THE PSALM OF THE CROSS

 Psalm 22:16- 31King James Version (KJV)

22 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

21 Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

 24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

28 For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations.

29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

22:16 Dogs refers generally to all types of evil men. The piercing was literally fulfilled when Jesus was crucified (John 20:27).

 22:18 Vesture This is quoted in all four Gospels concerning Christ’s robe being gambled for by the soldiers who carried out the Crucifixion.

22:21 Thou has heard me. The resurrection of Jesus was an answer to His prayer and to the agonizing prayer of every sin-laden human soul.

22:22 The NT equivalent for the OT congregation is the "church" which Christ calls His "brethren" (Hebrew 2:11, 12).

22:12, 13 Bashan is a grain-growing region east of the Sea of Galilee, ideal for raising cattle. Bulls with horns are fearsome when charging a victim, as a hungry lion tearing its prey.

22:27 When one remembers, one brings to mind and then acts upon the thought.

22:29 This is reflected in Phil. 2:9-11, where it is said every knew shall bow before the Lord of all.

 In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

THE SEED THAT DIED

When you count the cost of living a life that makes a difference you see that it is someone that . . . . .

I. Has Died - John 12:24; Matt 16:24 Jesus said in both passages that we are to die to self. We are to put the old, natural man away and live as new people. Listen to what He says. He compares the Christian life to a seed or grain of wheat, planted in the ground and watered and sprouts up and lives. Just as the seed must first die in the ground before it can bring about new life, we also must die to the old things that separated us from God. It is only when we die that we can truly live. Paul says in 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

II. Is Separated - John 12:24; Matt 10:37 This is one of the hardest conditions of the Christian life that we can possibly face today. Once we have died to self and the things of the world, we must separate ourselves from the things of the world. It is only when we do as the grain of wheat after it is planted in the dark ground, alone and separated from the farmer's care that it springs forth with new life.

  

We all have a sinful nature and we possess the ability to sin at any time. However, we have the strength and the power of the Holy Spirit to resist if we keep ourselves pure. David said, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." It is through the power of the word of God that we have at our disposal that we can resist temptation. 

Now here is one of the most difficult passages to understand. Look at verse 34. Jesus says that your family will be your enemy. Why? Well, it was prophesied years earlier by the prophet Micah. In the 7:6 we read the same words. God is telling us that if we believe and our family doesn't believe that they will not understand the spiritual things that we do. They will not understand our wanting to go to church and to help others and all those things that we as Christians want to do. Families who are not saved can be unmerciful to a new Christian. 

And Jesus is saying that to love God is more important than even your mother or father. That may sound like harsh words, but look at Matt 8:21. Jesus is saying that the world can take care of the world; you need to take care of the things of God. Whatever God has called you to do, do it.

III. Bears Fruit - John 12:24; Matt 16:32-33 Just as the seed dies, is buried, and then springs to life, it then bears fruit. If it doesn't bear fruit, how will you know it is a grain of wheat or a sunflower seed? Jesus is referring to the outward expression of the inner person, deeds or duty that will make one worthy of salvation. 

Look at the order in which He gives us this. "If it dies, that is dies to self, it bears much fruit." What kind of fruit? Fruit of the Spirit. Those things that are Godly and that separate us from the world. Paul said that we are "saved by grace through faith, not works." Then James comes along and says, "Show me your faith without works, and I'll show you my faith by my works." Now these are not contradicting statements. God has promised that when we become a Christian we become different people. We just saw in 2Cor 5:17, we become new creations. It is the Christ-likeness inside of us that makes

IV. Is willing to lose their life - John 12:25 Matt 16:24-27 - 

What does it mean to lose your life? How does one lose his life? Jesus is again telling the disciples that eternal life is for those who have forsaken the world's way of living and followed Jesus. Losing your life is not that hard to do, but keeping it lost can be. That's why Jesus said that we have to daily deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. That was a big order for the disciples and for us, but it's the only way.

V. Is able to find new life - John 12:25; Matt 16:24-27 If we lose our life, we must find a new life. Christ showed us that the only way to have new life is to believe in Christ and follow Him. The new life is given by God to those who believe and turn from their old way of living. Paul says in Gal 3:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." You see, it is the power and strength of the Holy Spirit in us that gives us our daily ability to follow Christ.

