Bible2020

Yesterday we seen that Messiah was not as expected. Jesus was an average looking hero. Today, we see he is the source of true power, which transforms our lives. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.1 Corinthians 1:18 Where is the source of true power? In the message of the cross. Of Messiah, Jesus, despised, rejected, crucified, dead, buried and raised again! It seems so unlikely, the

In todays reading, Paul reminds us what is really important. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen as

There is so much to take from this next resurrection encounter. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."Those said to him, "My Lord and my God!"Then Thomas told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed;

What are peace and joy? Where are they to be found? Words? An experience? A hope? They are so much more - and they are found in a person. When you know him, you experience true peace and lasting joy. On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this he showed the his hands and side. The disciples were overj

We are bombarded with news, facts, images. We scroll past them quickly. We flick until something grabs our attention. We consume and move on. But there are some things which demand that we stop, gaze and wonder. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their

I am not one for making big sweeping statements. I don't think I am able to speak for a nation. I find it difficult where an event stands in the scale of big events in history. That being said, with this story - I am on safe ground. Without a doubt, this was the biggest surprise, ever. And the one event which had the greatest impact on the whole world. 'After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.Ther

Throughout the gospel story, and down through the subsequent history of the church, there are many 'minor characters'. They appear in one or two scenes, and then fade into the background again. Sometimes we don't even know their names. Yet their loving service is a shining example to us all. None less than the one in todays story - Joseph of Arimathea. 'As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?').When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down

The religious leaders had long wanted to get rid of Jesus, but they just couldn't figure out how to get at him. The time never seemed right. Then, one of his closest followers said, 'I'll get him for you.' Today we see that betrayal unfold. While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The on

Knowing your death is approaching focuses the mind. You 'get your affairs in order' and leave meaningful gifts to people, eitehr in person or in your will. That is exactly what we find Jesus doing today. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it all or you. This is my blood

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, King Jesus enters his city. "The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They broughtthe donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,'Hosanna to the Son of David!''Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord' 'Hosanna in

Our reading today is a massive declaration: The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever." Revelation 11:15 This is the day we are all waiting for. The climax that all history is moving towards. The time when the war will be over and King Jesus unending reign of peace shall begin. There is much in this declaration which

Have you ever say and looked at the sea? Sometimes you see massive waves, others teh wates look calm. Yet the tide is always moving,the waves keep coming. Todays reading has that sense of wave, upon wave. It's one to read, ponder and delight in! "John,To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the fir

When a monarch dies, the cry rings out 'The King is dead, long live the King (or Queen)!' The person dies, but the office passes on to the next in line. They pick up the mantel of responsibility and a new reign begins. We've seen that God's kingdom is all upside down, today is no different, as we cut into the story of the crucifixion. There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Ar

Yesterday, we met someone who tested Jesus. He could hold his own in debate, yet Jesus had a parting shot for him - you're not far from the Kingdom. He understood much, but he wasn't there yet. Today, we learn the key to being part of God's kingdom. Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the sig

We all know someone who loves a good debate. And they must win that debate - they are right, even when they are wrong. In today's reading, Jesus encounters some of these people in today's reading One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?""The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is o

Yesterday, Jesus taught about the upside down values of his Kingdom using a memorable image. Today, he demonstrates those same values. People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell anyone who will not receive the kingdom of Go

We've seen already how Jesus Kingdom is upside down. It's values turn the values of the world upside down. It's easy to say, but when you see what that means in practice, it is truly shocking! Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle th

What would you give to find true joy? "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.""Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."Matthew 13:44-46 These parables of Jesus are deeply challenging as in their simplicity they cause us to ask what

In today's passage, King Jesus declares the upside down values of his Kingdom. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers, fo