Not Just a Man

NOT JUST A MAN

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

Luke 23:1-46

            Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor. Herod Antipas was the Roman-appointed ruler of Galilee.  Jesus was a Galilean teacher and miracle-worker.

Luke 23:11-16, 20-21:  “Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him.  Dressing Him [Jesus] in an elegant robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. 

            “That day Herod and Pilate became good friends—before this they had been enemies.

“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,

“and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion.  I have examined Him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against Him.’

 “Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; as you can see, He has done nothing to deserve death.

“Therefore I will punish Him then release Him.”

…

“Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.  But they kept shouting, ‘Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!’”

            Only the Roman governor could condemn someone to death.  Pontius Pilate was warned by his wife, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him,” (Matthew 27:19).  She was highly educated and wealthy.  Pontius welcomed her insight. 

            Jerusalem was wild during Passover.  Something triggered the Sanhedrin’s fury.

            Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the king of the Jews?”

            “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

            Pilate figured that Jesus’ trouble with the Sanhedrin was blasphemy [BLAS-fem-ee].  No person = God!   Ahhh, Pilate reasoned that Sanhedrin were jealous of Jesus!

            Jesus comes from Galilee!  Pilate happily realized.  I’ll send Him to Herod to decide what to do!  

            Herod was delighted, hoping to witness a miracle.  But Jesus hardly spoke to Herod.  Enraged, Herod returned Jesus to Pilate.  Jesus was the common prisoner that made Pilate and Herod friends.

Take Home Nugget

            Pilate ignored his wife’s advice AND that Jesus was not just a man. 

            Pilate didn’t understand that Jewish guilt that was transferred to a Scapegoat.  This once-in-eternity Passover, the Father piled all of human sin onto His Son.  This Passover would end the ritual of animal sacrifices to atone for people’s sin.  This Passover found Jesus bearing Israel’s sin as well as sin that I committed and you, too! 

            See the lesson linked below. 

            This unique Passover fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy, too.  “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds [stripes of blood] we are healed.”

Thank You, Jesus, that You endured all human illnesses and diseases so that we can be whole!  By Your precious name, Amen.  

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY

Adapted from “Look Again, Pilate!” a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 30, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

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Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

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Monsters and Celebration

MONSTERS AND CELEBRATION

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

John 11:25-26:  “Jesus said to her [Martha], ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will NEVER die.  Do you believe this?’”  Emphasis added.

             

            “Do you want to walk up with me to say ‘Good-Bye’ to Midge?”

            My four year old looked at me, biting her lip.  Her wrinkled-forehead showed stress that pressured her to whisper, “No.”

            Coffins, as sanctuary centerpieces, do resemble monsters!

            Midge was dead.  Her great-granddaughter didn’t know her very well, as we lived far away.  But I enjoyed a close relationship with her when I grew up.  Midge was a staple all my life. 

            Halloween was when our extended family enjoyed a parade in which most kids participated marching past Midge’s house.  Her upstairs bay window and folding chairs on the curb pictured parents cheering for kids marching in formation with other members belonging to various extra-curricular activities.  In Halloween dress or marching-unit uniforms, we’d cram inside to chomp on Midge’s homemade cinnamon buns afterward.  

            But four-year-olds don’t understand death.  Parents try to shield kids from that monster.  I didn’t insist that my daughter accompany me to face Midge’s monster.

            I didn’t blame her.  I never liked death, either.

            God never intended for death to invade the perfect utopia He created.  Papa planted the tree of life in the center of His Garden.  That tree’s fruit maintains people’s youth and vitality (Genesis 2:9).  But now, Cherubim flashing flaming swords prevent people from entering that Garden to eat from its life-preserving tree (Genesis 3:24).  

            My daughter and I felt death’s monster at Midge’s funeral.  Mourners aren’t alone when weeping after someone dies.  Jesus cried for Lazarus outside his tomb (John 11:25).

            But the same devil who tempted Adam and Eve to eat fruit from God’s one forbidden tree celebrates when people die (Genesis 2:17).

