Only One Sign For Eternal Life

"And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red
and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky,
but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." Matt 16:3 NIV

I was very young when my mother began teaching me some pretty cool things; especially if you live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She taught me how not to get lost in the woods when picking wildflowers by observing the position of the sun or the moon and what side the moss grows on a tree. She taught me how to track, at least well enough to follow my own trail back out of the woods. She also taught me how to forecast the weather by watching the leaves on the trees or the color of the skies. She taught me "red skies at night, sailors' delight; red skies in the morning, sailors take warning."

When the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus to show them a sign from heaven he told them there would be only one sign for them. That sign would be the sign of Jonah. The prophet Jonah, you might recall, had spent three days floating around in a watery abyss in the belly of a big fish. He had thought at the time that this would be his grave; his final resting place.

The sign that Jesus was referring to was that he, himself, would repeat the sign of Jonah. But, this time it would be for the salvation of all people; for all who would believe him. Three days he spent in the grave. He descended into hell. (1 Pet 3:18-20) And... just as Jonah was spit from the mouth of the fish to go and proclaim God's message to those nasty Ninevites that they might be saved and live; on the third day Jesus rose from the grave so that all who believe him would be saved and inherit eternal life.

God gave us many signs in creation to assist us in our daily lives. But, Jesus, is the only sign that we need for eternal life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 11:1-14 Every Eye Will See

Revelation 11:1-14 NIV

As horrible as humankind can be, it is difficult for me to be able to comprehend how the world would
kill God's witnesses and then leave their dead bodies on display in the public square for three and a half days so that the world can rejoice over their deaths.

However; this, too, will be a very good thing. After all, Jesus was in the grave for three days and because there were no witnesses to the actual resurrection, only to his presence after the resurrection, not everyone believed that he was risen. Even to this day, many doubt or just flat out refuse to believe because they did not see it.

If the resurrection of these two witnesses happen exactly as John saw it in his vision there will be no doubt that God can raise the dead. Television cameras will capture the moment. Cell phones will be clicking away. Every eye will see. The enemies of God will tremble in fear. As God calls the two witnesses to himself, they will ascend visibly into heaven and the earth will quake  killing multitudes. The survivors will know. They will all be witnesses. They will then understand that God is worthy of  receiving honor and glory. There will be no doubt. Every eye will see and know that God can and will raise His chosen ones.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

John 20:24-29 You Don't Have To See It To Believe It

John 20:24-29 NIV
Well, some people really have to see it to believe it. You can warn them; you can advise them; you can give them the Good News, but until they see it with their own eyes, unless they can touch it or taste it or hear it; unless they can experience something with one of their bodily senses, they simply will not believe it.

Sadly, today we do not have the opportunity as Thomas did to see the nail marks in Jesus' hand. We cannot see Jesus as Thomas did on that day so long ago. But, we can see him. We can see him and experience him in our neighbor, in all who abide in him and he in they. We don't need to see Jesus face to face as Thomas did in order to believe. We have the witness of many who saw him risen from the grave. Hear the Good News so that you, too, might believe and be saved.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 20:1-10 The Empty Tomb

John 20:1-10 NIV
None of Jesus' followers really expected a resurrection. They really had not understood what Jesus was talking about when he said things like, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:16) When they found the empty tomb, they began to have a clue.

Some, even the most faithful, have to see; have to experience, something in order to believe. It was that way for the disciples. It is that way for many today as well. You can warn them all you want that something is about to happen; but, they will not understand what you have told them until that something happens and they actually have to experience it and live through it.

It took the disciples awhile to get a clue. It took a face to face connection with the risen Jesus before the disciples understood. What will it take the world today? We do have the witness and testimony of those first followers. It has been written down for generations to read. But, there are those who refuse to believe their eye witness statements. There are those who refuse to read or hear those statements. They refuse to be enlightened because they love the darkness that they have become accustomed to. 

