Category: Bible Trekking

Jesus took your place

September 5, 2024

The man Jesus of Nazareth lived in what we call the first century A.D. If you do not believe this, research the writings from that time. More references to him exist than for other historical figures. If He never existed, why was the calendar changed?

Most of the Jews did not believe that He was the Christ. That was part of the plan. He had to be rejected and executed on a cross. Many of the predictions that he fulfilled were not even recognized as messianic prophecies until they happened to this poor carpenter. One was His death.

If you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, you are one of those that He died for. The first was a man named Bar-Abbas. You may have read his name as Barabbas. Most do not know that he was an insurrectionist that was scheduled to be crucified with two of his followers.

They are referred to as thieves. The Romans did not execute robbers by this method. Crucifixion was designed for those who tried to thwart the will of the Roman Emperor. Bar- Abbas was an insurrectionist. The two men that died with Jesus were probably the only two of his men who were not killed or did not escape.

This period is immediately following what is known as the Maccabean era in Jewish history. The Maccabees were a family that ruled Judea shortly before the Romans invaded and began to control most of the known world. Prophets had predicted this Messiah for centuries.

Scriptures tell us that the Messiah would come to set the Jews free. What happened was that He came to die for the sins of the entire world. Jehovah knew what we needed, not what one country wanted. Forgiveness for all humanity trumps temporary freedom for a nation that thought they were better than everyone else.

Christ is not His last name. It is the Greek translation for Messiah. The Christ was sent from God to complete what had been started by Moses. The law could not save us. Someone had to die for us and return from the dead. That is why He came.

We could never please the Father by ourselves. We have all sinned and fallen short. None of us is righteous. Not even one. You will be given the grace of God, if you accept the gift that He came to give all of us. He took my place and yours. Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior?

©Copyright 2024 by Charles Kensinger

Pride before the fall

August 19, 2024

What does it mean when someone says, “Pride goes before a fall?” You may have heard it in a movie or TV show. Some of you may think that it is in the Bible. Warnings against pride fill the scriptures but these are not words that appear there.

Pride is the emotion that makes us think that we are better than others. Pride lifts us up above who we really are. Belittling others is one of those things that does not make you better. It makes you less.

Jesus told us to take the lower place at feasts. Let others move us to a better seat. We need to humble ourselves. When we think of those around us as being equal or better than us, we become a friend, a loving companion, and a confidant. When we think we are better than others, we become a bully, a braggart, a loud mouth.

Jesus told a story of two men who were praying. One was a Jewish leader, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee thanked Jehovah that he wasn’t a sinner like the other guy. The IRS man fell on his face and asked for forgiveness. Jesus said the second man was the one who was justified by his prayer.

Another problem that came up for Christ was the hypocrisy of those who rejected Him. They wanted a sign from Him to prove He was sent by God. Healing people by His touch, raising the dead, and walking on water, was not enough for them. Satan wanted Him to turn stones into bread or jump off the temple roof. He refused to perform stunts for the entertainment of the crowd.

The Sanhedrin expected to become the rulers when Messiah drove the Romans out. That was not what the prophecy said. That was the second step of the process. We need to follow the steps in our lives. One at a time. Lose the things that clutter our time and keep moving.

We all know someone who is puffed up with themselves. We see this in businesspeople and politicians of all parties. A bully is someone trying to prove he is smarter, richer, or stronger than you. They use names, insults, or physical violence to make us think they are better than we are.

A lot of people have fallen because of their pride. The saddest scenario is when they continue failing repeatedly without learning this time-worn saying. Success is not measured by making money, building structures, or winning elections. Others will support you when you treat them kindly. A loser does not know that he can gain the whole world and lose his soul. Jesus said that, too.

©Copyright 2024 by Charles Kensinger

Good Friday?

March 29, 2024

Sunday is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus whom we call The Christ. Today is Friday. Why do Christians call it good. Around two thousand years ago the savior of the world was executed by the Romans. What is good about that?

Jesus said that there is none good but God. (Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19) He had just been called a Good Teacher. He was not arguing with this young man. He was trying to educate him. We call people good. They are not. We are not. Good is a word that we use easily. Jesus wanted to point out that in His definition of good, no one qualifies except Jehovah.

