Then They Remembered

October 12

(Luke 24:5-8 NIV) ““In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? {6} He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: {7} 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" {8} Then they remembered his words.””

(John 2:22 NIV) “After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.”

Jesus spoke many words to his followers while He lived among them. We have only a few of them recorded in the New Testament. But, like us, His disciples often forgot what He said. Many times it did not make sense, or it was just too hard a teaching for minds not yet filled with the Spirit of God. The women went to the tomb to anoint a dead man because they forgot that Jesus said He would rise again on the third day. They had been surprised by His crucifixion because they forgot that He told them it was coming. Memory is a great gift, but many times it fails us. Worse yet, we are often very subjective and selective about what we file away in our memories. Whatever the case, until the angels reminded them, these women had forgotten that Christ had clearly spoken of His resurrection. What have you forgotten that Jesus has clearly told you? What will it take to jog your memory? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

He Has Risen

October 11

(Luke 24:1-6a NIV) ““On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. {2} They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, {3} but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. {4} While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. {5} In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? {6} He is not here; he has risen!””

(Acts 2:29-36 NIV) ““Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. {30} But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. {31} Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. {32} God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. {33} Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. {34} For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand {35} until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."' {36} "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.””

The empty tomb is one of the greatest miracles ever performed by God. Christ’s resurrection from the dead gives hope to billions of people, and it is the heartbeat of Christianity. If the women lied or were somehow deceived, the foundation for faith crumbles, and we who believe are fools. When the Spirit bears witness, and the resurrection of Jesus becomes truth in our hearts, we join the women in bowing down with our faces to the ground. A God so powerful as to command angels and bring the dead back to life, cannot be approached flippantly. The stone has been rolled away. The tomb is empty. Jesus is not there. He is no longer confined by Earth and flesh. He has risen, and we waste our time looking for the living among the dead. Give up the search for “life” in the stuff of this world. Look for life in Christ. Jesus is Lord and He lives! We serve a risen Savior. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Decent Burial

October 10

(Luke 23:50-56 NIV) “Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, {51} who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. {52} Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. {53} Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. {54} It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. {55} The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. {56} Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”

(Matthew 27:57-61 NIV) “As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. {58} Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. {59} Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, {60} and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. {61} Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.”

(John 19:38-39 NIV) “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. {39} He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.”

After Christ’s death, two men stepped forward to claim His body. Joseph and Nicodemus were wealthy members of the ruling council that sentenced Jesus to death. They had both become “secret” disciples, because they feared their religious colleagues. But their hearts had been changed. That’s conversion. Now they both came out in a very public way, providing a compassionate service to our Savior. They could not prevent Christ’s death, but at least they could give Him a decent burial. We learn a couple of things here. First, wealthy people can be followers of Jesus. It’s not about our net worth -- it’s about our hearts. We also learn that one can only be a clandestine follower of Jesus for so long. At some point, circumstances will demand that we go public with our faith. Where are you in that? How about going public today? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Believe and Confess

October 9

(Luke 23:47-49 NIV) ““The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." {48} When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. {49} But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.””

(Mark 15:39-41 NIV) ““And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" {40} Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. {41} In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.””

(Romans 10:9-13 NIV) ““… if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

(1 Timothy 1:15 NIV) “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.”

Becoming a Christian is fairly simple. Believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you will be saved. It’s being a disciple that can prove to be difficult. This was the challenge of the Roman Centurion who oversaw Christ’s crucifixion. As he stood near the cross, he heard Christ offering forgiveness and mercy to soldiers and thieves alike -- and as he watched Jesus take His last breath, the Centurion’s heart was changed. He realized what the women standing nearby had known for months: that this man was the righteous Son of God. He believed in his heart, and confessed with his mouth. In so doing, he joined the crucified thief in becoming a man of faith, ready for Paradise. If thieves and men who crucified Christ can be saved, so can you. Believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth. He is Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Ultimate Sacrifice

October 8

(Luke 23:46 NIV) ““Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.””

(Matthew 27:50 NIV) “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”

(Romans 5:6-9 NIV) “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. {7} Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. {8} But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. {9} Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!”

(1 Corinthians 15:3 NIV) “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”

(Hebrews 2:14 NIV) “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil”

(1 Peter 3:18 NIV) “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

After around six hours on the cross, Jesus died. Luke, the physician, says, “He breathed His last.” Matthew says, “He gave up His spirit.” Let that soak in. God incarnate, the Word become flesh, the Creator of the universe… died. It is such a difficult concept that many cannot accept it. But it is an essential, foundational truth of Christianity. Our faith and salvation depend upon Christ’s death. He died for us. He died for our sins. He died to destroy the power of the devil. He died to conquer death. He died to bring us to God. In love, God gave the life of His Son to save us from the eternal penalty for our sins. Yes, Jesus was a good teacher, and He came to establish a community called the church. But His main purpose in coming was to save sinners. That’s you and me. Believe, and receive His gift. Accept His sacrifice. Believe, and be saved. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

The Torn Curtain

October 7

(Luke 23:44-45 NIV) “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, {45} for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.”

