Burunche’s Blog

Acts 3:11-26 Preaching in Solomon’s Portico

“Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

“Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

Peter is at it again. Having preached on the Day of Pentecost, Peter has become emboldened to take any opportunity presenting itself to tell people about Jesus. Once more, Peter confronts the Jews about murdering Jesus but then moves on to assert that “And His (Jesus) name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

Peter continues to inform his listeners that he knows they have done this in ignorance. But now, Peter continues, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Peter continues, “To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” Having appealed to his audience, Peter encourages them to trust in Jesus to be delivered from their sins.

Once more, Peter has been impowered by the Holy Spirit. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter has become eloquent, quoting Scripture and bringing out convincing arguments that sway even religious experts. 

Why should we be interested in Peter’s sermon? Most of us aren’t particularly eloquent when called upon to defend our faith. Many of us would just as soon run in the opposite direction or at least hide when called upon. But Peter’s example can give all of us hope. While we must prepare by studying Scripture, we can rest in the knowledge that if God calls us to speak on His behalf, He will also give us the ability and the inspiration to speak the words He wants.

Neither my husband nor I are trained preachers; however, we have preached on multiple occasions. We can personally testify to the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the right words, the right stories, and the right expressions. One additional challenge we face is that much of the time, we must carefully select our words because we may be translated into one or two tribal languages. We can tell that the Holy Spirit is moving when our translators become inspired and go far beyond our initial statements, causing the audience to become excited and to begin murmuring, “Hallelujah!”

If you are given an opportunity to share your faith, don’t hesitate. Simply ask God to give you the words and open your mouth, trusting that God will help you. You will never be disappointed.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust that You will always give us the words if you give us the opportunity to speak on Your behalf. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 3:1-10 A Lame Man Healed

“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

Peter and John are attending temple at 3 PM as good observant Jews when they are accosted by one of the beggars on the temple steps. We don’t know whether this man suffered from spina bifida or from bilateral clubbed feet, but he has been lame from birth. The man’s friends have to carry this man to this prime begging spot where faithful worshipers will undoubtedly donate liberally. When Peter and John show up, the beggar expects that they too will donate, but Peter is about to do something better. “Look at us,” Peter orders. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The beggar’s first reaction is undoubtedly, “HUH?” But Peter grabs the beggar’s right hand, lifting him up, and suddenly the beggar’s feet and ankle bones become strong. (This is why I suspect bilateral clubbed feet.) The beggar hops up and enters the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God! For decades this poor man has been an object of pity, but today he is fully a man with all kinds of possibilities. Everybody in the temple is amazed because they recognize this guy; they’ve just passed him sitting on the steps on the way in.

Such scenes are not new to Peter and John; when Jesus sent them out to minister, they prayed for people who got healed. But this man’s reaction is different, for he immediately praises God. Also, many of the miracles Peter and John have been part of previously have been relatively private ones, but this miracle is about as public as possible. And Peter has already preached in the streets of Jerusalem, causing three thousand people to turn to Jesus. Peter and John have become public figures and everyone is watching intently.

We read about these miracles and assume that such things have ended with the early church. But that is far from the case. One of our pastor friends who works in South America has taught his church members to pray for all kinds of people, and he has incredible stories of healings, sometimes healings resulting from small children praying in faith. God is no respecter of persons and the Holy Spirit will gladly anoint anyone who makes himself or herself available. As we continue to study the Holy Spirit, please realize that God will use you just as readily as He has used disciples such as Peter and John.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we believe but help our unbelief. Help us to be willing to step out and pray for people, knowing that the power comes from You and not from us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 2:14-36 Peter Addresses the Crowd (Psalm 16:1–11; Joel 2:28–32)

“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches.

David says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell in hope, because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’

Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.

Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”

Acts 2:37-41 Three Thousand Believe

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.”

Well, Peter has gone from being a stammering fisherman with a thick Galilean accent to a gifted preacher, all because of the Holy Spirit. Peter gives an eloquent message about Jesus’ death and resurrection, quoting Scripture he might not have thought of since memorizing it as a child.

