God always knew of Good Friday. In the rapture of creation, the cross loomed large. ....
Charles Swindol
C.S. Lewis writes:
God, who needs nothing, speaks into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that He may love and perfect them. He creates the universe, already forseeing -- or should we say "seeing"? there are no tenses in God -- the buzzing cloud of flies about the cross, the flayed back pressed against the uneven stake, the nails driven through the mesial nerves, the repeated incipient suffocation as the body droops, the repeated torture of back and arms as it is time after time, for breath's sake, hitched up.
If I may dare the biological image, God is a "host" who deliberately creates His own parasites; causes us to be that we may exploit and "take advantage of" Him. Herein is love. This is the diagram of Love Himself, the inventor of all loves.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Jesus’ arrest took place after his agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was the middle of the night when the mob arrived. There can be little doubt that Jesus saw them approaching. Roman soldiers carried swords and the Jewish temple police had staves.
Judas’ kiss of death was necessary to identify Jesus to the Romans who didn’t know him. He betrayed the One he still called Master. He may not have anticipated Jesus’ fatal sentence before Pilate, but one thing is sure; he regretted making the deal with the Scribes and Pharisees. “I have sinned,” he said on his way to return the thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed and went and hanged himself.
Judas’ kiss of death was necessary to identify Jesus to the Romans who didn’t know him. He betrayed the One he still called Master. He may not have anticipated Jesus’ fatal sentence before Pilate, but one thing is sure; he regretted making the deal with the Scribes and Pharisees. “I have sinned,” he said on his way to return the thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed and went and hanged himself.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
To the Jews, the cross was a stumbling block. Why? Because they wanted their religion, their traditions and routines. To the Greeks, it was foolishness, not the truth. The cross of Christ is the free pardon of sin, the power of salvation, the blood atonement for those who believe.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
They didn't take Jesus' life, He gave it. Jesus suffered beatings, scourging, humiliation, and crucifiction without saying a word.
Next week is Easter Sunday. To get to the empty tomb, you have to go through the cross. Do you see Him hanging there? Do you see the blood flowing from His hands, side, and feet? Do you see Him paying your sin debt. All He asks is that you trust Him as your personal Lord and Saviour.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
They didn't take Jesus' life, He gave it. Jesus suffered beatings, scourging, humiliation, and crucifiction without saying a word.
Next week is Easter Sunday. To get to the empty tomb, you have to go through the cross. Do you see Him hanging there? Do you see the blood flowing from His hands, side, and feet? Do you see Him paying your sin debt. All He asks is that you trust Him as your personal Lord and Saviour.
Monday, April 2, 2012
What would Jesus do? I haven’t heard that question in some time. WWJD is still a good question.
The answers are in His work of creation and redemption, the four gospels, Paul’s inspired letters to the churches, Peter and John’s inspired writings, the words of the prophets, the songs and prayers of David, the exciting history of Israel, and the lamb of God worthy of adoration and praise before the throne of God.
What would Jesus do today? Don’t guess. Look it up.
The answers are in His work of creation and redemption, the four gospels, Paul’s inspired letters to the churches, Peter and John’s inspired writings, the words of the prophets, the songs and prayers of David, the exciting history of Israel, and the lamb of God worthy of adoration and praise before the throne of God.
What would Jesus do today? Don’t guess. Look it up.
The apostles had just returned from a mission trip. Jesus was considerate of their efforts and listened to their victory stories of healing and salvation. They had worked hard, were tired, and needed rest.
Mark 6:31,32 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest awhile, for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
God knows we need rest. I’ve always believed that Sunday naps are God's way of refueling our body.
Mark 6:33,34 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him and ran afoot thither out of all cities and went outwent them and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out saw much people and was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Jesus could have ignored them. He got tired, too. But He didn’t. He kept teaching, healing, and loving them. And when the hours passed and they were hungry, he fed them with a reproducing-food miracle. He knows what’s bothering you, and His compassion will fill your need.
Mark 6:31,32 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest awhile, for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
God knows we need rest. I’ve always believed that Sunday naps are God's way of refueling our body.
Mark 6:33,34 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him and ran afoot thither out of all cities and went outwent them and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out saw much people and was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Jesus could have ignored them. He got tired, too. But He didn’t. He kept teaching, healing, and loving them. And when the hours passed and they were hungry, he fed them with a reproducing-food miracle. He knows what’s bothering you, and His compassion will fill your need.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
How many Christians trudge the righteous path with empty fruit baskets? Heart stirring sermons left in the sanctuary wilt like green leafs turned yellow from thirst if not followed through with daily bible study and prayer.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Do you want to bear righteous fruit? Abide in Jesus and fill your baskets.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Do you want to bear righteous fruit? Abide in Jesus and fill your baskets.
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