Wednesday, April 29, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:4-5

That he [Jesus] was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas [Peter] and then to the Twelve.

From Background Notes [BN] for May 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Let’s put the question this way: “Are we better off because we believe in the risen Lord Jesus, than if we did not?” In phrasing the matter this way...

Monday, April 27, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:3

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures

From Background Notes [BN] for May 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

If there is to be continuity beyond death, persons must be in covenant with God through Jesus Christ the risen one, and so after death they will rise even as Jesus did.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Luke 24:25-26

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

From Background Notes [BN] for April 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Then there is the hope for Israel's redemption.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Luke 24:17

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.

From Background Notes [BN] for April 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

He comes to them much as he comes to men and women today, not always rushing in with an apologetic or overwhelming with an argument. Instead, he gradually works his way into our consciousness...

Monday, April 20, 2015

Luke 24:15-16

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

From Background Notes [BN] for April 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Encountering Jesus on the road and at the table is a perennial experience of the Christian community. It is appropriate during Eastertide to recall the surprising encounter of Jesus with the Emmaus disciples...

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Romans 13:8

Love Fulfills the Law

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4

The Resurrection of Christ
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
 

Friday, April 10, 2015

Matthew 28:4

The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

From Background Notes [BN] for April 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

It becomes a theme of the New Testament’s telling of the gospel that the powers of this world will tremble before the overwhelming majesty of the resurrected Jesus. He is Lord and he is Victor, and...

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Matthew 27:57-58

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

From Background Notes [BN] for April 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Evident in Matthew’s gospel is that the readers could say with confidence that they knew where the body of Jesus was placed: in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Matthew 28:1

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
From Background Notes [BN] for April 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Friday through Sunday, encompassing parts of “three days,” with Jesus rising “on the third day.” Jesus was not buried for 3 x 24 (=72) hours, but for selective portions of three days.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Luke 24:37-38

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

From Background Notes [BN] for April 4th & 5th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

When we evaluate the followers of Jesus as presented in this narrative, they appear as grieving, wondering and perplexed human beings, having recently been overtaken by the tragedy of Jesus’ humiliating crucifixion against the backdrop of their own cowardice and fear.