Flashbacks of a Savior - The Friend of Sinners

Jesus did things his own way. The religious establishment had plenty of things to say about Jesus because he didn't separate himself from society's "low life's". He would dine with prostitutes, Roman soldiers, and even tax collectors. Here are some passages:

Matthew 9:9-11 (NASB) As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?"

Jesus wants to be your friend. If you choose to follow Him, he will be there for you.

Blessings to you all.
Bill

Flashbacks of a Savior - The Provider

Jesus did so many amazing things to honor and glorify his Father. One of the most notable took place on a hillside:

Matthew 14:14-21 (NASB) When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" They said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." And He said, "Bring them here to Me." Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Jesus fed their physical bodies. He also fed their souls with the bread of life. Are you trusting Jesus as your provider?

Blessings to you all.

Bill

Flashbacks of a Savior - The Healer

Many of Jesus' greatest miracles involved healing people:

Mark 8:22-25 (NASB) And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?" And he looked up and said, "I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around." Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.

John 5:2-9 (NASB) Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk." Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.

These are wonderful examples of how Jesus met people where they were and met their greatest needs. The great thing is, he's still in the healing business today. He can heal your broken heart. He can open your eyes to the His truth and show you the way to eternal life. Seek him and you will be made whole.

Blessings to you all.

Bill

Flashbacks of a Savior -- Childhood Memories

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that God is showing Himself to you in a mighty way. I enjoyed a wonderful Easter this past weekend. I hope you did as well. I'm sure all of your churches have special traditional services to remind your congregation of what Christ did. I'm glad we have these traditions because it's important to remember that Christ's suffering was necessary to pay the price for our sin. Last year's release of Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" has made a lasting impression on me. The imagery was so real, and the suffering was so accurately portrayed, I don't know if I can ever forget it. The death scene was my inspiration for this week's writings. I've seen death scene's in many other movies, and, in my mind, the ones that are well done flashback during the moments before the person's death to portray their innocence and goodness. Today's flashback is to Jesus as a child:

John 2:5-9 (NASB) His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it to him. When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,

Luke 2: 46-49 (NASB)Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You." And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?"

Although the Bible is somewhat silent about Jesus' childhood, I'd be very surprised if there weren't many happy childhood moments. In the John passage, however, we begin to get a glimpse of Jesus' character as the obedient son; performing his first public miracle at the request of his mother. In the Luke passages we also see Jesus as the obedient son; this time doing the will of his Father. As a father with 3 children (all teenage and above), I am always appreciative of my children's obedience. These flashbacks are not an accident. They're there to remind us of something. Are you an obedient child? Are you doing the will of your heavenly Father?

Blessings to you all.

Bill