            Our heavenly Father knew the perfect time to stop the devil’s celebrations and sent His Son into the world.  Jesus showed people that the Father is love.  Jesus demonstrated that love to whoever would come to Him.  He healed untold numbers, cast out demons, spoke miraculous wonders like calming a raging sea, and He even washed His disciple’s feet (John 13:5-12).  He allowed Himself to die a horrible death on a cross. 

            The devil celebrated three days when Jesus died.

            But his party ended when Jesus was resurrected! 

Take Home Nugget

            Death was the LAST enemy (monster) that Christ destroyed—see lesson linked below.  His followers are waiting for their turn to also rise to life.

            Our celebration will last forever!

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

HAPPY EASTER!

Adapted from “Look Again, Pilate!” a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 30, 2018. 

And

“The Monster of Death is Swallowed Up” by Rev. Thomas E. Engel.  April 1, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

Host Servant

HOST SERVANT

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

Mark 14:12-48, 15, 16

Mark 14:14:  “Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’”

            The owner of the house never questioned Whose guest room? 

      

            Depending on different people’s hearts, John 1:11-13 explains the difference between borrowed space and where Jesus takes possession: “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.  Yet to all who receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children not born of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

            Jesus took possession of the kataluma (Greek for “inn”, “guest, or inner room”) in Mark’s Gospel.

            Jesus proved that He’s the Son of God by predicting the future.  He admitted that He’d be betrayed, arrested, deserted by His disciples, interrogated, sentenced to death, tortured, nailed to a cross, die, be buried, and raised back to life.  

    

            Let’s watch His transformation from host to servant.  Jesus became the host for the Passover Supper.  He said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” 

            Jesus showcased the betrayer:  “It is one of the Twelve,” He replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with Me.”

            Then Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take it; this is My body.”

            Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, declaring, “This is My blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many.”  They all drank.  

            After singing a hymn together, Jesus led them to the Mount of Olives.  “You will all fall away,” Jesus said.  “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 

            Peter insisted that he’d NEVER disown Jesus.  Jesus objected.  Peter would disown Him—three times—before the rooster crows.  Then Jesus took Peter, James, and John along to Gethsemane.   

Take Home Nugget

            From this point, Jesus flipped the switch and became a servant.  He became the Father’s obedient Son who’d fulfill every prophesy recorded about Him in the Bible’s Old Testament.  Jesus laid aside His Godhead and allowed Himself to be tortured and die a criminal’s death. 

            Read what happened at Gethsemane in Mark 14:32-15:46 and complete the lesson linked below.  

   

            Jesus ushered in a new covenant when He rose from death and ascended to the Father in heaven.  (Jesus’ words and history are referenced in Mark 14:18,20, 22, 24, 28, 48, Mark 15:2-15, 21-47, Mark 16:1-14, 19).

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

Adapted from “The True Servant”, a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 16, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Host Servant

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here  

  This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Humble Beauty

HUMBLE BEAUTY

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

John 13:1-17

John 13:8:  “‘No,’ said Peter, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’

“Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part in Me.’”

            Twelve-year-old Jeremy winced when he saw his classmate Brad’s shoes.  He blurted out, “Gushy mud!”

            “Pretty cool, right?” Brad admitted, lifting his caked muddied foot high. 

            “Ugh, get away from me!” Jeremy teased.  “Yeah, cool in a gross sort of way!”

            In Jesus’ time, people living in the Middle East never commented on dirty feet.  But in wealthy people’s homes, a servant would remove visitors’ sandals and wash their feet when they entered the home.  Their task was seen as lowly.  Check out the lesson linked below to see what Jesus’ intent was when washing His disciples’ feet. 

            There were no cement roads or walkways in Jesus’ time.  Dirt was the foundation of roads and paths.

            People didn’t wear sneakers, loafers, or boots.  Open-toed sandals were what people typically wore.  They protected one’s soles when walking on sticks and rocks.  Since most walked wherever they wanted to go, dusty feet were always present and never an issue. 

            Jeremy’s ‘ugh’ probably would be how we’d respond to over the dust that penetrated every nook and cranny of one’s house.  (Visiting the seashore, all the sand trekked inside a hotel room is never totally eliminated).  We can imagine that servants or house members swept the filth out of the house several times each day. 

Take Home Nugget

            Although God created people in His image (Genesis 1:27), Adam and Eve fell short of God’s glory.  The filth of their sin spread through the ages to you and me.  Sin’s filth couldn’t simply be washed away with water like cleansing dirty, dusty feet.

            Our heavenly Father required spilled blood to wash away sin. 

            The Bible’s Old Testament shows priests sacrificing animals and presenting their blood to God.  Their blood washed away people’s sins.

 

            Then God sent His only Son Jesus to earth to show people how much He loves us.  Jesus showed His disciples how much He loved them by washing their feet. 

            Jesus is the poster of humble beauty: 

            Jesus set aside His Godliness and allowed Himself to be sacrificed on the cross.  His beatings spilled His blood that washed away people’s sins.  Every sin that you can think of was heaped on Jesus and forgiven by the Father when Jesus died on the cross. 

            Jesus fulfilled our Father’s requirement for forgiveness of sins once and for all.  He was the LAST sacrifice!  His death totally and permanently washed away sin for those who believe in Him.    

Holy Father, Thank You for Jesus and for His death that paid for the forgiveness of our sins!  Amen.  

Adapted from “In the Image of God”, a devotion by Mrs. Kathy S. Johnson.  February 25, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Humble Beauty

 For a personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here  

 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Why Palm Branches?

WHY PALM BRANCHES?

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

John 12:9-19

John 12:13:  “They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting,

“‘Hosanna!

“‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

“‘Blessed is the King of Israel!’”

            Check out the lesson linked below for events that led to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 

            In the Bible’s New Testament’s 4^th Gospel, only John deliberately reveals that palm branches were used to greet King Jesus into Jerusalem.  Some believed that the palm tree could not be broken.  The Greek philosopher Aristotle and the historian Plutarch taught that the harder one tries to break a palm tree equals the palm’s resistance against breaking. 

            This dynamic tests the will—both the tree’s and what tries to break it.   

            Jesus’ will was severely tested in Jerusalem.  Did He recognize the parallel between Himself and the palm branches?

            Isaiah is a book in the Bible’s Old Testament that was written by God’s prophet.  Isaiah foretold truths that must happen.  The words meant nothing when Isaiah wrote his book.  But when Jesus came as the Word made flesh (John 1:1), Isaiah listed prophecies that Jesus must fulfill.  So when Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” in John 19:30,   He knew for certain that His earthly work was done. 

            Holy Week (from Palm Sunday through Easter) tested Jesus to the max.  Isaiah 53 uses dramatic verbs that describe prophetically [pro-FET-i-kal-ee] what Jesus faced in Jerusalem.  

  

            Jesus would be betrayed rejected by men^vs3, arrested a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering^vs3, slandered despised^vs3, accused unfairly He was oppressed and afflicted^vs7, pronounced guilty yet He did not open His mouth^vs7, tortured and as a sheep before her shearers is silent^vs7, sentenced to crucifixion by oppression and judgment He was taken away^vs8, and died for He was cut off from the land of the living^vs8, to save people from our sin for the transgressions of My people He was stricken^vs8. 

Take Home Nugget

            Isaiah 50:5-7 foretells Jesus’ resolve to finish His purpose why God sent Him to earth as a human.  Jesus fulfilled all these prophecies during “Holy Week.”

            “The Sovereign LORD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.

            “I offered My back to those who beat Me, and My cheek to those who pulled out My beard; I did not hide My face from mocking and spitting.

            “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced.  Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.” 

Help me Father, to resolve like Jesus’ did to fulfill Your will for me on earth.  I pray this in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.  

Adapted from “Palm Branches, Part 1”, a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 25, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

            The Chinese Bamboo compares to the Eastern Palm tree.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Why Palm Branches?

 For a personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here 

  This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured u

p her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers