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Unexplainable Jesus: Unexplainable Beginnings Day One and Two

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So a couple of weeks ago I mentioned a study I’m going to be doing and I thought I’d chart my progress on my blog.  It’s just a small way of keeping myself accountable, and for encouraging you to join me. 🙂  Videos to watch, daily chapters to work through, 8 weeks of study.  So let’s go eh?  Let’s learn more about the Unexplainable Jesus and his Unexplainable Beginnings. Today covering day one and two.

Unexplainable Jesus: Unexplainable Beginnings Day One and Two

Unexplainable Jesus: Unexplainable Beginnings Day One and Two

Day One draws us into Luke 1:1-4 where we learn how Luke wants to give us an eyewitness account of his time with the Lord.  His goal is to give Theophilus (and us) a certainty about Jesus and what he has been taught about him. 

Luke 1:1-4

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

I never really thought about these words before, about how many others did the same thing.  We have the other gospels of course, but how many ordinary people noticed Jesus and then wrote about him?  Just think about the sheer number of eyewitnesses he had! So Luke, being the person he is, a physician, used to paying attention, and having to make order of the things people say to him.  Luke says to himself, I need to make an orderly account of this Jesus, the Christ, so I can help others know the truth of what they see and hear and read. 

He undertook this study of Jesus a few years after Jesus died and was resurrected.  Taking his time over some 10 years to get the details right.  Can you imagine the people he talked to?   The distance he has to travel and the dangers he faced?  Christian and Jewish folk weren’t among the popular of the day, so this was no simple undertaking. 

Moving on to Day Two

father holding baby silhouette at sunset
Photo by the Amritdev on Pexels.com

Luke 1:5-15

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,</span> 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ss=”text Luke-1-10″>10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, s=”text Luke-1-15″>15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. ass=”versenum”>16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Reassurance and Instructions

In this passage we see Zechariah an old man and a priest within the Jewish people.   The method of lots was used to choose which priest had the privilege of burning incense before the Lord, and this time it fell to Zechariah.  People outside praying.  Zechariah goes in and gets the fear of his life, an angel of the Lord is standing there on the right side of the altar of incense. 

The angel immediately reassured Zechariah and told him the reason for his appearance But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard.

I wonder if Zechariah indeed lost his fear at that point?  To know that his prayer was heard and that God sent an angel to tell him.  Would it be a relief to him?   Or would the requirements of his life be a burden?

your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. class=”text Luke-1-14″>14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 

But as we read…. he will have great joy and many will rejoice at his birth.  Rather cool eh?  Not something to be feared, but something to rejoice in! 

15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 

I have to admit, to hear that my boy would be great before the Lord would certainly fill me with some trepidation.  Could I mess something up with him?  Or could I just trust that God would simply see his will done in my boy? Knowing that the Holy Spirit would be strong in his life from the get go would certainly help ease the momma worry in my heart.  For Zechariah’s Dad brain, I’m guessing he’d would just rest more assuredly in the grace of God. 

16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared

What a thing to look forward to eh?   To know that God will be using your boy for good things? It’s the hope of every believing parent eh?  To see your child grow up into the faith. 

a promise for the future

But to know that your child will be instrumental in preparing the people for more!

16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Don’t you see this truth in the words written?   This baby from Zechariah and Elizabeth will bring the people of God into truly the people of God.  People who care about their children, people who are disobedient into people of wisdom.  A person who will make the people of Israel prepared for more.  That’s who he will be.   

What a joy and yet, what a weight to bear.  To know who your son will be and knowing that you have a part in helping him reach that potential.  No wine, no strong drink, I’d be guessing it was banned from his house!  🙂  And lots of teaching done to help him be the person God called him to be. 

Acts 4:13-22

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Okay, let’s talk abit.  I’ve come to realize in the past month or so that I’ve been rather angry with God over a few different things and so had walked away for a bit.  NOT GOOD on my part.  God can handle my anger.  He created me right?  So it’s not like he doesn’t know what he created when he made me.  BUT still not good on my part right?   That’s taken a bit of processing. And still will for a bit.  It’s okay.   NONE-THE-LESS, time for me to get past that and get on with remembering whose I am.   Going back into my study on Acts.   Today we’re covering

Acts 4:13-22

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

In case you’ve forgotten, you can 

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Acts 4:13-22

Acts 4:13-22

iAs you may recall, Peter and John were standing before the council.  Peter had just finished proclaiming who they were following.  Jesus Christ of Nazareth, raised from the dead, and by whom salvation can be found, in him and no other.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

The council was made up of educated men as we can see in verse 5-6.  “On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.”  They saw and heard how clearly and boldly Peter spoke and were shocked. 

I can imagine them thinking “these are uneducated men who will stumble and fumble for words”.  But that is not the case.  Peter and John knew Christ and him crucified so could speak well on this subject.   Their knowledge of him was readily apparent eh?

Oh that I would be so bold eh?  I’m too often cowed.

14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council,

Who was this man healed, the one who led to this whole situation?  A lame man.  You’ll read about his story in Acts 3. Just a man, well known for his begging at the Beautiful Gate.  A man who no longer needed to beg for help. What else could the council do but to let them go?

After they let them go, a council meeting.

15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 

Imagine having something happen in your community that you don’t want talked about. Something that was fundamentally true… after all the lame man is there walking and talking.  How can you possibly deny that reality? 

Now let’s say you don’t really want the news spreading anymore than necessary.  What do you?   Tell the perpetrators to not talk about it! So that’s what they did.  One gag order coming up! 

18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 

I can’t really see that working you know? People are still going to talk, and if you know you are in the right, why would you?  Peter and John said exactly that: 

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

They weren’t going to shut up about what happened because they were more concerned about God’s reaction to them than what people’s reaction.  We so need to be more like this don’t we?  Speaking God’s truth, being more concerned about what God wants from us than to be concerned about the world’s reactions and thoughts. 

No Deniability

 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

I can sort of understand the council you know?  They don’t want news spreading about what they consider a false religion.  So they can say don’t talk about it, but how can you suppress the fact that a lame man is now walking around and that Jesus Christ is the reason for it?   Men following the Son of God, healing in his name, and the fellow is right there.  Living proof! People saw this 40 year man healed and were praising God for it.  You can’t really stop that you know? 

What’s stopping me from praising God for the wonders he does in my life?  Something to think about eh?  Do you find yourself not talking about the wonders of God?  Why?  Share with me, perhaps we can learn together eh? 

Original Sin

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So Miss Kate provided the word prompt of original for this Five Minute Friday.   Immediately I thought, Original Sin, but nothing was coming to me.  Nothing else came to me either so I decided to see what my fingers might come up with my original idea, and voila… words came. 

Not quite what I expected, but it works I think?  Tell me your thoughts eh?

Person holding up a cross with a sunrise background. Text: Original Sin

Original Sin

When I first saw this word
I thought, hmm, original sin?
But I didn’t really know where
to go with that.
Sin isn’t really original
at this point.

But we aren’t just talking about
sin, we’re talking original sin.
That moment when Satan turned
against God and went after
the pinnacle of God’s creation.

Satan said to himself
“I’m as good as God!”
And then by his actions,
showed his competitive nature,
his devious, destructive path.

Twisting God’s words
“Did God really say,
‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Forcing Mary to recall God’s
exact words, and muddling them up.
“We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 
but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree
that is in the middle of the garden,
and you must not touch it, or you will die.’

God never said they couldn’t touch it.
So additions made,
changes in thought pattern introduced,
and so sin continued.

God wants better from us.
He gave us a prime example
to follow, and who could make
us right with him.

Jesus, his very own boy.
Perfection (seeing as he is God)
wrapped up in a human body
(so able to be tempted).
Who finished out his human
life not sinning even once.

So original that eh?
That one could win past
the heavy-artillery that was
thrown his way.

The question remains then:
Since he is such a good example,
why do I have such a time
imitating him better?

It’s annoying! 🙂
I want to do better and
yet, and yet, I fail
over and over again.

Original sin….
The sneakiness of one
who would say
I’m as good as God.
Creeps so easily into my life too.

And yet, I keep fighting,
it’s what I’m called to
do, it’s what YOU are called
to do too.

Stuff Invades

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This week’s five minute Friday word prompt focuses on the word Stuff.   I came up with this poem Stuff Invades as I’ve been tidying the house.  I’ve been mentally and physically stressed this week and cleaning up stuff helps to settle my brain (as will a good night’s sleep) as I’ve kept myself fairly busy today.   let’s dig in shall we?

text: stuff invades image: lady cleaning a faucet

Stuff Invades

stuff invades our lives
filling all the empty spaces
sometimes so much so that
where there should be holes
we can’t find any

do we need to do the
marie kondo approach
removing items,
seeking after that which
makes us happy?

perhaps we should remove
anything we haven’t used
for six months, or a year,
because obviously if we haven’t
used it that long, do we need it?

yet i have to wonder,
if we take either approach
how much good will be left
with or how much bad will
we have?

for instance, if we only keep
that which makes us happy, will dishes
and cutlery remain, or a
hubby’s treasures, or a son’s joys,
if i am the one making decisions?

or what about tools that are needed
but only rarely used,
or treasures of the past, rarely
viewed because they are treasures,
kept safe for special times.

so if stuff is what is seen,
maybe it is easier to deal with
what is seen, but the deeper issue
within might be tougher to solve,
it’s easier to hide.

why the stuff?

perhaps there’s an unsettled
need within to hold tight to what you
have lest it be taken away by the uncaring,
or a need to hold to memories of family
since time passes quickly.

or it’s just a matter of living,
one lives life well and over time stuff
shows up and gets added into the
overall flow of how you live because
you have the space.

should we examine our stuff?
for sure we should! i have a friend
who helps people get rid of their
stuff as they age. it can be
such a hard process to let go.

i’ve watched as parents on both
sides go through this process
each with their own mindset about
the how’s, where’s, and why’s, both
different in their viewings on their stuff

what to do

so, what do we do when those
holes appear again? what will we
fill them with or should we even
try? Should we let that emptiness sit
and somehow let them be filled with more?

not more stuff but more contentment
and satisfaction, and desire to be
one with God himself? forgiveness,
mercy, seeking to be more than
what we currently are.

Making A Scene

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Oh, it’s late at night after a busy day doing stuff.  I’m becoming more convinced that I’m dealing with some arthritis in my right knee.  So I’m considering bringing a kneeling pad along to work for when I have to get down on the floor to shelve or move something.  I’d rather not be making a scene at work when a knee decides to flair up in pain so mitigating the “scene” aspect of growing older appeals to me.  🙂   

Anyways, that whole aspect of making a scene led my brain down some other paths which of course led to this poem.   You can find other people reacting to this word prompt at Miss Kate’s. 

making a scene

Making A Scene

Making a scene it
happened this way.

I plunked down some nano’s
on my cart, a rather loud thump.
Accompanied by a look of
dismay and a mild bit of vexation
evident in voice and actions.

My manager, standing opposite,
said “no words, no words needed!”
And then continued
“I haven’t had time to speak to
said stock boy in question”, the one
I KNOW fails to rotate product properly.

Making a scene it
happened this way.

Son, talking in living room
with his dad and suddenly he
bolts into the back yard, leaving
dad hanging, wondering what happened.

A cottontail screamed as the oldest
household cat, carried it into the
middle of the backyard.
The lad leapt to the rescue
capturing said cat and allowing
one, looked about six weeks old,
cottontail to bolt off.

Making a scene it
happened this way.

Death on three trees,
on a hill.
Celebrated/remembered yearly
in churches across the world.
Predicated by one snake
conversing with one lady
confusing her mind, and she in response,
turned the mind of her mate.

It’s hard some years to know this fact
that this scene, this death,
and yes, eventual life raised.
Was predicated by action that
“I” would have taken. Her confusion
would be my confusion. Her turning
of her mate would have been mine.

And so knowing this
at times
is difficult. Knowing that
strong internalization of
that willingness to be confused
by the whispering of the
not true God.

Acts 4:5-12

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It’s been a bit but today I am working a short shift and feeling sorta awake!   We’ve had a busy weekend away and I’m feeling like just perhaps I can get back on track.   Anyways, today we are looking at Acts 4:5-12.  It continues the story of Peter and John being brough before the council. 

