The political climate in Judea was getting dangerous for Jesus and His followers, so He moved His ministry back to Galilee. Only a few weeks had passed when a messenger arrived from Judea. “Teacher!” Rock called as he entered the house where Jesus was sitting. “We just received a message from Martha in Bethany!” “What does she say?” “All that’s written is, ‘Lord, he whom You love is sick,’” Rock answered. “She means Lazarus,” Andrew added. “It must be bad if she went to the trouble to send us a message about it,” John concluded. All of them knew well the love and support that Martha, Mary, and Lazarus had given them over the last two-and-a-half years. Jesus looked around at the concern on their faces. “Don’t worry. This sickness will not end in death for Lazarus. The Father intends ... Read More about 23 – The First Empty Tomb
22 – Identifying the Christ
Winters in Judea could be cold, dark, and dreary, but one of the bright and happy events for the Jews during this time of the year was the eight-day Feast of Dedication. It usually happened in late November or December, depending on how it fell on the Jewish calendar. The Feast of Dedication commemorated the rededication of the temple after the Jews regained their freedom in 129 B.C. from Greek conquerors who had desecrated the temple of God in Jerusalem. As was His custom, Jesus stood in the temple court each day and taught the people who had come for the celebration. The Jewish leaders, in their continued attempt to condemn Him, always sent their spies to listen to Jesus. Fed up with their inability to catch Him uttering false teachings, the chief priests and Pharisees confronted Jesus ... Read More about 22 – Identifying the Christ
21 – The Man Born Blind (part 2)
The man born blind cried out, “Lord, I believe! I believe in You!” As he proclaimed his faith, he fell on his knees and worshipped the One who had healed him. Looking around, Jesus saw several Pharisees were standing nearby, listening carefully to all that He said. Speaking loudly so that the religious leaders as well as His disciples could hear, Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment to take place, so that those who haven’t been seeing may see and that those who think they see may realize their blindness.” “Hey, Teacher!” one of the Pharisees said with a laugh. “You aren’t saying that we’re blind too, are you…because we’re looking right at you.” “That’s your problem,” Jesus returned. “If you recognized your blindness, you could come to Me and escape your wickedness, but ... Read More about 21 – The Man Born Blind (part 2)
20 – The Man Born Blind
“Wow! Can you believe that?” John said to the other disciples as they followed Jesus out of the temple and down toward the lower city of Jerusalem. “The Pharisees had those guys so worked up they were going to kill Jesus. They even came running in with stones to do it, but they couldn’t see us! They ran right by us and couldn’t see us!” “Yeah,” agreed Phillip. “It was like they were blind.” “Speaking of being blind,” Nathaniel added, “look at this guy.” He said this in reference to a beggar sitting on the side of the street near them. “I can’t read the sign around his neck,” Matthew called from the back of the group. “What does it say?” “It says, ‘I was born blind. Please give,’” Andrew answered. “Born blind!” Matthew called back. “That’s awful! Teacher, was he born blind because of ... Read More about 20 – The Man Born Blind
19 – Are you in the Light or the Darkness
After Jesus rescued the adulterous woman and sent her on her way, He returned to the steps in Solomon’s Porch. This was in the area known as the Treasury, which was also called the Court of Women. As the Master sat, preparing to continue His instruction, someone in the crowd called out, “Teacher, why do the religious leaders want to kill you?” As soon as the man said it, his companion beside him gave him a warning jab with his elbow. Looking around, the speaker was dismayed to see that several Pharisees had returned to listen to what the Galilean troublemaker said to the crowd. Jesus, aware of the presence of his enemies, answered the man with a clear voice that carried to all who were there. “The reason these men want to kill Me is because they do not know Me or My Father. They live ... Read More about 19 – Are you in the Light or the Darkness
18 – Undeserved Mercy
“Wake up, friends. My Father has work for Me to do.” With a yawn and a stretch, Rock pushed himself up from the ground where he and the others had been sleeping in the Gethsemane garden. He gave rough shakes to John and Andrew, who were snoring beside him. “Hey!” he called loudly to the others. “Get up! The Teacher wants to go.” “But it’s still dark!” John complained. “It’ll be light soon,” Jesus answered with a chuckle. “It’s almost time for the morning sacrifice.” As John’s foggy mind cleared, he realized the implications of what his Master had said. “Are we not going back to Galilee, now that the feast is over?” The rest of the disciples stopped to hear the answer to John’s question. “Not yet,” the Lord answered. “There is more work to do here in Jerusalem.” “But, Master,” Rock ... Read More about 18 – Undeserved Mercy