(Exodus 26:33 NIV) “Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”

(Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV) “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, {20} by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, {21} and since we have a great priest over the house of God, {22} let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. {23} Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

For a short time, as Jesus hung dying on the cross, darkness appeared to triumph over light. As Christ took upon Himself the sins of the world, the darkness grew bolder, and in a last ditch effort to defeat the light, it asserted itself over nature. Satan may have even claimed victory for a brief moment, as Christ took His last breath. But in that same moment, defeat came when the curtain in the Temple was torn in two. The barrier that separated God’s holy presence from humanity was torn asunder. The dividing wall between God and His people was no more. The sacrifice was complete. The Lamb of God had been slain for the sins of the world. God’s Spirit would no longer dwell behind a curtain in a temple made by human hands. He would now live in the hearts of those covered by the blood of the Lamb. They would be His dwelling place and His temple. Hallelujah! The curtain is gone! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

The Man in the Middle

October 6

(Luke 23:39-43 NIV) ““One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" {40} But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? {41} We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." {42} Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." {43} Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.””

(2 Corinthians 5:8-10 NIV) “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. {9} So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. {10} For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Two thieves were crucified along with Jesus -- one on His left, the other on His right. One died in sin, and faced the grimmest of reapers -- the other died with God’s assurance of Paradise. The difference between the two was their attitude toward the man in the middle. One cursed Jesus, and told Him that if He was really the Christ, He would save them and Himself. The second man rebuked the first, saying that they deserved punishment for their sin, but that Jesus was innocent. Then he uttered a short, but profound salvation prayer, acknowledging Jesus as Lord, and asking for God’s mercy. He asked the right person. The man in the middle just happened to be the Son of God, and Christ assured the repentant thief that they would soon be together in Paradise. Jesus is still the man in the middle -- the man between us and hell. And the wise still appeal to Him for mercy. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

If You Are

October 5

(Luke 23:35-38 NIV) ““The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." {36} The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar {37} and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." {38} There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.””

(Matthew 4:3-7 NIV) ““The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." {4} Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" {5} Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. {6} "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" {7} Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.””

(Hebrews 12:2 NIV) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Everyone has their own perspective. The disciples saw the cross as a defeat. The writer of Hebrews saw the cross as a gateway to eternal joy and to the very throne of God. Satan saw the cross as one last opportunity for temptation, hoping Christ would abandon His mission of mercy. The sneering, mocking people were Satan’s tools. They taunted Jesus: “Show off your power. If you are God, prove it by coming down from the cross.” Satan had used the same line at the beginning of Christ’s ministry -- “if you are”. It was the same temptation: grab earthly power, instead of seeking God’s glory. But Jesus did not waiver. An eternal God does not think in terms of “if”. The great “I Am” does not deal in possibilities. Christ did not come to batter His enemies into submission, but to die for their sins. The cross was not a mistake or a defeat -- it was Christ’s original mission. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

By Grace

October 4

(Luke 22:34 NIV) ““Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.””

(Colossians 1:19-23 NIV) “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, {20} and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. {21} Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. {22} But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- {23} if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.”

(Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9 NIV) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. {8} For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The first words from Jesus after He was brutally crucified were in the form of a short prayer. He prayed that His Father would forgive those who nailed him to the cross. They did not deserve mercy. They had mocked, spit on, beat, and crucified the sinless Lamb of God. They did not deserve forgiveness -- and neither do we. But that is Christ’s prayer - then and now. We all drive nails into the hands and feet of our Lord in some way. All of us sin and fall short of God’s glory -- ALL of us. There are none innocent. No one is sinless. Every sin, whether we think of it as big or small, is a spike driven through the flesh of Christ and into the blood-stained wood of the cross. Jesus took every one of those nails and yet prayed, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” That’s grace -- unsolicited, undeserved, unearned mercy. “Because of His great love for us…” Praise Him! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Cross

October 3

(Luke 23:32-33 NIV) ““Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. {33} When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left.

(Psalms 22:16 NIV) “Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.”

(Galatians 2:20 NIV) “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Crucifixion is extremely painful and brings a slow, torturous death. This was the death suffered by our Jesus. Christians love to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. It is the most important event in human history. It literally changed the world. We love our Easter Sunday. But before Sunday, came Friday -- before the resurrection, came a crucifixion. To get to the resurrection, Jesus had to go through the cross -- and so must we. Many Christians today would prefer to skip the cross. They would rather go directly to the resurrection. But without the cross, there is no resurrection. Without the cross, there is no forgiveness of sin. Without the cross, there is no eternal salvation. We must die to ourselves, before we can be born again. We must accept our crucifixion, before Christ can live in us. All roads to the resurrection lead to the cross of Christ. We cannot skip the cross. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

When the Tree Dries Up

October 2

(Luke 23:27-31 NIV) ““A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. {28} Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. {29} For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' {30} Then "'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' {31} For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?””

(Mark 4:4-6 NIV) “As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. {5} Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. {6} But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 NIV) “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. {8} And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. {9} The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, {10} and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. {11} For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie {12} and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

Women wept and wailed as they followed Jesus to Golgotha. But Christ said, “Don’t cry for me -- instead, weep for your children. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. If people do this when God’s Son is here and the tree is green… they will do worse things when He’s gone and the tree dries up.” Christ’s words to the women became a reality. Israel's hollow religion would soon come crashing down on both the guilty and the innocent. The three crosses on the hill that day were only a sampling of the judgment to come. When the Roman Army crushed a rebellion in Israel some years later, thousands of crosses lined the roads to Jerusalem. There was no mercy to be found. Infants were killed along with women and children, and God’s people were turned into wanderers and orphans for almost two thousand years. When the tree dries up, there is no longer any shade to be found. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Divine Interruptions

October 1    

(Luke 23:26 NIV) “As they led Jesus away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”

(Mark 15:21 NIV) “A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.”

Divine interruptions are not always pleasant, but they always serve God’s purpose. Simon of Cyrene was minding his own business when a Roman soldier ordered him to carry the cross of Christ. Jesus had been weakened by a severe beating and was unable to carry its weight. Simon was likely perturbed that his life had been interrupted. He had to be anxious about the welfare of his two sons. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time… or was he? As believers, we will need to do some unscheduled, tough ministry at times. It may be unpleasant -- even painful. This may come as a shock, but being comfortable and being a Christian are not always compatible. We are called by God to hurt along with others… to share their pain… to carry their cross… even though we may have other plans. And when those divine interruptions come, we are in the right place at the right time. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Surrendered To Their Will

September 30

(Luke 23:11-25 NIV) ““Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. {12} That day Herod and Pilate became friends--before this they had been enemies. {13} Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, {14} and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. {15} Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. {16} Therefore, I will punish him and then release him." {17}  {18} With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" {19} (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) {20} Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. {21} But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" {22} For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." {23} But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. {24} So Pilate decided to grant their demand. {25} He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.””

(Matthew 27:19-26 NIV) ““While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." {20} But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. {21} "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. {22} "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" {23} "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" {24} When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" {25} All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" {26} Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.””

(Romans 12:1-2 NIV) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. {2} Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

We learn four things today. First, “passing the buck” is not a new phenomenon. Politicians, pundits, and preachers have done it for centuries. When Pilate passed the buck to Herod, Herod passed it back, and they became friends. Second, power corrupts. It corrupts because some have it and some don’t -- and those who have it will pay just about any price to keep it. Pilate was such a man. Third, having power and being spineless is a bad combination. We see it in many leaders today. When faced with the innocent Jesus, Pilate succumbed to the pressures of the crowd. He forfeited power to stay in power. Holding onto his position became more important than true justice. And fourth, one cannot do “their will” and “God’s will” at the same time. We will either conform to the will of the world, or we will be transformed to obey the will of God. We cannot do both. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Curiosity Killed the Cat

September 29

(Luke 23:4-12 NIV) ““Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." {5} But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." {6} On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. {7} When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. {8} When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. {9} He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. {10} The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. {11} Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. {12} That day Herod and Pilate became friends--before this they had been enemies.””

(Luke 9:7-9 NIV) ““Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, {8} others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. {9} But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him.””

Herod was curious about Jesus. He had even tried to see Him. He wanted to see a miracle. He wasn’t interested in Jesus as a person -- he wasn’t looking for a Lord, he was looking for entertainment. But when Christ stood before Herod, He stood silent and did no miracles. Herod got to see nothing. He was disappointed and angered, so he ridiculed and mocked Christ. This is what happens when people are merely curious about Jesus, or when people see church as a place to be entertained. People come by the thousands to see miracles, but when Christ doesn’t deliver for them personally, they often mutate from curious to critical. Jesus didn’t come to entertain us with miracles -- He came to save our souls. But until the curiosity becomes conviction, and the conviction becomes conversion, it counts for nothing -- and the old saying will remain true: “Curiosity killed the cat.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Murder on the Mind

September 28

(Luke 23:1-5 NIV) ““Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. {2} And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king." {3} So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. {4} Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." {5} But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.””

(Psalms 94:21-23 NIV) “They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. {22} But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. {23} He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.”

