John 20:6-7
Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the tomb. And seeth the linen clothes lie. And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but folded together in a place by itself.
A lot of people would overlook this passage and continue reading. I know I never gave it much thought until it was brought to my attention. But I mean why have such a strange point made, why did Christ fold the napkin? I want this passage to become alive, it gives me great hope in my heart. Here's why...
In order to properly understand this passage, you need to be a little familiar with the Hebrew traditions of that day, a long tradition going back thousands of years prior to Christ.
You see a servant to a master would set the dinner table just how the master liked it every meal. Then the master would sit down to eat. The servant would wait, just out of sight, waiting for the master to finish so he could go clean up the table. If the master was done he would take the napkin, wipe his face, his beard and his hands, and then wad up the napkin and toss it onto the table. This would signal his servant that he was done and he could clean the table.
But if the master was not finished and needed to leave the table for whatever reason, he would fold the napkin and set it aside, signaling his servant that "I'm not finished yet, I'll be back soon."
Now you know why Jesus folded the napkin:)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
(Mark 4:3-8 13-20)
When I read this verse, I think that I better make sure my ground is fertile and soil is rich and ready for the 'seed'(Word), so I know it will grow strong.
But wouldn't this diminish the gift of grace with this thinking?? Doesn't this seem like we're earning it, by cultivating ourselves before receiving Gods seed? So then we could say, "I only grew because of the work and fertilization I put into the soil(self)", giving us reason to boast in ourselves?? This is not The Way!
Don't worry I'm going somewhere with this :)
Did you know that back in ancient times they would first break up the soil, throw the seeds upon it and THEN plow the fertile soil behind it?
You see, the seed would first be planted on rough, broken up soil. Then the rich topsoil and fertilizer would follow.
So stop worrying and making excuses for not accepting His Word. I know this can be difficult to do, I do this too! (I think this is why I'm not baptized yet, for this reason!)
We feel that we first got to...get better at this or that, be more giving, find a good church first, stop swearing so much, stop smoking, etc....the list goes on and before we know it, we want to do all the work ourselves so no credit goes to God!!
By saying these things, you're really saying that His grace isn't enough. I think it's a natural human view point(and error with grace), thinking we need to earn it ourselves. But grace and ungrace don't go together!
Get that seed planted, accept that seed into your broken up heart and body, let God water it and his servants help fertilize it.
WARNING
Don't just let your seed sit there, exposed to the elements of this world. Seeds have great power in them to grow into strong plants, bearing sweet tasting fruit and roots that can crush through rock and cement. But the seed itself, when first planted, is quite delicate. Not enough attention can cause it to wither and die. You don't fertilize your seed with rocks, the sun will heat those rocks burning the seed or young plant. You don't want to overwater your seed, creating a stream of water that lifts up your seed, floating it away into a weed patch.
Accept the seed and let God do the watering and His Word fertilize you. Pray to God for help if weeds are growing around you, let God do the weeding. Rely on God, he is the Good Farmer!
When I read this verse, I think that I better make sure my ground is fertile and soil is rich and ready for the 'seed'(Word), so I know it will grow strong.
But wouldn't this diminish the gift of grace with this thinking?? Doesn't this seem like we're earning it, by cultivating ourselves before receiving Gods seed? So then we could say, "I only grew because of the work and fertilization I put into the soil(self)", giving us reason to boast in ourselves?? This is not The Way!
Don't worry I'm going somewhere with this :)
Did you know that back in ancient times they would first break up the soil, throw the seeds upon it and THEN plow the fertile soil behind it?
You see, the seed would first be planted on rough, broken up soil. Then the rich topsoil and fertilizer would follow.
So stop worrying and making excuses for not accepting His Word. I know this can be difficult to do, I do this too! (I think this is why I'm not baptized yet, for this reason!)
We feel that we first got to...get better at this or that, be more giving, find a good church first, stop swearing so much, stop smoking, etc....the list goes on and before we know it, we want to do all the work ourselves so no credit goes to God!!
