John 2:13-25 ~ three days

John 2:13-25

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 

15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. 


Psalm 96
7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples in his faithfulness.



2 Thessalonians 1
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Jesus meek and mild. Let Him die for our sins and we can hand Him another plate of my-motivations-ghoolash. Yes, Jesus, clean this up for me. Thanks.

William Barclay (1907-1978) a Scottish scholar, taught at the University of Glasgow for 28 years. He was very comfortable with Ancient Greece and the philosophers. He loved the Lord and put in a lot of head knowledge into his faith. Like Thomas Jefferson.

Professor William Barclay says a temple tax was half a shekel valued at 6p. A laborer's wages for a day was 4p. Pilgrims came from all over the Roman world with silver coins from Rome, Greece, Egypt and Tyre. Every time a Jew from another part of the empire exchange money for the half shekel the money changers made 4p out of him - value of a day's wage on top of the tax. They made a fantastic profit which ran into millions of pounds in today's currency.

We will all get the opportunity to explain our words and choices to God.

Then Scripture tells us every knee will bow at Jesus, Joel also tells us - we are all going to get to see Heaven and the Lord. Psalm 96, above, says all of creation and mankind are judged.

Matthew 25:32
All the nations will be gathered before him

How will we expect Jesus?


Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Father God, let us each day name ourselves and the ones we love and, earnestly with kindness and frankly, the ones given to us - to You. Even, Father God, the generation unborn. 

Help us to honestly complain to You and to turn that concern into trust and peace in Jesus Christ. Cast our cares Up to You.

To draw these lives upward. While we were still sinners You died for us. Guide us all to be children of Your plan in expectation of hope and love. Living lives of gratitude and finding joy You provide. The mercies You provide renew each day, for the blessings You willingly provide and the miracles we ask for.

 In Jesus, we pray in expectation of adventure - in all things Father God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Genesis 43 ~ may God Almighty grant you mercy

Genesis 43

Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”

3 But Judah said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”

6 Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?”

7 They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’ he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’ We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”

8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. 9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. 10 As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.”

11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. 14 And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

15 So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. 

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.”

17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house. 18 Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.”

19 So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. 21 But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. 22 We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

23 “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

24 The steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 They prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

26 When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. 

27 He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”

28 They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him.

29 As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

31 After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.”

32 They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. 33 The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Matthew 2:15
Where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Like all of life - placing God first, teaches us about the way of God. Forgiveness is as vast as Father God.

Jesus lived in Egypt - Scripture is telling us He knew of culture where God is not placed first. Jesus lived life we would understand. Jesus, our mediator, understands life.

Think with me about the parallel of Joseph, running to see his brother Benjamin. Not as the stand off, older brother - instead as God runs to us,  a Prodigal Son's forgiveness in Luke's Gospel in the Fifteenth Chapter. Joseph was in a very prominent, secure place in life - and God, in Joseph - chooses to bless the Children of God.

Forgiveness - flowing like Living Water from the Temple. In the Old Testament, Amos told us of this joy.

Amos 5:24
Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

In the New Testament of Jesus Christ, this would be God flowing from the Soul where the Holy Spirit delights to dwell. Jesus Christ calls Himself Living Water. Refreshing the Soul, lifting the weary, renewing what has fallen. Water pours out - flowing in every space - there is no space Living Water will not fill. Living Water giving to all, to everyone.

Acts 16:31
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."


James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 9:13
Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”


Father God, we rely upon Your name and Your righteousness to forgive us of our flaws and sins. We ask this blessing for ourselves, our loved ones, friends, family, Church and nation. Knowing no one can forgive with the height, depth, width, of Your Love. This explains Your Love. In faith, we rely upon Jesus. No higher name. Amen.

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Mark 10:17-31 ~ With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God

Mark 10:17-31

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’"

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied,
 “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 
30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Psalm 130
A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

2 Thessalonians 2

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, 
who loved us and by his grace 
gave us eternal encouragement 
and good hope,  
17 encourage your hearts 
and strengthen you in every good deed and word.


Forgiveness is asked to let love flow. To heal harm and makes an upward path to God.
Forgiveness is sought to allow us to be God's child.
Seeks God's Will for us.
Forgiveness seeks the blessing of others and sustains faith, hope and love.
Forgiveness uplifts your family.

Forgiveness is not for power and control of others.
Forgiveness builds up lives. 

God does not put us in harm's way to forgive very often. God calls us to live in a real peace. When the other person's motivation is harm, abuse, usury and power without a real peace or love and only a show of presence - we have not found relationship or a Godly peace.

