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Please note, I have contacted Dr. Peterson and received permission via email to share these excerpts during Holy Week. He wrote the book Practice Resurrection two years ago, for publication just before the Holy Week leading up to Easter/Resurrection Sunday. Each day this week, I thought it would be good to share some of his thoughts from this book.
Please note: The fact I'm using Peterson's book is not license for anyone to attack The Message or Peterson's efforts to add vitality to the Word of God that draws upon modern English usage, so please refrain from doing so. I will be quoting passage from the Bible using the NASB, regardless.
Except for the BIble verses, the words in quotation are Peterson's.
Resurrection is not only about liberation, it is liberation, from sin and death, raising us to be walking in newness of life. Everyone doubts that, to one extent or another, when we first become Christians. Heck, the disciples doubted it!
If His own disciples couldn't believe it, should we think less of ourselves for sometimes having doubts?
But rest assured: The resurrection is real! Jesus lives! Hie life, His ministry, His death, His burial, His resurrection -- all real! And for that reason, we can count on His promises to be real. We have eternal life in Him, we have power and strength in Him, we have love for others we don't even like, in Him. Most important of all, we have Him in us!
That asterisk? The NASB uses it as an alternative to attempting to inadequately translate the aorist tense of the Koine Greek. It is a one-time action with continuous, ongoing, everlasting effect. In this case, the best English translation is " ... and I am staying with you now and each day until the end of the age."
It is an amazing promise from an amazing God. Concentrate on this today as we progress through the Holy Week. God bless."
Please note: The fact I'm using Peterson's book is not license for anyone to attack The Message or Peterson's efforts to add vitality to the Word of God that draws upon modern English usage, so please refrain from doing so. I will be quoting passage from the Bible using the NASB, regardless.
Except for the BIble verses, the words in quotation are Peterson's.
Resurrection is not only about liberation, it is liberation, from sin and death, raising us to be walking in newness of life. Everyone doubts that, to one extent or another, when we first become Christians. Heck, the disciples doubted it!
Luke 24
36 While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be to you."
37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit.
38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why * do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
36 While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be to you."
37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit.
38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why * do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
If His own disciples couldn't believe it, should we think less of ourselves for sometimes having doubts?
But rest assured: The resurrection is real! Jesus lives! Hie life, His ministry, His death, His burial, His resurrection -- all real! And for that reason, we can count on His promises to be real. We have eternal life in Him, we have power and strength in Him, we have love for others we don't even like, in Him. Most important of all, we have Him in us!
Matthew 28
20 " ... and lo, I am with you always *, even to the end of the age."
20 " ... and lo, I am with you always *, even to the end of the age."
That asterisk? The NASB uses it as an alternative to attempting to inadequately translate the aorist tense of the Koine Greek. It is a one-time action with continuous, ongoing, everlasting effect. In this case, the best English translation is " ... and I am staying with you now and each day until the end of the age."
It is an amazing promise from an amazing God. Concentrate on this today as we progress through the Holy Week. God bless."