Conspiracy Theory!

For Thursday, May 21, 2026:

John 15:18 NLT, Jesus speaking: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”

That scripture tells us that the world somehow got turned around, 180º from where it should have been. After all, Jesus was always kind, nice and helpful. He would give of his own time to heal anyone who needed healing, and there seemed to be no end to this gift of healing. Every word he spoke was the truth, and he was religious, teaching from both the Prophets and Torah. What’s not to like about this guy?

Those against Jesus were cursed with greed and the desire for power. Although Rome ruled the country, the citizens were allowed to practice their ancestors’ religion, as long as they didn’t disrupt the Roman government. No riots, no rallies, no protests. Just follow your ethnic religion – quietly!

This left the Pharisees at the top of the pecking order. They were the ones trying to maintain power and resources. If worshipers went with this radical Jesus cult, they were NOT at the Temple! Furthermore, they probably took their tithes with them! So both influence and shekels going to Jesus threatened the Pharisees’ way of life. Jesus, you understand, was just doing what pleased his Father. But Pharisees initiated a conspiracy to have Jesus killed, to take him out permanently. He was that much of a threat to them that they would violate their own religious commandments!

Hatred for Jesus started as a conspiracy by the Pharisees. Israelites were accustomed to looking up to Pharisees for direction and advice. They were the religious leaders to be followed. When Pharisees spoke ill of Jesus, there was an implied obligation that people should follow their thinking. They convinced the surrounding world to hate the Messiah, which is unfortunate. The crowds changed their mantra from “Hosanna,” save us now, to, “Crucify him!, in less than a week.

I’ve said before that I believe Christianity should have been Judaism, the next chapter. It should have been a continuation of the life believers already knew, following God-the-Creator, God who brought them out of Egypt, God who delivered them to the Promised Land, and now God who sent them the Messiah as a redeemer for the sins of the world. Like Paul Harvey would have said, “The r-r-rest of the story!”

We’re presently living in the rest of the story. Jesus was here for us and promised that he’ll be back. Should we die first, he promised to prepare a place for us in his Father’s eternal heavenly Kingdom! Secure your spot today! All it takes is faith!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Vast Eternal Plan!

April 14, 2025, Monday Message:

John 12:23 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.”

Jesus, being fully God and fully man, can see into the future. He knows the fickle crowd who shouted, “Hosanna,” will soon be chanting, “Crucify him!” His assignment is to take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Three days later comes the resurrection, and eventually Jesus returning to the Father. If that’s God’s plan, he’s “in” for the whole distance.

Once again, Jesus uses an agricultural analogy, hoping to make it easier for the layperson to understand. You simply bury some little seeds, and they give you a big field of wheat. Like those little seeds, Jesus will die, and today we have 2.3B Christians worldwide.

Those who love the world will belong to the world in which Satan is currently running rampant. Those with their eyes on eternity will move into the next reality with Jesus, living in the presence of the Father. God WILL separate the sheep from the goats!

This whole scenario fulfills God’s vast eternal plan for the rescue of mankind, from the Triumphal Entry to Jesus’ demise to the resurrection and the New Covenant. Jesus has much to teach in the time remaining. We call it “Holy Week!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Maundy Thursday!

For Thursday, April 6, 2023:

Matthew 26:26 NLT: “As the twelve were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take this and eat it, for this is my body.’”

Jesus knew the hour was coming when he would fulfill his mission, dying to forgive the sins of mankind. He taught and preached and told many parables in those last days. He confronted the errant religious leaders.

This is Maundy Thursday, the night Jesus was to be betrayed. He chose to spend it with the twelve. As they ate their final meal together, Jesus passed out bread and wine, and said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” So, following his instructions, we do the same today in remembrance of our Savior. We call it Holy Communion.

That night Jesus would be betrayed by Judas, arrested, and tried before priests, elders and eventually Pilate. Pilate offered the mob a choice: Which man should he would release? When it came to Jesus, the crowd shouted, “Crucify him, crucify him!” The journey to Golgotha had begun.

Tomorrow’s Friday, but remember that Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship