It Is Finished- reboot

Our Lord and Savior was crucified on a Passover Thursday nearly 2,000 years ago. I know most folks will say what?  Haven’t you heard of Good Friday?  What kinda christian are you?  Well, I’m the kind that loves Christ with all her heart and soul.  The kind that cries with shame and remorse every time I read the accounts of my Savior’s last day before He died for me.  The kind that is anguished watching movies or programs depicting the agony of my sweet Lord as he suffered for me, for my sins, my vileness.  It was me who held those nails, that swung the hammer, in my soul I feel every blow of my responsibility for Him being on that cross.  Today my heart breaks under the weight of what I did to hold Him there.  I recall the times I denied him like Peter, the decisions I regret just as Judas did, the things I did that rejected and pushed my Savior away for so very long.  They are why he had to die that horrible death that Thursday so long ago.  For you see he didn’t die on Friday, he couldn’t have if he was in the grave for 3 nights and 3 days as he said he would be.  If he died around 3pm as  the Bible tells us on Friday as the common tradition is and rose before sunrise on Sunday morning well that’s a day and a half at best he was in the grave, definitely not the three days and nights He mentions in the passage below.

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  Matthew 12:40

We know He rose on Sunday morning, scripture is clear on that.

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  Matthew 28:1

The first day of the week is Sunday.  So let’s look at what the Gospels say about this most important week, this week that literally changed the world.  That changed everything, that conquered death and the grave once and for all, that gave hope to the lost and dying world groaning under the weight and wages of sin.

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.  Matthew 26:17-19

And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”  Mark 14:12

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.  Luke 22:7

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.  John 13:1

In all four Gospels we see that the Last Supper was the Passover meal eaten that Thursday evening (Jewish time)after sunset and the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover was begun by eating the Passover feast. After eating the Passover meal, he traveled to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, seeking God’s will and not his own but knowing full well what he would endure in the coming hours.  The weight he would bear for the world that had and would largely reject and deny him.  The cup he would be willingly drank more bitter than gall, more loathsome than the most vile poison, yet Christ obeyed his Father and drank willingly of it for all.  He was so anguished in His soul not over the physically pain he would suffer but the spiritual pain he knew he would endure that he actually sweat blood, that’s love people.  It was while they were in the Garden that Judas betrays Him with a kiss and he is taken, taken by those who would mock, beat, and torture him before turning him over to the Romans who would then scourge him, ripping the flesh from his bones, crowning him with thorns, mocking the King with a purple robe.  A royal purple robe that became scarlet with the blood he was shedding for the sins of the world.  Then when he was beaten to what should have been beyond the point of death Pilate offered to set him free and crucify the vile murderer Barabas instead.  But it wasn’t the will of the Jewish leaders, the people or the Father.

All this has taken place in the early morning hours of that fateful Thursday for before 9am our Lord was staggering in a horrific parade through the streets of Jerusalem on his way to his death at the Place of the Skull, Golgotha, to Calvary Hill!  At 9am that Thursday they nailed him to the cross, hung a sign saying King of the Jews over him and cast lots for his raiment.  For you see they added one final humiliation to his lot, the attending Roman soldiers took his clothes and gambled over them as he hung there above suffering, dying.  Psalm 22 gives us a haunting foretelling of Christ’s suffering, so accurate in it’s detail, well, just read it for yourself.

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou answerest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not ashamed. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, Commit thyself unto the LORD; let him deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighteth in him. But thou art he that took me out the womb: thou didst make me trust when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gape upon me with their mouth, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My Strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of evil-doers have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones; they look and stare upon me: They part my garments among them, and upon my vesture do they cast lots.  Psalms 22:1-18

And then we have the Gospel accounts of the last three long, brutal hours of suffering that day.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah. And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him. And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.  Matthew 27:45-50

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. And one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to take him down. And Jesus uttered a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.  Mark 15:33-37

And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun’s light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.  Luke 23:44-46

But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst. There was set there a vessel full of vinegar: so they put a sponge full of the vinegar upon hyssop, and brought it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.  John 19:25-30

John’s account always gets me, maybe it’s the momma in me but it gives us such a clear picture of the love our Savior has for each of us.  As he was suffering, dying a most torturous death he is worried about his mom, wanting to ensure that she will be taken care of.  So he tells Lazarus, the disciple he loved, whom he had raised from the dead, (not John, I’ll post on that another night) to take care of her as he would have his own mom. I love that image we are given of the love of a son for the woman who bore him, I always think it shows that Christ was human just like us, even though he was God just like his Father.

