Those Who Are Thankful and Those Who Complain-Jesus Tears part 2

By Mary Vee
John 11:28-45

A tomb in Jerusalem
Photo by Mary Vee

There was a man named Lazarus from the town of Bethany, the same village where his sisters, Mary and Martha lived. At this time, Lazarus was very sick.  

The doctors tried to help Lazarus, but he died. His sisters wrapped his body and put him in a tomb. They wept sorely for their brother, and when their news reached Jesus, he too wept.

Before he left his location to visit Mary and Martha, Jesus told his disciples the sickness Lazarus had would not end in death. He then journey with his disciples to where Mary and Martha lived. 

After speaking with Martha, Jesus sent for Mary. Mary ran to where Jesus waited. She fell on her knees at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."



Jesus saw her weep. The Jews who came to support Mary and Martha also wept. Jesus was so deeply moved in spirit. He too wiped tears. "Where have you laid him?"

Mary sniffed. "Come and see, Lord." She walked up a path to a cave where others wept.

The Jews congregating around the cave saw Jesus and the tears he shed. They said, "See how Jesus loved Lazarus!"

Some of the Jews, though, murmured. "He could give sight to the blind man. Couldn't he have kept this man from dying?"

Jesus closed his eyes and wept. So moved, he stepped slowly to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. He swallowed. "Move the stone away."

Martha had walked next to him. She faced him. "Lord, by this time, there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." 

"Martha," Jesus said. "Did I not tell you if you believed, you would see the glory fo God?"

"Yes." She turned to a few men and asked them to roll the stone away. 

Jesus stood before the open cave and raised his head to the sky. "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here so they may believe you sent me."

Jesus looked at the open cave and called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

The Jews, Mary, and Martha watched the cave. Expecting. They glanced at Jesus then back at the cave. When they did, Lazarus came out of the tomb. HIs hands and feet still wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth covered his face.

Mary, and Martha pressed their hands to their hearts, overwhelmed at seeing their brother and fell to their knees in praise to Jesus.

Jesus said, "Remove the grave clothes. Let him walk and move freely."

Many of the Jews who had come to lament with Mary and Martha saw what Jesus did and put their faith in Him. 

...But some of the Jews went to the Pharisees and complained to them about what Jesus did.   

Come back to read the next part.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

News Flash! More Than One Healed At The Pool of Bethesda

By Mary Vee
John 5

From John's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Sign outside the area of the Pool of Bethesda

My name is John. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to what I share today. 

We left Galilee and walked to Jerusalem. I say we walked "up" to Jerusalem, even though we headed south, because the city is up on a hill.

This was a time of feast. The Passover. And as expected, we went to Jerusalem for the celebration. A time to remember how God protected, guided, and cared for the Israelites through the escape from Egypt long ago.


We were near the Sheep Gate, at the pool of Bethesda, there is a map of the city below.

Photo by Mary Vee
The ruins of the Pool of Bethesda 

This is a rather large pool surrounded by five colonnades. There is also a picture of a colonnade below. So the pool was really big.

People who were very sick, injured, blind, those who had all kinds of physical problems came here to the pool each day. They would lie by the water. If they could not get to this place, friends or family might bring them there. 

The came to this pool because when the water stirred, the first one in the water was healed.

The Sheep Gate from
today's story is near the top.
Map by Mary Vee

We walked with Jesus to the pool. He stopped and spoke with a man who said he had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. Jesus said to him, "Do you want to get well?"

We were all quite surprised with the question. Of course he wanted to get well or he wouldn't be there. Later we learned what Jesus really meant by that question.

The man answered, "Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. When ever I try, someone gets down into the water before me."

Jesus said, "Get up. Pick up your mat and walk."

We stood behind Jesus, but could still see the man. Right before our eyes he stood. His ankles were strong, no wobbling at all. His legs did not buckle. He stood straight and looked as surprised as we were. Then he bent over and picked up his mat like Jesus told him to and walked away. He seemed to be too stunned to say anything.

Photo by Mary Vee
A colonnade in Jerash, Jordan

This happened on a Sabbath. There are many rules about what a man can and cannot do on a Sabbath. Some Jews stopped the man who had been healed. They said to him, "you know this is the Sabbath, right? And that the law strictly forbids you to carry your mat?"

The man who was healed pointed toward Jesus. "He made me well. He told me to pick up my mat and walk."

