CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONALS

 I apologize for the late notice. My writers group has been posting devotionals on my author page. I invite you to join in on the fun. 

 

Press the link to get there. Lill Kohler

Relating to the Inner Twelve - Peter

Since the beginning of the year I have discussed each apostle to see if there is one or more with whom we can identify. It's hard to believe that we have reached the last man of the inner circle of Jesus's followers. For many years I thought these men were the only ones who followed Jesus everywhere. Then I read Acts 1:15, 21-22 carefully. There were many others that traveled with Jesus the whole time. Not just twelve men and some women. So when we look at the twelve we can truly say they were the inner circle who received the extra explanations of Jesus.

Our last man is definitely not the least of the group. In fact, Peter is the most regarded of the entourage. He is such a colorful person. He wasn't thundering-explosive like James and John but his well known mistakes and blunders continue to serve as lessons. Some of them, I can relate to more than I want to admit.

Like the rest of the inner twelve, God called Peter to walk away from something he knew and felt secure with, to head toward something only slightly familiar or maybe even totally unknown.  The one difference is as he stepped away from a successful business (with partners and hired workers) into a life following Jesus as a disciple, he also allowed his name to be changed in the process. (John 1, 21; Matt 4) That's something you don't see everyday.

Before the Spirit of God got a hold of him I notice his demeanor takes on an "if He can do it then so can I" bent or an "I know better" attitude. Jesus walked on water, Peter wanted to do it also. (Mt 14) Jesus said he was going to suffer, Peter offered to die with him. (Mt 26) Of course, things being what they were, Peter was shown he wasn't Jesus. He couldn't do the things Jesus could do successfully. Nor did he know better than Jesus about what needed to happen. (Mt 16; Jn 13, 18)

In spite of his mindset, Peter was seen as the leader, evidenced by being mentioned first in the list of apostles. (Mt 10) He was the one who inquired what kind of reward the apostles would receive. (Mt 19) He asked for clarification of the parable in Matthew 15. And gave the confession of faith for the group in John 6 and Matthew 6. 

But even as a leader, have you noticed how often he shows a spastic energy causing him to speak and act before thinking things through? He was going to build tents on top of a mountain with no tools or supplies present. (Mt 17) He wanted Jesus to wash his whole body not just his feet. (Jn 13) He drew a sword and cut off a servant's ear as his form of protection when Jesus was arrested. (Jn 18) He jumped off a boat twice - once in an attempt to walk on water and once to reach Jesus before the others - never mind the boat was a football field away from the shore and he chose to swim with all his clothes on. (Mt 14; Jn 21)

Perhaps it was this spastic energy that caused Peter to set himself up for the greatest attack he experienced before the crucifixion of Jesus. Possibly he thought he had all the courage and guts needed to face any and all opposition. But we see in Matthew 26:33-59, John 18:10-27, and Mark 14:70-71 that he announces a "never" action, fails to recognize the warning Jesus is offering, opts to follow from afar then stops in the middle of a crowd blinded by anger rather than sticking close to John. 

All this set him up for a "bring it on" spiritual attack leading to the failure for which he is known.

It's easy to say he should have been stronger. But have you ever had to change your wording because of those in the room? Or kept your opinion to yourself because the people around you hold opposing viewpoints and you don't think you can defend yourself? Or failed to correct another who's cursing the name of God? The list could go on. How many of us would have dropped the ball too? Especially without the support of another believer. I know I have.

