Short Reflection from Luke 13-24

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟛:𝟚𝟛-𝟚𝟜

"And someone said to Him, ‘Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?’ And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.’"

According to worldometers the world population is 7.9 billion. Out of which 2.38 billion profess to be Christians. Of which, more than half (1.38 billion) will be cultural Christians.

So, we may have over 1 billion somewhat religious Christians. Of which more than half could be nominal.

And how many will be church-going Christians? Perhaps 300 million. And how many will be Bible-reading Christians? Perhaps 100 million? How many will be regular Bible-reading Christians? Perhaps 1 million. How many will be daily Bible-reading Christians? Perhaps only 1 lakh people! And how many are saved?

So, it was a good question. And Jesus affirmed that only a few will find eternal life!

NB: I don't think there exists an adult Christian (14 years old and above) who has read their Bible every single day of their life. We get sick someday in a hospital bed, coma, etc. So, my rough estimate is that if we read our Bible 300 times or more in a year, that's great (perhaps we could consider it as daily reading). Btw, that's less than even 6 times a week!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟜:𝟚𝟜

"For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner."

Privileged people are often unworthy people who are thrown out.

The invited people were excluded, and the underprivileged people were brought in.

The Israelites who saw the wonderful works of God were left to die and rot in the wilderness, never reaching the promised land.

That's true even in church. Some who seem to be the most religious members are the ones whose hearts are hard, never learning and changing!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟝:𝟚

"Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'"

Indeed, our Lord Jesus came to receive sinners. But that they may repent and have a new life.

We come to Jesus just as we are, but we never stay the same. We are changing into His likeness.

Once saved always changed nah?

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟞:𝟛𝟙

"But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Those who will not listen to ordinary things will not listen to extraordinary things as well.

Likewise, even if Moses and Elijah join our group, there's no way to reduce the excuse of those who fail to update regularly.

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟘

"So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"

Do we look for honor, fame, and wealth? Our identity is unprofitable servants. Unworthy slaves!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟠:𝟟, 𝟙𝟡

"Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?"

"And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.'"

Don't ever doubt the goodness of God! God remains good to all. You are incompetent to make God bad. He shall remain good no matter what. But He is extra good to the elect (born-again Christians). That's what R.C. Sproul called God's love of Complacency.

Sometimes, I feel like I love myself more than God's love for me. That's far far from the truth. Actually, God loves me more than my love for Him, myself, or even my sin. Happy is he who realizes the goodness of God every moment of his life!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟡:𝟚

"And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich."

There are at least 2 good IAS officers in the New Testament! Zaccheus and Matthew.

While Matthew was told to resign to become an Apostle, Zaccheus wasn't asked to resign to be the disciple. Rather Jesus used his [Zaccheus] position and influence to reach out to more people. Jesus preached at Zaccheus' party.

You can be in any legitimate profession and still serve God. You may not need to resign like Zaccheus!👍

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟚𝟘:𝟙𝟠

"Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."

Christ is not a stone man should mess with. People will either come to this stone for shelter and be saved Or they will stumble and fall upon this stone and be broken. Or this stone will fall upon them and be crushed to death.

Blessed be God that we are given to sing, "Rock of Ages, cleft for me."

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟚𝟙:𝟙-𝟚

"And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins."

The rich and the poor are all in the watching eyes of God! He does see each one through and through— one's hands, treasure, hearts, and rewards!

Don't be intimidated to give less when you don't have much; don’t show off when you give much.

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟚𝟚:𝟛

"And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve."

Satan couldn't achieve victory with Christ in chapter 4. Now he entered Judas and claimed victory by killing Christ. Yet Christ rose again. Satan always loses against Christ.

It's not like a movie, where the protagonist got defeated in the first scene and finally triumphed in the last scene/fight.

Christ won from the first minute of the movie till the last minute!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟚𝟛: 34

"But Jesus was saying, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.' And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves."

When you squeeze an orange, what comes out? Orange juice of course. When you squeeze a lemon, lemon juice comes out. You don't get orange juice from a lemon or lemon juice from an orange.

Likewise, when you pressure, tempt or squeeze a sinner, sin comes out. Tempt a man, he shall fall. Tease a woman, she shall get angry. Humans fall into sin in temptation, pressure, and tough situations because we are sinners.

Now, when Jesus was tempted, tried, persecuted, crucified, obviously, righteousness and forgiveness came out of Him, because He is righteous and came to forgive.

Now, if you are a short-temper person or an unforgiving person, that reveals who you are. One of my school principals (JNV Bpr) once said, "He who angers you conquers you" There's a truth in it!

 

[7:14 am, 24/12/2021] S.R: 𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟚𝟜:𝟝𝟚-𝟝𝟛

"And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God."

Can this be said of us? Do we find ourselves continually in the church?

I am so glad to have met some Christians who have never missed church, the Sunday service since their conversion. Wow!

That's really wonderful. For me, there were some Sundays I enjoyed bunking church services😬🤦‍♂️😂. 

With this concludes the book of Luke! Thanks, everyone, for the opportunity to read and share my updates in the last 24 days! 🙏

 

[11:46 am, 27/12/2021] S.R: Good to have some faithful friends updating consistently even after the 30 days commitment! 😇👍

[3:20 pm, 27/12/2021] S.R:

Friends,

We shall resume our Daily Bible Reading and Update by January.

If you would like to discontinue, let me know. That we can remove you and still be good friends! 😎

Short Reflection from Luke 6-12

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟞:𝟙𝟚

"In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God."

*Went out

*To the mountain

*Prayer

*All night!

Who would like to climb a mountain especially only to pray? People don't want to even sit up on their beds to pray, forget about going to church.

Who would spend all night on a mountain in prayer? People love to sleep and sleep! Btw Luke recorded the prayerful life of Jesus and the importance of prayer more than any other writers of the Gospels.

Btw, if you want to talk or read about prayer, choose the book of Luke!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟟:𝟛𝟡

"Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.'"

Indeed, such a sinful woman doesn't deserve salvation! If I were God, I would send her to hell!  In fact, I would send everyone in this group to the deepest hell, and I would put myself first! Nobody deserves salvation. Salvation is a gift of God!

Thank God, I am not God! Thank God those Pharisees weren't God. Now, that Jesus is Yahweh, a wretched man, even I am saved! And if He indeed saves me, there's nobody who is so sinful that cannot be saved! Indeed, Jesus came to save sinners, yes even of my kind!

Btw, if you were God and you wouldn't send yourself and everyone to hell, that means you were already in hell!

Heaven will not be heaven without Jesus (the righteousness of God)

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟠:𝟚𝟙

"But He answered and said to them, ‘My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.’"

I grew up hearing blood is thicker than friendship and even politics. People look out for relatives.

I saw a movie, Operation Chromite, (how America's 5-star General Douglas MacArthur won a decisive victory against North Korea,) the landing and capture of Incheon. There, one Korean soldier said, "Ideology is thicker than blood!" [for the Communist]

Really? Is there anything thicker than blood???

Indeed, there is. Gospel is thicker than blood. Because Jesus's blood is thicker than your blood! Jesus affirmed that in this verse!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟡:𝟝𝟠

"And Jesus said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’"

I am certain that if you are about my age, you have watched The Drunken Master, a Jackie Chan starrer Chinese movie. [A friend of mine said that you must be living in Jupiter if you haven't watched that.]

In that movie, when the Master was asked about his whereabouts, he replied, "The sky is my roof and the earth is my floor" I picked up that line when I was just 7 or 8 years old and still consider it to be one of my favourite movie lines ever!

Well, The Ultimate Master Jesus Christ, our Master has a similar answer, but better and superior! And this is more famous than any movie line!

We love security, stability, and serenity. We want a good job, a handsome salary, and a decent living. Well, Jesus promises nothing. Indeed, Jesus didn't come to be a king, but to die like a criminal.

So, following Jesus is also expensive, demanding, and costs us everything. Or the other option is v25.

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟘:𝟚𝟘

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

What is your joy, strength, hope, and confidence? What brightens your mood, mind, heart, and soul every day?

Is it your gf/bf/spouse? Is it money/salary? Is it good food, a good place, and good looks? Is it the praises of people, achievement, and your good works? These are good and should make us rejoice. But they fade (and should) away in comparison to the fact that God has saved you.

Have you chased out demons? Has Satan bowed down before you? That's tougher than going to Mars against earth's gravity; yes, tougher than beating cancer; yes, tougher than an Olympic race; indeed, Satan is the ruler of this world. Even beating Satan is not great in comparison to getting saved from the wrath of God to come.

The greatest responsibility for a man is to get saved.

 

Those who are not joyful in life do not seriously realise the joy of salvation. Those who aren't delighted in God haven't really understood the love of God. Similarly, as I was talking to a friend this morning, those who have pet animals seriously don't realise the grandiose love of human! Sorry @Mermie and @Timothy Guwahati

Animals are food! 😎😆

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟙:𝟚𝟟-𝟚𝟠

"While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, 'Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.' But He said, 'On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.'"

Do you notice how similar is it to Luke 8:21? Everyone wants to identify with a popular person. They want to be his relatives, classmates, friends, or from the same locality. Well, for Jesus, even the closest people, the family members, His earthly mother herself is not closer to Him than those who hear His Father's word. After all, Jesus is more God's Son than Mary's son. And we are more God's children than our parents' children.

Therefore, if you love your siblings more than your friends or neighbours, you ought to love your spiritual siblings just like that! How blessed when your siblings are also fellow God's children!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙𝟚:𝟛𝟜

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

There is a Manipuri song that sings, "Ukhrul da eigi thawai leihoure," Indeed, wherever whatever we treasure is, there is our heart. It can be wealth, people, popularity, or anything that holds dear to us.

Blessed are you if Jesus is the dearest thing in your life.

A friend of mine works with spice jet airlines, and no matter what, she wants that airline to prosper so that she can prosper along with them. If you invest your money in Bitcoin, I am sure you would want that Cryptocurrency to prosper. If your investment is in heaven and the kingdom's work, you will love mission, church, orphanage, etc. Btw, this is the only investment that will never fail but will secure you eternal rewards!

Short Reflection from Luke 1-5

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[6:11 am, 29/11/2021] S.R: 𝔾𝕌𝕐𝕊,

25th December is Christmas. And Tomorrow will be the last day of November. Now, the Gospel of Luke has 24 chapters. Wouldn't it be interesting to read each chapter of Luke before Christmas: a chapter a day—beginning with Luke 1 on December 1 and finishing Luke 24 by Christmas Eve, December 24th? That's what I intend to do! You can join me if you aren't having any other Bible Reading Plan!

[6:53 am, 29/11/2021] S.R: @Gaijuan Delhi @Sir Gaitoubung @Lalit Pune @Mermie @Dr Gailiang @Haoboi Geologist @Marantha Editor @Sir Dim Gangmei: If you haven't read the Gospel of Luke through this year, and if you aren't having other Bible reading plan, why not join me in going through it, a chapter a day? And be surprised in seeing how each one of us is gripped by the same or different verse from each chapter! 😎😇

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟙:𝟛𝟟

"For nothing will be impossible with God."

Luke 1 is the longest chapter in the NT. Happy reading😅

The theme of Luke is found in verses 1-4. Almost everything recorded in chapter 1 is not found in the other gospels. Very unique. Btw, the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts are written by Luke.

Now back to v37: Last night, in a two-by-two fellowship with a friend, I asked him to meditate on his favourite Bible verse. He quoted this verse but was unable to identify the chapter and verse, or the context of it. That pretty much sums up the spiritual condition of a person.

Next time, I meet each one of you in person, don't be surprised if I ask your favourite verse and why? Among the 31,101 verses in the Bible, every Christian ought to memorize at least one. Or please go to h___! 😬

Well, this verse is in future tense "will" for Mary had not given birth yet, nor Elizabeth still. God did an amazingly wonderful miracle: divine conception. What God said, it (all) shall fulfill, even the jot and tittle of it!

 

[8:15 am, 02/12/2021] S.R: One of us had asked me to explain more, so,

This verse magnifies the power of God to fulfill what He promises because it's a direct reply to Mary's amazement (v34). Nothing can thwart His plan. Herod will not, Joseph will not, and Mary herself will not be able to stop.

It's not about the power of God to do whatever we desire Him to do. Unfortunately, that's what people want this verse to mean. Again, note the difference: what He promises, not what we desire Him to do.

Herod didn't want the child. Joseph didn't like the child (pregnant Mary). Mary herself knew no man. Still, God made it possible for the birth of the Child. That promise was made since Gen. 3:15.

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟚:𝟝𝟚

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Wow! This is a great verse. Parents, this is how you should want your child to grow. Adults, we are still children (not adults) of God. As long as we are alive, we need to keep growing in this fashion.

It’s spoken of Jesus, so, you may want to argue, saying, "Jesus is God, we aren't; we can't grow up like this!" Well, there's one identical verse in 1 Samuel 2:26, it's said of Samuel (a man, like you and me). Checkmate!

4 descriptions of Jesus's growth:

1. Increased in Wisdom, that's intellectual growth

2. Increased in Stature, that's physical growth

3. In Favor with God, that's spiritual growth

4. In Favor with man, that's social/relational growth.

Intellectually, Physically, Spiritually, and Socially

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟛:𝟛𝟠

"the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God."

Not only Jesus is the son of God. Adam is.

Adam is the failed son of God; through him, judgment is wrought upon humankind: Jesus is the second Adam; through Him, salvation is wrought upon humankind.

Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.

Adam was placed in the wonderful garden of Eden where he may eat anything but one; Jesus was taken to a wilderness where He didn't eat anything yet still obeyed God perfectly.

Adam is our elder brother in sin; Jesus is our elder brother in righteousness. We have been adopted as sons and daughters of God. We are called children of God.

Now, watch what you eat, children of God! 😉😂

Well, eat your Bible every day!

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟜:𝟙𝟛

"And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time."

Every temptation we face in this world can be categorised into 3 types which Apostle John has done in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life!

This was true for the first son of God, Adam (and Eve), and they failed miserably. Look at Gen 3:6. Saw good for food, that's the lust of the flesh; pleasant to the eyes, that's the lust of the eyes; desirable to make one wise, that's the pride of life. Adam (along with Eve) scored 0/3.

Jesus, the unique Son of God was tempted exactly in these 3 things: bread to eat, that's the lust of the flesh; showed Him the kingdoms of the world, that's the lust of the eyes; throw Yourself down, that's the pride of life (vain-glory). Jesus scored 3/3

Adam in the perfect garden without any nature of sin failed miserably. We are in a fallen world with a sinful nature (even as redeemed saints), what hope do we have to withstand the schemes of the Devil? Btw, the devil has never changed his schemes, he only comes in different colours, and all temptations fit into these 3.

Well, we have the Spirit of God that was in Jesus indwelling us, to strengthen us! Well, we have the word of God that Jesus used to fight against all.

Live by the Spirit. You do that by living by the word of God.

That's the reason, why we formed this group, to be more disciplined.

 

𝕃𝕦𝕜𝕖 𝟝:𝟙

"On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret"

O how they wanted to hear the word of God! Would you go to church today [Sunday] and listen to the word of God? Sleeping under the blanket will definitely keep your skin warm, but fellowshipping with the saints in the church under God's word will keep your heart, soul, and mind warm.

O to long for the word of God, cause our hearts to press on You, Lord!

Bible Reading Reflection from Luke 15-24

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

LUKE 15

No way I am ever doing what is written in Luke 15. I know nobody who has done it dead or alive. And I don't think anyone has ever done it and will ever do it, especially the third story. Probably there were some for the first and second stories. Overall, to a modern mind, Luke 15 is a "stupid" and impossible story. But the stupidity of man is the wisdom of God! Because Luke 15 is talking about God's passion for the lost ones.

My Take:

 #1. If I have 100 sheep and 1 got lost, no way, I am leaving the 99 in the wilderness and going after just 1 lost sheep. I still have 99. 99% sheep are with me. I can afford to lose 1. 😎😅😬

#2. No way, I am going to labor that much for just one lost coin. And why would I call my friends to celebrate when I find it again. Actually, I have a lot of coins on my table. I don't care if one or all of them are lost! 😎😅😬

 #3. No way I am going to receive such a "prodigal son" in that manner. I will surely give him a lecture before or after I receive him. I might even find it difficult or might never regain my trust in him! 😬

Thanks be to God; He is not like me or any man. He loves because He Himself is love!

 

LUKE 16

—The wisdom of Jesus—

No way the manager of this parable is a good guy. He is as crooked as anyone can be. But Jesus finds something to commend him.

Lesson learned: We can find a commendable thing in everyone. We can speak well of all, if we choose. We can even eulogize the devil: the devil is never lazy! [Steve Lawson]

Also, all of us are as crooked as this manager. We wasted our life, resources, body, time, everything which God has given us. Our life here on earth is stewardship. We all failed. But this crooked manager at least learned to make friends—and that was Jesus' point.

Jesus wants us to make a lot of eternal friends, (not earthly friends) with our earthly resources. Paul Washer said that Christian missionaries are the wisest investors because they invested everything they have in the coming Kingdom.