At about 3pm Christ gave up the ghost, having declared “It is finished.”  There was a great earthquake, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to  bottom, no more was there a separation between God and man, ultimately pointing us to our glorious hope, our only hope, an empty tomb.  A tomb which  our Savior was placed in just before sundown that Thursday, a tomb sealed tight and guarded.  A tomb foretold by the prophets of old.

We will leave off there tonight with Christ dead, with the Savior in the dark, fulfilling his Father’s will but leaving us feeling raw, hollow, despairing.  Much as I imagine his disciples felt that day.  How many questions they must have had.  Some must have felt guilt and remorse, others confusion, some reflection, realizing that he had told them what would happen, their scriptures had told them as well, and that maybe, just maybe all hope wasn’t lost.  Maybe they just couldn’t see the big picture in the dark, maybe the sign he gave about Jonah would shed some light on things.  They’ll find out in three days and nights.  For now it is finished.

May God bless and keep you my beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

He Is With Us Always

“Lo, I am with you always.” — Mat_28:20

The Lord Jesus is in the midst of his church; he walketh among the golden candlesticks; his promise is, “Lo, I am with you always.” He is as surely with us now as he was with the disciples at the lake, when they saw coals of fire, and fish laid thereon and bread. Not carnally, but still in real truth, Jesus is with us. And a blessed truth it is, for where Jesus is, love becomes inflamed. Of all the things in the world that can set the heart burning, there is nothing like the presence of Jesus! A glimpse of him so overcomes us, that we are ready to say, “Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me.” Even the smell of the aloes, and the myrrh, and the cassia, which drop from his perfumed garments, causes the sick and the faint to grow strong. Let there be but a moment’s leaning of the head upon that gracious bosom, and a reception of his divine love into our poor cold hearts, and we are cold no longer, but glow like seraphs, equal to every labour, and capable of every suffering. If we know that Jesus is with us, every power will be developed, and every grace will be strengthened, and we shall cast ourselves into the Lord’s service with heart, and soul, and strength; therefore is the presence of Christ to be desired above all things. His presence will be most realized by those who are most like him. If you desire to see Christ, you must grow in conformity to him. Bring yourself, by the power of the Spirit, into union with Christ’s desires, and motives, and plans of action, and you are likely to be favoured with his company. Remember his presence may be had. His promise is as true as ever. He delights to be with us. If he doth not come, it is because we hinder him by our indifference. He will reveal himself to our earnest prayers, and graciously suffer himself to be detained by our entreaties, and by our tears, for these are the golden chains which bind Jesus to his people.

As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless, keep and strengthen you as you continue to:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

knowing that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you. Philippians 4:13

Does Jesus know you?

One day I asked my son what the scariest thing he could think of was, he replied “hearing Jesus say depart from me you workers of iniquity I never knew you.” He’s right that is the scariest thing I can think of. Hearing my Savior, my precious Savior, say he never knew me.

Matthew 7:21-23 says:

Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. Will say to me that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name of cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity.

In many ways that passage is haunting, truly terrifying as my son said think of him saying I never knew you. Those are words I never want to hear. Instead I want to burn myself out for Jesus want to get everything that I have to serve him. I want to share his message of love salvation redemption forgiveness grace with the lost hurting dying world with every breath that I have. When people see me I want them to see the light that is within me, the light of Christ, my Savior. I want to live for him and if necessary I will die for him, but I never want it to be said that he never knew me. I want to live my life in a way where everyone who sees me knows that he knows me, and I know him.

Let me ask you brothers and sisters does Jesus know you?

As always brothers and sisters may Lord bless and keep you as you go into the world and preach the gospel.

Forgive Them…

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Forgive them, Jesus repeated that phrase many times during His ministry, but the most striking time; other than the time that cuts me to the core as my sweet Savior is dying on the cross; is the parable of the unforgiving servant.  That story it’s a hard one to hear, I mean we are all guilty of being like this servant.  We’ve all been wronged by someone at some point in our lives, so we have all had anger towards someone.  Sometimes we’ve let that anger build and boil until we act like this guy did, we don’t forgive those who have wronged us, instead we set out to punish them, make them pay.  And by doing so we drive them away, we grow hard hearted, and ultimately if we do not repent and forgive them then we damage our testimony and salvation.

