Luke 23 continues from the end of chapter 22 with Jesus before Pilate, the Roman official.  Not finding enough to condemn Jesus, he sends Him to Herod.  Herod has the same view and again sends Jesus back to Pilate.  Through all this, the Jewish priests are continually calling out for His death.  They finally convince Pilate to release a true criminal in exchange for Jesus’ death.

The chapter continues to describe Jesus’ journey carrying the cross and have been beaten so much, that the Roman guards get another man to help Jesus carry the cross.  Women are following along, wailing for Jesus.  So all along we have people who are rejoicing in that Jesus will soon be put to death along with Jesus’ followers hurting for they are unable to do anything to stop it.  As Jesus is put on the cross, two other criminals are put up with Him.  The soldiers are mocking and temping Jesus to save Himself, but Jesus responds with “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Even to the end Jesus shows compassion and a heart broken for the sinful man.

One of the criminals understands his own sin, but also sees that Jesus does not deserve death.  Because of his belief, Jesus responds with “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus died on that cross as perfect man.  He ends it, calling to the Father and giving His spirit to Him.  With this, a centurion is able to see that Jesus was righteous and praised God. It is amazing, after the beating, rebuking, teasing and death, that a Roman soldier who was probably right there until the end, sees the light and is able to praise God! The chapter ends with the burial of Jesus in the tomb.

I know this was a quick synopsis of a chapter that all of us know about and probably have studied or heard a sermon on at least every year.  It the story of Jesus ended here, there would be no basis for our faith in Christ.  It is the next chapter of Jesus’ victory over death that gives us the full picture of why Jesus is our Savior.

The main thing I got out of reading this chapter in preparation this time is with the question of “Can I be like the centurion?”  Can I be in the mist of chaos and darkness all around and still praise God? A couple of years ago, Kelli and I had a miscarriage and have been unable to get pregnant again. Looking back, we were very confused, torn and hurt. It wasn’t instant like the centurion, but I can see how God taught me to still praise Him in all circumstances. As we prepared to become foster parents, we had to have a healthy understanding that God is in control. Fostering a child, God will be giving us time to care for someone who does not have the proper care in their family right now.  That could change and the child could be reunited with their family which would be wonderful!  But in doing so, it would definitely be hard to release the child from our care.  That is where God is stronger than us and is always in control and can heal the gap in our hearts. At that time is when we must be prepared to praise God in ALL circumstances, both in Him giving us Anna to care for and if she is to be reunited with her family, in that time too. To God be the Glory!

-Paul Biles, CFO

Luke 22 is the climax that leads to the crucifixion of Christ. It covers everything from Jesus’ last Passover meal with His disciples to His arrest and mock trial before the religious leaders. It ends just a few hours before His death on the cross. It’s easy and familiar to look at this chapter from our perspective, which in truth makes it very difficult for us to understand the reality of the situation. The Passion of Christ movie is a sobering reality check for each of us as it graphically displays the drama and horror of the last 12 or so hours of Jesus’ life. The suffering of Christ is more than we could ever imagine. I often think, “What if I was in Jesus’ place? Would I be able to do what He did?” My answer is always no. But I’m not asked to take His place – He took mine.

Let’s look at this from a different point of view. It’s actually the perspective that more closely relates to our own. What’s going on with the disciples? What were they thinking? Their story is quite interesting. As far as the disciples go, this was not their finest hour. Actually, it was their worst. This was their greatest moment of cluelessness. I don’t think they had any idea what was happening. Even after multiple warnings, they had no clue. This is the viewpoint I best relate to.

One of the greatest traps I find myself in is familiarity. Being familiar with something sounds like a good thing – and it is, but then that’s what makes it so dangerous. Familiarity is when my guard is at its lowest. I’m not careful and the enemy can attack without warning – or at least I don’t see the warning.

