BibleJournal.net

Today’s Reading

If you have ever watched Days, or any soap opera, you know that it never changes.  In fact, that show has played since 1965!  And, you know what?  Nothing has changed.  Nothing!  The characters are the same.  They experience the same problems and display the same ridiculous behavior.  It’s as if they never learn anything.  Their lives never improve.  They are doomed.  One could argue that our lives are no different.  We need to look no farther than Chronicles 1 and Chronicles 2.  Seriously, I was talking with Jennifer this morning after our daily reading.  I mentioned that I’m tired of Chronicles.  I feel like I am reading the same thing over and over.  She said, “I know, it’s like watching Days of Our Lives.”  She’s right.

Thankfully, the days of our lives don’t have to be meaningless repetition.  There is an end to the drama, if we choose it.  It is the result of Jesus’ death.  He declares it in John 19:30.  “It is finished.”  Jesus death literally marks the end of an age.  He brings a permanent solution to the pain and suffering that is a result of our bad choices.  Redemption is just the beginning of his plan for us.  And, the only requirement for the hope and freedom that He promises is that we choose it. He makes that easy too.  We are saved when we declare with our mouth and believe with our heart that He is our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9).

Today’s Readings: 2 Chronicles 31, Revelation 17, Zechariah 13:2-9, John 16

 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” John 19:16-20

Well, it’s the final frontier friends. Not really…you’ll be either happy or dismayed to learn that I’ve signed on for another year of writing on Bible Journal! I was really hoping to ring it in today with a big Revelation bang, but sadly I’m not sure what to say about the Great Prostitute and the Beast. Instead, I found myself taken by these parting words from Jesus, written in John 16. By the time you’re reading, the wrapping and bows will be crushed into the trash. Pieces of toys, instruction manuals and electronic cords strewn about. Our bellies are full, the left overs congealing in the fridge and we, His people are left with a sort of emptiness. Our King has come and perhaps already gone. What can we do with this “holiday hangover?” How can we keep him in the present with us? As we close this year, Christmas decorations are replaced by stark winter white and cold ground there is a subtle feeling of loss. When will we see our Jesus again?

I love that we have this to hold on to, “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy!” As I make plans for 2017, I’m making sure to include Jesus. Just as the year ends and we have the chance to reflect, we also have the opportunity to be intentional about this new chapter with Him. I’m looking forward to our new Bible Journal plan that begins by focusing on the gospels. I’m also looking forward to discovering the true joy that God has planned for us. I’m watching and waiting for signs that our Savior is present. I hope you’ll hold on to these next few months and savor the quiet nature of these chilly shortened days. The Christmas rush has come and gone. Now we have the gift of stillness to reflect and be in Him. I pray that we can commit to wrapping ourselves in His word in these next few weeks.

I want to thank all of our readers, especially those that have been kind enough to read my simple posts on Monday’s. I’ve grown in my faith because of you. I pray that this year brings joy to each of you and that you’ll continue to spend time in the word with us in 2017.

Peace and Blessings

Jillian                                       

Today’s reading:  2 Chronicles 29; Revelation 15; Zechariah 11; John 14

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14).

“Peace on earth” is an expression often used at this time of year.  What do you think the angels meant by this phrase?  As I pondered the question, I went to the dictionary.  Vocabulary.com defines peace as a stress-free state that comes when there’s no fighting or war; everything co-existing in perfect harmony and freedom.  I’d say this is a pretty common understanding of the word peace in the 21st century.  I don’t think, however, this is the kind of peace to which the angels were referring in Luke 2.  Since sin came into the world and ruined God’s perfect plan, the world has never been free of fighting, war or conflict.  In fact, I don’t believe this definition of peace is really achievable on Earth as we know it today.

The next clause of verse 14, “among those with whom he is pleased”, gives us a little more insight.  I believe the angels were referring to the peace that comes from knowing Jesus.  This peace is the confident assurance that God works all things together according to his divine plan; a comfort that he has every situation under control.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Today’s assigned reading has us in John 14. These three chapters (John 14-17) are often referred to as Jesus’ Farewell Discourse – his guidance to the eleven disciples (sans Judas) after the last supper, before his crucifixion.  Jesus was once again trying to prepare them for life without him.  The disciples still didn’t completely understand his plan, and it was causing them anxiety.  Think about it.  These eleven men left everything to follow Jesus, and now he was talking about leaving.  How could they be at peace?  Can you identify with their fear and unrest?  Jesus comforted the disciples with these words:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Rise, let us go from here (John 14:27-31).

Do you see Jesus’ words of peace? – “…for the prince of this world is coming…he has no hold over me…”  Knowing that Jesus has all power over Satan is the source of our confident assurance.  Jesus is our peace.  As you celebrate this Christmas, I wish you peace.  The peace that comes from knowing him as your Savior and Lord.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

2 Chronicles 26; Revelation 13; Zechariah 9; John 12

I detest the idea of zombies.  Even so, our culture is so enamored with them, that they are unavoidable.  Our TV’s and iPads are filled with images of them creeping and slinking their way to our front door.  Unfortunately, this reality influences the way that I interpret scripture.  It became clear to me as I read about Lazarus today in John 12. If you will recall, yesterday, we read that Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead.   How do you interpret that?  For me, Lazarus is undead.  Just like a zombie.

In John 11, we learn about Lazarus walking out of the tomb, still wrapped in burial cloths.  We hear Jesus instructing Martha and her sister, to “unbind him, and let him go.”  Do you hear zombie?  I do.  My full picture of Lazarus is less than human.  I imagine him pale and sickly, weakened by death.  A shadow of his old life.  He probably staggers as he walks and talks with a slur.  This, after all, is what zombies do.  But, I reason, since Jesus was involved, Lazarus was a good zombie. So, what does a good zombie do?  He follows Jesus around like a puppy dog, catering to his every whim and enjoying the scraps from his table.  Can’t you just hear Jesus, his owner, as they walk down a crowded street?  “Lazarus, come on, what are you sniffing at back there?!”

I hope you hear my sarcasm.   None of that is true of Lazarus!  How do I know?  There are two ways.  First, we know that Jesus does not give life half-heartedly.  He gives it to the “full” (John 10:10).  Truly, my degradation of Lazarus’ new life is about self-preservation.  Just like the Pharisees, I’m afraid that if I clearly see Lazarus alive, I will see that I am the fool, not Lazarus.  Let me say that another way.  I’m afraid that I will see that Lazarus was truly living and I am merely undead.  Second Lazarus’ actions prove that he is not undead, but fully living.  Based on John 12, he was out, among the people, presenting himself in a way that was irresistible.  I picture him bounding through the streets, singing, dancing and rejoicing.  Filled with life!  How do we know that?  Because “many people came to Jesus because of him” (John 12:11).  Now, would these people have been attracted to a zombie?  No, people are not attracted to the undead, they want to be like the living.

What about us?  Unfortunately, too many of us are living the “Christian life.”   We are shadows of our former selves, unable to have fun, take risks and engage the world.  Jesus has become our ticket to heaven, our get out of jail free card.  That is not living.  It is undead.  Jesus invites us to die, just like Lazarus.  His invitation is not focused on death, but rebirth.  Done faithfully, Jesus transforms us into His glory, His likeness.  Irresistible.  Just like Lazarus.