Author Archives: tricialathrop

Feeding 5000

Posted on April 25, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 8 of 49

Fourth Sign: Feeding of 5000

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 

2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 

3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 

4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 

5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 

6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 

7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 

8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 

9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 

11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 

12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 

13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 

14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 

Jn 6:1–15.

One of the most memorable miracles of Jesus, it publicly displayed his power over nature and his ability to provide for one’s needs. 

Since the miracle at Cana, Jesus spent the year consistently healing, preaching the Kingdom of God, and gaining popularity among the people. A lot of the people followed him to get help for themselves or for their family. A lot followed him because he did spectacular miracles.

In the 60’s and 70’s, we saw similar gatherings, especially among the charismatic and pentecostal element of the church. Faith healers like Oral Roberts, Kathryn Kuhlmann, Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Derek Prince, and Benny Hinn traveled the world, drawing huge crowds, and bringing hope in Jesus Christ to people in pain. Today others continue the healing ministries on television and in huge arenas.

While I don’t agree with the teaching that lays the blame for a lack of healing on the unbelief of the sick person or that everyone will be healed and wealthy if they have enough faith…after all, God is sovereign…I know that God heals today. I have experienced it. I have seen it in the lives of others. And I believe that there are some people who are blessed with the gift of praying for others to be healed (I Cor 12:9, 28; read all of chapter 12 for a list of the gifts). 

My point in this is not the validity of these faith healers, my point is that sensationalism draws big crowds. Jesus, by the sheer magnitude of the healings he performed, drew huge crowds. 

The feeding of the 5000 is mentioned in all four gospels. We gain additional details from these gospels.

Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus had tried to get to a desolate place, probably to pray, but the people followed…actually they raced ahead on foot and met him at his destination. He had compassion on them and healed the sick.

Mark 6:30-44: Jesus had sent the 12 disciples out two by two to proclaim that people should repent, to cast out demons and to anoint with oil those who needed healing (Mk 6:7-13). They had just returned and Jesus tried to take them to a desolate place for some RandR. The people beat them to the destination. Jesus had compassion and taught them until it was late.

Luke 9:10-17: We find out the name of the place, Bethsaida, after the disciples returned from their venture. It says that Jesus welcomed the people who followed, spoke to them about the Kingdom of God, and healed those in need…until late.

Some of the disciples wanted to send them into the towns to get food…can you imagine an influx of 5000 people into a small town? Jesus told them to feed the people. Philip gave voice to the disciples’ dilemma, “200 denarri is not enough to buy bread for all these people.” Andrew brought the boy with five loaves and two fish, saying “What is this for so many?”. 

Five of the disciples, including Andrew, witnessed the turning of water into wine. All of them witnessed the healings and the casting out of demons. They had just returned from their journeys where they were the ones healing and casting out demons. 

This was a challenge in belief, five loaves and two fish to feed so many people? But Jesus told them to have the people sit down, and they obeyed him…a step of faith, despite the doubt. 

Everyone ate until satisfied, and they collected 12 baskets of leftovers. Some say that the 12 baskets (kophinos) represent the 12 tribes of Israel. 

Matthew 15:29-39 and Mark 8:1-10 mention the feeding of the 4000. They had seven loaves and a few fish that fed everyone and they gathered seven baskets (spyris) of leftovers.  There is some thought that this second feeding was to show the inclusion of the gentiles into God’s kingdom. 

The kophinos was a basket used almost exclusively by the Jews. The seven represented the seven Gentile nations: Canaanites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hittites, Hivites, Jebusites and the Perizzites. 

What does this reveal to us about Jesus as the Messiah?

He had compassion for his people, as sheep without a shepherd.

“In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come, and they shall seek the Lord their God. 

5 They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.’ 

6 “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold. 

Je 50:4–6.

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 

12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 

13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 

14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 

15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 

Eze 34:11–15.

“I will strengthen the house of Judah, 

and I will save the house of Joseph. 

