CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 50

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Acts 2:1-4 (CSB) – When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

Dear Diary: It is hard to believe that it has only been 10 days since Jesus went up in the clouds to heaven. Daily times of prayer have been held. We are seeking to know what He meant by receiving power from the Holy Spirit. He gave us a task and then told us to wait until the Holy Spirit came.

Well, today it happened. I was in Jerusalem on the day of the celebration of Pentecost. The feast held 50 days after Passover. We called it the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks. It is mentioned five places in the first five books of Moses. It was the celebration of the beginning of the early weeks of harvest. But today, it has taken on a new meaning. It is the beginning of a harvest, but not of wheat but of souls.

Suddenly there was the sound of a mighty wind and what appeared to be tongues of fire settled on the disciples. To those of us who are Israelites, it reminded us of Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones, and the fire of the Shekinah Glory. God, in the form of His Holy Spirit, was now coming to take up permanent residence in those who place their faith and trust on Jesus Christ.

Today, Peter, having been restored by Christ, preached a sermon that every person from 16 different language groups heard and understood. What a miracle. And, an even bigger miracle was that of those hearing this sermon about 3,000 people came to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

From a small group of disciples, the Church of Jesus was beginning to grow. The Church located in Jerusalem was now well-over 3,120 members – and growing. How? The power of the Holy Spirit moving through those who had prepared themselves to obey and follow Jesus wherever He takes us.

This concludes our series of devotions dealing with the passion of Jesus Christ. I hope that this fictionalized account (based on foundational truth) has helped make it come alive to you each day. I pray that this has challenged each of us to step up and to observe to obey the Great Commission of Jesus – to reach others with the saving message of Jesus. Our world needs it more today than possibly ever. Will you take the time to share with one person what Jesus means to you?

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 48

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Acts 1:9-11 (CSB) – After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

Dear Diary: So much has taken place over the last 40 days. I will never forget that first day of the week when Jesus walked with my friend and I. Being some of the first ones that He appeared to, I count as a high honor. I feel so unworthy to have had that privilege. Today was another remarkable day.

Over these 40 days, he appeared to Peter and restored him to fellowship. He appeared to the remaining disciples twice in that first week in the Upper Room. The women, also. It has caused quite a stir in Jerusalem. Pilate was about to have the guards executed when, rumor has it, that the Jewish leaders stepped in and started some rumors that cleared them up. Said the disciples stole the body – if you could have seen us that morning cowering in that room – no way we could have taken the body. We thought He was dead. In fact, we had seen him killed. No doubts about that. But then – WOW!

A large crowd of us (some estimated it at over 500) had gathered to hear Him teach again. He challenged us to go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20 CSB). And on that mountain in Galilee, he gave us the plan for doing this. He said, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 CSB).

And then, while we were absorbing this message – He suddenly started to rise up into the sky – rising until He disappeared into the clouds. We weren’t sure if we could believe our eyes, when all of a sudden two men in white clothes (angels, I understand) told us that this very same Rabbi Jesus who ascended will one day come back in the same manner.

We quickly went back into Jerusalem expecting Him to come back any day. What a marvelous day. Now, we need to get about this Great Commission that He has left us with. But, what did He mean by receiving power from the Holy Spirit? I will need to think more about this.

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 8

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Luke 24:13-17 (CSB) – Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing him. Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

Dear Diary: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES! As I recorded last night about our despondency – today – well it is the Greatest Day of My Life! Let me share ---

Another disciple and I were walking home to Emmaus where we called from. We were despondent and discussing all the things that had happened over the last week. The highest of highs to the deepest of lows. And, as we were walking along, we suddenly became aware of someone walking with us. We didn’t recognize who he was. He asked what we were discussing as we went along the road. Shocked, we looked at each other and asked was he a stranger in these parts?

We began to describe to him what had happened over the last eight days. How the Rabbi had been praised on the first day of the week and then cursed by much of the same crowd on the sixth day. We told of his scourgings and crucifixion at the hand of the Romans. And, we told how rumors were spreading today that certain women had gone to the tomb and found it empty. They claimed to have a vision of an Angel who told them he had risen from the dead. Some ran to the tomb, found it empty but never saw him.

Well, diary, at that point he began to go back in the Scriptures – to Moses and all the Prophets – and explained how the Messiah must suffer to provide the true deliverance that we needed. And when we had arrived at our destination, we insisted that he eat with us. He agreed, and when he began to bless the meal – all of a sudden we realized that this was the Rabbi – this was Jesus. And He was alive and well. We quickly returned to Jerusalem and shared with the rest – HE’S ALIVE! HE’S ALIVE! HE’S ALIVE AND I’M FORGIVEN!

You see, diary, we mistook the deliverance that the Messiah was to accomplish. We assumed it would be a physical deliverance. The true deliverance that He provided is for our eternal being. He became the one and only final sacrifice for our sin. He died in my place. He provided deliverance from Hell and Death for me. As He taught – “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 CSB).

Friend – this Easter Sunday, as you read these words – what is your relationship with the Risen Son of God? Have you a time in your life where you realized your need for this connection to God? Have you repented of your sins and turned to God? Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to be delivered from the penalty, power, and presence of sin? If you haven’t, today could be the best day of your life. Where you are, just pray to God from your heart – tell Him you are turning from your sin to Him. Tell Him you are leaving your past behind and letting Him be the Lord and Master of your life. Receive this Easter Day the greatest gift ever given by the greatest Giver of all time – Eternal Life with God.

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 7

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Luke 23:55-56 (CSB) – The women who had come with him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how his body was placed. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Dear Diary: Today was the Sabbath. According to our Scriptures, we are to rest and worship God. Neither has come easy today. Rest? The fear and anxiety over what is going to happen next have kept us on edge. Worship? We tried, but how can one praise and worship God when we feel so abandoned by Him. His Scriptures prophesied the coming Messiah. The Rabbi looked to be that One. Yet, today he lies beaten, bruised, tortured, and mutilated by the Cross. He is in the grave. The women are making plans to go to the tomb as soon as the Sabbath ends to properly prepare and anoint his body. The one who was going to deliver us from the bondage of Rome is now held by the bondage of death.

We huddle, we cry, we try to show a strength that none of us feel. While he was with us, we had a feeling of hope – now it appears hopeless. While he was with us, we had a feeling of a future – now we fear the next day.

They jeered as he hung on the Cross – that he saved others but he could not save himself. From that viewpoint, how could he save us?

I know that this will be another sleepless, restless night – not only for me but for all who put their trust in this Rabbi.

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 6

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: John 19:16-18 (CSB) – Then he handed him over to be crucified. Then they took Jesus away.  Carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.

Dear Diary: NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! It can’t be. It just can’t be. Today is the worst day ever. The one we were sure was to be the Messiah that was promised ----- THEY KILLED HIM!

I have not slept since yesterday morning. The events were so shocking and surprising that I cannot find any peace. Exhaustion is seriously taking its toll.

Those who were around shared how that the Rabbi was taken to the Court of Pilate after a night-long travesty of misjustice. He was before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin – all before daybreak – totally against our laws. Then he went to Pilate who sent him to Herod who sent him back to Pilate. And finally succumbing to both the mob and political pressure he had him beaten severely – enough to have possibly killed him – and then sent him to be executed in Roman style on a Cross at the hill of Calvary.

Rumor has it that Peter, his strongest supporter, even denied knowing him three times. He disappeared and I haven’t found him to verify this. It looks like maybe he did.

All of our hopes, dreams, plans, trust, faith, and reliance upon this Rabbi has been dashed in less than 24 hours. What hope do we have left? What chance do we now have in our deliverance? We are all in hiding. Word has been spread to meet back at the Upper Room of Mark’s house where we can seek protection and shelter.

Oh, God, why have you forsaken us! What hope do we now have of a future delivered from this bondage? THEY KILLED HIM!

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 5

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Luke 22:47-48 (CSB) – While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Dear Diary: This has been a horrible day! The tension that we have been feeling has erupted tonight. The disciples were telling us about the Passover meal that Jesus had with them, and how that he had changed some of the elements of it – something about his body being given and his shed blood – when all of a sudden a mob of people suddenly descended upon us. There were Temple Guards and Soldiers. There were people shouting. Torches flaring, people milling around and shoving. I saw a glint of a sword and the High Priest’s servant fell to the ground holding his ear – blood spraying. I saw the Rabbi pick up his ear and put it back on him – he healed him.

We ran. What else was there for us to do? Flee! We scattered and then slowly came back to our camp after they had all left. Rumors were flying. I heard some of the disciples who had the Passover with the Rabbi talk about him washing their feet. Others told about his agonizing prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane. There was talk about how Judas came and kissed him with a friendly greeting and then all Sheol broke lose.

Tonight the Rabbi was arrested. Surely now he will display the power of the Messiah. He will free himself and restore Israel to her rightful place.

ARRESTED! No, that can’t be true. We have placed all our faith and hope in this man. I am sure that this is the very beginning of his rise to overthrow the captivity we suffer. I believe that the Rabbi is the Messiah and will set us free from this Roman bondage. It is prophesied by our Scriptures. It has to be. It has to be. It has to be.

No sleep tonight.

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 4

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Luke 22:1-6 (CSB) – The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death, because they were afraid of the people.

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police how he could hand him over to them. They were glad and agreed to give him silver. So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not present.

Dear Diary: Restless. That’s probably the best way to describe the mood amongst the followers of the Rabbi. Hard to sleep. A feeling of tension and almost a distrust among those of us in the camp.

Why had he gone so out of his way to rile up the leaders of our people? We had wondered today if he was going back again to Jerusalem and the Temple. We waited. And waited. But it seemed today he was content to remain in Bethany among friends. It was a quiet day. But, a day with an underlying tension. When will he disclose that he is the Messiah? When and where are the forces to release us from the struggles of our lives under these Romans going to happen? We have put so much faith and trust in him. Some are even beginning to drift away. Some are wondering if we have been following the wrong – a false – Messiah. Where is the promised release?

A rumor has been whispered among us that Judas Iscariot had a second meeting with the leaders. Maybe he is the one that the Rabbi is using to negotiate terms for the uprising. Judas did, after all, carry the money-bag for this mission. Being the group’s treasurer gave him some aspect of being a leader. Some believe that he has negotiated a deal that will transpire in the next few days to reveal that the Rabbi is the Messiah – and we will see the beginning of the uprising that will free us from the bondage of death we are in with these Romans.

Must try to get some sleep tonight. Will need my strength if this all comes to pass. What a great time to be alive – to be able to tell my grandchildren that I was there when the Messiah set us free.

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 3

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Mark 11:27-33 (CSB) – They came again to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came and asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do these things?”

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; then answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism from heaven or of human origin? Answer me.”

 They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’”—they were afraid of the crowd, because everyone thought that John was truly a prophet.  So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Dear Diary: Yes, last night I tossed and turned. I kept thinking about the rumors. Surely our religious leaders would not – could not – even conceive of murdering this Rabbi. His miracles, his messages, his compassion, all speak of one sent by God. He fits all the prophet's descriptions of the coming Messiah. We need to be delivered from Roman bondage and restored as God’s Chosen People.

As we got up today and headed back toward Jerusalem we noticed that the Fig tree that he had cursed yesterday had withered from the roots up. Overnight. What could this mean? Some say that it is an illustration of Israel and what is about to take place. Others are amazed at his power. He just encouraged us and told us to have faith in God.

In Jerusalem, he once again went into the Temple. Today he was teaching. He gave us lessons in parables – stories to instruct about what cannot be seen. One of my fellows calls them heavenly stories with an earthly meaning. The Scribes, lawyers, Pharisees, and others tried to entrap him with his words, but he always was able to disarm what they said. They tried to trap him with questions about taxes, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. Over and over again he was able to fend off the attempts with wisdom.  He even gave a fearful denunciation of our religious leaders.

Today, as we were gathered around him in the Temple he surprisingly turned our attention to a widow who gave only two pennies into the Temple Treasury. Most of us had totally ignored someone who was giving so little. But not him. He told us she had given more than anyone else – because she had given all she had.

When we left the Temple today, I had the oddest feeling that this would be the last time we would follow him into the Temple. As we started back to Bethany, he stopped on the Mount of Olives and gave us lessons on the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the final judgment. He spoke of his coming back. Coming back? From what?

Again tonight was a tense time of fear and discussion. The Rabbi was not making any friends with the leaders of our people. In fact, he seemed to be constantly antagonizing them. To what purpose? If he is the Messiah he will need their support to deliver the people from this oppression. Why can’t he see that?

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 2

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Mark 11:12-15 (CSB) – “The next day when they went out from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And his disciples heard it…. They came to Jerusalem, and he went into the temple and began to throw out those buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves….”

Dear Diary: After a troubled night’s sleep, I woke up this morning where we had been staying and discovered that the Rabbi had gone back towards the city of Jerusalem again. I hurriedly caught up with them, and could see that the Rabbi was hungry. He paused in his trip and went to a Fig tree, and looked all through it for something to eat. Having found no figs, he pronounced a curse upon the tree. Strange, this did not seem like something he would do. We talked for hours around the campfires that night about what he done, many speculations on why he may have done this. It seemed to be more than just hunger talking.

He entered into Jerusalem again today without the fanfare and parade of yesterday. We followed him as he went toward the Temple. He often had been found teaching and healing people around the Temple area. We thought that he was going to possibly proclaim himself the Messiah today. We have been hanging on every word he shares, and have built great expectations about what he is about to do – deliver us.

Diary, boy were we surprised when the Rabbi went to the Temple and proceeded to upset everyone. He turned over the merchants' tables, he ousted the moneychangers, he set free the livestock being sold for sacrifices, and he stopped everyone trying to come into the Temple to buy or sell merchandise. I was told that this was the second time he had done this.

My friends who have been travelling with him and myself were utterly amazed that he could do this and no one was able to stop him. What power he displayed. The crowd was astonished at his teaching, and the Scribes, Pharisees, and Chief Priests were all afraid of him. We have heard the rumors again that they are all seeking to murder him. Why? Isn’t it possible that our deliverance is right around the corner? Can’t they see that the Rabbi is the promised Messiah to free us from the shackles of Roman domination?

We have been up much of this night debating and discussing the events of today. The tension is getting thick – even in his camp. May have trouble sleeping again tonight. Wonder what tomorrow may hold?

CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 1

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Luke 19:36-38, 41 (CSB) – “As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!... As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it….”

Dear Diary: We arrived yesterday at Bethany and the Rabbi was treated to a supper prepared by Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (the one he rose from the dead). After that, we all retired to the hillside of Gethsemane for the night.

When we arose in the morning, the Rabbi was already busy with his inner circle of disciples. He had been talking with them and sent two of them to meet a need. We all speculated over what might be happening. We have been anticipating the Rabbi to be the Messiah we have been praying for. Could this be a start to his setting us free from the Roman occupation?

As we started toward Jerusalem, Jesus was sitting upon a young donkey and the crowd began to shout and chant from Psalm 118. We all began to get caught up in the excitement and feel the anticipation and tension that was mounting. The Pharisees confronted the Rabbi and demanded that he rebuke and silence us. He responded that if we stopped, the very stones would shout out. Not sure what that meant. Rumors have it that the chief priests, scribes and other leaders were seeking to kill him. Why would they want to put to death the very hope of the people?

He stopped on the Mount of Olives and strangely he began to weep. He was overlooking the city of Jerusalem and began to speak out – he warned that the whole city and those in it were going to be crushed. He continued into Jerusalem with the people throwing their clothes and palm branches before him. They chanted and shouted his praises. This was definitely in the same class as a warrior’s triumphal parade.

As we settle in for the night there is much debate over the events today. What do they mean? Who is the Rabbi we are following? Is he really the Messiah we are waiting for? Will he deliver us from the oppression of the Romans? What is this excitement and tension that we feel? Maybe tomorrow we will find out more.