The Friends and Foes of Jesus E-Book

Peter DeHaan

• Herausgeber: Rock Rooster Books
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: Bible Character Sketches Series
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 169

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

Do you want to discover how the people in the New Testament reacted to Jesus? Explore how their lives can inform yours?

Some people think Jesus was easy-going. Hardly. Everything he did and said sparked a passionate response. He polarized people. Some adored him to the point of dying for him. But those who feared and hated him ended up killing him.

If you’ve never looked deep into both perspectives . . . it’s time you did

In The Friends and Foes of Jesus, Peter DeHaan, PhD., a lifetime student of the Bible and founder of ABibleADay.com, digs into colorful New Testament characters to uncover life-changing insights that you can apply to your life today. Be inspired to follow their successes and informed to avoid their mistakes.

In this book, you’ll discover:

- The surprising things his followers did—and how you can do the same

- The mistakes his supporters made—and how you can avoid them

- The wrong thinking of those who feared him

- The errors of those who hated him

- A bit of yourself in each character—the good and the bad—and face some fascinating choices

Jesus Was Loved. Jesus Was Hated. But He Was Never Ignored.

Will this book challenge you? Yes. Will it make you uncomfortable (in a positive way)? Absolutely. Will it change your life as you look at the people who surrounded Jesus in a way you’ve never seen them before? Without a doubt. Then consider thought-provoking questions that will stir you into faith-growing action.

GET The Friends and Foes of Jesus today, and let the revelations begin.

Leseprobe

THE FRIENDS AND FOES OF JESUS

DISCOVER HOW PEOPLE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT REACT TO GOD’S GOOD NEWS

BIBLE CHARACTER SKETCHES SERIES

BOOK 2

PETER DEHAAN

TheFriends and Foes of Jesus: DiscoverHowPeople in the NewTestamentReact to God’sGoodNews

Copyright © 2019 by PeterDeHaan.

BibleCharacterSketchesSeries, book 2.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, disseminated, or transmitted in any form, by any means, or for any purpose without the express written consent of the author or his legal representatives. The only exception is short excerpts and the cover image for reviews or academic research. For permissions: PeterDeHaan.com/contact.

Published by RockRoosterBooks

ISBNs:

978-1-948082-13-6 (e-book)978-1-948082-12-9 (paperback)978-1-948082-21-1 (hardcover)

Credits:

Developmental editor: CathyRueterCopy editor: RobynMulderCover design: CassidyWierksAuthor photo: ChelsieJensenPhotography

ToDanDeHaan

Series by PeterDeHaan

40-DayBibleStudySeriestakes a fresh and practical look into Scripture, book by book.

BibleCharacterSketchesSeriescelebrates people in Scripture, from the well-known to the obscure.

HolidayCelebrationBibleStudySeriesrejoices in the holidays with Jesus.

VisitingChurchesSeries takes an in-person look at church practices and traditions to inform and inspire today’s followers of Jesus.

Be the first to hear about Peter’s new books and receive updates at PeterDeHaan.com/updates.

