"Father, Forgive Them"by Max Lucado The dialogue that Friday morning was bitter.
From the onlookers, “Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!”
From the religious leaders, “He saved others but he can’t save himself.”
From the soldiers, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
Bitter words. Acidic with sarcasm. Hateful. Irreverent. Wasn’t it enough that he was being crucified? Wasn’t it enough that he was being shamed as a criminal? Were the nails insufficient? Was the crown of thorns too soft? Had the flogging been too short?
For some, apparently so...
Of all the scenes around the cross, this one angers me the most. What kind of people, I ask myself, would mock a dying man? Who would be so base as to pour the salt of scorn upon open wounds? How low and perverted to sneer at one who is laced with pain…
The words thrown that day were meant to wound. And there is nothing more painful than words meant to hurt…
If you have suffered or are suffering because of someone else’s words, you’ll be glad to know that there is a balm for this laceration. Meditate on these words from 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV):
“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.”
Did you see what Jesus did not do? He did not retaliate. He did not bite back. He did not say, “I’ll get you!” “Come on up here and say that to my face!” “Just wait until after the resurrection, buddy!” No, these statements were not found on Christ’s lips.
The Day That Death Died - by Greg Laurie -
Wisdom’s Benefit Package
Proverbs 2
When someone applies for a job, a common question is: “What does the benefit package include?” Since the world’s advice about how to have a good life is in sharp contrast to what the Bible recommends, we might want to consider asking a similar question about the value of living according to God’s wisdom: What are the benefits? In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Scriptures?
Godly understanding and protection don’t become ours simply because we want them. Such benefits come to people who diligently seek divine wisdom. If you receive the wordsof Scripture and let them fill your heart and mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to you and give you His discernment.
Prosperity Versus Contentment
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
In this day of Madison Avenue sales pressures and an ever-increasing array of technological gadgets and creature comforts, the Christian virtue of contentment is a rare commodity. There is even a widespread error among born-again Christians that material prosperity is a token of spirituality and divine approval on an affluent lifestyle.
Instead of a blessing, however, such affluence (if it comes) should be regarded as a testing, for Jesus said: “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48).
Paul was perhaps the most faithful and fruitful Christian who ever lived, yet he died penniless in a Roman dungeon. His own testimony concerning material possessions and standards of living was this: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12).
In the context of our key verse above, the apostle Paul has actually been warning young pastor Timothy against the influence of those who suppose, among other things, “that gain is godliness,” and who think that their material prosperity is proof of their spiritual prosperity. “From such” says Paul, “withdraw thyself” (1 Timothy 6:5). Material gain in no way either produces or denotes godliness; rather, godliness itself is the gain, if accompanied by contentment in Christ (otherwise, of course, it is not true godliness)! Even the most impoverished believer can acquire riches in heaven, where it really counts. In the meantime: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). HMM
God Is Enoughby Max Lucado
Let’s face it–anxiety or worry have no advantages! They ruin our health, rob us of joy, and change nothing! Our day stands no chance against the terrorists of the Land of Anxiety.
But Christ offers a worry-bazooka. Remember how He taught us to pray? “Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11” This simple sentence unveils God’s provision plan: live one day at a time.
Worry gives small problems big shadows. Corrie ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” And Romans 8:28 affirms: “Every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
Most anxiety stems, not from what we need, but from what we want. Philippians 4:4 says, “delight yourselves in the Lord, yes, find your joy in Him at all times!”
If God is enough, you’ll always have enough!
Thoughtful Living
Psalms 25:8-15
Are you living thoughtfully and intentionally—or automatically? It’s so easy to get up each morning, do our work, enjoy some relaxation or entertainment, and fall into bed each night without giving any thought to God’s involvement in our lives. But to be ignorant of how He has blessed, guided, protected, and warned us is a foolish way to live. Just consider the benefits of keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open throughout the day.
Those who are aware of the Lord’s presence during their daily activities enjoy the peace of knowing that He is always in control and working to accomplish His good purposes. Every day’s experiences with Him teach them to know and love Him more.
Each night before you go to sleep, take some time to reflect on the day’s activities. The Lord is constantly with you, guarding and guiding your way. He wants you to see Him in everything and understand life from His perspective as you rely on His wisdom and power to face any challenge.
The Stars Also
“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” (Genesis 1:16)
On the fourth day of the creation week, God made the two lights for day and night, and then—almost like an afterthought—“he made the stars also.” Nothing, of course, is an afterthought with God, but this emphasizes the relative importance of these parts of His creation. Whether or not the earth is the geographical center of the universe, Earth is the center of God’s interest in the universe. This is where He created man and woman in His own image, and where He will reign over His creation in the ages to come.
The primary purpose of the stars, as well as the sun and moon, was “to divide the day from the night; and…be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And…to give light upon the earth” (Genesis 1:14-15). They could not fulfill these functions, of course, if their light could not be seen on the earth, so we can be sure that these heavenly bodies and their light rays were created—like Adam and Eve—“full-grown,” in a state of functioning maturity.
All that can be known scientifically about the stars must be determined from their light intensity and spectra. (Their distances can be measured geometrically only to about 300 light-years.) Any other information—any greater distances, size, temperature, etc.—must be derived by inference, based on some theory of stellar evolution.
