There is a way this world does business. We all know how it works. It usually ends up with us “looking out for number one.”
But Jesus called his people to think differently—because when you think differently, you live differently. He calls those who follow him to take their cues from him, not from what we see around us in this world.
Here is a great description of what that looks like, from one of the earliest leaders of Jesus’ people. He captures Jesus’ way of thinking:
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:5–11
Because God the Son humbled himself, God the Father elevated him—giving him the name above every name.
Jesus is Lord. He is King.
And that is why we say these words, “Jesus is Lord!”—because no one else has overcome the grave. No one else can do what Jesus does. No one else deserves this title—only Christ.
Jesus is Lord!
I love saying these words in every situation.
Jesus is Lord!
When I’m happy and say it, it reminds me where my blessings come from.
Jesus is Lord!
When I’m in difficult times, it reminds me where my help comes from.
Jesus is Lord!
Say it when you’re up! Say it when you’re down. Declare it when you’re unsure of your future. Because if Jesus is in control of it all, what is there to fear? I can release worry with a single phrase:
Jesus is Lord!
Say the words!
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. —John 10:7–10 Msg
Every so often I come across an ad on social media about a “ground-breaking” new technology; a new teaching; one simple life-hack that deals with ________________ (fill in the blank).
I got sucked into one recently. in the video, multiple people claimed how this new info had changed their life, and answered every question they’ve ever had! The script was engaging and (like most SM) made you want to keep listening. While I waited for the “simple hack,” they veered off into another direction, saying something like, “But have you ever wondered why…” Finally, when it came to “Click here for more information,” I was out.
Therapeutic models, Life-coaching, new technologies, all these things have a place and can be helpful. But sometimes they promise more than they can deliver.
And because we can only see life from a human perspective, our own perception is limited. That includes every system of philosophy, ancient and modern.
If you want the big picture, you need a higher perspective—because there is more to life than this life. There is a life to come. And when it comes to gaining that higher perspective, there is only one source for my money. And that is Jesus.
Jesus told his disciples that while many had come to proclaim a new way or had many followers because of their powerful personality, Jesus gives us the truth behind his coming and his purpose.
John, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, records Jesus’ words for us. Here is what he said: “I am the Gate for the sheep.” Jesus is the entrance, for us, to God. “All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them.” While others were in it for themselves, Jesus is the one who was sent by God to be that door to the Kingdom of God. And while others claimed special knowledge available nowhere else, Jesus says “My sheep saw through all that and didn’t follow them.”
“Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture.” Not only will they enter God’s Kingdom, but they will find everything they need: protection, peace, grace, rest; wide-open spaces and all that comes with it.
Pasture. Peace.
One of the reasons I love the PNW is the unspoiled beauty of nature. You don’t have to drive far to get away from it all. Even in the brokenness of our world, we see glimpses of the beauty of what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like. Pasture.
Then he finishes with this: Remember a thief’s purpose: “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy.” A thief cares nothing about the flock. They are there to steal and destroy—to take what they want and leave nothing of value.
But Jesus says, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.“
Real life. More and better than we’ve dreamt of. Forever. Not an extended version of this life, but life on a level we’ve never experienced.
Forever.
That is why Jesus came. No wonder we follow him.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.
After 40 Days…
Jesus is gone. It’s hard to believe, but it is true.
In the 40 days since his resurrection, Jesus continued to meet with us. Numerous times he appeared to us and other disciples to demonstrate that he has, truly, risen from the dead.
Since our time with him in the Galilee, we have returned to Judea, and are staying on the Mount of Olives.
At one point while we were eating here with him, he solemnly told us: “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Knowing that the time for his departure was close, we kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
From the beginning, we had thought that Jesus was bringing a political solution to our occupation by Rome. We all thought it would be best if the Romans were driven from our country and we had the freedom to govern ourselves once more. But now I see that Jesus had something far bigger in mind.
He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you—and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
When he said that, I remember thinking, “So, we’re going beyond our borders—it’s not only our people anymore. Jesus has something bigger coming.”
After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud. We watched, craning our necks, until we could no longer see him.
As we strained to see any further sight of him, two white-robed men startled us, by suddenly appearing among us—the same way Jesus would show up in these past 40 days. Out of nowhere he would appear! They said to us,
“Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
Yes, he is gone. But the angels told us what Jesus himself had already said—he is coming back.
And this, my dear friend, is important for you to know: what I am writing to you here is true. I saw Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection with my own eyes. I spoke to him and heard him with my own ears. I touched his resurrected body with my own hands. I can tell you with total confidence that what I’ve written is true.
But Jesus has done far more than what I’ve written. Jesus did many other miraculous things—so that if they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written!
But I have written these so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
So…now we await his return. He hasn’t told us when it would be—he only told us to be ready.
So also, dear reader, I tell you: Be ready!
So also, dear reader, I tell you: “Be ready! For you do not know when your master’s return will be.”
Maranatha: Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
Note: Seven Days is a first-person account told by John the disciple. It begins on the night we call “Good Friday”, only hours after John has witnessed the brutal execution of his friend and teacher. Grief-stricken and in shock, John now reflects on Jesus and the amazing events of the past week, sharing his grief.
In John’s mind, it’s over. Jesus is dead. He is gone.
Then John continues by telling us that Jesus has not only risen from the dead, but the numerous times and places Jesus meets with his disciples—even 500 of them at one time—to demonstrate that he has truly risen.
Now in this final post, we finish hearing John’s story as he watches Jesus’ ascent to heaven—along with their next steps in living out Jesus' mission for our world.
Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.
North to the Galilee
Jesus told us that he would meet us next in Galilee.
So we walked the 80-mile journey to the north, from Jerusalem to Peter’s home in Capernaum, in Galilee. We arrived, then waited. Although we knew where to go, Jesus didn’t tell us when he would arrive. My brother, Big James and I made the journey with Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana, and two others.
As the days passed, Peter became impatient. One night he said, “I need to do something. I’m going fishing.” We all agreed to go along with him.
We spent the entire night on the lake—but caught nothing.
As first-light dawned, we realized we had little chance of catching anything, so we began pulling in our nets. At that moment, someone on the beach called out to us. He said “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” Because it was still dark, we couldn’t make out his face.
“No,” grunted a couple of us.
Then he said “Throw your net out on the right-hand side of the boat and you’ll get some!” I remember looking at Peter and my brother James thinking “What?!” But Big James was already putting the net out…for some reason the man’s words gave us confidence.
I don’t know if it was because we were tired or if we were just desperate to catch something, but both boats threw their nets out on the right sides and instantly the water began to boil with fish and the nets became so full that we couldn’t haul them back into the boat!
Immediately everyone was awake and on their feet. This has only ever happened one time before, I thought. And I heard myself blurt out, “It…it’s the Lord!”
When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he let go of the net, put on his shirt (because he had stripped for work), jumped into the lake, and swam to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded nets to the beach—they were only about a hundred yards from shore.
When we got there, we found breakfast waiting for us—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish—so many! And yet the net hadn’t torn.
As we came off the boats it was still dark, and some of us hadn’t yet had a clear look at his face—but none of us even dared to ask, “Who are you?”
We knew it was the Lord Jesus.
Then as we gathered together to eat, the Lord himself served us the bread and fish. This was now the third time Jesus had appeared to us since he had been raised from the dead.
During the meal, I noticed that Peter looked away every time Jesus looked at him. I could tell that he was glad to be there, but something was bothering Peter—something unresolved.
Then it struck me: the night before Jesus was executed, Peter denied knowing him. Instead of standing with Jesus, he denied him—three separate times—he denied that he even knew Jesus.
So I watched both Peter and Jesus. After breakfast, he looked at Peter and asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?”
Peter replied casually, without looking up, “Yeah, Lord, you know I do.” Peter continued gazing at the fire.
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Peter nodded.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
This time Peter glanced quickly at Jesus, then looked down again and said “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. Peter gave a quick nod of assent.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you really love me?”
This time Peter’s head fell and his voice broke. Even by the firelight of the early morning I could see the tears in Peter’s eyes and he said in a troubled voice, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”
Three times Peter had denied the Lord, now three times, Jesus restores Peter. But then Jesus told him that this will not be an easy road. He wanted Peter to know that danger will pursue him if he follows.
He said to Peter, “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”
Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
And now those two words echo in my mind:
“Follow me.”
This is our path; the path to life. Following the shepherd.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.
Monday
The women were right—he is risen.
Yesterday morning Mary Magdalene and several others rushed to tell us that they had gone to the tomb early Sunday morning—and that angels told them that Jesus had risen from the grave.
Curious, we went to the tomb and sure enough his body was gone…but what was fascinating was that the linens that he was buried in had not been disturbed…they were all still in place, only the body was missing.
Then, last night—after dinner—Jesus appeared to us!
Allow me to explain: we met together in a safe place, for fear of the authorities, behind locked doors. All of us were there—except Thomas. We prayed and were eating a meal together when someone began pounding on the door. Someone motioned with their hand to be silent, while they answered the door.
When the door opened, two men rushed into the room, out of breath, talking at the same time. They said that Jesus had appeared to them about an hour ago. One of them, Cleopas, said that Jesus had walked with them and taught them while they were in the village of Emmaus.
We told them that others had seen angels today, and that Jesus had appeared to Peter as well! The two from Emmaus continued by saying that they did not know who he was at first, but when he broke the bread as they prepared to eat, they recognized him.
But as they recognized him, Jesus disappeared—before their very eyes.
At that moment, as the two were explaining, Jesus silently appeared in our room. The door was locked, so he hadn’t come through it…he merely appeared! In the darkness of the lamp-lit room, there were gasps and everyone leaned away in fear.
Jesus greeted us as he always did—simply saying “Shalom” (“be at peace”).
Still, we all thought that we were seeing a ghost, because people don’t just appear like that.
Jesus broke the silence and said, “Why are you frightened? Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed us his hands and his feet.
We stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and amazement.
Then he asked us, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
We gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as we watched.
Then he said, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you—yes, you still have a mission. When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Then he opened our minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’”
“You are witnesses of all these things,” he said.
Then he told us to stay in the city—that the Spirit of God has something big coming and He wants to empower us for His work.
We had never heard or seen such things. But we know it is true: He is alive. Jesus is risen from the dead. We truly are witnesses of this.
I only wish that Thomas had been here to see it as well.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
Early this morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene, with several other women, came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. They ran and found Simon Peter and me. In their excitement they told us they had seen angels, and they said “They have take the Lord’s body out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have put him!”
None of this made any sense to us, because when they arrived we had just woken from sleep. but we had to see what they were talking about. Fully awake, Peter and I got up, left the house and began running for the tomb.
I outran Peter and arrived at the tomb first. I stooped to look in and saw the linen wrappings, an empty shell, still lying where they had been placed when they put Jesus’ body in the tomb. I didn’t go in.
Peter then came up behind me and walked in. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, undisturbed—but his body was no longer in them. And the cloth they had used to cover Jesus’ head was folded up and laying separate from the other wrappings.
Then I also went in, and the the first thought that came to me was “How could this have happened?” Then it dawned on me, “He’s alive.” He said it would happen, but I hadn’t believed it. But now I have seen for myself. Jesus’ body hadn’t been stolen—Jesus has risen from the grave!
Overwhelmed with all this, we returned home. Still uncertain about what this all means, one thing is certain: if Jesus has risen from the dead, this is not the end. It is only the beginning.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
tonight we gather in the city to celebrate Passover
Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.
Thursday
The next day, Jesus sent us on an errand. Even now, it amazes me to think how he could know all that he knew—for example:
He sent James and me into Jerusalem to make the arrangements for Passover. Here were our instructions:
Jesus said, “As you are walking into the city, you will see a man coming toward you carrying a pot of water. Follow him. At the house he enters, tell the man in charge, ‘Our Teacher sent us to see the room you have made ready for us—where we’ll eat the Passover supper this evening.’
“He will take you upstairs to a large room that will be perfect for our needs. Prepare our Passover meal.”
You know, if Jesus had asked me to do this when I first started to follow him, I might have asked: “What if there is no man carrying water? And what if he doesn’t go into a house? And if he does go into a house, what if there is no upstairs?”
I’ve learned that it’s easier if I just do what he tells me to do.
So, we went into the city and found everything as Jesus had said, and prepared the Passover.
It was an amazing week.
That night we gathered together in that very room and took part in the feast of unleavened bread. During this part of Passover, the only bread to be eaten is unleavened. It is in remembrance of the unleavened Bread our ancestors ate as they hurried out of Egypt.
That evening, we were sitting at the table breaking and sharing the bread and remembering the powerful time of God’s deliverance of our forefathers from Egypt.
But when we prayed for the meal, it was different: Jesus told us that this bread was his body, which would be broken for us.
…I wasn’t sure what he meant then, but his body was broken today.
Then he poured the wine, and said that this wine was his blood—that it was the seal of the new covenant, which would be poured out for us.
And his blood was poured out today…
But what stunned all of us last night was when Jesus told us that one of us would betray him! I was shocked! “It’s not me, master, is it?” we all begin to say at once.
Andrew cried “It’s not me,” Nathaniel assured everyone of his honesty, and Peter said HE would never do something like that.
Then Peter challenged the rest of us: he wanted to know which of us would be cowardly enough to do such a thing?
One thing led to another and now we were arguing about who was the greatest among us. Again, Peter speaks up and mentions that, since Jesus had given the keys of heaven, that this counts for something!
I’m ashamed that we all joined in the argument.
But quietly, while none of us noticed, Jesus went into a corner of the room and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he brought a bowl of water over to where we were sitting, and he prepared to wash our feet.
This is a common custom in our land, but it is only done by the lowest of the low. He looked like a common slave! What was our Master doing?
He came up to Peter, and Peter said, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “What I’m doing may not make sense now, but later you will understand.”
“No!” said Peter. “You will never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
Peter’s expression instantly changed—“Well, then Lord, why stop at my feet? Wash my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus smiled and said, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; because his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
As he washed Peter’s feet, he said, “This is how you are to treat others. If I being your master serve you, then you ought to serve others as well.”
Then Jesus spoke to Peter and said, “Peter, Peter, Satan has desired to have all of you and split you apart as men sift wheat to separate the kernel from the chaff. But I am praying for you. Here is my new commandment for you:
“Love each other. In the same way I have loved you, you must love each other.”
“Love each other. In the same way I have loved you, you must love each other.”
John 13:34
His words stung and I couldn’t catch my breath. Just moments before, each of us was comparing ourselves to the other—and now I felt so small.
It was an amazing week.
But then Jesus said again, “It’s true though, one of you is going to betray me.” We were at a loss for words, because no one knew who it was he was talking about.
I was leaning against Jesus, since I was sitting closest to him, and Peter motioned to me with his head, as if to say, “Ask him which one of us it is.”
I leaned back and asked Jesus. He said it is the one to whom he would give a piece of bread. He took the bread and gave a piece to…Judas Iscariot. Immediately, a shadow came over Judas.
Jesus said, “Go, quickly. Take care of your business.”
None of us knew what Jesus meant but, since Judas had charge of the money box, we thought he had to get something for Passover, or give an offering to the poor.
Judas, with his head down, got up and left immediately. And as the door opened we all noticed, for the first time, how dark it had become outside.
After this, Jesus led us outside the city and we walked into an olive grove called Gethsemane.
In Hebrew, Gethsemane means “The Olive Press”—a place of crushing.
This garden is at the foot of the Mount of Olives. When the olives come off the mountain for harvest, the oil is pressed out of them here in this garden.
All of us followed him into the Garden, and he asked us to stay in a certain place while he went to pray.
Then he took Peter, James and me with him into the garden and he began to be in terrible distress. I could tell by the way He shook and carried himself. His movements seemed slow and difficult. It was as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
He told us to stay here and keep watch. As we did, he moved a bit further beyond us and fell to the ground where he prayed.
I heard him ask his Father, if it were possible, to let this cup of sorrow be taken away from him. Then he said, “But, Father, whatever it takes, I want to do your will, not mine.”
It seemed only moments later that he walked over to Peter and James and found them asleep. He told us we ought to stay awake and pray. He went away to pray again, said the same thing, and came back and found all of us asleep this time — and then he went to pray again and found us asleep a third time!
If you were there, would you have slept?! I’m ashamed to say that we did. there was so much going on, and we were all exhausted.
But all of a sudden, a crowd arrived with torches, and weapons—I was awake now. They were a group of soldiers—a regiment—of Temple guards and Roman soldiers, about six hundred in all. I was never so frightened in all my life.
Jesus stood up and Judas made his way out of the crowd, walked over to Jesus and kissed him. Then Judas stepped back…as if to join them.
What was Judas doing with this angry mob?!
All of a sudden Jesus stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice, “Who are you looking for?”
Many of them said, at the same time, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
“I am.” Jesus said. When Jesus said, “I am,” the whole crowd drew back and fell to the ground.
I stood there with my mouth open!
Again Jesus asked them, “Who is it you want?” And some this time said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Now if I had not been so frightened, I might have laughed! It was a strange sight to see 600 soldiers and guards on their backs, struggling to get off each other, with Jesus asking them again, “Who are you looking for?”
“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
I am telling you, it was an amazing week!
I did some quick math: it was about 50 to one—12 of us against 600 soldiers. I felt a surge of courage!
But before I could even move, Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and took a swing at the head of one of the men upfront, who was the servant of the high priest…the man’s name was Malchus.
Malchus dodged just in time, but Peter grazed his head, cutting his ear off.
But Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword away! I must drink the cup the Father has given me.” And then Jesus reached out and healed the man’s ear. Even in this dark hour, Jesus cared for other people—even those who despised him.
Then Jesus allowed the soldiers with their commander and the officials to arrest him. They tied him with ropes, cinching them tightly.
What cowards.
A man who was surrounded 600 to 1, bound and led away like a common criminal.
Jesus called my brother James and me Sons of Thunder.
I didn’t feel too thunderous just then.
Feelings are a funny thing, aren’t they? One minute you’re ready to take on the world—the next, you’re running for your life.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning we left Lazarus’ home to return to the Festival. We were walking back to Jerusalem to return to the temple when we passed the fig tree we had just seen the day before.
Yesterday it was green, with shoots growing from it, but now it was withered—dried out—from the roots up. How could such a thing happen in one day, we wondered? Peter said, “Teacher—look! The fig tree you cursed…it’s withered!”
Jesus said, “Listen carefully: have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, you could even say to that mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
We arrived in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, many of the religious authorities approached him. They asked him “By what authority are you doing these things?” “And who gave you authority to do this?”
Jesus replied, “Let me ask you a question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’….”
The truth was, they feared the people, for everyone said that John really was a prophet.
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Then a group of Pharisees and followers of Herod questioned Jesus about the payment of taxes to Caesar. It struck me as odd that these two were on the same side of anything, because each of these detested the other.
The Herodians, who were supporters of the Roman government of the Herods, detested the hypocritical Pharisees. And the Pharisees had nothing in common with Herodians—they hated their Roman overlords.
So the Pharisees didn’t want the Roman tax; but the Herodians did. The two came together to trap Jesus the same way two hunters would corner an animal.
They said smilingly, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
But Jesus saw right through them.
“Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” He asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s” they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, “Give fully to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God fully what is His.”
Jesus was amazing!
After that there were questions about marriage and heaven, the resurrection; the greatest commandment.
As I watched Jesus speak with the religious authorities, it was as if he were real and they weren’t…it was as if he were a master painter—his words were like beautiful, lucid strokes of truth—true truth! Words that burned in the hearts of everyone there…everyone but the religious hypocrites. Their words were filled with guile & insincerity.
It was as if Jesus knew what the questions would be before they were even asked. But then He asked them a question:
He said: “Tell me, what do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”
“The son of David,” they replied.
“So,” Jesus said “how is it then that David—speaking by the Spirit—calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”
For the first time, these questioners had nothing to say!
A HUGE crowd had gathered and were drinking it in. They loved it! It was an amazing week!
After that, Jesus warned the Pharisees and scribes of the danger that would come on Jerusalem.
As we were in the Temple, there was a huge group of people with us. These people saw Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb and raise him from the dead. These same people were spreading the word about Jesus at Passover. Many people, because they had heard this, came out to meet him.
This made the Pharisees livid. They said to each other, “Look, this is getting us nowhere. The whole world is going after him!”
Even gentiles crowded in to speak with him. When this happened, Jesus said “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Immediately after He said this, Jesus became distressed. He prayed out loud to God the Father:
“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Shall I pray, ‘Father, save me from what is coming’? This is the very reason I have come! Father, bring glory and honor to your name.”
And to everyone’s amazement, God spoke back to Him!
I heard Him! He said “I have already done this, and I will do it again.”
Now, some who were there in the temple said it was only thunder, and others said it was an angel, but I know what I heard. It was the same voice I heard on the mountain when Jesus shone like there was sunlight coming out of Him.
On that mountain, God said, to us: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
I know it was God speaking to Him because I recognized His voice.
It was an amazing week.
Jesus told the crowd that darkness would be falling soon, and that they ought to trust in the light, while the light was with them.
We had no idea it would be so soon.
Wednesday
The Passover was still a couple of days away, so at sunset on Wednesday we returned to Bethany for dinner.
We were guests at the home of Simon the Leper—or should I say former leper, because Jesus healed him of that incurable disease.
As we were dining together, Mary poured the rest of this extremely expensive perfume on Jesus for the second time in one week, Only this time she didn’t just put it on his feet, instead, she poured it over His head.
Judas Iscariot said “do you know how expensive that is? This is a total waste. Why was’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”
When Judas said this, we all found ourselves mumbling in agreement with him — we had no idea what Satan had put into his heart.
But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why criticize her for doing a good thing? You always have the poor among you, and you can aid them whenever you want; but I won’t be with you much longer. She has done what she could and has anointed my body ahead of time for burial.”
I think that was the last straw for Judas.
As I think about it, whenever the master would teach us, Judas would sit in the back and look through the moneybox. Lately, it seemed like the only two things he showed any interest in was money and revolution against the Roman government.
None of us liked the Romans, or the way they mistreated us. But Judas thought Jesus was on the wrong track. Judas would have been happier planning and carrying out something violent, or revolutionary.
But when Jesus taught, his descriptions of the Kingdom of God were amazing! Everyone who came to hear him hung on every word. When he painted a picture of God’s kingdom, and God’s justice and His power, we were transported to another place.
But Judas? He had no idea what Jesus was talking about. By the look in his eyes, you could tell he was off somewhere opposing Rome, or running coins through his fingers.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
So honored to have another post hosted by Christian Grandfather Magazine. This online resource is a treasure trove of resources whether you’re a grandfather, or a prospective grandfather.
In fact, every believer could benefit from the wisdom that CGM posts up on its site each day.
Every week when we gather for worship, the stress and the anxiety of our lives are lifted, and replaced with something better. The only way I can describe the feeling is joy.
Joy.
If there is something we could use more of in life it is Joy. And it is no coincidence that the word “joy” or “rejoice” runs like a thread through scripture—498 times (in the NLT).
How important is joy? CS Lewis put it this way: he said that “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
Joy is the serious business of heaven.
C.S. Lewis
Not only is joy essential to our lives, according to Lewis it is what heaven is all about. Lewis is only commenting on what Jesus himself taught. In a parable that Jesus spoke about the rewards God would one day give to His people in the life to come, He says this to his faithful:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” —Matthew 25:23
I love this: “Enter into the joy of your master.”
The psalmist says the same:
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
Psalm 5:11
Wow. Look at this: Joyful singing forever. God’s presence is a place of safety and joy—endless joy—whose Spirit empowers us, filling us with continued joy.
Seriously—that is serious joy.
Love Him. Look to Him. Take refuge in him. Allow Him to spread His protection over you—then, whatever comes, you will be filled with joy.
And don’t believe the cynic that joy is a mirage. That’s not what Jesus deals in. His words are not only true, they’re enduring.
Whatever you’re doing today, with all that is in you, allow this thought to flood your mind and animate your actions. In his presence there is fullness of joy.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
Your Daily Encouragement 