See unforgiveness is really hate, and guys hate will eat you alive.  It robs you of the joy that comes from forgiving and it makes you a hypocrite before God.  See you’ve said you accept his free gift of forgiveness for your sins; and no offense here but your sins are just as bad as everyone else’s in God’s eyes because God is holy, just, perfect so any sin, all sin is equally vile to him; but you are denying forgiveness to your brother.  Please head the words of our Lord and Savior – forgive them!

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.  Matthew 18:21-35

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.  Luke 23:33-34

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.  Mark 11:25-26

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:  Luke 6:37

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.  Luke 17:3-4

See what I mean, Jesus was serious when he stressed the importance of forgiving one another.  Very serious, so serious that the last words he cried out from the cross were “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”.  As your Savior hung there dying nailed to that cross by your sins (and mine), his last plea was to God the Father to forgive us, to forgive all sinners including those who nailed him to the tree.  Folks that is the example we are given, that is the footsteps we follow in, let’s live it.  Let’s make our lives the proof of his love on earth!  I know it isn’t always easy, truly forgiving is hard, it means accepting being wronged and not expecting retribution for those hurts.  We can’t hold onto the anger we feel though it doesn’t really hurt those who have hurt us, most times they never even realize we are upset, but it eats at us like a cancer, slowly poisoning our life, our light, stealing our joy and our freedom.  We become slaves to the anger and hate unforgiveness causes and eventually we begin to blame God for it, asking Him why we were wronged and hurt.

Please brothers and sisters don’t let it get that far!  Don’t let it steal you zeal for the Lord, don’t let it destroy your testimony, your love.  Cause you see when you refuse to forgive and allow it to take root in your that poison it shows, others see it and they know, they see the darkness creeping about you.  They see it and it begins to dim the light in you of Christ, the light that points them towards Jesus and salvation, the light of love.  You’re not giving love to everyone, you are withholding it from one, yet  that one person’s wrong towards you isn’t as bad as your wrong towards your own Savior.

I know what I am talking about here, see I have had to do some hard forgiving.  Someone close to me betrayed me and hurt me deeply, not just me, but my son as well.  Now for a while I just stayed mad over it, actually mad is an understatement, furious, I was furious, I wanted them to pay dearly.  I would pray about my anger each night though, and ask God to soften my heart and make it more like His precious Son’s so that I could forgive them.  For a very long time I wrestled with it, stubbornly taking it back up each morning like putting on a favorite pair of jeans.  But it was hurting me, hurting my walk with the Lord, hurting my ability to serve God.  The one day in my daily reading I came across the passage above from Matthew about the unforgiving servant and man did it hit me.  Like a ton of bricks, I hit my knees right then and begged God to forgive me.  Forgive me for being stubborn, disobedient, a hypocrite.  I forgave them right then, I just poured all that anger and hurt out, cast it from me and tasted freedom a fresh.  Tasted peace, love, life again.  Once I let God work on my heart I realized that my sins against God and others were just as bad and that if I couldn’t forgive then I could accept forgiveness.  I didn’t deserve it and by saying that they didn’t either and not giving it to those who wronged me I was refusing to accept my own forgiveness.  It was holding me down, holding me back.  Keeping me from being able to share about the forgiveness of Christ because I no longer felt I had it.  Praise the Lord, that he set me free of my own prison, one of my  own making.   Don’t be like me, don’t waste your precious time carrying around a heavy burden of unforgiveness.

Let’s forgive freely, love like there’s no tomorrow and let’s light the world by allowing Christ’s light to pour forth from us!  We are forgiven!  Free!  Let’s share that freedom, that forgiveness, and Jesus our precious Lord and Savior, the only one it can come from with the world.  Forgive them!

Regret, Remorse, Repentance – HOPE

I want to talk about the different characters we learn about in the crucifixion story.  Judas, Peter, the thief, and the centurion they all have a story to tell.  Maybe one of these stories is similar to your own, I know I can relate to all of them in some way.  Like Judas I betrayed my Lord, like Peter I denied him, like the thief I broke God’s laws, and like the centurion I followed the world and it’s ways.  But one glorious day I found hope; my heart broke with regret and remorse, leading me to repentance and ultimately to the hope I have today in my Lord and Savior Christ.