When Jesus told the council of elders that He was the Son of God, they immediately sent Him to Pilate. They had murder on their minds, and Pilate was the one who could hand out a death sentence. They accused Jesus of subverting the nation, opposing payment of taxes, and claiming to be Christ the King. Pilate seemed interested in only one of the charges, and asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews. Jesus said, “Yes.” Immediately, Pilate told Christ’s accusers that he could find no basis for criminal charges. But they persisted and eventually prevailed. Once more, Jesus tells us who He really is -- He is the King, and the Christ. This claim still brings murder to the minds of many. They will assassinate character, bring charges of discrimination, invent false charges, and do whatever they can to silence the truth of God. But they will not succeed. They never have -- and they never will. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

From His Own Lips

September 27

(Luke 22:63-71 NIV) ““The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. {64} They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" {65} And they said many other insulting things to him. {66} At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. {67} "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, {68} and if I asked you, you would not answer. {69} But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." {70} They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am." {71} Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.””

(Matthew 16:13-16 NIV) ““When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" {14} They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." {15} "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" {16} Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””

The haunting question with Jesus is, “Who is this man?” It is the most important question you will ever answer. The men guarding Him thought they knew. As they beat Him and mocked Him, their taunts betrayed their hearts. Imagine their surprise and horror when they stood before Him on the day of their death. Jesus did not mince words when He stood before the religious elite. When asked if He was the Christ, He answered with a name they understood: “I AM”. He was indeed the Christ, and they were correct in saying that He was the Son of God. Many silly critics have said that Jesus never personally claimed to be God. But that is precisely what He is saying here. He is declaring, “I am the Christ, the Son of God, the “I Am”, and I will be seated at the right hand of Almighty God in eternity.” With His own lips Jesus tells us who He is. Do you need any more testimony? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

At a Distance

September 26

(Luke 22:54-62 NIV) ““Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. {55} But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. {56} A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." {57} But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. {58} A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. {59} About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." {60} Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. {61} The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." {62} And he went outside and wept bitterly.””

(Hebrews 11:35-40 NIV) “Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. {36} Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. {37} They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- {38} the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. {39} These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. {40} God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

It was a night of fear and confusion. Armed soldiers arrested Jesus, and His disciples ran for their lives. However, Peter stayed just close enough to observe what was happening. Scripture says he “followed at a distance”. Before His arrest, Jesus predicted that before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny knowing Him three times. As Peter followed at a distance, he was recognized and confronted. He denied Christ three times, the rooster crowed, and Jesus looked at Peter. He was overwhelmed by shame and ran again, this time weeping bitterly. Today, many who claim allegiance to Christ deny Him on a daily basis. With words left unsaid, and deeds left undone, we too, follow at a distance. But eventually, like Peter, we will come under His gaze, and our hearts will be seized with shame. Following Christ at a distance still results in bitter weeping. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Arresting God

September 25

(Luke 22:49-54 NIV) ““When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" {50} And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. {51} But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him. {52} Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? {53} Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns." {54} Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.””

(Acts 7:48-56 NIV) ““However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: {49} "'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? {50} Has not my hand made all these things?' {51} "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! {52} Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- {53} you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." {54} When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. {55} But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. {56} "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.””

It was a dark night when a mob of human beings arrested God. Think about that – God’s creation in open rebellion, arresting the Creator and holding Him prisoner. They operated in darkness, as light would have exposed their evil deeds and illumined their naked insurrection. They came with swords and clubs as though numbers alone would not suffice. If you look at their faces you’ll see they are the same people who wanted to rape the Lord’s angels in Sodom. They are the same people who picked up rocks to stone the woman caught in adultery. They are the same people who gnashed their teeth and killed the prophet Stephen. They are the same people who tried to kill Paul at the temple in Jerusalem. In the darkness, their outlines look vaguely familiar -- and if you look long enough, it will eventually dawn on you that they look a lot like you and me. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Judas Kiss

September 24

(Luke 22:47-48 NIV) ““While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, {48} but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?””

(Matthew 27:3-10 NIV)  "When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. {4} "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." {5} So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. {6} The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." {7} So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. {8} That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. {9} Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, {10} and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.""

Judas led an armed crowd to Jesus and gave Him a kiss. It was the kiss of death -- for Jesus and for Judas. For both it was a fulfillment of prophecy. Betrayal is often a hasty action. It can happen on the spur of the moment, but its ramifications can last a lifetime. We have all done it, and we have all regretted it. Judas tried to “take it back”. He tried to return the blood money given him, but the weight of sin was too heavy on his heart, and it crushed him. Sin never gets lighter or easier to bear. It grows heavier by the day. And religion won’t help. The chief priests told Judas there was nothing they could do. Only a relationship with Jesus can save us from our sin, and Judas had severed that relationship. As Judas hung himself, he had to be thinking, “Why did I kiss and then condemn an innocent man? I was so close!” But when it comes to eternity, “close” doesn’t count. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Lord’s Prayer

September 23

(Luke 22:39-46 NIV) ““Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. {40} On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." {41} He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, {42} "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." {43} An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. {44} And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. {45} When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. {46} "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.””

(Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. {11} Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. {12} For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. {13} Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Many can recite what is called the Lord’s Prayer. But that prayer was given to teach us how to pray. Its words were for our benefit. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus wrestled with God in prayer. This was the real Lord’s prayer: “Father, if there is a way to avoid the beating and the crucifixion that are coming, please help me find that way. But I want your will to be done more than mine, so I submit to your authority.” Christ was being tempted. His humanity recoiled at the pain and suffering of the cross. But His spirit was willing to go all the way for God. He also carried concern for His disciples. Their flesh was weak and they would be tempted to abandon Him in order to preserve their lives. They slept instead of praying, and fell into temptation -- they fled, leaving Jesus alone. Jesus prayed, and withstood temptation. The disciples didn’t pray, and failed. Do you see a pattern here? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Buying the Sword

September 22

(Luke 22:35-38 NIV)  "Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. {36} He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. {37} It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors' ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." {38} The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied."

(Matthew 26:50-54 NIV)  "Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. {51} With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. {52} "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. {53} Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? {54} But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?""

These are difficult verses. What is Jesus trying to teach? He wants the disciples to know that things are going to change rapidly. Overnight, He would go from being an “eccentric rabbi” to a convicted criminal. This also meant dramatic changes for His disciples. They would become fugitives. Taken literally, Christ’s call to take purses and acquire swords contradicts His earlier teaching. Most Bible scholars see this teaching as metaphorical. Two swords would have never been sufficient for fending off those who arrested Jesus. This view is bolstered by both Christ’s rebuke of Peter for using a sword at His arrest, as well as His statement that twelve legions of angels would come at His request. Jesus does not promote violence. He’s telling the disciples that things are going to change drastically, and that they should prepare themselves. That’s still good advice for today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Faith and Fear

September 21

(Luke 22:31-34 NIV) ““Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. {32} But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." {33} But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." {34} Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.””

(Luke 22:54-62 NIV) ““Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. {55} But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. {56} A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." {57} But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. {58} A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. {59} About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." {60} Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. {61} The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." {62} And he went outside and wept bitterly.””

Peter’s denial of Christ is legendary. Some say he lost his faith, but that’s not true. Peter didn’t lose his faith, but for a brief moment in time he lost hope that things were going to turn out well, and fear overpowered his faith. He disowned Jesus publicly, but Jesus did not disown him. Christ’s gaze broke Peter’s heart, and in shame and remorse he wept bitterly over his failure. But with God, failure is never final. At one time or another, all of us have backed away from Jesus, distancing ourselves from Him. In our own ways, big and small, we have disowned Him, denied Him, and deserted Him. That does not mean we have lost our faith. It means that for a time, our hope was diminished, and our fear grew stronger than our faith. God’s solution is not to disown us, but to strengthen us. Look Jesus in the eye, repent, and allow God to restore your hope and strengthen your faith. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Ego Driven Discipleship

September 20

(Luke 22:24-30 NIV) ““Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. {25} Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. {26} But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. {27} For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. {28} You are those who have stood by me in my trials. {29} And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, {30} so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.””

(Luke 9:46-48 NIV) ““An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. {47} Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. {48} Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest.””

(Micah 6:8 NIV) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Jesus must have been frustrated with the disciples at times. Earlier in Luke’s gospel, they had argued about who was the greatest… and it was still happening. Jesus probably shook His head and wondered, “Have they learned nothing?” But once more He stressed that the least among them would be the greatest -- the servant would end up at the head of the table. This is the life that Christ modeled for His disciples. One of the greatest enemies of servant discipleship is the human ego. Our desire to be important, to be noticed, or to be in charge, can cripple us in our quest to walk humbly with our God. More than one church has been laid low by the insidious and incessant power struggles that happen between those who claim to be “servants” of Christ. You can’t be great in God’s eyes when climbing on the backs of other believers. Ditch the ego. Be a servant. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

In Remembrance of Me

September 19

(Luke 22:14-23 NIV) ““When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. {15} And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. {16} For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." {17} After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. {18} For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." {19} And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." {20} In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. {21} But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. {22} The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." {23} They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.””

(1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NIV) ““The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, {24} and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." {25} In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

At their last meal together, Christ reminded the disciples of the Passover’s significance. A lamb was slain. The blood of the lamb covered the believer’s home. Bread without yeast was eaten. And God’s people were told to remember what God had done. Then Christ established a new Passover celebration. Jesus, the Lamb of God, would be slain. The blood of the Lamb would cover the believer. Christ’s body would be represented in the bread without yeast (sin). He would be the bread of life. The disciples were to remember Him and pass this commemoration on to new disciples. When we take Communion today, we remember our Lord and what He did for us. We remember His body, given for us -- His blood, poured out to cover our sin. We examine our lives for “yeast”. And we anticipate His return, for then we won’t have to remember anymore -- we will be forever in His presence. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

I Will Pass Over You

September 18

(Luke 22:7-13 NIV) "Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. {8} Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." {9} "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. {10} He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, {11} and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' {12} He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." {13} They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.”