Peter knew he failed when it counted. Yet, even with this fiasco, his love for Jesus did not stop. He risked being seen as he ran from seclusion to check out the empty tomb; racing John all the way. (Lk 24; Jn 20) He exploded off the boat to swim to the shore toward Jesus in hopes of being the first one there. (Jn 21)

Later on that same beach, walking with Jesus by his side, Peter discovered that Jesus forgave him. With each confession of his love for the Messiah, Jesus asked more of Peter in the care of His flock. (Jn 21)

And when the Spirit of God got a hold of Peter, he became the influential man we know him to be. He spoke to a large multi-nation crowd right after the tongues of fire settled on him. (Acts 2) He stood strong in his belief of Jesus when brought before the council. He was arrested for teaching and healing people. He exposed the unrighteous people who pretended to be righteous. (Acts 4, 5, 12) He was thought of as a pillar of the church. (Gal 2:9) He wrote two books to encourage and instruct believers. (1, 2 Peter) Traditionally, he ministered to Jews in Antioch and Corinth, Babylon and Rome. (Note: he took his wife with him as he traveled. See 1 Cor 9.) He was even crucified, but not like Jesus. He was crucified upside down.

Do you have something in your past or present for which you're not sure God can forgive? This forgiveness Peter experienced is here for all of us. We can encounter the same change Peter received. Remember, there is always hope. Scripture tells us, we can do all things through Jesus. (Phil 4:13) And if Peter can do it then so can we.

Relating to the Inner Twelve - John

We're almost done. Only two apostles left to cover. Up next... John, the other half of the Sons of Thunder. 

When I compare the two sets of brothers who followed Jesus, there is a difference I see in the scriptures. Peter and Andrew are rarely in the same scene, leading us to assume they learned their own lessons as students of the Messiah. James and John, on the other hand, while they still had separate situations, they experienced so many lessons together. 

Rebuked for wanting a town destroyed because of the town's rejection of the group. (Lk 9) Watching Jairus's daughter healed. (Lk 8, Mk 5) Experiencing Elijah and Moses speaking with Jesus as he transformed. (Mt 17, Mk 9, Lk 9) Requesting a special position in heaven (Mt 20, Mk 10) Falling asleep when asked to pray and keep watch. (Mt 20, Mk 14, Lk 22) Receiving correction when he and the others stopped outsiders from performing miracles in Jesus's name. (Mk 9)

I am taken by their relationship. How many of us have a relative, or a friend, that continues to closely walk through life lessons with us? What about being part of a group that thinks their way is the only way to worship or do Bible Study? Can you relate to any of this? In some ways, I can.

As I mentioned before, John was his own man. As the younger brother he left the family business for a time to follow John the Baptizer. He ended up living a long life of speaking, teaching, performing miracles, possibly overseeing the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, and writing to the saints. For a time, he was banished to Patmos then freed. And, though many tried to kill him, he was the only apostle to die of natural causes.

Before we look at the post-resurrection John, let's back up a little. In the garden of Gethsemane, he showed guts when he intentionally follows the angry mob that arrests Jesus. How many of us would follow an impassioned group that grabbed a friend or teacher? How many would use a favorable history with the leaders to enter the building where he's taken? Then turn around, make a way through the horde, retrieve a member of the group in order to bring that person through the door into the midst of the crowd? (Jn 18)

John did. But his bravery didn't stop there.

At the cross, surrounded by Roman guards and a taunting crowd, he stood by the women followers as they watched Jesus die. That took courage. Running to the tomb after Mary Magdalene's report took some boldness as well.

But he also had that I-need-to-see-for-myself attitude when he ran to the tomb to check it out. (Jn 20:1-10) Can you relate to wanting to see something for yourself before you accept a report? Unfortunately, I can.

I also see him as being observant. When the group ends up back in Galilee. (Jn 21) He is the first one to recognize Jesus on the beach. I can just see him lighting up when he realizes who's back. Perhaps it sparked a renewed eagerness to learn as much as he could from Jesus.

This drive to keep learning is seen as he shares it all in his writings. And does so with a spirit of humbleness. (Rev 22) We see this as he refers to himself only as the 'other disciple' or 'the disciple Jesus loved' in his gospel. In a word study of these phrases, I had two discoveries. Disciple describes a pupil who once a lesson is heard applies it to his life and adheres to it as his rule of conduct. And, love is the love a father has for a son. Wow. He was learning for keeps, not just the tickling of the ears.

Interesting thought here. He began his time with Jesus as one of the Sons of Thunder, but ended up being entrusted with the care of Jesus's mother. Perhaps, he had changed that much. And knowing change is possible, he encourages believers in their learning and application process in his books. We also see in his writings, he is a man from whom the love of God flows. I love his books.

John is a great example to all of us that no matter how rough the start may be, there is always hope for change. I desire when my time on earth ends that people will be able to see a difference in me between the start and the finish of my life. That my life will reflect an increasing flow of God's love to others.

There are numerous verses in the gospels that mention John. Beyond those you can read about him in: Acts 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12; Galatians 2:9; Revelation 1, 10, 22.

Relating To the Inner Twelve - James

For some reason, I have struggled with putting together the post for James even more than with Judas. Maybe it's because I can relate to him in more ways than with the other disciples. Then again, James comes with so much to say.

To begin with, like me, he is the eldest sibling. James is always mentioned with his brother, but he is listed first. Therefore, we can assume he is the oldest of the two. James was the son of Zebedee and Salome. Perhaps he was the more responsible one, or sensible one as he stayed behind with the family business when his younger brother went with Andrew to hear John the Baptizer's teachings. After all, they had much to supervise as they had hired workers in both Bethsaida and Capernaum, as well as being in business with Andrew and Simon Peter. (Luke 5, Mark 1, Matthew 4)

It is important to note that though he stayed back initially, when Jesus appeared in the middle of a workday calling the brothers to follow Him, James joined his brother. He left the work behind and chose to follow this new teacher. (Mark 1, Luke 5)

And speaking of James and his brother John, they are known as the Sons of Thunder. Some translations called the brothers, Boanerges or Benay-Regah, rather than Sons of Thunder. The Greek transliteration is sons of loud shouts or commotion, as in easily angered. But the TPT says it can also mean passionate, while CSB says it can be a fiery and destructive zeal. When I hear the word thunder I think of rumbling in the skies above as a storm rolls in. Not like lightening which instantaneously appears as it strikes an object then just as quickly disappears.

I have an experience that possibly resembles a Sons of Thunder moment. It was during a choir trip to Romania. After the Sunday service our group was surrounded by hands waving in the air in all directions. Shaking and pointing accented the powerfully raised voices as we stood silently observing. I just knew a fight would break out at any moment. My only comfort came from knowing I was among people who loved each other. All they wanted was to share a meal with us.

In any case, trying to picture Sons of Thunder leaves me with several options. One, they grumbled and mumbled about a lesson they heard, maybe between themselves or with others. Or, two, like the believers mentioned above, they discussed loudly, so that everyone in the crowd could hear them. People would know they were coming before they turned the corner. Or was it because they offered to command fire to destroy a village that refused to host Jesus. (Luke 9) In any case, we can say James spoke his mind. 

Just as Jesus accepted Matthew in spite of his past, Jesus tolerated these outbursts of James and his brother. I sometimes speak louder than perhaps a situation calls for - though not as loud as the experience mentioned above. I get that from my biological family whom I've been told argued on the loud side. So in some ways I can relate to the Sons of Thunder title. 

Can you relate to any of this so far? Let's look at more.

James was not just part of the inner twelve, he was included in the closest three students of Jesus. As such he was taken up on a mountaintop in Luke 9, Matthew 17, and Mark 9. It was there that he witnessed not only a transformation of Jesus, but also the appearance of Elijah and Moses, and heard the voice of God the Father. WOW. 

Three interesting things happened on that mountain. One he fell asleep when they first stopped there so he didn't get to see everything that happened. (Luke 9) Two, when he heard the voice of God the Father he fell to the ground face first. (Matthew 17) And he didn't get up until Jesus assured him it was safe. And three, he was trusted to keep a secret until it was the right time to share the occurrence.

But then there's the time when shortly after hearing Jesus was going to face trauma and death, James and his brother had the guts - maybe audacity - to ask Jesus to seat them at his sides in heaven. (Mark 10) Whichever reason it was, James knew Jesus well enough to have the freedom to ask anything. The answer he received was a gentle rebuke resulting in the promise of a tough road before reaching heaven.

I love this aspect. We also have the freedom to ask Jesus anything. Jesus will always answer us truthfully. It may not be the answer we are looking for, but He will speak what needs to be said.

After the episode of falling asleep on the mountaintop, James has another experience of an inability to remain awake while Jesus prayed for a long time (Matthew 26). Following the request to keep watch, James falls asleep. (He did stay awake long enough to hear some of what Jesus lifted in prayer. It is after all recorded in Mark and Matthew.) I can so relate to this. Staying focused as another person does the praying can be challenging at times. I get it.

When we look at his life as a follower of Jesus and all the things he witnessed, he had all that a believer could want. From the outside one would think he was going places... that nothing could stop him because he had the favor of God upon him. But, even when man thinks God's favor will make someone unstoppable, it may not turn out that way. James did preach in Jerusalem and Judea. But, before he could get very far, he was cut off relatively early around AD44. Acts 12 tells us he was struck down by Herod's sword.

I've mentioned how I can relate to James. Did you see anything in James that you can relate to?

There are many passages in which James is mentioned or part of the story: Matthew 4, 10, 17, 26; Mark 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 14; Luke 5, 6, 8, 9; John 21; Acts 1, 12.

Relating to the Inner Twelve - Matthew

 Our next apostle had a mind for numbers and could write well. He was a quiet worker who hailed from Capernaum. He didn't ask questions, but he recorded all he saw and learned, which he eventually put into the first gospel of the Bible.

Matthew, also called Levi, experienced complexities none of the others dealt with as apostles of Jesus. 

First, he came to the group as the Roman government's tax collector with whom the men were acquainted. He knew exactly how they and other Jews viewed him. Like scum. No one liked him. Given the choice, the rest of Jesus's followers wouldn't have chosen him to be part of the inner group that would support and learn from Jesus. But he was chosen by Jesus. So, for some time, he was the outsider to the insider group - the odd man out - so to speak. 

I don't know how long it took, but we can see in the other gospels he is simply called Matthew. In other words, they forgave him. They saw a change in him and accepted him. Including him in as part of the group. He even continued as one of them after the master's death. (Acts 1) However, he never forgot this fact about himself.  Years later when he wrote his gospel, he referred to himself as the "tax-collector".

One has to wonder what he had to do to change the minds of those in the inner circle? Did the dinner party he threw for the group at his house help? Luke 5 mentions it was a great feast with other tax collectors and back-slidden Jews in attendance, thus giving the opportunity for the word to get out to those he knew. Point in fact here, Matthew had a very large house to host all those people.

This brings up another point about Matthew. He was well respected among his fellow tax collectors or they wouldn't have gone to the dinner. I mean, why would they have attended a meal where the man who pulled Matthew away from a profitable business wants to talk to them? Yet, they came to hear what Matthew and Jesus had to say.

By his own writings we know two things. He attended the Sermon on the Mount because he recorded all that Jesus taught. Two long chapters of notes. He shares several stories before he documents Jesus calling him to leave the tax collecting business. Like Andrew, he chose to leave money making behind and follow Jesus when he was called.

Which brings up an interesting aspect of Matthew. He was experienced at handling money as a tax collector, yet he was not given the job of handling the money box. That job was given to Judas, who reportedly over time skimmed funds from the container. How hard was it for Matthew to see that happen? I'm sure he knew he could do a better job.

I can relate to Matthew on so many levels. I sometimes have trouble forgiving myself for past actions that others have long forgotten. It takes reminding myself I am forgiven so that I don't let it bring me despair. I've also been overlooked for jobs and positions for which I was qualified. This has not been an easy thing to experience. But, if I wait long enough I do see God's reason for the let down.

It is through Matthew that Jesus showed the disciples, and us, that He accepts all people. Even those who are thought to be among the lowest sinners. Jesus not only accepts them but calls those rejected by others to be close to Him and in the inner group who follow Him. How sweet is that? Can you relate to that?

