The Christians of the first century wanted to know about Jesus’s return. Paul tried to explain the best he could what will happen. People then thought that Jesus would return shortly. So much so that they stopped working and sat on their roofs to watch for His return. Paul had preached the immanent return of Jesus. And His return is immanent. Time to God is relative to His word. To Him, a 1000 years is as a day. Today, we are looking for that same return 2000 years later. Paul exhorted those Christians to occupy, to be about the work of God, until Jesus returns. It is the same for us. We live our lives as if it were our last day on earth. Jesus’s return isn’t our business. God alone knows when it is. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known.

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Jesus and the disciples left the temple. They went on the other side of Jordan where John had baptized Jesus. News came to Him that a dear friend was dying. They asked Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus said we will wait two days to work God’s will. By time they got to Bethany, Lazarus was died. His two sisters, Mary and Martha heard that Jesus was coming. Martha ran to meet him. She said if only you had been here. Jesus said Lazarus will rise again. Martha said yes, in the resurrection. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Believeth thou this?

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We have the the perspective of history to look at Jesus’s life. The people of the first century heard Jesus for the first time. Everyone had their own beliefs. But Jesus told them the truth of God’s word. Then they had to deal with which was right. The religious leaders understood what Jesus was saying. But because of their positions and power, they wanted to kill Jesus so them wouldn’t have to deal with the truth. Every time Jesus said I am in the English language, it doesn’t mean anything to us. When He said it in Hebrew, it is the name of God, I am who I am. It’s the unspeakable name of God (Jehovah). Jesus said He was equal to God. They wanted to kill Him. It’s no different today. When people hear the truth of God’s word, they either accept or reject Jesus. For those who reject Jesus will become angry the more they hear the gospel. It hasn’t changed. It’s the same as in the first century. But they can do now is to yell crucify Him.

Crain Blanchard.

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When Jesus was teaching in the temple, He spoke the truth and answered many questions. Many who understood became angry and wanted to stone Jesus. Other just believed. With Jesus there is no middle ground. If what you believe doesn’t line up with what Jesus says, 2 things will happen. You will either accept the truth and believe or you will accept the truth and get angry. If you get angry, you understand what Jesus is saying, but don’t want to give up your life for His. There is no middle ground. The religious leaders of Jesus’s day understood what He was saying. They weren’t willing to give up their lives for God’s. So they put Him to death. What they thought was if He wasn’t around, His movement would die. Jesus’s teacher, Gamaliel said to the religious leaders, be careful because you may end up fighting God. This is exactly what happened. The time is now come and now is for the return of Jesus Christ.

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After Jesus fled the 5000, He crossed the sea of Galilee. The people who wanted more from Jesus found Him in Capernaum. He taught in the synagogue on the bread of life. Jesus said, He was the living bread (manna) that came from heaven. And if any man will eat this bread will have everlasting life. That caused an uproar in the synagogue. Even most of His disciples left because of that saying. They were thinking physical, not spiritual. Jesus turned to the 12 disciples an asked them if they were going to leave. Peter said, thou art the Christ, where shall we go? Hard sayings are all through the bible and God wants us the believe and trust. But babies couldn’t eat the strong meat. Only, those who have grown in the faith and trust God in all situations. Because there is a great falling away coming. An only those who have prepared against that day will survive.

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People are interested in one thing or should say 3 things, food, clothing and shelter. Why? Because we live in the flesh and we must take care of it. Jesus was aware of this when He preached to the 5000 people in the mountains. Jesus fed all of them so they would hear what He was saying. But many of them were more interested in provisions than the grace of God. We aren’t so different than those people. We want things more than God’s mercy. Jesus told them that He was the bread of Life. Anyone that came to Him, He would in no way cast out. Because in Him is everlasting life. But Jesus departed from those people who just wanted provisions. But the ones who wanted Jesus found Him again. Just as it was then, it is now. When you seek Jesus, you will find Him.

Crain Blanchard.

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Jesus and the disciples were on the other side of the sea of Galilee. Jesus went to rest, but people found Him. He went up into the mountains and people followed. The disciples said to Jesus, send them away, so they can find food. Jesus had them sit on the grass. A boy had his lunch, 5 loaves and 2 fishes. He gave it to Jesus. Jesus took the food and blessed it. Then He broke it and gave to disciples to distribute. They ended up with 12 baskets full bread. When the people knew what Jesus had done this, they wanted to make Him king. Jesus departed into the mountains and disciples got in their boats and to Capernaum. Jesus walked on the water to join them. The lesson is that we don’t live by bread alone, but by the word of God. Jesus was trying to teach the people a truth, but all they could think about was there belly.

Crain Blanchard.

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Jesus and the disciples went to Jerusalem for the feast of passover. They camped out on the mount of olives. It was beautiful in Jerusalem at that time. They were in-and-out of the temple everyday. Jesus was teaching every day. The religious leaders had already wanted to kill Jesus but now they will listening carefully as he spoke in the temple. Jesus said that he was sent by God to do the things that God wanted him to do. The religious leaders now had something against Jesus saying that he was equal to God. Jesus began to teach and tell them that he couldn’t do anything except the father sent him. And what he saw the father do, he does. Then he spoke to the religious leaders directly. Jesus said you believe that you have life because you’re the sons of Abraham and you have the scriptures. What he said that Moses testifies against you because you don’t believe him. God sent many people (prophets) to you and you did not believe. Jesus said the only way that you’re going to be able to see is to believe.

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When Adam and Eve sinned, God cursed the earth. It didn’t produce food like before. Now, Adam had to work to eat. God said in Ecclesiastes that the satisfaction we get from work is a gift from God. Jesus and the disciples were in Jerusalem for a feast day. Near the pool of Bethesda, Jesus found a man lying on a bed. He asked the man if he wanted to be healed. Then healed him. This was on the sabbath. The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus because He did this on the sabbath. Jesus told them that He must be about His Father’s work. They wanted to kill Him even more, because He said He was equal to God. The call to work in the kingdom of God is out there. God has been calling for a long time. The work is there. God said lift up your eyes and see the harvest is ready now. It is time to begin no matter where you are in life. Your age has nothing to do with the work. Answer the call and begin now.

Crain Blanchard.

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After the Magi had visited Jesus, the angel, Gabriel came to Joseph and told him to go to Egypt. Herod was seeking Jesus’s life. In the middle of the night, Joseph took his family to Egypt. Herod sent his army to Bethlehem and killed every child up to 2 years old. Joseph kept his family in Egypt until Herod died. On returning to Israel, Herod’s son, Antipater ruled in Jerusalem. Joseph went to Nazareth. How would you like to be responsible for Jesus, knowing people were trying to kill Him. When Jesus was 12, He was old enough to go to Passover in Jerusalem. When passover ended, Joseph and Mary packed everything and left with the caravan, believing that Jesus was with the other boys. After a days journey, He wasn’t there. They hurried back to Jerusalem to find Him in the temple. His mother let Him have it. Jesus answered His mother correctly. As the bible says that He submitted to His parents and went home with them. Why worry, because Herod’s son was still looking for Him. It wasn’t time for Jesus to start His ministry. So, against all odds, Jesus lived His life in Nazareth.

Crain Blanchard.

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