SONS OF THUNDER

[31]

GREATNESS IS SERVING

Read Matthew 20:20–28

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right hand and the other on the left, in your kingdom.” Matthew 20:21 NKJV

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This was the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, an ambitious mother if there ever was one!  An insight to her two sons is found in Mark 3:17: When Jesus appointed the twelve apostles, He called James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James…Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder. Truly, they were leadership material and would be among the apostles who were the foundation of the Church, but Jesus had a more important lesson for them to learn:

“…Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20:26-28]

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Lord, help me to teach my children the principles of servanthood, even as I train them to be their best and excel. Help us to put the spirit of competition in perspective and balance with love and kindness and serving others.

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“… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is coming up this next Monday. This is a time when we stop and think about the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Here in America, most of the time we tend to take that freedom for granted. Only those who have lived in countries where it is not free really can appreciate what that means.

I have been thinking today about how this holiday can be a reminder of the freedom I have in Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price, but then He conquored death and promises eternal life to all who will believe on Him. This freedom cost me nothing, but it was not cheaply bought.

The same can be said of our American freedom that we take for granted. Most of us were born into it and have had it all of our lives. For eternal freedom we must be born again, transformed into righteousness by the blood of Jesus Christ, and set free from sin and death. Let us make this Memorial Day a special one as we remember both our national freedom and our freedom in Christ.

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death
NKJV

WHAT MUST I DO?

THE RICH YOUNG RULER

Read  Mark 10:17–22

            As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17 NIV

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            The first error that this young man made, was in assuming that eternal life was something he could earn by doing something “good.”  He put Jesus into the same category as himself, by calling Him a “good teacher.”  Jesus reminded him that the only really good or righteous One is God. Jesus, the Son of God, was able to fulfill the law perfectly, but this young man could not. Jesus looked at him and loved him. “one thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (10:21–22) .”  He wasn’t quite willing to be that good!

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            Lord, only You know what keeps people from coming to You in faith. We cannot know men’s hearts, so it is by the Holy Spirit that men and women will see their need of salvation.  Just help us to be faithful in sharing our faith with others–trusting You for the results.

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            Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”  …The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”  Mark 10:23, 26-27 NIV

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARY AND MARTHA

Read Luke 10:38–42

            But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Luke 10:40 NIV

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            No woman can read this story without feeling a bit sorry for Martha. We all have our Martha moments when we are hurrying about to get life together. But as I read this, I remember that the apostle John said, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (John 11:5) The most important part of this story is that Mary’s part would never be taken away from her. That “one thing” also belonged to Martha, in spite of her troubled spirit – her relationship with Jesus. Shortly after this, Jesus would be crucified. Every moment spent at Jesus feet would be treasured on that day.

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            Lord, I am so thankful that I too have that “one thing” that will not be taken from me. I praise You that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39  NKJV)

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            “…Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41–42 NKJV

 

INTERRUPTIONS

Read Luke 8:40–56

            Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.   Luke 8:41–42 NIV

 

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            Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter, who was dying; but on the way, the crowds prevented Him from making his way there.  In the midst of the crowd, a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. (8:42) In spite of the urgency of His errand, Jesus took time for this woman, healed her and then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” [8:48]

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            Jesus made it to his appointment with Jairus in time, because He planned to raise his daughter from the dead. God is never late, even though we often are impatient and don’t understand how He is working.

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            Lord, You hold our lives in Your hands and our best hope is to trust You and Your timing for all of our needs.  Thank You for this reminder from your Word.

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                        “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”  They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”   Luke 8:52–54 NIV

 

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Read: Luke 10:25–37

          But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29 NKJV

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                        On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (10:25) His error was in thinking he could earn eternal life by doing something. So Jesus, knowing his heart, asked him what the law said about it. The lawyer replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (10:27) If the lawyer had been able to do this first commandment, he would not have needed a Savior. The story of the Good Samaritan illustrated that no one could keep the law perfectly–only God’s perfect Son.

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            Thank You Lord, that the burden of keeping the law was removed from our shoulders and carried to the cross. Help us, like the Good Samaritan, to notice when someone has a need we can supply. May we show our love by serving You and other people.

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            “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” Luke 10:36 NKJV

 

WHO CAN THIS BE?

Read: Mark 4:35–41

            And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”    Mark 4:37–38 NKJV

 

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            The question Jesus’ disciples asked is an important one:  Does the Son of God care?  The Psalmist David said, “O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?” (Psalm 144:3 NIV) It is hard to imagine that the God of the universe would really care about us individually. But the fact that He sent His only Son to lay down His life for us proves that He does care. In a very short moment in time Jesus dismissed their doubts. He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm   Mark 4:39 NKJV

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            Dear Jesus, I do believe that You care about us, but sometimes I still worry – increase my faith. You told Your disciples that they were to go to the other side of the lake and they should have believed they were safe with You in the boat.  But they were human, and so am I. That kind of faith is a gift from God, and I am asking for it this morning.  Help me to trust You throughout the day.

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                        And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!“   Mark 4:41 NKJV

WHO IS MY BROTHER AND SISTER

Read Matthew 12:46–50; Mark 3:31–35; Luke 8:4–21

While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him Matthew 12:46 NKJV

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Jesus was teaching his disciples in an extremely crowded home while outside there were those who opposed Him. He was telling them the story of a farmer who sowed seed on thorny, rocky and good ground. He explained that the seed was the Word of God and the rocky or thorny ground represented the cares that choke out the Word. But the seed on good soil, He said, “stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Luke 8:15 NIV)

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Then someone came in and said that Jesus’ mother and brothers were looking for him. “He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” (Mark 3:34–35 NKJV) In spite of the interruption, this room was filled with “noble and good hearts”–and Jesus continued sowing the seed.

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. . . and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” Mark 3:32 NKJV

YOU CLAIM TO BE GOD

MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE

Read John 10:1–33The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” John 10:24 NIV

 

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There was much disputing among the Jews about who Jesus was. They were ready, perhaps, to look for an earthly king to deliver them from Roman rule, but they were not ready for a Savior. Jesus knew those who were His because the Father had already given them to Him. To this question Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. (10:25-26)

When they threatened to stone Him, He asked them which miracle deserved death. They replied, “We are not stoning you for any of these, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” (10:33)

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Lord, when false teachers come to my door to dispute the Trinity, I need to remember that Jesus was crucified because He claimed to be God. He was God the Son, One with the Father. Soon those who were His sheep would know the indwelling power of His Spirit and go forth to proclaim the gospel of Christ.

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“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27–28 NIV

WHO ARE YOU?

BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM

Read John 8:18–58

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31–32 NKJV

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Jesus was speaking in the temple to two different groups of people – those who believed and those who didn’t. To those who would seize Him and kill Him if they could, He said, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I Am…, you will die in your sins.” (8:23b-24)

Then Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He”…As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. (8:28a, 30) To those who believed He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (8:51)

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Lord, your Son Jesus was Messiah, the One that Abraham looked forward to – who would come from His descendants. By faith, Abraham trusted in You – By faith, we look back to the cross and believe in Jesus Christ – who was and is the great “I AM.”

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“You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I AM!” John 8:57–58 NIV