Matthew is thought to have preached in Parthia and Ethiopia, where tradition says he died as a martyr. In his gospel you can read how he viewed Jesus as fulfilling prophecy as the Messiah, the King of the Jews, with a focus on His teachings. In the following passages you can read about him: Matthew 9, 10; Mark 2, 3; Luke 5, 6; Acts 1, 5.

Relating to Inner Twelve - Andrew

This week we return to another quiet worker, but one who shows us many good things with which we can identify. He's a great follow-up to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Let's take a look.

In Luke and Mark, Andrew enters the picture as a fisherman from the Bethsaida/Capernaum area. By deduction we know, he had to be a strong muscular man from all the years of pulling in nets filled with fish. The book of Luke tells us he and his brother were business partners with Zebedee's sons, who by the way employed workers. (Luke 5) Knowing this, we can say he was a well-to-do man, not wealthy, but better off than most in those days.

In fact, he owned a house with Simon. One that was large enough to hold extended family in it, and some after-synagogue gatherings. (Mark 1,2,3; Luke 4,8; Matthew 8)

So, in other words, he led a successful life as many might see it. He was in great physical shape, had a thriving business, and a house some may have desired. Yet, we know he was seeking more of God.

How do we know this? He not only went to hear John the Baptist but ended up becoming a student, or disciple, of his. Andrew was there when Jesus walked by after his forty days in the wilderness. When John the Baptist specifically pointed out Jesus as the Son of God (or Lamb of God depending on your translation), Andrew and his friend John followed Jesus immediately without hesitation. This action was repeated again in Matthew 4 when the men were back to work, after spending time with Jesus, and it was now time for Jesus to begin His travels, He came to Andrew's place of business and called for him. Andrew just dropped it all to follow Jesus. No questions asked as far as we know.

I see that he had the right priorities in his life. He didn't allow work or making money to stop him from joining Jesus. I can say that I am not always able to drop what I'm working on and just leave it. I suppose, though, if Jesus were standing there in person and directing me, it might be more easily done.

Before we proceed, I need to back track a moment to focus on one other thing that Andrew did. When he left John the Baptist to follow The Messiah, Andrew spent a short period of time with Him, but then he went to fetch his brother, Simon Peter. (John 1, Luke 4) He was spreading the word of The Messiah's arrival. When you find the truth, do you share it right away? Note Andrew saw for himself first, made sure he had the right information, then reached out to the closest person to him.

So far, he seems to have the ideal attitude and walk with the Lord. But, Andrew's walk with Jesus wasn't without hiccups. He and Philip seemed to be on the same line of thinking when Jesus asked about feeding a massive crowd of people. (John 6) First, Andrew reports about a young boy having five loaves and two fish. Then we see the agreement he has with Philip when he sarcastically in a doubt-filled-manner ends the report with, "... but how far would that go with this huge crowd?" Of course, he gets to experience the answer to his own question. Have you ever told God, sarcastically or not, that it can't be done? Has God ever shown you that the impossible can be done? (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Then there was the time Andrew helped Philip with a request made by Gentile strangers. (John 12) The result... they and everyone around the apostles are told basically Jesus has a greater focus happening. Not exactly the answer they were looking for. On the other hand, we see a different result in Mark 13. Andrew, along with the closest three apostles, wanted to to know about the future and the end of time. So they asked. What they got was a long reply filled with the signs they wanted to know. Andrew wasn't afraid to ask questions - whether he got the answer he wanted or one that seemed out in left field. He asked.

I can relate to Andrew's desire to know the Messiah, it is a daily part of my journey through life. As far as his desire to know details of the end of time, we are all curious. I need to remember to ask Jesus questions, even if the previous reply was not what I wanted to hear. Do you ask questions of the Lord? Do you seek to know Him better? Perhaps, there is a little of Andrew within you as well.

Andrew is said to have preached in Asia Minor, Greece and Scythia before being crucified on an X-shaped cross that is now known as a St. Andrew's cross. There are many verses to peruse regarding Andrew: Matthew 4:18-20, 10:2; Mark 1:16-31, 3:18, 13:1-23; Luke 5:1-11, 6:14; John 1:35-44, 6:8-9, 12:20-22; Acts 1, 5:17-42.

Relating to the Inner Twelve - Judas Iscariot

Up to this point I've spent more time on our next apostle than any of the others. Judas Iscariot (also known as Judas son of Simon in John 13). I've been posting the names in the same order I used last time. I wasn't sure whether to keep Judas in this spot, but as it turns out, this is the perfect time to bring him up. After all, we're headed into the celebration of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Last week we learned we can be on the wrong path for the right reasons, and I have to wonder if Judas fell into this very thing. But there is a difference between Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. In the end, Judas chose not to change what his mind had already decided to do. 

In the beginning, Judas was the only one not from the Galilee area. His last name identified men from Kerioth. In fact, his people looked down on Galileans as crude frontier settlers. And even though the group of apostles must have known this, they still trusted him enough at one point that he was made the treasurer in charge of the moneybox. (John 12:4-6) The TPT in Luke 6 calls him Judas the locksmith - indicating he may have had the key to that moneybox. (This is the only place I found this information.)

Through the three years, he was there with the others listening to Jesus's teachings. Walking and talking with Jesus daily. Basking in His presence. Hearing the explanations and special insights of the parables. He even went out with a partner to perform miracles (Matt 10:1-12) and experience the Holy Spirit moving through him. He also had his feet washed by Jesus. (John 13:5)

But there was one problem.

Judas had a weakness. Money. That love of money opened him up to the influence of evil. He was even warned by Jesus in Mark 14:18-21, Matt 26:14 and John 13:11-27. But he pursued it anyway. As a result, Satan entered him in John 13:12 and Luke 22:3.

What it boils down to...He thought he knew better than the voice of God speaking to him. Possibly, he thought that he was forcing Jesus to show His hand. To show others that He, Jesus, was the Messiah come to save His people from the wicked hand of the Romans.

Here's an awful thought ... Though we may have daily walks and talks with Jesus, how many times do we do the same thing? How many times do we argue with the voice of the Holy Spirit? How many times do we assume we know what He wants? How many times do we think we know better than the warnings friends or fellow church members give us? Do we get so comfortable with our closeness to Jesus that we forget to ask Him if what we want to do is what He wants us to do?

OUCH! I know I can relate to this more than I want to think about.

But, here's where the difference comes in. Judas didn't do his deed out of the kindness of his heart; he asked for money to point out who Jesus was. In Matthew 26 and Mark 14 he even asks how much the priests will pay him to deliver Jesus to them. To back up the possibility of this request, John 12 mentions that Judas would skim money from the group's funds. Apparently, he was not a man with integrity.

Greed and the desire for wealth can overwhelm mankind. Taking control and causing them to do things they might not have done otherwise. It's like they're wearing rose colored glasses.

Matthew 27 is a pop-the-bubble moment when we see Judas comes to his senses and realizes what he'd done. He even tried to correct it, but it was too late. There was no going back.

He had fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12, Acts 1), and yet the ultimate responsibility of Jesus being tried and crucified fell on his shoulders. And, he knew it. So grief stricken by his own actions, Judas does not offer multiple sacrifices for forgiveness, instead he takes his own life.

While none of us wants to associate any of our nature with Judas, can we learn from him?

Judas Iscariot kept his focus on the ways of the earth and the troubles of life. He took his eyes off Jesus, ignored the teachings he had received, and allowed money to be a bigger goal for him.

It is scary that this can happen to anyone, no matter how close they walk with Jesus. We all have weaknesses. The key to overcoming them is to keep our eyes on Jesus. My hope is that I don't allow any weakness in me to pull my eyes away from the Lord, nor that it opens up any influence of evil and unrighteousness in my actions. What about you?

Unlike the apostles we've spoken about in the past few weeks there is quite a bit written about Judas. You can read about him in these other scriptures: Psalm 41:9; 109:8; Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 10, 26, 27; Mark 3, 14; Luke 6, 22; John 6, 12, 13, 17, 18; Acts 1.