Can a particular day in history be considered good? Will the day you die be good or bad? Personally, the day I leave this body will be a good day for me. I will be with God. That includes Jesus. He said He would come back and take me to be where He is. (John 14:3) Why would that be bad?

If anyone had a bad day, the day we are remembering would be bad for Our Lord. He was arrested the night before. He was charged with blasphemy. That is making himself equal to Yahweh. He could not argue against that charge. He is equal. He said it. “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30)

The Sanhedrin took Him to Pilate. (Matthew 27:2) They changed the charge. “He claims to be the King of the Jews.” (Matthew 27:11) Jesus did not deny that charge. Why would He do that? Did He want to die? No. He had to. To save me from my sins He required it. He is God. (John 1:1-5)

The previous evening the sacrifice asked if there was a way to prevent Him going through crucifixion. (Matthew 26:39) There was no other way. If He did not do it, you and I would be punished for our sins. He had to perish for the entire human race.

That was not all He must do. That is what we will celebrate this Sunday. It is not Easter. That is a holiday named for a pagan god that the Romans worshiped. The emperor took that festival of debauchery and tried to change it to honor Jesus the Christ. The name stuck. I prefer to call it Resurrection Day. We need to forget the chicks, eggs, and bunnies. It is the day of the empty tomb. Mary saw Him alive. (Matthew 28:9) The Roman soldiers were like dead men. (Matthew 28:4) Over five hundred witnessed Him in His resurrected body.  Why don’t you believe it?

He came. He died on that Friday. He arose on Sunday. Friday is good because He came back to life and made it possible for all of us to live in His presence. That is yesterday, today, and after we die. Honor Him by remembering what He did for us.

©Copyright 2024 by Charles Kensinger

Get behind me, Satan

October 30, 2023

Do you recognize this quotation from Jesus? Matthew and Mark, both tell us this story. Matthew 16:23 tells the same story Mark gives us in chapter 8 and verse 33.

The story begins with the Pharisees asking for a sign. They have seen Jesus heal hundreds of people. He has cast demons out of others. The demons have tried to announce to bystanders that Jesus is the Son of God. Others recognize that He is the Messiah or Christ. The anointed one is another prophetic name that is used for Him.

Jesus later asks the disciples who the people think He is. They list names I have stated and others. He then asks who they say that He is. Simon calls Him the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Can you get more specific than that?

This is when Jesus starts to tell them that He will be persecuted and crucified and will arise on the third day. He does not stop reminding them of this coming event. He wants them to understand that it is necessary for Him to die and be raised from the dead.

This first time Peter objects. The Apostles will not allow Jesus to die. They will give their lives for Him. That is when the Lord states, “Get behind me, Satan.” Jesus recognizes that Simon Peter does not want to lose His friend and teacher. Satan wants to convince the Savior to become a king like David.

Peter was chastised for this statement. I make comments to others that should never have left my mouth. I criticize, contradict, and constrain the faith and lives of those around me. I may give them the idea that they must agree with me or that I think less of them. It is difficult to keep these thoughts from becoming words.

How do we stop the concepts and ideas in our minds from emanating through our voices? Can we prevent the thoughts in the first place? It is difficult. It can be done. Reject these concepts as soon as they inhabit your mind. That is what Jesus did. Peter voiced Satan’s desire and he was called out on what he was really saying.

He did not wish to stop Jesus from doing what the Father had sent Him to accomplish. The disciples expected a kingdom to be established in Jerusalem. They did not realize that first, salvation for the world needed to be purchased. The death and resurrection of a sinless human was required. No one could do this but Jehovah.

We know Him as God’s son. Jesus Christ is another name and title He is known by. He is also the I Am. It is difficult for us to recognize Jesus as Yahweh. It is easier to think of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. He is a triune being like us. We were made in His image.

Simon Peter knew the man Jesus was the foretold Messiah. The Jews had been waiting for Him to defeat the Romans and take the throne of Israel. All twelve, as well as hundreds of others, could be mobilized to fight for Israel and their King. That was not his mission. But after He arose from the grave, He told them He would return to be their King. I’m still waiting. Are you?

©Copyright 2023 by Charles Kensinger

Good Friday?

April 8, 2023

We are celebrating the day that Jesus who is the Messiah of the Jews died over two thousand years ago. The question is why is it considered a good day? Three men were executed by the most gruesome method known to modern man. This is a day that should be considered evil.

Thursday night ended with a moving Passover meal for Christ and his twelve closest followers. Their mentor showed them how to be servants to each other. All the current traditions were observed. The wine was shared as was the bread. Prayers were given. Music was shared. It was both fellowship and worship.

Friday morning begins with a series of trials. The Sanhedrin retried our Lord until He made a statement that is considered blasphemy and the court determines that His sentence should be death by crucifixion. These educated lawmen do not realize that they have sentenced Jesus to a death that matches what the prophets recorded hundreds of years ago.

The trials continue before Pilot and Herod. The sentence is ordered to be carried out. Pilot washes his hands. Three men march out to be hung on crosses until they are dead. It will be a slow terrible death. They will tire from the efforts to pull themselves up to breathe until they suffocate.

Over the next several hours’ Christ’s companions argue with each other to decide why they will die with a man they never knew until this day. The man they called Bar Abbas has been released. The Son of the Father will live to fight another day. They will not.

One accepts the offer of the savior. The other does not. They both die agonizing deaths. They are preceded in death by my Lord and Savior. He spoke little during the trials and the crucifixion. His last words were, “It is finished.”

It is the plan of the Father to save humanity from its own sinfulness. It started with Adam and ended with Jesus. Paul calls him the second Adam.

We refer to the Friday before Resurrection Sunday as Good Friday because of the result of the weekend. The tragic incidents of passion week were worth the lamb that was slain for the sin of the world. His life for those of an entire race of people. Science Fiction is not the only book where the Earth is saved. Happy Resurrection Sunday.

©Copyright 2023 by Charles Kensinger

COSMIC FLATULENCE

January 4, 2023

The seventh and eighth-grade boys sat in the room at the church in Springfield, Missouri.  They listened as well as they could as the teacher tried to expound the love of Christ to them.  From out of nowhere it appeared.  No, you could not see it and this time it was not heard.  It was there and you knew it because of the odor that spread through the entire room.  The windows had to be opened.  Even then it took interminable minutes to dissipate.

That was the moment when this theory of the origin of the Universe was born.  It sounds odd.  Sometimes flashes of inspiration appear just like that strange smell.  Which of the times this happened was the actual trigger is not known.  The beginning of time became clear one day in this green fog.

When I was beginning college, I had doubts that the story of Jehovah creating the universe was a myth. I asked God to show himself to me. I wanted to believe. I began to see the hand of a creator in the sunset, the sunrise, the rain, the stars, and a thousand other parts of creation itself.

When my children were born, I knew that the process of procreation was named properly. Everything about our world and our universe points directly to a creator. If you can’t see that, I am sorry. I wanted to believe in Yahweh. I know that it is said that we believe what we want to.

Hebrews 11:1 in the New Testament of the Bible says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things that are not seen.” This is one of my favorite scriptures. My belief in a creator allows me to see Him and have proof in my own mind that He does in fact exist.

The main theory that contends with creation is something that is called The Big Bang Theory. This ideology states that when there was nothing it exploded. Can nothing explode? I do not think that is a scientific fact. I do not believe that anyone has been able to record a vacuum doing anything. My Cosmic Flatulence concept is the Big Bang with an explanation of where whatever banged came from.

Can this theory be proven? No, it cannot. It makes sense to me that something must have entered the nothing that was where the universe is now. Going back to that room and that cloud of smelly gas that came from nowhere, I decided that if the Big Bang was correct, God must have passed gas.

If you do not want to accept that the universe was created, then explain to me how nothing exploded or where whatever did explode came from. Just like the boy that created that cloud, you are denying the truth. Something was there. It came from somewhere. Nothing or something blew up either by accident or by some cause.

I have no problem accepting that our Universe started with a cloud of something like gas exploding. I need to know where whatever explosion came from. Do not lie to yourself and everyone else by saying that nothing can explode. If you do not want to acknowledge that something came from somewhere. Acknowledge that everything you believe in is a lie according to science.

I understand that you believe that I am believing a lie and that I am confused and stupid. I will not call you the names that you call those of us who accept a creator God. I wish that something someone says will touch you and you will stop believing the lies that have been told.

©Copyright 2023 by Charles Kensinger

Mathew’s Story

December 24, 2022

The difference between Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels is the focus. Matthew gives us the genealogy of Jesus from the family of Joseph who was Mary’s husband. Luke lists the genealogy of Mary’s family. This causes a few differences. Both tracks back to King David.

