This picture (from the National Gallery of Art) is a good portrayal of how a lot of us spend our time. Jesus is just minutes away from Judas' betrayal of Him into the hands of the temple guard.
Jesus had just told James, John, and Peter to stay put and watch while He went ahead a little to pray alone. The disciples must have figured that they could relax and have a snooze; surely Jesus could handle any trouble that might come up by using His "magical powers".
All they had to do is glance back toward Jerusalem and they couldn't have missed Judas leading the soldiers out of the Horse Gate just 300 meters away. Their descent into the Kidron Valley and climb up to Gethsemane would have required torchs and would have allowed ample time for Jesus and His disciples to make an escape.
They were supposed to have Jesus' back, but instead they were sleeping, perhaps dreaming of sitting next to Him after He smashed the Roman Empire for them. None of His sleeping followers even heard the crowd approach: Jesus had to wake everybody up so they could run away when they realized that God had a different plan.
Here's another picture (from the Stations of the Cross site). That's me (or in your case, you) with the hammer. It is Jesus' sacrifice on the cross that saves us from the consequence of our sins, i.e. death. If we weren't sinners, Jesus would not have had to go through it. The blood that flowed from those wounds is what buys us into heaven. Without it we would be lost.
So when I sin, I might as well be pounding those nails myself since that's why it had to happen. Jesus, forgive me! I don't know what I'm doing! I would never want to hurt you!
This last picture (from the Jesus Christ Art and Images site) shows us in an attitude that is pleasing to God. The sacrifice God wants from us is a broken and contrite heart. His work is finished. His suffering and death has made it possible for the whole world to live with Him again; to be reconciled to Him. Jesus paid the price for us. Peace was made between God and His creation.
The angels had sung it 33 years before, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests".
There are very many translations and versions of the Bible. The King James contains some of the most beautiful prose (see especially Psalm 139) in any language in the world, if you happen to speak that language. One of the best all around versions is the Concordia Self Study Bible (an added benefit is that you'll develope huge biceps from lugging it around). Thompson's Chain Reference is probably the best for Sunday School teachers who like to work up their own lessons. My personal favorite is William F. Beck's, An American Translation.
Also of interest is Walter Wangerin's The Book of God, a novelized version of the Bible (from Abraham to Golgotha). It's very faithful to the original and the chapters about Jesus are very moving.
Also check out Randy Alcorn's Edge of Eternity. You'll be on the edge of your seat. It's like a modern version of Bunyon's A Pilgrim's Progress.
If you're like me, you'll find it difficult to study online, paper is ever so seemly. Apparently God preferred to write on stone, and John tells us that Jesus wrote on the ground. Anyroad, a Bible Handbook is a great help keeping one from confusing Philemon with the Philistines.
The best way to study the Bible is with a Bible study group
at your church. If you don't like any of the ones being offered, start one yourself. If you're between attending church, just
find one
halfway close and don't worry too much about doctrine. Doctrine
isn't important except insofar as being right about everything
all the time is important. Jesus is about revolution
not evolution. Don't conform, be ye transformed!
Of course some doctrine is needed so you'll know who you're talking
to when you pray. Here you go:
God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are ONE God.
Jesus was 100% God and 100% man.
Jesus is the only way anyone comes to eternal life.
The Holy Spirit works through the Word and the sacraments.
There.
If that's a little too much doctrine for you, just be like the thief on the cross who asked, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Don't worry, He'll take it from there.
As Jesus said to the tempter, man lives on every word that God speaks. Seek and ye shall find;
This list of links contains twenty-five entries for online Bibles and Bible study links.
1. Visit
The Ultimate Bible Links Page.
It's just what it says and it's really easy to use.
2. Visit
The Blue Letter Bible Page.
This site is very scholarly.
3. Visit The Online Study Library Page.
This site contains verse look-up, concordance, Nave's, Torrey's, Easton's, Smith's, Hitchcock's, Henry's and more.
4. Visit The Grace Notes Page.
Study the Bible book by book or by topic: this site is useful for Sunday School teachers.
5. Visit
The World Wide Web Bible Gateway Page.
Most people's favorite, it contains many languages and versions.
6. Visit The Step by Step Page.
Take this one as far as you like.
7. Visit
The King James Bible Page.
An offerring from Computers for Christ.
8. Visit
The World Wide Study Bible Page.
They've got downloadable Bibles, commentaries and dictionaries.
9. Visit The Four Eleven Page.
This Bible study is very detailed and scholarly.
10. Visit The Jefferson Bible Page.
This famous Unitarian believed that Jesus was the greatest man who ever lived, but he did put together a useful harmony of the teachings of our Lord.
11. Visit The Examining the Scriptures Page.
This online magazine contains lots of articles on a variety of subjects.
12. Visit The Peoples' New Testament of 1891 Page.
This New Testament is from the restoration tradition and includes references and explanatory notes.
13. Visit The German-English Parallel Bible Page.
Kennen Sie? This site has the German and English side by side, so will someone let me know how a screen reader handles German pronunciation, bitte?
14. Visit The Scripture Studies Page.
This journal of Biblical exposition is detailed and also useful for Sunday School teachers.
15. Visit
The On-Line Bibles Page.
This site links to Bibles in English, French, Dutch, Spanish and German.
16. Visit The Guide to Christian Literature on the Net Page.
Lots of Bibles in many languages with many other books, articles, sermons, devotionals, news, plus the ever popular miscellaneous.
17. Visit The Biblical Studies Foundation Page.
This is one of the best sites on the web of any type; it contains the NET Bible and lots, lots more.
18. Visit The Synopsis to the Books of the Bible Page.
By John Nelson Darby, 1800 - 1881.
19. Visit The Holy Bible Page.
This Catholic site is very beautiful and inspirational.
20. Visit The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry Page.
This Christian journal acquaints believers with the special place Jewish people hold in God's plan.
21. Visit The Guideposts Page.
This publication offers materials for sale, but also has lots to read online too, including stuff for kids.
22. Visit The Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia of 1896 Page.
A chronological, topical study of the contents of the Bible by Ashley S. Johnson.
23. Visit
The Bible Versions and Topics Page
This is a scholarly, throughgoing, and fairminded dissertation.
24. Visit The Selection of Bible Verses Page.
I picked out fifty some verses that kinda tell the story. Sorry, I had to draw the line somewhere.
25. Visit The Bible Quiz Page.
Right, this one's just for fun, and I'll add more later.
Incidentally, the quote located at the top of this page from Isaiah 49 is one which is very meaningful to me. The NASB here referenced uses the word "inscribed", and some versions of the Holy Scripture say "written": most versions (including the Tanakh) use the word "engraved" (the King James has "graven").
Parentheticaly, the Spanish Reina Valera version reads "esculpida", meaning "engraved" but both Luther and Elberfelder have it "eingezeichnet". Zeichen means "to draw" in the sense of drawing up a contract or other official document.
(If you click on the picture of Jesus' hand, it will take you to the Calvary Lutheran Church for the Deaf. His hand is saying "I love you").
I first heard this passage at a church service, and I thought of the crucifixion on account of the mention of the palms of God's hands and the similarity in meaning between engraving and nailing (Perhaps to Doubting Thomas, that's how it at first appeared when they met again, as though someone had engraved on Jesus' palms ). It seemed to me that through Isaiah, God is telling His chosen people, that even if an omnipotenet God COULD forget something, he's definitely NOT going to forget the name of the person for whom He was crucified. (That's me - or in your case, you).
When I got home, I started looking up the cross-references and found the one in Haggai where God tells Zerubbabel (Jesus' great great great great great great great great great grandfather) that He will make him like a signet. Once again I was struck by the similarity of engraving to the impression a signet makes on the surface of the wax seal placed on a royal or official document.
The cuts on God's palms mean He will never forget you. The blood that flowed from those wounds seals you forever into His Book of Life. That was His promise to His people then and His mercy endures forever!
Amen and Hallelujah!
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