DOCSLIB.ORG

Miracles of Christ

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Miracles of Christ MIRACLES OF CHRIST Menes Abdul Noor TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1 THE FIRST MIRACLE TURNING WATER INTO WINE ................................................................ 2 THE SECOND MIRACLE HEALING THE NOBLEMAN'S SON ......................................................... 8 THE THIRD MIRACLE GREAT CATCH OF FISH ....................................................................... 14 THE FOURTH MIRACLE HEALING PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW .................................................. 20 THE FIFTH MIRACLE HEALING THE LEPER ............................................................................ 26 THE SIXTH MIRACLE HEALING THE PARALYTIC ................................................................... 32 THE SEVENTH MIRACLE HEALING THE SICK MAN AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA ................... 39 THE EIGHTH MIRACLE HEALING THE MAN WITH A WITHERED HAND ................................... 47 THE NINTH MIRACLE HEALING THE CENTURION'S SERVANT ............................................. 53 THE TENTH MIRACLE RAISING THE SON OF THE WIDOW OF NAIN ..................................... 59 THE ELEVENTH MIRACLE CALMING THE STORM .......................................................................... 65 THE TWELFTH MIRACLE HEALING THE MAN POSSESSED BY THE DEMON CALLED "LEGION" ................................................................................. 69 THE THIRTEENTH MIRACLE RAISING JAIRUS' DAUGHTER .............................................................. 75 THE FOURTEENTH MIRACLE HEALING THE WOMAN FROM A FLOW OF BLOOD ............................ 81 THE FIFTEENTH MIRACLE HEALING TWO BLIND MEN ................................................................... 87 ii THE SIXTEENTH MIRACLE FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND .......................................................... 92 THE SEVENTEENTH MIRACLE WALKING ON THE WATER ................................................................... 98 THE EIGHTEENTH MIRACLE HEALING THE PHOENICIAN WOMAN'S DAUGHTER ........................ 104 THE NINETEENTH MIRACLE THE GRADUAL HEALING OF A BLIND MAN ...................................... 110 THE TWENTIETH MIRACLE THE COIN FOUND IN THE MOUTH OF A FISH .................................. 115 THE TWENTY-FIRST MIRACLE THE ONE WHO GAVE THANKS .......................................................... 120 THE TWENTY-SECOND MIRACLE HEALING THE MAN BORN BLIND ....................................................... 126 THE TWENTY-THIRD MIRACLE RAISING LAZARUS .............................................................................. 133 THE TWENTY-FOURTH MIRACLE HEALING THE WOMAN BENT OVER .................................................. 140 THE TWENTY-FIFTH MIRACLE HEALING THE BLIND BARTIMAEUS ................................................... 146 THE TWENTY-SIXTH MIRACLE CURSING THE FIG TREE .................................................................... 152 THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MIRACLE HEALING THE EAR OF MALCHUS ...................................................... 158 THE TWENTY-EIGHTH MIRACLE THE CATCH OF 153 FISH .................................................................... 164 iii INTRODUCTION Jesus Christ is a miracle worker. He did, and still does work miracles. He has performed miracles among us. He is alive, still performing His miracles every day because His love for mankind does not change, and the needs of mankind never end. True, Jesus is not among us in the flesh, but He is in our midst in His Spirit, in His church, in the hearts of those who follow Him and in the whole world. He said, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth... I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18, 20). Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The miracles of Christ reveal His power and His love. At the beginning, people are dazzled with power. But the miracles of Jesus always dazzle us, because the power of Jesus works in the service of His love. Our wonder at Jesus continues to deepen and increase, so we shout for joy. Oh, happy day, happy day When Jesus washed my sins away. He teaches me to watch and pray, And live rejoicing every day. Oh, happy day, happy day When Jesus washed my sins away! I have read the miracles of Jesus many times. I meditated on them as true historical incidents. I also saw them as contemporary occurrences in my life and the lives of those whom I know and serve. Now I am sharing the good news of the wonderful love of Jesus with the readers in the east and the west. Meditating on the miracles of Jesus, mentioned in the four gospels, I have concentrated on: 1. The person in need of the miracle. He presents our need to the Lord. A miracle is something beyond us. This is why God performs it for us. 2. Those who saw the miracle: believers and non-believers, those who were happy for the miracle and those who opposed it. This shows us the power of God reaching to the needy ones who waited upon Him, and filling their lives with joy. But the miracles of Christ are like the light that disturbs the sick eye. It disturbed the non-believers and provoked them to anger. 