Now Close the Windows

Now close the windows and hush all the fields:
If the trees must, let them silently toss;
No bird is singing now, and if there is,
Be it my loss.

Robert Frost --- Now Close the Windows

Who Was Actually Responsible For Jesus Death

is a question that has garnered varying answers. Some have suggested that the religious leaders of Israel should be fingered.  

Jesus was certainly not popular with the Jewish religious establishment. He had driven from the Temple all those who were selling animals as well as those engaged in changing regular currency into the Temple exchange. This action had disrupted a major source of income for the priests and the temple. As a result the Jewish leaders were looking for a way to kill him (Mark 11:18).

Secondly, the religious leaders had introduced numerous laws governing behaviour on the Sabbath. Jesus did not allow himself to be bound by such man-made rules. One Sabbath he healed a man with a withered hand (Mat 12:14) and on another a lame man (John 5:9). As a result the Pharisees wanted to kill him. Thirdly, and the real clincher, was when Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Not unexpectedly they "tried all the harder to find a way to kill him" (John 5:18).

Others have suggested that it was the Romans and specifically Pilate who should bear responsibility. Pilate was a political creature who realized his position of leadership was not secure. He was seeking to govern a part of the Roman Empire that was a constant breeding ground for tension and acts of insurrection.

When the Jewish leaders brought Jesus before Pilate it became evident that Christ had done nothing wrong (Luke 23:4). The Governor was perceptive enough to realize that "the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy" (Mat. 27:18). His own wife strengthened the conviction, that Jesus was innocent, when she described her terrible nightmare concerning the prisoner (Mat 27:19).

Pilate wanted to release Christ but he lost his nerve when mob mentality took over. In unison the crowd chanted "If you release this man, you are no 'friend of Caesar'" (John 19:12). The Governor decided that he could not risk a riot or being branded a traitor to the Roman Empire. Therefore, he grudgingly turned Jesus over for crucifixion (Mat. 27:24-26).

So who was responsible for putting Christ to death? Was it the jealous Jewish leaders or the timid Roman Governor. The truth of the matter is that neither of them were ultimately responsible! They were but tools in the hands of the Master Planner. It was God the Father himself who put Jesus to death!

The Lord hinted at this truth when standing before Pilate. The Governor had told Jesus that he had the authority, under Rome, to release him. Jesus response was "You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above" (John 19:11). The Apostle Peter develops this line of thought more thoroughly by stating that God chose Jesus to be our ransom long before the world began (1 Pet. 1:19-20).

How incredible! To think that somewhere in deepest eternity past God ordained that Jesus, that is God the Son, would die to redeem those whom the Father would call to himself. So when did the Father determine whom he would call? Paul answers this for us — it also took place before the world came into existence (Eph. 1:4-5). What incredible and profound insights into the nature and character of God the Father — who can ever know the mind of God!

Copyright. Bruce September 2010

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition

An Old Man's Winter Night

All out of doors looked darkly in at him
Through the thin frost, almost in separate stars,
That gathers on the pane in empty rooms.
What kept his eyes from giving back the gaze
Was the lamp tilted near them in his hand.

Robert Frost --- An Old Man's Winter Night

In Considering The Characteristics of God

would your list include that of FIRE? Probably not! However, it could be argued that FIRE is central to God’s manifested nature. In the Scriptures the Lord is often mentioned in tandem with FIRE.

God initially introduced himself to Moses by appearing "to him in a blazing FIRE from the middle of a bush" (Ex. 3:2). Later when the Egyptians were pursuing Israel the Lord "looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of FIRE and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion" (Ex 14:24).

Throughout Israel's years of wandering in the wilderness God revealed himself through FIRE. At Mount Sinai the Lord descended upon the mountain in FIRE along with smoke and an earthquake (see Ex 19:18). Moses describes God's glory as appearing "like a consuming FIRE" (Ex 24:17) and his jealousy as "a devouring FIRE" (Deu 4:24). We are reminded to worship the Lord in holy fear and awe because "our God is a devouring FIRE" (Heb 12:29).

Let’s consider the Bible’s physical description of the Lord. Ezekiel depicts his appearance as follows "From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a FIRE" (Ezk 1:27). John describes Jesus as having eyes that"are like flames of FIRE" (Rev 2:18).

The Lord's court is one of FIRE. Ezekiel describes God's holy mountain as being "stones of FIRE" (Ezk 28:14). In a vision Daniel saw the Ancient One sitting on "a FIERY throne with wheels of blazing FIRE" from which came "a river of FIRE"(Daniel 7:9-10). In the vision John received from the Lord he saw "what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with FIRE" (Rev 15:2). Finally, the living beings who attend the Almighty are described as " bright coals of FIRE" (Ezk 1:13). In fact, all the angels of God are described as being "servants like flames of FIRE” (Heb 1:7). Their face’s are like the sun, and feet like pillars of FIRE" (Rev. 10:1). God has a standing army of horses and chariots of FIRE” (2 Kings 6:17). It must have been one of these chariots that took Elijah up to heaven (2 Kings 2:11).

The Holy Spirit is also described in terms of FIRE. At Pentecost God sent the Spirit to fill and give spiritual gifts to those believers who were gathered in an upper room. In this anointing the Spirit appeared "like flames or tongues of FIRE” (Acts 2:3).

In the future FIRE will be prominent. At the "Judgment Seat of Christ" he will use a purging FIRE to "reveal what kind of work” (1 Cor 3:13) believers have done during their earthly pilgrimage. At the "Great White Throne" judgment unbelievers will experience the blazing FIRE of Christ's anger when He condemns them to the lake of FIRE (Rev 20:15) a place where "the FIRE never goes out" (Mark 9:48).

Not only is humanity going to experience God's "FIRE" but the heavens and earth will also be destroyed by FIRE right down to their most basic elements after which the Lord will put in place a new heavens and earth (see 2 Peter 3:12,13).

FIRE and God are inseparable. FIRE has the power to destroy or it has the power to refine and make pure. The pertinent question we must all consider becomes: how will the FIRE of God touch us?

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition

Copyright. Bruce December 2008

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.

Aquainted With The Night

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain --and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

Robert Frost --- Aquainted With The Night

Who Is Jesus

is a question that has been asked by many? This query is now over 2,000 years old and for many the answer is as elusive as ever.

When Jesus was about two years old magi (oriental king makers) arrived in Jerusalem asking where the "king of the Jews" (Mat 2:2) was to be born. The priests and teachers of the Jewish law told them he was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea (Mat. 2:5-6). The religious leaders never attempted to locate him for themselves.

However, Herod the king saw this baby as a threat. Therefore based on the report of the magi (Mat 2:16) he unsuccessfully attempted to kill Jesus by massacring all the boys in Bethlehem under two years of age.

Years latter Jesus and his disciples were in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi. While walking the dusty roads Jesus asked them a very provocative question. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" (Mat 16:13). The response he received showed a wide diversity of opinion.

Some felt Jesus was a reincarnation of John the Baptist. Herod Antipas, who had ordered the execution of John the Baptist, held this view (Mat. 14:6-9). He told his advisors that Jesus must be John the Baptist because of the incredible miracles he was performing (Mat 14:2). The religious leaders held to a different view claiming Jesus was "possessed by Satan, the prince of demons" (Mark 3:22).

The name Elijah was also popular among the people because the Jews were expecting Elijah to come before the Messiah (Mark 9:12-13). This was based on the prophecy of Malachi (Mal 4:5). Others had suggestions which included Jeremiah or one of the other prophets (Mat 16:14).

After the disciples had answered this question Jesus posed a more important question: Who do you believe I am? (Mat 16:15). At that moment the Spirit of God illuminated the mind of Peter and he uttered his great confession “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mat 16:16).

Peter's words confirmed the conviction of the magi who had come to worship the Christ (see Mat 2). It confirmed the view of the demons who knew his identity (Mark 1:34). It was also a confirmation of God the Father’s words after the Baptism of Jesus “This is my dearly loved Son” (Mat 3:17).

Today the question is still debated. Some maintain that Jesus was a good man and skillful teacher — maybe even a prophet. Others will admit that he has had a tremendous impact on this world as his influence is still being felt 2,000 years later. Still others contend that he actually had political designs but made some major blunders and got himself crucified (Albert Schweitzer). However, a great many people like the religious leaders at the time of Jesus' birth, display the attitude that who he is does not matter at all.

Ultimately our answer to this important question is directly related to where we will spend eternity. The Bible teaches that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit all testify to the reality that Jesus of Nazareth is God incarnate. Scripture also teaches that it is God who has within his hands the power to condemn or save --- to send to hell or usher into heaven based on ones response to this question.

Copyright. Bruce October 1, 2007

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.

My Butterfly

It seems forever--

Since first I saw thee glance,
With all thy dazzling other ones,
In airy dalliance,
Precipitate in love,
Tossed, tangled, whirled and whirled above,
Like a limp rose-wreath in a fairy dance.

Robert Frost --- My Butterfly