CONTENTS

Jesus

The Beginning

1. Zechariah (22)

2. Elizabeth

3. John (1) the Baptist

4. Mary (1)

5. Joseph (4)

6. King Herod (1)

7. The Magi

8. Simeon (2)

9. Anna

The Ministry of Jesus

10. Simon (1)/Peter/Cephas

11. Andrew

12. James (1)

13. John (2), the Disciple

14. Philip (1)

15. Thomas (Didymus)

16. Matthew/Levi (5)

17. Bartholomew, James (2) Son of Alphaeus, and Simon (2) the Zealot

18. Thaddaeus and Judas (3) the Son of James (4)

19. Judas (1) Iscariot

20. Nathanael

21. Centurion (1)

22. Four Friends of the Paralyzed Man

23. The Mother of James and John

24. Martha

25. Mary (3), Martha and Lazarus’s Sister

26. Jairus

27. The Woman with Chronic Bleeding

28. Zacchaeus

29. The Rich Young Ruler

30. James (3), the Brother of Jesus

31. Herodias

32. The Foreign Woman Who Doesn’t Give Up

33. The Poor Widow and Her Gift

34. The Samaritan Woman Fetching Water

35. Bartimaeus

36. Nicodemus

37. Luke

38. Theophilus

39. Joanna

40. The Women Who Anoint Jesus

41. Simon (5) the Pharisee

42. Lazarus (1)

The Victory of Jesus

43. Malchus

44. Barabbas

45. Caiaphas

46. Annas

47. Herod (2)

48. Pilate

49. Simon (6) from Cyrene

50. Two Criminals on the Cross

51. Joseph (6) from Arimathea

52. Mary (2) Magdalene

The Early Church in Acts

53. Matthias

54. Barsabbas (1)

55. Barnabas

56. Ananias (1) and Sapphira

57. Gamaliel (2)

58. Stephen

59. Philip (3)

60. The Ethiopian Treasurer

61. Simon (8) the Sorcerer

62. Saul (2)

63. Ananias (2)

64. Tabitha (Dorcas)

65. Cornelius

66. John Mark

67. Rhoda

68. Paul

69. Elymas (Bar-Jesus)

70. Silas

71. Timothy

72. Lydia

73. The Fortune-Teller

74. The Philippian Jailer

75. Jason (1)

76. Priscilla and Aquila

77. Apollos

78. Demetrius (1)

79. Gaius

80. Aristarchus

81. Tychicus

82. Ananias (3)

83. Felix

84. Drusilla

85. Festus

86. King Agrippa and Bernice

The Early Church Beyond Acts

87. Phoebe

88. Titus

89. Euodia and Syntyche

90. Epaphras

91. Demas

92. Onesiphorus

93. Claudia

94. Philemon

95. Archippus

96. Onesimus

97. Demetrius (2)

98. Diotrephes

99. Jude

100. Jezebel (2)

The Bible Character Sketches Series

For Small Groups, Sunday School, and Classes

Duplicate Names

If You’re New to the Bible

About Peter DeHaan

Books by Peter DeHaan

JESUS

If you could sum up the Bible in one word, what would it be? This isn’t a trick question. For a hint, look at the title of this chapter. The one word I choose to sum up the Bible is Jesus.

Though the OldTestament of the Bible focuses on God’s people and their relationship with him, it also looks forward to a coming savior. It anticipates Jesus. From our perspective today, Jesus is the point of the OldTestament. Seriously.

TheNewTestament of the Bible, of course, is all about Jesus. It starts by covering his life from the perspectives of four biographers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then it moves into the work of Jesus’s followers as they share the good news of Jesus with as many people as they can.

Just as today, some people of the NewTestament decide to follow him, and others don’t. Everyone moves toward one of these two conclusions. In the end, they’re either for him or against him. They’re either friend or foe.

Not only is Jesus the central figure in the Bible, many say he’s the central figure in all of history. I am one of those people.

Jesus is amazing. I talk about him in the present tense because he is a present reality in my life. Though many people think that Jesuswas, to me he is. Embracing him in the present brings him closer and makes him more accessible. In fact, when I write about the people in the Bible, I often use present tense for the same reason: to bring them closer and make them more accessible.

I do this to understand Jesus better. What’s your understanding of him?

Do you think of Jesus as meek and mild or bold and brash? IsJesus easygoing or intense? Does he draw people in with his love or make them cringe with his criticism? DoesJesus produce unity or cause division?

Don’t think about this too hard. The answer is yes! Yes, to all the above.

WhereverJesus goes, whatever he does, and whatever he says provokes a reaction. People are either drawn to him or repelled. They either love him or hate him. Just as it was true 2,000 years ago, it is true today.

Consider the people of the NewTestament. Some are for Jesus and others are against him. Some are willing to die for him and others want to silence him forever.

Join me as we explore these friends and foes of Jesus. May their lives encourage us and challenge us. May our search bring us closer to Jesus and deepen our relationship with him.

Let’s move from Jesus as our friend to Jesus as our best friend forever—our BFF—one who will never let us down, never forget us, and never leave us. Jesus can be the ultimate BFF. All we need to do is follow him and be his disciple.

How do you view Jesus? Does the idea of Jesus being our BFF shock you or encourage you?

[Discover more about Jesus in the NewTestament of the Bible. Learn more about Jesus’s love for us in John 13:34–35, about friendship in Proverbs 18:24, and about God’s forever promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5.]

THE BEGINNING

For this first section of TheFriends and Foes of Jesus, we’ll look at the events of Jesus’s birth. The people surrounding his arrival react in different ways. Some are astounded and amazed, often offering affirmation of Jesus and praise to God. But one person—Herod—is dismayed. He doesn’t view Jesus’s arrival as good news at all. Herod sees Jesus as a threat.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. BeforeJesus, we need John the Baptist. We’ll start our story with him and his beginning. Just as John prepares the way for Jesus’s ministry, he also precedes Jesus in birth.

Throughout these stories about John the Baptist and Jesus, we see supernatural events that inspire awe and heighten our expectations of what is to come. Embrace the people in this section for their testimony of Jesus and the new work that God is beginning.

Our first entry is Zechariah. Did you know there are twenty-two people in the Bible named Zechariah? We’ll refer to this one as Zechariah (22). Through the rest of this book, whenever we encounter a duplicate name, we’ll add a number at the end. You can learn more about this in BonusContent 1, “DuplicateNames.”

1. ZECHARIAH (22)

ElderlyZechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, have no kids. They’re past their childbearing years. From a human perspective, having a baby is impossible, yet they pray for one anyway.