Peter presents the facts about Jesus, facts that most of the people of Jerusalem already know because they have witnessed these events. Then Peter moves on to quote David’s prophecies about Jesus, ending with the assertion, “Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”

Three thousand people come under conviction, becoming Jesus followers and being baptized on the spot. And these facts emphasize something else. No matter how eloquently someone preaches, the Holy Spirit is still the One who moves in people’s hearts. Veteran preachers can testify that sometimes they have offered sermons that were well written and well delivered, only for people to simply sit there. On the other hand, sometimes preachers have felt they were having an off day, only for people to come under conviction and rush to the altar to repent as soon as they were given the opportunity. What makes the difference? The Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 21:1 says that “The king’s heart is as a water course in the hand of the Lord, and He turns it where He wills.” When people’s hearts are prepared, God will always work in them. That day of Pentecost, most of the people in Peter’s audience were believers hungry for God to do something wonderful. And God did.

I once heard the testimony of a Christian lawyer from Atlanta who had spent much of his life as an agnostic, sneering at anyone with faith. This man had a neighbor who was a pastor and who kept inviting this man to his church. Finally, the lawyer decided to attend a church service just to placate his neighbor. That particular Sunday, there were a number of people giving testimonies as part of a Lay Witness Mission. The lawyer sat through most of the testimonies unmoved until an insurance salesman spoke about his experiences with Jesus. The lawyer said, “I am a professional speaker, and I have heard arguments by some of the finest lawyers in the country. As that insurance man was speaking, I knew two things: I knew he was not a professional speaker, but I also knew that whatever Power had gotten hold of him had transformed his life. I hungered for that same transformation, and that day I accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.”

When Peter preached, everyone could see the power of God working through him. It’s likely that Peter’s very shortcomings made his testimony absolutely convincing. God can do the same thing for us, if we will only ask Him to send the Holy Spirit to empower us to be His witnesses. 

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to have hearts prepared for Your Holy Spirit to work. Please take absolute control of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 1:12 Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

“Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

(With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’

Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.”

Just as nature abhors a vacuum, so Peter abhors inactivity. At first glance, Peter’s suggestion sounds all right. Nominate someone else who has followed Jesus closely and who has been a witness to the resurrection. Sounds fine; there’s just one small problem. Even though 120 people have been praying for days or even weeks, nobody has come forward saying that God has told them Judas should be replaced. Instead, Peter quotes Scripture to bolster his idea. While everyone agrees, are they really going to argue with Peter? Not likely. Two men are nominated, Matthias is chosen by lot, and that’s the last we hear of Matthias.

There are various legends about Matthias, most indicating that he preached the Gospel to various heathen tribes in Cappadocia and what is now Georgia and eventually was martyred. Some of the legends say he was stoned to death while others claim he was crucified. But Matthias drifts off into obscurity, unlike the remaining eleven disciples.

Personally, I have always felt that Peter is forcing an issue. God already has a twelfth apostle selected, namely Saul of Tarsus who will be renamed Paul and who will write much of the New Testament. Notice the fashion in which Peter pushes his idea: first, Peter quotes Scripture, selecting the verses that will bolster his argument. Next, Peter encourages the casting of lots to decide between two candidates. Now casting of lots is an ancient tradition; however, all these people have been taught by Jesus. At no point in any of Jesus’ teachings has Jesus embraced the need to cast lots to determine the will of his Heavenly Father. Notice the prayer the group prays as they are casting lots.

“Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”  Ouch! You can imagine God the Father watching and saying, “All right, you all have good intentions. But I already have someone else selected who is far more gifted than either Mathias or Barsabbas.”