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:5-12

The Players

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.

So we have the rulers, elders and scribes gathered.  Specifically Annas the high priest along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander and those of the high-priestly family. 

Annas – appointed by the Roman legate Quirinus to be the high priest of Judea. He served for 10 years.  This son of Seth’s death is unrecorded. 

Caiaphas – son-in-law to Annas, also served as high priest three years after Annas stopped serving.   He served for about 18 years. He’s also known as Joseph, son of Caiaphas. His family was known for opposing the Pharisees.   

John and Alexander – We don’t know much about these two.  John might have been Johanan ben Zaccai, who is reported to have been at the height of his fame forty years before the destruction of the Temple, and to have been President of the Great Synagogue after its removal to Jamnia.  And Alexander may have been Alexander, the brother of Philo magistrate of Alexandria.   But there is no real proof as to who they really are. 

And as to who the members of the high-priestly families were?  No one really knows.  There was a lot of politics involved in those days with people struggling for power and/or influence. 

The Setting

 7 And when they had set them in the midst,

So here are Peter and John, surrounded by all these people of influence. They will be questioned these simple disciples of Jesus. I’m not sure where they were questioned other than somewhere in Jerusalem.

The questions

they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 

Kinda makes sense you know?  These people of influence seeing these common men talking and raising up controversial issues.  They’d want to know who told them to do this.  Who gave them authority to talk and to heal people?

The answer given

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

See the power of the Holy Spirit?   Peter was not quelled by the august people surrounding him (or maybe he was but the power of the Holy Spirit filled him so he didn’t act like it).  He spoke out clearly and boldly to them proclaiming the power of Christ.   He gave a brief synopsis of Christ’s death and resurrection, and how Jesus is now the cornerstone of their faith. Salvation comes through him alone!

Do we clearly understand this?  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Jesus Christ, son of the living God, is the only path to salvation.  By him we shall be saved.  No one else can do this job.  No other can be the propitiation for the wrong we do in our lives.

This one that it is so easy for us to reject is the very cornerstone upon which faith is built. 

Trust in him today! 

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Acts 4:1-4

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After seeing God’s love in action, planning out the help we would need, and letting us, in our ignorance, hurt his son. We have to see what will happen next don’t we?  Acts tells us the stories of the apostles right after Jesus ascended, it’s good to know our church history yes? 

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Acts 4:1-4

Acts 4:1-4

Verses 1-2

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 

It happens you know.  You start talking about Jesus and the cross and someone is bound to get annoyed.   Sometimes that annoyance is just … well… annoying, but other times it’s problematic.

verse 3

3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 

As we can see in this situation is was problematic.  They got arrested and tossed in the clink.

It’s so easy to dismiss this isn’t it.  Oh, that was then, they were fighting the established religion, so it was bound to happen.   But it still happens.  People get arrested, beaten, killed, fined, and more just for presenting God’s word to people around them.   In some places of the world you need to be so careful if you are a believer.  And yet people still believe.  They persist.  Why?  This next sentence may give us part of the answer…. 

verse 4

4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

But look at this.  Even though the annoyed ones tossed them in jail, people BELIEVED.  5000 strong!  They heard what was being taught and they took it all to heart and became part of the faithful.   Maybe that courage in speaking truth is what leads to the church growing today in parts of the world where you would think it wouldn’t.  Afterall, wouldn’t the threat of persecution scare people away?  Instead, it seems that persecution helps the church to grow. 

When I was in college I postulated in a paper that perhaps the church should pray for more persecution.  That it would make us stronger as a whole, weeding out those not truly committed, and encouraging those who believe to rely on God all the more.  Now, at age 58 …. I ponder what I would do in the face of persecution.  Would I see God more clearly or would I get frightened and hide?  It’s too easy you know?  Too easy to postulate ideas without truly seeing the cost of what that means… and now I see it and wonder.   I wonder how young families in persecuting areas do when they see their children and wonder what will happen to them if mom and dad are caught?  If the children are caught talking about God (as children will talk about what they are raised with).  

And then see God’s church grow.  And that part is such a marvellous part filling me with awe and wonder at God’s actions, does it outweigh the fear? It’s such a juxtaposition for me. 

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