"What does it mean that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God in heaven? It seems the New Testament mentions that several times." * * * The imagery comes from Psalm 110:1, which says: "The LORD said to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" New Testament writers quote this Psalm more often than any other text in the Jewish Scriptures (in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians and Hebrews). Even in the Psalms, this imagery of Jesus seated at God's right hand suggests intimacy with God (Psalm 16:8, 11) as well as our … [Read more...]
JESUS’ BURIAL NAPKIN
Over the past year several subscribers have asked if I can verify a popular internet explanation of the folded "napkin" that Peter and another disciple saw in Jesus' vacant tomb (John 20:7). The anonymous email describes the purported first-century Jewish practice of a master who temporarily leaves the meal but neatly folds his dinner napkin to signal his servant that he is coming back. The email concludes that Jesus folded his "napkin" as a subtle promise to his followers that he also would return. * * * When the King James Version was translated in 1611, the English word "napkin" … [Read more...]
HE IS RISEN INDEED!
The acknowledgement came slowly and only with much hesitation, but the sequestered disciples finally said it: "The Lord is risen indeed" (Lk. 24:34). This from Jesus' fellow-travelers. Hardcore survivors. Roughly ten dozen in number, if anyone is counting. Unlike typical pupil groups of other Jewish rabbis, the Jesus group includes women--right alongside the men. To Jesus, they all are the same, but most males in the company will die before they share the Master's thinking on this point. So here they are, about 120 men and women, waiting together on this Sunday morning for only God knows … [Read more...]
THREE RESURRECTION TRUTHS
To encourage Christianity's acceptance by a pagan world, the early institutional church "baptized" many pagan customs, forms and names, mixing old with new and infusing Christian meanings. The word "Easter" itself had pagan origins, as did its association with bunny rabbits and colored eggs. Today, all those origins are long lost in the mists of ancient history. For most Christians, Easter is a special day to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the very core of the Christian gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-5). Without his resurrection, Jesus is no more Savior than any of us, and we all remain … [Read more...]
PASSOVER FOR CHRISTIANS
A gracEmail subscriber in the southeastern USA writes that his house church is considering celebrating a messianic Passover. "I do not believe that Christians are required to observe this feast," he says, "but I think there is value in it." He asks for my thoughts. * * * As you know, Passover memorializes Israel's exit from Egypt and liberation from Egyptian slavery. On the night of the exodus, God killed the firstborn child and animal of every Egyptian household, but "passed over" Jewish homes which were marked with blood on the doors (Ex. 12:1-13). God commanded the Jews to remember that … [Read more...]
DID JESUS’ FAITH WAVER ON THE CROSS? (2)
Someone writes: "You said that Jesus is the only person who ever trusted God perfectly. But what about his cry on the cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34) Doesn't this show that Jesus as a man questioned God's purposes? That very fact gives me great encouragement when I don't know the answers to life's circumstances I encounter." * * * You are exactly right that Jesus was a man like us, and that he had to trust God the same way we do. The author of Hebrews makes that very point -- and it is one we need always to remember for our own encouragement (Heb. … [Read more...]
DID JESUS’ FAITH WAVER ON THE CROSS? (1)
Someone writes: "You said that Jesus is the only person who ever trusted God perfectly. But what about his cry on the cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34) Doesn't this show that Jesus as a man questioned God's purposes? That very fact gives me great encouragement when I don't know the answers to life's circumstances I encounter." * * * What was going on in Jesus' mind when he cried out the question you quoted? I believe an important clue is found in the cross-reference which many Bibles provide to other texts from this verse. This cry of dereliction is … [Read more...]
LET THIS CUP PASS
"What should we make of the fact that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane to avoid the cross, if possible in God's will?" * * * "If it is possible, let this cup pass from me," Jesus prayed, "yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39). But was he really asking to avoid the cross? If that is all we see, we will miss a powerful statement of the extent to which Jesus was willing to go to save us. Jesus prayed with loud cries and tears to God "who was able to save him from death," says the author of Hebrews -- and God heard this prayer of his reverent Son (Heb. 5:7). It is a fair … [Read more...]
ASHES — OR JUST ‘A-FIB’
Feb. 26, 2009 -- This past Wednesday in many Christian traditions was Ash Wednesday. It is the first day of Lent, a 40-day period (not counting Sundays) of repentance and prayer that ends in the victorious climax of Easter Sunday. Some churches ignore, avoid or even oppose the liturgical church calendar because it is not mentioned in the New Testament. However, a person would be hard pressed to object to the traditional themes and details those special days incorporate -- words and actions that are solidly biblical and spiritually strengthening as well, when celebrated with faith resting on … [Read more...]
ASH WEDNESDAY
In this Year of Grace 2010, today is the seventh Wednesday before Easter, known in the annual rhythm of the Christian calendar as Ash Wednesday. The day initiates the season of Lent, a 40-day period of repentance and prayer that progresses to a climax in the great resurrection celebration of Easter Sunday. Although Scripture says nothing about Lent, it says much about the disciplines of humility, repentance, fasting, prayer and self-control that define its purpose and meaning. These acts can be done with improper motives, to be sure, but that is no reason for not doing them from a pure heart … [Read more...]