1 Corinthians 7
15 God has called us to live in peace.
23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.

Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

 

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead 
our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep,

21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, 
and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, 
through Jesus Christ, 
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Rick Warren did a tremendous talk on forgiveness. Huge calls for forgiveness in serious matters like divorce.

We are told how to handle these serious matters in the Scripture. Just as we are told to rejoice in all things and give thanks, we would never be asked to give thanks for murder. For violence done. For acts of sexual impropriety. Rick Warren says the Bible is about seeking what God will do in healing.We are to have humility and see others better than ourselves - this does not include every situation and every person. God says see good when ever possible and see good traits in people to aspire their good ideals and qualities.

There are times where restoration isn't the goal. Victims of pedophilia do not return to the violent. When the goal of peace is really abuse, usury or power, God cannot say peace is more of the same.

God said marriage is violated with sexual impropriety - adultery. Marriage is also violated when peace is destroyed. God calls us again and again to have peace. We learn in 1 Corinthians 7 God has called us to live in peace.

Not the peace of the world. What is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

God says pray peace for people and do not be troubled, worried. Cast your cares Upon Him, for He cares for you.

God is Good.
For what we cannot solve - God is the One to allow Him to have souls to save. We are not capable to Judge someone in their entirety. We need to be in Him to be fruitful. We stay in what is noble, right, lovely, admirable and away from what is displeasing to God coming from our heart.

When the path is rocky and we wonder - Jesus didn't have a lot to say to Pilate. He wasn't rude. When even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

God calls us to be centered in the midst of things that are a trial to us. Not to the right or left. Jesus is the center.

We see together about troubles fade away when we trust God. Cares about riches fade away and God is good. All Things are Possible with God.

James 1
  5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, 
who gives generously 
              to all without reproach, 
and it will be given him. 

 6 But let him ask   in faith,   with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12    Blessed     is the man who remains steadfast under trial, 
for when he has    stood    the test 
he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him

How will we know?

To forgive is to be able to take a deep breathe - to feel living water pour over us - and to release the worry, anxieties and fear.

Jacob became Israel - God's chosen - he forgave his sons - giving blessings as they had earned not sugar coated - Scripture does not record the sons asking their father for forgiveness.

Jesus, Son of God, forgave Caiaphas and Ananias - He just never returned to proclaim Himself Lord of the Temple. The Pharisees who watched Jesus' every move and word - only one fell down in realization and asked to be forgiven. The Pharisees were not interested in the Love and Works of God - they were interested in power and position - for - themselves.


Father God, we yearn for Your' heart's blessing, Father God,
Dwell within us - help us to establish our soul and a fruitful place for Your dwelling.
You are God.

Nothing is impossible with You. A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by. In the morning, Your mercies renew!

If you set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence, we would not stand.
Help us to have a heart of wisdom.

Help us to have joy seeing Your deeds and allow us the splendor to tell
our children of Your Love.

Pour Your Living Water in our lives - sweeping suffering aside and real healing and real forgiveness to continue in health and holiness. We ask Love and Joy to draw us forth into abundant Life. Father be our Guide and Center. 

May Your Favor Father Lord God rest upon us. And establish our works in Your mercy. We believe in the Love of Jesus Christ and ask Your mercy, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 12:37-50 ~ for they loved human praise more than praise from God

John 12:37-50

Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.”

41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 

46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. 

For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 

48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”



Psalm 116

1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”

5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.

8 For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.

10 I trusted in the Lord when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”

12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.


2 Timothy 4

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

9 Do your best

to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

 

A high horse is an excellent place to sit. You just wouldn't want to fall from there.

The Centurion is in this spot because he has listened to the men more than God.

How will we learn to trust what God says more than man. We all fall here. To believe God requires not always the courage seen in the movies of old saints putting down acts requiring unreasonable behavior. The courage is to speak the kind word. To endeavor to stay out of the fire and the water to be centered on Jesus.

God has done most of the work for us. Which makes us a little lax. However Words are very important to God. God in the first chapter of Genesis gave us people to love, care for and not always to eat up their ideas without consideration. He didn't tell us to live in a vacuum - apart.


~ believe in Jesus

~ accept His Word

~ walk before the Lord

~ trust the Lord

~ I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

~ you, Lord, have delivered me from death

~ in the presence of all His people

~ encourage—with great patience and careful instruction

~ I have fought the good fight

~ endure

~ do your best

~ be the one who will stay like Mark and Luke.


Father God, keep us centered on You as You dwell with in us. 