Although the stars all look alike (even through a telescope, they all appear as mere points of light), these calculations have shown that each one is unique, as revealed long ago in Scripture: “One star differeth from another star in glory” (1 Corinthians 15:41). Those who believe can learn more about them in the ages to come, for “they that be wise shall shine…as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). HMM
Zechariah's Strange Prophecy
“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” (Matthew 21:4-5)
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an unbroken donkey colt on that momentous first day of the week, just a week before His resurrection, the multitudes quickly recognized that He was fulfilling an ancient prophecy and thereby specifically claiming to be their long-awaited Messiah. The prophecy was that of Zechariah 9:9, and the people in turn began to fulfill David’s even more ancient prophecy, laying palm branches in His path, and crying out: “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD” (Psalm 118:26).
This is one of the few events in the life of Christ that are recorded in all four gospels, though only Matthew notes it as the fulfillment of prophecy. And what a strange prophecy it was! One would think that the anticipated King would come riding on a great white horse, ready to put down all His enemies (and indeed He shall do exactly that some day—see Revelation 19:11).
But here He comes riding on a colt, the foal of an ass, not high and mighty, but meek and lowly! Ah, but as Zechariah prophesied, He comes “just, and having salvation” (Zechariah 9:9). And the salvation He was bringing was not deliverance from Roman subjugation but eternal deliverance from sin and its awful wages.
These same multitudes that hailed Him soon were following their high priest in clamoring for His crucifixion. Nevertheless He someday will fulfill Zechariah’s later prophecy: “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him” (Zechariah 12:10). Then, finally, indeed, “the LORD shall be king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9). HMM
Victims of Futilityby Max Lucado
In the shade of a well in a rejected land Jesus spoke to an ostracized woman, saying, “I am the Messiah.” Don’t you know His eyes must have danced as he whispered the secret to the Samaritan woman—a woman with five failed marriages. Suddenly the insignificance of her life was swallowed by the significance of the moment. She dropped her water jar and ran to the city to tell the people.
The water jar seems to symbolize the weight she was carrying. The weight of her struggles and insignificance. Jesus took her common existence and made it special. He took a rejected woman and made her a missionary. A forgotten water jar marked the burial place of insignificance.
A Lesson in Trust
In one of Henri Nouwen’s books, he tells about the lesson of trust he learned from a great trapeze artist. The acrobat said, “The flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything. I have simply to reach out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron. The flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him.”
In the great trapeze act of salvation, God is the catcher, and we are the flyers. We trust. Period. We rely solely upon God’s ability to catch us. As we do trust Him, a wonderful thing happens– we fly! Your Father has never dropped anyone. He will not drop you. His grip is sturdy and his hands are open. Place yourself entirely in his care. As you do, you will find it is possible—yes, possible—to be anxious for nothing.
The Necessity of the Cross
Colossians 2:13-15
What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
Is It Time for Some Cleaning? - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
From the onlookers, “Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!”
From the religious leaders, “He saved others but he can’t save himself.”
From the soldiers, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
Bitter words. Acidic with sarcasm. Hateful. Irreverent. Wasn’t it enough that he was being crucified? Wasn’t it enough that he was being shamed as a criminal? Were the nails insufficient? Was the crown of thorns too soft? Had the flogging been too short?
For some, apparently so...
Of all the scenes around the cross, this one angers me the most. What kind of people, I ask myself, would mock a dying man? Who would be so base as to pour the salt of scorn upon open wounds? How low and perverted to sneer at one who is laced with pain…
The words thrown that day were meant to wound. And there is nothing more painful than words meant to hurt…
If you have suffered or are suffering because of someone else’s words, you’ll be glad to know that there is a balm for this laceration. Meditate on these words from 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV):
“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.”
Did you see what Jesus did not do? He did not retaliate. He did not bite back. He did not say, “I’ll get you!” “Come on up here and say that to my face!” “Just wait until after the resurrection, buddy!” No, these statements were not found on Christ’s lips.
The Day That Death Died - by Greg Laurie -
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 15:57
During an interview with a magazine editor a few years ago, actor Bradley Cooper reflected on his father's death and how it caused him to address his own mortality.
He said "All of a sudden I was like, 'Oh, right, I'm going to die too.' . . . I was like, 'Okay. This is death. And this is going to happen to me one day.'"
It's true. One out of every one person will die. Yet something significant happened when Jesus rose from the grave.
Easter was the day that death died, because Jesus died. When Jesus died on the cross, He conquered sin. When Jesus rose from the dead, He defeated death.
He said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying" (John 11:25 NLT). Death died when Christ rose.
Now I don't have to fear death as a Christian.
I'm not denying the fact that our bodies will stop functioning one day. I'm not ignoring the dangers we face. I know that people die. I know it well. My mother has gone on to Heaven. My father who adopted me is there too. And my son, Christopher, has been in Heaven for almost 12 years now.
But what I am saying is that our souls will live on in another place. That's all because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
He took upon Himself the judgment of the Father that we should have faced so that we can have the hope of eternal life.
If you were to die today, do you have complete confidence that you will go to Heaven? Do you know that your sin is forgiven? Have you asked Jesus to come into your life? He's just waiting for your invitation. He is just a prayer away.