When Mary told Joseph that she was expecting a baby, he knew that it could not be his child. Men, ask yourself if you would believe her story about the angel and God being the baby’s father. This was unprecedented. Who can blame him for being skeptical?

We read that he is contemplating backing out of the marriage. It takes a messenger visiting him to inform him that the child Mary is carrying is the son of Jehovah. After receiving this information, he decides to continue the betrothal and the marriage.

The trip to Bethlehem is not discussed as thoroughly as Luke does. The birth of the child is mentioned as taking place in Bethlehem. A star appeared to Chaldean astrologers that indicated to them that a new ruler was born in Israel. While they travel the star disappears. They go to the capital city.

In Jerusalem, King Herod had no knowledge of the birth. He has murdered children and grandchildren to protect his throne. He enquires as to the prophecy of the Messiah and where he would be born. The answer is Bethlehem. Herod’s request to be updated on this situation would have been reasonable if not for the King’s bloodthirsty reputation.

We are not told how many came from the east to search for this promised child. They do not appear at the manger in the stable. They go to the house where Mary and Joseph are staying. They present three gifts to the child and His mother and father. Therefore, we refer to three kings. Tradition even gives them names.

In a dream, they are told not to return to Jerusalem. Joseph is also told to leave the village to protect his family. They go to Egypt to escape Herod. We believe that Jesus was one to two years old currently. The travelers had confirmed the time that they had originally seen the star. That is why Herod murdered the boys two and under.

The return from Egypt fulfills the prophecy from Jeremiah. The question is, were the prophecies written about things that God knew would happen, or did God make these events occur because prophecy needs to come true? Yahweh does not force His will on us. His desire is for us to be who He wants us to be without Him requiring it. His hope is that we will be the best that we can be.

The return to Nazareth was another prophecy that was to be met. This was a strange saying to have acknowledged. Nothing good could come from that Galilean village.  It did and He was the savior of this world and our Lord.  

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger

The Story of the Shepherds

December 22, 2022

Christmas is upon us, and we have been inundated with Santa Claus and Elves on Shelves, in toilets, in the fireplace, and even making flour angels. Why do we even celebrate Christ mass? That is what the word means. The Roman Christian Church was fighting the old Roman celebrations. Something was needed for those who were joining Constantine and following the Jewish Messiah.

The winter solstice was a time for celebration in the Roman world. Becoming a Christian should not mean the loss of a holiday. The early Church began many traditions that are remembered by Catholics. We protestants are not that up on a lot of the feasts and fasts around Christmas or Easter.

The reason for the season is the savior. Let’s begin with the story of his birth. The gospel of Luke tells us that Mary was pregnant. She was betrothed to Joseph of Nazareth. The Roman government declared that everyone should pay a tax. Registration of all citizens was needed.

Every ten years the United States does a national census. There are many reasons for this. It is mostly to remark the lines for our congressional representatives. Missouri had a problem doing this before the elections this year. That’s another column and has nothing to do with Christmas.

There were no computers in the first century and everyone that lived in the Roman Empire was requested to return to their ancestral city. Joseph left Nazareth and took his fiancé, Mary, with him. She was expecting her first child. Joseph was not the father. He had the opportunity to break the engagement when he learned about the pregnancy. We’ll share more on this when we discuss Matthew’s story of the birth of her child.

We do not know why Joseph took Mary with him to Bethlehem. It may have been that he was attempting to continue the impression that he had impregnated her. He may have been a man who felt the need to be with her when she delivered her baby. Remember that he knew he was not the biological father of this child. He loved her and wanted to protect her.

When they arrived in Bethlehem there was no place to stay.  When we read that there was no room in the inn, we may believe that all the hotels and motels were filled. This village probably had one or two of what the British call public houses. Places where a traveler can be fed and sleep for a night or two. We hear that they went to a stable and think it is an awful thing. This would have been common in this era.

The most interesting part of this story is the angels appearing to the shepherds. They announced the birth of the savior of all mankind. This was not the messiah that was expected by the majority of the Jews. They wanted a king that would rescue them from the rule of the Romans.

