The Impossible
" 'Give me your son,' Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. Then he cried out to the LORD, 'O LORD my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?' Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, 'O LORD my God, let this boy's life return to him!' "
1 Kings 17:19-21
During the time of drought in Israel prophesied by Elijah as judgment for turning to other gods, God led him to stay with the widow at Zarephath. God miraculously provided for this widow and her son through the prophet Elijah. Even though they had this continuous provision from God, some time later tragedy struck. Her son became ill. He grew worse and worse until he stopped breathing. The widow brought the limp body of her precious son to Elijah. In her despair and grief, she said, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?"
Feeling her sorrow, Elijah took the body from her arms and carried him upstairs to his bedroom. There he cried out to God and asked Him something that no one else ever had. Scripture had not recorded anyone rising from the dead at this time.Not one person. Jesus had not stopped the funeral of the widow's son and turned their mourners' wailing into praising and leaping. Jesus had not entered Jarius' daughter's room and said "My child, get up!" Jesus had not spoken to Lazarus to come out of the grave even in his grave clothes. Elisha, who also raised people from the dead, would come after Elijah. This had never been done before. There was no precedent.
Elijah could not say, "Do it like You did it before." He could not say, "Do it like You did it for Your Son Jesus." Elijah could not offer suggestions to God based on his past activity nor could he submit that he was worthy enough like other prophets to have walked as closely to God as humanly possible.
This was "out of the box" thinking. This was a prayer that did not limit the power of God. This prayer believed that the arm of God was able to reach anywhere. This prayer was backed by faith that nothing was too hard for God (Genesis 18:14).
We live in a time where God's Holy Bible with two Testaments is completed, but the activity of God in our world today continues. God continues to manifest Himself in new ways that awe us. He loves an invitation to display His creative power. He responds to people who believe that He is mighty and that He can surpass the laws of the world that He created. God's Son Jesus emphasized this to us by saying, "Everything is possible for him who believes" (Mark 9:23). At another time, Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).
It seems that miracles are more prevalent in countries that don't have their own military might, advanced medical care, safety regulations, and higher education facilities. Many of us in this country have put our trust in these protections and powers. Isn't it interesting that someone with less education than we have can sometimes know God's power more than we do? All four of these are blessings, but blessings can turn to curses if God diminishes in our eyes.
Gosh, I don't ever want to go there. I want to live a life where God continues to stretch my mind about who He is. I want to live every day searching for more revelation of God. I want more glimpses of God on His throne and peeks into heaven. I want to know God as much as possible, and I want to see the impossible because I want HIM! If you feel like I do, then let's keep pressing on together and giving God invitations to show His might and power!
Pray with me: Oh, Lord, we desire to have the faith of Elijah. Just because something has not been done before doesn't mean that You can't do it or that You won't do it. It is not that we seek You only for the sake of entertainment or thirst for power. We seek to live life out on the edge with You. We desire to live an "everything is possible" life with You. It's in the Name above all names that we pray, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name. Amen.
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
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"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Grand Entrance
Grand Entrance
By Shirley Mitchell
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’ ”
Daniel 3:16-18
I have been faithfully reading every night to my kids from a picture Bible that turns even the Books of the prophets into stories with pictures for every scene. When we studied Isaiah, we saw him plead with the people to destroy their idols and only worship God. He warned the kings what would happen if they continue in idolatry and disobedience, but the kings ignored the warnings. Then he prophesied that because Judah had turned away from God to these idols, it will be destroyed, and the people will be carried away as captives.
Then we studied the prophet Jeremiah who saw a vision of invaders from the North coming to destroy Judah. Jeremiah pleaded with King Jehoiakim and later King Zedekiah to turn from their evil ways. However, neither of them would repent. Day after day Jeremiah stood in the courtyard of the LORD’s house and speak to all the people who came to worship. If they had turned from their evil ways, then God would relent from bringing disaster upon them. Instead, the crowds turned against Jeremiah for prophesying against the city and all the people. Jeremiah was beaten, placed in stocks, thrown in prison, and at one point even lowered by ropes into a muddy cistern.
Then the prophecies came true. Babylon lay siege to the city. King Zedekiah was bound with bronze shackles, had his eyes put out, and was taken to Babylon where he stayed in prison until he died. The walls of Jerusalem were broken down by the imperial guard. Every important building was burned to the ground, including the temple of the LORD.
Then Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, ordered his men to bring to Babylon some of Israel’s young men from the royal family and nobility. Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were among these young men. The very first verb used to describe Daniel is that he resolved not to defile himself. Daniel was spokesman for this group of four young men. Even though they were stripped from their homeland and everything that was Jewish, they refused to defile themselves. It set the tone for their entire time in captivity.
Later, Daniel’s three friends faced the proclamation to worship a 90 foot high by nine foot wide statue made of gold. When the music played, everyone must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever did not fall down and worship the image would immediately be thrown into the blazing furnace. These men knew the consequence was death, but they would not bow down.
Now how easy would it have been to say, “My body may be bowing, but in my heart I’m not.” How easy would it have been to be sick that day or to find another way out of it!
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had seen the prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah come true in their life time. Their fathers and grandfathers turned to idols and worshipped other gods. They had allowed innocent blood to be shed. They had not responded to the call to repent. Their hard hearts tuned out the true prophets’ words and embraced the false prophets.
These boys had watched the destruction of God’s beloved Jerusalem. They were the ones who had to pay the high price by their captivity – not their fathers, grandfathers, or the previous generations. When their turn came, they decided that they were not willing to pay anymore so they were willing to pay the highest cost - their lives.
So as I’m reading these stories to my children night after night, God breathed on this for me. You see, God had suffered in agony, longing for His children to come to Him. It was not just Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many other prophets crying for repentance, but it was God, too! These three said to the king, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” In other words,these three young men said, “No! We won’t compromise one bit. We will not serve your gods!”
When I read this part, it made tears come to my eyes. I realized after all those generations of sin, of course, God had to respond with something that would blow our minds away. Of course, He had to break a few natural laws. They set the perfect stage for God to make a grand entrance. This is what God had been looking for through all those prior generations - people who refused to bend the knee to anyone except to Him.
God responded to their invitation with one of His greatest miracles. Those boys were thrown in the furnace, but they did not burn up. God sent an angel to save them, and many people believe the angel was Jesus pre-incarnate. I can’t imagine any bigger way for God to sign a story with His pleasure. These boys did it! They made the choice that even if God didn’t save them - which they knew that He could – they would still rather die than worship an idol. They pleased God with their loyalty to Him. God made His grand entrance to demonstrate how He rewards those who are faithful to Him no matter what. Let’s live with that kind of faithfulness and give God some opportunities to respond with a grand entrance!
Pray with me: Oh, God, we desire to have the commitment to You like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We want to stand up to the opposing forces. Give us the resolve to not defile ourselves. Make us faithful so we can stand up for what is right. Raise up a generation who will not bow down and worship an idol. It’s in the mighty Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
By Shirley Mitchell
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’ ”
Daniel 3:16-18
I have been faithfully reading every night to my kids from a picture Bible that turns even the Books of the prophets into stories with pictures for every scene. When we studied Isaiah, we saw him plead with the people to destroy their idols and only worship God. He warned the kings what would happen if they continue in idolatry and disobedience, but the kings ignored the warnings. Then he prophesied that because Judah had turned away from God to these idols, it will be destroyed, and the people will be carried away as captives.
Then we studied the prophet Jeremiah who saw a vision of invaders from the North coming to destroy Judah. Jeremiah pleaded with King Jehoiakim and later King Zedekiah to turn from their evil ways. However, neither of them would repent. Day after day Jeremiah stood in the courtyard of the LORD’s house and speak to all the people who came to worship. If they had turned from their evil ways, then God would relent from bringing disaster upon them. Instead, the crowds turned against Jeremiah for prophesying against the city and all the people. Jeremiah was beaten, placed in stocks, thrown in prison, and at one point even lowered by ropes into a muddy cistern.
Then the prophecies came true. Babylon lay siege to the city. King Zedekiah was bound with bronze shackles, had his eyes put out, and was taken to Babylon where he stayed in prison until he died. The walls of Jerusalem were broken down by the imperial guard. Every important building was burned to the ground, including the temple of the LORD.
Then Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, ordered his men to bring to Babylon some of Israel’s young men from the royal family and nobility. Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were among these young men. The very first verb used to describe Daniel is that he resolved not to defile himself. Daniel was spokesman for this group of four young men. Even though they were stripped from their homeland and everything that was Jewish, they refused to defile themselves. It set the tone for their entire time in captivity.
Later, Daniel’s three friends faced the proclamation to worship a 90 foot high by nine foot wide statue made of gold. When the music played, everyone must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever did not fall down and worship the image would immediately be thrown into the blazing furnace. These men knew the consequence was death, but they would not bow down.
Now how easy would it have been to say, “My body may be bowing, but in my heart I’m not.” How easy would it have been to be sick that day or to find another way out of it!
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had seen the prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah come true in their life time. Their fathers and grandfathers turned to idols and worshipped other gods. They had allowed innocent blood to be shed. They had not responded to the call to repent. Their hard hearts tuned out the true prophets’ words and embraced the false prophets.
These boys had watched the destruction of God’s beloved Jerusalem. They were the ones who had to pay the high price by their captivity – not their fathers, grandfathers, or the previous generations. When their turn came, they decided that they were not willing to pay anymore so they were willing to pay the highest cost - their lives.
So as I’m reading these stories to my children night after night, God breathed on this for me. You see, God had suffered in agony, longing for His children to come to Him. It was not just Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many other prophets crying for repentance, but it was God, too! These three said to the king, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” In other words,these three young men said, “No! We won’t compromise one bit. We will not serve your gods!”
