Anderson Hills

This week in The Story, Jesus continues to demonstrate His identity as the Son of God. And He asks the question, "Who do you say that I am?" In his Gospel, John stressed Jesus’ claims of deity with His “I AM” statements which connected Jesus to the name YHWH of “I AM.” He claimed: I AM the Light of the world; I AM the Resurrection and the Life; I AM the Bread of Life. Jesus began to speak plainly about being more than a prophet. He told the Pharisees that the Father had sent Him, that He was the Son of Man. If Jesus was merely human, His claims about Himself were outrageous and way out of line. “Who do you say that I am?” As Jesus asked Peter this crucial question, He asks us today. And how one answers is a matter of life and death—eternal life, that is.

Jesus begins to say and do things that are far from ordinary as He obeys His Father. His teachings were revolutionary and His miracle undeniable. He claimed nothing less than equality with God and proclaimed Himself as the long expected Messiah. He attracted criticism in abundance, but He also drew crowds wherever He went. He often taught the people in parables, revealing secrets of God’s kingdom. With these illustrations, He taught that in Him, God’s kingdom had come, while exposing the religious leaders’ misguided view of religion. As a result of His offensive teachings, the people were divided. Neutrality is not an option with Jesus—He demands a response. Where there is a kingdom, there is a king. Will you make Him King of your life?

Jesus begins to say and do things that are far from ordinary as He obeys His Father. His teachings were revolutionary and His miracle undeniable. He claimed nothing less than equality with God and proclaimed Himself as the long expected Messiah. He attracted criticism in abundance, but He also drew crowds wherever He went. He often taught the people in parables, revealing secrets of God’s kingdom. With these illustrations, He taught that in Him, God’s kingdom had come, while exposing the religious leaders’ misguided view of religion. As a result of His offensive teachings, the people were divided. Neutrality is not an option with Jesus—He demands a response. Where there is a kingdom, there is a king. Will you make Him King of your life?

Jesus' ministry begins with two significant events: His baptism and His temptation. Jesus went to John to be baptized, not because he needed to repent (He had no sin) but because He wanted to fulfill all righteousness by submitting to the Father’s will. As soon as He came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, empowering Him for the mission He was given. Immediately following His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to face the devil, and we learn from His responses to each of Satan’s attempts how we too can overcome enemy attacks. Jesus shows us how to walk in ways that are not always accepted by others but are pleasing to God.

Jesus' ministry begins with two significant events: His baptism and His temptation. Jesus went to John to be baptized, not because he needed to repent (He had no sin) but because He wanted to fulfill all righteousness by submitting to the Father’s will. As soon as He came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, empowering Him for the mission He was given. Immediately following His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to face the devil, and we learn from His responses to each of Satan’s attempts how we too can overcome enemy attacks. Jesus shows us how to walk in ways that are not always accepted by others but are pleasing to God.

This week we begin the journey through the New Testament, starting with Jesus’ birth narratives. We will read of Jesus’ miraculous birth in two of the Gospels: Matthew and Luke. Mark passes over those stories, choosing to begin his Gospel at the point where Jesus begins His earthly ministry as an adult. John however, begins his testimony about Jesus in a very different way. Rather than starting with Jesus’ natural birth, John begins by referring to Jesus as The Word, who was present at the very beginning of time. John wants us to clearly understand from the outset the eternal majesty, deity, and Creator rights of Christ, the Messiah of the prophesies.

This week we begin the journey through the New Testament, starting with Jesus’ birth narratives. We will read of Jesus’ miraculous birth in two of the Gospels: Matthew and Luke. Mark passes over those stories, choosing to begin his Gospel at the point where Jesus begins His earthly ministry as an adult. John however, begins his testimony about Jesus in a very different way. Rather than starting with Jesus’ natural birth, John begins by referring to Jesus as The Word, who was present at the very beginning of time. John wants us to clearly understand from the outset the eternal majesty, deity, and Creator rights of Christ, the Messiah of the prophesies

The biblical figures of Ezra and Nehemiah are not the most popular or well-known. Years after the first group returned to rebuild the temple, another group returned under the leadership of Ezra, a priest and Bible scholar who was passionate about God and His Word. Ezra would do everything in his power to lead the Israelites into a new era of devotion to their God. After that, a final group returned under Nehemiah, who desired to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He led the people to do so despite the fearful tactics of their enemies to derail and stop the project. Ezra and Nehemiah were reformers who were determined not to allow this reemerging but fledgling nation to fall back into her old ways.

The biblical figures of Ezra and Nehemiah are not the most popular or well-known. Years after the first group returned to rebuild the temple, another group returned under the leadership of Ezra, a priest and Bible scholar who was passionate about God and His Word. Ezra would do everything in his power to lead the Israelites into a new era of devotion to their God. After that, a final group returned under Nehemiah, who desired to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He led the people to do so despite the fearful tactics of their enemies to derail and stop the project. Ezra and Nehemiah were reformers who were determined not to allow this reemerging but fledgling nation to fall back into her old ways.

Fifty years after the first group of exiles returned to Jerusalem, the majority of Israelites remained scattered throughout the Persian Empire, and many lived in the capital city of Susa, including a woman name Esther. Esther, an orphan who was raised by her righteous cousin Mordecai, eventually won favor with the king, becoming queen. In the story of Esther, we see how God works behind the scene to fulfill His promises and grand purpose; even when we cannot see God working, He is. God is in control, working all things out for the good. We also learn from the bravery and courage of Esther. Sometimes we must stand in courage, even when it is not popular to do so, and risk it all.