VI. Is a servant - John 12:26; Matt 16:24 Jesus says that we are to be servants to all. He says that God will honor those who serve. Even at the Last Supper, Jesus gave an example of servanthood. He washed the disciple’s feet. He then said, "a servant is not greater than his master, but if you want to be first, be last, and if you want to be great, be a servant." A life that makes a difference is a life that costs. It has a price to pay, but is willing to make the sacrifice for the promised reward of eternal life.

In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

THE LORD’S SUPPER

 The Final Week in Jerusalem

Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13, 18

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Jesus was very popular with the crowds of people in Jerusalem. The chief priests of the temple felt their authority slipping away and became very jealous. They were looking for a way to kill Jesus, but they didn't know how they could arrest Him without starting a riot.

But one of Jesus' disciples, Judas, became a traitor. As a disciple, Judas knew all the places that Jesus usually went. He could lead the chief priests to Jesus late at night when He was away from all the crowds of people. That way, they could arrest Jesus without causing a riot.

Judas went to the chief priests and told them his plan. They liked it and paid Judas a large sum of money - about four months' wages - to betray Jesus.

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

The day had come for the Passover meal. The Jews celebrated Passover, as they had for centuries - with roasted lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs and four cups of wine.

Jesus made plans to celebrate with the twelve disciples that He had named as apostles. Jesus sent them into Jerusalem to prepare a traditional Passover meal, and He joined them that evening.

Then Jesus did something that surprised everyone. He got a towel and a wash basin and began to wash the feet of each of His apostles.

When it was Peter's turn, he didn't think it was right for Jesus to be washing feet. People walked around in sandals on the dusty roads, and it was the job of a servant to wash the feet of a guest when he came into a house. But Jesus was not a servant; He was the master!

Peter said, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You don't know why I am doing this, but you will understand later." Peter was not convinced and said, "You will never wash my feet!" But Jesus said, "Unless I wash you, you will have no part of me." So Peter said, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord!"

The Last Supper

Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, and He would be crucified the next day. It was not only Passover; it was Jesus' last meal with His disciples, so it was a very special occasion.

As Jesus and His disciples were eating, Jesus again surprised and upset all the disciples. He said, "Truly I tell you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me!" All the disciples looked around and said, "Surely, it is not I, Lord." Peter asked Jesus, "Who is it, Lord?" Jesus replied, "It is the one I give this piece of bread to." Then he handed the bread to His disciple Judas and said, "Do quickly what you are going to do." Judas left immediately, but most of the disciples did not know why.

Then Jesus took a loaf of bread, blessed it and broke it into pieces. He gave a piece to each of the eleven remaining disciples and said, "This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.

Then he took a cup of wine, gave thanks, and passed it around the table, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I will never again drink wine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

Jesus is Arrested

After the Passover meal, Jesus led His disciples out to a deserted garden called Gethsemane to pray. He prayed to His Father in heaven that He could somehow be spared the agony of crucifixion that He knew He was about to face. But, above all, He was determined to complete His earthly mission. He closed His prayer by saying, "My Father, if this suffering cannot be avoided, Your will be done."

Jesus often went to Gethsemane with the disciples, and Judas knew this was the perfect place to arrest Jesus without attracting attention. The chief priests and elders of the temple sent an armed mob along with Judas. Judas told the mob he would identify Jesus by giving Him a kiss, a common form of greeting at that time.

Now Judas arrived with the mob sent by the chief priests. He went up to Jesus, kissed Him, and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" This was the signal for the mob to take Jesus captive.

Peter, wanting to defend Jesus, drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. But Jesus said, "Put away your sword; all who take to the sword will die by the sword. Don't you know that I could ask My Father, and he would send legions of angels to protect Me. But the scriptures say it must happen this way."

The mob grabbed Jesus and took Him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. But all of Jesus' disciples ran away in fear that they would also be arrested.

In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ (5)

1 Chronicles 4:10

"Oh, that You would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me,

and that You would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!"

So, God granted him what he requested.

A Biblical-Theological ReflectionsThe Prayer’s Fourth and Fifth Petition – …and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!