They’re a righteous pair, Zechariah and Elizabeth. They obey all God’s commands and follow his rules—all of them. They’re descendants of Aaron. In addition, Zechariah works for God. He’s a priest.

Did you catch that?

They’re good people. They’re obedient and do the right things. They have the ideal heritage, and Zechariah lives to serve God.

For all this devotion, shouldn’t God bless them with the child they yearn for? Yet each year passes and no baby. Still they continue to pray for a kid.

Then things change.

One day the angel Gabriel shows up at the temple, right when Zechariah’s supposed to burn the incense for church. How inconvenient. The people are waiting for Zechariah to kick off their religious ceremony. Couldn’tGabriel have come a few minutes later?

ButGabriel has good news. God will soon answer Zechariah and Elizabeth’s years of prayers. They’ll finally have a baby, a son. “Name him John.”

And how does Zechariah respond? He says, “Really? Elizabeth and I are too old.”

Frankly, I’d say that too.

Gabriel takes this as a sign of unbelief. To make his point, he removes Zechariah’s ability to talk, which makes it difficult for the poor guy to lead worship. He gestures to let the people know he has seen a vision from God. Astonishing.

When his stint in the temple is over, Zechariah goes home, still mute. Take time to imagine what happens when he arrives, what he communicates through gestures, and most importantly, what happens next. Elizabeth gets pregnant. God is good.

How long will we wait for God to answer our prayers and give us what we yearn for? Do we have faith to believe in the improbable? The impossible?

[Discover more about Zechariah in Luke 1:5–25. SeeBonusContent 1, “DuplicateNames” for more info about other men in the Bible named Zechariah.]

2. ELIZABETH

Childless, Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, are getting old. Seriously old. Their chance to have kids is slim. Still, they pray for the improbable. Despite not receiving what they yearn for, their faith remains strong. They’re an upright couple who honor God.

One day an angel shows up at her husband’s work. This messenger from God promises Zechariah that he and Elizabeth will finally have a baby. A son, but not just any son—a special one. They must set him apart for service to God. TheHolySpirit will empower him. Then their child will spark a nationwide revival.

They are to name him John.

Elizabeth does indeed get pregnant. In her sixth month, Mary—who is also expecting—comes for a visit. InsideElizabeth, baby John jumps for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice. Then the HolySpirit comes upon Elizabeth and she prophesies, blessing Mary and her unborn baby.

AfterJohn is born, Elizabeth and Zechariah’s friends and family gather to celebrate. They praise God and share in Elizabeth’s joy at finally having a baby. God has taken away Elizabeth’s shame over her childless condition.

Elizabeth and Zechariah prayed for a child even when it no longer made sense, when their bodies were too old to cooperate—at least from a human perspective. Yet they persevered in faith.

God answered their prayers by giving them a son named John, who will later become John the Baptist. He does, indeed, spark a national revival that features repentance and points the way to Jesus.

What if Elizabeth and Zechariah had stopped believing and ceased their prayers? John wouldn’t have been born. Then who would have opened the door for Jesus to change the world?

Are we willing to pray for the impossible? Will we patiently wait for God’s answer?

[Discover more about Elizabeth in Luke 1:5–60.]

3. JOHN (1) THE BAPTIST

The angel Gabriel says John won’t be just any kid, but a special one. People will celebrate his birth. John’s parents must set him apart for service to God. TheHolySpirit will empower him, and he’ll spark a nationwide revival. In the mold of Elijah, he’ll do amazing things and pave the way for the Savior the OldTestament prophets wrote about. God’s people have waited for this for centuries.

WhenJohn the Baptist begins his ministry, he proclaims, “The kingdom of heaven is near.” He preaches repentance and baptizes people who want to show that they’re sorry for the wrong things they’ve done. They desire to make a U-turn with their life.

Even though Jesus is perfect and doesn’t need to repent, he insists John baptize him. Afterward the HolySpirit comes upon Jesus and a voice booms from heaven, proclaiming him as God’s son.

Though the main part of John’s work—preparing the way for Jesus—is over, John continues his ministry. One of the things he does proves fatal. He criticizes Herod for marrying his brother’s wife. Infuriated, Herod arrests John and throws him in jail. Despite this, Herod fears John, and is puzzled by what he says, so Herod protects him.

YetHerod’s wife, Herodias, holds a grudge against John. She looks for an opportunity to silence him for good.

WhenHerod throws a lavish birthday party for himself, Herodias has her chance. Her daughter dances at the party and impresses everyone. Herod promises to give her anything she wants. At her mother’s prompting, she asks for the head of John the Baptist, served up on a silver tray.

Though he doesn’t want to do this, Herod won’t back down in front of his guests. He orders the execution of John.

John faithfully does what God tells him to do. He prepares the way for Jesus. And the people in power kill him for it.

If serving God would result in our execution, would we still obey him?

[Discover more about John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1–17, Mark 6:14–29, and Luke 1:11–17, 57–66.]

4. MARY (1)

Now, let’s look back to before John the Baptist was born.

An angel visits Mary, a young virgin, engaged but not married. The angel celebrates her as one highly favored by God. Mary wonders about the angel’s shocking greeting. He further stuns her by saying she’ll get pregnant, and her child will grow up to save her people.

“How?” Mary asks. “I’m a virgin.”

The angel explains that the HolySpirit will supernaturally impregnate her.

Mary accepts the angel’s words without arguing. She trusts God.

WhenJoseph, her fiancé, finds out she’s with child, he plans to break their engagement, but an angel visits him, too, and tells him not to. They get married but remain celibate until after Mary’s miracle baby is born.

However, before this happens, Mary and Joseph must travel to Bethlehem for a mandatory census. Unable to find a place to stay, they hunker down in a barn. There, among the filth of livestock, Jesus is born.

This is no ordinary birth: angels cheer, shepherds bow down, and later magi offer lavish gifts. Eight days later, at Jesus’s consecration ceremony, people say amazing things about him. FirstSimeon and then Anna. Twelve years later, Jesus stuns his parents when they find him at the temple in deep discussion with the religious leaders.

At age thirty Jesus starts his ministry. Three years later, during his execution, Jesus makes sure Mary will be cared for. The last we hear of her is at a gathering of Jesus’s followers after he rises from the dead and returns to heaven.

We commend Mary for her pious acceptance of God’s assignment. The townspeople, however, likely condemn her for getting pregnant before she and Joseph say, “I do.” Who would believe her claim that “God did it?” She likely forever carries the stigma as the girl who got pregnant before she was married.

Sometimes we must suffer for following God. Are we willing to bear a lifetime of humiliation to obey his plan for us?

[Discover more about Mary in Matthew 1:18–2:11, Luke 1:26–38, Luke 2:1–51, and Acts 1:14.]

5. JOSEPH (4)

Joseph’s excited. He’s engaged. Mary’s the perfect girl for him. She’s chaste and devout. Her deep faith matches his own.

Then everything falls apart.

Joseph hears that his fiancée, the one he knew as pure, is pregnant. He must end their engagement, but, being a good man, he doesn’t want to make life any harder for her. He plans a private breakup.

But before he acts, God sends an angel to him in a dream. The angel says, “Don’t dump her. Proceed as planned. Her pregnancy is not of human origin but from the HolySpirit. This divine-human conception will produce a child who will save the people from their sins. Name him Jesus.”

That’s a lot to take in.

Joseph does as the angel instructs. He marries Mary, but they don’t consummate their relationship until after Jesus is born. Then, an angel again comes to Joseph in a dream, “Quick! Leave! Herod’s trying to kill your baby. Hightail it to Egypt.” Again, Joseph obeys.

Later, in Egypt, an angel again comes to Joseph in a dream. “Herod’s dead. It’s safe to return to Israel.” A third time Joseph obeys God’s instructions. They settle in Nazareth.

Fast-forward twelve years. Joseph and Mary head to Jerusalem for the Passover. On their trip home, things get hairy. After one day of travel, they discover Jesus isn’t part of the caravan. Joseph and Mary rush back to Jerusalem to find their son. Their worry is more intense than what other parents would feel. They lost the Son of God.

Three days later, they find him in the temple courts, talking theology with the Jewish teachers. When they scold him for causing them worry, Jesus says, “Didn’t you know I’d be in Papa’s house?”

Joseph and Mary don’t get it. I can’t blame them. I wouldn’t either.

Regardless, Joseph obeys God at each turn, and he does so without hesitation.

WhenGod tells us to do something crazy, how willing are we to obey?

[Discover more about Joseph in Matthew 1:18–25, Matthew 2:13–23, and Luke 2:1–40.]

6. KING HEROD (1)

After the birth of Jesus, KingHerod’s in a tizzy. Here’s why.

Visitors from the FarEast, magi, have shown up unannounced. They’re searching for a new king who has been born, the king of the Jews. They’ve seen his star in the sky and have come to worship him.

This is news to Herod.

He knows nothing about a star or a baby who will be king. He is the king.

This news threatens his reign and his power. He must squash this menace child, lest the baby seize his throne.

YetHerod plays it cool with the magi. “Go and find the baby,” he says, “and then update me, so I can worship him too.”

Yet the magi don’t report back to Herod. An angel warns them of his deception. By the time Herod realizes this, the magi have already left the country.

Herod is furious.

He intended to kill baby Jesus. But since he doesn’t know which baby Jesus is, he gives orders to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem. Now many babies die instead of just one.