 

LUKE 17:17

"So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?’"

Friends, I appeal to all of us to by-heart this Scripture portion. It's 17:17 of Luke. That's easy. It teaches us about gratefulness. One of the reasons why there is unhappiness in this world is because of ungratefulness. Even Adam and Eve were not rich in gratitude that they desire to eat the fruit. They could have eaten all the fruits, except that fruit. Alas!

Many times, by being in a ministry, people often ask me to pray for them. Hardly do they ever call or text me back to thank God for the answered prayer. I am not better than them. I do the same. I often send prayer requests to people and neglect to tell them back to thank God for the grace of God.

To be more pathetic: every day I pray, and I pray for even all the mundane activities of life because I cannot live alone, but the time I reflect on my prayer points in gratitude is nowhere close to being proportionate.

I am one of the nine!

 

LUKE 18

Two interesting and needful prayers man must pray.

v13 "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

Even as redeemed Christian, we need the mercy of God every moment of our life, because we always fall short before the glory of God as long as we live on this side of heaven. Apostle Paul loves to use this word for the churches.

v41 "Lord, that I may receive my sight."

Even as born-again Christian, we need to be enlightened as long as we live here on earth. Even in heaven, we will continue to be enlightened. Paul prays in Ephesians for their eyes of understanding to be opened (enlightened) to comprehend the richness of Christ. Oh! How my eyes of understanding need to be enlightened, more and more . . .!

 

LUKE 19:17

"And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’"

Was Mother Teresa truly born again? Is she in heaven or hell? Her salvation is doubtful. But I love one of her quotations, which goes like this: "Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a great thing."

 

LUKE 20:5-8

“And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” [Legacy Standard Bible]

It is fascinating to know that all humans are the same. We react similarly. Those men of Jesus's days (2000 years ago), an ancient world, and us, we all have similar traits.

We love to respond "I don't know"😂 Actually, we know, we just don't want to cooperate with the questioner, or we just say when we just don't want to tell the answer. In a sense, "I don't know" means 'I won't tell you.'

Interestingly, Jesus didn't say, "I don't know". He didn't even say, "Me too, I don't know." He is careful with His word. He meant what he said, "Neither will I tell you"

 

LUKE 21:38

"And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him."

Wow!

Early in the morning to listen to Christ!

Al l- not just priests (or pastors)

Would - habit

Get up - from sleepiness

Early- earnestness, intensity

Morning- the first and fresh duration of the day

Come to Him- the delightful walk with Christ teaching

Temple- the place of learning, reverence, worship

Listen- the chief means of learning. The delight of life to know more of Christ.

Would we thirst for God just as the deer pants for the water!

 

LUKE 22:3

"And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, who belonged to the number of the twelve."

Judas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ being possessed by Satan! 😱👹 Who would have thought of that! Who would have doubted him? Yet he was.

Somebody said, "Nearer the church farther from heaven!" Whatever that may mean, even those who seem to be closest to God could indeed be farthest from God. In the story of The Pilgrim's Progress, there were some who came to heaven's gate, yes, even sailing across that scary river and climbing the hill, but they departed to hell! (p.69).

Well, Praise God that God has sealed us with His Spirit, that no matter what, He will never let us fall away utterly! That's why I love this song "He will hold me fast!" https://youtu.be/936BapRFHaQ

 

LUKE 23:31

"For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"  [LSB version, 2021]

If the righteous suffer, how terrible will the life of sinners be! If Jesus, the Holy One of God was crucified, wouldn't the world want to silence us too?

In this context, Jesus, the green tree, was crucified. The dry tree, the people of Jerusalem, were consumed in 70 AD!

"Be merciful to us even in Your judgment, O Lord, our God!"

 

LUKE 24:2-3

“And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.”

What picture from Sunday School books or paintings comes to your mind when you think of the resurrection?

I grew up seeing a door of the tomb half or fully open, and Jesus leaves. It impressed on the mind that the stone was rolled away for Jesus to get out of the tomb.

Actually, it was for the weak women to come and see the empty tomb and believe that Christ has risen as He has promised before. And also, for all the disciples to come and find out and believe.

Jesus didn't need help anymore. It is the disciples that needed help! Btw, in everything God doesn't need us, it is we that need God.

Oh! I love to sing that old song, "I need Thee! Oh! I need Thee!"