Son of God

Champion Day 15 He’s The Hero

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 5:1-11
Luke 6:12-16
John 18:16-27
John 21:15-19
1 Peter 2:1-17

Champion, Day 15

For as long as I can remember, my husband has contended the fictional comic book character Batman is the only plausible superhero. When asked why, he will happily explain: unlike other illustrated literary superheroes, Batman doesn’t have any special powers or alien origins.

Immeasurable wealth and influence? Sure.
Mad ninja skills and physical prowess? Check.
Insanely cool superhero lair and technological marvels to help him fight crime? Yup.

But aside from the seemingly endless supply of money and inner torment,
Batman is basically just a regular guy with excellent resources. 

This might seem an unusual way to introduce a journey with Peter, but stay with me.

When we study the radical accounts of miracles God performed through Peter, it’s easy to see him as a spiritual giant.

He boldly exhorted those in Jerusalem following the Holy Spirit’s outpouring on Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36).
He miraculously healed (Acts 3:6-8),
raised the dead to life (Acts 9:38-43),
was the first to witness the unveiling of God’s complete plan of salvation for all people (Acts 10:9-33),
was imprisoned for his faith and proclaiming the gospel (Acts 4:1-4),
was freed from jail. by angels (Acts 12:6-19),
and people were healed simply by his very shadow (Acts 5:12-16).

With a resume like that, anyone would assume Peter was basically a Biblical beast. In a way, he was, but if we only examine the miracles and remarkable eternal impact of Peter’s life, without acknowledging Peter’s colorful humanity and frailty, we miss the best things about Peter’s story.

Just like the overarching account of Scripture and every vignette therein, Peter’s story points to God, His plan for salvation through Jesus Christ, and the redemption He alone brings.

Peter was a man of humble beginnings. His work was essential to the economy, but could hardly be considered illustrious. Brash and outspoken, Peter was impulsive, rough around the edges, and often ruled by his emotions.

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water, they were frightened. (Matthew 14:22-33) Jesus comforted them; when He was tested by an impulsive Peter, Jesus invited him to step onto the waves. Peter initially fared well, but became afraid and began sinking.

Peter failed. 

When Jesus told His disciples He would be killed, and raised to life on the third day, Peter “caught feelings” and again tested Jesus, rejecting what He said outright. (Matthew 16:21-22)

Again, Peter failed. 

When Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter was overcome by his emotions, drew his sword, and cut off a man’s ear. (John 18:1-11)

Jesus also prophesied Peter would deny Him three times. Vehemently, Peter objected and declared he would never. When Jesus’ words came to pass and he heard the rooster crow, Peter was broken. (John 18:16-27)

Failure.
Again.

It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it?
Separated from the Messiah, Peter carried the weight of his personal betrayal of the Master he loved while Jesus was persecuted, crucified, and buried. Even after He was resurrected to life three days later, Peter’s actions undoubtedly haunted him.

Time and again, Peter messed up,
and doubted,
and hurt others,
and didn’t believe Jesus,
and argued with the very Son of God,
and failed.

Over, and over, and over.

Oh Peter. I can relate. On every. single. count. 

But then.

“When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’

‘Yes, Lord,’ [Peter] said to him, ‘you know that I love you.’

‘Feed my lambs,’ [Jesus] told him.”
(John 21:15)

Three times, Peter had denied Jesus.
Three times, resurrected Jesus asks this question and commissions Peter, restoring him to full relationship and ministry.

Herein lies the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the trajectory of salvation!

Peter wasn’t enough. Yet, Jesus called him.
Peter failed, many times. Yet, Jesus disciplined him in love.
Peter denied Jesus. Yet, Jesus died for him.
After all that, Jesus offered him redemption, commissioned him, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, transformed Peter to be a living demonstration of the work of the Gospel. 

The most important part of Peter’s story is that
he
wasn’t
enough.

In fact, Peter was basically just a regular guy, with excellent (read: supernatural) resources.

When we look at the accounts we see in Scripture and compare ourselves to the people we read there, we miss the point completely. Throughout all of Scripture, no one was ever enough, except Jesus Christ.

When faced with that reality, Peter put his faith in Jesus. He allowed himself to be transformed completely. Because of that surrender, the Holy Spirit was freed to work through him.

Beloved, the truth is, we aren’t enough, either.

If we were, then we would actually BE God.
We wouldn’t need salvation, because we wouldn’t sin.
We wouldn’t need sanctification, because we would already be completely holy. 

Just as He saw Peter, Jesus sees us as we really are, in all our frailty and failure and not enough. Because He IS enough, He transforms us into a new creation! Praise be to God!

Jesus, thank You for being enough, for filling every gap and showing Your strength in my weakness. Teach me to walk in Your ways and help me to remember that You are the real Champion in all of Scripture, and in my life.

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The GT Weekend! ~ Alive Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Legacy. Inheritance. Privileges. Generation. What things stir in your heart as you read those words? Perhaps your upbringing was difficult, and painful memories push their way in before you back away as you’ve long practiced. Maybe, when you consider the legacy your parents left you, whether financially, relationally, or spiritually, you’re left holding brokenness and emptiness instead of fullness. For others, you enjoyed a rich closeness with your parents, imperfect though they were, and you see your life, and the lives of those around you, benefiting in extremely positive ways because of the investment of the generation before you. When it comes to “sonship” in the Bible, it’s imperative we understand the all-inclusive nature of its original intention in the first-audience culture. In a patriarchal society, sons inherited everything. There was nothing left for a beloved slave, or a second-cousin, unless the son was deceased. Regardless of your own upbringing, what are your gut reactions as you consider the rights and privileges of being called a “son” of God (even though we are women J). What worries can you release? What relationships or situations can you stop trying to control? What truths need to settle into your heart? If you’ve surrendered to Christ, everything is yours, the most important being God Himself!

2) When God created the world, He declared everything very good. But today, each one of us is keenly aware this world is full of hardships and struggles that are decidedly not good. The brokenness that entered the world through the sinful rebellion of the first man and woman touches each of us. From our very first breath, we have all been subject to pain and brokenness. For our whole lives, we long for something more. Here lies our great hope: that one day we will be face-to-face with the God who makes all things new. He will make us new, and He will make the whole world new and unbroken. All creation groans, waiting for this glorious day. It’s easy to focus on our own groaning, especially in difficult seasons. Today, consider how your neighbor may be experiencing brokenness and how you can extend hope’s love to them. Maybe a friend is struggling with infertility, and you can send her a card or flowers. Maybe your family member is sick or struggling financially. Is there something tangible you can do to alleviate their suffering, if only for a moment? Pray for the Spirit’s guidance as you reach out, and meditate on the hope that is yours in Christ Jesus.

3) Like putting money away in savings, a future inheritance we might receive from a parent isn’t something we think about every day. We know the money is there, but we don’t draw on it, plan for it, or give it much consideration from day to day, let alone year to year. But God intends something much different for the coming inheritance meant for all who trust in Him. The more we think about our perfect future where we will dwell with God and other believers in exquisite harmony, the more urgently we desire to live well today and tell others of this beautiful hope we have. In fact, our coming rich inheritance causes us to become even more disenchanted with the temporary things of this world and the lusts of sin. There’s no sweeter way to set our eyes on the inheritance that is coming than to read the testimonies of believers who have gone before us. Their example of love for Christ above all else, encourages us to stay focused on this coming hope in the middle of our everyday lives. Take time today to read Hebrews 11. Once silently. Once aloud. Then, on the 3rd time through, pick a few names and put yourself in their shoes. Consider what it would have been like for them to put on the “glasses” of eternal, certain hope in spite of their circumstance. How might you do the same?!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 42:1-4 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so I long for you, God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while all day long people say to me,
“Where is your God?”
I remember this as I pour out my heart:
how I walked with many,
leading the festive procession to the house of God,
with joyful and thankful shouts.

Prayer Journal
Father God, defender of the helpless, father to the fatherless, You make all things new! You, oh Lord, have prepared an inheritance for us far greater than both the good and the painful things we experience in this life. We rejoice, knowing You have a plan to redeem and renew all things in Your time. Thank you for your grace. You have welcomed in those who are poor and underserving, adopting all who call on You as full sons into Your holy family. May we never forget, or take for granted, this vast and unsearchable gift! Forgive us when we grow short-sighted, caught up in our daily cares, and forgetting Your great goodness. Forgive us when we sin against our neighbor and against You. Help us persevere in times of trouble and prosperity, living for the coming kingdom rather than for our own fleshly longings and desires. Sustain us in Your faithfulness. You, oh Lord, are our only hope and joy!

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Sketched IX Day 8 Who Do You Say I Am?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 4:1-22
Luke 9:18-20
Luke 22:54-62
Matthew 16:13-20

Sketched IX, Day 8

The Sanhedrin thought they had me cornered. But this time would be different. I would set the record straight and tell of the Truth. (John 14:6)

My life has always been wrapped up in catching fish. I love it! Night after night, my brother, Andrew, and I would boat out to sea. We would cast our nets into the water, waiting for that ONE BIG CATCH.

I remember one night in particular, which should have been a great night for fishing, but as much as we tried, there was not a single fish to be caught. As the sun began to rise, we pulled to shore. Along the shore, crowds of people were coming closer. Nearby, Jesus told us to return the boat to sea. I was exhausted from fishing all night. But being Jesus’ disciple, I pushed the boat back out and hopped inside!

After teaching the people gathered on the shore for a bit, Jesus turned to us and told us to cast our nets on the other side of the boat. Of course, I had to reply, rather insistently, “Uh, Jesus, we have been out all night. We didn’t catch one single fish, and we are too tired to try again!” He just looked at us and said, “Throw out your nets!” So we did. And guess what? We pulled in so many fish there were too many to hold!

Jesus said, “Peter, today you will catch fish in your nets, but one day you will catch people for Me!” My mouth dropped open. I didn’t understand what He meant, but looking back, I see so clearly. (Luke 5:10-11, paraphrased)

See, I was an ordinary man, like you. Doubt came easy. Fear, even easier. Passion drove me. Let me explain. One night, the winds were fierce and the waters were overtaking the boat. I, with the others, noticed something out on the water. What is that? A ghost? But suddenly, I knew Who it was! “Jesus, My Lord, if it is you, bid me to come.”

As I stepped onto the treacherous waters, “Come” was the only word I heard. I kept my eyes focused on Him, until I was slipping onto the water. How is this possible? For one brief second, I was walking on water.

The next second, the wind howled and tore against me, the roar of the waves was deafening, and I took my eyes from Jesus . . . “Uh, Jesus help me!” Instantly beside me, Jesus lifted me out of the water and we climbed into the boat. The others began worshipping, “Truly You are the Son of God!” The other disciples knew Who He was. But, did I? (Matthew 14:28-33)

Another time?

“Come, follow Me” were the first words I heard Jesus speak to me. And, on that very day, I became His disciple. Each day, talking and walking with Jesus, I was developing a relationship like no other! I was quickly learning He was exactly Who He claimed! Day after day, I watched as He healed, loved, and shared with others about His Father.

One day, He asked the other disciples, “Who are others saying I am?”.
Without hesitation, everyone began speaking.
“Elijah.”
“A prophet.”
“John the Baptist.”

“But Who do you say I am?” He asked with quiet insistence.
I didn’t hold back for a minute. “Oh, Jesus, You are the Messiah.”

Another question?

“Aren’t you a disciple of the One they call the Messiah?”
I quickly hid beneath my cloak. “You must have mistaken me for someone else.”
Three times, I was asked. And three times, I denied My Lord.
I, who once walked on water, heard teachings to the multitudes, witnessed countless miracles, healings, and the-never-ending-catches-of-fish, I could not even speak His name.
I was one of three disciples to pray with Him in the garden. How could I have done this? Deny the Messiah?

This moment? 

So, I understood the confusion of my inquisitors at this moment. Upon acknowledging their accusations, I saw the elders, rulers, and scribes converse. They seemed to be bewildered as I faced them with the Spirit’s courage and spoke of the very One I denied so many years ago.

“You ask me, by what power? In what name? Until my last breath, I will proclaim Jesus as the One True God. With boldness, I say this man was healed by Jesus, and in His Name.” (Acts 4:7)

One of the Sanhedrin turned to face me. “Um, Peter, well, we do not understand how an uneducated man could say these things to us. We’re going to let you go, but we order you not to speak in His Name again.”

Me? Not speak in Jesus’ Name?
I, who after years spent by His side, knew Jesus as both a man and as my Savior, my Lord?
I, who quickly learned I was loved and forgiven by the One Who carried my sins to the cross?
I, who was called and chosen by The Messiah to carry the Good News across the nations? (Luke 9:20)
I should remain silent? Impossible.

I knew Who He was because I had been truly touched by Jesus! I will remain immovable and unshakeable, just like the name Jesus gave me, the rock upon whom He would build His church. (Matthew 16:18)

But, my sweet friends, how would you answer this question? If I, Peter, a disciple and follower of the Messiah, who also had a deep relationship with Jesus, could truthfully answer this question, can you? Without hesitation, who do you say He is?

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched IX Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched IX!

Neighbor Day 4 For The Love: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out For The Love!

The Questions

1) Why would Simon Peter ask an obvious question in verse 6 and follow it up with such a strong statement in verse 8?

2) Why is this foot washing such a big deal to Jesus? (verse 8)

3) What does Jesus’ response to Peter mean regarding bathing and not everyone being clean? (verse 10)

John 13:1-15

Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. 4 So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5 Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand.”

8 “You will never wash my feet,” Peter said.

Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”

10 “One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For he knew who would betray him. This is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

Original Intent

1) Why would Simon Peter ask an obvious question in verse 6 and follow it up with such a strong statement in verse 8?
In the cultural context of Jesus’ time, washing feet was the normal, common custom in every home. Footwear in the far east consisted mostly of bare feet! If someone did wear shoes, it was merely a wide strap of leather or wood bound with thin leather straps to the wearer. Considering that travel was almost always on foot, and the roads were dirt-packed, it’s easy to understand why foot washing would become the customary rule in society. When you entered the house, shoes were removed, if they were worn at all, and a household slave would have the unsightly task of washing filthy feet. In this scene from the Upper Room and Jesus’ final Passover meal with His disciples, there was no slave present to wash their feet. When Jesus removed his outer garment, signifying He was preparing to do a servant’s work, Peter knew instantly what Jesus was intending to do. But, he was so mortified that the esteemed Teacher and Son of God would consider such a low task, Peter gave over to his emotions, and in horrified, unfathomable disgust asked, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?!”. It was as if he shouted, “Surely Not!”.

2) Why is this foot washing such a big deal to Jesus? (verse 8)
With frustration that boiled dangerously near anger, Peter burst out, “You will never wash my feet!”. Jesus, undeterred, with firm insistence, responded, “If I don’t wash your feet, you have no part in Me.” It was as if Jesus was saying, “Peter, oh Peter, how I love you! You must let me show what it means in the everyday life to mercifully serve others. You must let me show you that, if even God the Son does not consider Himself to be so far above the work of a slave, then you, my beloved Peter, can have no part of My work or My kingdom. You will have missed everything about my life, my love, and my sacrifice on your behalf. You must let me wash your feet, so you can love others.” If Peter did not let Jesus touch His filth-ridden-feet, his view of how God should act would remain unchallenged. His view of himself, as a future ambassador for King Jesus, would also remain unchallenged. Power and position, to Jesus, did not give a blank check for passing on the dirty-work. Rather, Christ viewed His powerful position as an opportunity to leverage love and mercy with humility in real-time. This was the whole of His mission to earth. If Peter missed this, he missed everything. (John 13:12-15)

3) What does Jesus’ response to Peter mean regarding bathing and not everyone being clean? (verse 10)
As was often the case with Simon Peter, his emotions flung him quickly from one extreme to the complete opposite. One moment, Peter is vehemently stating Jesus would never wash his feet, and then, hearing the reprimand from Jesus, is flaming with a new insistence, “Well, then, Lord! Not, just my feet, but also my hands and my head!”. If this washing is so important, Jesus, then, take all of me! Douse me in water. Plunge me in it. I want it all! But Peter had, again, missed the point. I wonder if his big emotions, so familiar to the Lord, made Jesus smile just a bit at their extreme opposites. Patiently, Jesus drew it out for Peter explaining that “one who had bathed, didn’t need to wash anything but his feet.” While confusing at first, when we read the rest of Jesus’ words, we gain a little more understanding. ““You are clean (speaking to Peter), but not all of you (speaking to all of the disciples).” For He knew who would betray him. This is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”” (verses 10-11) “Clean”, here, meant having a genuine saving relationship with Jesus flowing from faith. Faith in realizing Christ was indeed the long-ago promised Messiah who would come, fulfill the requirements of the Law perfectly, and would come to set all people free. They didn’t understand all the details of Christ’s soon-to-be-realized sacrifice on the cross, but they fully believed Jesus was God, and trusted Him with all they had. The one who was not clean, was Judas Iscariot, who would betray Jesus within hours. Judas did not have a saving relationship with Jesus. Because Peter already had trusted Jesus with his life, becoming “clean”, Jesus said he only needed his feet washed. This meant, he only needed to continue learning what it was like to follow Jesus in real life.

Everyday Application

1) Why would Simon Peter ask an obvious question in verse 6 and follow it up with such a strong statement in verse 8?
Peter’s response to Jesus’ extremely humble gift of love was mortification. Jesus deserved to be served! Jesus was God the Son, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Sustainer of all things, and was as far removed from the position of slave as could possibly be imagined. Peter wanted to make sure he, and his dirty feet, weren’t cause for Jesus to humble Himself. What Peter missed was that Jesus came for this. Christ’s humbling began when He left the glories and rights of His heavenly position as co-equal with God the Father, in order to become sin for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21) He came for the purpose of being humbled, even to the point of death on a criminal’s cross. The Maker of the World would die to become its Savior. When we look at Jesus through the lens of the Almighty One, then cast a furtive glance at our own “dirty feet” of our sin, our lies, our gossip, our anger, and our arrogance, it’s easy to see why Peter would sputter with such indignation. Lord! You are holy! I am not! Leave me, and my dirty feet, here! You don’t deserve to be touching me! And, we would be right, He doesn’t deserve to be touching us. He doesn’t deserve this coming to earth, this dwelling with us, this dying in our place. He deserves none of it, but that’s precisely the point. He didn’t come because He had to, He came because He loved us. The Samaritan in the story of the “Good Neighbor” had the most reasons to keep on walking and leave the hurt man on the road; it wasn’t his job. But He Didn’t. In humility, Jesus loved the unlovable, us.

2) Why is this foot washing such a big deal to Jesus? (verse 8)
Have you ever found yourself using your Christianity as a reason to not engage someone else? Perhaps someone you unintentionally, or very intentionally, viewed as less? They go to the bar, I can’t associate with them! What if my pastor sees me? She cheats on her husband, I need to distance myself from her. What if my friends think I support her decision? I can’t walk away from this gossip among my Christian friends; they will think I’m a snob! She looks full of herself, there’s no way she would want to come to church with me. Oh, the inconsistencies that plague us in our everyday life choices! And I’m speaking to myself! Sisters, with tears in my eyes, we must fall on our knees and beg the Lord Jesus to come, convict us of our arrogant perspectives! We must ask Him to teach us to submit to the power of His Spirit so we can love others with humility and mercy. Sit with the Lord Jesus there in the scene of the Upper Room, wash basin on the floor, water splashed around. May the image of the Lord, having shed His power and position of royalty to pick up the slave’s towel, stick with us as we move through our everyday, and move us to humble acts of lavish, undeserved love!

3) What does Jesus’ response to Peter mean regarding bathing and not everyone being clean? (verse 10)
There are at least two practical applications we can make from this snippet of the foot-washing scene on the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over to be crucified. Of primary importance, we must each honestly evaluate whether we are “clean” as described by Jesus. Are we washed by Christ’s blood, which He poured out for many for forgiveness of sin? Have we been made fully new through faith, trusting Jesus as the only acceptable offering to a Holy God on our behalf? Do we trust Him as our Savior who took our rightly deserved punishment of separation from God because of our sin, and who gave us His own righteousness instead? No other question matters until this matter is settled with all certainty! If we have surrendered to Jesus, trusting Him through faith, then we must evaluate how closely we are following His lead in our lives. Are we arrogantly vacillating from one extreme to the other based on our own perception of reality and what we deem to be necessary or important? Are we willing to lay aside our lens of the world and ask God to adjust our vision so we can see this pursuit of God and loving others from His vantage point? If there were a barometer which gauged our humility, and generous love born from that humility, in our lives, what would it say? Do we see others without pretense? Are we willing to love them? Do we prove it? Ask the Lord to guide you as you seek and probe into the corners of your heart. Ask Him to shine a light of truth and help you to grow in following Him!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Neighbor Week One!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Cross Day 6 Pilate

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 23:1-12
John 18:28-19:16
Matthew 27:17-21
John 19:28-42

Cross, Day 6

What a day!  I’ve faced some difficult decisions in my time as Roman Governor, but nothing like this! I’m sure the trial of Jesus is one I will never forget.

It was early in the morning when they brought him to me, saying he was leading people astray by telling them not to pay taxes, and that he was claiming to be the Messiah.  It seemed clear to me that the man had committed no serious crime, so when I discovered he was a Galilean, it made sense to let Herod deal with it.
I thought my part in it was over.
If only it had been that simple…

Before long he was back.
Herod agreed Jesus was innocent, but his enemies were insistent he was a trouble-maker.  They accused him of stirring up riots and rebellion.

It confused me.
He didn’t seem the type at all.  He wasn’t angry or argumentative and, unlike most prisoners who desperately try to defend themselves, he hardly spoke a word.  The whole time he displayed a calm, quiet…authority…. which was remarkable given the circumstances.

It was disconcerting.
It was as if he was the one in control.

I wasn’t sure what to do.  I was convinced he didn’t deserve death. I suggested having him whipped before releasing him, thinking that might be enough to appease the religious leaders, but they refused to let it go.  I suspected their real motive was envy, but there was no way to prove it.

Then I had an idea.  The custom is that each year at Passover, one prisoner is set free, and the crowd chooses.

What if I offered them the chance to free either Jesus or Barabbas?
Barabbas was notorious – a murderer who had taken part in an insurrection against the government.  Surely, the crowd would free Jesus!

But I had underestimated the powerful influence of the religious leaders
and the strength of their hatred.
To my amazement the crowd shouted repeatedly for Barabbas to be freed!
My plan had failed.

As I considered what to do next, an interruption came – a message from my wife: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of him.”  (Matthew 27:19)

What did it mean?
What was I supposed to do?
The words kept running through my mind: “that righteous man.”
Surely, if he was righteous, I should set him free.

Silencing the cries of the crowd for a moment, I found my courage at last: “Take him and crucify him yourselves, since I find no grounds for charging him.” (John 19:6)

Their answer came quickly:
Under Jewish law, Jesus ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.

I have never felt fear like I did in that moment.
Who was this man?
I needed to speak to him some more.
Find out the truth before I made a big mistake.

“Where are you from?” I asked but, again, he was silent.

“Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?” I asked, trying to get him to see the severity of the situation. Still, he remained calm:

“You would have no authority over me at all if it hadn’t been given you from above.”
(John 19:10-11)

 Despite being Roman Governor, I have never felt more powerless.
What if He did hold all authority?

Once more, I attempted to release him, but the religious leaders retorted that if I released Jesus, I was rebelling against Caesar.
I tried to think, but the noise was relentless.
The fear of people was overwhelming.
The churning inside was unyielding.

“Crucify him!  Crucify him!”, the crowd chanted over and over again.
Before long, I would have a riot.

I was torn.  I truly believed the man was innocent, but the crowd were so angry, I didn’t know what to do.

Eventually, I called for a bowl of water and I washed my hands.
If he was going to die, they could take the responsibility.
This man’s blood would not be on my hands!
They agreed readily, so I handed Jesus over to be flogged and then crucified.

The decision was made, but I felt uneasy… I still do.

I suppose it’s guilt.  I believed he was innocent, yet I let him die.
I wish I had been stronger, but it’s too late now.  He’s dead.

It all happened quickly in the end. The Jews were keen for it to be over before the Sabbath, so they asked permission to break the legs of the men being crucified to hasten their deaths.  I agreed, but when it came to Jesus there was no need.
He was dead already. 

Some friends came and asked if they could bury his body and they placed it in a tomb, sealing the entrance with a stone.

Now it is truly over, but this is one trial that will continue to haunt me.
I’m not happy about the decision I made, and I feel unsettled.

Somehow, I just can’t shake the feeling I haven’t heard the last of this man, Jesus.

Like Pilate, we all have times when we must choose between loyalty to God and pleasing people.  James writes that “whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.”  (James 4:4)  May Pilate’s story motivate us to choose well.

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A Note About Cross
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters in Scripture and looked through their eyes as they saw the cross. We do our best to research the culture and times and all biblical support surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives as they watched the crucifixion, but we can’t be 100% accurate. These first-person stories are our best interpretation of how these characters viewed Jesus as He gave Himself up for us. Our hope is that by looking through their eyes, we will see the Cross differently as well, and be dramatically changed as we encounter the Savior!
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