Wisdom’s Benefit Package
Proverbs 2
When someone applies for a job, a common question is: “What does the benefit package include?” Since the world’s advice about how to have a good life is in sharp contrast to what the Bible recommends, we might want to consider asking a similar question about the value of living according to God’s wisdom: What are the benefits? In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Scriptures?
First of all, in seeking God’s wisdom, we will acquire a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Lord (Prov. 22:4-6). Our perception of life is greatly enhanced when we know Him intimately. He’ll give us the ability to see ourselves, others, and situations from His perspective. As biblical principles permeate our minds, they will shape our thinking and responses to all of life’s situations and challenges.
Second, God promises divine guidance and protection if we walk wisely (vv. 7-10). Nothing outside His will can penetrate the shield of protection around those who seek to obey Him. When we let His wisdom enter our hearts, discretion watches over our desires and emotions, preventing us from entering into foolish or sinful relationships that would draw us away from Him (vv. 11-20).Godly understanding and protection don’t become ours simply because we want them. Such benefits come to people who diligently seek divine wisdom. If you receive the wordsof Scripture and let them fill your heart and mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to you and give you His discernment.
Prosperity Versus Contentment
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
In this day of Madison Avenue sales pressures and an ever-increasing array of technological gadgets and creature comforts, the Christian virtue of contentment is a rare commodity. There is even a widespread error among born-again Christians that material prosperity is a token of spirituality and divine approval on an affluent lifestyle.
Instead of a blessing, however, such affluence (if it comes) should be regarded as a testing, for Jesus said: “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48).
Paul was perhaps the most faithful and fruitful Christian who ever lived, yet he died penniless in a Roman dungeon. His own testimony concerning material possessions and standards of living was this: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12).
In the context of our key verse above, the apostle Paul has actually been warning young pastor Timothy against the influence of those who suppose, among other things, “that gain is godliness,” and who think that their material prosperity is proof of their spiritual prosperity. “From such” says Paul, “withdraw thyself” (1 Timothy 6:5). Material gain in no way either produces or denotes godliness; rather, godliness itself is the gain, if accompanied by contentment in Christ (otherwise, of course, it is not true godliness)! Even the most impoverished believer can acquire riches in heaven, where it really counts. In the meantime: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). HMM
God Is Enoughby Max Lucado
Let’s face it–anxiety or worry have no advantages! They ruin our health, rob us of joy, and change nothing! Our day stands no chance against the terrorists of the Land of Anxiety.
But Christ offers a worry-bazooka. Remember how He taught us to pray? “Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11” This simple sentence unveils God’s provision plan: live one day at a time.
Worry gives small problems big shadows. Corrie ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” And Romans 8:28 affirms: “Every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
Most anxiety stems, not from what we need, but from what we want. Philippians 4:4 says, “delight yourselves in the Lord, yes, find your joy in Him at all times!”
If God is enough, you’ll always have enough!
Thoughtful Living
Psalms 25:8-15
Are you living thoughtfully and intentionally—or automatically? It’s so easy to get up each morning, do our work, enjoy some relaxation or entertainment, and fall into bed each night without giving any thought to God’s involvement in our lives. But to be ignorant of how He has blessed, guided, protected, and warned us is a foolish way to live. Just consider the benefits of keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open throughout the day.
Those who are aware of the Lord’s presence during their daily activities enjoy the peace of knowing that He is always in control and working to accomplish His good purposes. Every day’s experiences with Him teach them to know and love Him more.
When we learn to see God’s footprints in our days, we will become aware of the scope of His involvement in our lives. Maybe He strengthened you for a task or opened a door of opportunity. Perhaps He guided your decisions or helped you respond in a godly way to a difficult person.
If our ears are open to the Lord’s warnings and instructions, we won’t repeat the same mistakes again and again. But those who are deaf to His voice will continue in unhealthy thought patterns, negative emotions, and foolish responses.Each night before you go to sleep, take some time to reflect on the day’s activities. The Lord is constantly with you, guarding and guiding your way. He wants you to see Him in everything and understand life from His perspective as you rely on His wisdom and power to face any challenge.
The Stars Also
“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” (Genesis 1:16)
On the fourth day of the creation week, God made the two lights for day and night, and then—almost like an afterthought—“he made the stars also.” Nothing, of course, is an afterthought with God, but this emphasizes the relative importance of these parts of His creation. Whether or not the earth is the geographical center of the universe, Earth is the center of God’s interest in the universe. This is where He created man and woman in His own image, and where He will reign over His creation in the ages to come.
The primary purpose of the stars, as well as the sun and moon, was “to divide the day from the night; and…be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And…to give light upon the earth” (Genesis 1:14-15). They could not fulfill these functions, of course, if their light could not be seen on the earth, so we can be sure that these heavenly bodies and their light rays were created—like Adam and Eve—“full-grown,” in a state of functioning maturity.
All that can be known scientifically about the stars must be determined from their light intensity and spectra. (Their distances can be measured geometrically only to about 300 light-years.) Any other information—any greater distances, size, temperature, etc.—must be derived by inference, based on some theory of stellar evolution.