3. Then we will meditate upon the person of Jesus who performed the wonders. Many times we behave like children who grab the gift and forget about the giver. As we meditate upon Christ we want to thank Him, live closer to Him and follow Him in love. This is the wish and prayer of the author for himself and for his readers. Menes Abdul Noor, Cairo, February 1994 1 THE FIRST MIRACLE TURNING WATER INTO WINE On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” “Woman, what does your concern have to do with me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” How there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of the purification of the Jews, twenty to thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He told them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made to wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then that which is inferior; but you have saved the good wine until now.” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him (John 2:1-11). This miracle took place in a wedding party at the village of Cana which is about ten kilometres away from Nazareth. Both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. It is most probable that the people of the wedding were blood relatives of Jesus. When the wine that was offered to the guests was consumed, the people of the wedding were faced with serious trouble. For if they did not offer wine to the guests, whom they had invited, there would be a scandal. Mary the mother of Jesus came to Him, saying, "They have no wine.” Thereupon, He told the servants to fill up the water pots, and turned the water that was in them into wine, meeting the needs of the hosts. And this is how He always is. This first miracle that Jesus performed was at a simple party of some poor folk. The narrative starts off saying, "On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee…", which means that two important days preceded this third day. The first of these days was mentioned in John 1:35 when John and Andrew found Jesus and followed Him because of John the Baptist’s witness of Him. Then Andrew brought along his brother Peter to Christ. As regarding the second day, it was mentioned in John 1:43 when Christ found Philip, who in turn found Nathanael. And on the third day Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding at Cana of Galilee. It follows that these five persons accompanied Jesus to the wedding banquet, having in their hearts the joy of salvation. Jesus shares our joys with us and does not separate between spiritual joys, which are brought about through receiving Him as Saviour, and social joys, such as weddings. He shares in the joys of the families. Then they ran out of wine! Some expositors have remarked that Jesus and His five disciples going to the wedding added to the number of guests, which caused them to run out of wine, and they therefore appealed to Him! This interpretation is not acceptable on the grounds that Jesus and His disciples had been invited to the wedding. It is most probable that the people of the wedding were poor, and had the 2 hope that the stock they had was enough for the guests. But, as it was, the guests consumed more than what the people of the wedding had planned! Meditating on this miracle, we will consider: I. The people in need of the miracle II. The witnesses and the miracle III. Christ and the miracle I. THE PEOPLE IN NEED OF THE MIRACLE 1. The bride and the bridegroom: The wedding party is the happiest time for the wedded couple. The Jews used to call the bridegroom “the king”, and the bride they called “the queen”. Any wish they asked was instantly granted them. It is most probable that no one had told the bridegroom that the wine was finished, because they did not want to spoil the joy of getting married. He was in need, yet he did not know it. How often we are in need, yet do not feel that we are! But we have to feel thirsty before asking for the water of life, and hungry before asking for the living bread. We have got to feel our sinfulness before we turn to God for forgiveness end salvation. How dangerous is the situation of him who is in need but does not know it! Sometimes the ones nearest to us prevent us from hearing the news that we are in need because they love us. Yet if they really loved us, with a reasonable love, they would tell us immediately about what we need so that we may ask it from the Lord.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Order of Worship Transfiguration Sunday, February 14, 2021
    Order of Worship Transfiguration Sunday, February 14, 2021 WELCOME Hello God, thank you for this day. It’s 9:03 and we need your help. Guide us by your Holy Spirit to reach new people, Connect us all through Christ’s love, and Empower us to love and serve others. Amen. PRELUDE Deo Gracias P. Cattaneo CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 50:1-6 UMH 783 HYMN 2103 We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding HYFRYDOL SCRIPTURE 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. HYMN 173 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies RATISBON SCRIPTURE Mark 9:2-9 MESSAGE Rev. Rebecca Voss GENEROSITY, INVITATIONS and CELEBRATIONS HYMN 2102 Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Gory NETTLETON BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Voluntary #1 J. Beckwith PRAYER CORNER We lift up Andrea Anderson who is staying at Aspirus Hospital while being diagnosed and treated for severe hip and pelvic pain and weakness. Lord, give her comfort and hope as you give her medical team knowledge and wisdom to best care for her. Called to Glory __ _ _ Pastor Rebecca Voss As a child growing up near Madison, I remember looking forward to our trips up to Athens to visit my dad’s side of the family.
