November 18 – Who is a Gentleman?

"If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me." John 12:47-50 

Jesus is a gentleman. He doesn’t force His ideas or love on anyone. If people don’t want to listen to Him—no biggy. If they do listen, but chose not to keep His commandment or life guidance, then He doesn’t condemn them, or judge them. But it shouldn’t be any surprise to them later that the words themselves will judge them. Everyone will decide their own fate. Each person chooses where they spend eternity—heaven or hell. People just assume that they will go to heaven just because they are kind or have done some good deed, but it is not so. If they don’t choose to believe in Jesus who came to save the world, the default choice is hell. Hmmm—who would choose to go to hell? 

Jesus is a gentleman. He is obedient to His Father and speaks just what His Father has told Him to say. He’s honest, true and compassionate. He doesn’t coherence others into following His ideals—those of His Father: Eternal life. What a privilege to live with the Father—forever. 

Jesus is a gentleman. He is speaking, Are you listening?  

Dear Jesus—help us to be more like you every day. To be kind, honest, true and compassionate. Show us how to share the Way to Eternal Life.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 17 – Believe in the Light

But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?" For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM." These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John 12:37-46 

John was quoting Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 6:10, respectively, here. God blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts—He does that to those who continue to do evil and wicked things. It is hard to understand that the same God who is loving, good and kind could be the God that “blinded” eyes and “hardened” hearts. That seems cruel that God would actually allow the darkening of their minds, so that they grow hard, callous, become dull, lose the power of understanding. God does that? Sure makes you want to do things that please God. 

Belief in Jesus is belief in God the Father. Once again Jesus is talking about light—He is the Light—purity, truth, knowledge. As Jesus tells us with His red letter words, those who know, love and believe in Him are in the light, too—not darkness. To me that means understanding more—not being “blinded” or “hardened”. Allow God to give you “light” and understanding, too—believe in Jesus. Don’t stay in the dark—ignorant.  

Dear Jesus—give us wisdom and understanding that we would not be blinded or have hard hearts.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 16 – A Voice from Heaven

"Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.  Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. The crowd then answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" So Jesus said to them, "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light." These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. - John 12:28-36 

A voice from Heaven spoke. It was not an angel. It was God the Father Himself. God had spoken at the baptism of Jesus and at the Transfiguration. …and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Matthew 3:17 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" Matthew 17:5 In both of these situations, Jesus Christ was glorified. In this passage, God the Father is the one glorified.  

Jesus said that He would draw all men to Himself—what could be more specific than that? Lifted up—did the crowd understand that it was that Jesus would be “lifted up” and be crucified on a cross? I don’t think so. They were not seeking the light, so they didn’t recognize the Light—Jesus. Jesus slipped away—that was a way that He was familiar with and that He had used before. He slipped away from the crowd a couple of other times. The crowd couldn’t find Him. 

Can you find Jesus? He isn’t hiding from us now—we can find Him in Scripture and there are numerous books written about Him. Look for Him with all your heart. Even if you already “know” Jesus, when you search for Him, you’ll learn more about Him—new insights. I’ve found that the scripture comes alive and gives me new inspiration each time I study it. Walk in Jesus Light—search for Him. 

Dear Jesus—give us inspiration and understanding of You and Your word.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 15 - Glorify the Father

Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." John 12:20-28

Even the Greeks wanted to see Jesus—to honor Him. They were in town for the Passover—and were obviously believers since were there to worship. This IS THE DAY for Jesus to be recognized as the Messiah. He doesn’t tell anyone to keep it quiet and not tell. Up until now, Jesus had kept telling His disciples and those that He healed, “don’t tell….” Don’t tell about the Transfiguration, the healing of the lepers, restoring the life of the synagogue official’s daughter after she had died, and He even told His disciples not to tell that He was the Christ (Matthew 16:20). So now His time had finally come…He knew that His death was eminent—and after that, His resurrection. That was what “His Time” was all about—the beginning of the end of His ministry. He knew that like a grain of wheat, He had to die so that because of His death—His sacrifice—the sins of many would be forgiven and they would live. Jesus taught His disciples that they needed to serve and follow Him. By doing that God the Father would honor them—but more importantly, the Father would be glorified. Glory be to the Father. 

In the humanness of His soul, Jesus was troubled or anxious about what He knew He had to do—but He was still willing to do it—to be the ultimate sacrifice—in order to glorify the Father. How often do we face things we just don’t want to do…whether it is taking out the trash, visiting our neighbors, or tackling a difficult issue…we just have to do it. Our problems seem pretty minor compared with what Jesus was facing—crucifixion. Now is the time for us all—the time for us to share what Jesus has been doing in our lives—and how He can help others with their anxieties, problems and issues. Knowing Jesus doesn’t make us perfect or make our problems go away…but He promised that He will hear our prayers and that He will never leave or forsake us. When we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we become more than “friends” we become family. We are adopted into God’s family. We need to remember that God created everyone…but He adopted those who believe in His Son Jesus. It is good to be a part of the family of God. Are you part of His family? 

Dear Jesus—we glorify You and Our Heavenly Father. We are thankful that You were obedient to Our Father by dying on the cross for our sins. Help us to be obedient to You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 14 – The King is Coming

On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel." Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, "FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY'S COLT." These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him." John 12:12-19 

What a great celebration we’d have with everyone if the entire world had gone after Jesus—but they didn’t. People who saw Lazarus raised from the dead were still following Jesus—giving their testimony of His miracles. It wasn’t the whole world going out to meet Jesus—only a large group of Jews—and that didn’t include the Pharisees, the Jewish leaders. Jesus' followers were shouting…blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord…from Psalm 118.26. They were looking for a King—a political ruler to save them from the Romans—not the spiritual King that Jesus was. The quote about the King coming riding on a donkey is taken from Zechariah 9:9. No one realized that prophesy was being fulfilled right before their eyes.  

What is happening right before our eyes that we don’t see as prophesy fulfilled? Do we realize the complexity of issues that Israel is dealing with in the conflicts with neighboring countries? The last week of the seventy weeks of Daniel’s prophesy won’t start until the beginning of the Tribulation period. That won’t begin until after the rapture, according to some commentators. We’re in a holding pattern for now—waiting for the Jews to claim Jesus as their Messiah. See Daniel chapter 9, particularly verses 20-27. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 not to be misled (verse 4) and to be ready (verse 44) for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not think He will. Are you ready? What will it take for you to “be ready” spiritually?  

Heavenly Father, help us to see the signs of the times and to be ready for Jesus’ return. Behold The King is Coming! I want to be prepared.
 

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 13 – Who is He to You?

The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus. John 12:9-11 

Seeing is believing! How many times have you heard someone say—I’ve gotta see that to believe it! Some of the Jews may have been saying that—they wanted to see Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. It isn’t everyday that you get to see a dead man walking—well he was not dead anymore! But the chief priests would like to have Lazarus dead again to stop all this sensationalism and focus on Jesus. They felt that they just had to stop people from believing in Jesus. But WHY? Why couldn’t people believe in Jesus? Why did the chief priests have such power to decide who lives and who dies? We don’t have an account of Lazarus being put to death so we can assume that he continued to live for years and was a living walking testimony of Jesus’ power. 

Are you a walking testimony of Jesus? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him. Psalm 4:3

 

It is such a privilege to know that God hears us when we call to Him. He hears us just like He heard the Jews during Jesus’ time. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (Joel 2:32) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Romans 10:11-13 Call on the Lord. Pray. Prayer can be as easy as talking to a friend. Just let Jesus know what is on your heart—and seek Him. He can be found in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6 Who is He to you?  

Jesus - Thank you for hearing my prayer. Please give me wisdom and understanding that I would know how to share you with others, especially those who are searching for You and Your truth in their lives. Help me to be a walking testimony of You.

