Month: April 2014

04 27 Luke 5.12-16 Our passage describes the encounter of a man who broke all kinds of social taboos and Mosaic laws being a leper and coming to Jesus.  Jesus also went against the norms of the day by reaching out to the leper.  In this story we see the devastating impact leprosy can have on an individual leaving them filled with despair, yet what a compelling story to see that in his desperation he pushes aside any fear he may have had about his condition and comes to the only person he believes can help him.  Leprosy gives us a vivid picture of our sin.  We are outcasts from God’s presence, yet when we come to Him for cleansing, He says I will, be clean.  What an encouraging passage for any who call on the name of the Lord.  No matter how dirty or repulsive we feel we are, God can make us clean again. 

04 20 Isaiah 53. 1-12 Why did the Messiah have to die?  The Old Testament tells us about the servant of the cross, the suffering on the cross, and the satisfaction from the cross.  Our passage tells us that not only that the Messiah had to die, but also why He had to die – to bear the sins of all.  Tragedy was turned to triumph when He rose again on the third day satisfying the demands of a holy and just God so that through our faith we might have eternal life. 

04 13 John 12.12-19 What opinion do you have of Jesus?  There are many today, just as there were when He walked this earth.  On the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday, four distinct groups of people have opinions about him.  The crowd had mistaken Him, the Roman soldiers mocked Him, His disciples misunderstood Him, and the Pharisees were mad because of Him.  What is your opinion of Him? 

04 06 Luke 5.1-11 The call of Peter began with a simple test of obedience – “push out a little.”  Then it was a test of faith and obedience – “push out deeper.”  At the great catch of fish, Peter acknowledged his own unworthiness and bid Jesus leave him, but Jesus wanted to draw him closer and bid him to consider fishing for men.  He immediately left everything he had to follow Jesus.  What commitment.  What a challenge for us to consider.  At what cost are we willing to follow Jesus.  Discipleship has a call.  It has a cause.  It has a cost.

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