What two things do Christians confess? Let’s look at what Jesus said when He appeared to His disciples in John 20:19-31.
John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Why did Jesus say, “peace be with you,” on Resurrection Sunday and the following Sunday. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines it as "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is."
The apostles began their letters with peace. Christians offer peace to friend and foe. Many churches offer peace before communion. Jesus came to the disciples in their fears and brought them peace from heaven. They were then sent with the message of peace, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 20:23 “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
Confession was originally before all. As churches grew, people confessed privately to God for most sins and publicly for grievous sins. From the 7th-11th centuries, western Christians began confessing to a priest. For practical purposes, eastern Christians confess sins to God, witnessed by a priest who represents the entire community.
This instruction was given to all those assembled. It literally means, “their sins have already been forgiven” by heaven. The Christian community, in power of the Holy Spirit is sent with this message of forgiveness. Those who confess their sins are forgiven. Those who refuse to confess sins remain unforgiven.
John 20:24-25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
Thomas saw, but faith is evidence of things without visible proof (Hebrews 11:1), a mystery. This is written that we might believe and that believing we might have life through his name. We accept the message of Jesus, delivered by ordinary faulty people, and are forgiven when we do.
Throughout early church records we read of Christians confessing their sins publicly to the church, to a representative of the church as numbers grew, and privately to God. [The Early Church Fathers on Confession, The Early Church Fathers on Confession/Reconciliation]
“Confess… iniquity and the iniquity of… forefathers” (Leviticus 26:40). “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” (Psalm 32:5). “confess your sins to one another” (James 5:16) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins…” (1 John 1:9).
“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32) “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
Confession is an ancient part of a godly life. People confessed their sins publicly, to God in front of God’s representative, and privately. Confession is good for the soul. We confess our sins and our Savior. After we confession our sins we are forgiven and confess our faith in Christ.
John 20:28-29 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
All the disciples abandoned Jesus, but He offered His peace. Thomas confessed personally, “My Lord and my God!” Not “our” but “my” God. This legitimizes having a personal relationship with God. We, who believe though we have not seen, receive a special blessing. We confess though we have not seen.
Jesus stands among us as he stood among them, granting us the peace which surpasses all understanding. We confess that we have all sinned and we openly confess our faith in the forgiveness given us in Jesus.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Easter, the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Is Christmas the most wonderful time of the year? What about Jesus’ resurrection? Is Resurrection Sunday the most wonderful time of the year? Paul wrote that if Christ has not been raised our preaching is in vain and so is our faith (1 Corinthians 15:14). Let’s discuss the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus and the testimony of eyewitnesses in Luke 24:1-12.
Luke 24:1-2 “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb”
At the earliest twilight, literally “deep early dawn” several women went to the tomb, either singly or in small groups, revealing their “affection and respect”[1] to Jesus in a rich man’s tomb chiseled out of a rock face, with a rounded rock rolled in place to close the entrance.
[1] Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry
Luke 24:3-4 “but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing”
The empty grave was a surprise. The women reacted like us. We believe, but we are at a loss. It seems as if angels were coming and going, but at that moment, two divine messengers were there appearing like men, but their lustrous clothing flashing like lightning gave them away.
Luke 24:5-7 “and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
The encouragement to remember shows that the women were among those being taught by Jesus in Galilee. It also shows that the angels were there. The third day must be understood as an ancient expression meaning the day after tomorrow, and fits with late Friday, Saturday and early Sunday resurrection.
Luke 24:8-10 “And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.”
Moderns sometimes make way too much out of these verses, grossly exaggerating their reporting, as these women being the first evangelists. There is obviously a great deal of difference between an evangelist, someone with a vocational calling from God to announce the good news, and eyewitnesses reporting what they saw.
Luke 24:11-12 “But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.”
The apostles initially thought the women were talking as if they were delirious, except for Peter, who ran to the scene, saw the evidence and went home amazed.
Witnesses do not die for a lie, yet eleven of the twelve disciples of Jesus were martyred for their faith. Witnesses did not recant even 40 years later. The Watergate conspirators could not keep their lie for 3 weeks because they knew it was not true. Folktales grow over generations, but the resurrection accounts were written down within the lifetimes of witnesses. They said it happened because they were there. The resurrection accounts are testimony, not legend.
