“I am thirsty”
John 19:28 (NIV)
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I have learned long ago that physical pain can sap the energy from a person and cloud their thinking. Once I attended a person who was in great physical pain and they cried for their long deceased mother. Another kept repeating Psalm 34:1 that says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (KJV)
It was as though he was using the verse as a mantra hoping the repetition would alter his situation. He might have been saying it over and over in order to keep himself from despair in his tragic situation. Certainly he desired to honour God in all of his life situations.
Continue reading 'As Good as His Word'»
“…he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’
and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’”
John 19:26-27 (NIV)
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Jesus is now on the cross and it is likely during the first hour or two that He spoke three times. First a prayer for forgiveness for His executioners Luke 23:34; then a word of assurance to the repentant thief Luke 23:43; and now a word to His mother which is our text for today.
Later, just before He dies, Jesus will speak of His own situation but for now, even though He was suffering greatly, He first spoke to the needs of others.
It seems curious that Jesus would arrange for His mother’s care if Joseph, her husband, was still alive. Joseph was described as a just man in Matthew 1:19 so it would be reasonably assumed that if he were alive he would care for Mary. Jesus, as the oldest male child, would have the care of His widowed mother.
Continue reading 'Honouring Your Father and Mother'»
“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother,
his mother’s sister Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.”
John 19:25 (NIV)
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Some Bible scholars seem educated beyond their intelligence. They are religiously fanatical about tearing the Bible apart and seeking to find errors of fact, contradictions, etc. They have made a lifetime study of the Scriptures in order to try and prevent us from believing it is inspired by God. Alas they ignore the facts in order to maintain their illusion.
One of many ways we see integrity in the writing of Scripture is in how it shows the people of God “warts and all”. No time is wasted trying to make the main characters into plaster saints. When they err it is recorded as well as their triumphs. Such integrity should help make believers of us whenever the Bible makes a statement on any topic.
Continue reading 'Where Were the Men?'»
“You would have no power over me
if it were not given to you from above.”
John 19:11 (NIV)
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Jesus was on trial for His life. Pilate, the judge, had asked Jesus where He was from. Jesus did not answer him. Pilate was afraid of this prisoner and very upset at the dilemma he was in. The crowd outside clamoured for Jesus’ death but Pilate knew Jesus was not guilty of a serious crime.
Pilate’s sense of justice was in a battle with his sense of expediency in the matter. He desperately wished to release the prisoner but also wished to appease the crowd outside who cried for the man’s blood.
Continue reading 'Who Is In Charge Anyway?'»
“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.”
John 19:1
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I have an expression that I sometimes use with people. “There can be a lot of pain behind a smile.” It is difficult to know the torment that some people endure in life simply because it occurs behind closed doors where only the family can see. The person in pain puts on a brave front before the public and then goes home to chaos and sorrow. They do not wish to make public their issues lest it make things worse.
I recall a minister once who confessed in confidence to a leader in his church a struggle he was having. He was making a cry for help. The church leader did not try to help him but instead publicly exposed the poor man’s problem and had him put out of the ministry.
Continue reading 'Behind Closed Doors'»
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