WALK WITH ME!  

Week Eight (Feb 19-25) 

Matt 19:1-15; Mark 10:1-16; Luke 13:22-18:17; John 10:1-11:54

 

We are past halfway!  Keep reading – God’s blessings continue!

 

This week marks a significant turning point in the Life of Jesus – even though we are only halfway through the Gospels – we follow Jesus as he turns toward Jerusalem for His final walk toward the Cross.  Most of the Gospels are focused on His sacrifice and payment for our salvation.  

Luke 13:22 “And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.”

 

Let’s be thankful.  Luke 17

Luke 17:11–19 records an account of ten men who had infectious skin diseases, commonly translated as “leprosy.” In the Israelite community, when a person discovered a rash or skin disorder, he or she had to go to the priest for examination. The priest then determined whether this was a contagious disease and whether the person was to be declared ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 13:1). Jewish law prohibited anyone with such a disease from associating with the general community. They had to be isolated and many times lived as outcasts until they died (Leviticus 13:45–46). This was necessary in order to keep infectious diseases from becoming an epidemic. But, for those afflicted, it could be a life sentence.

 

Jesus had healed several individuals who had leprosy or some type of infectious skin disease (Luke 5:12–14; Mark 1:40–42; Matthew 8:2–3; 11:5). In Luke 17 ten men who were part of a leper colony approached Him together, but they remained at a distance, as per the law. They called out to Him, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” Without seeming to do anything to heal them, Jesus merely gave the instruction to go show themselves to the priest.  We don’t know when the healing occurred – on the way or just as they approached the priest – but God did a work in them for their obedience – they were healed!  Luke tells us that one of them returned – a Samaritan – to thank Jesus.  Nine ran off with their blessing – one returned.

 

What is God looking for?  Luke 18

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in the temple (Luke 18:9-14) is a gold mine of spiritual truth. In fact, this is the summary of the humility of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Verse 9 tells us, Jesus spoke this parable to those who "trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others" (NKJV). Jesus spoke often of the issue of self-righteousness, appealing to His disciples to understand their complete inability to be righteous enough to earn or deserve the kingdom of heaven.  The Pharisees thought they could do enough to attain heaven – the tax collector assumes the very opposite.  The Pharisee counted on his ceremonies and traditions and his ability to keep the Law of Moses.  The show may have impressed men – never God!  

 

The tax collector exhibits precisely what Jesus spoke about in the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). Being poor in spirit means admitting we have nothing to offer to God to atone for our sin. We come to God as empty, impoverished, despised, bankrupt, pitiable, desperate beggars. The tax collector recognizes his sinful condition and seeks the only thing that can bridge the gap between himself and God. "Have mercy on me," – words to be echoed by the repentant!  Let us be so humbled and willing to be broken by our sin and the generosity of His forgiveness.

 

The good Shepherd – the “I Am” of John

“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11) is the fourth of seven “I am” declarations of Jesus recorded only in John’s Gospel. These “I am” proclamations point to His unique, divine identity and purpose. Immediately after declaring that He is “the door” in John 10:7, Jesus declares “I am the good shepherd.” He describes Himself as not only “the shepherd” but the “good shepherd.”

 

It should be understood that Jesus is “the” good shepherd, not simply “a” good shepherd, as others may be, but He is unique in character (Psalm 23; Zechariah 13:7; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4). The Greek word kalos, translated “good,” describes that which is noble, wholesome, good, and beautiful, in contrast to that which is wicked, mean, foul, and unlovely. It signifies not only that which is good inwardly—character—but also that which is attractive outwardly. It is an innate goodness. Therefore, in using the phrase “the good shepherd,” Jesus is referencing His inherent goodness, His righteousness, and His beauty. As shepherd of the sheep, He is the one who protects, guides, and nurtures His flock.

 

Interestingly enough, the shepherds of ancient times were not usually the owners of the flock. Nevertheless, they were expected to exercise the same care and concern the owners would. This was characteristic of a true shepherd. However, some of the hirelings thought only of themselves. As a result, when a wolf appeared—the most common threat to sheep in that day—the hireling abandoned the flock and fled, leaving the sheep to be scattered or killed.  Let us serve the flock and stay our post!  He would not abandon us – we must do no less.