And so we confess that part of the Nicene Creed which says: On the third day He rose again in accordance with the scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Luke 24:1-2 “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb”
At the earliest twilight, literally “deep early dawn” several women went to the tomb, either singly or in small groups, revealing their “affection and respect”[1] to Jesus in a rich man’s tomb chiseled out of a rock face, with a rounded rock rolled in place to close the entrance.
[1] Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry
Luke 24:3-4 “but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing”
The empty grave was a surprise. The women reacted like us. We believe, but we are at a loss. It seems as if angels were coming and going, but at that moment, two divine messengers were there appearing like men, but their lustrous clothing flashing like lightning gave them away.
Luke 24:5-7 “and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
The encouragement to remember shows that the women were among those being taught by Jesus in Galilee. It also shows that the angels were there. The third day must be understood as an ancient expression meaning the day after tomorrow, and fits with late Friday, Saturday and early Sunday resurrection.
Luke 24:8-10 “And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.”
Moderns sometimes make way too much out of these verses, grossly exaggerating their reporting, as these women being the first evangelists. There is obviously a great deal of difference between an evangelist, someone with a vocational calling from God to announce the good news, and eyewitnesses reporting what they saw.
Luke 24:11-12 “But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.”
The apostles initially thought the women were talking as if they were delirious, except for Peter, who ran to the scene, saw the evidence and went home amazed.
Witnesses do not die for a lie, yet eleven of the twelve disciples of Jesus were martyred for their faith. Witnesses did not recant even 40 years later. The Watergate conspirators could not keep their lie for 3 weeks because they knew it was not true. Folktales grow over generations, but the resurrection accounts were written down within the lifetimes of witnesses. They said it happened because they were there. The resurrection accounts are testimony, not legend.
And so we confess that part of the Nicene Creed which says: On the third day He rose again in accordance with the scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
The Passion (According to Luke)
How can humanity ever escape the stupidity with which we have ruled this planet? Why doesn’t God just toss us all away and start over? A merciful God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit made a plan to save us from ourselves. Let’s look at that plan’s darkest hours in Luke 22:14-23:56.
Luke 22:14-18 “I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God… I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”
The communion rite was begun that Maundy Thursday evening, the evening before the Jewish Passover, with the elements of bread and wine. The implication was that bread and wine will be served when Jesus comes in His kingdom.
Luke 22:19-20 “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me… This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”
Here we see that communion is a sacrament: this is My body. What does “is” mean? It is not the word “symbolizes” nor the word “transubstantiates.” It is logically a mystery, a sacrament in Latin. Communion is an ordinance: “do this.” It is also a memorial: “in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:25-26 “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.”
This is a great cry of the Protestant Reformation. People were murdered for translating the Bible into the common language. They were forbidden from exercising their freedom of conscience. Some church leaders were authoritarian, brutal and murderous.
Luke 22:40-42 “Pray that you may not enter into temptation… Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Notice that unlike some modern Christians, Jesus was not averse to calling God Father. The tone of Jesus prayer is obedient and modest. Egalitarians would disagree with the sentiment, not my will but yours be done. But then Jesus had complete trust in the Father, and many moderns do not.
Luke 22:61 “Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.’”
Imagine how Peter felt as Jesus looked on him. With foul language Peter had loudly denied Jesus three times, he who had recently stated that even if everyone else deserted Jesus, he would not. Peter “went out and wept bitterly.”
Luke 22:70 “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am [you say that I am].”
This expression is not Greek, but Hebrew where it is understood as, your words testify to themselves. If we miss the meaning, it is clear that the Jews understood what Jesus meant, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”
Luke 23:3 “Pilate asked Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ And He answered him and said, ‘It is as you say.’”
This is a more accurate rendering of Jesus’ answer. “You say” is similar to our “You said it.”
Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Again Jesus calls God Father. This prayer includes all who sin against God, not knowing what they are doing. We may be convinced that our lifestyle is not a sin, but God knows our guilt, even if we don’t, and Jesus prays the same for us, a prayer of forgiveness.
Luke 12:41-43 “...this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Paradise was a word used for a grand, enclosed park and pictures either a place above Hades where people awaited the resurrection or a place in heaven. Some ancient fathers used to believe that it is the garden of Eden and that it still exists somewhere between earth and heaven.
Luke 12:46 “And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.”
Again Jesus is not ashamed to call God Father. He entrusts His spirit, His breath of life, for safekeeping to the Father. This saying has been repeated by many faithful saints on their deathbed and was also been an evening prayer for many devout Jews coming from Psalm 31:5.
The whole of Psalm 31:5 says, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” Redeemed means paid my ransom. We were captive to the sins of the world, owned by the devil, prisoner of our failures. Jesus paid it all.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Luke 22:14-18 “I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God… I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”
The communion rite was begun that Maundy Thursday evening, the evening before the Jewish Passover, with the elements of bread and wine. The implication was that bread and wine will be served when Jesus comes in His kingdom.
Luke 22:19-20 “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me… This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”
Here we see that communion is a sacrament: this is My body. What does “is” mean? It is not the word “symbolizes” nor the word “transubstantiates.” It is logically a mystery, a sacrament in Latin. Communion is an ordinance: “do this.” It is also a memorial: “in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:25-26 “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.”
This is a great cry of the Protestant Reformation. People were murdered for translating the Bible into the common language. They were forbidden from exercising their freedom of conscience. Some church leaders were authoritarian, brutal and murderous.
Luke 22:40-42 “Pray that you may not enter into temptation… Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Notice that unlike some modern Christians, Jesus was not averse to calling God Father. The tone of Jesus prayer is obedient and modest. Egalitarians would disagree with the sentiment, not my will but yours be done. But then Jesus had complete trust in the Father, and many moderns do not.
Luke 22:61 “Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.’”
Imagine how Peter felt as Jesus looked on him. With foul language Peter had loudly denied Jesus three times, he who had recently stated that even if everyone else deserted Jesus, he would not. Peter “went out and wept bitterly.”
Luke 22:70 “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am [you say that I am].”
This expression is not Greek, but Hebrew where it is understood as, your words testify to themselves. If we miss the meaning, it is clear that the Jews understood what Jesus meant, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”
Luke 23:3 “Pilate asked Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ And He answered him and said, ‘It is as you say.’”
This is a more accurate rendering of Jesus’ answer. “You say” is similar to our “You said it.”
Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Again Jesus calls God Father. This prayer includes all who sin against God, not knowing what they are doing. We may be convinced that our lifestyle is not a sin, but God knows our guilt, even if we don’t, and Jesus prays the same for us, a prayer of forgiveness.
Luke 12:41-43 “...this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Paradise was a word used for a grand, enclosed park and pictures either a place above Hades where people awaited the resurrection or a place in heaven. Some ancient fathers used to believe that it is the garden of Eden and that it still exists somewhere between earth and heaven.
Luke 12:46 “And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.”
Again Jesus is not ashamed to call God Father. He entrusts His spirit, His breath of life, for safekeeping to the Father. This saying has been repeated by many faithful saints on their deathbed and was also been an evening prayer for many devout Jews coming from Psalm 31:5.
The whole of Psalm 31:5 says, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” Redeemed means paid my ransom. We were captive to the sins of the world, owned by the devil, prisoner of our failures. Jesus paid it all.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Giving Extravagantly
One of the greatest secrets of the universe is in Jesus’ words, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) It’s a simple gauge as to how blessed we are. Are we generous? How extravagantly do we give? Do we give God our best or our leftovers? Let’s look at Mary’s anointing of Jesus in John 12:1-8.
John 12:1-2 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.
This is six days before the cross, and Jesus naturally turned to some of His dearest friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. There is a contrast between two ladies who loved to give and Judas who loved to take.
John 12:3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Have you ever lightened the burden of having so many physical trappings? What is sitting around our lives that we could willingly and joyfully give away? Mary was naturally very thankful to Jesus for restoring the life of her brother Lazarus. Her lavish giving is a measure of her gratitude.
Mary’s perfume in a very expensive alabaster vase, was about a litra, a Roman pound, around 12 oz, worth about 300 denarius, 300 day’s wages, a year’s income. Spikenard or nard was imported from the slopes of the Himalayas, a long, long way. How extravagant is our giving to Jesus?
Beautiful church buildings are a testimony to the generosity of people who love God. London’s Westminster Cathedral, Cologne’s Cathedral, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral and the Salzburg Cathedral are treasures. Should they be sold to give to the poor? What about Mary anointing Jesus with outrageously expensive perfume?
John 12:4-6 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.
Judas Iscariot did not truly love Jesus. He feigned caring for the poor but had stolen money from the cash box. Many Christians do not believe in tithing, because it is Old Testament, but Malachi calls not tithing stealing, and God promises to pour out a blessing until it overflows.
Some are offended that it takes money to run a church. Others give generously because they are not obsessed by money. In the Old Testament, God demanded the firstborn of the flocks, and the first fruits of the fruit trees. He wants the best we have not our second best.
Do we believe we are giving to a club or organization of mere human beings or to Jesus? Giving is a measure of our values, a measure of our love. Do we love things more than God? Do we see the blessing that comes when we get rid of clutter?
John 12:7-8 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
The dead were often anointed with perfume to cover the smell of death. Jesus encouraged Mary to keep it for his burial rather than sell it and give the money to the poor. Giving to the poor is a good work and encouraged, but burying our dead also costs money.
One week I asked a waitress what the Sunday after-church crowd was like. She replied frankly that it was the worst crowd of the week. They were demanding and rude and gave lousy tips. From that time on I determined to give wait staff generous tips and treat them kindly.
There is no command here for us to give extravagantly, but there is permission and encouragement. The one who criticized this extravagant generosity was a thief. Most of us are not thieves, but maybe not extravagantly generous. May we all learn to be a little more like Mary.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
John 12:1-2 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.
This is six days before the cross, and Jesus naturally turned to some of His dearest friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. There is a contrast between two ladies who loved to give and Judas who loved to take.
John 12:3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Have you ever lightened the burden of having so many physical trappings? What is sitting around our lives that we could willingly and joyfully give away? Mary was naturally very thankful to Jesus for restoring the life of her brother Lazarus. Her lavish giving is a measure of her gratitude.
Mary’s perfume in a very expensive alabaster vase, was about a litra, a Roman pound, around 12 oz, worth about 300 denarius, 300 day’s wages, a year’s income. Spikenard or nard was imported from the slopes of the Himalayas, a long, long way. How extravagant is our giving to Jesus?
Beautiful church buildings are a testimony to the generosity of people who love God. London’s Westminster Cathedral, Cologne’s Cathedral, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral and the Salzburg Cathedral are treasures. Should they be sold to give to the poor? What about Mary anointing Jesus with outrageously expensive perfume?
John 12:4-6 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.
Judas Iscariot did not truly love Jesus. He feigned caring for the poor but had stolen money from the cash box. Many Christians do not believe in tithing, because it is Old Testament, but Malachi calls not tithing stealing, and God promises to pour out a blessing until it overflows.
Some are offended that it takes money to run a church. Others give generously because they are not obsessed by money. In the Old Testament, God demanded the firstborn of the flocks, and the first fruits of the fruit trees. He wants the best we have not our second best.
Do we believe we are giving to a club or organization of mere human beings or to Jesus? Giving is a measure of our values, a measure of our love. Do we love things more than God? Do we see the blessing that comes when we get rid of clutter?
John 12:7-8 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
The dead were often anointed with perfume to cover the smell of death. Jesus encouraged Mary to keep it for his burial rather than sell it and give the money to the poor. Giving to the poor is a good work and encouraged, but burying our dead also costs money.
One week I asked a waitress what the Sunday after-church crowd was like. She replied frankly that it was the worst crowd of the week. They were demanding and rude and gave lousy tips. From that time on I determined to give wait staff generous tips and treat them kindly.
There is no command here for us to give extravagantly, but there is permission and encouragement. The one who criticized this extravagant generosity was a thief. Most of us are not thieves, but maybe not extravagantly generous. May we all learn to be a little more like Mary.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
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