When I read this part, it made tears come to my eyes. I realized after all those generations of sin, of course, God had to respond with something that would blow our minds away. Of course, He had to break a few natural laws. They set the perfect stage for God to make a grand entrance. This is what God had been looking for through all those prior generations - people who refused to bend the knee to anyone except to Him.
God responded to their invitation with one of His greatest miracles. Those boys were thrown in the furnace, but they did not burn up. God sent an angel to save them, and many people believe the angel was Jesus pre-incarnate. I can’t imagine any bigger way for God to sign a story with His pleasure. These boys did it! They made the choice that even if God didn’t save them - which they knew that He could – they would still rather die than worship an idol. They pleased God with their loyalty to Him. God made His grand entrance to demonstrate how He rewards those who are faithful to Him no matter what. Let’s live with that kind of faithfulness and give God some opportunities to respond with a grand entrance!
Pray with me: Oh, God, we desire to have the commitment to You like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We want to stand up to the opposing forces. Give us the resolve to not defile ourselves. Make us faithful so we can stand up for what is right. Raise up a generation who will not bow down and worship an idol. It’s in the mighty Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
Friday, April 24, 2009
The Time of Jacob’s Trouble
The Time of Jacob’s Trouble
By Shirley Mitchell
“How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.”
Jeremiah 30:7
While Daniel was studying the Scriptures written by Jeremiah, he realized that the Babylonian captivity would last 70 years. Jeremiah 29:10 says, “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.” Knowing the end of the 70 years was near, Daniel cried out to God and confessed his sin and the sin of his people of Israel. While he was still praying, God sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel revelation about another set of 70 years. Seven sets to be exact.
I don’t believe Daniel stopped reading at Jeremiah 29. Although they didn’t have chapter breaks like we do, I believe Daniel kept right on reading what we call Jeremiah 30. God freshly poured into him the words given to the prophet Jeremiah about the restoration of Israel through the time known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. It is referred to as Jacob’s trouble because when Jacob wrestled all night with the angel, God renamed him Israel (Genesis 32). It is the time of Israel’s trouble. It is the time when God deals with the nation of Israel.
So when the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel, he unveiled more about God’s calendar, His plans for Israel, and this time of trouble. Gabriel said in Daniel 9:24, “Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.” In this context, sevens is measuring seven years. These 70 sevens are equivalent to 490 years.
This Daniel 9 prophecy goes on to say the Messiah would be cut off after 69 weeks of years, which was fulfilled exactly at the time of Jesus’ death. Then, God’s calendar switched to the times of the Gentiles. It left one final week, the 70th week of Daniel, the final 7 years, to be fulfilled. This 70th week is known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. We Christians call this period the tribulation.
Gabriel said to Daniel that "seventy sevens" or 490 years were decreed upon his people and upon the holy city of Jerusalem so that six things might be accomplished: to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.
God will discipline Israel for committing spiritual adultery. He singled out this nation from the other nations on earth. He gave her the Law. He spared her from destruction time after time. He gave her the Messiah through whom all nations on earth would be blessed. He longs to remove the names of false gods from her lips. He desires to lure her back to Him. He longs to end all sin, bring in everlasting righteousness, and set up His Son’s reign.
The time of Jacob’s trouble will be an awful time. There will be no other days like it. The false prophets will spread their lies. The earth will cry out for the return of its Creator and Healer in the form of famines and earthquakes. Much blood will be shed in wars. Christians and Jews will be persecuted. In fact, no one can buy or trade goods unless they have the mark of the beast, the Antichrist.
The Antichrist will be a ruler who rises to power. He will deceive Israel into cutting covenant which marks the beginning of this 70th set of 7 years. His lying tongue will promise peace. The third temple of Ezekiel 40-48 will be built on Mount Moriah, the site of the first two temples and the site of the Dome of the Rock, the Muslim mosques. (Gosh, I wonder how God is going to do this one!) The Jews will restore worship and animal sacrifices. However, it won’t happen for long. Daniel 9 says after 3 ½ years he will come and destroy the city and the sanctuary. He will set up an abomination that causes desolation (v.26-27).
Jeremiah 30 also goes on to say that God will bring Israel wealth. God will heal their severe wounds and incurable injuries. He will care for the outcast Israel. He will restore the land. He will fill Jacob’s tents with fortunes. Then, at the end of Jeremiah 30, the Lord proclaims through His prophet in verse 22, “So you will be my people, and I will be your God.”
We can know the time of Jacob’s trouble is near by looking at Israel herself. Jesus says in the Olivet Discourse, where He prophesied about the end times to His disciples, that we will know the time is near when the fig tree is in season (Matthew 24:32-34). The fig tree is Israel. Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948 for the first time in almost 2,000 years and the regathering of the Jewish people who were scattered across the earth demonstrate to us that this sign is being fulfilled.
Oh, precious one, are you gaining in knowledge of the days to come? God’s Word is being fulfilled. You and I must remain in Him to receive His peace when the world around troubles us.
Pray with me: Oh, Lord, we cry out like Daniel did for our sins and for the sins of Israel. We are so sorry for turning to other gods. We repent for our sins. We ask that You give us Your peace for the troubling days ahead.
We know that the time of Jacob’s trouble is near. The signs are being fulfilled before our eyes. We ask for You to continue bringing the Jews back to Israel for this time. We ask for more and more to believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. May they realize that You, Jesus, fulfilled it all! It’s in Your Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
By Shirley Mitchell
“How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.”
Jeremiah 30:7
While Daniel was studying the Scriptures written by Jeremiah, he realized that the Babylonian captivity would last 70 years. Jeremiah 29:10 says, “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.” Knowing the end of the 70 years was near, Daniel cried out to God and confessed his sin and the sin of his people of Israel. While he was still praying, God sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel revelation about another set of 70 years. Seven sets to be exact.
I don’t believe Daniel stopped reading at Jeremiah 29. Although they didn’t have chapter breaks like we do, I believe Daniel kept right on reading what we call Jeremiah 30. God freshly poured into him the words given to the prophet Jeremiah about the restoration of Israel through the time known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. It is referred to as Jacob’s trouble because when Jacob wrestled all night with the angel, God renamed him Israel (Genesis 32). It is the time of Israel’s trouble. It is the time when God deals with the nation of Israel.
So when the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel, he unveiled more about God’s calendar, His plans for Israel, and this time of trouble. Gabriel said in Daniel 9:24, “Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.” In this context, sevens is measuring seven years. These 70 sevens are equivalent to 490 years.
This Daniel 9 prophecy goes on to say the Messiah would be cut off after 69 weeks of years, which was fulfilled exactly at the time of Jesus’ death. Then, God’s calendar switched to the times of the Gentiles. It left one final week, the 70th week of Daniel, the final 7 years, to be fulfilled. This 70th week is known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. We Christians call this period the tribulation.
Gabriel said to Daniel that "seventy sevens" or 490 years were decreed upon his people and upon the holy city of Jerusalem so that six things might be accomplished: to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.
God will discipline Israel for committing spiritual adultery. He singled out this nation from the other nations on earth. He gave her the Law. He spared her from destruction time after time. He gave her the Messiah through whom all nations on earth would be blessed. He longs to remove the names of false gods from her lips. He desires to lure her back to Him. He longs to end all sin, bring in everlasting righteousness, and set up His Son’s reign.
The time of Jacob’s trouble will be an awful time. There will be no other days like it. The false prophets will spread their lies. The earth will cry out for the return of its Creator and Healer in the form of famines and earthquakes. Much blood will be shed in wars. Christians and Jews will be persecuted. In fact, no one can buy or trade goods unless they have the mark of the beast, the Antichrist.
The Antichrist will be a ruler who rises to power. He will deceive Israel into cutting covenant which marks the beginning of this 70th set of 7 years. His lying tongue will promise peace. The third temple of Ezekiel 40-48 will be built on Mount Moriah, the site of the first two temples and the site of the Dome of the Rock, the Muslim mosques. (Gosh, I wonder how God is going to do this one!) The Jews will restore worship and animal sacrifices. However, it won’t happen for long. Daniel 9 says after 3 ½ years he will come and destroy the city and the sanctuary. He will set up an abomination that causes desolation (v.26-27).
Jeremiah 30 also goes on to say that God will bring Israel wealth. God will heal their severe wounds and incurable injuries. He will care for the outcast Israel. He will restore the land. He will fill Jacob’s tents with fortunes. Then, at the end of Jeremiah 30, the Lord proclaims through His prophet in verse 22, “So you will be my people, and I will be your God.”
We can know the time of Jacob’s trouble is near by looking at Israel herself. Jesus says in the Olivet Discourse, where He prophesied about the end times to His disciples, that we will know the time is near when the fig tree is in season (Matthew 24:32-34). The fig tree is Israel. Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948 for the first time in almost 2,000 years and the regathering of the Jewish people who were scattered across the earth demonstrate to us that this sign is being fulfilled.
Oh, precious one, are you gaining in knowledge of the days to come? God’s Word is being fulfilled. You and I must remain in Him to receive His peace when the world around troubles us.
Pray with me: Oh, Lord, we cry out like Daniel did for our sins and for the sins of Israel. We are so sorry for turning to other gods. We repent for our sins. We ask that You give us Your peace for the troubling days ahead.
We know that the time of Jacob’s trouble is near. The signs are being fulfilled before our eyes. We ask for You to continue bringing the Jews back to Israel for this time. We ask for more and more to believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. May they realize that You, Jesus, fulfilled it all! It’s in Your Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tetelestai!
Tetelestai!
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30
Crucifixion was actually a slow death by asphyxiation. They suffocated until they died. A crucified man had to push his feet against a block of wood to raise his body up to draw in breath. Then, he released his weight until he hung by his wrists. This up-and-down movement must have been agonizing torture for Jesus because of the wounds on His back. When a crucified man wanted to speak, he would have to rise up and endure the pain to say his words. It took immense willpower each time Jesus said anything on the cross.
Scripture records Jesus’ seven sayings on the cross. In John 19:30, He said, “It is finished.” The priest said these same words when he slaughtered the Passover Lamb sacrifice. The Greek word for “finished” is tetelestai which means “end, goal, to make an end or to accomplish, to complete something, not merely to end it, but to bring it to perfection or its destined goal to carry it through: to execute fully a rule or law, to pay off or in full, such as taxes, tribute, toll.” It is the perfect indicative passive form of teleo. This tense means a past completed action with a present and continuous result. It happened in the past and continues to be true. It is a legal term used to say that a debt was paid in full. In Jesus’ time, when someone owed someone else money decrees would be written against him on a parchment, an animal’s skin. When it was paid in full, then the loaner would write the word tetelestai across the certificate. The debtor would nail the certificate of debt with tetelestai written across it on the door of his house for all to see. Never more can payment be demanded.
God did the very same thing. He took the parchment of the skin of the Final Passover Lamb, His Own Son, and wrote into His flesh all of your sins and my sins. Then He wrote tetelestai, paid in full, it is finished. All of the prophecies of the Old Testament fulfilled. From the virgin birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem to the one who would save the people from their sins. Every work His Father sent Him to do was finished.
What sin are you still beating yourself up about? It is Tetelestai! Jesus paid it in full! No longer can payment be demanded. It is a lie that we must mentally flog ourselves for our sins. It is truth that we should accept His payment and rejoice that we have been redeemed and forgiven and showered with love.
Pray with me: Oh, Thank YOU, Jesus! You paid it all! Tetelestai! All of my sins are paid, gone. God is satisfied. I am Yours and Yours alone. Show me where I believe any lie and if I still beat myself up about what I have done. Teach me to accept that I don’t need to pay anything. May this truth change my thoughts and actions over my sins. I rejoice because I have been redeemed through Your great love for me that compelled You to pay the price for me! It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study, Copyright ©2008 Christ Compels
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30
Crucifixion was actually a slow death by asphyxiation. They suffocated until they died. A crucified man had to push his feet against a block of wood to raise his body up to draw in breath. Then, he released his weight until he hung by his wrists. This up-and-down movement must have been agonizing torture for Jesus because of the wounds on His back. When a crucified man wanted to speak, he would have to rise up and endure the pain to say his words. It took immense willpower each time Jesus said anything on the cross.
Scripture records Jesus’ seven sayings on the cross. In John 19:30, He said, “It is finished.” The priest said these same words when he slaughtered the Passover Lamb sacrifice. The Greek word for “finished” is tetelestai which means “end, goal, to make an end or to accomplish, to complete something, not merely to end it, but to bring it to perfection or its destined goal to carry it through: to execute fully a rule or law, to pay off or in full, such as taxes, tribute, toll.” It is the perfect indicative passive form of teleo. This tense means a past completed action with a present and continuous result. It happened in the past and continues to be true. It is a legal term used to say that a debt was paid in full. In Jesus’ time, when someone owed someone else money decrees would be written against him on a parchment, an animal’s skin. When it was paid in full, then the loaner would write the word tetelestai across the certificate. The debtor would nail the certificate of debt with tetelestai written across it on the door of his house for all to see. Never more can payment be demanded.
God did the very same thing. He took the parchment of the skin of the Final Passover Lamb, His Own Son, and wrote into His flesh all of your sins and my sins. Then He wrote tetelestai, paid in full, it is finished. All of the prophecies of the Old Testament fulfilled. From the virgin birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem to the one who would save the people from their sins. Every work His Father sent Him to do was finished.
What sin are you still beating yourself up about? It is Tetelestai! Jesus paid it in full! No longer can payment be demanded. It is a lie that we must mentally flog ourselves for our sins. It is truth that we should accept His payment and rejoice that we have been redeemed and forgiven and showered with love.
Pray with me: Oh, Thank YOU, Jesus! You paid it all! Tetelestai! All of my sins are paid, gone. God is satisfied. I am Yours and Yours alone. Show me where I believe any lie and if I still beat myself up about what I have done. Teach me to accept that I don’t need to pay anything. May this truth change my thoughts and actions over my sins. I rejoice because I have been redeemed through Your great love for me that compelled You to pay the price for me! It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study, Copyright ©2008 Christ Compels
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Grasp His Love
Grasp His Love
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17b-19
One day I walked into Sophia's room. She was playing her CD and acting out the motions. She was listening to "The Love of Christ" by Point of Grace which is based on Ephesians 3:17b-19. The chorus simply goes like this:
How long, how wide
Is the love of Christ
How deep, how high
Is the love of Christ
Since Sophia is so full of life, the motions were not just any simple motions. She jumped on her bed. For the "long" part, she stretched her arms out front to back. For the "wide" part, she straddled her bunk bed top rail and her dresser with her legs. For the "deep" part, she bent down to touch her feet. For the "high" part, she stretched her arms in the air and touched the ceiling. I watched my beloved daughter bouncing around the room to act out this song. I just started laughing with joy! I thought how right she was. The love of Christ is worth getting excited about. The love of Christ should make us want to sing, dance, shout, and jump around!
However, many of us - even Christians - have not grasped it. In this passage from Ephesians, the Greek word for "grasp" is katalambano. It means "to lay hold of so as to make one's own, to obtain, attain to, to take into one's self; to seize upon, take possession of; to detect, catch; to lay hold of with the mind." It is the combination of two Greek words: kata and lambano. Kata simply means "down from, through out, according to, daily." Lambano means "to take, to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it; to take in order to carry away; without the notion of violence, i.e. to take what is one's own, to make one's own; to claim, of that which when taken is not let go, to seize, to receive (what is given), to gain, get, obtain, to get back."
I gave you the fullest of this definition so that it would bring to life for you the full meaning of grasping the love of Christ. You see, beloved, this love is for us to lay hold of and to take into our entire being. We need to claim this love completely. We need to receive it - daily. It is intended for us to make it our own, to use it, and to not let it go!
The most astonishing part is that we can know this love which surpasses all knowledge. This means that His love is bigger than our minds can handle. His love is mind-blowing. It is bigger than the human mind, the knowledge at the best university or medical research center. His love is immeasurable. It has no limits. It is a natural human tendency to be drawn to someone who greatly loves us. When we begin to grasp the vastness of His love, we are compelled to be near Him. We develop intimacy with God. We build a relationship and build a life together.
This love will carry you and me through the darkest points of our lives. When we feel alone, we cling to this love and know that He will be the faithful friend who will never leave us. When we are afraid, we trust in this love that is unchanging and will not fail us. When we are in pain, we hold on to this love that comforts us and heals us.
There is no pit deep enough that the love of Christ is not deeper. You cannot have wandered so far from God that the love of Christ cannot find you a long, long way from home. There is no breach wide enough that the love of Christ can't reach you. There are no giants high enough that the love of Christ is not higher still.
Before I had God, I searched for love in all the wrong places. I was lonely. Now I know that I just wanted Him. I realize that it was just a hole that I had in my life without Him. Now that He has filled this hole, I live completely different. I don't seek unconditional and unfailing love from my friends, family, and my husband. I don't expect from them what they can't give and what only God can give me. It releases them, and it has freed me.
Since I know what it was like to live without the love of Christ, I can now detect it in people. I recognize people, even Christians, who have not been filled with His love. People who have been filled with the love of Christ are not needy. They don't cling to others because they are clinging to God. They don't have guarded hearts to protect them from people hurt by others. They have already been accepted by the One who knows their every thought, word, and action - even before they do it! They have been filled so much with this staggering love that it overflows out of them and spills onto the people around them.
Oh, beloved, are you grasping His love yet? Are you letting it fill you? Are you letting it change your life? Is this truth tearing down the lies of the enemy? Are you demonstrating it so others can visibly see it? Let's commit for you and me to live a life that demonstrates this love just like Sophia does. Let's have a spirit that dances and sings for joy over this great love that we have!
Pray with me: Oh, Jesus, it is staggering how much You love us. We can't comprehend how big it is. It is hard for us to grasp the fullness of how much You love us, but help us to grasp more and more every day how wide, long, high, and deep is Your love. Then Holy Spirit, fill us with this love. We desire to know the truth about this love. This truth will set us free and make us sing and dance like Sophia does. Rid us of neediness. Free our loved ones from our unrealistic expectations. Help us to understand that only You can fill the deepest needs of our hearts.
You are all that we have ever wanted in our entire lives. We fellowship together. You talk with us. You enjoy us even more than we enjoy being with You. We can never outgive You even though we try to give You all of us. You seem to always give us more. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17b-19
One day I walked into Sophia's room. She was playing her CD and acting out the motions. She was listening to "The Love of Christ" by Point of Grace which is based on Ephesians 3:17b-19. The chorus simply goes like this:
How long, how wide
Is the love of Christ
How deep, how high
Is the love of Christ
Since Sophia is so full of life, the motions were not just any simple motions. She jumped on her bed. For the "long" part, she stretched her arms out front to back. For the "wide" part, she straddled her bunk bed top rail and her dresser with her legs. For the "deep" part, she bent down to touch her feet. For the "high" part, she stretched her arms in the air and touched the ceiling. I watched my beloved daughter bouncing around the room to act out this song. I just started laughing with joy! I thought how right she was. The love of Christ is worth getting excited about. The love of Christ should make us want to sing, dance, shout, and jump around!
However, many of us - even Christians - have not grasped it. In this passage from Ephesians, the Greek word for "grasp" is katalambano. It means "to lay hold of so as to make one's own, to obtain, attain to, to take into one's self; to seize upon, take possession of; to detect, catch; to lay hold of with the mind." It is the combination of two Greek words: kata and lambano. Kata simply means "down from, through out, according to, daily." Lambano means "to take, to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it; to take in order to carry away; without the notion of violence, i.e. to take what is one's own, to make one's own; to claim, of that which when taken is not let go, to seize, to receive (what is given), to gain, get, obtain, to get back."
I gave you the fullest of this definition so that it would bring to life for you the full meaning of grasping the love of Christ. You see, beloved, this love is for us to lay hold of and to take into our entire being. We need to claim this love completely. We need to receive it - daily. It is intended for us to make it our own, to use it, and to not let it go!
The most astonishing part is that we can know this love which surpasses all knowledge. This means that His love is bigger than our minds can handle. His love is mind-blowing. It is bigger than the human mind, the knowledge at the best university or medical research center. His love is immeasurable. It has no limits. It is a natural human tendency to be drawn to someone who greatly loves us. When we begin to grasp the vastness of His love, we are compelled to be near Him. We develop intimacy with God. We build a relationship and build a life together.
This love will carry you and me through the darkest points of our lives. When we feel alone, we cling to this love and know that He will be the faithful friend who will never leave us. When we are afraid, we trust in this love that is unchanging and will not fail us. When we are in pain, we hold on to this love that comforts us and heals us.
There is no pit deep enough that the love of Christ is not deeper. You cannot have wandered so far from God that the love of Christ cannot find you a long, long way from home. There is no breach wide enough that the love of Christ can't reach you. There are no giants high enough that the love of Christ is not higher still.
Before I had God, I searched for love in all the wrong places. I was lonely. Now I know that I just wanted Him. I realize that it was just a hole that I had in my life without Him. Now that He has filled this hole, I live completely different. I don't seek unconditional and unfailing love from my friends, family, and my husband. I don't expect from them what they can't give and what only God can give me. It releases them, and it has freed me.
Since I know what it was like to live without the love of Christ, I can now detect it in people. I recognize people, even Christians, who have not been filled with His love. People who have been filled with the love of Christ are not needy. They don't cling to others because they are clinging to God. They don't have guarded hearts to protect them from people hurt by others. They have already been accepted by the One who knows their every thought, word, and action - even before they do it! They have been filled so much with this staggering love that it overflows out of them and spills onto the people around them.
Oh, beloved, are you grasping His love yet? Are you letting it fill you? Are you letting it change your life? Is this truth tearing down the lies of the enemy? Are you demonstrating it so others can visibly see it? Let's commit for you and me to live a life that demonstrates this love just like Sophia does. Let's have a spirit that dances and sings for joy over this great love that we have!
Pray with me: Oh, Jesus, it is staggering how much You love us. We can't comprehend how big it is. It is hard for us to grasp the fullness of how much You love us, but help us to grasp more and more every day how wide, long, high, and deep is Your love. Then Holy Spirit, fill us with this love. We desire to know the truth about this love. This truth will set us free and make us sing and dance like Sophia does. Rid us of neediness. Free our loved ones from our unrealistic expectations. Help us to understand that only You can fill the deepest needs of our hearts.
You are all that we have ever wanted in our entire lives. We fellowship together. You talk with us. You enjoy us even more than we enjoy being with You. We can never outgive You even though we try to give You all of us. You seem to always give us more. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Near the Cross
Near the Cross
"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
John 19:25-27
I'm playing the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the Lexington Passion Play this year. To prepare for the role, I have read every Scripture about her, commentaries, books, and watched movies. So much about Mary is not recorded in God's Word and left to our imaginations. It has been my constant prayer for God to show me how to connect with Mary and to reveal to me her thoughts and feelings.
We know that she was the first to hear the voice of the Son of God, and she was one of the few who heard His last cries from the cross. She was only a young teenager when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that she had found favor with God, and the Holy Spirit would come upon her and give her a child.
We can imagine that when Jesus was a child, she probably saw Him meditate on Scripture or spend His time praying in the garden. She had probably wondered how Jesus would bring redemption to the Jewish people. How would the angel's words be fulfilled that "the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end" (Luke 1:32b-33)?
The day finally arrived when the Jewish people welcomed her Son into Jerusalem. Palm branches were waving, His Name was cried out, and garments were thrown down on the ground for Him to ride the donkey over. Perhaps after this excited day, she had heard her friends speculate what Jesus would do next. She might have heard or even seen Jesus' confrontations with the religious leaders who could not hide their contempt and hatred for her Son. In the play, I follow the disciples into Jerusalem as the crowd sings Hosanna to their King. I wonder what Mary thought about that day. Did she think that the moment was coming when Israel would repent and be delivered from the Roman oppression?
However, she was forced to watch the plan of God unfold in ways that she never imagined. We are left to wonder when she heard that Jesus was arrested in the garden. When did she first lay eyes on His battered and beaten face that she had once held in her hands so tenderly?
In the movie The Passion of the Christ, she is there hidden in the mob that demands Pilate to crucify Jesus. In the passion play, so am I. I feel the horror of Jesus' followers when Pilate brings out the beaten Jesus. I feel the confusion over why Peter, John, or even Jesus doesn't do something. The fear of the angry mob with clubs and the Roman soldiers with sharp swords comes over me. Mary Magdalene and I are bewildered that the same crowd that welcomed and celebrated his arrival to the city the week before is now against Him. I flinch at His scourging and cannot bear to hear the sound of the whip.
As hard as that is, it is even harder to be at the foot of the cross as "Jesus" is gasping for His last breaths. On His head is that nasty crown of thorns, and red "blood" runs down His body. As I cry openly from deep inside me, I hear moans that are coming from my own voice, and tears fill my eyes to the point where I can't see. Then Jesus rises up to take a breath and say, "It is finished." And with His last breath He says, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Then the ground shakes, and the veil is torn in two. That is when it happens. For these few moments through many plays, my heart is connected with Mary. My heart is pierced with the sword like Mary's was that day at the cross.
The disciple John was by Mary's side at the cross. Jesus knew what the future held for other possible candidates to take care of His mother. He knew the other disciples would be martyred, and John would live the longest. So He made provisions for her while He was dying.
In the play, John tries to console me at the cross. When the disciples come, he helps me to my feet as I grieve. The disciples take Jesus off the cross and pass John the crown of thorns. Their clothes and hands are covered with the blood. They carry Jesus' dead body to the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Somehow I stagger to follow them to the tomb. Through their tears and grief-stricken faces, each one of them hugs me.
I wonder every time whether Mary thought right up until the end that He would come off that cross or that God Himself would come down from heaven to save His Son. I realized that once again Mary was asked to endure shame. Word must have spread outside the family about the timing of Joseph taking Mary as a wife and the birth of Jesus. People most likely found out that He was conceived before the wedding ceremony. Her reputation was ruined, and she was the source of gossip for years to come. Now her Son died as the lowest of criminals on a Roman cross. People would have whispered about how her eldest Son was nothing but a blasphemer who deserved death. Yet, to Mary, He was her precious Son who had never done anything wrong. She always knew that He was the promised Messiah. However, she didn't know that He came to sacrifice His life until later. She could not have lived with the knowledge that her sweet baby boy would be nailed to the cross. Even though she didn't fully comprehend what was happening that day, she showed her deep love for Him by staying at His side, near the cross.
Pray with me: Oh, God, when we don't understand Your plan, give us the fortitude to stay near the cross no matter what. Lord, how beautiful of You to choose sweet Mary. She was so brave. How great that Your plan was not just to establish an earthly throne in Jerusalem in Israel for that was too small a thing, but it was to establish a throne in the hearts of men for Israel and for the world. Mary's hopes have come true in so many ways grander than she ever imagined. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It's in Your Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
John 19:25-27
I'm playing the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the Lexington Passion Play this year. To prepare for the role, I have read every Scripture about her, commentaries, books, and watched movies. So much about Mary is not recorded in God's Word and left to our imaginations. It has been my constant prayer for God to show me how to connect with Mary and to reveal to me her thoughts and feelings.
We know that she was the first to hear the voice of the Son of God, and she was one of the few who heard His last cries from the cross. She was only a young teenager when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that she had found favor with God, and the Holy Spirit would come upon her and give her a child.
We can imagine that when Jesus was a child, she probably saw Him meditate on Scripture or spend His time praying in the garden. She had probably wondered how Jesus would bring redemption to the Jewish people. How would the angel's words be fulfilled that "the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end" (Luke 1:32b-33)?
The day finally arrived when the Jewish people welcomed her Son into Jerusalem. Palm branches were waving, His Name was cried out, and garments were thrown down on the ground for Him to ride the donkey over. Perhaps after this excited day, she had heard her friends speculate what Jesus would do next. She might have heard or even seen Jesus' confrontations with the religious leaders who could not hide their contempt and hatred for her Son. In the play, I follow the disciples into Jerusalem as the crowd sings Hosanna to their King. I wonder what Mary thought about that day. Did she think that the moment was coming when Israel would repent and be delivered from the Roman oppression?
However, she was forced to watch the plan of God unfold in ways that she never imagined. We are left to wonder when she heard that Jesus was arrested in the garden. When did she first lay eyes on His battered and beaten face that she had once held in her hands so tenderly?
In the movie The Passion of the Christ, she is there hidden in the mob that demands Pilate to crucify Jesus. In the passion play, so am I. I feel the horror of Jesus' followers when Pilate brings out the beaten Jesus. I feel the confusion over why Peter, John, or even Jesus doesn't do something. The fear of the angry mob with clubs and the Roman soldiers with sharp swords comes over me. Mary Magdalene and I are bewildered that the same crowd that welcomed and celebrated his arrival to the city the week before is now against Him. I flinch at His scourging and cannot bear to hear the sound of the whip.
As hard as that is, it is even harder to be at the foot of the cross as "Jesus" is gasping for His last breaths. On His head is that nasty crown of thorns, and red "blood" runs down His body. As I cry openly from deep inside me, I hear moans that are coming from my own voice, and tears fill my eyes to the point where I can't see. Then Jesus rises up to take a breath and say, "It is finished." And with His last breath He says, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Then the ground shakes, and the veil is torn in two. That is when it happens. For these few moments through many plays, my heart is connected with Mary. My heart is pierced with the sword like Mary's was that day at the cross.
The disciple John was by Mary's side at the cross. Jesus knew what the future held for other possible candidates to take care of His mother. He knew the other disciples would be martyred, and John would live the longest. So He made provisions for her while He was dying.
In the play, John tries to console me at the cross. When the disciples come, he helps me to my feet as I grieve. The disciples take Jesus off the cross and pass John the crown of thorns. Their clothes and hands are covered with the blood. They carry Jesus' dead body to the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Somehow I stagger to follow them to the tomb. Through their tears and grief-stricken faces, each one of them hugs me.
I wonder every time whether Mary thought right up until the end that He would come off that cross or that God Himself would come down from heaven to save His Son. I realized that once again Mary was asked to endure shame. Word must have spread outside the family about the timing of Joseph taking Mary as a wife and the birth of Jesus. People most likely found out that He was conceived before the wedding ceremony. Her reputation was ruined, and she was the source of gossip for years to come. Now her Son died as the lowest of criminals on a Roman cross. People would have whispered about how her eldest Son was nothing but a blasphemer who deserved death. Yet, to Mary, He was her precious Son who had never done anything wrong. She always knew that He was the promised Messiah. However, she didn't know that He came to sacrifice His life until later. She could not have lived with the knowledge that her sweet baby boy would be nailed to the cross. Even though she didn't fully comprehend what was happening that day, she showed her deep love for Him by staying at His side, near the cross.
Pray with me: Oh, God, when we don't understand Your plan, give us the fortitude to stay near the cross no matter what. Lord, how beautiful of You to choose sweet Mary. She was so brave. How great that Your plan was not just to establish an earthly throne in Jerusalem in Israel for that was too small a thing, but it was to establish a throne in the hearts of men for Israel and for the world. Mary's hopes have come true in so many ways grander than she ever imagined. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It's in Your Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Empty Tomb
The Empty Tomb
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus."
Luke 24:1-3
After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Early on Sunday morning just after sunrise, they were making their way to the tomb where the men had buried Jesus. They asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" When they arrived, they learned that a strong man was not necessary. To their surprise, the stone was rolled away!
The irreversible was reserved. The unimaginable was reality. God's beloved Son, His one and only Son, was alive! The angels swooped down from the throne of heaven to roll away the stone.Not to let Him out but to let us in. His tomb is the only tourist attraction in the world where people line up to see nothing. The angels declared to the women the most glorious words of all time, "He is not here. He is risen." All of creation has longed for these words to ring out. You know what I love the most about my sister Linda's Orthodox Church? They greet each other with a holy kiss and these words: One says, "Christ is risen." The other replies, "Indeed, He is risen."
The prophecy in the Garden of Eden was fulfilled. The seed of a woman had crushed satan's head and delivered to him a final blow (Genesis 3:15). The evil one's power is stripped. Jesus rose from the grave, and the sting of death is gone.
Then, a young man dressed in a white robe who was sitting on the right side frightened them. Luke chapter 24 tells not just of the one angel that spoke, but that there were two angels whose clothes gleamed like lightning (verse 4). I think these ladies had a right to be a bit afraid and cling to each other.
We are told in Mark 16:6-7, the angel said, " 'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' ' " While they were still shaking and confused, the women fled from the tomb to find the men. They told the Eleven what they had seen, but the men did not believe them. Their words seemed like nonsense because it was so unbelievable!
By Jewish Law, women could not be official witnesses. Yet, God let them be His Son's witnesses - esteeming them and counting them as credible. The disciples did not believe them. It sounded like nonsense. They were not anticipating the resurrection. In Matthew 27:62-64, the chief priests and Pharisees remembered when they buried Jesus that He said, "After three days I will rise again." They were concerned the disciples would steal the body. As a result Pilate ordered the tomb to be made secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. Isn't it interesting that the religious leaders remembered Jesus' prophecy, but His followers didn't?
After hearing the women's news, Peter and John moved their feet into motion before they could rethink the news. They both had the same thought and took off running. They knew each other so well they didn't have to say a word. They must see the empty tomb. They ran down a trail they had scarcely noticed just three days ago when they were grieving. When they came to the tomb, Peter walked inside first. Jesus was not there. The body was gone, but the grave clothes remained like an empty cocoon - the cloth was even folded! God left the tomb tidy.
The seal was broken. The stone was rolled away. The body was missing. No stone, no seal, and no Roman guard could keep the Son of God in the grave. The religious leaders tried to do damage control. The soldiers were instructed to say they were asleep, and the disciples stole the body. If the soldiers had really fallen asleep, then their payment would have been death, not a large sum of money.
After the supernatural appearance of the angels at the tomb, Jesus made unglamorous appearances to ordinary people. He didn't appear in the heavens above Jerusalem for all to see. He didn't return to Pilate. He didn't appear to the Sanhedrin. He appeared to those who were His.The ones whom He loved. Hallelujah!
Pray with me: Oh, Almighty God, the tomb was empty! You rolled away that stone even though You knew the women could have found someone to roll away that stone. You rolled it away to let the light shine and show the world what You did! JESUS DIED, but then You exerted YOUR resurrection Power and seated Him at Your right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:20-21). It's in the Name of this King that we pray, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name. Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus."
Luke 24:1-3
After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Early on Sunday morning just after sunrise, they were making their way to the tomb where the men had buried Jesus. They asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" When they arrived, they learned that a strong man was not necessary. To their surprise, the stone was rolled away!
The irreversible was reserved. The unimaginable was reality. God's beloved Son, His one and only Son, was alive! The angels swooped down from the throne of heaven to roll away the stone.Not to let Him out but to let us in. His tomb is the only tourist attraction in the world where people line up to see nothing. The angels declared to the women the most glorious words of all time, "He is not here. He is risen." All of creation has longed for these words to ring out. You know what I love the most about my sister Linda's Orthodox Church? They greet each other with a holy kiss and these words: One says, "Christ is risen." The other replies, "Indeed, He is risen."
The prophecy in the Garden of Eden was fulfilled. The seed of a woman had crushed satan's head and delivered to him a final blow (Genesis 3:15). The evil one's power is stripped. Jesus rose from the grave, and the sting of death is gone.
Then, a young man dressed in a white robe who was sitting on the right side frightened them. Luke chapter 24 tells not just of the one angel that spoke, but that there were two angels whose clothes gleamed like lightning (verse 4). I think these ladies had a right to be a bit afraid and cling to each other.
We are told in Mark 16:6-7, the angel said, " 'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' ' " While they were still shaking and confused, the women fled from the tomb to find the men. They told the Eleven what they had seen, but the men did not believe them. Their words seemed like nonsense because it was so unbelievable!
By Jewish Law, women could not be official witnesses. Yet, God let them be His Son's witnesses - esteeming them and counting them as credible. The disciples did not believe them. It sounded like nonsense. They were not anticipating the resurrection. In Matthew 27:62-64, the chief priests and Pharisees remembered when they buried Jesus that He said, "After three days I will rise again." They were concerned the disciples would steal the body. As a result Pilate ordered the tomb to be made secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. Isn't it interesting that the religious leaders remembered Jesus' prophecy, but His followers didn't?
After hearing the women's news, Peter and John moved their feet into motion before they could rethink the news. They both had the same thought and took off running. They knew each other so well they didn't have to say a word. They must see the empty tomb. They ran down a trail they had scarcely noticed just three days ago when they were grieving. When they came to the tomb, Peter walked inside first. Jesus was not there. The body was gone, but the grave clothes remained like an empty cocoon - the cloth was even folded! God left the tomb tidy.
The seal was broken. The stone was rolled away. The body was missing. No stone, no seal, and no Roman guard could keep the Son of God in the grave. The religious leaders tried to do damage control. The soldiers were instructed to say they were asleep, and the disciples stole the body. If the soldiers had really fallen asleep, then their payment would have been death, not a large sum of money.
After the supernatural appearance of the angels at the tomb, Jesus made unglamorous appearances to ordinary people. He didn't appear in the heavens above Jerusalem for all to see. He didn't return to Pilate. He didn't appear to the Sanhedrin. He appeared to those who were His.The ones whom He loved. Hallelujah!
Pray with me: Oh, Almighty God, the tomb was empty! You rolled away that stone even though You knew the women could have found someone to roll away that stone. You rolled it away to let the light shine and show the world what You did! JESUS DIED, but then You exerted YOUR resurrection Power and seated Him at Your right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:20-21). It's in the Name of this King that we pray, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name. Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Other Criminal
The Other Criminal
"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!'
But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.'
Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'
Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.' "
Luke 23:39-43
Jesus was crucified with two thieves fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12, "He was numbered with the transgressors." Jesus died with the criminals and was counted as one of them. He was identified and regarded as a criminal. Scripture does not tell us these criminals' specific crimes, but Mark 15:27 describes them as robbers. It merely tells us about their last day on earth and leaves us to wonder about their lives before this day.
Just like Jesus, both criminals carried their crosses on their backs from the prison through Jerusalem streets to the hill called Golgotha. Just like Jesus, both men were in a horrible state of torment. Both the condemned men saw how the crowd snarled at Jesus, threw rocks at Him, and spat at Him. Unlike Jesus, they took the wine mingled with myrrh offered by the soldiers to deaden some of the pain of crucifixion.
In only four recorded verses in God's Holy Word, we see that one of the two thieves was different from the other. Scripture simply calls him "the other criminal." He saw no fear in Jesus' face and no accusation. He could feel Jesus' sorrow.
He saw the soldiers' cruelty that took the spirit of Jesus' followers. He saw the religious leaders with their arms folded. He heard the rulers sneering at Jesus, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One" (Luke 23:35). He heard the soldiers mocking Him and saying, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself" (Luke 23:36). He heard the women weeping at a distance in an eerie tone. When he heard the other thief join in hurling insults by saying, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us," he could no longer keep silent. Although he, too, was struggling for every breath, he rebuked the insulting criminal. He knew that both of them were getting exactly what they deserved for the crimes they had committed. He knew that Jesus had done nothing wrong. He saw the injustice. Jesus had never spoken one word that was untrue nor had He ever hurt anyone like they had.
Then gasping for more breath to get out the words of faith that saved his life as he was dying, he declared words of faith in Jesus. I find it very interesting that the darkness had not yet come over the land when the thief professes his belief in Jesus. The Roman centurion had not declared yet, "Surely, this was the Son of God." Jesus had not yet risen from the grave. There were still extraordinary things to behold; yet, from what he had seen, it was enough for the thief to believe in Jesus.
He also believed in Jesus when it appeared to others that Jesus was helpless to save Himself and completely unable to save another. He turned to someone whose hair was matted with blood and beard was ripped out by its roots. His body and face were beaten until unrecognizable. At the apparent worst moment of Jesus' entire time on this planet, when He was dying and not looking like the promised Messiah, this robber said to Jesus in humility and belief "remember me."
The thief only gives us one clue in his words as to what was at the root of why he was able to believe in Jesus. Remember his first words to the unrepentant thief. He wondered why he was lashing out to Jesus and rebuked him by saying, "Don't you fear God." There it is. There is the difference between the two men. This one feared GOD! He had not faced the final Judge yet. He was afraid to stand before the Holy God.
Because of his faith in Jesus at his dying breath, this "other criminal" is in heaven today with God! He didn't have to perform a single good deed to inherit eternal life. He simply is there because he believed that Jesus was the King. He would come with Jesus into that kingdom that very day! Oh, precious one, we don't have to strive to get to heaven on our own power or our own works. We simply have to believe that Jesus is the KING! May His kingdom come on earth! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Pray with me: Oh, God, You are the God of Grace. It doesn't matter how sinful we have been, if we come to You in faith of who Jesus is and entrust our lives to You, then You accept us into Your kingdom. You throw Your arms open to us and usher us into the kingdom. Praise You!
Thank You for this criminal who knew that Jesus was not like them. Help me to have his courageous faith. Help me to defy those who stand against You. Help me to have a healthy fear of You and remember that You are the final Judge that one day we will all stand before You. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, I pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!'
But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.'
Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'
Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.' "
Luke 23:39-43
Jesus was crucified with two thieves fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12, "He was numbered with the transgressors." Jesus died with the criminals and was counted as one of them. He was identified and regarded as a criminal. Scripture does not tell us these criminals' specific crimes, but Mark 15:27 describes them as robbers. It merely tells us about their last day on earth and leaves us to wonder about their lives before this day.
Just like Jesus, both criminals carried their crosses on their backs from the prison through Jerusalem streets to the hill called Golgotha. Just like Jesus, both men were in a horrible state of torment. Both the condemned men saw how the crowd snarled at Jesus, threw rocks at Him, and spat at Him. Unlike Jesus, they took the wine mingled with myrrh offered by the soldiers to deaden some of the pain of crucifixion.
In only four recorded verses in God's Holy Word, we see that one of the two thieves was different from the other. Scripture simply calls him "the other criminal." He saw no fear in Jesus' face and no accusation. He could feel Jesus' sorrow.
He saw the soldiers' cruelty that took the spirit of Jesus' followers. He saw the religious leaders with their arms folded. He heard the rulers sneering at Jesus, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One" (Luke 23:35). He heard the soldiers mocking Him and saying, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself" (Luke 23:36). He heard the women weeping at a distance in an eerie tone. When he heard the other thief join in hurling insults by saying, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us," he could no longer keep silent. Although he, too, was struggling for every breath, he rebuked the insulting criminal. He knew that both of them were getting exactly what they deserved for the crimes they had committed. He knew that Jesus had done nothing wrong. He saw the injustice. Jesus had never spoken one word that was untrue nor had He ever hurt anyone like they had.
Then gasping for more breath to get out the words of faith that saved his life as he was dying, he declared words of faith in Jesus. I find it very interesting that the darkness had not yet come over the land when the thief professes his belief in Jesus. The Roman centurion had not declared yet, "Surely, this was the Son of God." Jesus had not yet risen from the grave. There were still extraordinary things to behold; yet, from what he had seen, it was enough for the thief to believe in Jesus.
He also believed in Jesus when it appeared to others that Jesus was helpless to save Himself and completely unable to save another. He turned to someone whose hair was matted with blood and beard was ripped out by its roots. His body and face were beaten until unrecognizable. At the apparent worst moment of Jesus' entire time on this planet, when He was dying and not looking like the promised Messiah, this robber said to Jesus in humility and belief "remember me."
The thief only gives us one clue in his words as to what was at the root of why he was able to believe in Jesus. Remember his first words to the unrepentant thief. He wondered why he was lashing out to Jesus and rebuked him by saying, "Don't you fear God." There it is. There is the difference between the two men. This one feared GOD! He had not faced the final Judge yet. He was afraid to stand before the Holy God.
Because of his faith in Jesus at his dying breath, this "other criminal" is in heaven today with God! He didn't have to perform a single good deed to inherit eternal life. He simply is there because he believed that Jesus was the King. He would come with Jesus into that kingdom that very day! Oh, precious one, we don't have to strive to get to heaven on our own power or our own works. We simply have to believe that Jesus is the KING! May His kingdom come on earth! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Pray with me: Oh, God, You are the God of Grace. It doesn't matter how sinful we have been, if we come to You in faith of who Jesus is and entrust our lives to You, then You accept us into Your kingdom. You throw Your arms open to us and usher us into the kingdom. Praise You!
Thank You for this criminal who knew that Jesus was not like them. Help me to have his courageous faith. Help me to defy those who stand against You. Help me to have a healthy fear of You and remember that You are the final Judge that one day we will all stand before You. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, I pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Cry of Forgiveness
Cry of Forgiveness
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Luke 23:34
Jesus’ first cry from the cross was, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24). He was laying down His divine authority and identifying with our humanity because of His great love for you, me, and all mankind. The Son of God was being sacrificed as the Lamb of God.
His pain was so excruciating that it was enough to make any man pass out. Yet, when every nerve ending was screaming in His body, when His flesh was opened, and when the pain was at the fiercest after being beaten and walking through the city of Jerusalem, what did He do? He prayed for the forgiveness of His executioners. He prayed for both the ones physically crucifying Him and the ones in power who called for it or ordered it.
Pilate was so weak that he gave into the crowd’s prevailing cries to crucify Him even though he “found in him no grounds for the death penalty” (Luke 23:22). Judas, who knew the place where His Master and Friend would be that night, betrayed Him with a kiss. The guards spat at Him, blindfolded Him, mocked Him by shouting “prophesy,” struck Him with their fists, and beat Him (Mark 14:65). The chief priests and Sanhedrin, in their search for a way to put Him to death, brought in many who testified falsely against Him, but their statements would not agree (Mark 14:59).
All of these people knew what they were doing was not right. Yet, they were led by their desires for money, peace, or their position of power and standing amongst the people that they played a role in killing the Son of the Living God. There is no greater offense than this! While they knew they were not earning a medal for righteous behavior that day, they had no idea of the expanse of the horror they had committed. They didn’t understand the atrocity. They didn’t see Jesus as Messiah or believe Him to be the Son of God. He was just a troublemaker of whom they must dispose.
Paul talks about how they didn’t grasp the atrocity that they were committing in 1 Corinthians 2:8, “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” They would not have touched the Lord of glory if they knew who He really was. At Pentecost, Peter also told the crowd gathered for the feast - which probably contained many of the people who had been there at Passover time, too - in Acts 3:13-15, 17 what they did. He said, “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this…Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.”
The Prince had slipped out of His palace and masqueraded as a common man to identify with man in every way. These people did not know that by Him all things were created and without Him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3). They didn’t know that He was the One who had given them life and that He was the Author of life. He had every right to use His sword, His mouth, and chop off their heads. Yet, He didn’t. He didn’t have to be restrained by the Father. He exhibited the mercy of His Father. The Lord of glory forgave His killers of their wickedness and role in His death while He was dying. It makes me want to respond in worship when I see how He forgave them.
It makes me wonder when you and I are willing to forgive someone. A new friend and I were talking about forgiveness. We connected very quickly since we are sisters in Christ and both soccer moms. She shared about being divorced for over 10 years now, but she still needed to forgive her ex-husband. I told her that there may be layers to our pain that we have to work through, and forgiveness may be a process. This is why Jesus said to forgive 70 x 7 times. We are to forgive as many times as it takes until we are different. And always, always remember that when we forgive, it does not have the same power as God’s forgiveness to purify someone from his sins and wash him white as snow. When we forgive, we do just like Jesus did. In 1 Peter 2:23, Peter says, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” We entrust our situation with the person who has wronged us, whether he wants forgiveness or not, to the one who judges justly. God was on the throne that day when he committed the sin and every day since when he had a chance to come to Him. At some point, whether he wants to or not, he will come before our Father, the Judge. This knowledge and His power release us from holding onto any grudge.
What about you, beloved? Who do you need to forgive? Is there a grudge or bitterness that you are still wearing? Our faces show it whether we want to accept it or not. Ask the God, who forgives and empowers us to forgive, to move on your heart so that you can forgive whoever has wronged you.
Pray with me: Oh, God, so many of us are holding grudges and living in bitterness. We bring You our wounds from the people who treated us wrongly or maybe didn’t treat us in the manner that we wanted. We are in bondage to the people whom we cannot forgive. They bring out the worst in us and can make us look like fools instead of like Christ.
Praise You, Jesus, that Your own death made it possible for these sinners, for us, and for every person who has every lived to receive the forgiveness of God. You set the example for us so that we can forgive some very horrid things, too. We cry out to You! Move on our hearts and empower us through the Holy Spirit so we can forgive those whom we need to forgive and release and entrust them to You because You judge justly. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Luke 23:34
Jesus’ first cry from the cross was, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24). He was laying down His divine authority and identifying with our humanity because of His great love for you, me, and all mankind. The Son of God was being sacrificed as the Lamb of God.
His pain was so excruciating that it was enough to make any man pass out. Yet, when every nerve ending was screaming in His body, when His flesh was opened, and when the pain was at the fiercest after being beaten and walking through the city of Jerusalem, what did He do? He prayed for the forgiveness of His executioners. He prayed for both the ones physically crucifying Him and the ones in power who called for it or ordered it.
Pilate was so weak that he gave into the crowd’s prevailing cries to crucify Him even though he “found in him no grounds for the death penalty” (Luke 23:22). Judas, who knew the place where His Master and Friend would be that night, betrayed Him with a kiss. The guards spat at Him, blindfolded Him, mocked Him by shouting “prophesy,” struck Him with their fists, and beat Him (Mark 14:65). The chief priests and Sanhedrin, in their search for a way to put Him to death, brought in many who testified falsely against Him, but their statements would not agree (Mark 14:59).
All of these people knew what they were doing was not right. Yet, they were led by their desires for money, peace, or their position of power and standing amongst the people that they played a role in killing the Son of the Living God. There is no greater offense than this! While they knew they were not earning a medal for righteous behavior that day, they had no idea of the expanse of the horror they had committed. They didn’t understand the atrocity. They didn’t see Jesus as Messiah or believe Him to be the Son of God. He was just a troublemaker of whom they must dispose.
Paul talks about how they didn’t grasp the atrocity that they were committing in 1 Corinthians 2:8, “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” They would not have touched the Lord of glory if they knew who He really was. At Pentecost, Peter also told the crowd gathered for the feast - which probably contained many of the people who had been there at Passover time, too - in Acts 3:13-15, 17 what they did. He said, “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this…Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.”
The Prince had slipped out of His palace and masqueraded as a common man to identify with man in every way. These people did not know that by Him all things were created and without Him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3). They didn’t know that He was the One who had given them life and that He was the Author of life. He had every right to use His sword, His mouth, and chop off their heads. Yet, He didn’t. He didn’t have to be restrained by the Father. He exhibited the mercy of His Father. The Lord of glory forgave His killers of their wickedness and role in His death while He was dying. It makes me want to respond in worship when I see how He forgave them.
It makes me wonder when you and I are willing to forgive someone. A new friend and I were talking about forgiveness. We connected very quickly since we are sisters in Christ and both soccer moms. She shared about being divorced for over 10 years now, but she still needed to forgive her ex-husband. I told her that there may be layers to our pain that we have to work through, and forgiveness may be a process. This is why Jesus said to forgive 70 x 7 times. We are to forgive as many times as it takes until we are different. And always, always remember that when we forgive, it does not have the same power as God’s forgiveness to purify someone from his sins and wash him white as snow. When we forgive, we do just like Jesus did. In 1 Peter 2:23, Peter says, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” We entrust our situation with the person who has wronged us, whether he wants forgiveness or not, to the one who judges justly. God was on the throne that day when he committed the sin and every day since when he had a chance to come to Him. At some point, whether he wants to or not, he will come before our Father, the Judge. This knowledge and His power release us from holding onto any grudge.
What about you, beloved? Who do you need to forgive? Is there a grudge or bitterness that you are still wearing? Our faces show it whether we want to accept it or not. Ask the God, who forgives and empowers us to forgive, to move on your heart so that you can forgive whoever has wronged you.
Pray with me: Oh, God, so many of us are holding grudges and living in bitterness. We bring You our wounds from the people who treated us wrongly or maybe didn’t treat us in the manner that we wanted. We are in bondage to the people whom we cannot forgive. They bring out the worst in us and can make us look like fools instead of like Christ.
Praise You, Jesus, that Your own death made it possible for these sinners, for us, and for every person who has every lived to receive the forgiveness of God. You set the example for us so that we can forgive some very horrid things, too. We cry out to You! Move on our hearts and empower us through the Holy Spirit so we can forgive those whom we need to forgive and release and entrust them to You because You judge justly. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
Friday, April 3, 2009
A Cowardly Ruler
A Cowardly Ruler
“ ‘Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?’ asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.”
Mark 15:9-10
The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead. They could not kill Jesus so they dragged Him to the Roman ruler Pilate. Luke 23:2 says of the leaders “And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.’ ”
Pilate said he found no basis of a charge against Jesus. Although Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, he didn’t have the courage or the character to release Him. He knew that Jesus was no revolutionary leader or Zealot. He knew that the Rabbi before him was unlikely to lead a revolt. He knew the Sanhedrin’s charges were weak.
However, the religious leaders insisted by saying in verse 5, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." They pressured him with a threat of riot. A riot might have him removed from his post. Or they could file a formal complaint against him which would also jeopardize his leadership position. He already had been discarded to this outpost. He could be recalled to Rome, removed from his position, or even be put to death for inept leadership. So he delayed the decision and sent Jesus to Herod to handle this Galilean.
Herod was in Jerusalem for Passover. This is the same Herod who had killed John the Baptist for his dear wife’s party entertainment. Since Herod had refused to hear the truth of John’s message, the window of opportunity was closed for him to hear Jesus. Jesus’ ability to see into Herod’s hard heart was not weakened by His pain. He knew that Herod merely wanted a miracle as one would desire a circus performance. Herod was interested only in a magic exhibition and had no interest in the things of God. Since Jesus would not do what he wanted, Herod let his men taunt, mock, and beat Him.
Both Herod and Pilate were cowards who could not make a tough decision. Neither man had the courage to do the right thing.
When Jesus returned, Pilate asked Him some questions inside his palace - twice. He asked Him, “What have You done?”, “Are you King of the Jews?”, and “What is truth?” Jesus answered them, but it was not enough for Pilate to release Him although it intrigued him. In between the questionings, Pilate let his soldiers flog Jesus and place a crown of thorns on His head that scraped His skull. They stripped Him and beat His bare upper body while He was bound. Pilate thought this was a humane alternative to crucifixion. The questioning and even the flogging are filled with signs that Pilate looked for every reason and every chance to release Jesus. He wanted Jesus to speak up and defend Himself. He said to Jesus, “Don’t you realize that I have the power either to free you or to crucify you?” My paraphrase of Jesus’ answer, “Actually no, you don’t. God has only given you limited power.”
I wonder if the heavenly hosts turned to the Father at this point looking for a signal to swoop in and save the Son of God. They knew Jesus was the One with the real power, and Pilate had limited power. Jesus could command that He be set free any time. However, they didn’t know exactly what the Father and the Son were doing.
Pilate was convinced that Jesus should be freed. He tried to speak to the Jews again. In Mark 15:9-10, the Jews who despised Roman rule were filled with so much envy of Jesus that if Pilate let Him go, then he would be recognized as no friend to Caesar. Their final appeal was to declare allegiance to Rome.
Matthew 27:19 says that Pilate sat down on the judge’s seat known as the Stone Pavement to proclaim judgment on Christ. How interesting! The human judge condemns the Ultimate Final Judge. Someday the roles will be reversed as Christ sits on His judgment seat, and God sits in judgment at His great white throne.
Matthew 27:19 tells us, “While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’ " His wife warned him to not hurt Jesus, but Pilate was not strong enough to listen to her warning.
In order to prevent this powder keg from exploding, Pilate gave in to the mob. Since he did not know truth, he couldn’t do what was right. He had no courage in his moment of crisis. He declared that he was innocent of Jesus’ blood. The Jews replied, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25) How tragic that the Jews as a nation never accepted their Messiah. However, we know from reading Zechariah 12:10 that ultimately they will accept Him as their Messiah. If only they had let Christ’s blood cover their sins instead of accepting responsibility for His blood being shed.
Barabbas was on death row for his rebellion against Rome. Barabbas was a murderer and insurrectionist. He deserved to die. Jesus, who had done nothing, died in his place just as He died in your place and my place. We were destined to die in our sins, but Jesus took our punishment for us, and we are redeemed!
Pray with me: Oh, God, thank You! We were on death row and deserved to die. Then Jesus who had done NOTHING wrong stepped into Barabbas’ place and our place and died for every person. Praise You, Jesus! Thank You for allowing Pilate to sit in judgment of You when You had every right to judge him. Thank You for not showing Pilate that You were the one with the power that night and letting everything go as You and Your Father planned. It’s in Your mighty Name we pray, Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study, Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
“ ‘Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?’ asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.”
Mark 15:9-10
The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead. They could not kill Jesus so they dragged Him to the Roman ruler Pilate. Luke 23:2 says of the leaders “And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.’ ”
Pilate said he found no basis of a charge against Jesus. Although Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, he didn’t have the courage or the character to release Him. He knew that Jesus was no revolutionary leader or Zealot. He knew that the Rabbi before him was unlikely to lead a revolt. He knew the Sanhedrin’s charges were weak.
However, the religious leaders insisted by saying in verse 5, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." They pressured him with a threat of riot. A riot might have him removed from his post. Or they could file a formal complaint against him which would also jeopardize his leadership position. He already had been discarded to this outpost. He could be recalled to Rome, removed from his position, or even be put to death for inept leadership. So he delayed the decision and sent Jesus to Herod to handle this Galilean.
Herod was in Jerusalem for Passover. This is the same Herod who had killed John the Baptist for his dear wife’s party entertainment. Since Herod had refused to hear the truth of John’s message, the window of opportunity was closed for him to hear Jesus. Jesus’ ability to see into Herod’s hard heart was not weakened by His pain. He knew that Herod merely wanted a miracle as one would desire a circus performance. Herod was interested only in a magic exhibition and had no interest in the things of God. Since Jesus would not do what he wanted, Herod let his men taunt, mock, and beat Him.
Both Herod and Pilate were cowards who could not make a tough decision. Neither man had the courage to do the right thing.
When Jesus returned, Pilate asked Him some questions inside his palace - twice. He asked Him, “What have You done?”, “Are you King of the Jews?”, and “What is truth?” Jesus answered them, but it was not enough for Pilate to release Him although it intrigued him. In between the questionings, Pilate let his soldiers flog Jesus and place a crown of thorns on His head that scraped His skull. They stripped Him and beat His bare upper body while He was bound. Pilate thought this was a humane alternative to crucifixion. The questioning and even the flogging are filled with signs that Pilate looked for every reason and every chance to release Jesus. He wanted Jesus to speak up and defend Himself. He said to Jesus, “Don’t you realize that I have the power either to free you or to crucify you?” My paraphrase of Jesus’ answer, “Actually no, you don’t. God has only given you limited power.”
I wonder if the heavenly hosts turned to the Father at this point looking for a signal to swoop in and save the Son of God. They knew Jesus was the One with the real power, and Pilate had limited power. Jesus could command that He be set free any time. However, they didn’t know exactly what the Father and the Son were doing.
Pilate was convinced that Jesus should be freed. He tried to speak to the Jews again. In Mark 15:9-10, the Jews who despised Roman rule were filled with so much envy of Jesus that if Pilate let Him go, then he would be recognized as no friend to Caesar. Their final appeal was to declare allegiance to Rome.
Matthew 27:19 says that Pilate sat down on the judge’s seat known as the Stone Pavement to proclaim judgment on Christ. How interesting! The human judge condemns the Ultimate Final Judge. Someday the roles will be reversed as Christ sits on His judgment seat, and God sits in judgment at His great white throne.
Matthew 27:19 tells us, “While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’ " His wife warned him to not hurt Jesus, but Pilate was not strong enough to listen to her warning.
In order to prevent this powder keg from exploding, Pilate gave in to the mob. Since he did not know truth, he couldn’t do what was right. He had no courage in his moment of crisis. He declared that he was innocent of Jesus’ blood. The Jews replied, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25) How tragic that the Jews as a nation never accepted their Messiah. However, we know from reading Zechariah 12:10 that ultimately they will accept Him as their Messiah. If only they had let Christ’s blood cover their sins instead of accepting responsibility for His blood being shed.
Barabbas was on death row for his rebellion against Rome. Barabbas was a murderer and insurrectionist. He deserved to die. Jesus, who had done nothing, died in his place just as He died in your place and my place. We were destined to die in our sins, but Jesus took our punishment for us, and we are redeemed!
Pray with me: Oh, God, thank You! We were on death row and deserved to die. Then Jesus who had done NOTHING wrong stepped into Barabbas’ place and our place and died for every person. Praise You, Jesus! Thank You for allowing Pilate to sit in judgment of You when You had every right to judge him. Thank You for not showing Pilate that You were the one with the power that night and letting everything go as You and Your Father planned. It’s in Your mighty Name we pray, Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study, Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
Thursday, April 2, 2009
They Fell Down
They Fell Down
“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’
‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.
‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”
John 18:4-6
Jesus had been praying all night long in the Garden of Gethsemane. He poured out His anguished heart to His Father. When Judas led the detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees to Jesus, He knew all that was going to happen to Him. He went out and asked them who they wanted. With torches and weapons in their hands, they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Even though Jesus was in so much agony before the soldiers arrived, when He replied “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. The presence of the mighty Son of God knocked them down. His deity and might was not diminished by His sorrow. In fact, the power of His presence seems to be even stronger than normal. Perhaps it is because of His intensity. Additionally, there was a hidden power in His words that is revealed when one studies the original text. In the statement, “I am He,” the word “He” was added to make it proper English in the NIV version.
God says in Exodus 3:14-15 that He would be remembered throughout all the generations by the Name “I AM.” The Great I AM…Yahweh…The most glorious, sacred name of God…The name that the Hebrews would not say. Every time a scribe had to write it, he would remove his dirty clothes, take a bath, and put on clean clothes. He would pick up a new pen, write it, and then throw it away. “Yahweh” means ”the self-existent One.” God is saying, “I have always been, and I will always be.” He doesn’t change because He doesn’t need changing! There are no improvements to be made in Him. He is all we will ever need. When Jesus said this sacred and yet powerful name – I AM – the mob’s knees buckled over the power of the declaration.
Peter was probably aiming for the neck of the servant who saw the sword coming and tilted his head away just in time. Only his ear was cut off. The angry throng heard the Man they had come to arrest rebuke His loyal follower for coming to His defense. Jesus was determined to drink the cup that His Father had given Him (Luke 22:42).
The chief priests and solders who accused this man saw Him touch Malchus’ face. The ear was healed at once. They knew He was no ordinary man. They knew what the people were saying had some truth, but they didn’t care. They didn’t read His Miranda rights to Him or gently place the handcuffs on His wrists. No, it was closer to something that would spring a lawsuit for police brutality today. They slapped the ropes or chains on Him. Little did they understand that at any moment Jesus could break the ropes that bound Him, and they would fall to the ground. He could walk away. He let them bind Him. It was only the beginning of the pain that Jesus would feel this day.
Our beloved, forgiving, merciful Savior submitted Himself to the will of the Father. Because He was committed to His Father’s plan, Jesus let the soldiers seize Him and march Him off. No one knew that Jesus was actually the winner at this point. It looked pretty dismal. He laid down His power that made His accusers fall to the ground. He used His power only to heal one who was seeking to harm Him.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, Jesus was headed for the crown and the throne through the cross. At this seemingly dark point, only the Father knew that Jesus was the Champion who was taking the walk to become the Title Holder of Redeemer and King of Kings. He was walking toward victory. He endured the cross and this agony because of the joy set before Him when He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God having redeemed us. He did it all because of His great love for His Father, for you, and for me! Hallelujah!
Pray with me: Oh, Jesus, Your strength and restraint is amazing! Just Your words alone made mere men fall to their feet. Just Your tongue makes them fall to the ground. They did not realize whom they were coming to harm and to arrest. Gosh, we can’t begin to grasp the fullness of Your power. You are the Great I AM! You have always been, always are, and always will be. You are in control of our lives through every seemingly dark point. Enable us to submit to the Father’s will and take the walk of champions and bring victory to the family. It’s in Your Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study,
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’
‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.
‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”
John 18:4-6
Jesus had been praying all night long in the Garden of Gethsemane. He poured out His anguished heart to His Father. When Judas led the detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees to Jesus, He knew all that was going to happen to Him. He went out and asked them who they wanted. With torches and weapons in their hands, they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Even though Jesus was in so much agony before the soldiers arrived, when He replied “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. The presence of the mighty Son of God knocked them down. His deity and might was not diminished by His sorrow. In fact, the power of His presence seems to be even stronger than normal. Perhaps it is because of His intensity. Additionally, there was a hidden power in His words that is revealed when one studies the original text. In the statement, “I am He,” the word “He” was added to make it proper English in the NIV version.
God says in Exodus 3:14-15 that He would be remembered throughout all the generations by the Name “I AM.” The Great I AM…Yahweh…The most glorious, sacred name of God…The name that the Hebrews would not say. Every time a scribe had to write it, he would remove his dirty clothes, take a bath, and put on clean clothes. He would pick up a new pen, write it, and then throw it away. “Yahweh” means ”the self-existent One.” God is saying, “I have always been, and I will always be.” He doesn’t change because He doesn’t need changing! There are no improvements to be made in Him. He is all we will ever need. When Jesus said this sacred and yet powerful name – I AM – the mob’s knees buckled over the power of the declaration.
Peter was probably aiming for the neck of the servant who saw the sword coming and tilted his head away just in time. Only his ear was cut off. The angry throng heard the Man they had come to arrest rebuke His loyal follower for coming to His defense. Jesus was determined to drink the cup that His Father had given Him (Luke 22:42).
The chief priests and solders who accused this man saw Him touch Malchus’ face. The ear was healed at once. They knew He was no ordinary man. They knew what the people were saying had some truth, but they didn’t care. They didn’t read His Miranda rights to Him or gently place the handcuffs on His wrists. No, it was closer to something that would spring a lawsuit for police brutality today. They slapped the ropes or chains on Him. Little did they understand that at any moment Jesus could break the ropes that bound Him, and they would fall to the ground. He could walk away. He let them bind Him. It was only the beginning of the pain that Jesus would feel this day.
Our beloved, forgiving, merciful Savior submitted Himself to the will of the Father. Because He was committed to His Father’s plan, Jesus let the soldiers seize Him and march Him off. No one knew that Jesus was actually the winner at this point. It looked pretty dismal. He laid down His power that made His accusers fall to the ground. He used His power only to heal one who was seeking to harm Him.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, Jesus was headed for the crown and the throne through the cross. At this seemingly dark point, only the Father knew that Jesus was the Champion who was taking the walk to become the Title Holder of Redeemer and King of Kings. He was walking toward victory. He endured the cross and this agony because of the joy set before Him when He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God having redeemed us. He did it all because of His great love for His Father, for you, and for me! Hallelujah!
Pray with me: Oh, Jesus, Your strength and restraint is amazing! Just Your words alone made mere men fall to their feet. Just Your tongue makes them fall to the ground. They did not realize whom they were coming to harm and to arrest. Gosh, we can’t begin to grasp the fullness of Your power. You are the Great I AM! You have always been, always are, and always will be. You are in control of our lives through every seemingly dark point. Enable us to submit to the Father’s will and take the walk of champions and bring victory to the family. It’s in Your Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study,
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
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