Let’s start with Judas, the betrayer.  Here was a man who was a follower of  Jesus, he was a trusted friend, yet for 30 pieces of silver he sold our Lord and his soul.  30 pieces of silver, that’s like $600.  That’s what serving the Lord was worth to this man consumed with greed, with lust for money.  30 pieces of silver was all it took to allow the devil to have control of his life, to turn his heart and soul from the only one who could save them.  Jesus knew he what Judas would do and repeatedly we see him giving him the opportunity to repent of his deeds but alas Judas was consumed with the guilt for what he’d done, with remorse but he never sought repentance with the Lord, never sought forgiveness from the one he had betrayed.  Instead his story ends terribly with him taking his own life.  That’s what pride, vanity and greed get us.  Let’s read his story.

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.  Matthew 26:14-16

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he consented, and sought opportunity to deliver him unto them in the absence of the multitude.  Luke 22:3-6

And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,  John 13:2

Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord? And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. And Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.  Matthew 26:20-25

And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Luke 22:21-23

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. There was at the table reclining in Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh. He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.  John 13:21-27

Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him. And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.  Matthew 26:46-50

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?  Luke 22:47-48

Now Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, was standing with them. When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.  John 18:2-9

Then Judas, which betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it. And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom certain of the children of Israel did price; and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.  Matthew 27:3-10

Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take.  Acts 1:16-20

As we read the sad story of Judas we see that his end was, well it was bad.  Matthew simply tells us he hanged himself; driven to seek his own death by his regret and remorse.  But in Acts we learn the rest of the story we learn that after his death he hung in the hot Judean sun so long that when his robe broke or he was cut down that he fell headlong to the ground and his guts burst spilling out his innards.  Had he only repented then maybe his story would have had a better ending; one more like Peter’s perhaps.

See Peter denied Jesus 3 times the night of his trial and torture.  3 times he said he never knew the Lord.  Just as Jesus had said he would, all before the cock crowed in the morn.  Peter thought no way would he ever do this but fear is a powerful thing, makes us do things we often regret.  But in Peters case the regret turned to deep remorse which led to true repentance as we see in that beautiful beach seen around the fire after the Resurrection when Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him, once for every denial.  And we see the moment it finally sinks in that because of his repentance, his deep heart felt remorse that Jesus sees he is truly sorry and he let’s him know all is well, Feed my sheep he tells his friend.

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  Matthew 26:31-35

Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus the Nazarene. And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.  Matthew 26:69-75

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing. But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: howbeit the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken. Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, the net was not rent. Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.  John 21:3-19

I just love that passage in John telling of how he forgave Peter, how all was made right through Jesus’ love and Peter’s repentance.   Through the stories of these 2 disciples, followers of Christ, we begin to see the world.  One chose it, following Satan where he led, even unto a brutal and gruesome final end alone.  The other however truly knew and loved the Lord, he realized his mistake, he repented of it and that made all the difference.  Peter wasn’t the only one forgiven through this story though.  No there was one more.  The thief that died beside our sweet Savior.

His story is short, but in so many ways it is just like ours.  We don’t know anything about him other than that he was a thief and he professes to deserve his punishment which leads me to think he wasn’t a good guy caught in a bad situation.  No, I think he was a bad guy who meets the good guy and knows the truth in the end.  His story is hard for me, I see a lot of myself in him.  But like that thief I came to know my Lord and Savior and through the regret. remorse and repentance that knowing brought I am forgiven.  I have hope that one day I will see my sweet Lord in paradise.  I’ll get to meet that thief too.  Let’s read his story.

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.  Luke 23:39-43

 

And finally we come to the centurion.  We don’t know his final fate, I like to belief I will meet him one day in heaven but we aren’t told that part of his story.  What we are told is that after what he witnessed in that long, painful, earth shattering, earth changing day was enough to begin to open his eyes.  For he sees the truth that truly Jesus is the Son of God.

Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.  Matthew 27:54

And when the centurion, which stood by over against him, saw that he so gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.  Mark 15:39

And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.  Luke 23:47

Think about your own life?  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we are all guilty.  Just like Judas we betray God, just like Peter we deny him, just like the thief we break his laws, and just like the centurion we serve the world.