(Exodus 12:13-14 NIV) "The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. {14} "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord -- a lasting ordinance."

Passover is a yearly remembrance of how God saved His people from the death angel and freed them from bondage in Egypt. The Lord had sent various plagues on Egypt to convince Pharaoh to set God’s people free. Finally, God declared that every firstborn in Egypt would be struck down and would die. In preparation, each Jewish household was told to sacrifice a lamb. The family was to eat the lamb for supper, along with bread made without yeast. The blood of the lamb was to be smeared above their doorposts, and when the destroying angel saw the blood, he would “pass over” their house. The events of this night broke the resistance of Pharaoh and he agreed to set God’s people free. Since that night, Jewish households have celebrated Passover, and in obedience to God’s command, have remembered how the Lord saved them from death and freed them from captivity. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Seeds of Betrayal

September 17

(Luke 22:1-6 NIV) “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, {2} and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. {3} Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. {4} And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. {5} They were delighted and agreed to give him money. {6} He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”

(John 12:1-6 NIV) ““Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. {2} Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. {3} Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. {4} But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, {5} "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." {6} He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.””

(Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV) ““Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. {26} "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, {27} and do not give the devil a foothold. {28} He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. {29} Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. {32} Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.””

Judas’ betrayal of Christ will live in infamy. It ranks up there with Lucifer’s rebellion against God. The chief priests and teachers of the law had failed at catching Jesus in punishable errors. They had also failed at dissuading the people from following this young prophet from Nazareth. They needed a Judas. The seeds of betrayal had been planted in Judas long before the night he visited the religious authorities. He had been stealing from Jesus and the disciples for some time. He gave the devil a foothold. He was dishonest and disappointed -- a volatile combination. Christ had not measured up to his expectations. But avoid feeling smug, for we all have a bit of Judas in us. What would it take for you to sell out or bail out? Being angry with God and disappointed with our circumstances, form the seedbed of betrayal. Don’t give the devil a foothold! Be careful, or those seeds can sprout. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Words That Will Never Pass Away

September 16

(Luke 21:32-33, 37-38 NIV) “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. {33} Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. {37} Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, {38} and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.”

(1 Peter 1:23-25 NIV) ““For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. {24} For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, {25} but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.””

(Psalms 119:89-91 NIV) “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. {90} Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. {91} Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.”

Many foolish tyrants have tried to rid the world of God’s word. In their folly, they failed to recognize that God is eternal, while they are but dust -- and to dust they will return. The word of God stands forever, because God is forever. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, told His disciples that the heavens and the Earth would pass away, but not His words. They are eternal, because Christ is eternal. So when Jesus speaks of what is to come, we can bank on it. When He speaks to what we should be doing, we would be wise to heed His words. They will not pass away. When we get into God’s word we are not just into the wisdom of the ancients -- we are into something eternal… something that has been forever and forever will be. Only the fool would try to destroy that kind of knowledge. Only the fool would ignore or neglect it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Three Headed Monster

September 15

(Luke 21:34-36 NIV) “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. {35} For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. {36} Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

(Matthew 6:25-34 NIV)  ""Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? {26} Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? {27} Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? {28} "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. {29} Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. {30} If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? {31} So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. {33} But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. {34} Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Jesus warns of a three-headed monster that can weigh our hearts down and keep us from watching for His return. “Dissipation” is the scattering, wasting, or squandering of our time and affections. We have so many other “lovers” that our affection for Christ dissipates to the point of being non-existent. “Drunkenness” includes alcohol, but we can be intoxicated by money, sex, power, success, or possessions. This is why Jesus warns us not to go back to our houses for anything when we hear his call -- if we trust him, we won't need anything else. The “anxieties of life” can be crippling. Worry can become a lifestyle that weighs the heart down. Jesus warns against it. When we are filled with insecurity, it’s impossible to rest in the Lord. We become too anxious to watch for Jesus. Kill the three-headed monster, or it will kill you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

 

Lift Up Your Heads

September 14

(Luke 21:25-31 NIV) ““There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. {26} Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. {27} At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. {28} When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. {29} He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. {30} When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. {31} Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.””

(Psalm 46:1-7 NIV) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. {2} Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, {3} though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. {4} There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. {5} God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. {6} Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. {7} The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Just before the return of Christ, there will be signs on the Earth and in the sky that are so frightening, men will faint with fear. Heavenly bodies will be shaken. The Earth will tremble and convulse. The oceans will roar. Chaos and fear will reign in this world that God created for peace, order, and harmony. This is sin’s final gasp. For the lost, there will be no place to hide -- no escape from the horror. But for those who have trusted Christ, redemption will be drawing near. Believer, when you see these things happening, do not look down in despair or look around in terror -- look up in faith! Those watching for Christ’s return will see Him coming in the sky. Look up! Watch for Jesus more than you watch for the signs of His coming. Knowing the signs will not save you. Only knowing Jesus can do that. Hope is lost when we look around. Hope is realized when we look up. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Jerusalem’s Desolation

September 13

(Luke 21:20-24 NIV) “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. {21} Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. {22} For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. {23} How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. {24} They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

(Matthew 24:15-22 NIV) “So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- {16} then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. {17} Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. {18} Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. {19} How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! {20} Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. {21} For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. {22} If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”

Every day we hear news of Jerusalem. It is a world “hot spot” that never seems to cool down. Why is it such an important place? Jerusalem is a holy city for three major world religions. For Christians, it is where our Lord was crucified and rose from the dead. It is where He ascended into heaven, and it is where His feet will touch down when He returns again. Jesus told His disciples that Jerusalem would be surrounded, trampled, and destroyed. This happened in 70 A.D. when Roman armies leveled the city, and her people were dispersed all over the world. Not until 1967 were the “times of the Gentiles fulfilled” as the Jewish nation once again took control of the holy city. Many prophecy scholars see Jerusalem being trampled on again just prior to the return of Christ. The world talks daily about New York, L.A., London, Paris, Beijing, and Moscow -- but keep your eyes on Jerusalem. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Hated Because of Him

September 12

(Luke 21:12-19 NIV) ““But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. {13} This will result in your being witnesses to them. {14} But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. {15} For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. {16} You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. {17} All men will hate you because of me. {18} But not a hair of your head will perish. {19} By standing firm you will gain life.””

(Hebrews 11:32-40 NIV) “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, {33} who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, {34} quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. {35} Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. {36} Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. {37} They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- {38} the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. {39} These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. {40} God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Some Christians think of God as the great security man in the sky -- trust Him and you can slay a thousand enemies or walk through fire. Although this has been true in the lives of some believers, history also records that saints bleed and die on a regular basis. And as the end draws closer, the fires of persecution will burn hotter. Anyone willing to stand for anything associated with the glory and holiness of God will pay dearly. Even parents and siblings will turn against those who choose to persevere in the faith. We will be hated for just bearing His name. But Jesus counseled us not to worry. We will not perish like those without Christ. Glorify His name as you stand before your enemies. Divine power does not come from the muzzle of a gun. The Lord will give us words and grace to face whatever comes. Pray that we can be His witnesses. Stand firm and gain eternal life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Birth Pains

September 11

(Luke 21:6-11 NIV) ““As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." {7} "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" {8} He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. {9} When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." {10} Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. {11} There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.””

(Matthew 24:3-8 NIV) ““As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" {4} Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. {5} For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. {6} You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. {7} Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. {8} All these are the beginning of birth pains.””

The signs of Christ’s return are present in every age, but there will be an intensification of these signs in the days before He comes again. When we look at end time’s prophecy we must realize that there is mystery involved. Anyone saying they have it all figured out should be viewed with suspicion. We will never have all the answers on this side of eternity. The run-up to the end of the age will be marked by false messiahs, claiming divine knowledge and demanding divine respect. They will be phonies. Wars and revolutions will abound. Violence will increase. Earthquakes will shake the foundations of the Earth. Famine will cause millions of deaths. Pestilence and disease will overpower the healthcare systems. Things will happen in the heavens that bring great fear and anxiety. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus calls these events, “the beginning of birth pains”. Get ready. Something big is coming. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Not One Stone

September 10

(Luke 21:5-6 NIV) ““Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, {6} "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.””

(Luke 19:41-44 NIV) ““As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it {42} and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. {43} The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. {44} They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.””

(Acts 7:48-49 NIV) ““However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: {49} "'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?””

Man builds magnificent buildings. He adorns them beautifully and endows them with the latest technology. They can be tall, reaching toward the sky. They can be massive and have huge seating capacities. We often become impressed with our cathedrals and temples and they become the objects of our worship. We begin to value the created more than the Creator. The  Temple in Jerusalem was such a building. The disciples were impressed by its size and its beautiful stone work. But the Creator of the heavens and the Earth remained unimpressed. Christ prophesied that not one stone would remain upon another -- it would eventually all come down. Then the Lord would live where He has always wanted to live -- in the hearts of those who worship Him and follow Him as Lord. Does the Lord God Almighty live in you? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Three Truths About Giving

September 9

(Luke 21:1-4 NIV) ““As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. {2} He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. {3} "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. {4} All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.””