 

7 I AM statements of John

I am the bread of Life - John 6:35, 48

I am the light of the World – John 8:12, 9:5

I am the door – John 10:7, 9

I am the good shepherd - John 10: 11, 14

I am the resurrection and life – John 11:25

I am the way, the truth, and the life- John 14:6

I am the true vine – John 15:1, 5

WALK WITH ME!  

Week Seven (Feb 12-18) 

Luke 10:1-13:21; John 7:32-9:41

John 7:2 “Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near.”

Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles (aka Feast of Booths) (John 7:32-53)

Jesus was identifying His ministry was representing God the Father.  This was not well received so the Jewish leaders send their soldiers to arrest Him – they found the same thing we do - “The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” 7:46. Despite their great disappointment – they we assured that no leader had believed (Nicodemus) and they were assured that no Prophet had ever come from Galilee (Jonah) so Jesus was still a small threat (little did they know!)

Jesus the Light of the World (John 8:12-20)

“I am the light of the world”  Light was an important symbol in the Feast of Tabernacles. During the feast, many symbols and ceremonies remembered the pillar of fire that gave light to Israel during the Exodus. Now, Jesus took this important symbol and simply applied it to Himself: I am the light of the world.  This has been hope for every generation and each generation laments the darkness around them as ‘the worst it has ever been’ – maybe but we must admit that it seems pretty dark around us now!  The important thing is that through all the dark times of men the answer is the same!  Jesus is the Light of the World!

Disciples and the Blind Man (John 9)

Jesus heals the man born blind and does not accuse him or his parents of direct sin with consequence but rather focuses on the solution to sin – Redemption!  He is the Redeemer and can forgive sin – to prove that Jesus spits on the ground - applies mud and the man’s sight is restored!  This account consumes the entire chapter as men debate the remarkable power of God seen in Jesus.  Later the leaders get the point when they confront Jesus asking if they are also blind? – spiritually.  Jesus’ answer is of course brilliant – if they were blind they would not see their sin – but they do so they are not blind.  The lesson is that they see their sin so they need a Savior!  That is not the conclusion they intended to understand – Jesus is the Answer!  It is in this miracle that we have the famous line: “I was blind, now I see.”  That is us!

Jesus was often confronted, but never confounded. “One of the things worthy to be noticed in our Lord’s character is his wonderful quiet of spirit, especially his marvelous calmness in the presence of those who misjudged, and insulted, and slandered him.” (Spurgeon)

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

This is not a long story and as so many times with Jesus – it begins with a question.  Jesus answers with Scriptue (a pattern we should use) and the man tries to dispute the verses from Dueteronomy 6.  Just a thought – don’t debate the Author and never debate God!  Anyway the Scribe of the Law asks so Jesus answers with one of the best known stories in all the Bible – The Good Samaritan.  The unworthy ignored – the unlikely helped – the undeserving was loved.  This is truly an example for the ages!  

The priest said ‘what is mine is mine’ – you can’t have it!  His righteousness.

The Levite said ‘what is yours is yours’ – you deserve it! His legalistic view of the Law

The Samaritan said ‘what is mine is thine’ – you can share it!  His mercy triumphed the day

Jesus concluded the lesson with the message -  “Go and do likewise.”  So do I – go show mercy!

Thanks for reading – hope you found some motivation – keep it up – we are half way!

Pastor Mike

Feast of Tabernacles / Booths / Sukkot

We find God’s instructions for celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus 23, given at a point in history right after God had delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt. The feast was to be celebrated each year on “the fifteenth day of this seventh month” and was to run for seven days (Leviticus 23:34). Like all feasts, it begins with a “holy convocation” or Sabbath day when the Israelites were to stop working to set aside the day for worshiping God. On each day of the feast they were to offer an “offering made by fire to the Lord” and then after seven days of feasting, again the eighth day was to be “a holy convocation” when they were to cease from work and offer another sacrifice to God (Leviticus 23). Lasting eight days, the Feast of Tabernacles begins and ends with a Sabbath day of rest. During the eight days of the feast, the Israelites would dwell in booths or tabernacles that were made from the branches of trees (Leviticus 23:40–42).

The Feast of Booths and Sukkot, is the seventh and last feast that the Lord commanded Israel to observe and one of the three feasts that Jews were to observe each year by going to “appear before the Lord your God in the place which He shall choose” (Deuteronomy 16:16). The importance of the Feast of Tabernacles can be seen in how many places it is mentioned in Scripture. In the Bible we see many important events that took place at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. For one thing, it was at this time that Solomon’s Temple was dedicated to the Lord (1 Kings 8:2).

