Wednesday, Easter Week Seven – June 4

King Solomon’s Temple – Dedication Day

King Solomon’s Temple model – 120 cubits high; 56 meters; 180 feet; 20 stories. “King Solomon’s Temple” Supposedly a scale model. Masonic Temple, Philadelphia; Photo by Megan Rosenbloom; CCL flickr

Meditation

Wednesday, Easter Week Seven, was setting the parameters of worship and faith. In the Old Testament lesson, King Solomon was dedicating the Temple—reminding all of the people how God had remained true to every promise made.

People can get discouraged when things don’t happen fast, like Harry Potter waving a wand and **pufft** things would become what was asked for. The Hebrews had lived hundreds of years in Egypt, and then their trek across to the Promised Land took no short cuts. Forty extra years of wandering in the desert meant that the first generation would have died off. So many, who started the journey from Egypt with all their hopes and dreams for a land of their own saw their expectations fizzle in their own lives. But the promise remained true. They were a great nation and God was leading them to the Promised Land.

However, not all partake of the promises on earth within their lifetimes. For them, the eternal promise will be their reward. But for others, they will enjoy the blessings of the promise on earth, even as Solomon celebrated with the dedication of the temple.

Jesus explained to Nicodemus about the difference between what he was teaching and what the teachers of the law promulgated. Jesus came from above and taught what God sent him to teach first hand. But the problem with learning from Jesus was that they didn’t trust what he said, because it was different.

How was it different?

Authority. We learned from the book of Mark how often the people in the Temple were amazed at Jesus’ authority. Jesus explained things in ways that were not according to the standard rules.

Love. Jesus spoke about love. Instead of fixation on the law, Jesus demonstrated love. John 3:16 said ‘For God so loved the world…” Jesus proclaimed that loving God, loving neighbors as we love ourselves—covered all the other laws. Everything fits under the umbrella of love.

Spirit. Jesus spoke about the individual’s responsibility to be ‘born again’ in the spirit. We can’t claim that we are Christian because our parents were Christian. No, Jesus said we had to be born of the spirit as well.

Believe. The other half of being born of the spirit is believing. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

These teachings of Jesus flew in the face of Nicodemus’ Pharisaical training. But the lesson today focuses on the fulfillment of the promise, whether it was the temple in the Promised Land, or whether it was Jesus—as the Word of God—who preceded the beginning of time (John 1:1) and yet came and fulfilled the law for us to find salvation.

Jesus changed the way life would be. For the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles—the rest of us. As a result, we can preach the Good News with authority—we speak the truth. We can reach out to the unbeliever with love and not judgment—since that is not our job. We can nurture the spirit—both ours and those we encounter. And we can increase our belief in Jesus and bring others to saving knowledge of—belief in—Jesus.

Thanks be to God.

All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.

Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary
Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.

Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for this Season of Easter.

Season of Easter

Love, Love, Love, Love – Church of Christ 24 a capella

Paper “Origami” Construct of King Solomon’s Temple

“King Solomon’s Temple – 3” by Andy Chase; CCL flickr

Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen

Season of Easter

The Temple Mount

“the Temple Mount — Nov 13, 2011 / 16 Cheshvan 5772 – unfortunately, the Mosque was built on top of the ruins of King Solomon’s Temple (using bulldozers on the Jewish sacred site) and now no excavation is possible. Photo by marsmettnn Tallahassee; CCL flickr

O Worship the King – Chris Tomlin

Season of Easter Bible Readings

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2099;1%20Kings%208:54-65;John%203:31-36&version=KJV;ERV;NCV;NIV;GNT
(multiple versions)

 

Wednesday, Easter Week Seven

Psalm 99

1 Kings 8:54-65

John 3:31-36

 

 

Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating

Proverbs 3:5-12
King James Version (KJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

 

Season of Easter Music

Jesus Paid it All – Elvina Hall; Christian Media7

Single Bible Study chapter to study

 

John 3:31-36

King James Version (KJV)

“Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen” Photo by Joe deSousa; CCL flickr

³¹ He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

“NT031.Jesus and Nicodemus” Bible drawings by Otto Semler and others, many based on the engravings by Carolsfeld, all in the public domain. Photo by pcstratman; CCL flickr

³² And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

³³ He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

“Nisi Quis” A snippet from John 3, Jesus teaching Nicodemus: I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Photo by Niall McAuley; CCL flickr

³⁴ For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

³⁵ The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

“Communion of Love” This painting of the Holy Family mirroring the Holy Trinity is in the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Bologna. Photo by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.; CCL flickr

³⁶ He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The Wrath of God — “The symbols of Tribulation” Photo by Waiting For The Word; CCL flickr

 

 

OBSERVE:

 

Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

INTERPRETATION:

What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?

 

 

 

APPLY:

Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.

 

 

Prayer of Encouragement

 

Creator and Loving God, King Solomon dedicated his temple to honor you. Christ showed Nicodemus how real worship occurs in our lives—with our lives. Empower us to please you and bring you honor and glory. Help us be loving and kind, filled with the Spirit and preach the Good News with authority. In Jesus name. Amen

Season of Easter Music

 

 

He is Exalted – Twila Paris

Season of Easter Humor

Worship the King…uh which King?

Jeff Larson, Used by permission

His Banner Over Me is Love – iBethel, Jeremy Riddle

 

I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in this Season of Easter.

Conclusion

Wednesday, Easter Week Seven brought the promises of God to the foreground, whether the dedication of the temple in Solomon’s day, or the presence of the Word of God (Jesus) when he spoke with Nicodemus, bringing the truth of the fulfillment of the law to those who would believe.

Many didn’t believe, Jesus said. They couldn’t flex with the variation of Jesus’ differences. He wasn’t a King of the Jews coming like a savvy Alexander the Great to overthrow those Roman invaders. He wasn’t a head of government to replace the Romans, or come up through the ranks of the Pharisees and Sanhedrin. Jesus was from that lower class, Nazareth—some spoke of Nazareth with the same disparagement that people speak of the ghettos today. Can anything good come from there?

We are challenged to believe. To exercise our spiritual muscle and deeply learn of God. To share the Good News with authority—knowing that God has promised to give us the words and God is true to promises (Solomon said so). Above all, love. Throughout Jesus ministry, Jesus demonstrated love in new and profoundly moving ways. He taught Nicodemus of love. Yesterday’s lesson from St. Peter spoke of love covering sins. Love. Love. Love. Love should underscore all we do. As the song says, the banner over me is love. It is our umbrella and when we work utilizing the love of God in everything we do, the potential is limitless.

Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*

Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. Please like if it was meaningful. God bless you.

*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.

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