Sabbath Freedom

By Mary Vee
Luke 13

From Luke's Journal 

Lampstand in Jerusalem Temple area Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Luke, I am a follower of Jesus. I have recorded what I witnessed. The chosen disciples of Jesus are here with me as well. 

Today's telling happened on a Sabbath. 

Jesus' followers and close disciples went with Him into the synagogue. On this day Jesus was the chosen one to teach the people. As he taught He looked at the the listening people. 

He finished his message then called a woman to come forward. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. We learned that she had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen long years.

It took her some time to make her way up to Jesus, but when she stood before Jesus, He said, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." He put his hands on her, and immediately she stood straight up. Her shoulders pressed back. Her arms hung straight at her side. Her eyes went wide and she spoke and sang praises to God, thanking Him for His mercy.

The synagogue rulers who had watched the woman become healed became very angry. They stood before the people and said, "There are six days for work. So if you must come to be healed, do it on one of those days, not the Sabbath."

Jesus pressed forward to be heard."You hypocrites. Don't each one of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water on the Sabbath? What is the difference between the donkey being set free to drink and this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years being set free from what bound her on the Sabbath day?"

Well, Jesus words caused quite a response.

Those who agreed with the synagogue rulers felt humiliated.

Those who agreed with Jesus, or didn't know but wanted to see and hear more were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.




As for me, Luke, a follower of Jesus Christ, I have made my choice. 

I have chosen to agree in the ways of Jesus. 



I will share more of what Jesus taught next time.

 Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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.

The Fig Tree That Did Not Produce Fruit

By Mary Vee
Luke 12:54- 13

From Luke's Journal 

Outskirts of Jerusalem- Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Luke, I am a follower of Jesus. I have recorded what I witnessed. The chosen disciples of Jesus are here with me as well. 

What I like about Jesus' teachings is how they speak to the heart of the people. He truly understands them and knows how to help them understand God. 

A crowd had gathered around Jesus anxious to hear him speak. Jesus said, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say, 'It is going to rain' and it does. When the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. 

"How is it that you can understand the weather by looking at the sky and earth and not see what is happening at this time, all around you?

"Why do you take your arguments to a court instead of trying to reconcile with the one you have a dispute. If you don't attempt to resolve the problem, the other person may drag you to see the judge. The judge might turn you over to the officer, and the officer might throw you into prison. If the situation goes this way, and it can, you will not get out of prison until you have paid the last penny."

Some men who stood in the crowd had a question. They chose one from their group to ask. He said, "What do you say about the Galileans who while they worshipped in the temple were struck dead by Pilate? He mixed their blood with the blood of his sacrifices." 

Jesus answered, "Are you saying these Galileans sinned more than any other Galilean because they suffered in this way? No. Not at all Unless you repent, each one of you, will also die. There were eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them. They were no more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem. This you must know, though, unless you repent of your sins, you too will die."

To help them understand, Jesus told them this story:"A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. Three years later, at the time of harvest, the man went to the tree to look for fruit but didn't find any. 

"He said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years I have come to this fig tree looking for fruit and haven't found any. Cut it down. Why should it use the soil?

"The caretaker of the vineyard said to the owner, 'Sit. Leave the tree alone for one more year. I will dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, the wait will be worth your time. If not. Then it will be cut down.

"So also will your lives be."

As for me, Luke, a follower of Jesus Christ, I have made my choice. 

I have chosen to follow in the ways of Christ and to show the fruit of my belief in Him. 



I will share more of what Jesus taught next time.

 Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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.

The Inheritance

By Mary Vee
Luke 12 

From Luke's Journal 

Outskirts of Jerusalem- Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Luke, I am a disciple of Jesus. The other disciples are here with me as well. 

We walked with Jesus along a road where a crowd had gathered. They came to hear what Jesus had to say, to ask Him questions, and to bring their sick for healing. 

One man caught Jesus' attention. He said, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

Of course the man seemed angry. He apparently thought Jesus would take up his cause and help fight for him. Our culture holds that the oldest son receives a given portion of the inheritance and the other sibling receive their portion. 

