Ephesians 2

Summary
By comparing what we were by nature, with what we are by grace,
he declares that we are made for good works: and being brought near by Christ, should not live as Gentiles and foreigners, as in time past, but as citizens with the saints, and the family of God.

2:1. And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2:2. in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
2:3. among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
2:4. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
2:5. even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
2:6. and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
2:7. that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
2:8. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
2:9. not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2:10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
2:11. Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands
2:12. that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
2:13. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.
2:14. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us,
2:15. having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
2:16. and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
2:17. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
2:18. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
2:19. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
2:20. having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
2:21. in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
2:22. in whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Comments:

Saved by grace. There is so much said here. First, we all started in a condition of death. The good news is that as believers, we have been made alive. How? Keep reading, but first here’s more on our sinful nature.

We once walked a path in the ways of the world. There are powers, evil powers, in this natural world. We once were at the mercy of those powers and living a disobedient life, in relation to what God intended. All we knew was the relative truth of our perspective. All we knew was what came from our emotions. We did things that seemed right, and felt good. Despite that pursuit of good feeling, we were angry.

While we were in that condition, God loved us. He made it so we could be brought back to life by the actions of Christ. We have been rescued from the harsh and wild place that this world is, and rescued back into his heavenly kingdom. We are placed in the throne of Christ, and have a permanent place in the future, eternal kingdom.

This salvation comes by grace. We don’t deserve it. We can’t do anything to earn it. To be able to work for salvation and earn it, is to be able for some person to boast and flaunt their deeds over everyone. That priveledge is for God alone.

Before I go on to consider the rest of the verses. let me pause and review some Old Testament things.

Historically, God’s chosen people were the Israelites. God made promises to them. Other people, other tribes and nations who stood in thei way were often totally killed off. God’s grace was extended only to the Jews. Nobody else. To be a Jew, you can only be one if you are born into it. So, If I were to want to take part in the promises of God, there would have been no other way for me. No hope. My parents are not Jews. Any non Jews, gentiles, are outsiders. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that the Messiah, the chosen one, was to one day come and deliver the Jews from the burden of their sin. The burden of sacrificing animals that had no power, but was just a reminder of their constant shortcomings. This Messiah would come to fulfill, or complete the old laws. God’s desire is for people to live moral lives, as explained in the laws. To live that way, and in loving God, is what salvation is about.

Here’s more good news. The coming Messiah would tear down the barriers and let the true believing Jews into the kingdom. But also, his power is so great, and so far reaching that he even provides a way for us nonJews to come to him. Though we didn’t start out being his chosen people, we can enjoy being adopted into the heavenly family.

Let’s get back to the passage at verse 10.

We are his workmanship. Literally, ‘we are his created things’. We have a purpose to do good works. God has a special good work for each of us. It has been preplanned. Each of us who are believers have a place already cut out for us. A job for everybody, and everybody with his own place.

Sometimes religious people set up clicks. An example is given here of certain circumsized folks reminding the gentile believers that they were still considered uncircumsized. Look closely at the words here. Don’t let anybody take away from the importance of your own salvation. “Circumcision made in the flesh by hands” For one, circumscision is one of those symbolic things, a sign of a covenant between God and his people. It is made by men, by hand. It is a self inflicted symbol that is a reminder that God has ownership over that person.

The laws were regulations over outward actions. Circumcision was a physical sign in the flesh. In other places in the New Testament, we are said to be circumcised in our heart. New Testament teachings are laws that rule our spiritual nature. The heart is a symbol of the seat of the emotions. To be circumcized in our hearts is to be marked in a spiritual nature. At any rate, we gentiles are just as much marked, and part of the family of God as those who have a physical birth into it.

There was a time when gentiles didn’t have any hope. Now, with the benefit of having Christ in the world, we have been accepted. We were distant, and far away. Now, by the blood of Christ, we are brought to be close at hand.