Jabez's last request: And you would keep me from evil, lest I cause pain.  The Hebrew word ra'ah may mean physical calamity or natural disaster, as well as moral evil.  Jabez recognized the human tendency to moral failure, with the negative effects not only for the individual but also for others. However, both the prayer itself and the larger context of the Books of Chronicles argue that it is the moral sense that is in view. One of the points made throughout the narratives in Chronicles is that many of the kings of Israel/Judah started out well, but at some point, committed a moral evil that had disastrous effects on the people. For David, while the account of his sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah is omitted, his sinful census is included (1 Chron. 21). The apostasy of Solomon is largely omitted, but the Chronicler does mention the fact that peoples who should have driven out of the land remained (2 Chron. 8:8). The foolishness of Rehoboam is declared. As one follows the narrative through 2 Chronicles, time after time, the moral failure of the king has dire consequences for Israel. Henceforth, Jabez prayed for God to keep him from moral evil, that he might not cause the associated pain on others. This that made Jabez more honorable than his brothers. His interests went further than himself, to include the success of God’s kingdom.

Jabez prayed that in receiving God's blessings that he would not fall into the temptation that happens to many successful people, and that also evil people may not try to harm him.  This is clearly an idiom in the Hebrew. The expression does not seem to be used in another place, but the sense seems clear enough. Jabez makes supplication that God would keep him from the evil of trouble, all the evil designs of his enemies, that they might not hurt him, nor grieve him, nor make him a Jabez indeed, a man of sorrow. Father in heaven, deliver me from evil.

God prospered Jabez remarkably, and gave him success in his undertakings, in his studies, and in his worldly business, in his conflicts with the Canaanites.

GOD GRANTED THAT WHICH HE REQUESTED

               

In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ (4)

1 Chronicles 4:10

"Oh, that You would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me,

and that You would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!"

So, God granted him what he requested.

A Biblical-Theological ReflectionsThe Prayer’s Third Petition – …that Your hand be with me

This third petition makes more obvious the request of the second petition. Jabez asks for God's power to assist him in his task of taking territory. The illustration of God's hand as his power against his enemies is common in the Old Testament, particularly in the narratives about the Exodus and the conquest.

That Your hand be with me

Jabez asked that God's hand would be with him to lead him, protect him, strengthen him, and to work all His works in him. Since he had asked for so much, he also wanted to have God's help in handling his new responsibilities. He surrenders his success to God.   …….to be cont’d

               

In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

ASKING FOR DIRECTION

If you need wisdom-if you want to know whatGod wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you.He will not resent your asking.

-

James 1:5 NLT

Genuine, heartfelt prayer produces powerful changes in us and in our world. When we lift our hearts to God, we open ourselves to a never-ending source of divine wisdom and infinite love. Jesus made it clear to His disciples: they should petition God to meet their needs. So should we.

Do you have questions about your future that you simply can’t answer? Do you have needs that you simply can’t meet by yourself? Do you sincerely seek to know God’s unfolding plans for your life? If you, ask Him for directions, for protection, and for strength-and then keep asking Him every day that you live. Whatever your need, no matter how great or small, pray about it and have faith. God is not just near; He is here, and He’s perfectly capable of answering your prayers. Now, it’s up to you to ask.

In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

THE FLIMFLAM MEN

JOSHUA 9:14 

THE MEN OF ISRAEL SAMPLED THEIR PROVISIONS  BUT DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD

There are a lot of ways to describe what happened to the Israelites when they met the Gibeonites: flimflammed, snookered, duped, deceived. Having heard what the Israelites did to Jericho and Ai, the Gibeonites knew they needed something more than an army to survived the Israelite military machine; they needed a plan. Their plan was to trick the Israelites, into a treaty by making them think they weren’t part of the peoples Israel was commanded by God to subdue. So, they made their clothes and food look old and stale, like they had come from a great distance, and they proposed a treaty. The Israelites, brought the story. They sampled their provisions, but they did not "inquire of the Lord."  Full of themselves after consecutive victories, they were so confident about what they thought that they didn’t bother to ask the Lord what he thought. The treaty was ratified.

If only the Israelites have prayed about the Gibeonites and their proposal, this story would have turned out better for God’s people.

"Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve" are the words of regrets. Taking the time to pray uses up time in the short run, but it saves time in the long run. When was the last time you thought you were too busy to pray? This morning, perhaps? The Gibeonites were whispering deception in your ear. The lesson of this story is the title of a book on prayer by Bill Hybels: The truth of the matter was that you were Too Busy Not to Pray.

There is another lesson in the story of the Gibeonite deception: Simply pursuing God’s goals is not enough. We need to use God’s means, too. God’s Will covers not only what we are to do, but how; and in the case of the Gibeonites, it covers who we are to do it with. Pray until you hear the Lord speak, and don’t stop until he stops speaking. "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6).

In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org