Jesus answered the man saying, "Why do you think I am a judge or an arbitrator who can help set up new arrangements for your family's inheritance?"

Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. Money is not the answer to a good life. You see, life is only so long and it is not dependent up what all a man has earned or gained, or has to spend."

He paused then told this story, "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What should I do with the abundance? I have no place to store the extra crop I have reaped.'

"The man thought to himself and said, 'I know what I'll do. I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, there I will store all my grain and my goods. He felt very pleased with the idea and said to himself, "I have plenty of good things stored up for many years. I can take life easy. I can eat, drink, and be merry.'

"But God said to him, 'You are not as wise as you think. This very night you will die. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself and not shared with those in need?'

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up earthly things for himself, but doesn't store up riches in heaven."


Our goal should be to do the things God teaches in His Word. Those deeds will bring true and lasting riches.




I will share more of what Jesus taught next time.

 Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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.

The One We Should Fear

By Mary Vee
Luke 11 

From Luke's Journal 

Inside Jerusalem's city walls.
Photo by Mary Vee.

My name is Luke, I am a disciple of Jesus. The other disciples are here with me as well. 

Jesus continued His mission which was to go into the cities and villages and preach the Good News. As his disciples, we went with Him wherever He went. 

The Pharisees and keepers of the law followed as well, but for a different reason. They didn't care to learn from Jesus. They pounded Him with questions, clearly trying to trap Him into saying or doing something wrong so they could arrest him.

But while the Pharisees tried to prove to the people that Jesus did not speak the truth, the crowds didn't listen to them. Instead they came by the thousands pushing and shoving one another so they could stand nearer to Jesus and hear what He said.

One day, Jesus turned to us, his disciples, and said, "Please be aware of these Pharisees and the way they pretend to be good. They are not. Their hypocrisy can't be hidden forever. The people will see their deceit as easily as they see yeast in dough.

"Whatever the Pharisees have said in the dark, those deceitful words will be heard in the light, and the truth you have whispered in the inner rooms will be broadcasted from the housetops for all to hear!

"My friends, don't be afraid of these men who want to murder you. As Moses told the Israelites before the Egyptians released them, these men may kill the body, but they have no power over your souls. 

"There is One whom you should fear, though. Fear God who has the power to kill and cast those who do not obey Him into Hell.

"Tell me, what is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? It's not much more than that. Yet, God your Heavenly Father doesn't forget a single one of them. He also knows the number of hairs on your head. You, my friends, are far more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows. 

"I the Messiah will publicly honor you in the presence of God's angels if you publicly admit that I am your Friend and believe in me as the Messiah. Keep this in mind, though, I will deny you before those same angels if you choose not to follow me and believe my words. 

"Those who speak against me may be forgiven if they turn from their selfish ways. Those who speak against the Holy Spirit, will never be forgiven.

Jesus looked at all of us with such kindness and care in his eyes and said, "When you are brought to trial before these Jewish rulers and authorities in th synagogues, don't be concerned about what to say in your defense. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words to say at the right moment.


I will share more of what Jesus taught next time.

 Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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.

Matthew- Four of the Best Friends

By Mary Vee
Matthew 9; Mark 2; Luke 5

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Remains of the synagogue in Capernaum
The area has several rooms and is quite large.

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

Jesus told us this morning we would go back to Capernaum. We followed him there. Several of the disciples had grown up here and were very happy to return.

Again, the word spread that Jesus was going to Capernaum long before we even reached the city. We barely made it into a home where He planned to speak to the crowds. 

The people quieted when Jesus began to preach. The quiet was so good. He taught may new and amazing things. Teachings that tell us how God wants us to live and how we should worship HIm. 

More men and women came. They pressed closer, trying to hear Jesus speak. No one could move in or out of the home where He stood. 

We didn't know at the time, but four friends brought a man they cared about deeply. He was paralyzed. They carried their friend a distance on a stretcher hoping to get close enough to Jesus.