Jesus made peace between us. He takes the two types of people, Jews and Gentiles, and makes us into one people. He takes away all the hostility between people, and makes us into one body. He takes those hostile feelings and kills them so we are no longer enemies. The message of Christ is one of peace. If we say we are spreading the word of Jesus, and it results in having no peace and disunity, it is time to scratch our heads and see what we might be doing wrong. The good news of his message should bring peace and unite believers. It should have the power of bring two strangers and making a unified body.

Christ came to build a kingdom. He wasn’t on earth for very long. Long enough to lay down a cornerstone. The apostles laid down the foundation. As time progresses, all us other believers bring our own legacy to the temple. The building that God has been making. It is fitted together. Literally, tightly fitted together. Each believer plays his own part in this interesting structure. When it is done, we will be the house where God himself lives inside.

Wow, we are not only saved by grace, but for a purpose. Start living the life now.

Luke 23:44—24:12

Summary:
His death.
His burial.
Christ’s resurrection is declared by two angels to the women that come to the sepulchre.
These report it to others.

 23:44.  And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
 23:45.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
 23:46.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, `into Your hands I commend My spirit.’ ” And having said this, He breathed His last.
 23:47.  Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”
 23:48.  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.
 23:49.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

 23:50.  And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.
 23:51.  He had not consented to their counsel and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.
 23:52.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
 23:53.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.
 23:54.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.
 23:55.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.
 23:56.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

 24:1.  Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
 24:2.  But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
 24:3.  Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
 24:4.  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
 24:5.  Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
 24:6.  “He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
 24:7.  “saying, `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”
 24:8.  And they remembered His words.

 24:9.  Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
 24:10.  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
 24:11.  And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
 24:12.  But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

Comments:

This passage picks up after the injustice of the trial of Jesus, and most of the gory details of his agony that led up to his death. We are told of the time of his death. It is significant because it happened right in the middle of the day. During what would be the hottest and brightest part of the day. The sun darkened for around three hours. Jesus is said to have made one last statement and then passed away. Events that in no way are hidden. Even a non-religious man, a Roman centurian watched and knew it had God’s involvement. Luke 23:47.  Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

The crowds that had been watching the public specticle had left beating their breasts, an act of sorrow. The close followers of Jesus mostly stood at a distance, helplessly watching. It took a member of the party of people who put Jesus to death to stand up and care for his body. Even in the midst of a misguided group as the Jewish leaders, there were still those who remained righteous, and not wanting any part of the injustice.

There are certain people who have criticized Joseph of Aramathea for being too much of a secret follower. Claiming that if he would have stood up for Jesus, the tragic events could have been avoided. Certainly, but these events had to be for salvation to take place. There is time to take action, and time to let God work, even if it seems counterproductive. Joseph stood up for Jesus when none of the other disciples could.

The acts of this Joseph plays a critical part. Without his caring, the unfolding events around the body of Jesus might have not been documented so well. His body was taken to a very prominent place, the rich man’s own grave site. The women followers of Jesus watched and knew where it was. In Matt 27:66, we find that the Jewish leaders also knew where it was, and even placed a guard to make sure no grave robbing took place.

Because of the Sabbath, nobody did any work. The women had to wait until the next day to finish tending to preparing the body of Jesus for the funeral. This is also when the priests had their Roman guard standing watch. Romans, because they didn’t have to observe resting on the Sabbath. Also because for a Roman to fail guarding was to sign his own death warrant should what he was protecting either be stolen or escape.

The women enter and find an empty tomb. Instead they find two men with a curious, and fearful message. Why do you seek the living among the dead?” What would you think? People just don’t die and then get up and walk around. Bodies just don’t disappear. Their minds were firmly stuck in natural mode. The men, angels, had to remind them of what Jesus had foretold. He had to be delivered, he had to die, but he would rise again. Once they remembered, they ran and told.

The disciples themselves experienced the same confusion. Every instinct they had told them this was nonsense. It can’t be. Peter, who has the reputation of being first to follow Jesus, first to make bold claims, first to try to defend him, first to fly off the handle, was first to recognize the importance of the meaning of this strange message. He went. He saw. It still made little sense, but it was true.

God isn’t limited to following the rules of nature. This life is God’s game. He invented it. He programmed it. He knows all the game cheats. While we are bound to have to follow the natural rules, he plays his own game, by his own rules. No need to try to rationalize it, or explain it. If God wants it, he makes it happen. The fall of man was so widespread, and has become so far reaching, that it takes a miraculous event, by our standards, to pay for that shortcoming. Jesus on the cross is the payment. But the story isn’t over until we see the power of that miraculous payment in the empty tomb.

John 18:1–11

Summary:
Judas betrays Jesus.
The officers fall to the ground.
Peter smites off Malchus’ ear.

 18:1.  When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.
 18:2.  And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.
 18:3.  Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
 18:4.  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”
 18:5.  They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.

 18:6.  Then when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
 18:7.  Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
 18:8.  Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,”
 18:9.  that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

 18:10.  Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
 18:11.  Then Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Comments:

Much of the first part of this month long study was in the old testament, learning how sin came to the world, defining sin, seeing how mankind slowly declined and fell away from God. We were told of a promised savior, of how he came and used physical signs, even taught spiritual ways. Now, we are confronted with his sacrifice for us. The end of his ministry and teaching.

Jesus was at a garden along with his disciples. Judas was going to sneak off and betray him. He returned with an armed guard force. To take such a man as revered as Jesus might mean trouble. But Jesus knew.

They didn’t have to find him, Jesus came to them instead. He identified himself as “I am.” An unusual thing happened at that moment. The arresting crowd went backwards and fell down. What was that about? Unseen angels? Unseen power at work? This passage doesn’t specify, but hold that thought.

Jesus repeats his question and asks to take him and let the others go. Which, when they do will fulfill a prophecy.

Suddenly Peter is in the scene with a sword, ready to defend his master. Maybe an echo of the unseen forces that just put the guards on the ground? Is there a connection there? The scripture doesn’t make such things clear. Just something to be speculated over. The possibility that a porrly armed band of men, and the potential armies of heaven, ready to fight, and make a stand hang in the air. But the situation was diffused by a few simple words and actions by Jesus. What was about to happen was meant to be.

Peter, acting in his usual impetuous manner, swings the sword, but the only damage is minor. A person is hurt. Not just a person, but a real human, with a real name, Malchus. Jesus calls off any further physical attacks. What is about to happen, as painful and terrible as it may be, is necessary. In this passage it doesn’t mention it, but in Luke 22:51, despite being an enemy, Jesus takes the time to heal the man.

Do you have a close, loved one? A friend, a child, or spouce? Someone who, if they were in some mortal danger, you would step in for them? Take on their burden of suffering for them? We would like to stay together and spend happy moments, but sometimes it can be no other way. That’s what God does through Jesus. God cares for us, and wants to take suffering out of our lives.

Through the miracle of Jesus coming to earth in human form, God provided a way so we can avoid an eternal suffering. To do that, a price was to be paid. God is immortal. He can’t die. His love is so great that he would die for us if he could. Jesus terrible death is the death that God dies for us. Some people have real hatred towards the Jews in general because they killed their own Messiah, and our Savior. Tragic, but necessary, and woe to the ones who made the deeds to happen.

But even Jesus didn’t endorse a battle to interfere with the plan that God had. His capture was voluntary. Assuming the arresting guards were knocked back and to the ground by unseen angels, they were made to stop. The attempt at the disciples in his defense was not only stopped, but healing to the injured enemy was offered.