    [Show full text]
  • Matthew's Gospel
    MATTHEW’S GOSPEL by Daniel J. Lewis © copyright 2008 by Diakonos, Inc. Troy, Michigan United States of America 2 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Who was Matthew? .................................................................................................................................... 5 How, When and Where was the 1st Gospel Composed?............................................................................. 6 Structure ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Central Theological Motifs......................................................................................................................... 9 The Text of Matthew ................................................................................................................................ 11 The Birth Narratives (1-2) ............................................................................................................................ 11 The Genealogy of Jesus (1:1-17).............................................................................................................. 11 The Virginal Conception of Jesus (Mt. 1:18-25)...................................................................................... 13 The Visit of the Magi (Mt. 2:1-12)..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • BLE 2022 (Pdf)
    THE SCHOOL OF ARCHAEOLOGY, VERITAS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY AND THE COLLEGE OF ARCHAEOLOGY & BIBLICAL HISTORY, TRINITY SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY Bible Land Expedition, Holy Land Tour 2022 “Discovering the Biblical World” 3 EXCITING OPTIONS! Option #1: Sodom Dig + Tour of Jordan and Israel (27 Feb–13 March 2022) Option #2: Tour of Jordan and Israel (4–13 March 2022) Option #3: Tour of Israel (6–13 March 2022) [Note: add 3 days for travel, 2 at the beginning, 1 at the end) Your Expert Teachers/Guides*: Dr Steven Collins and Dr Gary Byers OVERVIEW: BLE, and countless other churches and organizations, offer Holy Land Tours. But the title “Holy Land Tour” is where the similarity ends. The fact is, there isn’t another tour available that does, or can do, what a BLE tour does. Our guides and lecturers are expert Bible scholars and archaeologists, not local guides trained to cater to religious pilgrims as opposed to people interested in real biblical history and the archaeology that reveals it so dramatically. Not only will you experience the Holy Land’s breathtaking panoramas and biblical sites, but also you’ll see minute details illuminating biblical stories, subtleties that only expert eyes can reveal. BLE tours also balance both Old and New Testament history as it happened in both the Transjordan (Jordan) and Cisjordan (Israel). We also limit group size to a single bus (unlike many of the large tours that have multiple buses and spend more time waiting at restroom stops than actually visiting sites!), which is a real plus. The 2022 theme, “Discovering the Biblical World,” focuses on great biblical characters like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Kings David and Solomon, Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus.