Although the stars all look alike (even through a telescope, they all appear as mere points of light), these calculations have shown that each one is unique, as revealed long ago in Scripture: “One star differeth from another star in glory” (1 Corinthians 15:41). Those who believe can learn more about them in the ages to come, for “they that be wise shall shine…as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). HMM
Zechariah's Strange Prophecy
“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” (Matthew 21:4-5)
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an unbroken donkey colt on that momentous first day of the week, just a week before His resurrection, the multitudes quickly recognized that He was fulfilling an ancient prophecy and thereby specifically claiming to be their long-awaited Messiah. The prophecy was that of Zechariah 9:9, and the people in turn began to fulfill David’s even more ancient prophecy, laying palm branches in His path, and crying out: “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD” (Psalm 118:26).
This is one of the few events in the life of Christ that are recorded in all four gospels, though only Matthew notes it as the fulfillment of prophecy. And what a strange prophecy it was! One would think that the anticipated King would come riding on a great white horse, ready to put down all His enemies (and indeed He shall do exactly that some day—see Revelation 19:11).
But here He comes riding on a colt, the foal of an ass, not high and mighty, but meek and lowly! Ah, but as Zechariah prophesied, He comes “just, and having salvation” (Zechariah 9:9). And the salvation He was bringing was not deliverance from Roman subjugation but eternal deliverance from sin and its awful wages.
These same multitudes that hailed Him soon were following their high priest in clamoring for His crucifixion. Nevertheless He someday will fulfill Zechariah’s later prophecy: “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him” (Zechariah 12:10). Then, finally, indeed, “the LORD shall be king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9). HMM
Victims of Futilityby Max Lucado
In the shade of a well in a rejected land Jesus spoke to an ostracized woman, saying, “I am the Messiah.” Don’t you know His eyes must have danced as he whispered the secret to the Samaritan woman—a woman with five failed marriages. Suddenly the insignificance of her life was swallowed by the significance of the moment. She dropped her water jar and ran to the city to tell the people.
The water jar seems to symbolize the weight she was carrying. The weight of her struggles and insignificance. Jesus took her common existence and made it special. He took a rejected woman and made her a missionary. A forgotten water jar marked the burial place of insignificance.
A Lesson in Trust
In one of Henri Nouwen’s books, he tells about the lesson of trust he learned from a great trapeze artist. The acrobat said, “The flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything. I have simply to reach out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron. The flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him.”
In the great trapeze act of salvation, God is the catcher, and we are the flyers. We trust. Period. We rely solely upon God’s ability to catch us. As we do trust Him, a wonderful thing happens– we fly! Your Father has never dropped anyone. He will not drop you. His grip is sturdy and his hands are open. Place yourself entirely in his care. As you do, you will find it is possible—yes, possible—to be anxious for nothing.
The Necessity of the Cross
Colossians 2:13-15
What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ's day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.
Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they're unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We'd prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.
But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God's forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner's request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.
Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was--an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.Is It Time for Some Cleaning? - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. -1 John 1:9
There was a time when pet stores sold bunnies and little fuzzy chicks at Easter. And as I recall, some of the chicks were even dyed different colors. People apparently thought these were cute gifts to get for a child.
And while it seemed like a great idea at the time, what about nine months later when full-grown rabbits and chicks were roaming around the house? Little, cute things turned into big things.
In the same way, little sins can turn into big sins. Then you have a problem. By nature, I'm a messy person. But my wife, Cathe, is the neatest person who perhaps has ever walked this earth. I think the only person who was tidier than Cathe was her mother.
Cathe is always tidying, always cleaning things up. When a mess begins to build up, her philosophy is to get things sorted out right away.
On the other hand, my approach is getting to it later. Not long ago, my office got so messy that Cathe and a friend cleaned it out. They did an amazing job of getting rid of all the clutter.
But then Cathe came into my office awhile later and said, "Greg, look. That book is out of place. You're starting to pile these things up over there. You're doing it again." And she started straightening things up.
We can do the same thing spiritually. Sometimes we'll let little sins into our lives. We'll say, "I'll get to it later," and then we let a few more things in as well. Then the next thing we know, it's a huge problem that we don't even know how to approach.
That's why we want to go to the Lord on a regular basis and ask Him to cleanse us of our sins. Because we sin more than we think we do.
Easter Brings Hope - by Greg Laurie -
Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.' -John 11:25
Easter is not about brightly colored eggs, wearing pastels, or enjoying a big meal, although it could include these. Easter is about the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
For many, Easter will be another reminder of how different life is as we're being asked to stay home and apart from family and friends. For others, it will be a reminder of a loved one who has died and is now so desperately missed.
Especially in times like these, death seems so cruel, so harsh, and so final. That is what the disciples were feeling when they saw their Lord, whom they had left everything to follow, hanging on the cross. They were devastated. Death had crushed them. But if they would have gone back in their memories, they would have recalled an important event and statement Jesus had made.
They would have remembered Jesus standing at the tomb of His close friend Lazarus. They would have remembered that Jesus did something completely unexpected: He wept (see John 11:35). Jesus wept, because He knew that death was not part of God's original plan. Humanity was not meant to grow old, to suffer with disease, or to die. But because of the fall of Adam and Eve, sin entered the human race, and death followed with it. And death spread to all of us. Jesus wept because it broke His heart.
But standing there at Lazarus' tomb, Jesus also delivered these hope-filled words: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25 NKJV). Death is not the end. And the Resurrection of Jesus Christ proves it.
If you have put your faith in Christ, then Easter means that you will live forever in the presence of God. Easter brings hope to the person who has been devastated by death.
What Easter Is Really About - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. -Luke 19:10
Easter is not about eggs and wearing pastel colors. That's all fine, but that isn't what Easter is about. It's about Jesus wanting a relationship with you.
Jesus was born to die-and to rise again. That was the reason for the Incarnation. On the cross, Jesus faced the judgment of God. He took the wrath of God upon Himself.
It's why He cried out, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
He was bearing all the sin of the world, including your sins and mine, by dying in our place. That is why He came.
Jesus talked about it all the time. He was on a mission to go to the cross of Calvary. His life was not taken from Him; He willingly gave it up for us.
Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross. Love did-love for you and love for me. He died for us.
So how do you come into a relationship with Him?
First, you have to admit that you're a sinner. Some of us choke on that word, but we have to admit that we've broken God's commandments. If you've broken even one commandment, then you have sinned.
We've all done that many times over, because the Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 NKJV).
You need to realize that Jesus died on the cross for you. And then you need to repent of your sin, which means a change of direction. It means turning away from it. Next, you must receive Christ into your life. You must ask Jesus to be your Savior and your Lord.
No one else can do this for you. This is a decision you make. And eternity hinges on this decision.
Jesus Betrayed by Judas by Max Lucado When betrayal comes, what do you do? Get out? Get angry? Get even? You have to deal with it some way. Let�s see how Jesus dealt with it.
Begin by noticing how Jesus saw Judas. �Jesus answered, �Friend, do what you came to do.� � (Matthew 26:50)
Of all the names I would have chosen for Judas it would not have been �friend.� What Judas did to Jesus was grossly unfair. There is no indication that Jesus ever mistreated Judas. There is no clue that Judas was ever left out or neglected. When, during the Last Supper, Jesus told the disciples that his betrayer sat at the table, they didn�t turn to one another and whisper, �It�s Judas. Jesus told us he would do this.�
They didn�t whisper it because Jesus never said it. He had known it. He had known what Judas would do, but he treated the betrayer as if he were faithful.
It�s even more unfair when you consider the betrayal was Judas�s idea. The religious leaders didn�t seek him, Judas sought them. �What will you pay me for giving Jesus to you?� he asked. (Matthew 26:15) The betrayal would have been more palatable had Judas been propositioned by the leaders, but he wasn�t. He propositioned them.
And Judas�s method � again, why did it have to be a kiss? (Matthew 26: 48�49)
And why did he have to call him �Teacher�? (Matthew 26:49) That�s a title of respect. The incongruity of his words, deeds, and actions�I wouldn�t have called Judas �friend.�
The Greatest Act of Love
Romans 5:6-11
What do you think about when you see a depiction of Christ on the cross? Most of us are overwhelmed by the physical and emotional suffering that He endured�the scourging, beating, thorns, nails, mocking, and shame. We are horrified at the cruelty of the Romans and the hard hearts of the Jewish rulers.
But during the crucifixion, far more was happening than the eye could see. God was carrying out His plan to rescue mankind, providing everything we need for salvation:
1. Redemption.Jesus paid the full price of the debt we owed for transgression: death. His payment set us free from bondage to sin.
the Father by fulfilling His demand for justice while letting Him forgive us.
4. Justification. On the basis of Jesus� sacrifice, the Lord now declares believers not guilty. Although we will still sin in this earthly life, our standing before God is one of righteousness. This is a legal declaration that can never be reversed.
5. Reconciliation. The sin barrier that separated us from the Father was removed by Christ�s death on our behalf. We�re now God�s children�we have open access to Him and fellowship with Him.
The crucifixion was the only way to rescue lost humanity. If there had been any other way, the cross would have been a grotesque display of divine cruelty. But because so much was at stake, it can truly be called the greatest act of love by both the Father and the Son.
The Old Rugged Cross
�God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.� (Galatians 6:14)
As we ponder the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, a fuller understanding should bring us to an ever-deeper reliance on and identification with Him. To assist us in examining the work of Christ on the cross, let us use the beloved hymn �The Old Rugged Cross.� Here we will find its words reflecting a deep and abiding love for Christ and His cross. The next four days we will, in turn, study each of its four verses, but today note its chorus:
So I�ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
Our text reminds us that there is no worth in any deed of our own, including even a full adherence to the law of Moses (Galatians 6:12-13). Only through the cross and the salvation by grace made possible by the cross do we have any standing before God. We must cherish the cross, and cling to it! Thus, we can say with Paul that this �world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world��its sinful allurements and the recognition of men of no value.
�Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing� (2 Timothy 4:8). All our legitimate accomplishments, those true trophies or �[crowns] of rejoicing� (1 Thessalonians 2:19) done in His power and for His glory, will be cast before His throne (Revelation 4:10) in recognition of His worth and kingship. His cross made it all possible. So I�ll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
Daily Deeds of Kindnessby Max Lucado
�Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.�
Matthew 5:16
In the final days of Jesus� life, he shared a meal with his friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Within the week he would feel the sting of the Roman whip, the point of the thorny crown, and the iron of the executioner�s nail. But on this evening, he felt the love of three friends.
For Mary, however, giving the dinner was not enough. �Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus� feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house� (John 12:3). . . .
Judas criticized the deed as wasteful. Not Jesus. He received the gesture as an extravagant demonstration of love, a friend surrendering her most treasured gift. As Jesus hung on the cross, we wonder, Did he detect the fragrance on his skin?