This is where the disciples were. They were neck-deep in familiarity. The Passover was a religious celebration they had participated in their entire lives – and so did everyone else around them. There was a truth and purpose behind it, but had they forgotten some of it? How much of it was just a ritual to them? Think about how Christmas is for us. Ok, so we recognize it being the birthday of Jesus, but think about all the other add-ons that we do. How many of us know why we have Christmas trees? Where did that come from? If you don’t know, why do you do it? We do it because we’ve always done it – it’s familiar – and familiar is comfortable.

Well, this Passover was different because the disciples were with Jesus and it was only their third Passover with Him. That’s true, but they were up to at least 1,095 days with Him non-stop. And it was intense – lesson after lesson, miracle after miracle, sermon after sermon, parable after parable. Over 1,095 days. Familiarity had set in. Look at what happens at the Passover meal. The meal is normal, but then Jesus changes a few things. He talks about it being His last Passover meal, I’m about to suffer, this is my body, this is my blood, one of you is about to betray me. Some pretty serious items, but what do the disciples end up talking about – which of them is going to be the greatest?! What? Were they not just listening to what Jesus was saying? Oh, they heard it. But they were familiar with it. “Just another one of those parables about Him suffering over something… blah, blah, blah.” They were clueless.

It continues. Jesus tells Peter that Satan wants to sift him like wheat. That sounds serious. Peter basically says bring it on, but Jesus says I don’t think you’re listening to me. Jesus tells them to get their necessities together and be ready to go, but all they hear is, “Get your sword ready.” Peter’s ready to die for Christ in a battle, but that’s not what Jesus is preparing him for. Dying in battle would have been easy compared what was in store for these guys. They still thought this was all about the physical. Jesus told them over and over about the spiritual, but they were clueless.

They go to the garden late at night to pray, which they were familiar with by the way, and Jesus asks them to stay awake and pray. He goes to pray and then returns to find them asleep – multiple times. Jesus’ intensity had to be obvious – HE WAS SWEATING BLOOD! I’ve never seen anyone sweat blood before and I think I would be quite alarmed. I don’t think I would be sleeping. I would be scared. But not these guys. They were cool. They were veterans. They were VERY familiar with all the Jesus stuff – walking on water, feeding the 5,000, raising Lazarus from the grave, calming the winds, showing the evil spirits who’s boss, sweating blood, on and on…no big deal…He’ll be fine, whatever…it’s been a long day, I’m tired. Once again, they were clueless.

They woke up when Jesus was arrested! But they still had no idea what was about to happen. No way! Jesus die? Are you kidding? Peter was still ready to die in battle. He cuts off someone’s ear, but Jesus puts a stop to it. Peter continues. He’s like a spy, hanging out in the shadows of the crowd (the same crowd that came out with the chief priests to arrest him), in position, being Jesus’ wingman, ready for another opportunity to strike. He is so intent on being in the right place at the right time and staying under cover that he completely forgets what Jesus said only minutes earlier. When someone predicts that you are going to do the opposite of what you are intensely wanting to do, you do everything you can to make sure that person is NOT correct. I think you can easily say that Peter was very competitive and very serious about doing what he says he’s going to do. Yet he was even more intense on not blowing his position to fight for his leader. We can ask Peter when we get to Heaven, but I don’t think he denied Jesus three times just to avoid arrest. I think he still wanted to fight and he did not want to lose his position to protect his leader. His mind was still on the physical. He was clueless.

The disciples were confident that they knew what was up. They were very familiar with what they knew and they took it for granted – so much that many of the words of Jesus were going in one ear and out the other. This night turned their world upside-down. They had no idea what was happening. They were in shock. They were suddenly thrown into a very unfamiliar world – and their lives were never again the same.

-David Jones. CEO

Most of Luke 21 covers the End Times, but there are a few verses at the beginning that challenge us to evaluate our hearts.  Luke 21:1-4 is about a poor widow giving her offering of two very small cooper coins. If you look at the Greek for poor widow, you will find that it signifies extreme poverty. It would seem that she is more fit to receive charity than to give. The amount of money that the widow gave was actually 1/8 of a cent. Not too much. It makes us wonder whether that amount of money can really be used for anything. However, from Jesus’ response to the widow’s offering, we find that God is not concerned with the amount given but with the heart of the giver. God is calling us to give sacrificially. The rich only gave out of their wealth. They gave just what seemed to be the extra to them. God wants us to be willing to give our all. We should be giving beyond our convenience or comfort. If we are only giving what is extra to us, then we are not trusting God to meet all our needs. We may have a worship issue- as scripture says that we cannot worship or serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Think about it- if we are holding onto anything too tightly then our hands are not free to be open before the Lord in praise.

2 Corinthians 8 and 9 are great chapters that teach us more about giving.  We find the church of Macedonia doing just as the poor widow did- giving out of their severe trial. The Macedonians pleaded to take part in God’s work no matter how they had to sacrifice. We also have that same opportunity. We can give sacrificially beyond what God has called us to tithe because we know that God will meet all our needs. We should pray through how God wants us to use our money. As we follow His leadership in our giving, we can be confident that He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase our store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of our righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10). Whoever sows generously, will reap generously. God loves a cheerful giver. May we be described that way.

Luke 21 continues with the disciples telling Jesus how beautiful the temple is. Jesus responds to the disciples with a warning. He tells them that things will not always be as they are at the moment. The disciples continued by inquiring about the time frame of the end of the age. Jesus responds by telling them not what they want to hear but with what they need to hear. Jesus instructs the disciples in how they should live in order to be prepared for the end times. He gives them five main warnings that we should also take heed of.

First, Jesus tells the disciples to not be deceived. There will be many who come proclaiming they are Christ. We should not be surprised by this. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.” The deception of the enemy is great. For us to not be deceived by the enemy, then we must know the truth.  Everything we hear and every thought we have should all be matched up to truth. Do not be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Jesus then tells the disciples to not be afraid. There will be wars, natural disasters, etc. These things will help us to know that the end is near. They can serve as a reminder that our redemption is not far off. We can overcome fear by resting in God’s love.  1 John 4:16-18 says, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Next, Jesus warns the disciples that they will be persecuted for their faith. Jesus also reminds them that He will give them the words to say. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that anyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted. Persecution of Christians is becoming more of a reality in the borders of the United States. Read part of this article from BGGNI.com.  

In November 2009, Oasis of Truth Church was ordered in a letter from a Gilbert code compliance officer to stop church meetings in Pastor Joe Sutherland's home, based on the town's Land Development Code. The officer was not responding to a complaint, but to signs he came across near Sutherland's home about the meetings. The town contends that, under its zoning code, churches within its borders cannot have any home meetings of any size, including Bible studies, three-person church leadership meetings, and potluck dinners. This ban is defended based upon traffic, parking, and building safety concerns. However, nothing in its zoning code prevents weekly Cub Scouts meetings, Monday Night Football parties with numerous attendees, or large business parties from being held on a regular basis in private homes. In fact, the zoning code explicitly allows some day cares to operate from homes. Notably, the church only met for a few hours a week in members' homes, and would rotate to different homes weekly. Further, the church was quite small, consisting of just seven adult members, including three married couples, and their four children.

We too need to remember that God will provide for all our needs as we face persecution for our faith.

The last two things that Jesus tells His disciples are to stand firm and to not let their hearts get weighed down by the things of this world. There are so many distractions and so many things calling for our attention today. Remember that we should be investing our time into the eternal things. God’s Word will stand forever. For us to be able to stand firm and not follow the path of our culture, then we must remain steadfast in God’s Word. May it forever be on our hearts, minds, and lips. Listen to what God told Joshua that he needed to do in order to live victoriously. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the Lord’s return is near. Be strong and courageous as we fight the battle that rages around us.