The Jews said, "Who is this person who said you should pick up a mat and walk?"

He looked back toward the pool and searched the crowd. "I don't see him any more."

Later, we saw the man at the temple. Jesus said to him, "See, you are well, again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

The man nodded then hurried away. He went straight to the Jews who spoke with him earlier. "That man who healed me was Jesus."

They left him and hurried through the crowd, searching for Jesus to speak with him. They didn't look happy at all. Actually, they looked like they wanted to get after him for violating their idea of the Sabbath law.

I'll tell you more about that next time.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

A Time Between Testaments- The Wimpy Brother's Choice

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament
Around 64 BC

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is around 63 BC. (before Christ)

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|

Two brothers, Hrycanus and Aristobulus did not get along. The younger, stronger brother wanted to rule the Jews, but his mother, Queen Salome gave the throne to his older brother on her death bed.

Their fighting knew no bounds. Aristobulus, the younger one, conquered his older brother's army and took the throne.

Hrycanus' advisor set up a counter attack months later, giving him the throne back for all the Jewish land except the mighty Temple fortress where Aristobulus hid.

In the meantime, two Roman generals set out to make Rome the leader of the world: Julius Caesar and Pompey. General Pompey conquered Spain and took his army east conquering what is now Turkey then he went farther east toward Iran in the name of Rome. He turned south and stopped for a time in Damascus.

While General Pompey stopped in Damascus, Hrycanus had a bright idea. He went to Damascus and asked to meet with the General. "You must understand, General. My mother, Queen Solome, decreed that I should have the throne and rule the Jews. My brother, though, has brought an army against me, and has fought since the day our mother died. If you would just back me on her decree, I'm sure we could live in peace."

The general agreed to think about it.

Days later, his brother, Aristobulus had the same idea. Aristobulus went to Damascus to visit the general. "Please believe me when I say my brother is weak. He is an incompetent leader. I am the stronger one with leadership skills. The country would be better off with me in charge. If I could get your support, I'm sure we could live in peace."

The general agreed to think about it.

A group of priests called Sanhedrin also went to visit general Pompey. "General, these brothers have been fighting since the day they were born. We know they have come to speak with you, each one wanting your support. We suggest you not listen to either one of them. We are happy to take over the leadership of the Jews."

The general agreed to think about it.

And the general did. For a whole year he thought about it. 

In 63 BC, General Pompey marched his army to Jerusalem. This was an important city. If he took control of this land, the Roman power would be strengthened. 

Amazingly enough, Aristobulus surrendered to the Roman troops. He and the fellow survivors were marched in shame to Rome. Hrycanus, though, pulled his army back and hid until they could regroup. Pompey continued to fight against Hrycanus until the Jewish king gave up.

General Pompey marched his troops into the temple. He walked back to the Holy of Holies and used his sword to slice the veil. Inside this inner room he looked around. No one really knows how he felt, only what he didn't do. Pompey left everything as it was. He took no booty even though there were valuable pieces in the temple. Pompey ordered his men to leave and not take or touch anything.

He allowed Hyrcanus to remain as high priest and even called him king, but Jerusalem and all Jews were placed under Roman rule at that point. Before he left the area, he ordered his army to knock down the city walls to take away the Jews defenses, and he ordered a heavy Roman tax on all Jews. 

Maybe Hyrcanus realized the Jews could lose their way of worshiping God so he refused to surrender like his brother. Maybe he thought they would lose the temple like they had when the Greeks came. Whatever the reason that made him fight instead of surrendering to Pompey, the Jews were allowed to continue worshiping God as the law of Moses instructed.

Pompey's work was done. The Roman empire now spread east and south to Jerusalem.


If these two brothers hadn'tt fought....if these Jewish men had gone to God for help instead of the Romans ... the history books would have a different story to tell.

So what happened next?


Come back next time.


This is the history, the events that happened to real people during the time between the Old and New Testaments. 

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sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty

A Time Between Time-Those Who Fought For Freedom to Worship

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is around 143 BC. (before Christ)

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|

The Greeks rule a large area including Judea and Egypt. To make their conquest complete, all persons not Greek were required to dress as Greeks, worship Greek gods, speak Greek, and completely forego their own cultural ways, language, and worship. No exceptions. 