I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, 

and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, 

for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them. 

Zec 10:6.

The people perceived that he was the prophet who was to come. Jesus departed because they wanted to make him king.

Later they ask him for proof that he was the Messiah…they wanted more bread. That leads to the discussion of Jesus as the Bread of Life, which we will touch on in a later devotional. 

Lord, thank you for the sacrifice you made to bring us eternal life. Thank you for being a shepherd with compassion on us. Help us to seek your face in gratitude of your love and mercy that you poured out on us. When we see your gifts manifested through your followers, help us to not focus on the gift or the one with the gift, but on you, the one who gives. 

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Healing a Lame Man

Posted on April 24, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 7 of 49

Third sign: Healing the Man by the Pool

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 

3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 

5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 

6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 

7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 

8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 

9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. 

Now that day was the Sabbath. 

10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 

11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ” 

12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 

13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 

14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 

15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 

16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 

Jn 5:1–17.

This pool of Bethesda always confused me. It seemed so contrary to how the Lord does things. We don’t read anywhere else in scripture about an angel stirring the waters for healing or about Bethesda.  

God used water to heal. He healed Naaman when he dipped seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5). He healed the blind man when he washed in the Pool of Siloam (John 9). 

I’m taking a class that talks about the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. The professor gave an explanation for this pool which could explain why we don’t hear more about this pool.

Bethesda was likely an Asclepion, a pagan place of healing. In the 300 quiet years between the Old and New Testaments, the Greeks held a lot of power and influence in the region. While the Maccabeans did succeed in removing the pagan gods from the temple, other places of pagan worship would have remained.

Sick Greeks and Romans would seek the favor of Asclepius with an offering, and remain in the Asclepion until until they heard from god…through the interpretation of the priests. Treatment started with a temple sleep after which the dream was interpreted. Some people remained a long time, not receiving an answer.  

If we consider this place an asclepion, it adds a new dimension to the narrative. Jesus entered a pagan god’s stronghold to redeem one of his own. 

Jesus’ encounter with the man begins with the question, “Do you want to be healed?” The response is an excuse, “I have no one to help me.” I’ll leave you to ponder the implications of that question.

Jesus healed the man and told him to make up his bed and walk. The man obeyed and was accosted by Jews who let him know he was breaking the Law of Moses. He did not disobey the Law of Moses, he disobeyed one of the oral traditions built up around the keeping of the Sabbath. 

This was often the source of contention between Jesus and the Jewish authorities. Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mk 2:27). The oral traditions built up such a wall of rules around the Sabbath that it did not allow the people to enjoy the day. 

When confronted about carrying the bed the man said, “The man who healed me told me to carry my bed.” The Jews who confronted him did not care that he had been healed after 38 years, just that he carried his bed.

Jesus found the man in the temple, perhaps he had gone to the temple to thank God for his healing. Jesus told him “Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” Was his first illness a consequence of his sin?  

The man goes and tells the Jewish authorities that Jesus had healed him.

We don’t hear anything more about this man. Did he come to believe in Jesus? Did he continue to sin? We don’t know. 

The narrative ends with a comment by Jesus about his Father. “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” The Jews had no problem with God working on the Sabbath, he took care of the world. They did have problems with Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God, making himself equal with God.

How does this reveal Jesus as the Messiah?

  • If it was an asclepion, then Jesus entered a pagan god’s stronghold to deliver one of his own
  • Jesus healed a lame man.

Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. 

He will come and save you.” 

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 

6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. 

Is 35:4–6.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 

3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 

4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 

5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 

Mt 11:2–5.

  • Jesus continued to reach out to this man, knowing what he would do.
  • Jesus did the work of God, even on the Sabbath 

Lord, thank you for reaching out to us in our pain and in our sin. Thank you for being our source of healing and hope. Help us to look no farther than you for all that we need. 

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Healing the Official’s Son

Posted on April 23, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 6 of 49

2nd Sign, The Healing of the Official’s Son.