It’s unfortunately quite simple to do our will in God’s Name and then ask Him to bless and rubber stamp our decisions. The conditions we encountered during our first mission term were nothing short of daunting. We came in to develop a mission hospital in a small village, only to learn the national church didn’t own the land or the buildings and that the businessman who had erected this structure was intending to make huge profits at the expense of the new mission group that had sent us. (He was already selling off donated medical items periodically.) I learned of his plans while working at the large government hospital doing orientation. This same businessman was also heavily involved in the occult, a fact we learned by being forced to live on the ground floor of his house. He would evidently do evil spells at 2 AM and the presence of evil would begin sinking through the ceiling of our room. We were forced to learn about spiritual warfare as we played praise tapes and bound evil spirits. I extended my orientation at the government hospital as we tried to give the national church time to get proper papers on the land.

When the mission advisory board voted to end our term at two years, nobody sought to get the details of the untenable situation in which we had found ourselves. Most of the Ghanaians didn’t understand this decision either, and we found ourselves repeatedly having to say, “They are the big men and we are the small boys. We follow their decisions.” When we inquired further, we realized that the mission board had behaved very similarly to the fashion in which Peter forced the decision about taking a new twelfth disciple. This mission group was quite new and their expectations unrealistic ones, given our situation.

For us personally, this decision proved to be a release because we had repeatedly promised donors that the project would not benefit a private individual. But we strongly suspected that the board had already made up their minds and had then begged God to approve their decision after the fact. (Eventually the problems in the project were addressed, and there is now a flourishing mission hospital; however, we were the ones who brought fundamental problems to light.)

There is a phrase from a by-gone era “To rubber stamp a decision.” Signature stamps used to be made from rubber, so to rubber stamp a decision implied that one was stamping a signature of approval on a document without having read it or questioned it. Many times, we would love for God to rubber stamp our decisions, approving whatever we want to do, whether or not it is really in God’s perfect will. Like Peter, we may select Scriptures that will support our arguments; however, God is not impressed by arguments or manipulation.

Eventually, God brings Saul to repentance and he takes the name Paul. “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God”Paul will describe himself as an apostle and “set apart for the gospel of God.” Paul’s calling is certain and he has no need of lot casting or anything else, for Jesus Christ himself has called Paul into his new life. Paul’s career as an apostle is second to none while Matthias fades into the background.

Is God angry at Peter for pushing this issue? Far more likely that God is amused. God knows Peter’s heart and mind; He knows that Peter lacks patience. The choice of Matthias as a witness to the resurrection is not a bad one, but it’s not God’s best for the situation. So God blesses Matthias, who undoubtedly goes out to preach in remote places and who may quietly lead hundreds if not thousands to faith in Jesus Christ. But God also anoints Paul.

May God help us, so that we will never be in the position of struggling to manipulate Him into rubber stamping a decision just because we have already made up our minds. Such manipulation demonstrates disrespect to God and dishonesty on our parts.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to truly seek Your perfect Will in all our decisions. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 1:1-11 Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

In the Book of Acts, Dr. Luke continues to describe for his friend Theophilus the wonders of Jesus and the way God works in the lives of the disciples after Jesus ascends to heaven. (Incidentally, “Theophilus” means “Lover of God.” Although this name was relatively common in Luke’s day, could this be a pseudonym for someone who wants information but who fears he might be traced otherwise? Only in heaven will we find out the answer.)

Luke points out that after the resurrection, Jesus spends 40 days appearing to his disciples and teaching them about the kingdom of God. At this point, the disciples realize their time with Jesus is drawing to a close, and they listen even more carefully than they have in the past. But the disciples are still confused.

During Jesus’ teaching at the last supper, he speaks a great deal about the Holy Spirit. But the disciples really know very little about the Holy Spirit apart from what Jesus has told them. And it’s quite possible that when Jesus has been trying to teach about the Holy Spirit, the disciples have been sitting there thinking, “HUH? Say what?” It’s going to take practical experience before these guys really understand what Jesus means.

Acts 1: 12-14 “Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

Well, the disciples might be confused about the Holy Spirit, but they certainly have the right response: When in doubt, pray. The disciples, Jesus’ mother and brothers, and the women who have followed all gather for continual prayers in the room where they’re staying, presumably the upper room where the last supper was held.

