Category: Bible Studies

Continued…

Luke 24:9-12
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Peter wondered what happened. Do you sense his humanity? You can see it. No matter how much they all believed in Him, there was the doubt that humans possess. The lack of faith and belief in Him hangs over us like a black cloud. However, all is not lost.

For Jesus came to save us, not to harm us. He was sent to reach down through the thickest clouds of doubt and take hold of us when we call for Him. It is His responsibility to come and get us when we call. We only need call once. The call to Him us be real,  and when it happens. When you accept Him, it is FINISHED!

At that point you walk with Him. You become the City on a Hill, the light in the darkness, the hope of the world. You become RIGHTEOUS! Jesus did that for you. He did it for Peter. He did it for all who believe in Him. What are you waiting for…
COME!

Amen.
DK

Just reading the title was a blessing. Awesome…

Luke 24:1-8
Jesus Has Risen
24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

REMEMBER!  Remember His words. Remember. A promise given to us by our Lord, Jesus Christ. A promise that will be fulfilled. It will be amazing as He returns to reign over this world for 1000 years.

I was contemplating the state of this temporary world. A world full of beauty and blessings at every turn. I also thought of how my perception, having changed as I press into God, of what blessings come in the form of. A hug. A smile. A wave. Certainly not what I saw even last year.

For those of you that believe in His undying and unmatched love. For those have felt His arms around you in both good and bad times. For those of you that have hurt from both loss and gain, keep believing. BELIEVE! He is coming for those that believe. Believe, and you will never fail. Never. Not in God’s eyes.

Find your strength in the grandest faith of all…the wait. The Holy Spirit will take place you never dreamed of going while you wait with faith and you believe.

Amen
DK

Amen!

Jesus is off the cross and in the tomb…

Luke 23:50-56
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Jesus was now dead, at least His body was. As was God’s will, a man had made sure that the body of Jesus would be taken care of and not thrown with the others that were crucified.

Soon all of His people began to prepare the body with linen and oils. They then rested on the Sabbath. The body of Jesus is now in the tomb.

Lord, we know that soon you will return for us as you have promised. Thank for your salvation and fulfillment of promises that you have always made for us. We love you.

Amen.
DK

Over the next three days we would wait.

Jesus will find a way. It is written. Jesus Messiah!

The Burial of Jesus

Luke 23:50-56
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Here you see even the most beloved of Jesus fall back into the law. They were burying their Lord in the tomb, yet they had to stop to observe the law of the Sabbath? Hadn’t Jesus just spent His life etching is that it was not necessary? Didn’t He Himself tell is that we should not concern ourselves with this world?

Jesus was now in the waiting phase either allow of us. Waiting for the Resurrection. As we wait, let us not grow weary. Trust in the Lord, for it is by His grace that we live this day. Live with salvation and sovereignty from sin.

Amen.
DK

It is finished…

Luke 23:44-49
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last.

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

In these verses, we learn what we are to do as believers in Him. We are to be with Him, even as we feel the need to beat ourselves and walk away. Those who believed in Him stayed with Him, even after all others thought He was gone. They knew He would return.

Leading up to these verses, I caught myself feeling distraught and saddened by the events that took the Earthly life of our Lord. I would wonder why He did this, why He had to endure so much for me, why He suffered for the nothing man who writes this very commentary. Why He suffered for me. It would pain me, and my heart would break.

Then I read this, and my heart fills with expectation, for I know that God the Father is watching His son. Watching His son with plans to resurrect Him in three days. For it is in the waiting that we find strength. It is in the expectant believer that we find power. It is in us that Jesus poured His blood into. Each one of us being the new wine sack, prepared to carry His message to the world. Ready to proclaim His love for us.

He died for me. He died for all. The rich man and the beggar, the sinner and saint, the Jew and the Gentile. Because of this there is no need to beat our breasts and walk away. Instead, it is time to open our hearts and let Him in. As we stand watching Him and listening to Him, we are filled with the strength of the Holy Spirit. A strength that will allow us spread the Good News that He is risen, and that Christ will come again.

Amen.
DK

This is a beautifully painful verse. We will see Him. Face to face. Ask Him!

Luke 23:32-43
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

There is nothing that Jesus would not do for us. He did it all. As He bled and was dying on the cross, He forgave me. He forgave all who accept Him. Insults were hurled at Him, rulers gloated about His crucifixion, His friends and brothers were helpless. Jesus watched all of the people gathered round the cross and He spoke to His Father I’m heaven on behalf us you and I. He instructed His Father to forgive us.

So many times in the Bible, Jesus waited on instruction from His Father. This time was different. He did not ask. He said it, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These words were spoken as blood oozed from Hi every wound and as He died. He died for us. For me.

Ask Jesus today, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” When you do, Jesus will turn to you and say, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Amen.
DK

To make yourselves an offering to others , as this is what Jesus did for us….

Luke 23:26-31
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[b]
31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Jesus tells us not to cry for Him, but to cry for ourselves. Cry for the dry and useless tree, not the green one. For our sins are the sins that were paid for, and if not accepted, we will become like the dry tree that bears no fruit.

Even as Jesus was on His way to be nailed through His hand and feet to a cross, He was loving and teaching. Correcting. Oh to be like You, Jesus there is no one beside you. Without you, we are dry and fruitless trees. Help us to be like you every day of our lives. This world does not make it easy, but you make it better. We love you. Thank you for your precious gift of salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.
DK

I was walking today with a weird feeling. It must be that I just kept thinking of what Jesus went through during these trials. Such a wonderful God, who took the form of man, and experienced our pain firsthand. Yet did not falter.

It pains me to read it. This is my second time through a full Gospel. Going through Matthew was not easy. Luke is longer, and certainly more detailed. I am sure that I am not to carry this burden, but I love Jesus so much…

Luke 23:8-25
8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17] [a]

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

What fear. What pain they must have carried with them for so long. I have seen firsthand what pain can do to a person. It was once said that, “Hurt people, hurt people.” That statement fits this verse well.

It is in the pain of the lack of understanding that the Pharisees called for the death of Jesus. I am not letting them off the hook anymore than I am letting myself off the hook for my own trangressions. I have said this before, and now I know, I am no better than any man or woman. As a matter of fact, if we were grading on Earth’s terms, I’m beaten. Done for. Finished. Forgotten. Worthless. But in my saviors eyes…oh my, am I worthy.

In my Father’s eyes I am a winner when I fall for Him, I am a champion when I serve, I am His. Abba Father, you love me more than I can imagine. Your level of love and mercy and grace are unfathomable to me. I am but a child, learning how to speak with you. But you love me. You love me. You love me.

Thank you Jesus!
Amen
DK

Luke 23:1-7
1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Jesus was following His Father’s direction. He would have to perish for our sins. It seems at this time that everyone is just playing their part in it.

Lord Jesus, I know that what you did for me was painful. I know you loved me then and that you love me now. I know that you will love me forever. For me you gave your life, and the way I understand it that I owe you mine. Therfore, I am yours. I surrender my life to you, today, tomorrow, and forever. I will worship and honor you until the day I die. Then I will worship you forever. I love you. Thank you Jesus!

Amen.
DK

Spiritual Sovereignty and the Human Experience…

Luke 22:54-62
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus had told Peter that he would betray Him. I wonder if Peter knew the time was upon him. The time when he would denounce Jesus three times as the rooster crows. It must have hurt him.

Jesus forgave Peter, even as the words were being formed by his mind. For Jesus loved even His most bitter enemies, and He wept for them on His way to meet His destiny in Jerusalem. Jesus wept for His friend Lazarus before He brought him back from the dead. Jesus wept in the garden the night of His capture. Jesus cried out on the cross to His Father. Jesus wept for us.

As Peter agonized over his failure through denouncing knowing Jesus, I can imagine the pain. I would even say that I know it, because whether by word of mouth or by action, I am certain that I have denounced Him in my life as well. For those I repent. For those I am forgiven.

You see, Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He hung on the cross for me and He died for me. He died so that I would not have to carry the heavy yoke, for it could very easily break my back. Instead, He took the yoke from me and carried it to its death with Him. Then He turned to look at me and saw my heart, not my action, not my sin, not my failure. My heart.

When He rose again, he asked for Peter specifically. He knew Peter’s pain and anguish. As he knows ours. He knew Peter’s heart, as He knows ours. He forgave Peter, as He forgives us.

Now, forgive yourself and forgive others. Jesus Saves! Thank you Jesus Christ. Thank you!

Amen.
DK