Post-Resurrection Appearance of Jesus to His Disciples at the Sea of Galilee

“He saith unto him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?’ Peter was grieved because He had said unto him the third time, ‘Lovest thou me?’ and he said unto Him, ‘Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love Thee.’ Jesus said unto Peter, ‘Feed my sheep’: -John 21:17 KJV

It was early morning. The location was the sea of Tiberias (KJV) also known as the Sea of Galilee. Peter and some of the other disciples had gone fishing in the night, the occupation Peter and other disciples had left about three years before to follow the itinerant preacher, teacher, healer named Jesus on his travels and ministries. Jesus had taught them much they needed to know to be His successors when He finished His human/divine mission on earth, the giving of His life as a ransom for all who will believe in Him. But under great duress, when Jesus was on trial before His crucifixion, Peter had denied Christ three times. Christ had said that Peter would deny him, but Peter had declared his undying devotion to the Lord. Little could Peter see how easily the temptations beset a human being under great duress and fear of also being arrested. And now, Peter who has already seen the resurrected Christ, is about to be questioned three times by the Lord at a place they frequented when Jesus was teaching the disciples. It was perhaps near this location, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus had given what we term “The Sermon on the Mount” early in His ministry. Peter and the other fishermen had no success with fishing. Jesus, from shore, whom they did not recognize at the time, told them to cast their nets “on the other side” of the boat.” That time, they got such a catch – 153 fine fish by count - that they could hardly pull in the heavy net. Coming to shore, they found a fire going , fish and bread cooked, and they recognized the Risen Christ, who had prepared their breakfast. A little later in this encounter comes Christ’s asking Peter three times: “Lovest thou me?” And Jesus’s direction: “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep.” By the third time, Peter, the impetuous disciple, had become a little impatient with being asked three times by Jesus, “Peter, do you love me?” and the third time, Peter said: Lord You know all things! You know that I love You!” could the question, posed three times by the risen Lord, have been a reminder to the leader among the disciples that He had denied Jesus three times? Scholars believe the triple asking response might have served as a reminder to Peter that He had, indeed, betrayed His Lord by the denial. But here is the forgiving, loving Lord, bringing Peter back to the major task for which he was called from the fishing nets three years before: To follow Jesus and to lead others to the Lord: “Feed my sheep” was a reminder that the Lord forgave Peter and had a major mission for him in the early church.

The early-morning encounter had a lasting impression on Peter. We have but to read the first several chapters in the Acts of the Apostles to know that Peter became the leader of the early church movement and the spread of the gospel. On the day of Pentecost, his powerful sermon resulted in over 5,000 converts to the Christian faith. Peter, so tradition holds, was also crucified for his strong faith, and he asked that he be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to be crucified as the Lord Christ was, in an upright position. “Feed my lambs! Feed my sheep!” Give persons the truth of the Word and the Holy Spirit is faithful to do the convicting and calling of persons into the fold of God. This pattern started with Peter one early morning by the Sea of Tiberias just prior to the Risen Lord’s ascension into Heaven. The same call goes to us today who teach and tell the Good News: “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep.” Peter, forgiven for denying Christ, was faithful. Many have been faithful through the ages since. Now it is up to present-day believers to continue Christ’s command to Peter. May we be faithful, for faithful disciples are needed sorely today. – Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.23.2017

He Is Risen!

“And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed.  You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.  See the place where they laid him.’ ” -Mark 16:6 (ESV

The best news possible awaited those who visited Jesus’ tomb on the first day of the week after the Sabbath was past.  Each of the four gospels has a slightly different account of the resurrection.  But each rings with the joy of Jesus’ power over death and the grave and the hope His resurrection holds for all believers.

Jesus who was so cruelly crucified on Friday and laid quickly in the new tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea was not in the tomb when the women and some of the disciples went to the tomb early in the morning of the first day of the new week.  Jesus had told them He would rise on the third day following His death.  But they were all surprised when they found the tomb empty.

One of the central truths of the Christian faith is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  He has power over death and lives forevermore at the right hand of God.  To us who follow Him, His own resurrection is promise to us that we, too, will experience life eternal after death.

His appearances to disciples following His resurrection and His commission to them as He was ready to ascend into Heaven helped them and us to know that He left us with very good news to tell and a mission to accomplish.  That commission in Matthew 28:18-20 was for His disciples then and for us now:  “All authority in heaven and in earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Early Christians and many in this present age greet each other with “He is risen!” and respond with “He is risen, indeed!”  Charles Wesley penned the joyous message in these words of a beloved Easter hymn:

“Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply:  Alleluia!”

Sing it, tell it, live it:  He is risen, indeed!  -Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.16.2017

Palm Sunday Joy Extends to Present-day Celebrations

“And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, ‘Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowd said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.’ “ -Matthew 21:9-11 (ESV)

In our church year we celebrate what we call “Palm Sunday,” or “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.” When this event happened in the life of Jesus, the beginning of the last week before His death and resurrection, a great procession took place. Jesus arranged the ride into Jerusalem on a colt, the foal of a donkey, on which no rider had sat before. We know the story well. The crowds spread their coats in His pathway and many cut palm branches to spread on the way and to wave. The cry ‘Hosanna!’ was lifted, given with great expectation and gladness.

Many speculated as to whom this person was who rode into the holy city of Jerusalem on a donkey. “He is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth,” many said. The moment of glory drew attention to Jesus. Many had followed Him about before; during this last week of His earthly life, people still gathered to hear His words and to contemplate when the Messiah would establish His earthly kingdom. They wanted Him to be the conquering Messiah, the one who would free them from Roman oppression. The lowly donkey on which He rode should have been a clue of His servitude and humility. A conquering hero, a ruler, would have ridden in on a stately horse to indicate his kingship. Jesus rode into the Holy City humbly.

God’s plan was bigger, including all races, all peoples. The prophet Isaiah and others had foretold that the Messiah would give Himself as a ransom for the people’s sins. (See Isaiah 53 4-8) Those who wanted a different kind of kingdom than a spiritual one and salvation would soon cry out, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” Jesus came to earth to die. His was the holy, unblemished sacrificial death for the sins of the people. “By His stripes we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

Now as we observe Palm Sunday, we know the full account and the real reason for His coming to earth and His sacrificial death. We know that He is indeed Messiah, Savior, not just “a Prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” On Palm Sunday we sometimes have a processional into our church sanctuary, wave palm fronds, and say, “Hosanna in the highest!” Today it is a cry heard universally wherever the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed and accepted.

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is remembered and reenacted to remind us that Jesus the Christ finished the mission God sent Him to earth to do. He is indeed our Savior and Lord. He is Redeemer and King of kings. The time will come “when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord!” (Romans 14:11, quoting Isaiah 45:23). That will be THE Palm Sunday when we

May we draw near to Jesus, give Him our allegiance and exclaim with joy and assurance: “Jesus is Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Amen. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.09.2017

God Searches our Innermost Thoughts

“The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.” -Proverbs 20:27 (ESV)

I’m sure you, as I, have experienced deep thoughts and you wonder how they came into your mind. The wise writer of Proverbs had an answer. He said this in-depth searching of one’s mind is the Lord touching our spirit, seeking to get our attention.

Eugene Peterson in his The Message Bible gives Proverbs 20:27 thus: “God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.” I wrote this poem sometime back in a quiet, reflective moment. It seems to bear out the truth of Proverbs 20:27:

By Violet Light

Objects reflect a certain sheen by violet light.

At dawn, when all is quiet and I’m alone

I feel and see

A special kind of bright.

The woods are filling now with spring’s release.

Tender leaves with gentle green mix with the brown.

This cycle of nature nurtures peace

And blends with other refuse fallen down.

We oft’ lament the season’s fleeting stay

And want to hold its beauty longer still.

Yet know we well that passing time brings rebirth, growth—

Each with its special place to find and fill.

The message whispered by the tender leaves

Resonates with beauty.

If spirit grieves, we must reconnect

And remember, move on—to duty.

On toward evening the violet lingers

Spreading across the broad horizon.

Through faith’s firm fingers

I am caressed by violet light

And lifted by the gentle, peaceful sight.

Indeed, “God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.” (Proverbs 20:27. Peterson). May today be a deep-thought day as we seek God in our worship and in our surrender to His will. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 04.02.2017

Positive Attitudes for a Christian to Follow

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (ESV)

Paul the Apostle gives excellent advice for the Christian in these verses. With pertinent and short statements, he gives straightforward and clear advice concerning attitudes a Christian should practice daily to live a victorious life in Chris.

First is “rejoice always.” Is it possible for the Christian to have a joy-filled heart no matter what the circumstances? How can this be? When troubles come, when adversity is a constant companion? How can one rejoice always?