 

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 12 – The Perfume

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?" Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. Therefore Jesus said, "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me."  John 12:1-8  

You will not always have Me. Poor—yes; Me—no. Can you imagine walking in barefoot sandals on a dusty road all day? Your feet are hot, tired, and grungy. You come to your friends’ home where a servant rinses off your feet with cool water and you leave your dusty sandals by the door. Now here is Mary rubbing Jesus’ feet with nice fragrant oil. Hot, dry feet soothed and moisturized. Ahhhh—that must have felt great. Then she dries His feet with her hair. What a humbling thing to do. Jesus just wanted to enjoy being pampered by Mary, after all this was His burial preparation—but Judas Iscariot was on Mary’s case to not “waste” the perfume. This expensive perfume oil was made from the flower of an East Indian plant, Valerianna. It was worth an amount equal to a year’s wages for a farm worker. Judas was stingy and deceitful—faking a concern for the poor people. He probably had never been poor, missed a meal, or shared one with a starving person. Have you ever shared or provided a meal for a homeless person? He or she may be a military veteran who has given of themselves for the freedom of our nation.

At this time of the year, approaching Thanksgiving, people start giving lots of food items to food banks and for distribution through social services to the needy in our community and in countless other places across the United States. Maybe people are feeling generous, knowing that their Thanksgiving dinner table will be loaded with food—or maybe they are feeling guilty that they have so much and others don’t have any. At any rate more donations are given from now until Christmas than at any time during the year. Some of the needy families that I helped deliver food to several years ago had many boxes of food on their table from multiple organizations. Is that right? Of course, they needed the food—but there was enough food for forty people and there were only two people living in that one apartment.  Hmmm. Maybe the food could have been distributed in a better way so that additional needs could be met. What would Judas Iscariot have done? What would Jesus do? What will you do when you have the opportunity in the coming weeks to help a needy or even homeless person?   

Prayer – Jesus, teach us to love others the way You would love them. Help us to be merciful to those in need and give us the resources to provide for the needs of others in our neighborhood, in our community and in our world.

Honor our Veterans.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 11 – One Man to Die For All

Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, "What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. "If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish." Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves. So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?" Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him. John 11: 45-57 

Lazarus had been dead four days when Jesus called him to come out of the tomb. Many of the Jews who saw Lazarus come back to life believed in Jesus as the Savior and Messiah. Many, but not all. It was from that group of non-believers that some went to the Pharisees wagging their fingers and reporting about what Jesus had done. How did they explain yet another miracle? No red letter words spoken by Jesus here in this passage—but very prophetic words spoken by Caiaphas. Little did he know that what he saw as a political solution—one man dying for the nation—would be in actuality the spiritual salvation for all mankind, not just one nation. It is difficult to understand what was happening here. Did the Pharisees think that Jesus could actually aid the Romans in their rule of Judea and that they would take over the Temple if all the people believed in Jesus as the Messiah? Was Caiaphas possibly trying to stir up the Council against Jesus? At any rate Caiaphas did suggest an amazing prophesy that one man should die for others. That set the wheels in motion for Jesus to be crucified.

 

Jesus knew that it wasn’t quite His time yet—He knew that to be the “sacrifice” it had to be on the day of Passover. So He waited in the town of Ephraim, north of Jerusalem where it wasn’t likely that He would be found. Some commentators have suggested that it was not Ephraim, but Ephratah or Bethlehem. Whichever it was, Jesus was there to be away from the public and the scheming Pharisees.  

Where do you go when you want to be alone? Jesus frequently went to mountaintops to pray—but this time He went to the hill country near the wilderness and stayed with the disciples. It was a desolate area where He could just have some quiet time with those whom He had spent the most time. With whom would you want to spend some quiet time sharing the joys and sorrows of your last three years? What would you have to discuss? As you think ahead to the next several years, make some goals for spiritual growth. Challenge yourself to be more like Christ—to learn more about Jesus, about God the Father, and about the Holy Spirit and to serve others. 