The grave is empty. Why do you linger in the darkness of the tomb? He is risen. He is with you. Believe and live life in the light of Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 23:50-56 - Burial Traditions

Luke 23:50-56 NIV
People of every time and place have had their own traditions or rites for burial of a body. In 480 BC, King Leonidas and 300 of his men stood in a mountain pass, stripped naked, cleansing themselves, and anointing themselves with oil. The Greeks were preparing their bodies for death as the 300 of them, along with some 700 Thespians and 900 Helots, were about to be attacked by the Persian Army, which, according to Herodotus, was 2 million strong. Death was inevitable for Leonidas and his troops. Their bodies would probably never be recovered by family or friends to be properly buried so they prepared their own bodies for death prior to the battle.

The death of Jesus came fast. No one could have expected it; after all, not even a week before the people were celebrating as he triumphantly entered the city. Mary anointed his feet with oil in that last week. The disciples, particularly Judas who betrayed him, complained about the waste. But, Jesus had told them:  "Leave her alone. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial." (John 12:7)

Jesus died in the afternoon and the body had to be taken away before the sun set as the Sabbath began then. No one had planned for his death. There certainly had been no time to prepare for it. What to do? Where to place the body? What could his mother, a mere woman who had just seen her beloved son executed, do at such a time like this? What about the disciples? Had they already gone into hiding? So, Joseph, a member of the council, who had hope in the Kingdom of God, asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus' body off of the cross. He wrapped it in linens and placed it in a tomb that had never been used before.

Today our traditions vary. Traditions have been created out of love and respect for those who have died. Often, we've figured out the where, who, what years before our own death with pre-paid funeral plans. We now have embalming rather than anointing with spices and oils. Many Christians are opting for cremation. I am often asked about whether cremation is even something a Christian should even consider as we anticipate a resurrection from the grave. My response is that these old traditions are just that - traditions. We are saved by faith, our manner of burial will not matter. And... since God created us once from the dust of the earth; He can certainly bring us back from the dust, again.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Luke 11:29-32 - Greatest Miracle

Luke 11:29-32 NIV
Everyone wants a sign. Everyone wants a miraculous sign before they will believe and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. One has already been given.

Just as Jonah was in the belly of the big fish for three days and was spit out to continue that mission to which the LORD had sent him on; the Son of Man was given up to the grave for three days. He rose from the dead and continues His mission of bringing the Good News of the Kingdom for all people; but, now through you. The greatest miracle is the resurrection to life eternal in that Kingdom through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

No matter how many miracles an unbeliever will experience or see they will not be able to comprehend them as miracles. But, with the eyes of faith, we see all things miraculously achieved by the hand of God.

Believe, follow in His footsteps to eternal life in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 16 The Tomb is Empty! He Is Risen!

Mark 16 NIV
The women go to the tomb to find it empty. They are told by a young man, who is sitting in the tomb, not to be alarmed for Jesus is risen and the disciples will see him in Galilee. They were still quite alarmed. Trembling and bewildered they fled from the tomb. Who would not? Think about the week these women, who loved Jesus, just lived through. Would we not also be confused and afraid?

Often the stories we hear about Jesus life kind of just seem like such nice stories; but, can you imagine living it? Can you imagine watching your loved one being tortured and crucified? Can you imagine going to prepare his body for burial and his body is gone? I can just imagine our stress levels. Yet, in the end, as the days pass by, they will be comforted, as we are comforted with the knowledge that He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Death and the grave have no power over him. It is way more than just a nice story to tell our children.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Zechariah 2 - Good News! Release! Relief!

Good news! That's what chapter 2 of Zechariah is - Good News!

As I read this chapter, I was reminded of the vision of St. Teresa of Avila and her "Interior Mansion." What an awesome place this city of God is! In Zecharia, it is pictured as a city without walls. It doesn't need a wall because God, Himself, will be a wall of fire around it and He will be its glory within. (Zech 2:4,5)

And more... for all those who are oppressed - there will be relief - there will be release!

"For this is what the Lord Almighty says: 'After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—  I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.

Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,' declares the Lord. ^'Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.'" (Zech 2:8-11 NIV)

God, indeed, has sent His only Son, born in a barn, died on a cross, raised from the grave, and ascended to the right hand of our Father, so that we might be free to live in His Awesome presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J