As they came closer they asked the men and women in the crowd to let them through. No one did. The friends tried from different angles hoping to find some kind person to let them through.

Meanwhile on the inside Jesus continued to teach. There were also the Scribes standing close to him. Their squinty eyes said they wanted to find evidence to prove Jesus wrong. 

Back outside where the four friends carried their friend, they decided to give up. Not completely. They wanted to find another way to get close to Jesus. Our homes have roofs that we use for gardens, eating, some people even put bedrooms up there. The roofs are flat and have a parapet, that is a small wall that lets a person know they are near the edge. 

The four friends carried their friend to the roof using the stairs along the outside of the house. They carefully walked him to the roof, taking care to not let him fall off the stretcher. On top, they began to pull away the roof tiles.

Back inside the home, Jesus and all the people near him look up and watched the roof tiles move. The Scribes who stood inside couldn't believe their eyes. Actually, they became too upset to speak. 

Jesus, though, welcomed the men. They lowered their friend down. Slowly. Releasing inches of rope at the same time until their friend lay on the floor near Jesus. 

Jesus looked at the man and then his four friends on the roof. He saw proof of their faith and turned to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

The Scribes who saw the whole thing whispered to one another, "Why does this man talk like that? He is blaspheming God. Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus told us that He knew in his spirit, right then, that this was what they were thinking. He said, "Why are you thinking this? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven or to say 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 

"So you will know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." Jesus turned to the paralytic man and said, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." The man got up, took his mat, and walked out in full view of everyone there. 

The people who watched this happen whispered and talked with each other. They praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

The paralyzed man walked away.

Jesus didn't hide the healing of the paralytic. He showed the people and had written for us what God did for this man. 

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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.

Luke-I Don't Know How But He Walked Through That Crowd

By Mary Vee
Luke 4

From Luke's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
To the right of the tree in the middle there is one
hill in the distance with a city. It is the
expanded/upper portions of Nazareth. Zoom in
to see a tiny piece of the city.

My name is Luke, I am a disciple of Jesus and a physician. I am here to tell you about the days I spent with Jesus. 

The last time I wrote, we were in the Nazareth synagogue. Jesus read the word's from the scroll chosen for the day. The words were from Isaiah and talked about the anointed one who would save.

The men had a lot of questions thinking Jesus would be the one who would lead a rebellion that would conquer the Romans. Then they realized who he was. They suddenly remembered him as a child and said, "Isn't this Joseph's son?"

Even I could see their meaning. They wanted him to go about healing people, but not listen to his words. They thought only of themselves.

Jesus said, "The next thing you'll say, I'm sure is the proverb: "Physician heal yourself. Do here in your hometown what we heard you did in Capernaum.'

Jesus stood, "What I'm about to say is true. There isn't a prophet who has been accepted in his hometown. Back in the day of Elijah, there were widows living in all Israel. The sky didn't rain for three and a half years and a severe famine hit every household. You read and know what happened. Elijah was not sent to any of those widows for bread. He was sent to a widow in Zarephath over on the Great Sea to the north of Tyre in the region of Sidon.

"And what about Elisha? You've heard of him? Many with leprosy lived in the land of Israel and not one made whole, except the man Naaman, the Syrian. A captain of his army. An enemy."

The words were true and the men listening knew it, but they didn't want to hear it. He didn't sound like a conquerer they wanted. One that would stomp on the Romans and drive them out. Their anger grew into rage. They stood and raised their fists. A few grabbed him and pushed him toward the cliff. 

I thought they would throw him over. Right before my eyes, he walked through the angry men like water through a crack in a rock, away from the cliff. He kept walking, away from Nazareth. The other disciples and I ran to catch up with him, a bit confused I'll admit. How did he got away from that angry crowd?

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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.

Jesus: The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

By Mary Vee
Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4

From Matthew, Mark, and Luke's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
The Sea of Galilee

My name is Matthew, I am a disciple of Jesus. Mark and Luke are sitting here with me, ready to tell what we know about our time with Jesus. 