    [Show full text]
  • Biblical Illustrator Articles for the GOSPEL PROJECT (Date of First Use: Summer 2020)
    Biblical Illustrator Articles for THE GOSPEL PROJECT (Date of first use: Summer 2020) Unit 1 – Jesus the Healer Session 8 – July 26 • Solomon in All His Splendor Session 1 – June 7 • Birds in Israel • InSites: Miracles of Christ • First-Century Agricultural Practices • Who Were the Samaritans? • Galilee in Jesus’ Day Session 9 – August 2 • Samaria • QuickBites: Sheep: Their Cultural Importance • Abundantly: The Meaning Session 2 – June 14 • Thieves and Robbers • Saved: A Word Study • Sheepfolds: Their Construction and Use • Death, A First-Century Understanding • Jesus' Use of Allegory • Fear in Mark’s Gospel • Asleep or Dead? Unit 3 – Jesus the Miracle Worker Session 3 – June 21 • At the Pool of Bethesda Session 10 – August 9 • Jesus, the Paralytic, and the Sabbath • Demon Possession: A First-Century Understanding • The Pools of Bethesda • Gadara, Gerasa, or Gergesa? • Jesus' Use of Miracles • Demons: A First-Century Understanding • Legion Session 4 – June 28 • Jesus, the Pharisees, and the Sabbath Session 11 – August 16 • Messianic Miracles: First-Century Jewish • Bread and Bread Making in the Ancient World Expectations • “Signs” in the Gospel of John • “Signs” in the Gospel of John • Beside the Sea of Galilee • The Pool of Siloam Session 12 – August 23 • Storms on the Sea of Galilee Unit 2 – Jesus the Teacher • Simon Peter: The Man and His Ministry • Wind, Weather, and the Sea of Galilee Session 5 – July 5 • Early Ships and Boats • Salt in the Ancient World • The Sermon on the Mount: An Overview Session 13 – August 30 • Lamps in Ancient Israel • Jesus’ Inner Circle • Simon Peter: Eyewitness to the Majesty Session 6 – July 12 • The Mount of Transfiguration • Jesus on Discipleship • Animal Imagery in the New Testament • Luke's Use of ''Kingdom'' • Disciple Session 7 – July 19 • "Our Daily Bread" • The Churches’ Use of the Lord’s Prayer • Widowhood in Jesus’ Day • “Our Father”—Jesus’ Prayer Practices and Instructions Titles in Red are current issue articles.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Full Itinerary
    Join La Sierra University Church and La Sierra University Alumni Association for their Centennial Tour to the Land of the Bible—March 17–April 10, 2022 Walk and Live the Story 10 Amazing Days exploring the Life of Christ in Israel 4 Amazing Days exploring Biblical History in Jordan 11 Amazing Days exploring Early Biblical and Egyptian History in Egypt with Senior Pastor Chris Oberg, La Sierra University Church Archaeologists Dr. Larry Geraty and Dr. Kent Bramlett La Sierra University Israel, Jordan, Egypt—March 17-April 10, 2022 Israel & Jordan—March 17-30, 2022 Israel Only—March 17-27, 2022 Jordan & Egypt—March 26-April 10, 2022 Egypt Only—Excludes Sinai—March 31-April 10, 2022 Egypt Only—Includes Sinai Arrive Aqaba, Jordan March 30, 2022 (by noon—extremely important to meet group to board ferry) Land flowing with milk and honey. Promised land. Holy land, Canaan land. The land, Joshua, Moses’ successor as leader of Israel, was poised at the River Jordan to enter and take possession of Canaan, an unremarkable stretch of territory sandwiched between massive and already ancient civilizations. It would have been unimaginable to anyone at the time that anything of significance could take place on that land. This narrow patch had never been significant economically or culturally, but only as a land bridge between the two great cultures and economics of Egypt and Mesopotamia. But it was about to become important in the religious consciousness of humankind. In significant ways, this land would come to dwarf everything that had gone before and around it. (The Message, Eugene H.
    [Show full text]
  • Study 08-06-20.Docx
    THE UNCREATED LIGHT THE SERVANTS AND THE MASTER August 6, 2020 The Transfiguration – August 6th Revision C GOSPEL: Matthew 17:1-9 EPISTLE: 2 Peter 1:10-19 In the West, Transfiguration Sunday is celebrated just before Lent rather than in August as is the custom of the Orthodox Church. The Gospel and Epistle readings are identical in the Western lectionaries, except that only verses 16-21 are used from 2 Peter. In the Orthodox lectionary, the account of the transfiguration from Luke 9:28-36 is also read at Matins. Table of Contents Gospel: Matthew 16:28-17:9, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36 ....................................................................................... 629 The Light of God ................................................................................................................................................. 629 The Servants and the Master ................................................................................................................................ 631 Moses and Elijah on Sinai .................................................................................................................................... 632 Constructing Tabernacles ..................................................................................................................................... 635 The Father Speaks ................................................................................................................................................ 637 The Transfiguration Prefigures Tabernacles .......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Mark Chapter 9 – the Transfiguration (Part 1)
