The following shareable slides about Easter were shared on Facebook by The Wandering Pilgrims. The research below was provided by Nick Campbell from Christ Is the Cure. Nicholas’s book, Holidays and the Feasts, can be purchased on Amazon.
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“As creations of the Creator, we don’t get to make the rules; we simply have to decide whether we are for Him or against Him.”
GotQuestions“What did Jesus mean when He said, “He who is not with Me is against Me” (Matthew 12:30)?” By GotQuestions
The following article was written entirely by GotQuestions.org and can be found here. For your convenience, Matthew 12 is shared below as well.
“Matthew 12 is a pivotal chapter in the narrative of Jesus’ earthly ministry and one that includes Jesus’ notable statement that “he who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matthew 12:30, NKJV).
Up to the point when Jesus says, “He who is not with Me is against Me,” He had been proclaiming the good news about the kingdom that He was offering, but in Matthew 12 He and His kingdom are rejected—particularly by the leaders of the nation. The situation comes to a head when Jesus heals a blind and mute man (Matthew 12:22). The crowds were in awe and were wondering whether He might be the Son of David, the Messiah (Matthew 12:23). The Pharisees, on the other hand, quickly rejected Jesus’ healing work as Messianic and instead asserted that Jesus had healed the man by demonic power (Matthew 12:24). Jesus challenged the absurdity of this critique and the failed logic of a divided kingdom and Satan fighting against Satan (Matthew 12:26–29). He then presented them with a dilemma, asking in whose power their sons cast out demons (Matthew 12:27). The point Jesus was making was that, if Jesus was casting out demons in the power of God, as He was claiming to do, then indeed the kingdom He was presenting had come because the King had come (Matthew 12:28).
Jesus then took it one step further by saying that “he who is not with Me is against Me.” The people had to make a choice. Their Messiah had come, offering to them the prophesied and covenanted kingdom of the heavens (which was ultimately God’s kingdom in the heavens come to earth in fulfillment of God’s covenant to David, with the Messiah ruling on David’s throne in Jerusalem). Jesus was the Messiah, and He was presenting His kingdom to the people. They had to choose—if they were for Him, they would have to change their mind (repent) about how they could gain entrance into the kingdom (Matthew 4:17). They would have to recognize that they could only enter the kingdom by the internal spiritual righteousness Jesus described, and not by their external obedience to the Law of Moses (Matthew 5—7). The Pharisees and other leaders were deeply opposed to changing their minds about these things; they could not accept that He was the Messiah, lest they have to submit to what He was telling them. Their rebellion illustrated Jesus’ statement that “he who is not with Me is against Me” (Matthew 12:30).
Like the Pharisees of that era, we also have a choice to make about Jesus. Jesus famously asked the question of His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Each one of us has to answer that question for ourselves. Either we acknowledge that He is who He said He is—the Messiah—or we reject that and attribute His words and works to something other than the true ministry of our Creator, Messiah, Savior, and King. With this choice there is no third option. Jesus did not give His listeners the option of avoiding the choice. “He who is not with Me is against Me,” He said. And if we claim to be for Him, then we must come to Him as He prescribes and not as we might prefer. The Pharisees were open to God’s involvement in their lives and the lives of the nation of Israel, but only on their own terms. As creations of the Creator, we don’t get to make the rules; we simply have to decide whether we are for Him or against Him.”
Matthew 12
At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
3 He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry: 4 how he entered the house of God, and they ate the bread of the Presence—which is not lawful for him or for those with him to eat, but only for the priests? 5 Or haven’t you read in the law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”9 Moving on from there, he entered their synagogue. 10 There he saw a man who had a shriveled hand, and in order to accuse him they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” 11 He replied to them, “Who among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out? 12 A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.”13 Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored, as good as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might kill him.15 Jesus was aware of this and withdrew. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all. 16 He warned them not to make him known, 17 so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not argue or shout,
and no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 He will not break a bruised reed,
and he will not put out a smoldering wick,
until he has led justice to victory.