By saying these things, you're really saying that His grace isn't enough. I think it's a natural human view point(and error with grace), thinking we need to earn it ourselves. But grace and ungrace don't go together!
Get that seed planted, accept that seed into your broken up heart and body, let God water it and his servants help fertilize it.
WARNING
Don't just let your seed sit there, exposed to the elements of this world. Seeds have great power in them to grow into strong plants, bearing sweet tasting fruit and roots that can crush through rock and cement. But the seed itself, when first planted, is quite delicate. Not enough attention can cause it to wither and die. You don't fertilize your seed with rocks, the sun will heat those rocks burning the seed or young plant. You don't want to overwater your seed, creating a stream of water that lifts up your seed, floating it away into a weed patch.
Accept the seed and let God do the watering and His Word fertilize you. Pray to God for help if weeds are growing around you, let God do the weeding. Rely on God, he is the Good Farmer!
Monday, March 8, 2010
A free slave??
I'm a slave of Yeshua(Christ). And yet I'm free. (Romans 6:18-22)
How does that sound to you? Is it hard to make sense of this?
How can you be free and a slave at the same time??
I like using a story about Abraham Lincoln to explain.
Before the Civil war and ambolishing slavery in many U.S. territories as president.
Abraham made an example by going down to the docks where slaves were brought in off the boats and auctioned off. He went with the plan to purchase one.
A beautiful black woman was up to be auctioned. Abraham decided to bid on this slavegirl. Many other bidders were also interested in this beautiful slave but Abraham would always up there offer by a dollar, until he eventually won her. He got up on the dock to approach this young, disheartened, head hung low woman. He asked the previous owner to unchain her. She looked up and asked him "what do you intend on doing with me?"
"You are free", he announced.
Puzzled she answered "excuse me?"
Abraham replied "You are free to go wherever you want, to do whatever you please, you are free."
With everyone's shock, especially that of the young woman. Falling on her knees, she replied with great happiness, "Well if I am free, I want to go with you!"
Abraham now puzzled asks, "I just set you free, free to be whatever you want, go wherever you wish, why would you want to come with me?"
"I want to be with the man that set me free!" she responded.
You see, though she was set free, she bound herself to the man that set her free. She knew the awful situation she was in. If she were to just shrug and say "okay" and walk away like it was no big deal, then she probably didn't need to be saved in the first place! But because she understood and realized the depravity of her situation, she was so thankful to be released from it.
This is how it should be with Yeshua(Christ). He saves us from our depraved nature, and those who are truly thankful for this, bound themselves to him, working to please him with a thankful heart.
First we need to realize how enslaved to sin we are, how corrupt, evil and lost we are. So the freedom that is offered by Yeshua(Christ) our Lord, will be taken and recieve with a sincere and yearning heart.
Lets not be someone who just shrugs, says "okay" and walks away as though it was nothing.
FREEDOM IS FOUND IN HIM!
(I don't know if the story above is a true story or merely fictional. Don't remember who I heard if from)
How does that sound to you? Is it hard to make sense of this?
How can you be free and a slave at the same time??
I like using a story about Abraham Lincoln to explain.
Before the Civil war and ambolishing slavery in many U.S. territories as president.
Abraham made an example by going down to the docks where slaves were brought in off the boats and auctioned off. He went with the plan to purchase one.
A beautiful black woman was up to be auctioned. Abraham decided to bid on this slavegirl. Many other bidders were also interested in this beautiful slave but Abraham would always up there offer by a dollar, until he eventually won her. He got up on the dock to approach this young, disheartened, head hung low woman. He asked the previous owner to unchain her. She looked up and asked him "what do you intend on doing with me?"
"You are free", he announced.
Puzzled she answered "excuse me?"
Abraham replied "You are free to go wherever you want, to do whatever you please, you are free."
With everyone's shock, especially that of the young woman. Falling on her knees, she replied with great happiness, "Well if I am free, I want to go with you!"
Abraham now puzzled asks, "I just set you free, free to be whatever you want, go wherever you wish, why would you want to come with me?"
"I want to be with the man that set me free!" she responded.
You see, though she was set free, she bound herself to the man that set her free. She knew the awful situation she was in. If she were to just shrug and say "okay" and walk away like it was no big deal, then she probably didn't need to be saved in the first place! But because she understood and realized the depravity of her situation, she was so thankful to be released from it.
This is how it should be with Yeshua(Christ). He saves us from our depraved nature, and those who are truly thankful for this, bound themselves to him, working to please him with a thankful heart.
First we need to realize how enslaved to sin we are, how corrupt, evil and lost we are. So the freedom that is offered by Yeshua(Christ) our Lord, will be taken and recieve with a sincere and yearning heart.
Lets not be someone who just shrugs, says "okay" and walks away as though it was nothing.
FREEDOM IS FOUND IN HIM!
(I don't know if the story above is a true story or merely fictional. Don't remember who I heard if from)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Spring cleaning anyone?
I received an armoire from my husband the other day. I was very pleased since until then, I had a very tiny closet(tinier then the average closet), I had a hanging area of about one foot for both me and hubby's clothes.
With this armoire, I was able to re-organize all the clothes me and hubby wear in a non cramming fasion(pun intended;)
Well today as I was folding laundry, I was happy and even somewhat excited to put the clothes away in there designated and organized spot. You see, before then, I would fold the clothes on the couch and there they would sit for the longest time. I was always hesitant and pokey about putting them away. Now I realize that it wasn't the chore of putting them away that held me back, but I just didn't know where to put them. I would always have to squeeze them into areas or drawers where I knew they weren't going to fit.
Perhaps a biblical command or teaching will seem to be a burden on us or make us hesitant and pokey in doing it, whether it be; prayer, giving to the poor, forgiving someone, or turning the other cheek on a matter. But perhaps it's not actually the "chore" thats making us pokey in doing such rightous, biblical acts. We're cramming them into areas in our life where they just don't fit..."There's not enough time in my life for prayer." "I'm saving up for that new flatscreen tv, so I can't give to the poor now." "That person is too evil and made me look or feel bad, so he/she doesn't deserve forgiveness."
Business, greed, and our ego are getting in the way. There's no room for righteousness amongst these things. So why are you trying to cram it in? Of course it's gonna feel like a chore with those things in the way. And God doesn't want devotion to him to be a "chore". Lets make room in our lives for righteousness.
God's holy word and a relationship with him is the tool we need to clean out this "closet"of ours, giving new meaning to "spring cleaning." :)
(p.s. I feel kinda silly using something materialistic such as armoires and clothes as an application for spiritual matters, but it came to me nonetheless)
With this armoire, I was able to re-organize all the clothes me and hubby wear in a non cramming fasion(pun intended;)
Well today as I was folding laundry, I was happy and even somewhat excited to put the clothes away in there designated and organized spot. You see, before then, I would fold the clothes on the couch and there they would sit for the longest time. I was always hesitant and pokey about putting them away. Now I realize that it wasn't the chore of putting them away that held me back, but I just didn't know where to put them. I would always have to squeeze them into areas or drawers where I knew they weren't going to fit.
Perhaps a biblical command or teaching will seem to be a burden on us or make us hesitant and pokey in doing it, whether it be; prayer, giving to the poor, forgiving someone, or turning the other cheek on a matter. But perhaps it's not actually the "chore" thats making us pokey in doing such rightous, biblical acts. We're cramming them into areas in our life where they just don't fit..."There's not enough time in my life for prayer." "I'm saving up for that new flatscreen tv, so I can't give to the poor now." "That person is too evil and made me look or feel bad, so he/she doesn't deserve forgiveness."
Business, greed, and our ego are getting in the way. There's no room for righteousness amongst these things. So why are you trying to cram it in? Of course it's gonna feel like a chore with those things in the way. And God doesn't want devotion to him to be a "chore". Lets make room in our lives for righteousness.
God's holy word and a relationship with him is the tool we need to clean out this "closet"of ours, giving new meaning to "spring cleaning." :)
(p.s. I feel kinda silly using something materialistic such as armoires and clothes as an application for spiritual matters, but it came to me nonetheless)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)