Follow Mary�s example.
There is an elderly man in your community who just lost his wife. An hour of your time would mean the world to him.
Some kids in your city have no dad. No father takes them to movies or baseball games. Maybe you can. They can�t pay you back. They can�t even afford the popcorn or sodas. But they�ll smile like a cantaloupe slice at your kindness.
Or how about this one? Down the hall from your bedroom is a person who shares your last name. Shock that person with kindness. Something outlandish. Your homework done with no complaints. Coffee served before he awakens. A love letter written to her for no special reason. Alabaster poured, just because.
Daily do a deed for which you cannot be repaid.
The First Empty Tomb
1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Jesus is the only person who has an empty tomb. Everyone else who's died has returned to the dust, but Christ is alive and seated at the Father's right hand. Because He overcame death, His followers are also guaranteed empty tombs someday. When Jesus returns for His church, those who have died in Him will be resurrected into glorious bodies. And believers who are alive at that time will instantaneously be changed.
A more important issue we must face is how to get ready for that day. This life is just a puff of wind compared to our eternity. It's my personal opinion that the way we live here on earth will determine our capacity to enjoy heaven. The time to begin living for God is now.
On a Hill Far Away
�And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.� (John 19:17)
The Hebrew word golgotha and the Latin word calvarie actually mean �skull.� The Romans had selected a place of execution outside Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12) but near the city (John 19:20), near a public highway (Matthew 27:39), and easily visible from some distance away (Mark 15:40). This has led many to speculate that it was on a hill, as in the first verse of the well-loved hymn �The Old Rugged Cross.�
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Truly His cross involved great suffering: �Christ also suffered for us�.Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed� (1 Peter 2:21, 24). Likewise, it involved great shame: �Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree� (Galatians 3:13). But this suffering and shame was not in vain, for as we see in both passages above, it was on our behalf. �Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends� (John 15:13).
However, God�s dearest and best, indeed God�s �only begotten Son� (John 3:16), was slain, not so much for �friends,� but for enemies! A world of lost sinners put Him on the cross. �But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us�when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son� (Romans 5:8, 10). So I�ll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
Proof of God's Love - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
How we treat others is how we treat Jesus.
The soldiers bowed before Jesus, making fun of him, saying �Hail, King of the Jews!� They spat on Jesus. They began to beat him on the head. Then they led him away to be crucified.� (Mark 15:18-19).
The soldiers� assignment was simple. Take the Nazarene to the hill and kill him. But they wanted to have some fun first. Strong, armed soldiers encircled an exhausted, nearly dead Galilean carpenter and beat up on him. The beating was commanded. The crucifixion was ordered. But the spitting? Spitting isn�t intended to hurt the body�it can�t. Spitting is intended to degrade the soul, and it does.
Ever done that? Maybe you haven�t spit on anyone, but have you gossiped? Raised your hand in anger? Ever made someone feel bad so you would feel good? Our Lord explained this truth in Matthew 25:40: How we treat others is how we treat Jesus!
�So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.� (Matthew 7:12)
The Cross The Believer's Victory
1 Corinthians 1:17-31
From a worldly perspective, Christ's death signaled His defeat. After all, dying in agony on a cross hardly seems like the path to victory. But it was! And He did it all for us. Because Jesus triumphed over death, we can be victorious in life. Just consider what He won for us by sacrificing Himself on the cross.
Our Eternal Salvation: The cross was the means of our salvation. Without it, we'd have no hope of heaven. If Christ hadn't died in our place, we'd have to stand before God and receive the just punishment for every sin we've ever committed.
Christ met all our needs on the cross. By making us a part of His family, He gave us a sense of belonging. When He died in our place, He affirmed our value. And by coming to live His life through each believer, He gives us the ability to live a victorious, obedient life.
Dark Calvary
�Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.� (Matthew 27:45)
The second verse of the grand old hymn �The Old Rugged Cross� contains much truth, rich and deep.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
The world despises the cross and the One on the cross. �He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not� (Isaiah 53:3). But yet, even in His bloodied and broken form, there is a wondrous attraction, for �surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: �he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed� (vv. 4-5).
His death substituted for ours. He was the sacrificial �Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world� (John 1:29). This Lamb is none other than God the Son, who willingly �took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:�and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross� (Philippians 2:7-8). Remarkably, even God the Father �despised� Him as He hung on the cross, for God is holy, and for our sakes had �made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him� (2 Corinthians 5:21). The apex of Christ�s suffering came, as we see in our text, when God the Father separated Himself from His beloved Son, �forsaking� (v. 46) Christ to suffer for three hours the awful pangs of hell that we deserved. So I�ll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
Begin by noticing how Jesus saw Judas. �Jesus answered, �Friend, do what you came to do.� � (Matthew 26:50)
Of all the names I would have chosen for Judas it would not have been �friend.� What Judas did to Jesus was grossly unfair. There is no indication that Jesus ever mistreated Judas. There is no clue that Judas was ever left out or neglected. When, during the Last Supper, Jesus told the disciples that his betrayer sat at the table, they didn�t turn to one another and whisper, �It�s Judas. Jesus told us he would do this.�
They didn�t whisper it because Jesus never said it. He had known it. He had known what Judas would do, but he treated the betrayer as if he were faithful.
It�s even more unfair when you consider the betrayal was Judas�s idea. The religious leaders didn�t seek him, Judas sought them. �What will you pay me for giving Jesus to you?� he asked. (Matthew 26:15) The betrayal would have been more palatable had Judas been propositioned by the leaders, but he wasn�t. He propositioned them.
And Judas�s method � again, why did it have to be a kiss? (Matthew 26: 48�49)
And why did he have to call him �Teacher�? (Matthew 26:49) That�s a title of respect. The incongruity of his words, deeds, and actions�I wouldn�t have called Judas �friend.�
The Greatest Act of Love
Romans 5:6-11
What do you think about when you see a depiction of Christ on the cross? Most of us are overwhelmed by the physical and emotional suffering that He endured�the scourging, beating, thorns, nails, mocking, and shame. We are horrified at the cruelty of the Romans and the hard hearts of the Jewish rulers.
But during the crucifixion, far more was happening than the eye could see. God was carrying out His plan to rescue mankind, providing everything we need for salvation:
1. Redemption.Jesus paid the full price of the debt we owed for transgression: death. His payment set us free from bondage to sin.
2. Forgiveness. God could now release us from the punishment we deserved.
3. Propitiation. Christ�s payment satisfiedthe Father by fulfilling His demand for justice while letting Him forgive us.
4. Justification. On the basis of Jesus� sacrifice, the Lord now declares believers not guilty. Although we will still sin in this earthly life, our standing before God is one of righteousness. This is a legal declaration that can never be reversed.
5. Reconciliation. The sin barrier that separated us from the Father was removed by Christ�s death on our behalf. We�re now God�s children�we have open access to Him and fellowship with Him.
The crucifixion was the only way to rescue lost humanity. If there had been any other way, the cross would have been a grotesque display of divine cruelty. But because so much was at stake, it can truly be called the greatest act of love by both the Father and the Son.
The Old Rugged Cross
�God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.� (Galatians 6:14)
As we ponder the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, a fuller understanding should bring us to an ever-deeper reliance on and identification with Him. To assist us in examining the work of Christ on the cross, let us use the beloved hymn �The Old Rugged Cross.� Here we will find its words reflecting a deep and abiding love for Christ and His cross. The next four days we will, in turn, study each of its four verses, but today note its chorus:
So I�ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
Our text reminds us that there is no worth in any deed of our own, including even a full adherence to the law of Moses (Galatians 6:12-13). Only through the cross and the salvation by grace made possible by the cross do we have any standing before God. We must cherish the cross, and cling to it! Thus, we can say with Paul that this �world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world��its sinful allurements and the recognition of men of no value.
�Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing� (2 Timothy 4:8). All our legitimate accomplishments, those true trophies or �[crowns] of rejoicing� (1 Thessalonians 2:19) done in His power and for His glory, will be cast before His throne (Revelation 4:10) in recognition of His worth and kingship. His cross made it all possible. So I�ll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
Daily Deeds of Kindnessby Max Lucado
�Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.�
Matthew 5:16
In the final days of Jesus� life, he shared a meal with his friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Within the week he would feel the sting of the Roman whip, the point of the thorny crown, and the iron of the executioner�s nail. But on this evening, he felt the love of three friends.
For Mary, however, giving the dinner was not enough. �Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus� feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house� (John 12:3). . . .
Judas criticized the deed as wasteful. Not Jesus. He received the gesture as an extravagant demonstration of love, a friend surrendering her most treasured gift. As Jesus hung on the cross, we wonder, Did he detect the fragrance on his skin?
Follow Mary�s example.
There is an elderly man in your community who just lost his wife. An hour of your time would mean the world to him.
Some kids in your city have no dad. No father takes them to movies or baseball games. Maybe you can. They can�t pay you back. They can�t even afford the popcorn or sodas. But they�ll smile like a cantaloupe slice at your kindness.
Or how about this one? Down the hall from your bedroom is a person who shares your last name. Shock that person with kindness. Something outlandish. Your homework done with no complaints. Coffee served before he awakens. A love letter written to her for no special reason. Alabaster poured, just because.
Daily do a deed for which you cannot be repaid.
The First Empty Tomb
1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Jesus is the only person who has an empty tomb. Everyone else who's died has returned to the dust, but Christ is alive and seated at the Father's right hand. Because He overcame death, His followers are also guaranteed empty tombs someday. When Jesus returns for His church, those who have died in Him will be resurrected into glorious bodies. And believers who are alive at that time will instantaneously be changed.
Knowing this, we naturally wonder, What kind of body will I have? The best way to answer that is to see what Scripture reveals about Christ's body after He rose from the dead. He didn't come invisibly in the form of a ghost but rather had a literal, physical body. He talked, walked, and ate with His disciples. Yet although He was recognizable, He was somehow different, and at times it took His words or actions to jog their recognition.
Here's one thing I can tell you about the resurrection: you will look better than you do today! God is going to give you a strong, glorious, eternal body which is perfectly fitted for your life in heaven. Believe me, you will not be disappointed, because God has far more in store for us on the other side than we can ever imagine. You will be more alive there than you could ever be here.A more important issue we must face is how to get ready for that day. This life is just a puff of wind compared to our eternity. It's my personal opinion that the way we live here on earth will determine our capacity to enjoy heaven. The time to begin living for God is now.
On a Hill Far Away
�And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.� (John 19:17)
The Hebrew word golgotha and the Latin word calvarie actually mean �skull.� The Romans had selected a place of execution outside Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12) but near the city (John 19:20), near a public highway (Matthew 27:39), and easily visible from some distance away (Mark 15:40). This has led many to speculate that it was on a hill, as in the first verse of the well-loved hymn �The Old Rugged Cross.�
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Truly His cross involved great suffering: �Christ also suffered for us�.Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed� (1 Peter 2:21, 24). Likewise, it involved great shame: �Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree� (Galatians 3:13). But this suffering and shame was not in vain, for as we see in both passages above, it was on our behalf. �Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends� (John 15:13).
However, God�s dearest and best, indeed God�s �only begotten Son� (John 3:16), was slain, not so much for �friends,� but for enemies! A world of lost sinners put Him on the cross. �But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us�when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son� (Romans 5:8, 10). So I�ll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
Proof of God's Love - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? -Romans 8:32
A woman needed to make a run to her local pet store, where she noticed a parrot on his perch just inside the door. The parrot took one look at the woman and said, "You are the ugliest woman I've ever seen."
"What did you say to me?" the woman asked in disbelief.
"You heard me," the parrot told her. "You are the ugliest woman I've ever seen."
Shocked and offended, she demanded to see the store's owner. When he walked out from the back room, she told him what the parrot said.
"Ma'am, I am so sorry," the embarrassed owner told her. "Let me deal with this parrot." He walked over to the parrot, took him down from his perch, and carried him to the back room. A short time later the two emerged, and the owner returned a quiet parrot to his perch.
Feeling vindicated for the insult she suffered, the woman glanced over at the parrot as she walked toward the door.
"Hey, you!" the parrot called out to her.
"What?"
"You know," the parrot said.
There are certain things in life that we just know. Whenever I'm tempted to doubt the love of God, I need to take a long look at the cross and remember that Jesus demonstrated His love for me by dying there in my place.
The apostle Paul said, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32 NKJV).
Whatever is going on in our lives, whatever we may see in the news, we can know as Christians that "all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28 NKJV). How do we know it? Because God has shown His love toward us by sending His Son, Jesus.
What We Do to Himby Max LucadoHow we treat others is how we treat Jesus.
The soldiers bowed before Jesus, making fun of him, saying �Hail, King of the Jews!� They spat on Jesus. They began to beat him on the head. Then they led him away to be crucified.� (Mark 15:18-19).
The soldiers� assignment was simple. Take the Nazarene to the hill and kill him. But they wanted to have some fun first. Strong, armed soldiers encircled an exhausted, nearly dead Galilean carpenter and beat up on him. The beating was commanded. The crucifixion was ordered. But the spitting? Spitting isn�t intended to hurt the body�it can�t. Spitting is intended to degrade the soul, and it does.
Ever done that? Maybe you haven�t spit on anyone, but have you gossiped? Raised your hand in anger? Ever made someone feel bad so you would feel good? Our Lord explained this truth in Matthew 25:40: How we treat others is how we treat Jesus!
�So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.� (Matthew 7:12)
The Cross The Believer's Victory
1 Corinthians 1:17-31
From a worldly perspective, Christ's death signaled His defeat. After all, dying in agony on a cross hardly seems like the path to victory. But it was! And He did it all for us. Because Jesus triumphed over death, we can be victorious in life. Just consider what He won for us by sacrificing Himself on the cross.
Our Eternal Salvation: The cross was the means of our salvation. Without it, we'd have no hope of heaven. If Christ hadn't died in our place, we'd have to stand before God and receive the just punishment for every sin we've ever committed.
Power over Sin: Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sin; He also brought us present victory over it. When He was crucified, our old sinful nature died with Him (Rom. 6:6). The power of the "flesh" was broken, and Jesus now lives His triumphant life through us. That means we are no longer enslaved to sin and can choose obedience to God.
Defeat of Satan: At the crucifixion, the list of decrees against us was nailed to the cross, and the Devil lost his power over our lives (Col. 2:13-15). None of his accusations can stick, because God holds nothing against us anymore. And now every time we yield to the Spirit within us, Satan is defeated once again.Christ met all our needs on the cross. By making us a part of His family, He gave us a sense of belonging. When He died in our place, He affirmed our value. And by coming to live His life through each believer, He gives us the ability to live a victorious, obedient life.
Dark Calvary
�Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.� (Matthew 27:45)
The second verse of the grand old hymn �The Old Rugged Cross� contains much truth, rich and deep.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
The world despises the cross and the One on the cross. �He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not� (Isaiah 53:3). But yet, even in His bloodied and broken form, there is a wondrous attraction, for �surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: �he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed� (vv. 4-5).
His death substituted for ours. He was the sacrificial �Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world� (John 1:29). This Lamb is none other than God the Son, who willingly �took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:�and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross� (Philippians 2:7-8). Remarkably, even God the Father �despised� Him as He hung on the cross, for God is holy, and for our sakes had �made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him� (2 Corinthians 5:21). The apex of Christ�s suffering came, as we see in our text, when God the Father separated Himself from His beloved Son, �forsaking� (v. 46) Christ to suffer for three hours the awful pangs of hell that we deserved. So I�ll cherish the old rugged cross. JDM
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