21 The nations will put their hope in his name.22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to him. He healed him, so that the man could both speak and see. 23 All the crowds were astounded and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”25 Knowing their thoughts, he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 If Satandrives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. 30 Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.31 Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.34 Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 35 A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. 36 I tell you that on the day of judgmentpeople will have to account for every carelessword they speak. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”39 He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s preaching; and look—something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here.43 “When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest but doesn’t find any. 44 Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ Returning, it finds the house vacant, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first. That’s how it will also be with this evil generation.”46 While he was still speaking with the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”48 He replied to the one who was speaking to him, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” 49 Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
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The following 3-minute video clip was produced by Summit Ministries, featuring former public school educator, now Christian apologist, author, and speaker, Mary Jo Sharp, gently proclaiming the reasons for the hope we have in the midst of so much heartbreak (1 Peter 3:15) in the world.
3-minutes with apologist, Mary Jo Sharp 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.Romans 5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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This is a modified re-post of the “Come to Me” article from February 2021.
Friends, have you ever been advised to “Follow your heart,” or encouraged with the phrases: “It’s always been in you,” or “You’ve got this!” Most often folks say these phrases as thoughtful exhortations meant to uplift and inspire. However, should we??
“If you’re OK and I’m OK, what was Jesus doing on the Cross?”
Elisabeth ElliottIn the Bible, God lovingly teaches us repeatedly that trusting our own hearts can be exceedingly harmful… not only for ourselves, but for those placed in our paths as well. (Jeremiah 17:9; Prov 28:6; Matthew 15; Philippians 3) There will be gut-wrenching moments in our lives when we recognize that our hearts are not capable of leading us wisely nor selflessly. We need to see just how “faint of heart” we actually are, …all the while combatting the collective voice of society that unapologetically promotes another way… A message of “looking within” as the answer for all of our needs. A false gospel that both depletes and destroys. “You got this!” “You’re enough.” “Stay strong.” “Think positively!”
“The flesh is always self-reliant, while the Spirit creates Christ-reliance. The flesh always trusts in its performance; the Spirit gives confidence in Christ’s performance.”
Steven LawsonAs you read above, we will daily encounter temptations to yield to the calls of the heart… But God knows this. Adam and Eve were given the opportunity to walk with God freely and intimately and yet they readily chose the desires of their own hearts anyway. We are thousands of years removed from the Garden, and yet we continue to make the same foolish mistakes… over and over again. Our ceaseless propensity to make selfish decisions is both altogether distressing and incredibly humbling,… but God remains Faithful. He doesn’t put the heavy weight of “enough” upon our shoulders… We do that to ourselves.
“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
Deitrich BonhoefferInstead, God sent His one and only Son to be enough FOR us. The voice that faithfully calls, “Come to Me,” is the very same one that daily invites you to stop striving. We need help daily to abandon that fleshly tendency to re-carry the legalistic yoke of self-reliance. We need to rest in the finished work of the Cross. Jesus came down from Heaven to be our substitute…to pay the debt we owe due to our sin. We need His Grace and Peace as to not fall into the fragile arms of Pragmatism (“whatever works”). Sister, instead of incessantly leaning into the reasonings of our own ferociously fickle hearts, let’s take a breath and get on our knees… confident not in our own abilities but resting in His. Jesus is the only one able to be enough for every situation. (John 6:29; Gal 6:9)
His,
Meridith
From the Author
40-second clip from January 2022 Who is Jesus
6 minutes 18 minutes 45 minutes What is the Gospel?
2 minutes 3 minutes 20 minutes Jesus’s Resurrection
50 minutes Trust the Bible
50 minutes 11 minutes Miracles?
40 minutes -
6 minute video by Impact 360 Institute ‘I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. . . . Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God.” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 55-56)
Hold Fast to Truth…God’s Word is Truth
John 1:2 “He was in the beginning with God.”
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.”