News about John the Baptist spread. Herod had put him in prison. When Jesus heard what happened, he acted like he knew. Although the news made Jesus sad, he got up and walked to the road as if there was a job that needed to be done. 

"We are returning to Galilee," He said.

We gathered our few belongings and left Nazareth, the city where Jesus grew up. I was happy about our leaving. Not many of the people treated him very well there.  

We walked northeast toward the Sea of Galilee. Just so you know, that body of water isn't huge like the Mediterranean Sea. If you went to visit it today, it wouldn't seem gigantic. Water is drained from this sea in your time and bottled. As a result, the water level is going down. During the time Mark, John, and I lived, no one bothered to bottle water. So the sea level was much higher.

On the north side of the lake is a city called Capernaum. This was the town Peter and his mother-in-law had a home. It was the land given to the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali back in the days of Joshua. Come to think of it, the prophet Isaiah wrote these words long ago:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--
The people living in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  (Note from Mary Vee: this is Isaiah 9:1,2)

This is exactly what John the Baptizer said about Jesus. John the Baptizer said he was the one preparing the way and that Jesus was the light. Now here we are, going along the Jordan, up to Galilee after leaving Nazareth and into the land of Zebulun. I don't know about you, but I find this exciting to be a part of Isaiah's words coming true.

Jesus woke early each morning when we lived in Capernaum. We ate fish for breakfast then a crowd of people would gather around him. It was at this time that Jesus began to preach this message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Luke here. News spread throughout the whole countryside about Jesus and the things he said. Jesus taught in the synagogues, because it was a place where regular men went to debate all kinds of topics. He like to teach these men about God. If you could have heard how smart Jesus was. There wasn't a single question that caught him off guard. Jesus knew a lot and he enjoyed helping people.

I'm not surprised everyone praised him as the Messiah. Probably because...He is.

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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.

Zechariah-Looking at My Baby Whose Name Was John

By Mary Vee
Luke the Physician 
Luke 1

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name is Zechariah and I can finally speak!

Nine months have gone by since the angel told me my wife would have a son. Nine months have passed since I foolishly questioned the angel who met me in the temple, because I felt Elizabeth and I were too old to have children. I never should have question him.

Any way. Elizabeth has given birth to a strong boy and as the angel commanded us, we named him John.

At the celebration of John's birth and circumcision, I wrote that the baby's name should be John and not Zechariah as the priest wanted to say. Once I wrote those words, I praised the Lord and heard my own voice for the first time in nine months. All our friends looked in amazement at me. They laughed and cheered. They praised God with me.

Words flowed in my mind. Words that needed to be spoken right then to everyone who was there and for all people they would tell. So I stood and spoke them out loud: 

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel. He came and set his people free."

Those listening cheered.

"He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives,  
  And in the very house of David, his servant, just as he promised long ago through the preaching of his holy prophets.

The crowd looked at each other and whispered, "The Messiah will be here, in our time?"

"Deliverance from our enemies and every hateful hand.
  Mercy to our fathers, as he remembers to do what he said he’d do...
   What he swore to our father Abraham—a clean rescue from the enemy camp,

"So we can worship him without a care in the world, (no government will stop us. Not the Greeks, not the Romans, not the Babylonians) and be made holy before him as long as we live."

I set my hand on my son's head and said, "And you, my child, Prophet of the Highest, will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways,"

The people looked at the child and marveled.

I continued speaking, looking at my son whom God had give this task, "Present the offer of salvation to his people, the forgiveness of their sins through the heartfelt mercies of our God."
    

I looked to the heavens and raised my hands. "God’s Sunrise will break in upon us, shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death,
  Then showing us the way...

                                          one foot at a time...

                                                                      down the path of peace."

And that was the end of the words given to me to say to the people and to you. My son, John, will prepare the way for the Messiah.

Inside me I was overwhelmed. So much. My son. This little one. He has an important job. I couldn't say a word. I simply looked at John.





Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

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
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty