A Good Question

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, one question bears considering,

“Who is Jesus?”

It is one thing to examine how this question was addressed by those who followed Jesus.

Examining how this question was addressed by others is another.

This is particularly true of individuals who were involved in one way or another with His crucifixion.

Pilate is but one example.

Chapter 19 of the book of John reminds us that Pilate initially tried to free Jesus.

Failing in this attempt, he had a sign affixed to the cross.

John 19:19 (NET) - Pilate also had a notice written and fastened to the cross, which read: “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.”

The was written in several languages.

As soon as the chief priests read these words they appealed to Pilate to change them.

Pilate refused.

John 19:22 (NET) - Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

In Luke’s account of the crucifixion we are told of the mocking of Jesus.

One of those crucified with Jesus also mocked him.

The other crucified with him had a much better understanding.

Luke 23:40-41 (NET) - But the other rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then there was the centurion who witnessed the crucifixion in Mark’s gospel.

The death of Jesus brought a deep and profound understanding to the centurion.

Mark 15:39 (NET) - Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

Neither Pilate, nor the criminal nor the centurion were followers of Jesus.

Yet through His crucifixion they understood who Jesus was.

What about us?

How do we answer the question: “Who is Jesus?”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, April 7, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, April 14, 2017

Plans You Can Count On

In the fifth chapter of the book of Ezra, we read that Zerubbabel began to rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem.

The prophets of God were also there supporting this work.

The regional governor and his colleagues did not approve.

They came to them and asked. “Who gave you authority to rebuild this temple and to complete this structure?”

They also wanted a list of names of all who were involved.

This was clearly an intimidation tactic.

Yet God was with them.

Ezra 5:4 (NET) - But God was watching over the elders of Judah, and they were not stopped until a report could be dispatched to Darius and a letter could be sent back concerning this.

The regional governor and his colleagues composed a lengthy letter and sent it to Darius the king.

Upon reading the letter Darius issued orders that all the archives in Babylon were to be searched.

A scroll was found in the province of Media concerning this.

It contained the order given by Cyrus the king stating that the temple was to be rebuilt.

That order also specified the dimensions and materials that were to be used.

Darius sent a reply to the regional governor and his colleagues that must have come as quite a shock.

Ezra 6:6-7 (NET) - Now Tattenai governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar Bozenai, and their colleagues, the officials of Trans-Euphrates—all of you stay far away from there! Leave the work on this temple of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this temple of God in its proper place.

The regional governor and his colleagues were in for an even bigger surprise.

Darius the king also ordered that tax money from the royal treasury be given to the men so that their work would not be interrupted.

Darius had yet another surprise.

Ezra 6:9-10 (NET) - Whatever is needed—whether oxen or rams or lambs for burnt offerings for the God of heaven or wheat or salt or wine or oil, as required by the priests who are in Jerusalem—must be given to them daily without any neglect, so that they may be offering incense to the God of heaven and may be praying for the good fortune of the king and his family.

He also told them of the unpleasant consequences that would come to those who interfered with these orders.

Throughout history, people have foolishly tried to interfere with God’s plans.

Unlike human plans, God’s plans always prevail.

They are the plans you can count on.

The Psalmist understood this.

Psalm 33:10-11 (NET) - The LORD frustrates the decisions of the nations; He nullifies the plans of the peoples. The LORD’s decisions stand forever; His plans abide throughout the ages.

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, may we be reminded of His plan for our salvation.

A plan made possible through Jesus.

A plan in place from the very beginning.

John 1:1-4 (NET) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 17, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, March 24, 2017