Help me to be where Jesus would want to Live. Help us travel Your path knowing we will be before You - all of us will. We all have an invitation to go to God after our lives are finished.  Put a new song in our heart. We will do our best. And will need a Savior to complete the law and the Spirit of Truth. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Luke 7:1-10 ~ He said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.


Psalm 130
A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Cornelius knew about faith - reflecting back the Living Water to Jesus - our very source; Wonder with me, did Jesus find this faith compelling and move to Capernaum? Matthew 9:1 refers to Capernaum as Jesus' "own town." "Jesus went with him" ... perhaps. And we want Jesus to live within us with this Joy.

Why would Cornelius have been interested - with his great faith - in works? Certainly not fear! Fear is only discovery, the very, very beginning of wisdom of the Power available to God. God is Love and cancels out fear. Perfect Love casts out fear! Fear makes discomfort. God tells us He runs to us when we seek His love, mercy and forgiveness. Jesus tells us He longs to take us under His wing. For comfort. Deep and abiding comfort, sustaining and nurturing us. Jesus.

What would Cornelius have known about forgiveness?

Abraham believed God. And his faith was counted as righteousness. Misplaced when he tried to "fix" God's Word for Him. And called righteous again for his belief in God.

Jesus answered Cornelius' prayer for faith. Frequently Jesus answered prayers starting with the blessing of Forgiveness, sometimes announcing forgiveness - yet forgiveness is implied. Forgiveness opens the door of faith. In forgiving, we open pathways God would have us walk in.

So Jesus went with them.

Just as God said,
How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.  ~ Luke 13:34

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Mark 16:1-8 ~ they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away

Mark 16:1-8

¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 

⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

 
Jesus had gone on.  The Good News would go forth.

By the Will of God.

For 4 centuries, the fragile papyrus of Scripture would be destroyed. Today, we can go to the store and just purchase a Bible - something many people have died to bring us.

Lives were allowed to be sacrificed,  for many more to hear the saving hope in Jesus' Love.

Because Jesus died for us. And our faith in Him, is so important. We have this list.

 The Roman Colosseum was build by the gold from the destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple of God in 81 A. D.

When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His Word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact. 16 years after the death of Jesus. Claudius has gone from prominence to being an enigma in history.

Jesus Christ has gone forth.

Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.

Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD

Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD

Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor

Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.

Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.

Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.

Because of Domitan, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD. Hebrews 9 tells us when Paul wrote Hebrews, the Second Temple is in operation.

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The Love of Jesus Christ opening His arms to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household, Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.

Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.

Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajen...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius

Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180 166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?

Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)

During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.

That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.).

It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius is the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians given to Tertullian

Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius
180 - 192

Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the Senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.

Persecution slows down -

Pertinax (193)

Didius Julianus (193) .

Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa, ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)

Caracalla (211-217)

Macrinus (217-218)

Elagabalus (218-222)

Severus Alexander (222-235)

Maximinus (235-238)

Gordian I and II (238)

Balbinus (238)

Pupienus (238)

Gordian III (238-244)

Philip the Arab (244-249) .

Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship. Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death.

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)

Aemilian (253) .
Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred
Gallienus (253-268)
Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .
Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions
Tacitus (275-276)
Probus (276-282)
Carus (282-283)
Carinus (283-284)
Numerian (283-284) .

Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. Personally sends troops to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas (also known as St. Nicholas or, in German, Santa Claus, in prison.

& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders

Constantius Chlorus (305-306)
Maxentius (306-312) .
Galerius (305-311)
Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly

Constantine was forced as a nephew to the Emperor to go to Nazareth and torture and kill the descendents of the Brothers of Jesus. All refused to decant Jesus. All perished. A week Constantine would have to change his life. Bishop Eusebius is eyewitness to Constantines arrival and departure for this purpose.

Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions

Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples. The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops (including St. Nicholas), who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the Church today and choose the Books of the Bible.

(* The above information was gathered from several sources and paraphrased.)

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon. ...

We begin with a small group from the backwaters of the Roman Empire. Judea wasn't even a province to send someone important to govern. Syria was the overlord for tiny Judea. 16 years go by and Claudius is very worried. After two, three centuries go by, lo and behold that same group and its descendants have somehow taken over the Roman Empire and have become the official religion. Believing in Jesus Christ and having life transformations. The life and death of Jesus Christ and the promises He brought. John 1:35-42 ~ He said to them, “Come and you will see.”

Father God, let us always remember to be grateful to the people who have protected Your Word and who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.


The Lord. Jesus Christ. Son of God. Knows your name. Today.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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