So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 

47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 

48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 

49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 

50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 

51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 

52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 

53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 

54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. 

Jn 4:46–54.

After reading the passage, contemplating the passage, cross-referencing, and looking in commentaries, I came to this conclusion; I do not understand why John chose this miracle as an indicator of Jesus as the Messiah. 

He returned from Passover in Jerusalem, and had done many miracles there.

In Jerusalem, he upset the tables of the moneylenders and livestock sellers. Researchers have come up with several reasons why this was a problem.

  1. They set up in the Court of the Gentiles, therefore hindering those outside the Jewish faith from having an effective time of worship with the Lord.
  2. They made the people transfer their money to the temple shekel, at a higher rate.
  3. They told the people with animals they brought for sacrifice, those animals were not good enough, and offered to sell them another, at a higher rate. 

Jesus had an encounter with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. It is interesting that the Samaritans believed because of his words, not the signs (Jn 4:41).

Perhaps Jesus rebuke dealt more with the word wonder than sign. The people were to look for signs of the Messiah. The prophets provided many proofs…some more spectacular than others. A wonder brings on an astonished reaction.

Did Jesus sigh as he commented that they would not believe without signs and wonders. It must have been refreshing in Samaria to see them so willing to believe him at his word.

The people in Capernaum welcomed him as an honored guest. (Jn 4:45). The news of the wedding wine in Cana and his works in Jerusalem had spread throughout the territory.

The official approached Jesus as a last resort. He believed Jesus could heal because of what had been said about him. Interesting that the man did not contradict Jesus when it came to the belief, he just persevered on getting his son healed. Perhaps he had moved from Jesus could heal to Jesus will heal in his belief.

So Jesus told him to go home and didn’t go with him. He said the son was healed. The official didn’t question anymore, he left confident that Jesus had healed his son.

We find two similar stories narratives. 

  • Jairus’ daughter, Jesus went with him to his daughter’s side (Luke 8:40-56).
  • The centurion’s servant, “You don’t have to come, just say the word” (Luke 7:1-10).

He met his servants along the way, who confirmed the time, his healing occurred at the words of Jesus. He and his household believed in Jesus Christ.

I’m back to the original question, why did John call this a sign?

When Jesus turned the water into wine, only the servants, Mary and the disciples knew what happened.

When Jesus healed the boy, only the servants and official knew what had happened.

Perhaps the sign is in its simplicity. Jesus cared for and healed the son. He didn’t have to be physically present to make it happen. Will one believe without the elaborate miracle?  We see later that many did not believe despite the elaborate miracles.

Thomas wanted to put his hand in Jesus’ side before he believed. Jesus said, Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe.

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

Jn 20:24–29.

This official’s belief was revealed through his actions. He went home, believing what Jesus had said. Only after he was on his way did he get confirmation of the healing.

What do you really believe about Jesus? How do your actions reveal that belief?

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. 

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THE FIRST SIGN

Posted on April 22, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 5 of 49

The First Miracle

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 

2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 

3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 

4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 

8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 

9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 

10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 

11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. 

 Jn 2:1–12.

John wrote of the wedding at Cana, turning water into wine, as the first of seven signs found in the Gospel of John. He let the reader know the narrative had a purpose. He wanted his readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, we will find life in his name.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 

31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

Jn 20:30–31.

What is the difference between a miracle and a sign? 

Sign: semeion– indicator; mark; signal. It “refers to an object or occurrence that makes a particular insight or perception possible”. (Eric Lewellen, “Miracles,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).)

Miracle: dynamis– power; mighty deed; supernatural power; Today when we use the word miracle, it refers to a work or deed that cannot be explained by science or any other normal means. 

Wedding celebrations lasted a whole week in the first century. Family and friends joined the celebration at various times throughout the week. Disgrace and shame followed if the host family failed to provide enough food and drink to last. 

I am assuming that the wedding was for the child of a close friend or family member of Mary. It seems that she helped with the serving and overseeing since she knew of the lack of wine. And the servants obeyed her. 