I hope you are not asking where the three wise men are. We’ll talk about that in a future piece. Our discussion of Matthew’s story will be the same as it was for Luke. We will read the scripture and answer questions that you may have about it. In the meantime, reread Luke’s account and comment below, if you have any questions.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger

Good, Good, Father

August 29, 2022

My Father is very important to me. The way he loved me in his way. The way he provided for me, my mother, and my three siblings. He was not perfect. He became agree at times. He did not curse but I have heard him cry out in pain when he skinned his knuckles, or the hammer hit his thumb. Usually, there were no recognizable words. I may have heard a dam or two in all my years with him.

Growing up with both my mother and father for over thirty years was a fortunate circumstance for us that you may not have enjoyed. So that you know that our lives were not “Leave it to Beaver” or “Father Knows Best” I will tell you some things that may have occurred in your life.

Dad suffered from mental illness. Mom became so angry with him over what she thought were things he could control that she yelled and threw dishes at him once. Don’t think that the kids were unaware of this problem. He was finally diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was in college. We were not told what had caused it until years later.

With that introduction, I wish to tell you about a perfect Father. Pat Barrett and Anthony Brown wrote the song “Good, Good Father” and Chris Tomlin released it in 2016. He is not the only Christian artist to record it. He was the first to make it a number one hit.

The song begins by talking about the stories that are told about God the Father. Our songwriter speaks of hearing Him speak in the dark of night. The words are encouraging. We are reminded that He has promised we would never be alone.

The second verse talks of those looking for answers in a way that relates to “Desperately Seeking Susan” or “Looking for love in all the wrong places.” Jehovah is the only one who has all the answers for us. He is not surprised at what we need even though we may be.

Our Father’s love is undeniable, unexplainable, and deep. We are not perfect. He is. Jehovah means I am that I am. We call Him the great I am. Jesus said, “I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the life.” He also said. “I am the good shepherd” and I am “The door.”

We are loved by him. The love that He has for us is greater than we expect from ourselves or each other. He is who He is. We are who we are. There is no way for us to be other than us. He always is love. He is always our good, good father. It is who He is.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger

Dance party round two

July 23, 2022

I began this column many years ago. The events are older than their brother and youngest sister. I hope you think it was worth me finishing it.

Yes, that is correct. The old Baptist has fallen from grace and gone dancing again. This time with a different girlfriend. My granddaughter, Mia, was this year’s date to the Father-Daughter Dance at her school. This time sister Maddie was escorted by Dad. They traded places from last year.

Is dancing a sin? What is that old joke? Why do married Baptist couples never have sex standing up? They are afraid someone will think they are dancing. Another reason is that they don’t want to fall and break a hip.

Dancing is not condemned in the Bible. When you find the verse where it is, let me know. David danced in the street to the Lord, when the Ark of the Covenant was being moved to Jerusalem, finally. His wife became angry and condemned him, but Jehovah did not. He likes to see us make fools of ourselves when we praise Him.

Psalms 149:3 tells us to “Let them praise his name in the dance.” This Psalm is not specifically identified as being written by David. There are no notes telling who wrote it like some of the others. Psalms 30:11 and 150:4 also tell us to praise the Lord with dancing.

We saw the dancing also in 1 Samuel 18:6 when the people came out to celebrate the defeat of Goliath and the Philistines.

Let’s get back to my dancing experiences. I am no Elaine when I dance. I limit myself to minimal movement as much as I can. I prefer a standard box step for slow dances, and I don’t do the Floss.

I do not appreciate people who have their own views of what the Bible says. We should do what Jesus told the Pharisees to stop doing. He criticized them for adding to God’s law and ignoring some of the commandments.

Failure to love your neighbor even if he or she is different from yourself is one of the worst things you can do. This was the second most important commandment according to Jesus. What do you consider a sin that isn’t listed in scripture? Drinking, playing cards, and other types of gambling are some other vices that do not appear in the Word.

Another problem that many of us have is ignoring the commands that are listed in the law. It may be as simple as not tithing, bearing false witness, coveting, or as bad as murder, adultery, or not honoring your parents. When we read the Bible, do we look for a way around the sins that are common for us? We should be focusing on overcoming what we know is against Jehovah’s law.

Do you know what a Pharisee is? They are the ones that had Jesus executed when He challenged their system which was based on men’s teaching, and they ignored the laws that Moses handed down. They deceived themselves into believing they were doing what was right. We need to ask ourselves if we have a pharisee hiding in us.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger