Jesus, the lamb of God; brought forth as the perfect sacrifice for God’s family – all of us. His death was not a sacrifice for the Jewish only, but also the Gentile. Through His death he set in motion the eternal process for salvation.

For by His death, man’s sin’s were forgiven; but it was by His resurrection that He created an eternal plan for the resurrection of mankind in the future on the day of judgement.  For you see when Christ died on the cross, His soul went to hades (sheol) for three days. We see in Ephesians 4:8-9; When He was resurrected, He took those righteous souls with Him, that had been captive there waiting for His redeeming grace.  Through His resurrection, He has demonstrated the power of God Almighty to deliver us from the grave through His grace, mercy and love.

Jesus Christ was born in a stable in Bethlehem for the salvation of mankind.  It took 33 years for the Lord to work His plan to perfection in the death and resurrection of the Messiah.  We have the availability of eternal life with the Lord, His angels, prophets and saints because Jesus was willing to struggle in life, be tormented and die for our sins.  By His grace we are given this opportunity should we choose to accept it.

PRAYER:
Almighty Father,
Thank You for Your grace, wisdom and redeeming love through our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank You for His birth, life, death and resurrection; so that we might have eternity with You one day.  Guide us along the footsteps of Your plan in our lives and to others we are associated with that we might be able to share Your love with them.  In the name of Jesus Christ – Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

The Great Teacher

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“O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old.”   – Psalm 78:1-2

Jesus was often referred to as “Rabbi” by His disciples and others in and around Jerusalem.  The term Rabbi comes from the Greek word Rhabbi, which refers to a title used by Jews to address their teachers, honored ones or great one.  As recorded in Matthew, Mark and John, He was seen as a teacher with knowledge well beyond the earthly realm.  He was always teaching them, through his words, actions and interactions with others.  He knew the scriptures like the Pharisee and Sadducees, and the law even better.  There are countless times when they attempted to trap Him by means of the laws of their ancestors, to which He was always able to respond in accordance with the laws of His Father.

From the tender age of 12 we find Jesus sitting in the synagogue learning from the teachers and scholars of the time.  His mind absorbing their teachings, so in turn He would be able to teach and dispute them one day.  He studied in the tradition of His family and learned from the Torah.  I laugh when I think about this, for as the original author of the book how easy it must have been for Him to memorize the scriptures.  Can you imagine the reaction of His teachers when they would quiz Him on the specifics and He would get every single question right?  I can picture them huddling together to try and stump the boy, but to no avail; it had to be frustrating teaching Jesus Christ the scriptures.

Jesus taught His disciples and in doing so, through the New Testament has taught billions of people over the last 1980 years.  Other religions have formed and used His teachings as their fundamental truths.  You can look at the moral code, ethics and description of integrity and find the underpinnings of Jesus teachings at the core.  One of His most famous teaching moments was recorded in Matthew 5 – 7, The Sermon on the Mount.  It was here that Christ taught the multitudes of the blessings, glory, love, patience, compassion, forgiveness, truth, peace and even sin.  But I propose that this was not His most famous teaching moment.

Upon the cross Jesus hung.  Beaten, bruised and scarred for our inequities.  The people of Jerusalem ridiculed, mocked and spat upon Him.  Even the teachers and leaders of the day mocked Him – “He saves others, but can’t save himself.  He’s the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross and we will believe.”  Could Jesus have done that?  Certainly, but because He didn’t we are still talking about Him today.  In His infinite wisdom, He taught us all from that one action that our lives are worth His death, that He loved us enough to die for us and that indeed by conquering the grave He taught us all that He truly was the Son of God.  Jesus was born to teach us about God’s love, grace, forgiveness, mercy, sovereignty, omnipotence and so much more.  We are drawn close to God Almighty because Jesus Christ was born and fulfilled this purpose in teaching us.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with thanksgiving in our hearts. Thanksgiving that you would gave Your son for us, to redeem our sins and set us free from the bondage of this world.  Free to worship, praise and bring glory to You.  We learn from Your Word the truth’s of Your Son and the Holy Spirit and we put these truths into action as we spread Your Good News.  We are in awe of Your redeeming grace and mercy.  We lean upon these never changing truths and draw near to Your bosom.  For it is in Your name we pray - Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com