Dear Jesus—Show me what you would have me learn and do in the coming years that You can take pleasure in my words, thoughts and actions.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 10 - Lazarus, Come Out

Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?" So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. "I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me." When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." John 11:30-44  

If only you had been here…. That’s the human nature. Blame our problems on others. This is YOUR fault. If you had come when we called you…. Whatever the illness that Lazarus had, it was beyond the home remedies that Martha and Mary might have applied. Lazarus died anyway. But Martha and Mary knew that Jesus could have healed their brother. They had seen and heard about Him healing others—the blind, lame, lepers, and otherwise sick people. Why hadn’t He come in time to heal Lazarus? Did He really not care enough about their brother—His friend? Distraught, confused and disappointed they cried out to their Savior…WHY?

Four days in the grave were enough to certify death. If it had only been a couple of days, the officials would have said he was only unconscious—but four days proved that the person was truly dead. Where have you laid him? Jesus was deeply moved—so much so that He actually cried. Then Jesus prayed to the Father. Thank you for hearing me. How often do we thank God for merely “hearing” our prayers? We plead for His mercy when we, our family or friends are sick or in need of His special touch. Let’s remember to Thank Him—that those hearing our prayers may believe, too—just as Jesus prayed. The Father heard the Son. Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb. God answered Jesus’ prayer and command with the resurrection of His good friend Lazarus. The Father allowed this so that Jesus could be glorified—given honor. Jesus instructed those nearby to unbind Lazarus and let him go. When we have been set free from bondage of sin, deceit or discouragement do we hear Jesus saying “unbind” her or him? When Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb—and he did! Now he was alive.  

The Bible doesn’t give us an account of the immediate reaction to Lazarus’ resurrection. I imagine a scene like this. Lazarus stumbling and awkwardly allowing others to remove his bindings, dumbfounded to have come back to life—awestruck—grateful that he could rejoin his family and friends for a time. In the crowd of mourners, some likely paid to mourn as was the custom at that time, were speechless, they were so amazed. Others, including the disciples, were cheering, slapping each other on the back. Martha and Mary ran to Lazarus, hugging him, and then turning to Jesus, hugging Him. Jesus, in His usual humility moved to the sidelines, watching the crowd. Everyone gathered around Lazarus lifting him up and parading him back to his home. What had started as a day of mourning became a day of joyous celebration—with a feast around the table of Lazarus and his sisters—with everyone praising Jesus. 

Smile—join in this celebration. Lazarus once was dead—and now he is alive again. When we smile, our mood actually changes according to a recent study at the University of Michigan. So choose to have more joy in your life—smile and give Jesus the glory. He was likely smiling after Lazarus came out of the tomb. 

Heavenly Father—Thank you for hearing our prayers, for your mercy in Lazarus’ life and in our lives. Guide us that we would make good choices and rely on you to set us free from the bondage of sin, illness, discouragement and even death.

Happy Birthday, Joeske!

Shalom Shabbat

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 9 - Never Die

So when Jesus came, He found that he (Lazarus) had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. John 11:17-29 

These red letter words are important words. Jesus said…"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" He’s asking you the same thing He asked Martha…Do you believe that He is the resurrection and the life? He is the one who gives eternal life. So many people are afraid to die…but they are not clamoring to get into church and meet Jesus so that they can live forever. What is wrong with this picture—how do people get to Jesus…and how does He get to them? I’ve known about Jesus since I was at least four years old—I have memories of Sunday School that go back that far, but I was in college before I really knew Him and “accepted” Jesus as my personal savior, as thus was “born again.”