Here’s booklet from Jews for Jesus – it is free but you will be on their mailing list – be warned!  https://jewsforjesus.org/feasts-of-israel-study-guide 

WALK WITH ME!

Week 6 (Feb 5-11)

Matt 8:19-22; 15:21-18:35; Mark 7:24-9:62; Luke 9:18-62; John 7:2-31

So many stories this week – almost impossible to choose a few – I tried – ask me about any of the others I did not discuss – I enjoyed them all!

“Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever?” C.S. Lewis

Peter’s profession of faith - John 6:66-71

When Jesus asked his disciples whether they would leave him, Peter answered with the question, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!' However, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, did go to someone else. He betrayed Jesus to the Pharisees for the 30 pieces of silver we know so well.

Peter’s question, “To whom shall we go?” was really a statement. Peter was not asking Jesus to name someone else for the disciples to follow. Peter was saying that there was no one else. Jesus was not asking for them to consider another – it was a test to uncover any disloyalty – as seen in Judas! Nobody could replace Jesus as the disciples’ Master. He was so much to them already and would reveal so much more! To name just a few things...

Jesus was their Teacher: As Peter said, "You have the words of life eternal" (John 6:68). Only Jesus was Christ the Son of God who had the gospel of eternal life.

Jesus was their Shepherd: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11). Who else could do that for the disciples?

Jesus was their Lamb: John the Baptizer said of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29). Nobody else could be a sacrifice to make atonement for the disciples.

Jesus was their Way: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6).

Jesus was their God: Thomas said to Jesus, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). What other man could the disciples recognize as God?

Parable of the unmerciful servant - Matt 18:21-35

I especially love this parable because it reminds me to be merciful and forgiving since I have been forgiven more than I can imagine. The servant whose lord forgave him much, ten thousand talents, equivalent to several millions of dollars, was unwilling to forgive another servant who owed him a hundred denarii. A denarius was a day’s wage and was worth approximately sixteen cents. Therefore, compared to what the first servant was forgiven, this was a very small amount. The principle here is, "the one forgiven much should forgive much." In other words, the principle of forgiveness is that grace or forgiveness to another is without limit. The disciples are not to count the number of times they forgive. Rather, as the parable teaches, they are to forgive much because God has forgiven much. Don't waste time keeping score of what we are owed since we owe so much more!

The little child - Mark 9:33-37

The disciples are thinking of the positions they will warrant when Jesus comes into His glory (Mark 10:37). They don't understand that His glory will not come until after His suffering and death. Leadership in times of prosperity and power looks very different than leadership in persecution and hardships. The purpose of leadership is to equip and encourage others so they remain steady and effective in times of great trial. Our goal is not to have a good seat at the table but rather to be seating others and go looking for more chairs!

To be great in God's kingdom is to realize that we are not great. We are not worthy of forgiveness or consideration or position. God's notice of us and blessings for us are because of His love, not our effort (Ephesians 2:8–9). And so the "greatest" in Jesus' kingdom is the person who acknowledges this by seeking God, rather than seeking themselves. The child would have not thought anything for himself – only what Jesus thought of him – lets be like that kid!

The lost sheep - Luke 15:4-7

The Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin (Luke 15:3–10) are the first two in a series of three. The third is the “lost son” or the “prodigal son” (Luke 15:11-32). The emphasis of the Lost Sheep is the unrelenting passion of the Shepherd to pursue the lost lamb – not to console himself with the 99 but to seek after the missing sheep. The hero of the story is not the found lamb (us) but the persistent Shepherd!

This humbling illustration of the shepherd carrying the sheep on his shoulders was the original figure used to identify Christians before people began identifying Christianity with crosses. In these parables Jesus paints with words a beautiful picture of God’s grace in His desire to see the lost return to Him. Men seek honor and avoid shame; God seeks to glorify Himself through us His sheep, His sons and daughters. Despite having ninety-nine other sheep, despite the sinful rebellion of His lost sheep, God joyfully receives it back, just as He does when we repent and return to Him. Time for an 'AMEN!'

I am the lost sheep – the little boy – the one forgiven much – so where else could I go?

Enjoy the readings this week!

Pastor Mike