The Picture – John 11: 53-57

So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, ”What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

Jesus knows the hearts of all men and he knows that the hearts of the Jewish leaders are intent on his death. Knowing what he does he leaves town. As the time for the Passover nears, the people are looking to see if Jesus will show up.

Continue reading “The Picture – John 11: 53-57”

Seeking Glory

One might say that seeking God’s glory is uplifting!

It is truly interesting how we as people can seek glory for ourselves in the name of serving our God. The allure of being the center of attention can be addictive. The Pharisees that argued with Jesus had fallen into that kind of trap. Being seen as important was more important to them than being seen serving God.

I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.

John 8: 50-51

Even Jesus, the one who deserves glory more than any other human being, does not seek it. There is no room in his heart for the desire of glory because He exists solely to serve his Father in heaven.

Continue reading “Seeking Glory”

Remembering

Imagine two old shepherds sitting around the fire reminiscing about the “good ol’ days” when they were younger and would spend all of their time with the sheep. The fire crackles gently as the cool of evening settles in around them like a dark blue shawl on their shoulders. The stars begin to come out and one shepherd says to the other, “Remember that night when the stars came alive and we heard angels speak and saw the baby Messiah?”

Continue reading “Remembering”