But we don’t have to.  Because Jesus was obedient unto the cross, because he died that day so long ago for the forgiveness of the sins of the world, all of them, mine, yours, the thief’s, Peter’s, we have hope today.  We can be forgiven just like Peter and the the thief.   Or we can continue to embrace our sin, allow it to control and rule us, and eventually collect the just wages of our choices.  Death. Just like Judas.  Maybe you’re the centurion.  You’re eyes are opened, you see the truth, you can’t deny it any longer – but your holding back, riding the fence, waiting.  Please do not wait too long.  You know the truth, accept it and the free gift of grace that Jesus offers with it.  Let Jesus know you regret your sins, all of them, and are sorry you sinned and that he had to die for those sins.  Then ask him to come into your heart and cleanse those sins away, ask him to wash you white as snow with his precious blood.  Repent and allow Jesus to make you into a new person, transformed, made whole.  Embrace the hope that Peter and that thief found, the hope that I found.  Call on Christ as your Lord and Savior, welcome him in, enter into the relationship he longs to have with you.  Enter grace, enter hope!

 

May God bless and keep you brothers and sisters.

Save

Hope

This post is going to take you through a lot of scripture tonight, brothers and sisters in Christ.  I want you to look at how The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.  Jesus, our only hope is in every page, paragraph, sentence word, and even letter of the Bible.  Just look and see.

Job_4:6  Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
Psa_31:24  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psa_33:18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psa_38:15  For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
Psa_39:7  And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Psa_71:5  For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psa_71:14  But I will hope continually, and will praise thee yet more and more.
Psa_78:7  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psa_119:81  CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Psa_119:114  Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psa_130:5  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psa_147:11  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Pro_10:28  The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Pro_11:7  When a wicked man dieth his expectation shall perish: and the hope of iniquity perisheth.
Pro_14:32  The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Jer_17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer_29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
Lam_3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Lam_3:26  It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Mat_12:21  And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.
Act_2:26  Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
Act_24:15  having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Rom_5:2  through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and let us rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom_5:4  and patience, probation; and probation, hope:
Rom_5:5  and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which was given unto us.
Rom_8:20  For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope
Rom_8:24  For by hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?
Rom_8:25  But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Rom_12:12  rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;
Rom_15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Rom_15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Ghost.

1Co_13:13  But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
2Co_5:11  Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Eph_4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
Php_1:20  according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
Col_1:5  because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
Col_1:23  if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
1Th_2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

1Th_4:13  But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, which have no hope.
1Th_5:8  But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Ti_1:1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope;
1Ti_4:10  For to this end we labour and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.
Tit_1:2  in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
Tit_2:13  looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit_3:7  that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Heb_6:11  And we desire that each one of you may shew the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end:
Heb_10:23  let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:
Heb_10:23  let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:

1Pe_1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe_1:13  Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe_1:21  who through him are believers in God, which raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe_3:15  but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
1Jn_3:3  And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

FISHERS OF MEN

This short reading from Our Daily Walk by F. B. Meyer is a power packed reminder of the challenge Christ our Savior lays before all who believe in Him; follow me and I will make you fishers of men!

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“Jesus saw two brethren, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” — Matthew 4:18-19.

IT IS thus that Christ adapts Himself to the understanding and the heart. He caught these fishermen with bait suited to them. Notice the undoubting certainty of His promise to make these two brothers fishers of men, casting their drag-net not into the waters of the sea of Galilee, but into the great ocean of humanity. How impossible it would have been to convince Peter then that within four years he would make the great haul of three thousand souls (Act_2:41). We never know what awaits us when we leave all to follow in obedience to the Master’s Call!

“Follow Me!” Our Lord is always making this challenge (Joh_21:19-22). It means bearing the cross, but we must be willing to follow Christ until, like Him, we fall into the ground and die—die to our own ambitions, our love of power and influence, our own strength and gifts, that we may make way for God to work through us. We must learn not to obtrude ourselves, but to lie hidden. The first, the second, and the third condition of successful fishing is to be hidden from sight. The best line and bait for catching men are those where the human element is out of sight, and our one aim is to serve Christ’s purpose, and to glorify Him.

