Tag: angels

The Reproach of Jesus

Barbara Weber

John 11:47-48,53-54 WEB

The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. [48] If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” [53] So from that day forward they took counsel that they might put him to death. [54] Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.

It is startling to think that Jesus had to hide from the authorities. Can you see Jesus and the disciples looking around corners, being careful of where they walked? It has a dramatic flair. But it also shines the light on Jesus’ humanity. Though he was God, he functioned entirely in his humanity and made himself subject to human authority.

Jesus was humble. He took his disciples and quickly departed to the edge of the wilderness to a city called Ephraim. He could have called angels to save him from the death plot (Mat 26:53). Instead, he removes himself and his followers from the danger. Jesus does not tempt God but rather takes a more difficult path (Mat 4:7). He is obedient to the Word even though he is fleeing.

Jesus was obedient to the Word and the Spirit. This caused him to receive condemnation from those in Judea. We also receive condemnation when we obey the Word of God or walk in the Spirit. For example, the Word says not to gossip. However, gossip is a very prominent sin. To refuse to engage in gossip is to put yourself at odds with people both in and out of the church. Likewise, Jesus ran the risk of heaping more reproach upon himself with every miracle he performed and every sermon he preached.

Lord, I thank you for humbling yourself to human authority on your journey to the cross. Thank you for receiving reproach just as we receive reproach today. You are honorable in all you do Jesus. Help me be more like you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Angels Ascending

Barbara WeberLeave a comment

John 1:50-51 WEB

Jesus answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!” [51] He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

I have never seen an angel floating up or down from Heaven. Have you?  Did the disciples? There is no mention in the New Testament of the disciples ever witnessing angels ascending and descending on Jesus. At the temptation of Christ, the angels came and ministered to Him. I suppose that could be the fulfillment of this verse. The Lord spoke in parables, metaphors. Did the disciples understand that this was a metaphor? I wonder how much statements such as this challenged the belief of the disciples. Besides the Messiah, Jesus was a prophet. Much of what he said had little meaning unless understood as a story that means something else. How hard was it for His disciples to remain in faith? They saw the miracles, but they also saw the times Jesus prayed and nothing happened. They heard the wisdom and then there are these ambiguous metaphorical statements. Jesus had a faith that took him all the way to the cross. He faced and endured death with the confidence that God would raise Him from the dead. No matter what happened, whether glorious or horrifying, Jesus remained in faith. At the cross all the apostles fled. Their faith failed. I wonder if this prophecy is one of the expectations that made it hard to understand what was happening at the crucifixion.

Lord Jesus, please give me eyes to see what you are doing and ears to hear what you are saying. I hope to recognize you Lord in my life and in the coming age. In Jesus’ name, amen.