John 1 “Grace Through Jesus Christ”

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (v.17)

Early in chapter 1 the apostle John records the start of Jesus’ life as an event that took place before the beginning of time (v.1). And that in Him, there was life; and the life was the light of men (v.4).  John then records there was a man, John the Baptist, sent from God to bear witness of this light (v.7). His ministry declared that He (Christ) was the true Light; the greater Light, and that He was God manifested in the flesh (v.14).

Here in our text, John tells us “the law” was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Meaning, the law pointed out the pollution of human nature, the guilt and punishment of sin. But it could not justify man (John 5:45). The Gospel however, in opposition to the law, is God’s grace and declaration of His love, and truth. Christ, the author of the Gospel, the fulfiller of the promises, and the giver of all grace, is superior to the law. Through Him (Jesus) everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the Law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39)

Grace and Truth, “the Gospel” given through Jesus Christ, Hallelujah!

The Truth: “Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the Law. For the Law merely brings awareness of sin.” (Romans 3:20) “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

Luke 24 “Hope Restored”

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" (Luke 24:6-7)

Luke 24 contains two themes throughout the chapter; 1) the fulfillment of Christ's teachings on His death, burial and resurrection and 2) the continued struggles His disciple had in seeing this truth as it was; predicted, unfolded, and completed before their every eyes.

After Jesus's death, His disciples were blinded by their grief, discouraged, lost, afraid, and did not see this event for what it was, the fulfillment of all that the prophets have spoken! They saw His death as the end of their Messiah and His kingdom here on earth, not reconciling it with what He had taught them. (Matthew 20:17-19)

It took the Lord Himself appearing to; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, to Peter, then the twelve collectively showing them His hands and His feet, eating with them and finally opening their understanding to the scriptures, before their blindness turned to joy and their hope restored. (v.45)  

Just as it took the infallible truth of the scriptures to open the eyes of those who walked with Jesus then, so it may be with our loved ones today as well. With so much evil in our world, we need to keep praying that our Lord will bring His truth into their lives and open their understanding to His love and grace.  

The Truth: Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” (Matthew 20:17-19)

Luke 23 "The Two Thieves"

In Luke’s Gospel account of the crucifixion of Jesus, he records some of the conversation between the "two thieves" who were crucified along with Jesus. One blasphemes and mocks Jesus (Luke 23:39) while the other comes to believe in Him. (Luke 23:40)

Two thieves, aware of their crimes and their guilt and just as aware of His innocences. (Luke 23:41) Two thieves, in the same proximity of Jesus - at the same time - hearing and observing the same things - arrived at two different conclusions. One thief verbally rejects Jesus for what He would not do, give into Satan and save himself and them; the other thief comes to a belief in Jesus for what He did do, die willingly a sacrificial death for all who would believe. (Luke 23:42) These two thieves represent the struggle for mans heart and soul still today. One willing to believe while the other, denies Jesus right up to his last breath on the cross.

Luke goes on to record the salvation of the thief who believed at death’s door. “Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom." To which Jesus responded, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in “Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) Confirming there is life after death in Heaven (paradise) for all who believe. Which now begs the question, "What if I don't believe?" Well, just assuredly as there is a heaven, there is also a hell. (Matthew 13:42) And if all one has to do to go to heaven is believe in Jesus - then all one has to do to spend eternity in hell is not believe in Jesus. (John 3:36)

End your fear of death today and be ready to move on with peace in your heart. How? The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

The Truth: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) 

Luke 22 “Peter Restored”

 “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you return to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (v.31-32)

The strength of our faith can be judged by our ability to regroup after a defeat. Setbacks can cause us to either fall away or to return to our faith even stronger. They allow us to show our underlying commitment to Christ. Our Lord's words to Simon Peter suggest this. Jesus knew Peter was about to trip over his own self-confidence and zeal. He knew that Peter, who said he was willing to die for his Lord (v.33), would soon deny Him.

The beauty of Christ's re­sponse to Peter's denial was that He saw beyond it, to the disciple's repentance. He assured Peter that He had prayed his faith would not fail (v.32). In essence, Jesus was saying, "An attack is coming, I have prayed for you, although you will stumble, you will return to Me." This experience in Peter's life can encourage all of us. We have the advantage of Christ's work and prayers on our behalf, and this gives us the confidence that He Himself sustains us. We too can be useful again to Him, even after a hard fall.

A spiritual reversal should not cause us to give up. It's the "return" of our faith and His forgiveness that are all-important.

The Truth
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Luke 21 “The Signs Of His Return”

 There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and the expectation of those things which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of the heaven will be shaken. And they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head; for your redemption is drawing close” (vv.25-28).

In our text, Jesus is giving us the signs of His return. Signs that will happen before His second coming. Then, at the end of the passage, declares when we see these things come to pass to “look up,” for our redemption (the rapture) is drawing near. If the rapture of the church is to precede His second coming (and I believe it does), then when we see these signs of the LORD’s return, we can know the rapture must be getting close.

The parable of the fig tree, given to us here in verses 29-33, is basically saying the same thing. When you see the tree begin to blossom you know summer is drawing near. Again we are being instructed to know the signs of His return, to be watchful and, “pray that we are accounted worthy to escape what is to come and stand before the Son of man” (v.36).

I for one do not want to be on earth when God’s wrath is poured out. I want to be standing before the Son of man, the Lamb who was slain, the One who is worthy to take the scroll and loose the seals, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, removed from His wrath.

The Truth: “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17)

Luke 20 “Jesus On Taxes”

 Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (v.22)

Once again the chief priests and scribes were looking to discredit Jesus. This time, they were trying to catch Him saying something against Roman law that they might turn Him over to the governor. Thus the question, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

The crafty spies (who were sent by the priests), pretended to be righteous, and hoping to seize Christ on His words marveled at His answer: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (v.25)

Many issues in our society today have become twisted to man’s desires; through political agendas, party politics, and what is viewed today as politically correct thinking. However, for us as Christians it is simple, man’s law should never supersede God’s law. 

Therefore, as Christ said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

The Truth
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)

Luke 19 “Jesus Weeps For Jerusalem”

As He drew near, He saw the city (Jerusalem) and wept over it.” (v.41)

Our text tells us as Jesus drew near to the city of Jerusalem "He wept.” Why? Because the people did not know the scriptures well enough to understand the reason for His first coming (v.41-44), and those who did (scribes, chief priests, and Pharisees) sought to kill Him out of fear and jealousy.

The prophet Zechariah had described the 1st coming of Jesus over 500 years before it occurred writing, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9).

Zechariah correctly referred to Jesus as, "having salvation." Therefore, when Jesus did enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey as prophesied the people cried, "Hosanna!" or, literally, "Save now!" (Matthew 21:9). Why? Because they were hoping Jesus had come to save them from the Roman government and establish His kingdom on earth immediately - not to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Therefore, when He was eventually killed the Jews denied His claim as the Messiah, and are still blindly looking for their deliver today. 

They missed it (His first coming), and this is what moved Jesus to tears "because they did not know the time of their visitation” (v.44). I believe Jesus still weeps today when someone rejects His moment of visitation (salvation) to them. Why? Because His second coming will be much different, and when that happens, He will no longer be the one weeping. 

The Truth: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)

Luke 18 "Lord, Be Merciful To Me"

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ (vv.9-13) 

A story is told of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, who visited a prison and talked with each of the inmates. As the story goes, there were endless tales of innocence, of misunderstood motives, and of exploitation. Finally the king stopped at the cell of a convict who remained silent. “Well,” remarked Frederick, “I suppose you are an innocent victim too?” “No, sir, I’m not,” replied the man. “I’m guilty and deserve my punishment.” Turning to the warden, the king said, “Here, release this rascal before he corrupts all these fine innocent people in here!”

This is also true about salvation. As long as the sinner claims innocence and refuses to acknowledge his transgressions before the Lord, he does not receive the blessings of redemption. But when he pleads guilty and cries out, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner,” as the tax collector here in our passage, he is forgiven.

May we check our attitudes at the door of humility, that we may be exalted by the LORD and not abased (v.14). May we bow before the LORD in repentance, beating our chests, saying “be merciful to me, a sinner” and not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought” (vv.12-13).

The Truth: ""God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (Proverbs 3:34)