There must be a leaving of our nets and boats, and even those who are nearest and dearest (Mat_4:20-23). It must have been something of a wrench for these brothers to leave their nets and fishing to follow Christ. But the attraction of His Personality prevailed. There is no difficulty in persuading men to surrender the lower and inferior article, if you can unfold to them the immense value of the Pearl of great price. Then they will gladly sell all that they have to buy it.

PRAYER
Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies,
Saviour, make us hear Thy call.
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all. AMEN.

As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless, keep and strengthen you as you continue to:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

knowing that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you. Philippians 4:13

A Precious Promise of God’s Provision

Continuing our study of God’s promises.

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By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises . . . And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (2Peter 1:4 and Philippians 4:19)

In recent meditations, we have looked at two differing categories of promises: “exceedingly great and precious promises” and “unpopular” promises. Both play a vital role in God’s plan. The first category of promises brings encouragement, comfort, and hope. The second category warns, convicts, and awakens. Both types are equally certain of fulfillment. Both types are to be heeded and embraced. For awhile now, let’s alternately consider promises from these two categories.
Our present verses contain a promise of the first type. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” The context of this promise concerns material provisions. “Now you Philippians know . . . no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities” (Philippians 4:15-16). The saints at the church in Philippi regularly gave of their financial resources that the Apostle Paul might concentrate on ministering the gospel. “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). Their recent gifts left Paul abundantly supplied. This generosity was also a pleasing spiritual sacrifice in the eyes of the Lord.
As He did with Paul, the Lord promises to meet the physical needs of all of His children. We can rely on His promised care for us. We do not need to worry or fret. “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32). Our faithful and loving Father is fully aware of our material needs, and He has committed Himself to supplying them. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Our heavenly Father wants us to give our attention to seeking after Him, not after our needs. He wants us to be on a quest to know Him. He desires that we seek after His holy rule and His righteous ways. He will be faithful to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He may typically use a paycheck to fulfill His promise, but He will supply our needs. Even if we are flat on our backs and unable to work, God is our faithful source.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness in supplying my material needs through the years. Forgive me for doubting You at times, when it looked like the provision was not coming. Help me to seek You and not my needs, Amen.

Ministering Unto Christ

The last couple of days my devotional readings seem to have a common theme running through them, I find this very interesting and take it as the Lord trying to make a point with me or those I may share the reading with.  Today’s reading seemed to center on serving Christ and others as He did, 3 of my 5 readings dealt with this so I am sharing a couple of them today including this thought provoking gem from Our Daily Walk by F. B. Meyer.

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“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” — Matthew 25:40.

IS IT not wonderful that our Lord should identify Himself thus with the hungry and thirsty, the weary and homeless, the outcast and suffering? If any who read these words should be in one of these conditions, be greatly comforted, for Jesus suffered thus in His earthly career, and remembers what it is like. His sympathy and understanding are warm and inexhaustible, and He accepts any kindness as though it were done directly to Himself.
We must be on the outlook for those whom we can help, remembering that the outstretched hand or petition is His. But we must beware, on the other hand, and endeavour to help people wisely. In giving to every beggar that asks alms we may inflict injury on the moral nature by encouraging them to be lazy and careless. We are not to distribute money, food, and clothing alone, but to give personal ministry which may cost us more!
Christ speaks of those who give hand-help to others as righteous, because it is only as we are really right with God that we are merciful to men. Righteousness and mercifulness are one.
The sin of omission! Notice that those who were banished and exiled from the presence of the King were judged because of what they did not do. We may be condemned not simply for actual sins committed, but for what we neglect to do. Not to bind up and care for the wounded or ill-treated, but to pass by on the other side; not to have the oil ready for the lamp; not to make use of the talent or gift entrusted, this involves condemnation, and degrades the soul to the level of the devil and his angels.
Let us ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may follow in the steps of our Lord Jesus, who went about doing good, and healing all who were sick and in need. He has made over the great debt we owe to Him to the poor and needy, and says that whatever we do to others for His sake, He will accept as payment to Himself.

PRAYER
O God, we have been too self-centred. We have forgotten that our best and happiest life must be lived in fellowship with the needs, and sorrows, and trials of others. Help us to cheer them with our love, to hearten them with our courage, and to bear their burdens so far as we may. AMEN.