We’ll leave the disciples in that upper room for a bit while we consider some things. When our worlds have been turned upside down, what is our reaction? Do we try to salve ourselves with food or athletic activities on TV or shopping or some other panacea? Or do we turn to God?

Here the disciples are, stuck in Jerusalem with no idea when or where God is going to move. Even though the disciples have tried to pin Jesus down on schedules before he ascends into heaven, Jesus gives frustratingly vague answers. And the disciples really have no idea who or what the Holy Spirit is. All the disciples can do is to keep praying and keep trusting.

Perhaps you feel a lot like the disciples. Someone on whom you have relied has died or moved away, and you feel completely lost. You have no idea where to turn for help. Copy the disciples-pray and spend time with God. Trust that at the right time and in the right place, God is going to move and it will be magnificent!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, you know those of us who are discouraged. Please enter every trembling heart and strengthen us to do Your perfect Will. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 28:16-20 “The Great Commission

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:14-20 “Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

Luke 24:50-53 The Ascension of Jesus

“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

This morning I saw a meme on Facebook that read, “Jesus said, “It is finished.” He didn’t say he was finished, because Jesus was just getting started!” When reading the Gospels, all these different points of view can be frustrating unless we realize that these are the perceptions of first-hand witnesses to the events. Pick any event and begin soliciting different views of it and you might wonder if those you are interviewing have even witnessed the same occurrence. That’s part of the reason for the difference among these Gospel accounts. Yet another difference is very simple: the Holy Spirit has guided each of the writers in a slightly different direction to give the fullest picture possible.

John ends his Gospel with the lovely story of Jesus restoring Peter to his calling as a leader on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Undoubtedly, John witnesses the ascension of Jesus into heaven; however, he is the only disciple who is a party to Jesus’ private dealings with Peter. God inspires John to include this account as an encouragement to all of us. Matthew, the former tax collector, is a detail man and a practicing Jew who wants all the columns to add up correctly. If Matthew were alive today, he would be a CPA in the U.S. or a Chartered Accountant in Ghana or the U.K.

Matthew gives one of the fullest accounts of Jesus’ last words to his disciples, including the less than positive response of some of them as well! “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” As an accountant, Matthew can probably tell you exactly how many disciples have doubted and name them. Matthew quotes Jesus’ words as he gives his disciples what we now know as The Great Commission.

Mark has gotten his information from Peter, and Peter isn’t about to describe that scene at the Sea of Galilee. But Peter, bless his heart, gives a fisherman’s description. “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

Some sources do not accept Mark 16 as being true; however, this certainly sounds like information Peter might have given. Peter is all about action, and these statements are action-packed.

Luke, who has gotten his information from a variety of sources, is amazingly concise. “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

Why doesn’t Jesus hang around after his resurrection? Simple. Jesus has already trained the disciples and fulfilled that part of his ministry. If Jesus remains, the disciples will continue to rely on him and refuse to step out in faith themselves. There comes a point in the life of every parent when the parent must stop helping and allow the child to go forward, even if the child makes mistakes. Many people only learn from their mistakes, refusing to act on someone else’s advice. And there’s another aspect to the situation. Jesus has already promised that when he withdraws, the Holy Spirit will come. Jesus must ascend so that the Holy Spirit will be free to work in the lives of the disciples.

We all wish that someone else would do the heavy lifting when it comes to facing problems. It would be lovely if we could hand our lives to a problem solver, only for them to return them to us all shiny and peaceful. But God has not designed either the world or us in that fashion. We must learn the same lessons the disciples did. We must learn to trust in God and be guided by His Holy Spirit. Our next Bible studies will help us see how the disciples learned these practical lessons. May God help us, so that we will trust in Him at all times and be guided by Him!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust where we cannot see and help us to believe even when things look dark. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

John 21:1-14 Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

“Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.”