If you feel a heavy weight over what Jesus has done for you, that’s good. You understand. Leave those burdens at his feet though, don’t wallow in grief over his death, or the injustice done to him. It had to be that way. Don’t hate those who have nailed him to the tree, each of us has played a part in that. Pity the ones who have done it and haven’t recognized the significance of the event. They also deserve our prayers of forgiveness and healing, but let God remain as the judge.

That moment in time was just that, a moment. A pivot point that shattered the old bondage of sins and released a new era of spiritual freedom.

Luke 2:1–20

Augustus taxes all the Roman empire.
The nativity of Christ.
An angel relates it to the shepherds, and many sing praises to God for it.
The shepherds glorify God.

 2:1.  And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
 2:2.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
 2:3.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
 2:4.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
 2:5.  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

 2:6.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
 2:7.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

 2:8.  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
 2:9.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
 2:10.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
 2:11.  “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
 2:12.  “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
 2:13.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
 2:14.  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”

 2:15.  So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
 2:16.  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
 2:17.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
 2:18.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
 2:19.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
 2:20.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Comments:

At a certin, specific time in history, as is mentioned here, Caesar gave the decree for people to be enrolled. To be enrolled was a term that dealt with being enrolled to pay taxes. The Romans probably didn’t care where a person was enrolled as long as they paid. It was likely the Jews who wanted people to return to their home cities. Possibly as a way to express tribal strength or identity.

David and Mary were living in Nazareth, located in Galilee. Both were descended from David, so both were to go to Bethlehem for this registration. Such convoluted circumstances, but God used it to make sure prophecies were fulfilled. While there, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as foretold. He was from Nazareth, a Nazarene, also as foretold.

In this passage, Mary and Joseph are said to be “espouced”, which is to be engaged, but not having gone through the marriage ceremony. She is pregnant, and has her baby. In the preceding chapter, it discusses all the details of her virginity and how God moved to cause her to be both a virgin and pregnant.

In verse 17, Jesus is called Mary’s “firstborn” son. Obviously that means she didn’t have any kids before Jesus, but he was called “first”, not “only” son of Mary. I mention that because there are those who believe that Mary was a perpetual virgin. That means that even after her official marriage to Joseph, she never gave up her virginity, that the brothers and sisters of Jesus that are later mentioned in the Bible came from somewhere else. Likely a previous marriage of a woman to Joseph.

To be first, implies that he was first of others, Mary’s virginity served its purpose in demonstrating the special nature of Jesus, and in fulfilling prophecy. To believe that she continued in it is to incorrectly make her holier than she really is. Another of those hard things in the Bible to understand. Believe what you want about her and her virginity. Whether you believe she was a perpetual virgin or not, whether you believe she has some godly character or whether you believe that she was a simple vessel, a regular human being used  to bring about God’s will, your belief of her cann not, and will not  make a person any more or less saved. Only Jesus has been chosen for the position as savior. Trust in him. Only he has the title of King of Kings. Only he has been given all authority to rule.

Meanwhile, while Jesus had been born and was laying in the manger,shepherds were visited by angels. The shepherds, regular working men and not priests, were first to recieve word of the birth of the Messiah. The angels had a message of joy, not fear. They told of the savior who had been born. He was the Messiah, or in Greek, the Christ. Both mean the chosen one, or the anointed one. Suddenly there wasn’t just one angel, but armies of them. They were singing.

Then just as suddenly, the angels were gone. The shepherds left to look for the baby. They found him, just as the angels told them. The shepherds went around telling everybody. Whether folks believed it or not, or even understood it, the people they told marveled at the news.

The time had come. the spirit God had finally entered the world as a regular human. As with most things in life, he chose a quiet, humble beginning. One that fulfilled all the known prophecies of the old testament, and some that possibly hadn’t been realized. Of all the people who ever has lived, or will live, the birth and life of Jesus is the only one to completely fulfill Bible prophecy. He’s the one, the only one. There are most definitly many paths to him, many paths to the cross, but he is the only way to get to God. Only one way to be part of the relationship that God wants to give to all of us.