 

We shouldn’t be afraid to die. Heaven is going to be a wonderful place…and those of us who know Jesus are promised that we will go to be with Him one day. Jesus said to one of the thieves crucified with Him, “today you will be with me in Paradise.” Since God’s timing and our timing are not the same, it could be that we will actually get to go to Heaven the day we die…or else “sleep” and wait until Jesus returns for us. Either way we don’t have to be afraid to die. The hard part if for those left behind after their loved ones have gone one ahead of them. There are lots of books and stories about people going to heaven and returning to tell others how wonderful heaven is going to be. Those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior are the ones that need to be afraid to die. They will be judged, found guilty of their sins, and will be cast into the eternal damnation—the Lake of Fire. If you don’t believe me read Revelation 20:11-15. I personally look forward to a feast in Heaven with Jesus—and eternity with Him. Feast on Jesus’ red letter words—savor them and believe. 

Prayer for today—Jesus, like Martha, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, our Messiah. I eagerly await Your return.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 8 - Lazarus is Dead

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. "But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him." Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him." John 11:1-16 

Fallen asleep in this passage, as Jesus explains, literally mean to die. Lazarus is dead. The disciples were confused thinking that Jesus meant that Lazarus was only resting…but not so, he was dead. No chance of just waking him up. The idea of “fallen asleep” is also written about in several other passages in the Bible. One, written by Paul long after Jesus death, that should bring comfort to Christians at the loss of a loved one or to explain the rapture is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. Jesus didn’t want His friends Martha and Mary to grieve. He wanted them to rejoice as God the Father glorified His Son, Himself, through the resurrection of Lazarus.  

What do you think of when you hear the word “glorified” or even “glory?” Mostly we think of glory as being something that will happen in heaven with angels singing around the throne of God—but it does happen here on earth in some churches on Sunday—God receives glory in true worship. It is that kind of awesome respect and adoration that makes you want to fall on your knees. It’s an adoration that is not just what the Wise Men did when they brought gifts to Baby Jesus—but it is ours today when we give ourselves completely to focusing on God as…well, GOD. As omnipotent, omnipresent divine creator, sustainer, merciful judge, compassionate healer, light of the world and ruler of all Heaven and Earth, He is worthy of our praise and honor every day, not just on Sunday. Don’t stumble around in the darkness—see the light—He is Jesus. These red letter words that He spoke to His disciples, He is speaking to us. Feast on His words. Go with Him and allow Him to shine His truth in your life that you would bring Him glory. And as in 1 Thessalonians—have hope, for one day Jesus will return for us—to meet us in the air. What a glorious day that will be! 

Pray—Dear Jesus, be glorified in my life today. Let your light shine in me and through me that others would be drawn to You, that You would receive even more glory and honor.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 7 – For Which of the Good Works Would They Stone Him?

The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS'? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father." Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp. And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. Many came to Him and were saying, "While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true." And many believed in Him there. John 10:31-42 

The “Law” sometimes referred to all of the Old Testament. Here Jesus is quoting Psalm 82 (particularly verse 6, underlined). God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. How long will you judge unjustly And show partiality to the wicked? Selah. Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, "You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High. Nevertheless you will die like men And fall like any one of the princes." Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is You who possesses all the nations.  Psalm 82:1-8.

 

He has told the Jews once again that He is the Son of God—that God the Father is His Father. He challenges them to at least believe the works He has done so that they can know that God the Father sent Him and that He is in agreement with Him. The Jews are still blinded—worse than that…they want to kill Jesus. But once again Jesus “eludes” them. He stealthy slips away unseen—vanishes from their sight. Talk about blind. You can almost hear them saying to each other…Where did he go? Where indeed! This wasn’t the first time that He disappeared from their sight.

 

For what work would they have stoned Him? Healing the blind or the lame men, feeding the five thousand, or maybe walking on water? Jews put such merit in doing works—but that was not the real root of the problem here. They thought that Jesus was considering Himself equal with God and that was blasphemy. Pure and simple. Jesus red letter words put His truth right out there—but these Jews were still blind to the truth.  

Dear Jesus—Help us not to be blind—but help us to see You and Your Truth—and to encourage others, including Jews, that their eyes would be opened, too. That they would be able to say, like I do…I once was blind, but now I see.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).