THIS WEEK: Study Colossians 4

The next two weeks (March 31 thru April 6), please study Colossians, Chapter 4.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here.

Click here to listen to audio of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

Study Tip: Do try to study every chapter the exact same way, no matter what the content?  That may be a big mistake.  Be sure to think about the kind of chapter you're working with before you study so that you can focus on the right things.

REMINDER: Practices resume TONIGHT!

We'll be quizzing on Colossians 3!

HOLY WEEK LEFTOVERS: How do we know Jesus actually rose?

Holy Week raises lots of questions worth answering, which we don't always get around to discussing during Holy Week.  We'll take a few days this week to look at those questions.

QUESTION 1:  HOW DO WE KNOW JESUS ACTUALLY ROSE FROM THE DEAD?

Since the very day Jesus rose from the dead, people have been trying to argue it didn't happen.  (The gospels actually record an attempted payoff from the Sanhedrin to the tomb guards to claim the disciples had stolen the body.)  But there is plentiful evidence that Jesus died and that he rose again!

1. Jesus Died:  The Romans were experts at killing and crucifixion was one of their go-to methods for killing.  The gospels even record that the guards at the cross were ready with a backup plan for anyone who hadn't died.  They would break their legs, so they couldn't push themselves up to catch a breath.  Instead, when they came to Jesus, they saw he was dead.  But just to make sure, they thrust a spear into his side.  The gospels report "blood and water" flowed, which either indicates that the blood had begun to coagulate inside the body, or that the cardiac sack around the heart had been punctured.  Either way, there is no way to survive that.
2. Jesus Rose:  First century Jews were no fools and were used to Messiahs who didn't deliver what they promised, so it makes little sense to chalk up Jesus's appearances to superstition.  Instead, the gospels report repeatedly that there were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ.  First, he appeared to the women who came to the tomb to care for his body.  Second, he appeared to Peter (and John saw the empty tomb).  Third, he appeared to two unnamed disciples on the way to Emmaus.  Fourth, he appeared to all of the disciples in the upper room, except Thomas.  Finally, he appeared to Thomas, as well, and even showed him the scars in his hands, his feet, and his sides.  And it was not just the apostles who saw him, but Paul reports in 1 Corinthians 15:6 that over 500 people saw Jesus alive (most of whom were still alive when he wrote for readers to check back with).
3. Jesus Changed Lives:  Finally, it is worth noting the transformation seen in the disciples after Jesus's resurrection.  After the crucifixion, all accounts report they were terrified and hidden away, fearing the Romans or Sanhedrin would come for them next.  They feared for their lives, and were ready to run away.  But after the resurrection, suddenly they are bold and brash men with no fear for their lives.  They preach, they teach, they do miracles, and they eagerly march toward martyrdom.

While we do not have a photograph of the risen Jesus to examine, all of this adds up to a lot of strong evidence that Jesus of Nazareth did indeed rise from the dead.

BONUS PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A Quizzer in Israel

"A photo of me standing in the remains of the probable hall in which Paul made his defense before Festus and Agrippa (Acts 26)."

HOLY WEEK: Resurrection Sunday!

Matthew 28:1-10:  Easter Sunday

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

HOLY WEEK: Holy Saturday

It is typical to think of Saturday as an "off day" for Holy Week, but actually quite a lot was happening.  Jesus was taken down from the cross and his body was wrapped in fine cloths and spices.   Then Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea - both prominent men who had much to lose by declaring they were followers of Jesus - came forward to claim the body and place it into a rich tomb.  Finally, the Sanhedrin - aware of Jesus's prophesies about resurrection - convinced Pilate to seal the tomb and guard it to protect against tampering.

HOLY WEEK: Good Friday

Good Friday is the holiest day on the Christian calendar, because it is the day Jesus died and took on all of our sins.  Without his death, we would still be in our sins and under judgement for all eternity.  Salvation, both Old and New Testament, is based on faith in the saving work of God thru Christ.

It was a long and difficult day for Jesus.  He not only died, but went thru multiple trials before both Jewish and Gentile, both local and imperial authorities.  He was offered a way out by Pilate, but the crowds chose a known murderer instead.  Jesus was then tortured, and forced to carry his own cross (until he collapsed and a bystander in the crowd was drafted to carry it for him).  Finally, he was nailed to the cross and after blessing nearly all those around him, died.

It is important to note how Jesus died.  He was not killed, but instead scripture says he "gave up his spirit."  God chose to die, because his life could not be taken from him.

HOLY WEEK: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the most solemn and somber of days in the Christian calendar.  It marks the day that Jesus gave the Last Supper, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was betrayed by Judas.

The term "Maundy" is a reference back to the Latin "mandatum" - i.e. "command" - which comes from John 13:34-35:  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”"

Why is this day more somber than "Good Friday" on which Jesus actually died?  Because that day is made "good" by the redemption accomplished by his death on the cross.  Thursday, on the other hand, is just one difficult moment for Jesus after another with no relief in sight.  In light of this, it is traditional for Maundy Thursday services to end in silence, with people leaving the church without talking.

REMINDER: There is NO PRACTICE tonight

There is no Practice tonight because of Holy Week.  We'll get back to it next Wednesday.

HOLY WEEK: Silent Wednesday

Nothing is recorded in the gospels about Wednesday of Holy Week.  This certainly doesn't say "nothing" happened, but scholars speculate Jesus and his disciples may have spent the day resting up for the Passover celebration in Bethany with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

HOLY WEEK: The Olivet Discourse & Judas In Negotiations

Tuesday of Holy Week was the day Jesus went up on the Mount of Olives to give the "Olivet Discourse" - a long sermon focussed around prophesies of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and ultimately the End Times.  It is also the day that Judas negotiated the price to betray Jesus (Matthew 24:14-16)

SCOREBOARD: Practice - March 16

HOLY WEEK: Clearing of the Temple

On Monday of Holy Week, the major event was Jesus's cleansing of the Temple, recorded in all four gospels.

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.  (Mark 11:15-19)

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: At the Cross

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Good Friday Stained Glass

WEEKLY COMIC: I Scream for Holy Week

THIS WEEK: Study Colossians 3

The next two weeks (March 17 thru March 30), please study Colossians, Chapter 3.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here.

Click here to listen to audio of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

Study Tip: "Off weeks" can be difficult for maintaining the momentum of studying.  But Easter is unusual in that we spend the week focussing intensely on scripture.  Use this time to deepen your understanding of our study text by relating it to the texts being talked about for Holy Week.

BONUS PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A Quizzer in Israel

All together now.  "What day is it?"  "HUMP DAY!"

Should we celebrate St. Patrick?

This coming Thursday will be St. Patrick's Day.  For a sincere Christian, this can be a confusing time. In theory, it is a celebration of a particular Christian man who ministered in Ireland. But it has become - in American usage - simply a time to celebrate Irish culture. And among some, it has become little more than an excuse to drink alcohol to excess and carouse. Is this a holiday we should observe at all?

Well, luckily, much is known about Patrick, and it turns out he was a true follower of Jesus and a powerful evangelist. This is a man whose life is worth remembering!

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him...Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Remembering great men of the Faith is important, so long as we always keep our eyes on Jesus, as they did.

SCOREBOARD: Practice - March 9

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: It Is Finished

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Easter Flowers

WEEKLY COMIC: What kind of message?

THIS WEEK: Study Colossians 2

This week (March 10 thru March 16), please study Colossians, Chapter 2.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here.

Click here to listen to audio of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

Study Tip: Do try to study every chapter the exact same way, no matter what the content?  That may be a big mistake.  Some chapters are heavy on doctrine which lend themselves to studying keywords, while others are heavy on practical application which lend themselves on lists and sequence studies. Be sure to think about the kind of chapter you're working with before you study so that you can focus on the right things.

ARE YOU READY? - Colossians 1

Are you ready to quiz tonight?  Here is a quick self-test you can do to see whether you're prepared or need to do some last-minute cramming!

QUESTION:  REFERENCE:  According to Colossians 1:1-2, Paul and Timothy, to whom?

QUESTION:  2 PART ANSWER:  In the whole world it is what?

QUESTION:  Bearing fruit in every what?

QUESTION:  MULTIPLE PART ANSWER:  By him what things were created?

QUESTION:  FINISH THE VERSE:  "And he is before..."

QUESTION:  The riches of glory of this mystery is what?