-Jennifer Jones, Discipleship Manager

Are you looking for truth? Are you really seeking it? What if the truth you find goes against everything you’ve held as valuable, everything you’ve depended on, everything that’s familiar?

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day weren’t looking for truth. They held on to traditions founded by their ancestors, extensions they had added to the law of the Torah, and to the positions they had come to hold in their society.

When Jesus, the Word of God in the flesh, was before them, they had no desire to accept the truth He was offering. Instead they sought to discredit Him, to trick Him, to mock Him. They ignored the evidence that He was Almighty God incarnate. They refused to see prophesies being fulfilled.

Why? Because Jesus didn’t fit the mold they had decided on. Not a mold presented in God’s word, but one they made up in their minds. The Messiah was to be a great earthly king with a powerful earthly kingdom. He would set them free. With Him, they would rule the world.

Also, this Jesus placed no value on the traditions that they held dear, He didn’t respect the positions they had attained. He ate and fellowshipped with sinners! He placed these people on the same level with them. He loved and cared for those who the religious leaders exploited. He just wasn’t what they expected.

Are we like the Pharisees? Do we ignore the truth presented to us in God’s Word so that we can hold on to traditions and positions we find value in? Do we try to trick God by rationalizing attitudes and actions we know are wrong?

I believe that all of us are like the religious leaders that we are so quick to criticize. We too want to hold on to the familiar. We value what others think above what the Lord thinks of us and our actions.

As long as we follow our “law” we’re being good Christians. It’s like a checklist of righteousness. Did I have my quiet time? Was I in a pew on Sunday morning? Did I close my eyes and bow my head when I prayed?  While none of these things are bad, are we holding our rituals as more important than our relationship?

God is looking at our hearts. Are we ready to respond to whatever He asks? Are we searching His word for truth? When God calls, will we answer or will we say not now, it doesn’t fit with my plans, my traditions?

Let’s forget about the things someone else may have told us were true and the things we have made up in our minds. Let’s seek the Lord and search for truth in His Word. (Matthew 6:33) Let’s be ready to respond to His call despite what feels comfortable and familiar. Let’s get ready for the exciting ride God has planned for His children.  

-Kim Newton, Media Manager

If you are a parent, you cannot start this one without getting a little song stuck in your head……”and a wee little man was he”. By the time it is over, however, you may find yourself in a state of self examination. Thank God for struggle! Luke records some of the Lord’s hardest sayings, and ch19 captures at least one of them. The chapter accentuates something we find Jesus saying frequently; that our heart will be revealed in our actions. The heart of Zacchaeus is evident in a couple of things. First, the knowledge of his position in his community as a rich man and a “chief” in his occupation (which, mind you, was perceived as a crooked and evil one) allows us some insight into the public perception of him. This is valuable information into the person of Zacchaeus because we later see a successful grown man in a tree -childish, desperate or both. I’m not sure if people did that a lot back then, but I see a bit of desperation in it. He simply had to see the Lord, and that was evident in his actions. His actions later revealed a genuine repentance and faith in who Jesus was and is. (⁸But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.") James 2:24 says “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead”. This creates a struggle for many of us. Struggles are good and if we are not in an occasional struggle, we might do well to look for one. Hopefully, we all find ourselves struggling against wrong attitudes and vices. These things are not the determining factor in judging the heart of a person, but certainly, if there is no struggle with these matters, then we live according to the flesh and not according to the Spirit. No, rather, the heart is shown in a pattern of a changed life that is continually growing into more and more Christ-likeness. The faith of Zacchaeus became evident in his actions, and if his faith was of the real and enduring variety, these actions continued to define who he became on that day he came down out of that tree.

We also find that the chapter accentuates something the people say frequently in the gospels -“why is he in the company of these sinners?”(v7). I’ll stop with this: I’m very glad that he came to seek and save that which was lost. I was lost.

-Mike Newton, Facilities Director