When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene at the Garden tomb, he told her to inform the disciples that he was going ahead of them to Galilee. The disciples show up in Galilee, and since most of them are fishermen, they naturally think about heading out on the lake. But after spending the entire night, the nets are empty and the disciples are frustrated. Then the disciples hear a shout from the shore. “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”

Although John is writing this Gospel, he routinely refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Now the penny drops for John and he cries out, “It’s the Lord!” Suddenly, Peter remembers the first time he has seen a similar miracle-the day Jesus borrowed his boat as a makeshift pulpit and then ordered him to go fishing in the middle of the day. Peter immediately wraps his outer garment around him, hops out of the boat, and splashes to the shore to greet Jesus. Meanwhile, the other disciples also hop out of the boat and drag the bulging net and the boat full of fish to shore because the water is very shallow. Jesus grills some of the fish and feeds the disciples with fish and bread.

John 21:15-25 Jesus Reinstates Peter

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

Although Peter has seen Jesus along with the other disciples, this morning is the first time Jesus and Peter have met privately since Peter denied Jesus three times as Jesus was being interrogated. Peter is understandably nervous; what if Jesus completely rejects him as a disciple? Even though Peter was previously one of the leaders in the group of disciples, now he figures the best he can hope for is for Jesus not to refuse for him to continue to belong to that group.

Three times, Jesus asks Peter if Peter loves him. Why three times? Remember that Peter denied Jesus three times; now Jesus gives Peter the chance to reverse that betrayal. David Guzik points out: “Jesus asked the question twice using the word agapas, which in its Biblical usage often speaks of an all giving, uncaused, unselfish love. Peter answered Jesus using the word philio, which in Biblical usage sometimes has in mind a more reciprocal love, a friendly affection. Some translations express Peter’s answer as, “I am your friend…. The third time Jesus slightly changed His question. He asked Peter if he did in fact have a brotherly love, a friendly devotion to Jesus (phileis).”

“Peter in his first two answers uses a less exalted word, and one implying a consciousness of his own weakness, but a persuasion and deep feeling of personal love. Then in the third question, the Lord adopts the word of Peter’s answer, the closer to press the meaning of it home to him.” (Alford)

Finally, Jesus re-commissions Peter to tend his sheep and feed his lambs. In addition, Jesus also prophesies over Peter regarding the manner of Peter’s eventual death. Peter, wishing to deflect attention away from himself, points to John and asks, “What about him?” Jesus replies, “Don’t worry about John; even if I choose for him to live until I return, what is that to you?”

Not only does Jesus take the opportunity to feed the disciples one more time, but he also re-commissions Peter, encouraging him and informing him about his future career as a church leader.

At this point, Peter must be feeling incredible. From depression over his failures and betrayal, now Jesus has restored and recommissioned Peter. Peter now realizes that he will have to depend on Jesus and not on himself for the rest of his life, but Jesus loves him and is giving him a new assignment. No matter how bad things get, from now on, Peter will never look back.

Many of us have been in Peter’s place; we have done the very thing we swore we would never do. When we should have supported a friend, we have deserted instead. But how will we make it through the rest of our lives? That’s where Jesus’ forgiveness and encouragement become fundamental. We might not be able to trust ourselves, but we can trust the Man who has already survived death, hell, and the grave.  

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we have messed up! We feel as if our situations are irretrievable. But You are the God of second, third, and fourth chances. You can redeem our failures. Please change us into Your image and help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 24:13-35 On the Road to Emmaus

“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

“What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”

It’s Easter morning, and Jesus has risen from the grave. On that fateful day, the love of God concentrated in that sealed and guarded tomb has shaken the earth, dislodging the stone covering the entrance, and Jesus has left, freed completely. But even though Jesus has already appeared to several of the women in the company, their reports seem foolish and incredible. Even when Peter and John race to the tomb and find it empty and the grave clothes lying neatly as if Jesus has discarded them to assume his normal dress, the other disciples can scarcely believe it. Now two more disciples, one being Cleopas, are walking to the village of Emmaus when Jesus joins them on the road.

When these men begin sharing their shock and disbelief over the possibility of a resurrection, Jesus corrects them, quoting numerous passages of Scripture that foretell these very events. Still, these men have no clue as to their traveling companion, until he blesses the bread at supper and hands it to them. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit reveals that this is Jesus, and Jesus immediately disappears. Cleopas and his friend are so thrilled they rush seven miles back to Jerusalem in the dark, finding the eleven close disciples who confirm that Jesus truly is alive.

Luke 24:36-49 Jesus Appears to the Disciples

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Just as Cleopas and his friend are describing their encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, Jesus himself appears. Jesus allows his friends to touch him, to examine the wounds in his hands and his feet and his side, and even eats a piece of broiled fish to prove that he is not a ghost. Perhaps the most important sentence in this entire part of the narrative is this: “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”  We can read Scripture mechanically; however, if God does not open our minds so that we can understand, all our striving is useless.

Cleopas and his friend walk several miles/kilometers with Jesus without recognizing him, even though they later realize that their hearts have been burning as Jesus has explained the Scriptures to them. We have just celebrated Easter Sunday, and churches have been filled with people praising God and glorifying Him. But now, it’s Easter Monday. Where are our praises now? Is the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection something we celebrate throughout the year, or do we reserve that celebration for a single day?

At the last supper, Jesus tells his disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:15-26)

Even though Jesus ascends into heaven shortly after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit remains to instruct, comfort, and guide his followers. We might sigh and say, “If only I could spend time with Jesus like those men on the Emmaus road.” But we can spend time with Jesus. When we confess our sins to Jesus and accept him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately comes to remain with us. Prayers do not have to be complicated or employ fancy language. Jesus knows our hearts and promises that the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us. Even though it would be wonderful to have Jesus physically sitting next to us, we can still count on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and correction, as long as we remain humble and penitent. We only get into trouble when we choose to go our own way, ignoring the dictates of the Holy Spirit.

There is a movement called the Walk to Emmaus that involves a three-day spiritual retreat. Both my husband and I have participated in these retreats. The idea is for participants to retreat from their daily stresses and to draw close to Jesus. Many of those involved have returned with their lives transformed, having experienced Jesus as never before. Many of these people might echo the sentiments of Mrs. C.H. Morris, the author of this old Gospel song.

The Stranger of Galilee 

1 In fancy I stood by the shore, one day,
Of the beautiful murm’ring sea;
I saw the great crowds as they thronged the way
Of the Stranger of Galilee;
I saw how the man who was blind from birth,
In a moment was made to see;
The lame was made whole by the matchless skill
Of the Stranger of Galilee.

Refrain 1-3:
And I felt I could love Him forever,
So gracious and tender was He!
I claimed Him that day as my Savior,
This Stranger of Galilee.

2 His look of compassion, His words of love,
They shall never forgotten be;
When sin-sick and helpless He saw me there,
This Stranger of Galilee;
He showed me His hand and His riven side,
And He whispered, “It was for thee!”
My burden fell off at the pierced feet
Of the Stranger from Galilee. [Refrain]

3 I heard Him speak peace to the angry waves,
Of that turbulent, raging sea;
And lo! at His word are the waters stilled,
This Stranger of Galilee;
A peaceful, a quiet, and holy calm,
Now and ever abides with me;
He holdeth my life in His mighty hands,
This Stranger of Galilee. [Refrain]

4 Come, ye who are driven and tempest-tossed,
And His gracious salvation see;
He’ll quiet life’s storms with His “Peace, be still!”
This Stranger of Galilee;
He bids me to go and the story tell—
What He ever to you will be,
If only you let Him with you abide,
This Stranger of Galilee.

Refrain 4:
Oh, my friend, won’t you love Him forever?
So gracious and tender is He!
Accept Him today as your Savior,
This Stranger of Galilee.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. We confess that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Lord, please walk with us all the days of our lives. In Your mighty and precious Name, Lord Jesus. Amen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztsgE4Z4yYU