We do not depend on our circumstances to bring us the joy Paul writes about. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and comes from knowing Jesus, not from our circumstances or the conditions we face in life. Remembering this truth, we can truly “rejoice always!”

Praying without ceasing suggests a mental attitude of prayerfulness. We should walk so closely to God that we can commune with Him about anything at any time. In our prayers, we also give thanks, knowing that even difficult circumstances help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As a Christian, I should live a prayer-filled life and one that gives thanks to God consistently and regularly. Alfred Lord Tennyson, noted English poet, wrote, “More things are wrought through prayer than this world dreams of.” In our praying, we should be regular, consistent and thankful.

A wonderful Christian hymn written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922) tells us:

“Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings see what God hath done.

Thank You, Lord, that You give us deep-seated joy from Your Spirit living within us. We thank You for joy, peace and salvation. Let us count our blessings and rejoice always over what You, Lord, accomplish in our life yielded to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.26.2017

Thoughts, Like Time, Flow with a Good Theme

“My heart is overflowing with a good theme;I recite my composition concerning the King;My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” -Psalm 45:1 (NKJV)

Where does time flow? From here to Mars

Like the wind, it comes, is gone soon;

Quickly, quickly, like falling stars,

Or shadows briefly covering the moon.

“Make the most of time,”* the sage’s advice

Falls sometimes on deaf ears.

Interruptions are a cunning device

To steal our time. And then the years

Accrue to fourscore and more,

As I, body aging, mind still much aflame.

When I consider all the days of yore

They seem like yesterday. But can I blame

Time’s passing, like the wind in trees?

The ‘music of the spheres”** is heard;

Some memories, soft as whispers, seized,

Captured in thoughts, in written words.

Inspiration comes, like the wind, rapidly, sometimes raw.

My King, my Lord reminds me that I am but mortal,

With my allotted time, and what these eyes saw

Happen, will soon be subsequent to my earth-life’s portal.

Maybe when I have passed beyond

To mansions somewhere on the other side of the sky,

Many will still read written words and respond

To thoughts preserved and “storied-up” by such as I.

-Ethelene Dyer Jones

Written March 18, 2017, for devotional, March 19, 2017; may we have a blessed Lord’s Day, with worship, prayer and rest.

*“Make the most of time,” shortened from “Make use of time; let not advantage slip.” -William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

**“The music of the spheres,” from “For there is music wherever there is harmony, order or proportion; and thus far we may maintain the music of the spheres; for those well-ordered motions, and regular paces, though they give no sound unto the ear, yet to the understanding they strike a note most full of harmony.”

-Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682).

--

Ethelene Dyer Jones

Hear and Heed Jesus, God’s Beloved Son

“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” -Matthew 17:5 (ESV).

Jesus had taken three of his disciples, Peter, James and John, to a mountain and there the Transfiguration occurred. The event was a marvelous confirmation of Jesus as the Son of God, with Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, the prophet, appearing, and the voice of Almighty God pronouncing: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

Jesus knew that his death as a sacrifice for sin was immanent. Scholars believe that the transfiguration occurred in the summer before his death and resurrection the next spring. Some denominations observe “Transfiguration Sunday” in August. Matthew 17:5 is reminiscent of Isaiah’s word in Isaiah 42:1 when he wrote, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.”

Jesus wanted the disciples to know that he must suffer, die and rise again, and so He had taken three of them apart to be in on an affirmation from God of who His Son is. This was in God’s plan for His Son as he fulfilled His mission on earth. It was important that the “inner circle” of disciples, Peter, James and John, know and understand this truth, because they had been expecting the earthly Messiah to set up His kingdom and deliver them from Roman oppression. Going down the mountain from the Transfiguration, Jesus charged the three not to tell of the transfiguration and what occurred on the mountain until after His resurrection. God’s command given at the Transfiguration added an important phrase to what the voice of God had said at Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist: “Listen to Him.”

That command and its accompanying reason for us to listen echoes from the Mount of Transfiguration and from the pages of God’s Word which we now have to study and follow: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

Peter testifies in his letter about being an eyewitness to the “Majestic Glory” of God the Son that he had observed on the Mount of Transfiguration. This experience was extremely important to Peter, beloved disciple, preacher on the Day of Pentecost, missionary and writer: “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:16-21).

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that we have the Word from You, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Thank you that even today we can hear and heed Jesus, God’s Son. Amen. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.12.2017