For our Who Dunnit? series, we’ll use The Friends and Foes of Jesus for a companion book by Dr. Peter DeHaan. In this series, we will learn about the people who wanted Jesus dead, and we will discover that God is calling us still to resist the powers that conspired to put Jesus on the cross.
Our author says he often makes religious people squirm, but spiritual seekers cheer. He’s not trying to be provocative, he says, but he seeks truth. And the truth makes some people uncomfortable.
Throughout history, some people have called Jesus Lord, while others called Him a great prophet. And some called him a troublemaker and nailed him to a cross.
The Jesus of the New Testament is both human and divine. He was adored but also feared, and He was both meek and powerful. We cannot sum up Jesus by a word or simple phrase. His impact on world history and on the spiritual lives of believers today can’t be overstated.
In our companion book, you’ll learn about the closest followers and most outspoken rivals of Jesus, from the High Priest who hated Jesus to the beloved disciple who laid his head on Jesus’s breast at the Last Supper.
Since our series focuses more on groups of people than individuals, although a few are named, our weekly messages generally won’t follow the companion book. However, our companion book offers excellent insights into the various individuals in the bible and their connections with Jesus.
If you choose to follow along, I suggest using the following schedule:
| Sunday | Devotional Readings |
|---|---|
| March 9 (1st Sunday in Lent) | 1 – 16 |
| March 16 (2nd Sunday in Lent) | 17 – 29 |
| March 23 (3rd Sunday in Lent) | 30 – 42 |
| March 30 (4th Sunday in Lent) | 43 – 58 |
| April 6 (5th Sunday in Lent) | 59 – 75 |
| April 13 (Palm Sunday) | 76 – 87 |
| April 20 (Easter Sunday) | 88 – 100 |
We’ll have a few books available for purchase, copies are available through Amazon for $15.99 for the paperback edition. The price is $9.99 for the Kindle version. This book may be available at the local library.
Our Book Club does not meet as a group. However, our weekly messages reference that week’s chapters. You can anticipate spoiler alerts unless you keep up with the pace. You can purchase your own copy or visit your local library.
You can contact our office with questions by phone or simply type your question or enter a prayer request on our website’s homepage — FlintAsburyChurch.org.
Pastor Tommy
Peter DeHaan. The Friends and Foes of Jesus: Discover How People in the New Testament React to God’s Good News. MI: Rock Rooster Books, 2019.