Hope is the gift that Jesus gave to us through his resurrection. It is a hope that stretches beyond the grave. Therefore Paul said, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men (1 Cor. 15: 19).”
First of all this hope gives us the … Read the rest
“It is I myself.”
Doubts and fears has to leave at this assurance from Jesus, “It is I myself (Luke 24:39).”
There is no dark room which cannot be set ablaze with light at this assurance from him, “It is I myself.”
He says this to remind you and me that he is the same … Read the rest
Most of us find a terrible joy in labelling people negatively. Perhaps no one else among the disciples of Jesus got a negative label than Thomas. We love to call him “Doubting Thomas.”
But the more I think about it, the incident related to the risen Lord appearing to Thomas is about how Jesus deals … Read the rest
Are you in a locked room?
Every heart has a locked room. That is where you hide when you are afraid. The risen Lord steps into such hiding places and says “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19, 21a).
Jesus does not desire that you lock yourself in fear. Not only does he grant peace but … Read the rest
In John’s gospel we see Jesus constantly referring to himself as the “sent One.” In his appearance to his disciples gathered in a locked room the evening of resurrection day, Jesus said to them, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you (John 20:21).”
This emphasis on being sent is one fact that … Read the rest
News it was! If she went running and reported to the disciples the first time that the tomb was empty; this time she went with the news, “I have seen the Lord (John 20:18).”
It tells us the fact that the good news is a natural response and outcome of a personal meeting with the … Read the rest
If you miss the resurrection, you might end up going back to your old ways. Why? Because without experiencing the resurrection you feel like a failure. And that is what made Peter say, “I am going out to fish (John 21:3).”
The very fact that Jesus met Peter after the resurrection and still Peter went … Read the rest
“But we had hoped (Luke 24:21).” This is often our statement of faith; isn’t it? When our expectations are not met and God seems to have failed us, we talk of hope in the past tense.
Jesus confronted the lost hope of these two disciples. Jesus extended their thoughts to beyond the cross and the … Read the rest
But some doubted (Matthew 28:17). The eleven disciples worshipped Jesus when they saw the risen Jesus. But some doubted.
Did Jesus reject those who doubted? Does Jesus put away those who doubt? My friend, doubt is not a disqualification. Jesus had the task of establishing the doubters after his resurrection. Even today he will do … Read the rest
The resurrection suddenly created a new family. Look at what Jesus told Mary Magdalene: “Go … to my brothers and tell them.” Well, Jesus had earlier called them friends. But now he calls them brothers.
When did Jesus call them brothers? Was it after they became perfect? No, not at all. They were cowards who … Read the rest
Why did Jesus after his resurrection choose not to go and show himself to those who crucified him? Well that thought is a temptation. Because the devil while tempting him had said, “If you are the Son of God (Matthew 4:3, 6),” then do this. But Jesus turned his attention to “It is written (Matthew … Read the rest
The resurrection is a rolling away. There was a very large stone at the mouth of the tomb. The women who were the first to go to the tomb early in the morning asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb (Mark 16:3)?
They had no clue how … Read the rest
Have you ever wondered whether Jesus still loves you? I am sure doubts do come to your mind often. Now why does it come? Not because you do not know that he loves you; that you do know most certainly.
But you doubt because you failed God many times; isn’t it? After every failure you … Read the rest
Jesus said, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of over one sinner repents (Luke 15:10).” Yet the angels who sang at the birth of Jesus did not sing at the resurrection. I just had this thought listening to an Easter concert in Church.
It is true that the angels did not sing … Read the rest
Religious leaders requested to make the tomb of Jesus secure. Roman Governor Pilate using his political power supplied guards to do so. They even put a seal on the stone (see Matthew 27:62–66).
The stone was rolled back by an angel. Not to let Jesus out of it. But to show the women who came … Read the rest
You have got plenty to preach on Good Friday; and more on Easter Sunday. What about Holy Saturday?
The Bible records that the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came and saw where Jesus was laid on Friday evening and went home. They prepared spices and perfumes not knowing that the empty tomb … Read the rest
A Roman soldier walked before the one to be crucified with a placard on which was written the crime for which that criminal was to die. Later that description was nailed to the cross itself (Matthew 27:37).
The inscription above Jesus read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS (John 19:19). However, the Jews … Read the rest
The sudden change the disciples saw in Jesus is recorded by Mark: “They were on their way to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid (Mark 10:32).”
Luke records that Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem and the Samaritans did not welcome him because he … Read the rest
You might have sung this song at least once:
Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou art the potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and still.*
This image of the Potter and the clay comes from a lesson God taught … Read the rest
We all need this. A very different picture of Jesus. Just for once he allows people to celebrate who he is. He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey as king (see Matthew 21:1–11).
Many interpretations have been given to this passage. But let us focus on some simple things.
He needed a donkey to ride … Read the rest
“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah”; so begins the not usually read and thought to be boring account of names in the book of 1 Chronicles.
But.
Are they just names?
Let us look at some of them:
Adam. You cannot read that name and not think about God and creation, … Read the rest
Who Is Responsible?
Who is responsible for your actions? You can say others encouraged you to do wrong. Of course they might have motivated you. But then the ultimate responsibility for your action is yours alone.
Judas Iscariot faced this bitter truth.He said, “I have sinned for I have betrayed innocent blood.” Saying so he … Read the rest
“Why this waste (Matthew 26:8)?” That was man’s estimate of love lavished on Jesus. But Jesus valued that act of love which made that woman pour perfume on his head.
We need more people with this kind of a give it all attitude. We need more believers who will not count the cost but sacrifice … Read the rest
When God is offering you something, do not dare to refuse it. Especially when he is offering mercy to you. Not that you deserve it. No. Not at all. God sees you are faithless. Yet he is offering mercy to you today.
What is your faithlessness? It is showing your back to your relationship with … Read the rest
“What to do next?” is a question that troubles us often. You can rely on your wisdom or consult with family and friends or even get expert opinion from other sources. It can turn out right as well.
But then there is someone waiting for you to ask. He is ever willing to guide you. … Read the rest
Good news spreads. Does it? No. It spreads only when it is shared.
The greatest tragedy of the church is that it is keeping the good news to itself. The primary thing is to experience the good news yourself. And then when you have tasted its joy, share it.
Four lepers walked into an enemy … Read the rest
Jesus is always ready to answer tough and probing questions. He had already told his disciples about his coming death. And then when a chance came, Peter asked Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will be there for us (Matthew 19:27)?”
Jesus did not find that question offensive!
Secondly, he answered … Read the rest
“There is nothing there (1 Kings 18:43).” Nothingness doesn’t matter if God has promised to send something.
Here was Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel overlooking the sea. His prayer had just brought down fire from heaven. False prophets had been killed. And he already told King Ahab that there is a sound of heavy rain … Read the rest
Look and live! Can anything be more simple than this?
In answer to Moses’ prayer, God asked him to make a serpent and put it on a pole. So any one of the impatient, grumbling, fault-finding Israelites bitten by venomous snakes can look at it and live!
There was nothing magical in the bronze serpent. … Read the rest