(1 Kings 17:7-16 NIV)  "Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. {8} Then the word of the Lord came to him: {9} "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." {10} So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" {11} As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." {12} "As surely as the Lord your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son,  that we may eat it--and die." {13} Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. {14} For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.'"  {15} She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. {16} For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah."

Love always costs us something. It always involves self-denial and sacrifice. You cannot love without giving. With the widow’s gift at the Temple, Jesus teaches three things. First, God knows what we give. Just as Jesus took note of the widow’s giving and the giving of others, God observes our giving. Second, God cares about what we give. Jesus said the widow’s gift had significance beyond the amount she contributed. She had given “more than all the others”. Third, God cares more about attitude than amount. The widow wasn’t a big giver in terms of amount. She contributed only two small copper coins -- others put in much more. But in faith, she gave “all that she had”. While others dutifully tithed their ten percent, this woman gave one hundred percent. With God, the amount you give is not as important as the amount you have left over. The more we love, the more we give. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Humility

September 8

(Luke 20:45-47 NIV) ““While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, {46} “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. {47} They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.””

(Luke 14:7-11 NIV)  "When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: {8} "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. {9} If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. {10} But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. {11} For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.""

Two different cancers can grow in the Christian heart: lack of humility and false humility. Both originate in pride. Jesus faced many teachers of the law who loved their places of honor and their flowing robes. It can get heady when you always sit at the head table. Lengthy prayers, flowery oration, and the power to get people’s money are not why God created the priesthood. The other cancer grows in those who are constantly assuring themselves, and us, of their humility. They make a show of their humility so everyone will know just how humble they are. They are humble and proud of it. These two attitudes are two sides of the same counterfeit coin. Genuine humility is marked, not by self-awareness, but by a heightened “other-awareness”. Jesus didn’t spend His time in front of a mirror. Instead, He was constantly looking around for those who needed their feet washed. That’s humility! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

My Lord

September 7

(Luke 20:41-47 NIV) ““Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? {42} David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand {43} until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ {44} David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

(Matthew 22:41-46 NIV) ““While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, {42} “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. {43} He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, {44} “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ {45} If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” {46} No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.””

(Psalm 110:1 NIV) ““The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.””

Jesus was continually dueling with the Bible experts of His day. He had no degree from any seminary, nor had He studied under any of the famous rabbis of the day. He had no formal education and so the spiritual intellectuals saw Him as an inferior upstart. But more than once, Jesus simply took them to their Bible, and corrected them from the very Scriptures where they claimed to be experts. He took them to Psalm 110 and made a case for a different type of Christ than they were expecting. They thought that the Christ/Messiah would be the son of David. This would make Him a mere human being. But Jesus contended that if David called Him “my Lord”, He couldn’t be the son of David. His human bloodline may trace back to David, but to be “Lord”, the Christ must be the Son of God. Jesus was that Son, and when you are the Son of God, that’s all the credentials you need. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Children of the Resurrection

September 6

(Luke 20:34-40 NIV) ““Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. {35} But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, {36} and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. {37} But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ {38} He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” {39} Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” {40} And no one dared to ask him any more questions.””

(Exodus 3:5-6 NIV) ““Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” {6} Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God””

One of the great proofs of resurrection comes from a book in Scripture where the Sadducees claimed to be experts. In Exodus chapter three, God tells Moses that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since God is the God of the living, this means that for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, a resurrection had taken place and there is an afterlife. The Sadducees were humiliated. The age to come is eternal. It will have no end. But that eternal existence applies to both inside and outside the Kingdom. Not everyone will enjoy eternity. Some will spend it outside looking in. This is the teaching of our Savior. His words, “considered worthy of taking part” are an indication that the age to come will be exclusive. Some will be found worthy of taking part, some will not. Some will stand as God’s children, some will not. Which group will you be in? Are you a child of the resurrection? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

No Marriage in Heaven

September 5

(Luke 20:27-35 NIV) ““Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. {28} “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. {29} Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. {30} The second {31} and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. {32} Finally, the woman died too. {33} Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” {34} Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. {35} But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.”” 

(Deuteronomy 25:5-6 NIV) “If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. {6} The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.”

(Galatians 3:26-28 NIV) “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, {27} for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. {28} There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

What will we do in eternity? There is one thing we know for sure that we won’t do. We won’t be married. For many people, this may bring some angst and confusion. Marriage and family are part of God’s creation package -- building blocks of godly culture here on Earth. Essential values are learned there. This is so important that God said if a husband died, having no son to carry on the family name, the dead man’s brother was to marry his widow (if he wasn’t already married) in order to carry on the family name. The question from the Sadducees was, who would the woman be married to in the afterlife? Jesus said the question was moot because there will be no marriage in the age to come. Gender and marriage are earthly constructs. In eternity, we will live an asexual existence, like the angels. The physical will have given way to the spiritual. The flesh will count for nothing. Hallelujah! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day