John 17:5 “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
John 5:17-18 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
Revelation 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
John 10:30-33 I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
John 5:18 “This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Philippians 2:5-6 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2… Jesus was fully God and fully human. Jesus did NOT set aside His deity as He could not stop being God, the Son. But He did add upon Himself humanity and humbly submitted to His Father as a human, as we should. He did so in our place. He lived a perfect life without sin, earning a righteousness on our behalf.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Hebrews 1:1-3 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
Romans 9:5 “To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.”
Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Colossians 1:15-17 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Romans 10:9 “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Colossians 2:9-10 “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Matthew 28:9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Philippians 2:10 “So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”
Daniel 7:13-14 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Luke 24-49 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” (Jesus)
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” (Paul)
4 minutes with Tim Barnett Isaiah 53
Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a young plant
and like a root out of dry ground.
He didn’t have an impressive form
or majesty that we should look at him,
no appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
He was like someone people turned away from;
he was despised, and we didn’t value him.4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses,
and he carried our pains;
but we in turn regarded him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on him,
and we are healed by his wounds.
6 We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished him
for the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
and like a sheep silent before her shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment,
and who considered his fate?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
he was struck because of my people’s rebellion.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
but he was with a rich man at his death,
because he had done no violence
and had not spoken deceitfully.10 Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely.
When you make him a guilt offering,
he will see his seed, he will prolong his days,
and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.
11 After his anguish,
he will see light and be satisfied.
By his knowledge,
my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will carry their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him the many as a portion,
and he will receive the mighty as spoil,
because he willingly submitted to death,
and was counted among the rebels;
yet he bore the sin of many
and interceded for the rebels. -
This post is going to be a simplistic version of a much more larger post, but I genuinely hope what is shared here encourages you.
After author Dan Brown wrote the Di Vinci Code, it was as if the air was filled with misinformation pertaining to the construction of the New Testament, planting seeds of doubt about the reliability of the Bible. Friends, rest assured…the New Testament was not constructed by a council of Bishops in Nicaea around A.D. 325 (they met to affirm what the Scriptures taught about the Trinity). The 66 books written by approximately 44 men over the course of 1500 years was compiled according to its authority. What does this mean? It’s my hope that the following post will help your heart rest in the trustworthiness of God’s Word…
Christ: Jesus made bold claims that indicated that he believed himself to be the preexistent, creator of the world, Messiah, and only Son of God (Mk 14:21-27; Jn 5:39, 45-47; Jn 8, 14:6). Jesus declared to his disciples that he was the Messiah for which the Old Testament Scriptures had foretold. The word, Christ, is the Greek translation of Messiah. No, Jesus and the Christ as NOT two, separate beings. If you hear this teaching, please know that it is false! The Christ is the role that Jesus came to fulfill. It was a designed plan by the Triune Godhead (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) from eternity past as to save a rebellious human creation and reconcile many back to Himself. The Christ is what the whole Bible is about!
Creeds: The crucifixion of Jesus occurred most likely on either A.D. 30 or A.D. 33 as the Passover occurs every three years. After the empty tomb was discovered, Jesus then appears to more then 500 people (1 Co 15). Per Dr. Gary Habermas, the teachings and short songs (“homologia”) which began to circulate throughout the early church taught of 1.) Jesus’s Diety, 2.) Jesus’s human death, and 3.) Jesus’s resurrection. These fundamental teachings of the early church reflect the highest Christology of the church. These teachings reflect Jesus’s teachings during his earthly ministry! There are numerous creeds written in the New Testament…Here are a few: John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, and Romans 10:9-10.
Canon: Per Professor Dr. Michael J. Kruger, “The biblical canon is the collection of scriptural books that God has given His corporate people, which are distinguished by their divine qualities, reception by the collective body, and their apostolic connection, either by authorship or association.” [1] The four gospels are in the New Testament Canon as they were written by either Jesus’s Apostles or an associate of the Apostle. The Apostle’s were eyewitnesses to what was taught by Jesus and therefore wrote the words of Jesus. The books for which author Dan Brown advocates should or could be in the biblical Canon were either not written by any Apostles (or associates, like Mark or Luke) or did not have the correct teaching about Jesus (Christ). The Gnostic Gospels were written after the deaths of the Apostles and often contained teaching contrary to what Jesus had taught. The Gnostic doctrine was contrary to the Christian doctrine and therefore was one of the earliest heresies battled by the Church! Gnosticism in it’s rudimentary form points to creation…physical matter as evil, while only the spiritual is good.
Therefore, to think of God coming down to earth and putting on human flesh was absolutely absurd and ridiculous to a Gnostic! But the body is a part of our humanness. We are created as embodied souls! What God had made is very good! It’s not our bodies or our minds which are the enemy but the sin which has distorted both our view of creation (our minds and bodies) as well as their usage. Jesus was 100% human and 100% God. When He had risen He wasn’t a spirit without a body, and when He returns and makes all things new, we will have new bodies! We won’t be spirits floating upon the clouds but will have brand new, transformed bodies in a brand new earth, with a brand new Heaven. Praise God (Hebrews 12)!! With all of this being shared today, let your mind be renewed with God’s Word and your heart rest in the work He has done on your behalf! His love is not of this world, but it sure did both create it and rescue it!
1 Corinthians 15
Provided by Biblegateway:
Now I would remind you, brothers,[a] of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
The Resurrection of the Dead
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope[b] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God[c] has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”[d] 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
The Resurrection Body
35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”;[e] the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall[f] also bear the image of the man of heaven.
Mystery and Victory
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
55 minutes with one of my favorite apologists, Dr. Gary Habermas. References:
[1] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-biblical-canon/
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Were you aware that St. Patrick was kidnapped in his youth from England and taken as a slave to Ireland? Yes, indeed! The story of how God transformed Patrick’s life through the Gospel of Jesus is incredibly encouraging!
Shared here are two video resources about the life of St. Patrick. I hope they are a blessing to whomever watches them today!
To God alone be the glory! #solideogloria
< 30-minutes by TorchLighters 4-minutes by J.R. Miller -
As Good Friday approaches, please consider examining the claims Jesus made about Himself. Friends, if His resurrection didn’t happen, Christianity isn’t a viable worldview…it would be futile and misleading. Christianity’s existence hinges entirely on Jesus’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-6As you research, you will find approximately 130 attestations, both Christian and non-Christian (Greco-Roman, Syrian, and Jewish), referencing Jesus outside of the New Testament. A few examples of these historical sources are Flavius Josephus, Suetonius, and Cornelius Tacitus. And what do they show us? Jesus was a real man, he was crucified on a Roman cross, and produced an empty tomb. Not to mention had numerous followers who were martyred for what they earnestly believed. These facts are undesputed by the vast majority of modern day scholars (non-Christian, included).
Friends, pour out your heart as you investigate…every hurt, every doubt, and every concern. Genuinely look into Jesus’s claims. Why not? C.S. Lewis articulated it well, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
44 minutes with Gary Habermas, Darrell Bock, and Mikel Del Rosario 🎞 Sources:
“Evidence For Jesus‘s Empty Tomb“ – Dr’s Gary Habermas, Darrell Bock, and Mikel Del Rosario https://lnkd.in/eMZE44bg
Jesus’s Resurrection, Historical and Evidential – Nabeel Qureshi
https://lnkd.in/e-WE5tg9“Jesus Outside of the Bible” – Mikel Del Rosario https://lnkd.in/g6M6NCWj
“Cold Case Christianity” – Detective J. Warner Wallace
https://lnkd.in/eViHQiim“Who is Jesus?” – Impact 360 Institute
https://lnkd.in/engw2PFR“Who is Jesus Precisely?” Anna Kitko
https://lnkd.in/dQWp7cSC -
Per the ESV Study Bible: Written by Luke around A.D. 62 (30 years after Jesus’s Resurrection), an Antiochian physician (Col 4:14) and traveling companion of Paul, the third Gospel was intended for both “Jews and Gentiles alike.” In the twenty-fourth chapter we are told that Jesus’s body was not found in the tomb. This is a fact predominantly agreed upon by both Christian and non-Christian historians. Where historians part ways is in response to the miracle of Jesus’s Resurrection.
The four gospels provide eye-witness testimonials with specific names and locations so that readers at the time of their writing could talk with the individuals mentioned, if still alive. With more than 500 eyewitness of Jesus appearing bodily after his historically documented crucifixion, there would be ample opportunities for confirmation of testimony.
Along with eyewitness accounts, we have the Old Testament Scriptures to attest to Jesus’s identity and mission as the promised Messiah (Christ)…from Genesis 3:15 (“protoevangelium”) to the “Law and the Prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44). Jesus knew His mission as Messiah from eternity past as the 2nd Person of the Triune God. Saving us from our sins and reconciling us back to God was the purpose for which Jesus lived a perfect life in human flesh, died upon a Roman cross, and rose bodily from a grave.
The mission God had lovingly planned from eternity past was conceived by His grace, carried out by His grace, and fulfilled solely by His grace. It is all a gift…Unearned favor and true unselfish love on display. And this plan was written down for us. Jesus had fulfilled approximately 300+ prophecies about Himself as written in the Old Testament. Not only does God keep His promises but He does so with steadfast love and holy Justice! He knew the perfect time to sent His Son into the world and He knew we would need to anticipate this Rescuer! The Scriptures remind us that we belong to God (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24), that we rebelled and went our own way (Genesis 3), and that God promised to save us (Genesis 3). Jesus is the one who came to save…and He reminded the disciples of this (Luke 24:44-49).
“Christ’s view of Scriptures can and should still be the Christians view of Scripture.”
John Wenham, Christ’s View of the BibleIt’s my prayer that we never stop losing the awe of what God has done on our behalf. Let’s therefore continue to think upon the words He gave us and to alert in prayer with thankfulness (Col 4:2). The words written down for us were given by God in His love…we need them more than food (Mt 4:4).
Luke 24
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they[a] came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayedinto the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.
9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter,however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths.[b] So he went away, amazed at what had happened.
13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles[c] from Jerusalem.14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they[d] were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having[e] with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.
18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked them.So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophetpowerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow[f] to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish,[g] 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written:[h] The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for[i] forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you[j] what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city[k] until you are empowered[l] from on high.”50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven.52 After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.[m]Footnotes24:1 Other mss add and other women with them24:12 Other mss add lying there24:13 Lit about sixty stadia; one stadion = 600 feet24:16 Lit their eyes24:17 Lit “What are these words that you are exchanging24:25 Lit slow of heart24:42 Other mss add and some honeycomb24:46 Other mss add and thus it was necessary that24:47 Many mss read repentance and24:49 Lit upon you24:49 Other mss add of Jerusalem24:49 Lit clothed with power24:53 Other mss read praising and blessing God. Amen.
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Per GotQuestions:
“Christ’s ‘emptying’ of Himself was the laying aside of the privileges of divinity, not divinity itself. In heaven, the Son of God possessed infinite honor and glory and adoration. But He chose to leave that position of honor, and He ‘made himself nothing’ (Philippians 2:7). When He came to earth, He veiled His glory and chose to occupy the position of a slave. The kenosis spoken of in Philippians 2:7 was a self-renunciation but not an emptying of deity. Jesus never ceased to be God, and He did not exchange deity for humanity.
What Jesus did was set aside His heavenly glory. And He voluntarily refrained from using His divinity to make His way easier. His miracles were not done to benefit Himself but to help others. During His earthly ministry, Christ completely submitted Himself to the will of the Father (John 5:19). John Walvoord explains it this way: ‘The act of kenosis . . . may . . . be properly understood to mean that Christ surrendered no attribute of Deity, but that He did voluntarily restrict their independent use in keeping with His purpose of living among men and their limitations’” (Jesus Christ Our Lord, p. 144). Full article (here).
Friends, God never ceases to be God. Therefore, Jesus never ceased to be God. But Jesus didn’t flaunt His glory as we would… Instead, Jesus came humbly, full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14), to willingly serve and save a dying humanity. May we have the same love leading us today… His love.
Philippians 2
“Twisted Scripture” section of the CSB Apologetics Study Bible by Sean McDowell If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humilityconsider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.[a]
7 Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
9 For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
11 and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.12 Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and pervertedgeneration, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.
19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— 26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.Footnotes2:6 Or to be grasped, or to be held on
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To preface, friends, please always check what I say and write by Scripture…It’s so important that we test what is taught by anyone alongside the straightedge of God’s Word.
Prior to “being made alive together with Christ” (Eph 2:5), we were spiritually dead (separated from God)…disobedient to God, carrying out the desires of our fallenness. We were consumed with self-interest, self-love, and anything that will accomplish either of those. Tragically, the sin within us viewed others as either stepping stones to a pleasurable life, or hindrances. This heart-level perspective and sin-stained attitude affects our spouses and children as well.
But when the grace of God saved us from our sins through the work of His Son on the cross, we were given new life. This new life is Jesus’s life. This life enables us to know love for the very first time! The faithful, selfless, and committed love shared by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is now shared with us. This gift of new life and new love also gives us new eyes to see others as made in the image of God. We love others not because they are likable or lovely, nor for the possibility that they can help us fulfill our longings, but because we have been shown both in Scripture and through prayer that God’s great mercy and loving Justice puts the interests of others at the forefront.
Putting others ahead is what Jesus modeled when He came down. Jesus remained fully God when He became fully human, but He didn’t go rogue from the Father and place His own interests ahead of His Father. Love looks to God’s will as paramount. And obedience to God’s plans makes God’s priorities our priority. Trusting Jesus walks-out love step by step.
When we love others, we voluntarily place their interests ahead of our own. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we ignore our own needs, nor does it imply that our needs don’t matter. But putting the interests of others ahead of our own demonstrates a practical trust in the everyday events of life…knowing that God knows our desires, concerns, and hopes, and that He will do what’s best. We can trust God with everything we are and have…because we are His, and everything we have is His. Our homes, our spouses, and our children, too.
“Difficult doesn’t mean wrong. Difficult reminds us that we need a Savior.”
As we look to the interests of one another today, let’s remember that the “one another” isn’t speaking solely to those outside of our homes. We must fight to choose the Words of God ahead of those in society by remembering that family is our primary mission field. It’s not individual expressionism that rules our lives, nor is it comfort and entertainment. God alone rules. Choosing to serve God instead of self isn’t easy, but difficult doesn’t mean wrong. Difficult reminds us that we need a Savior. And that Savior came and lived a life we aren’t able to live.He died a death we deserved to die. And rose to life bodily as to give us that opportunity.
“Family is our primary mission field.”
Philippians 2
Per the ESV Study Bible, Paul wrote the letter to the Philippian Church around A.D. 62, with the hope and prayer to “encourage the Philippians to live out their lives as citizens of a heavenly colony, as evidenced by a growing commitment to service to God and one another.”
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit,[a] any affection or mercy,[b] 2 complete my joy and be of the same mind,[c] by having the same love, being united in spirit,[d] and having one purpose. 3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition[e] or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned[f] not only[g] about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.[h] 5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,[i]
6 [j] who though he existed in the form of God[k]
did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself
by taking on the form of a slave,[l]
by looking like other men,[m]
and by sharing in human nature.[n]
8 He humbled himself,
by becoming obedient to the point of death
—even death on a cross!
9 As a result God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow
—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—
11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,[o]13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world[p] 16 by holding on to[q] the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you. 18 And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.
19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged by hearing news about you. 20 For there is no one here like him who will readily demonstrate his deep concern for you.[r]21 Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel. 23 So I hope to send him as soon as I know more about my situation, 24 though I am confident in the Lord that I too will be coming to see you[s] soon.
25 But for now[t] I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother,[u] coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger[v] and minister[w] to me in my need.[x] 26 Indeed, he greatly missed all of you and was distressed because you heard that he had been ill. 27 In fact he became so ill that he nearly died.[y] But God showed mercy to him—and not to him only, but also to me—so that I would not have grief on top of grief. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,[z] so that when you see him again you can rejoice[aa] and I can be free from anxiety. 29 So welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 since it was because of the work of Christ that he almost died. He risked his life so that he could make up for your inability to serve me.[ab]
Footnotes
- Philippians 2:1 tn Or “spiritual fellowship” if πνεύματος (pneumatos) is an attributive genitive; or “fellowship brought about by the Spirit” if πνεύματος is a genitive of source or production.
- Philippians 2:1 tn Grk “affection and mercy.” The Greek idea, however, is best expressed by “or” in English.
- Philippians 2:2 tn Or “and feel the same way,” “and think the same thoughts.” The ἵνα (hina) clause has been translated “and be of the same mind” to reflect its epexegetical force to the imperative “complete my joy.”
- Philippians 2:2 tn The Greek word here is σύμψυχοι (sumpsuchoi, literally “fellow souled”).
- Philippians 2:3 tn Grk “not according to selfish ambition.” There is no main verb in this verse; the subjunctive φρονῆτε(phronēte, “be of the same mind”) is implied here as well. Thus, although most translations supply the verb “do” at the beginning of v. 3 (e.g., “do nothing from selfish ambition”), the idea is even stronger than that: “Don’t even think any thoughts motivated by selfish ambition.”
- Philippians 2:4 tn On the meaning “be concerned about” for σκοπέω (skopeō), see L&N 27.36.
- Philippians 2:4 tn The word “only” is not in the Greek text, but is implied by the ἀλλὰ καί (alla kai) in the second clause (“but…as well”).
- Philippians 2:4 tc The bulk of the Western witnesses (D*,c F G K it) dropped καί (kai) here, most likely due to ascetic concerns (the absence of the καί makes the statement express absolute self-denial). Strong external attestation for its inclusion from excellent witnesses as well as the majority (P46 א A B C D1 Ψ 075 0278 33 11751241 1505 1739 1881 2464 M sy) also marks it as autographic.tn Verses 1-4constitute one long conditional sentence in Greek. The protasis is in verse 1, while vv. 2-4 constitute the apodosis. There is but one verb not in a subordinate clause in vv. 2-4, the imperative “complete” in v. 2. This is followed by a subjunctive after ἵνα (hina, translated as an epexegetical clause, “and be of the same mind”) and three instrumental participles. Thus the focus of these four verses is to “be of the same mind” and all that follows this instruction is the means for accomplishing that.
- Philippians 2:5 tn Grk “Have this attitude in/among yourselves which also [was] in Christ Jesus,” or “Have this attitude in/among yourselves which [you] also [have] in Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 2:6 sn This passage has been typeset as poetry because many scholars regard this passage as poetic or hymnic. These terms are used broadly to refer to the genre of writing, not to the content. There are two broad criteria for determining if a passage is poetic or hymnic: “(a) stylistic: a certain rhythmical lilt when the passages are read aloud, the presence of parallelismus membrorum (i.e., an arrangement into couplets), the semblance of some metre, and the presence of rhetorical devices such as alliteration, chiasmus, and antithesis; and (b) linguistic:an unusual vocabulary, particularly the presence of theological terms, which is different from the surrounding context” (P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 188-89). Classifying a passage as hymnic or poetic is important because understanding this genre can provide keys to interpretation. However, not all scholars agree that the above criteria are present in this passage, so the decision to typeset it as poetry should be viewed as a tentative decision about its genre.
- Philippians 2:6 sn The Greek term translated form indicates a correspondence with reality. Thus the meaning of this phrase is that Christ was truly God.
- Philippians 2:7 tn See the note on the word “slaves” in 1:1.
- Philippians 2:7 tn Grk “by coming in the likeness of people.”sn The Greek expression underlying by looking like other men is similar to Paul’s wording in Rom 8:3(“in the likeness of sinful flesh”). The same word “likeness” is used in both passages. It implies that there is a form that does not necessarily correspond to reality. In Rom 8:3, the meaning is that Christ looked likesinful humanity. Here the meaning is similar: Jesus looked like other men (note anthrōpoi), but was in fact different from them in that he did not have a sin nature.
- Philippians 2:7 tn Grk “and by being found in form as a man.” The versification of vv. 7and 8 (so also NRSV) is according to the versification in the NA28 and UBS5 editions of the Greek text. Some translations, however, break the verses in front of this phrase (NKJV, NASB, NIV, NLT). The same material has been translated in each case; the only difference is the versification of that material.sn By sharing in human nature. This last line of v. 7 (line d) stands in tension with the previous line, line c (“by looking like other men”). Both lines have a word indicating form or likeness. Line c, as noted above, implies that Christ only appeared to be like other people. Line d, however, uses a different term that implies a correspondence between form and reality. Further, line c uses the plural “men” while line d uses the singular “man.” The theological point being made is that Christ looked just like other men, but he was not like other men (in that he was not sinful), though he was fully human.
- Philippians 2:12 tn Grk “with fear and trembling.” The Greek words φόβος and τρόμος both imply fear in a negative sense (L&N 25.251 and 16.6 respectively) while the former can also refer to respect and awe for deity (L&N 53.59). Paul’s use of the terms in other contexts refers to “awe and reverence in the presence of God” (P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 284; see discussion on 282-84). The translation “awe and reverence” was chosen to portray the attitude the believer should have toward God as they consider their behavior in light of God working through Jesus Christ (2:6-11) and in the believer’s life (2:13) to accomplish their salvation.
- Philippians 2:15 tn Or “as stars in the universe.”
- Philippians 2:16 tn Or “holding out, holding forth.”
- Philippians 2:20 tn Grk “For I have no one who is like-minded who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.”
- Philippians 2:24 tn The words “to see you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied, and are supplied in the translation for clarity.
- Philippians 2:25 tn Grk “But.” The temporal notion (“for now”) is implied in the epistolary aorist (“I have considered”), for Epaphroditus was dispatched with this letter to the Philippians.
- Philippians 2:25 tn Grk “my brother” instead of “For he is my brother.” Verse 25constitutes one sentence in Greek, with “my brother…” functioning appositionally to “Epaphroditus.” sn The reason why Paul refers to Epaphroditus as his brother, coworker, fellow soldier, etc., is because he wants to build up Epaphroditus in the eyes of the Philippians, since Paul is sending him back instead of Timothy. This accent on Epaphroditus’ character and service is implied in the translation “For he is…”
- Philippians 2:25 tn Grk “apostle.”
- Philippians 2:25 tn The Greek word translated “minister” here is λειτουργός(leitourgos).
- Philippians 2:25 tn Grk “servant of my need.”
- Philippians 2:27 tn Grk “For he became ill to the point of death.”
- Philippians 2:28 tn Grk “I have sent him to you with earnestness.” But the epistolary aorist needs to be translated as a present tense with this adverb due to English stylistic considerations.
- Philippians 2:28 tn Or “when you see him you can rejoice again.”
- Philippians 2:30 tn Grk “make up for your lack of service to
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“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.” – Corrie Ten Boom
While the world beckons us to look within, saying “You’ve got this!” Corrie knew that by looking within for strength and guidance was a bewildering journey. Brokenness attempting to fix brokenness.
And if I’m incredibly vulnerable, at the core of my own humanity, I am straight-up all about me…self-centered and care about whatever makes me comfortable and happy. But God. He genuinely saved me from that hopeless (and futile) pit, showing me a love that isn’t found within but from Him alone (Ps 40).
Friends, it’s not by looking within, or to the culture, that we find the love and worth for which so desperately long. We were created as personal and rational beings to have a relationship with our Creator. We were made human, not as God,…but we long to know the One who Created us.
As Easter approaches, my prayer is that we all slow down and think upon these deeply important matters.
🎞️ Corrie Ten Boom’s, The Hiding Place (click here)
Psalm 42
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation 6 and my God.My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock:
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