    mark h lane www.biblenumbersforlife.com MARK CHAPTER 9 – THE TRANSFIGURATION (PART 1) SUMMARY Of all the miracles and events surrounding the life of Jesus – the Transfiguration is the most other-worldly. When Jesus healed, people saw a human transform from sickness to health in a short time. When Jesus healed it was possible to comprehend – like a normal healing – just speeded up. None of us living today have ever experienced seeing someone ‘transfigure’. It is outside our earthly frame of reference. The number 9 means ‘Judgment’ or ‘Spirit’. In Mark chapter 9 presents us with a lesson concerning spiritual realities beyond our comprehension. This is a clue the message concerns other-worldly affairs. Similar to the rest of our papers on Mark , Chapter 9 is highly prophetic. According to our interpretation: Mark 6 – Birth of the Church – Large Number of Jews Believe – Hungry for Truth Mark 8 – Decline of the Church – Large Numbers of Christian Believers – Starving for Truth Mark 9 – Death of the Church – The Great Apostasy and Martyrdoms - Just Before the Rapture The transfiguration itself was brighter and whiter than man can comprehend. However, all the rest of the events in Mark 9 are dark and filled with fear. There is a demon possessed boy writhing and foaming at the mouth. The disciples are too afraid to ask Jesus questions. Jesus tells his disciples the Messiah must die. The chapter ends with the darkest sermon of all. Jesus teaches his disciples what they must do to keep themselves from going to hell. It is a sermon filled with a language of bodily mutilation and a description of everlasting fiery torture.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Footsteps of Lord Jesus Christ Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Nazareth, Haifa, Caesarea
    In the Footsteps of Lord Jesus Christ Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Nazareth, Haifa, Caesarea Day 1 – Depart U.S.A Day 7 – Jerusalem - Caesarea - Haifa - Day 2 – Tel Aviv - Jerusalem Mount of Transfiguration - Nazareth Depart Jerusalem and drive towards the Mediterranean coast. We stop in Day 3 – Mount of Olives - Gethsemane - Bethlehem - Shepherds’ Field ancient Caesarea to view the ruins and the Roman aqueduct. Then we go - Ein Karem to Haifa and Mount Carmel, where we visit the cave of the prophet Elijah, We start our day with the Mount of Olives for a magnificent view of the Old the Carmelite Monastery and enjoy a beautiful view of the coast and the City. We visit the Church of the Pater Noster, the Chapel of the Ascension city of Haifa. Continue to Mount Tabor, chosen by Jesus to be the site of and walk down to the Church of Dominus Flevit, passing by the Russian His transfiguration. Visit the Franciscan Church of the Transfiguration and Church and ending at the Garden of Gethsemane. We continue to Ein the Monastery. We arrive in Nazareth where we visit the Church of the Karem, known to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. After visiting the Annunciation, the church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. Church of the Visitation, we continue to Bethlehem. We visit the Church of the Nativity, the Holy Manger, the Basilica of St. Catherine and the Milk Day 8 – Cana - Tiberias - Sea of Galilee - Tabgha - Capernaum - Grotto. We drive down to the Shepherds’ Field where the angel of the Lord Mount of The Beatitudes - Caesarea Philippi appeared to the shepherds announcing the Good News.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cities and Places Associated with the Ministry of Jesus Christ
    Scholars Crossing The Second Person File Theological Studies 11-2017 The Cities and Places Associated with the Ministry of Jesus Christ Harold Willmington Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/second_person Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "The Cities and Places Associated with the Ministry of Jesus Christ" (2017). The Second Person File. 58. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/second_person/58 This The People and Places in the Jesus Christ Story is brought to you for free and open access by the Theological Studies at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Second Person File by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE CITIES AND PLACES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST BETHABARA A few miles north of Jericho, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River where John baptized Jesus (Jn. 1:28; Mt. 3:13-17) BETHANY Fifteen furlongs, or one and three-fourths miles from Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It is on the road to Jericho. Bethany was the Judean headquarters of Jesus, as Capernaum was His Galilean headquarters. Here He raised Lazarus from the dead (Jn. 11). Mary and Martha entertained Christ here (Lk. 10:38-42). Mary anointed His feet here (Jn. 12:1-11). It was also the home of Simon the leper (Mk. 14:3). Here Christ blessed His disciples just prior to His ascension from the Mount of Olives (Lk.
    [Show full text]
  • A Literary Guide to the Life of Christ in the Gospel According to Matthew
    ! ! A LITERARY GUIDE TO THE LIFE OF CHRIST IN THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW Matthew’s Portrait of Jesus The order of the four Gospels consistently reflected in the manuscript tradition of the New Testament is the same order found in our modern Bibles—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Appropriately, Matthew opens the New Testament canon even as Chronicles closes the Hebrew canon. Chronicles begins with an extensive genealogy and closes with a commission from King Cyrus to rebuild the earthly Jerusalem and its temple. Matthew, similarly, begins with a genealogy and ends with a commission from another King to fill the earth with disciples of the heavenly Jerusalem. The royal status of Matthew’s King is set as an inclusio in his Gospel from the opening question of the magi (“Where is He who is born King of the Jews?” 2:2) to the closing answer placarded on the cross (“This is Jesus the King of the Jews,” 27:37).17 As the closing of one canonical division is compared to the opening of another, Matthew directs our reading from the outset into a rich typology that finds fulfillment in Jesus. His Gospel is designed to seamlessly join the testaments through a typological reading that guides and informs the outcome of Old Testament expectations.18 Matthew artfully and seamlessly coalesces two themes in his portrait of Jesus, depicting Him as both a New Moses and a New Israel.19 The two themes are like magnets attracting each other since Moses was often viewed as representative of Israel and could even be viewed as a federal head of the nation since he was the human mediator of the covenant at Sinai.
    [Show full text]
  • The Transfiguration: a Foretaste of Glory (Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21) Over These Past Few Weeks It's Been a Lot of Fun S
    1 The Transfiguration: A Foretaste of Glory (Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21) Over these past few weeks it’s been a lot of fun seeing the photos of the Holy Land that many of our friends have been posting on Facebook. Michele and I briefly pondered whether we might have played some small part in so many of our friends going this year. And I kind of hope so, because we wanted to share the blessing. I have to admit that even with my undying gratitude for being able to make this trip a year ago, I felt just the slightest guilty twinge of envy when I noticed that for our friends every day seemed to be warm and sunny. Anyway, it’s all good. What brought all this to mind is that today is Transfiguration Sunday, and we visited the Church of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor last year on a very cold, rainy, and windy day. In fact, as I vested for Eucharist in that great old church I made the mistake of laying my backpack on a window sill in the vesting room, and later returned to find it heroically soaking up as much water as it could from the puddle that had formed around it. So a cloud overshadowed Michele and me on the Mount of Transfiguration, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t like the one that shaded Jesus and the boys in today’s Gospel reading. And I find the account in Matthew’s Gospel to be awe-inspiring and solidly relevant to us apprentices of Jesus here this morning.
    [Show full text]
  • CB LG Lesson 12
    The Context Bible Life Group Lesson 12 March 17-23, 2014 John 5:22-6:40 Introduction to the Context Bible Have you ever wished the Bible was easier to read through like an ordinary book – cover to cover? Because the Bible is a collection of 66 books, it makes reading like an ordinary book quite difficult. Compounding this difficulty is the fact that the later writers of the New Testament, were often quoting or referencing passages in the Old Testament. In fact, much of the New Testament makes better sense only if one also considers the Old Testament passages that place the text into its scriptural context. You are reading a running commentary to The Context Bible. This arrangement of Scripture seeks to overcome some of these difficulties. Using a core reading of John’s gospel, the book of Acts, and the Revelation of John, the Context Bible arranges all the rest of Scripture into a contextual framework that supports the core reading. It is broken out into daily readings so that this program allows one to read the entire Bible in a year, but in a contextual format. Here is the running commentary for week twelve, along with the readings for week thirteen appended. Join in. It’s never too late to read the Bible in context! Week Twelve Readings Mar. 17 The Son as Judge Mar . 18 Witnesses to Jesus Mar. 20 Jesus as Provider Mar. 21 (Cont’d) Jn 5:22-5:29 Jn 5:30-5:47 Jn 6:1-6:15 Josh 1 Context: Jesus has been given Context: Jesus was attested to Context: God (Jesus) meets Josh 3-4 authority to judge.
    [Show full text]