Did Mary come to Jesus because she expected him to act or was she just letting him know the problem? She had pondered his birth, the angels, the prophets’ message, and the tabernacle visit for 30 years. Did she assume that after his baptism he would begin his work?

Jesus called her Woman, which in today’s world sounds harsh. He also used it when he told John to take care of her while he was on the cross. It would not have been an insult. Because it is followed by “what does this have to do with me? My time is not yet come.”, we see it as a rebuke. 

Sometimes moms do have a tendency to push their kids forward…and we get the eye rolls and the “oh Mom”. Sometimes they do what we want and sometimes they don’t.

But she must have understood something different in what he said, perhaps an idiom that means “it’s my problem. I’ll deal with it in my time.”  She did not hear him say, “I won’t do this, it’s not my time.”, because she told the servants to obey him. 

He did fix the problem with new wine, so we can assume it was God’s timing.

Was there any significance in the use of the purification jars? A purification jar would be made of stone, not pottery. Pottery is subject to ritual contamination or impurity. They each held 25-30 gallons, providing more than enough wine to finish the feast. 

Was it an indicator for the new wine in old wineskins? (Mt 9:14-17; Mk 2:18-20; Lk 5:33-39)

Or maybe, it indicated the disciples being ritually cleaned by the Word that Jesus spoke to them and ready to receive the Holy Spirit. And as they walked in his Word,, they would bear much fruit.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 

2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 

6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 

Jn 15:1–9.

Or was the wine a sign of the coming of the Messiah? The prophets spoke of the abundance of wine that would herald the coming of the Lord. 

For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. 

12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. 

13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 

14 I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.” 

Jer 31:11–14.

So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, 

who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. 

And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it. 

18 “And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Shittim. 

Joel 3:17–18.

Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, 

“when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. 

14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. 

Amos 9:13–14.

This sign manifested the glory of God. The miracle itself revealed that Jesus had power over nature, to change it into something totally unlike the original. The action showed that he cared for people by providing a family freedom from the shame of failing as a host. He honored his mother by listening to her. 

After this miracle, the disciples with him, believed and continued to follow.

Lord, Thank you that John wrote this gospel so that we too can believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Thank you for the eternal life provided for us. 

Open our eyes to the needs of those around us, that we can provide hope…physical as well as spiritual. 

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DISCIPLESHIP

Posted on April 21, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 4 of 49

Discipleship

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? Depending on the denomination one attends, it could be as simple as being a member of a church or a complete commitment in studying the Word of God.

The word disciple, manthano, means to learn but it carries a connotation beyond the concept of intellectual input, and includes the transformation of one’s lifestyle in order to be like the teacher.

In first century Judea, discipleship was a common practice. John the Baptist had disciples, the Pharisees had disciples, we discover in Acts 22:3 that Paul sat and learned at the feet of Gamaliel as a disciple. 

Children began school between the ages of 4 and 5 and were taught in the local synagogue by a teacher, respectfully called a rabbi (great one). It focused on teaching the Torah and emphasized reading and memorizing Scripture. Most could recite the Torah by memory before moving on. Around the age of 12, school ended for most.  The girls learned to take care of the home, and the boys learned the trade of their fathers. 

The best students continued on in the local synagogue, also taught by a rabbi in the community. They attended school and learned a trade. Sometimes their parents attended with them. They studied the prophets and the writings, learned the interpretations of the Oral Torah, and learned how to make their own applications. 

The outstanding students sought permission to study with a famous rabbi. If accepted, he would serve the rabbi, learn at his feet, and try to imitate and become like the rabbi.

Remember Jesus at the temple at the age of 12? He showed himself to be an outstanding student, but he submitted to his parents, returned home, and learned the trade of his father.

And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 

44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 

45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 

47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 

48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 

49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 

50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. 

Lk 2:43–52.

Discipleship in the first century required total commitment. That meant, one left family and friends to follow the rabbi for a time. It was a full time apprenticeship in the rabbi’s work or cause. It was an honor to be chosen as a disciple.

While Jesus selected 12 to sit at his feet and to learn, other disciples, even women, stood around these 12, learning from Christ as they could. In the upper room 120 waited for the promised Holy Spirit. 

13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 

14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 

15 and have authority to cast out demons. 

16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 

17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 

18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 

19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 

Mk 3:12–19.

Sometimes the message of Christ was hard to hear and understand, and caused disciples to turn away from following him. John 6:53-71 tells of a time when many turned away. He asked the 12 if they would leave also.

67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 

68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 

69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jn 6:67-69.

What does being a disciple today look like?

We cannot physically sit at the feet of Jesus, but we can have an attitude of humility and desire to learn so that we sit spiritually at his feet. We are blessed with the written Word of God…or even the recorded Word if you don’t like reading. But just reading the word is not enough, we need to take the next step and obey the Word of God.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

Jn 8:31–32.

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 

5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 

6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 

1 Jn 2:4–6.

We can make time with the Lord in prayer a priority. Because he is with us all the time, we can have open communication with him throughout the day and night, no matter what we are doing. 

We can follow his example. We can wash the feet of those around us, well, that would be weird today, choose a job no one wants to do, but needs to be done. We can show love to those who are friendless and outcasts. We can encourage others to trust in God. We can set aside our rights in order to extend God’s grace and mercy to those around us.

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 

15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 

16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 

Jn 13:13–16.

Goals of rabbi’s in the first century included teaching the Torah, demonstrating actions in line with God’s teaching, but also, they desired that their students would rise and do better than the teacher.

Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, to teach us to love one another, and to give us boldness to proclaim the goodness of God. How awesome that God gives us help and hope as we sit at the feet of Lord Jesus Christ.

7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 

11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 

13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. 

Jn 14:7–14.

Lord, help us to make you a priority in our lives. Give us your eyes to see the people around us who need your hope. Give us ears to hear the cries of those in pain. Give us your heart to reach out even when it is hard. 

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This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased

Posted on April 20, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 3 of 49

“This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

God spoke those words to Jesus and immediately the Spirit led or drove him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. I don’t know about you, but this was unexpected. Jesus received high praise, God was pleased with what he had done so far…but then, he had to go and face his adversary for 40 days…without eating. 

The Spirit took him into the wilderness. I don’t consider my wilderness experiences to be Spirit led. Those are times of isolation, confusion, and feeling far from the face of God. Usually caused by my own sin…like the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years.

But it could be, the battle in the wilderness takes place after we have been successfully obedient, seeing God display his power in our lives or the lives of those around us. I’ve seen it happen in my life and in others. Satan wants to steal the joy and memory of God’s work in our lives, and discourage us from moving forward. 

He definitely wanted to remove the momentum that Jesus just received. God called him Son and said that Jesus pleased him. He did not want Jesus to continue his work on earth.

While we don’t know everything that happened in the wilderness, we receive insight into three battles that Jesus faced. Two of them began with a statement of doubt, “If you are the Son of God”…reminds me of Eve in Genesis, “Did God actually say…?”. 

If Satan can get us to doubt the goodness of God, the truth of the Gospel, the work of God in our lives, or God’s desire to be in relationship with us, then he may succeed in neutralizing us for a time…but God is greater than Satan and won’t allow us to stay down.

First Battle: ( Matt 4:1-4; Luke 4:1-4) Jesus was hungry, he had not eaten for 40 days or nights. His human body needed food.

“If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 

Jesus did not deny that he was hungry, and he could have easily made the stones into bread. But the issue was not the hunger, it was the conditional ”If” .

Do you believe that you, a human being, are the Son of God? 

Did God really call you his Son?

Why would God choose you?

Who do you think you are?

Jesus answered: “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Mt 4:4. 

“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. 

2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 

3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Deut 8:1–3.

Jesus knew that obedience to God took precedence over all other things in his life, even his food intake. He knew that God called him Son. He knew that he would have enough to eat because God would fulfill his promises to Israel. Later, at the well in Samaria, Jesus tells the disciples that he has food to eat that they don’t know about (Jn 4:32). He understood that God provided all that he needed.

Second Battle: Mt 4:5-7; Lk 4:9-12. (Side note, in Luke this is the third battle) 

Satan took him to a pinnacle on the temple in Jerusalem, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down for it is written, he will command his angels concerning you and on their hands they will bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone.” 

Jesus answered, “Again, it is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” 

For he will command his angels concerning you 

to guard you in all your ways. 

12 On their hands they will bear you up, 

lest you strike your foot against a stone. 

Ps 91:11–12.

Jesus didn’t deny that what Satan said. Jesus answered to the test, to put himself in danger to prove that God was his Father and cared for his well being. 

The Israelites in the wilderness did this a number of times, whenever things got rough, they’d bring up how God was letting them down, questioning if God really cared, could he really provide everything they needed in the wilderness. 

No matter how many times God proved himself, it was never enough. Like Israel, too often I have asked: Does God really care for me? Sure he’s come through in the past, but will he this time? I’m hurting. Where is God? 

All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 

2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 

3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 

4 So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 

5 And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 

6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 

7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” 

Ex 17:1–7.

Third Battle: Mt 4:8-10; Lk 4:5-8. 

This test has nothing to do with Jesus’ identity, but everything to do with the ultimate plan of God through Jesus Christ.

Satan promised Jesus authority over all the kingdoms of the world, because Satan held them in his hand and had the authority to do so. 

Jesus had a choice, God’s way or the easy way out…no death on the cross, no years of dwelling with the limitations of man, glory and honor just by bowing down to Satan. 

“You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.”

And God spoke all these words, saying, 

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 

3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 

5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 

6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 

Ex 20:1–6.

Everyday we have that choice, God’s way or the easy way. God’s way may be more difficult, but the easy way is laden with unrecognized traps.

  • God’s way of integrity, or the easy way of compromise.
  • God’s way of loving others, or the easy way of demanding honor for ourselves.
  • God’s way of generosity, or the easy way of holding onto what we have.
  • God’s way of mercy, or the easy way of judging others in their sins.
  • God’s way of forgiveness, or the easy way of holding others accountable to us.
  • God’s way of worship, or the easy way of just going through the motions.

And after all that, Satan left until a more opportune time. (Lk 4:13).

Thank you Lord for loving us enough to put yourself into a human body so that you could experience our struggles on earth. Thank you for choosing to honor God with your life on earth, demonstrating to us how much you love us. Help us to choose to wait on your provisions in our lives, to choose to walk in faith and not doubt your love, to worship you and only you. 

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Behold the Lamb of God

Posted on April 19, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 2 of 49

Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. John 1:29

John the Baptist came to bear witness to Jesus Christ as the Messiah. While in his mother’s womb, he leaped when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, came near. The disciple John tells us that John the Baptist was not the light, but came to bear witness to the true light (John 1:6-9).

From his birth, he had a specific call and purpose in life. An angel announced his birth and his purpose. He would be the messenger that came before the coming Messiah, a voice in the wilderness calling the people to prepare their hearts and make a straight way into the desert. He would fulfill prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah. 

Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:1

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Is 40:3.

Family and friends who knew the story of his birth watched John grow up, what would this miracle child do as an adult? Was he the promised Messiah? When the call of God came, were they surprised to find him in the wilderness, dressed in camel skins and eating only locusts and wild honey?

John spoke his message clearly and boldly. He spoke about the coming kingdom of heaven, calling the people to repent from their sins and walk in righteousness. He confronted the Jewish leadership as well as King Herod. 

He humbly responded in regards to himself in relation to the Messiah. He diligently served his purpose, baptizing those who wanted repentance, telling all about the coming Messiah. 

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 

7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 

8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 

Mk 1:4–8.

He served as a prophet to the people, the forerunner in the likeness of Elijah, boldly proclaiming the way of the Lord…preparing the hearts of the people to meet their coming Messiah. Later, when John had been beheaded, the people sought out Jesus.

41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 

42 And many believed in him there. 

Jn 10:40–42.

He identified Jesus as the one who was to come. How did he know for sure? He said he saw a dove descend on Jesus (John 1:33). 

Jesus came to him to be baptized. John tried to refuse, feeling that he was the one who needed the baptism of Christ. Was he looking for the baptism by fire? But Jesus persisted, and John, in obedience, baptized the Son of God. 

John pointed Jesus out to his disciples and two of them followed Jesus home to spend the day with him. There are no revelations of what was said or done that day, but later, when Jesus called them from their fishing to follow him, not only did John and Andrew follow, but also Peter and James left their nets. 

Before John was beheaded, while he sat in jail, he sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was the one. Perhaps he expected to be at Jesus’ side, not imprisoned. Perhaps he needed encouragement that he had done well. I love the answer Jesus gave, “tell John what you have seen…” His actions demonstrated the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah, giving the answer from the prophets to his prophet.

The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 

19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 

20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ ” 

21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 

22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.”

Luke 7:18-22

His words as the disciples left revealed the honor he gave to John’s faithfulness, in essence saying to John, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

John humbly and faithfully declared the word of the Lord with boldness. He called people to repentance, and continually gave the message of hope for the Messiah to come. 

God has also placed a call on our lives. He desires that we walk with integrity and humility as we share the hope that is in Jesus Christ who died on the cross to open the way for us to have a relationship with the Lord God. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, enabling us to make progress towards fulfilling our calling.

Lord, help us to humbly yet boldly speak your truth so that others will be able to recognize Jesus Christ and desire to know him. Let our lives be a reflection of the light you have given us.

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49 Days

Posted on April 18, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 1 of 49

The Lord is risen.

He is risen indeed!

Today we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many spent the forty days prior to this in contemplation, sometimes giving up a food or activity, allowing them to consider the Messiah’s sacrifice on the cross.

I will try something different this year, using the next 49 days to contemplate the ministry of Jesus Christ. What interactions did he have while on earth? What miracles did he perform, and what do they tell us about his purpose here? What questions did he ask…and what questions did others ask him? What did his teaching reveal about our relationship to God and to one another? 

You may be wondering, why 49 days?

The crucifixion of Jesus happened on the day before Passover, the day the people in Judea killed the Passover lamb for their Seder celebration. Paul referred to Jesus as the Passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7 when he told the people to clean out the leaven of malice and evil, because Christ the Passover lamb had been sacrificed.

Jesus rose again on the Day of First Fruits. The people brought the first produce from their crops along with other sacrifices to honor God who provided the yield of the crops. And again, Paul refers to Christ as the firstfruit for all who will be made alive at Christ’s second coming (1 Corinthians 15:23). 

This began the Feast of Weeks, Shavu’oth, which concluded with a pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem on what we call the Day of Pentecost. The people were to count 7 weeks from their first harvest, 49 days, then bring a freewill offering to give as the Lord had blessed them on the fiftieth day. God commanded them to rejoice including their servants, the Levites and any sojourner within their town (Deuteronomy 16:10-12). Over time it changed from a harvest celebration to a time associated with covenant renewal and the giving of the Law. Christians know it as the day the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples.

During this 49 days of counting, Jesus appeared to his disciples and continued to teach them for 40 days. Then he told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came to them. So about 120 disciples, including women and Jesus’ brothers waited, devoting themselves to prayer, in one accord…I find that to be a miracle in itself.

They may not have known what to expect, but they remained faithful.

I’m not really sure what to expect in this 49 day journey, but I will try to be faithful to contemplate the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Lord, open our hearts to your truth, as we wait for you.

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 

11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 1:3–11.

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The Waiting Place

Posted on September 24, 2014 by tricialathrop

“They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

I find myself in a waiting place. We are trying to sell our house. My words when I put it on the market, “It will sell when God wants it to sell.”

A week went by, 2 weeks, a month, 2 months…I don’t find my strength renewed, I’m definitely not soaring like an eagle. I don’t like being in the waiting place. I want to get on with our plans, move on, change our circumstances…be somewhere else. I’m tempted to manipulate God, to get Him to work in my time, not His.

Expecting the house to sell quickly, I stepped aside from all my outside responsibilities. I consider jumping back in, and yet, God calls for me to wait. It’s not easy.

What am I learning while I wait for God to bring the right person for our house?

1. It’s not all about me.
God has a plan not only for my life but for the people around me. This process of waiting allows me the opportunity for a new perspective. I drive by other houses on the market and pray for them because I understand the stress of trying to sell. When I see one that has a sold sign on it, I suppress the “what about mine?” and thank God that the house sold.

He freed me from obligations and duties, allowing me to minister and encourage the people now in my life. When we move, those opportunities will be gone. My friends mean a lot to me and I need to let them know as often as I can.

2. There are things in my life that need to go.

We have lived in this house for 21 years and we collected a lot of stuff. Some of it belonged to our children, some were gifts and a lot we bought for one purpose or another. Our places of storage hold a lot of things we no longer use.

As we plan to move to a smaller place, we need to downsize to accommodate our new place and empty nest lifestyle. We trashed those things that are broken and cannot be repaired…recycling as much as possible. We gave away or sold many items, finding new homes for things that gave us joy and now will bring joy to others.

3. Being ready takes daily commitment and inspection.

Before we put the house on the market, we repaired, painted and cleaned from top to bottom, going over everything carefully to make sure it all works and looks good. That initial push got the house ready, but as each day passes we continue to clean and inspect, keeping it ready for anyone who plans to come and see.

It’s true that my house will sell in the Lord’s perfect time not mine. My strength is renewed as I look to Him. I soar each time I meet a friend. The walking and running? I’m still learning to be content as I wait.

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Transitions

Posted on June 26, 2014 by tricialathrop

We put our house on the market this week. 

I stand at the door, unsure of what waits on the other side. I didn’t think this door world come so soon. Opening a door is not new to me; transitions are a part of life but this one feels different.  

My first major transition came when I left the comfort of my Mom and went to kindergarten. Mom says that I came up with many reasons not to go, but off to school I went. There were good and bad days, but each year presented me with opportunities to learn and grow. 

I remember the excitement of going to college and then the apprehension when I waved goodbye to my parents and walked back to my dorm room. Surrounded by new faces and map in hand, I began the adjustment  to life away from home. Four years later I said goodbye to the comfort of college classes, friends and my parents bank account.

Could I make it on my own without my parents help? A new job, making my way through the maze of finances, time management, relationships…then the marriage to my best friend, a lifelong companion with whom to explore and enjoy the mysteries of life. 

Each transition came with challenges and opportunities. Doors opened and closed, always with the sense of anticipation, excitement for the possibilities and angst for the challenges. But each transition eventually became comfortable.

Three children came along. The options now included their development and experiences. They walked through their own doors leaving me with an empty nest. No longer responsible for their care, I began to put more into writing.  

Once again, I arrived at a place of comfort. Now, Norm’s retirement brought us to this new door. All the other doors of transition led to opportunities, explorations, new experiences, learning and growth.  Just because we are older doesn’t mean this one will be any different. We can stand on these truths.

  1. “This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lam. 3:21-23. Everyday I can rely on the Lord, who does not change, to be faithful no matter what comes my way.
  2. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. This promise has no age or stage of life limits. 
  3. “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. In the morning sow your see, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Ecc. 11:4,6.  My responsibility, step out in faith and don’t worry about the outcome.

 

I stand at the door of transition, unsure of what lies on the other side, but confident in the Lord God, who does not change.

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