Tag Archives: resurrection

Acts 2:25-33 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT)

vv. 25-27 Even David said this about him: “I see the Lord before me continually; because he is always right beside me, I will not be shaken. Because of this, I celebrate and rejoice inside and out and I will always live in hope. For you will not leave my soul helpless in the grave or let your holy one experience decay and decomposition.” V. 28 “For you have shown me the way of full life; you fill me to overflowing with joy in your Presence.” V. 29 People, let me speak very freely with you about this. You know that David, our founding ancestor, died and was buried. His burial monument is here and  you can see it even today. V. 30 Since he was a prophet, he understood that God promised on his word that he would set one of his descendants on His throne.” V. 31 He saw this coming and talked about the resurrection of the Messiah, that he would neither be left helpless and alone in the grave nor would his body experience decay. V. 32 This same Jesus is the one whom God has raised from the dead! We all saw this! V. 33 By God’s strong hand, Jesus is lifted up to the place of honor and received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father. Now He is pouring out what you are both seeing and hearing today.

vv. 25-27 Even David said this about him: “I see the Lord before me continually; because he is always right beside me, I will not be shaken. Because of this, I celebrate and rejoice inside and out and I will always live in hope. For you will not leave my soul helpless in the grave or let your holy one experience decay and decomposition.”

Psalm 16. This was and is even now moreso a Messianic psalm. Live on hope means to set up the tent but also that the foundation of the tent site is hope. Live on hope, not a sustenance but as foundation.

I will rejoice with my heart and celebrate with my tongue.

v. 28 “For you have shown me the way of full life; you fill me to overflowing with joy in your Presence.”

The path toward real life, as opposed to the death that held him for three days. Psalm 16. It could be “the joy of your Presence.”

v. 29 People, let me speak very freely with you about this. You know that David, our founding ancestor, died and was buried. His burial monument is here and  you can see it even today.

Not to be macabre, but Peter is making it clear. This King David that has been such a central part of Jewish history is still in the tomb. People stop by and visit and remember David at this grave memorial. But this Jesus left this grave. You can’t visit his body somewhere. He is risen.

v. 30 Since he was a prophet, he understood that God promised on his word that he would set one of his descendants on His throne.”

The child is the fruit of his loins.  Someone from the line of his seed. David perceived this promise given with surety (like an oath or vow) to him by God. His throne would see his child, or his son.

v. 31 He saw this coming and talked about the resurrection of the Messiah, that he would neither be left helpless and alone in the grave nor would his body experience decay.

He foresaw and announced the Messiah’s resurrection. Christ would not be abandoned and the corruption and decomposition that comes with death would not touch him.

v. 32 This same Jesus is the one whom God has raised from the dead! We all saw this!

Peter is making a clear parallel of David the King of Israel and Jesus King of Kings. David died and his body decomposed; Jesus never saw decomposition touch him. It’s all because God the Father raised God the Son from the grave. We are the witnesses. We saw Him alive. The word for witness is the same as martyr, ironic in that nearly all who stood with Peter would be martyred for their witness. The word can also mean: to go on record. These followers of Jesus had a record – they saw Jesus alive.

V. 33 By God’s strong hand, Jesus is lifted up to the place of honor and received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father. Now He is pouring out what you are both seeing and hearing today.

The right hand of God. Jesus is exalted. The parallel of Jesus being lifted up from the dead and lifted up above all people for honor is clear. He received it without measure; he is pouring it out without measure. This is the invitation of the Good News: you no longer have to be separated from the Father in death. His invitation to you is to trust who He is and that what He has done can remove the death sentence of sin from  your life. Because He died on the Cross, you can be forgiven. Because He conquered death, you can enjoy eternity with Him in heaven. Because He ascended to the Father after his resurrection, you can know the power of the Holy Spirit living inside you.