Last time we talked about soldiers sent by Antiochus IV to Modi'in, a village northwest of Jerusalem. They ordered the most honored man of the village to kill a pig and eat its flesh. Scroll down to read this story.

Mattathias the priest and his five sons led Jews fleeing from the village to the mountains. They hid, afraid Antiochus IV's army would track them down and kill them. 

We don't know why Antiochus IV didn't hunt down these Jews. Maybe he didn't consider them a big threat. It ended up being a huge mistake on his part.

As time went by, Mattathias and his sons sneaked out from their caves and went to other villages surrounding Jerusalem to offer a hiding place for Jews who remained dedicated to the one true living God. He and his sons also went into every place of worship and home to remove all statues of Greek gods. They warned their fellow Jews of the danger they faced if they did not follow the Laws of Moses. God is, after all more powerful than any Greek army.

A group of Jews who had refused to follow the Greek way called themselves Hasideans. Some Hasideans joined Mattathias and his efforts to free Jews from the Greek influence. 

Mattathias and his followers hid in the mountains, organizing, formulating plans and going out to villages to undo what Antiochus IV had done. Even though Mattathias came to help, many Jews remained afraid of the Greeks.

Mattathias worked nonstop, training and adding new recruits to his force. His fighters struck out against Antiochus' army patrols and disrupt Greek ceremonies held in Jewish villages.

Mattathias died during this first year of rebellion. His dedication to freeing Jews to worship and remember their roots inspired the movement to grow. During this time of his leadership one important change took place. Previously, Jews refused to fight on the Sabbath. Foreign armies had planned their attacks to be on the Sabbath for this very reason. Mattathias declared that the Jews would not attack on the Sabbath as they always had, but they would defend themselves if an army attacked them.

Before Mattathias took his last breath he appointed two of his sons, Simon and Judah to take over. He chose Simon for his son's wise judgements and Judah for his strength and courage. Judah was given the nickname, Maccabee which means hammer. As time went on, all five brothers were referred to as Maccabeen because they fought for the Jews freedom to worship. 

Come back next time, because some really exciting events happen in Jerusalem in days to come.
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sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981

A Time Between Time-Those Who Stood Strong

By Mary Vee
Between the Old and New Testament

From the Historical records

The time in between time. 

Four hundred years are in the process of passing since God last spoke through a prophet to His people.

Remember we are counting backwards to year 0. The year is near 168 BC.

    400 BC                           300 BC                        200 BC                        100 BC                          Birth of Christ
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|

The Greeks are in power spanning as far east as at least Iran, south of Judea, and west into Egypt. The las time we  learned a group of Jews who didn't want to give up their culture, language, or worship, grouped together and called themselves Hasideans. They patiently waited for the right moment to rise up and revolt against the Greeks. 

Antiochus the Greek in charge took his army and marched to Egypt. Romans had conquered the land and he wanted it back. While he was gone, the Hasideans revolted against the Greeks. Rumors came to the Hasideans that Antiochus died in the battle against the Romans.

The Jews felt empowered. They marched into the Temple, conquered the Greek supporters, and threw out all the Greek statues that had been placed in the Temple. They then went throughout the city searching and conquering Jews who chose to join the Greek style of life then replaced articles of worship to God back in the Temple.  

Unfortunately, the news of Antiochus' death was wrong. He had been conquered in the battle against the Romans, humiliated, but remained alive. He marched his army back to Jerusalem and discovered what had happened. His anger exploded. He slaughtered 10,000 Jews then went to the temple, removed the altar, the furniture, and the Jew's treasures.

The surviving Jews became terrified of this ruler. Antiochus' said all Jewish culture and worship must end. He ordered any Jew who worshiped on the Sabbath, studied the Torah, or had their sons circumcised executed. His soldiers went house to house looking for any signs of Jewish culture or worship. No chances were given. The Jews were immediately execute. 

All the Jews were terrified. Some gave in to the demands and lived only the Greek culture. Others were so angry and full of sorrow they joined the Hasideans. Some families moved out of Jerusalem into the countryside to live in peace.

Antiochus sent his soldiers to all the villages. They took with them pigs and ordered the Jews to sacrifice the pigs like a Greek then eat the meat. Some Jews did as they were told thinking living was better than dying. Those who did not were tortured and killed.

These were sad days, but there were those who stood strong. God always promised there would be a remnant, a people who would keep a true witness of the one true living God.


Come back next time, because some really exciting events happen in Jerusalem in days to come.
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sources: 
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981

Nehemiah-Strength in Teamwork

By Mary Vee
Nehemiah 5

From Nehemiah's Journal

My name is Nehemiah. I have been a servant in Babylon for a long time. I was cupbearer to the king. 

I must admit, the years I'd spent growing up in Babylon as a servant seemed really difficult at the time. My Jewish brothers worked, how we worked to stay alive in the foreign country, to build homes, to please those who had power over us.




After a really rough start back home in Jerusalem, my Jewish brothers and I have found strength and courage. Thanks to God who gave us the ideas, we have made progress on the walls surrounding the city despite the bullying from men who were not Jews.

Half of my men did the work rebuilding the walls, while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and armor. These guards posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who worked rebuilding the walls. Those who carried rock, mortar, or tools did so with one one hand holding a weapon. Each builder wore his sword at his side. 

I also had a few men with trumpets positioned next to me armed with trumpets. We had designed signals to have specific meanings. The messages were conveyed to the whole city with the trumpet blasts. This way brothers on the west wall would know if trouble happened on the south wall. The team effort made us strong. When the trumpet signal warned of trouble, men from all parts of the city ran to help. We had our confidence in the God who would fight for us.

The trouble didn't stop, though. Our bullies took the challenge to pester us even at night. I ordered the men who worked on the walls during the day to not go home, but to stay inside the city at night and guard against our tormenters. 

A Jerusalem gate. They are not small!! At this point
the men have built these walls half this height.
Photo Courtesy

Neither I, nor my brothers, nor my men, nor the guards with me changed clothes or took time to bathe. Each of us had a weapon, even when we went for water.

Even still our problems were not over. Since the men were working night and day on the wall, there was no one to tend the fields. Food became a problem. 











Come back next time to see what happens.
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sources: New International Version, New King James Version 

               

Nehemiah-The Bullies Tormented Us...The Men Wanted to Give up...Nevergiveupstories

By Mary Vee
Nehemiah 4

From Nehemiah's Journal

My name is Nehemiah. I have been a servant in Babylon for a long time. I was cupbearer to the king. 

I must admit, the years I'd spent growing up in Babylon as a servant seemed really difficult at the time. My Jewish brothers worked, how we worked to stay alive in the foreign country, to build homes, to please those who had power over us.

I thought those days were difficult.

Until now.

I was sent to Jerusalem to insure the people would rebuild the walls. Sanballat, his friend Tobiah, and their band of bullies have said the meanest, most discouraging words, or so we thought, until now. 

Until now the Jews rebuilding the city wall have endured the harassment. 

Sanballat, Tobiah, and their evil, bully friends have upped their tormenting to epic levels. 


The Jews were tired. We'd worked day and night searching for good bricks in the rubble, making new ones, spreading mortar, and hoisting the bricks above our heads until they fit in place on the wall. We hadn't taken a break. How could we with men like Sanballat and his band of bullies hanging around?

Sometimes when bullies say mean words over and over and over, the evil starts to wear a person down, right?  We know just how you feel.

This time Sanballat said to the working men, "Before the Israelites know it or see us, we'll be among them and will kill them and put an end to their work." Of course they added a dastardly laugh. 

The Jewish workers became afraid. They came to me. "Whenever we turn, they will attack us. How are we suppose to work? Tell us, Nehemiah. This is so discouraging. We can't keep working like this."

A Jerusalem gate. They are not small!! At this point
the men have built these walls half this height.
Photo Courtesy

They were right. The Jews needed help. I prayed and asked God for an idea how to give the men a sense of safety while they worked. God told me and I did as He said. I pulled some of the workers off the wall and stationed them behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places. I placed them by families so the men from Benjamin would guard where their brothers worked. The men from Reuben would guard where they worked, and so on for all the tribes of men. 

After the guards stood in place I saw the plan looked good. I went to a place where all the workers could hear me and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of Sanballat and his friends. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, you sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

When our enemies heard that we knew all about their plot and that God had ruined it, we all returned to the wall, each man to his own work.

We chose not to be afraid, God was with us, and we would stand up and fight for our family, and home. We chose to never give up.

Never. 

The wall would be finished.

And Jerusalem...rebuilt.




Come back next time to see what happens.
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sources: New International Version, New King James Version