Acts 2:13-25 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Acts 2:13-28

(PRT)

v. 13 Others, though, mocked in derision: “They are drunk on new, sweet wine!” v. 14 Then Peter stepped up along with the Eleven and in a loud voice spoke to the people above the clamor: “Judeans and those living in Jerusalem, you know well all that has happened here. So, listen to what I’m saying!” v. 15 “For these people are not drunk as you assume! Really! It’s only nine in the morning!” vv. 16-17 “But this is what the prophet Joel has declared: ‘God says that this is what it will be like in the last days – I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’ v. 18 ‘Yes, in those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my bondservants, men and women, and they will prophesy.’  vv. 19-20 ‘In the last days, I will show you miraculous signs when you look up in the heavens and supernatural wonders on the earth below. Blood – Fire – Billows of smoke! The sun of the day will become dark as night and the moon will turn blood-red! All this before that great and glorious day the Lord arrives!’ v. 21 ‘Here’s how it will be: when anyone calls on the Lord’s name, they will be saved.’” v. 22 People of Israel, pay attention to what I say next: You know personally that this man, this Jesus the Nazarene was approved by God through powerful works, miraculous signs, and supernatural wonders that God did by him right where you live. v. 23 By God’s firm and deliberate plan and knowledge he was handed over by unbridled lawless power; he was violently taken away and you crucified him. v. 24 This same man, God raised up and destroyed the agonizing chains of death, as if those chains could really hold him in the grave. vv. 25-27 Even David said this about him: “I envisioned the Lord before me continually; because he is always right beside me, I will not be shaken. Because of this, my heart celebrates and tongue rejoices and I will always live in hope. For you will not leave my soul helpless in the grave or let your holy one experience decay and decomposition.” v. 28 “For you have shown me the way of full life; you have filled me to overflowing with joy in your Presence.”

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

v. 13 Others, though, mocked in derision: “They are drunk on new, sweet wine!”

This is the new wine, sweet and powerful. But, as Peter says, 9 am is too early for a wine-drenched street party. Some in the throng were chalking this experience and this declaring in different languages to tanked-up celebrants.

v. 14 Then Peter stepped up along with the Eleven and in a loud voice spoke to the people above the clamor: “Judeans and those living in Jerusalem, you know well all that has happened here. So, listen to what I’m saying!”

He is addressing those who live here among the larger throng because they live here and saw who Jesus is and what He does right in their back yard. He is calling on their affirmative testimony to show the crowd in the presence of many witnesses, Jesus is the Messiah.

The word for “saying to you” is the same as “gift” that they were given just before. His intent is to give them a gift in this proclamation just like the Father gave them the gift.

v. 15 “For these people are not drunk as you assume! Really! It’s only nine in the morning!”

See notes above. And Peter in a reasoned short rebuttal shuts down the scoffers.

vv. 16-17 “But this is what the prophet Joel has declared: ‘God says that this is what it will be like in the last days – I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’

Note how Peter’s mind has a greater grasp of the Movement and how the prophets (like Joel) declare the Good News of the Kingdom. This passage fits the day when God’s people celebrate His goodness for today and worship Him for what He will do in the future. It’s an annual focus with a last days meaning.

Pour out alludes to the rain from heaven that pours out on all.  This passage asserts that God will pour His Spirit out on all people.

God has acted throughout history up till this moment through the work of His Spirit among His people. Now, He acts through the work of His Spirit within His people

v. 18 ‘Yes, in those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my bondservants, men and women, and they will prophesy.’

Here, Luke uses a double word that means something like “and even more.” If you think God is generous with His gifts with your sons and daughters and you who are young and you who are older, He will be generous to the lowest among you, the bondservants, the slaves. At least, this is how it can be interpreted. Later, in Paul’s theology, a bondservant could be anyone who swore allegiance to follow Jesus. Here, this wasn’t a common image to use, and Peter’s intent is to communicate at their level.

vv. 19-20 ‘In the last days, I will show you miraculous signs when you look up in the heavens and supernatural wonders on the earth below. Blood – Fire – Billows of smoke! The sun of the day will become dark as night and the moon will turn blood-red! All this before that great and glorious day the Lord arrives!’

Joel says “great and terrible day of the Lord.” Terrible as in fearful. Blood, fire, billowing smoke, the sun covered over with darkness, all these images suggest the conflicts of the last days. This separates these verses, though. How are these miraculous signs and supernatural wonders?

v. 21 ‘Here’s how it will be: when anyone calls on the Lord’s name, they will be saved.’”

Mark 4:35-36 “Look the fields are white and ready to harvest.” The first-fruits are here in this passage and this is the invitation to say yes to Jesus. And he explains what Jesus requires in this yes in the coming verses.

v. 22 People of Israel, pay attention to what I say next: You know personally that this man, this Jesus the Nazarene was approved by God through powerful works, miraculous signs, and supernatural wonders that God did by him right where you live.

Peter appeals to what they already know. Jesus is approved by the Father. He has the mark of the Father throughout his ministry.

v. 23 By God’s firm and deliberate plan and knowledge he was handed over by unbridled lawless power; he was violently taken away and you crucified him.

This could also be he was handed up violently by lawless men or men of power who disregarded the law of Moses. The unbridled lawless power was the collusion of a greedy servant (Judas) who was influenced by Satan with a bunch of Pharisees with the money and influence to make it happen.

v. 24 This same man, God raised up and destroyed the agonizing chains of death, as if those chains could really hold him in the grave.

The word agony applies more often to the laboring mother as she is in agony. The work for destroy applies to cords and shackles that bind and are loosened or destroyed.

vv. 25-27 Even David said this about him: “I envisioned the Lord before me continually; because he is always right beside me, I will not be shaken. Because of this, my heart celebrates and tongue rejoices and I will always live in hope. For you will not leave my soul helpless in the grave or let your holy one experience decay and decomposition.”

Psalm 16. This was and is even now moreso a Messianic psalm. Live on hope means to set up the tent but also that the foundation of the tent site is hope. Live on hope, not a sustenance but as foundation.

v. 28 “For you have shown me the way of full life; you have filled me to overflowing with joy in your Presence.”

The path toward real life, as opposed to the death that held him for three days.

Small Group Questions:

Acts 2:13-28

  1. What word describes how you feel about speaking in front of people? Have you ever been nudged by God’s Spirit to speak up in front of others? What happened?
  2. In these verses, Peter reminds everyone of what they have seen. What does he say they have seen in relation to Jesus?
  3. Have you ever “seen” evidence of God’s working visibly? What happened and how did it impact you?
  4. Peter uses a passage from the prophet Joel. Read these verses again out loud. Where in these different kinds of people on whom the Spirit is poured out are you?
  5. How important is v. 21 to the rest of this passage?
  6. How can we pray for you today?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 15:42-16:8

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Good Friday & Easter Sunday 2022

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Mark 15:42-16:8

(PRT)

vv.15:42-43 And evening had already arrived, and now that it was the Preparation Day before the Sabbath, and Joseph of Arimathea who was a respectable member of the Jewish Council and was waiting patiently for the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. vv. 44-45 This made Pilate wonder if Jesus was already dead, so he called the captain of the guard, asked him whether or not he had already died; then, learning from the captain that Jesus was dead, he gave Joseph the body. v. 46 And he brought a linen burial cloth he’d purchased and lowered Jesus from the Cross and wrapped him in the burial cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock and then rolled a boulder against the entryway of the tomb. v. 47 Now, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

vv. 16:1-2  And awhile past the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices and scented oils hoping to return and anoint Jesus. Then, very early as the sun was rising, they come to the tomb. vv. 3-4 And they talked among themselves: “Who will roll back the boulder away from the entryway of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw the boulder was indeed very large, but was rolled away. v. 5 And when the women entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe seated to the right and they were totally overwhelmed with amazement. v. 6-7 Then he said to them: “Do not be distressed! Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are looking for who was crucified? He is risen and no longer here. See! Here’s the place where they laid him. But, you need to go and announce and explain to his disciples and to Peter that he going on ahead into Galilee. That’s where you will see him, just like he explained it all to you.” v. 8 So they got out and ran from the tomb gripped and trembling with amazement they spoke to no one for they were afraid.

Study Notes:

vv. 42-43 And evening had already arrived, and now that it was the Preparation Day before the Sabbath, and Joseph of Arimathea who was a respectable member of the Jewish Council and was waiting patiently for the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Joseph did the risky thing. He was respectable and known and “in the know.” Now he was a Jesus-lover. Now he has risked his reputation to do the honorable thing.

vv. 44-45 This made Pilate wonder if Jesus was already dead, so he called the captain of the guard, asked him whether or not he had already died; then, learning from the captain that Jesus was dead, he gave Joseph the body.

Even Pilate, who condemned Jesus to the Cross, wondered that Jesus had already died after only around 5-6 hours. Some would later use this “quick” notification of death as the reason that Jesus was “resurrected (e.g. that he was not really dead.) That has real problems. 1) the Centurion cohort killed him by nailing him to the cross and raising a spear through his side. 2) All the witnesses there saw him die. 3) Joseph brought him down dead from the cross. 4) The cohort of guards buried and sealed him. 5) Most importantly, each Christ-follower there went to his death with the same proclamation: Jesus is risen. There was nothing normal about Jesus’ death. A convicted man would last a while then would be flung into the group burial pile. No one mourns. No one lays claim. Ignored. Gone. For Jesus, Not in the group burial pile. Not ignored. Not mourned. Not long on the cross.

It’s almost as if Jesus saw “the day’s work completed” and moved on to complete the sacrifice by breathing his last. Tetelistai, last breath.

v. 46 And he brought a linen burial cloth he’d purchased and lowered Jesus from the Cross and wrapped him in the burial cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock and then rolled a boulder against the entryway of the tomb.

He came prepared to risk it all. The cloth he brought him down with may have become the cloth he wrapped him in.  All that time and money Joseph invested in his own tomb, he gave up for the one who loved him,

v. 47 Now, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

I’m so glad we have Mark 16:1-8. Otherwise, the Mary’s are left grieving. They followed Joseph to the tomb with a plan but had no clue what the Father planned. Remember, they heard the same clear teaching over the ministry of Jesus. I’m here to be taken by evil men, to die, to be buried, to conquer death, and to return to the seat of power and the seat of intercession.

vv. 16:1-2  And awhile past the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices and scented oils hoping to return and anoint Jesus. Then, very early as the sun was rising, they come to the tomb.

Keep the timeline in mind here. They saw Jesus taken in the dark of what we would call Thursday, but for the Jewish week, sundown begins the new day (evening and the morning). So Jesus is handed over to evil people (Friday), abused, tried, convicted and crucified (Friday). Died and quickly buried before sundown (Friday). In the grave all the Sabbath (our Saturday – or day two of his “Passion.”) That night, most likely, (Sunday – evening and morning is the day, right) the Mary’s shop and gather what they need for the early morning walk in the dark (Sunday.) Jesus risen (Sunday) just before the Mary’s return. Three days in the grave.

vv. 3-4 And they talked among themselves: “Who will roll back the boulder away from the entryway of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw the boulder was indeed very large, but was rolled away.

They chatted about their plan as the made their way in the dark toward the cliffside where Joseph had been preparing what he thought would be his own tomb. Salome looks at the Mary’s “but you know that stone will be a huge boulder.” And they turn the corner: “It is a huge boulder; but has already been moved!”

v. 5 And when the women entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe seated to the right and they were totally overwhelmed with amazement.

Amazed as in overwhelmed and all but falling over.

v. 6-7 Then he said to them: “Do not be distressed! Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are looking for who was crucified? He is risen and no longer here. See! Here’s the place where they laid him. But, you need to go and announce and explain to his disciples and to Peter that he going on ahead into Galilee. That’s where you will see him, just like he explained it all to you.”

I like to think angels have accents (like a New York downtown cabbie). “Wait you’se. Don’t blow a gasket! Jesus, you know, the Nazarene. (snaps fingers under nose) Hey. Pay attention here: the one you’re here looking for? He’s not hear. Nope. That’s his tomb, but he ain’t here. Now, here’s the plan. Go get the disciples (and make sure Peter gets this, too, right). Get to Galilee. He’ll meet you there. Hey. Weren’t you listening? It’s what He told you’se all along.”

v. 8 So they got out and ran from the tomb gripped and trembling with amazement they spoke to no one for they were afraid.

And the news was out. That’s a hard place to end the original Good News account. But in some ways, what if this is where it ended. They got the story, believed it, and went away processing it. Afraid to speak because they didn’t want to break the sense of amazement. Then Luke picks up the rest in Acts 1. The oldest manuscripts of Mark stop here. Later manuscripts add a verse or two to summarize the rest of the story or even expand on Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples. But these continuations are not in the style, vocabulary, or flow of Mark’s writing. They aren’t wrong and are read in the context of the other Gospels. Some say a scribe took liberties; others that the original ending was lost and someone replaced it the best they could; and others that the New Testament church culture filled in the gap. My take is, the gap is there to remind us we walk away from the salvation story amazed, and with a lifetime to live out the Gospel story. The Kingdom is coming all through the church age; breaking in, amazing us, showing us the evidence of the risen Lord.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes Mark 8:27-9:1

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

First Impressions:

Don’t miss that this passage is preceded by three miracles that extend grace to the nations and the Gentiles. Mark was subtle in positioning this here. Keep in mind that the Gospels aren’t designed to be a perfect chronology. They each crafted their unique Gospel accounts to their main audience: Matthew to the Jews, Mark to the Jews and the Roman world, Luke to the cosmopolitan nations, and John to the educated, to the Greek philosophical mind, and to the churches.

The scope of the Good News of the Kingdom is global in all ways. Jesus is Lord over every parcel, every place under the sun, every nook and cranny in the darkness.

Pastor Rick’s Translation (PRT):

8:27 And Jesus, along with his disciples, went from there into the villages near Caesarea Philippi; and along the way, he quizzed his followers, and said “Who do the people say I am?” 28 “Some,” they responded, “say, John the Baptizer and others say Elijah and still others say one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “Then, who do you say I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then he warned them to tell no one about these things. 31 And Jesus started to teach them that it is crucial that the Son of Man suffers many things, be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and religious legal experts and be killed; then, after three days, rise again.  32 And he spoke these words openly and clearly to them. But Peter took Jesus aside and started to lay into him.  33 But Jesus turned and looked at the rest of his disciples and rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan, for your thoughts are not on what matters to God but what matters to people.  34 Then, he gathered the crowd alongside his disciples and said to them all, “If anyone chooses to follow me, let him deny his own interests and lift up his own cross; then let him follow me. 35 In fact, whoever chooses to preserve his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life on account of me and the Good News will save it.  36-38 For what benefit does someone get from having everything in the world and yet forfeit’s his soul.  Truly, if someone is ashamed of me in these adulterous and sinful times, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes back in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.

9:1 Then Jesus said to them, “Certainly, I tell you that some among you who are standing right here will not die until they have seen the Kingdom of God arrive with great power.

Verse-by-verse:

8:27 And Jesus, along with his disciples, went from there into the villages near Caesarea Philippi; and along the way, he quizzed his followers, and said “Who do the people say I am?”

The along the way is a thirty-mile journey along a remote section of the shoreline of the Jordan River. In the solitude, Jesus hoped to give his followers full attention. They would need it! Luke records that the disciples interrupted Jesus praying. He is discovered praying before key events; certainly, the point that the disciples declare Jesus the Messiah and Son of God would be one such event. The word for people is Anthropos as in men; but can be people. “Who are the guys on the street saying I am?”

This location is important since it’s out of reach of the Pharisees, well beyond Judea proper. Even though some of the crowd follow him this 30-40 miles along the Jordan, he has the disciples to himself. It’s the most important verses in Mark and the turning point in the story of the Gospel. Now the Savior is plainly and clearly revealed.

Interesting here, too, is the contrasting of what others have rumored and what Jesus taught and revealed. We are all products of those sources that inform our lives. Best to recognize that we are not immune to the influence of spurious voices, even in our best intentions to listen only to the Father’s.

v. 28 “Some,” they responded, “say, John the Baptizer and others say Elijah and still others say one of the prophets.”

These were the rumored roles Jesus was given. Jeremiah or one of the ancient prophets was one; another was John come back from the grave with his head intact; the other was Elijah who was prophesied to return one day. They must not have heard Messiah mentioned.

v. 29 And he asked them, “Then, who do you say I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ.”

Keep in mind that Mark wrote with Peter as his main source. Interesting that the confession and the honor Peter gives and receives are not included here. “You and the Messiah.” Simple. No keys to heaven. No gates of hell mentioned.

Note that this isn’t the first time Jesus as the Messiah has come into the confession of one or more of the disciples. This one is key because Peter’s confession starkly stands against all other confessions. No wondering aloud. No question marks at the end. Jesus is Christ, God’s Son. Period. Jury is in. They were not swayed by the temperature of the culture; they believed and were in.

v. 30 Then he warned them to tell no one about these things.

Still, Jesus warned them not to broadcast it about yet. The time will come when all nations are to hear the truth about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of the living God. In just a few months, the message surrounding the name of Jesus following His brutal death and the powerful demonstration of his Kingdom through this and the resurrection – Jesus is Messiah.

v. 31 And Jesus started to teach them that it is crucial that the Son of Man suffers many things, be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and religious legal experts and be killed; then, after three days, rise again.

And this opened up the point when Jesus began to unveil what Messiah, Son of Man, Son of God, Savior, etc. all entailed. He is all these things; yet for our benefit, he has to go to the cross.

It may be good to note here that the previous miracles pointed to the global aspect of this work.

After three full days? Or does Mark agree with Matthew, on the third day? The chronos view is three days as in Friday (partial), Saturday (all), and Sunday (brief and partial.) Jesus conquered death on the third day.

v. 32 And he spoke these words openly and clearly to them. But Peter took Jesus aside and started to lay into him.

Jesus began plainly to lay out to those who loved and knew him best what had to happen. He held nothing back. And it was too much for Peter. And the painful truth is, none wanted Jesus to suffer, die, leave them. But that was their interests, not God’s interests. So Peter pulls him aside and pleads with Jesus.

Here, Jesus is clearly explaining what John the Baptizer said about Jesus being the lamb that takes away the sins of the world, or that Jesus himself prophetically said “destroy this temple and I will rebuilt it in three days” or “I will be lifted up and draw all people to myself.”

v. 33 But Jesus turned and looked at the rest of his disciples and rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan, for your thoughts are not on what matters to God but what matters to people.

Peter took the heat for his overzealous rebuke of Jesus. And Jesus uses the same rebuke he gave to the Prince of Darkness – get behind me, leave me, Tempter. And rightfully so, as the Tempter used the same argument – save yourself.

Peter was looking out for his own interests with no thought of the Savior’s purpose.

v. 34 Then, he gathered the crowd alongside his disciples and said to them all, “If anyone chooses to follow me, let him deny his own interests and lift up his own cross; then let him follow me.

Interesting that, even in the remote places, people followed from a distance. They seemed to never leave, and Jesus was drawn to teach them. And he called them in close just like his disciples. And he calls each of us in close.

The word for will is choice, desire, resolve. Strong word; not for the namby-pamby. And here, Jesus foreshadows the way he will be “lifted up” or become the lamb of God.

Deny himself, as in “say no” to self and “yes” to the life Jesus created us for.

v. 35 In fact, whoever chooses to preserve his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life on account of me and the Good News will save it.

This is important in Jesus’ teaching. When we build a life that is safe and preserves us, we run the risk of losing all Jesus wants to do in and through us. Our innate desire to insulate ourselves from risk and pain leaves us loveless and ineffective.

vv. 36-38 For what benefit does someone get from having everything in the world and yet forfeit’s his soul.  Truly, if someone is ashamed of me in these adulterous and sinful times, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes back in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.

This juxtaposition of all things and nothing, every pleasure to gain but without life and soul, is the picture of the emptiest person alive. Hollow and shadowy, without substance.

Is ashamed as in “your current declaration” is your present attitude.

This passage leads directly into 9:1 and forms one progression of things to come.

Here, Jesus is clear in his eschatological declaration for his Parousia. The Big One.

9:1 Then Jesus said to them, “Certainly, I tell you that some among you who are standing right here will not die until they have seen the Kingdom of God arrive with great power.

The words “Verily, verily, I say unto you” was the KJV way of saying Head’s Up, listen with all your heart. This is important. We hear such transitions today that we don’t even mind them. Even Certainly doesn’t capture it.

When did the Kingdom come in great power? Some consider this the Second Coming or the ultimate Parousia. But God’s Kingdom comes in power at the Transfiguration (just a few days away), the resurrection, and the ascension. His Kingdom broke in with power at the Cross, especially considering dead people were made alive and appeared around Jerusalem.

This verse ties in with the proclamation of the Messiah, the call to follow Him, and the need to see the Kingdom come in power.

8:38 and 9:1 Juxtapose the Second Coming (the Great Parousia) of the King of Kings with the coming of God’s Kingdom into our lives in power – the Transfiguration, the Cross, the Resurrection, the Filling of the Holy Spirit, and when the power comes and the Kingdom is displayed in Parousia experiences (see Ephesians) through Scripture and into our own lives.

What’s in a Name?

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It’s Easter and people are celebrating all around the world this weekend! Most are celebrating the beautiful gift of life and friendship with God through Jesus. Many are celebrating… Spring.

In the US, it seems our culture is hung up on what we call things. Schools, bridges, roads, buildings, and more are being renamed. I think it’s important to call things by their real name. Keep it simple and graceful.

When He was crucified, Jesus was called a lot of names. The last nail to be hammered into Jesus’ Cross fixed in place a sign over His head.

This sign met all the requirements for the international crowds in Jerusalem for the festival. Written in Latin, the legal system was satisfied. The Greek informed the “everyman” from everywhere on the street. And the Hebrew gave the religious what they wanted.

Or did it?

Each Gospel writer gives what he saw during the traumatizing and horrendous experience (they reported without contradicting). Matthew writes: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Mark, in typical brevity: The King of the Jews. Luke, writing to the nations included: This is the King of the Jews. John gives the most graphic account of the crucifixion: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

Film-makers set their scenes with focus on the “dominant” – the first place the eye goes. If you wandered into this crucifixion, your focus would be on the body of Jesus hung in humiliation to die a painful death. But the “next dominant” is important to the scene, too. After the shock of seeing the brutal results of the punishment, your eyes would escape the pain to the next dominant – the placard – to discover who this was and what warranted the brutality.

The placard was likely drawn in big black letters over a white graphite smeared background so people could see it. This epigraphae or titulus as is was called was the second thing people would see.

THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS

The religious hierarchy wasn’t happy and wanted a clarification (Jesus claimed to be king). Pilate, in a final jab of humiliation at the Jewish leaders, would leave the words with certainty.

Many who were present at the scene and even more in the near future would discover the Lord of Love and join the heavenlies in saying yes: He is King Jesus.

This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. The scandalous cross initiated the invasion of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, one heart at a time.

Celebrating the Cross and the Resurrection!