Jesus had an amazingly productive ministry, teaching and healing thousands. He attracted large crowds and had potential for much more. He could have healed thousands more by traveling to the Jews and gentiles who lived in other areas.
But Jesus allowed this work to come to a sudden end. He could have avoided arrest, but he chose to die instead of expanding his ministry. Although his teachings were important, he had come not just to teach, but also to die — and he accomplished more in his death than in his life.
Death was Jesus’ most important ministry. This is the way we remember him, through the cross as a symbol of Christianity or through the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. Our Savior is a Savior who died.
For the transgression of my people he was stricken.... Though he had done no violence ... it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer ... the Lord makes his life a guilt offering.... He will bear their iniquities.... He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (verses 4-12).
The Jewish leaders probably thought that Jesus’ disciples would give up after their leader was killed. And it happened just as they hoped — the crucifixion shattered the disciples’ hopes. They were dejected and said, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). But their hopes were dramatically restored when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection, and at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled them with new conviction to proclaim salvation in Jesus Christ. They had unshakable faith in the least likely hero: a crucified Messiah.
Peter told the Jewish leaders, “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree” (Acts 5:30). By using the word tree, Peter reminded the leaders of the curse of crucifixion. But the shame was not on Jesus, he said—it was on the people who crucified him. God had blessed him because he did not deserve the curse he suffered. God had reversed the stigma.
Paul referred to the same curse in Galatians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” Jesus became a curse on our behalf so we could escape the curse of the law. He became something he was not, so that we could become something we were not. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor¬inthians 5:21).
He became sin for us, so that we might be declared righteous through him. Because he suffered what we deserved, he redeemed us from the curse or penalty of the law. “The punishment that brought us peace was upon him.” Because he suffered the penalty, we can enjoy peace with God.
Some have said that Jesus died to pay the legal demands of his Father—but it can also be said that the Father himself is the one who paid the price, by sending his Son for this very purpose (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). In Christ God absorbed the penalty himself, so that we did not have to. “By the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).
Christianity is not a list of things to do—it is faith that Christ has done everything we need to be right with God—and he did it on the cross. “When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10). God reconciled the universe through Christ, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20). If we are reconciled through him, all our sins are forgiven (verse 22)—reconciliation, forgiveness and justifica¬tion all mean the same thing: peace with God.
What looked like a shameful death for Jesus was actually a glorious triumph for God’s plan, because it is through the cross that Jesus won victory over enemy powers, including Satan, sin and death. Their claim on us has been fully satisfied in the death of the innocent victim. They cannot demand any more than what he has already paid. They have nothing further to threaten us with.
“By his death,” we are told, Jesus was able to “destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). Victory was won on the cross.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The meaning of acceptance
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
The man or woman of God must learn that freedom from rejection and the praise of men comes from experiencing a greater acceptance and approval from Jesus. It allows you not only to accept others but also to have a greater confidence in Jesus. Jesus loves and accepts me even when I mess up, fail in my performance, and sin. Knowing that I am loved and accepted is my armor and shield of faith.
Perhaps you're facing a situation where you feel defeated by criticism, disapproval, humiliation, and exposure of your weaknesses. Tell Jesus how you feel. Clearly communicate your despair, discouragement, and frustration in prayer. Put your sense of hopelessness into words. Let Jesus know just how serious the situation has become for you. "Cast all your cares on him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
Then become part of a small group that can encourage and help you carry your burdens. Find some friends you can trust. Fear of rejection often makes accountability scary. But no matter how deep the fear or how hard it may seem, a small group of friends will give you love, acceptance, and forgiveness rather than rejection. Their counsel will help you grow in Jesus and focus on the positive (Philippians 4:8). There are people who genuinely love you for who you are, not for something you can do for them. Cultivate these friends. Jesus will help you find them.
Christians who are trying to establish a healthy self-image for themselves are missing the point altogether. They're focusing on who they are in Christ, rather than on who Christ is in them. Instead, get caught up in reflecting the glory of Jesus instead of living the way of the Jesus. Behold the beauty of His majesty and glory. As you give yourself to beholding His face, you won't have any more problems with your self-image. You'll forget about yourself and will be completely consumed with the beauty of His face.
Remember when we walk in his presence and behold his face and reflect his glory, we are changed into the likeness of Christ. Who else do we need to approve of us?
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
The man or woman of God must learn that freedom from rejection and the praise of men comes from experiencing a greater acceptance and approval from Jesus. It allows you not only to accept others but also to have a greater confidence in Jesus. Jesus loves and accepts me even when I mess up, fail in my performance, and sin. Knowing that I am loved and accepted is my armor and shield of faith.
Perhaps you're facing a situation where you feel defeated by criticism, disapproval, humiliation, and exposure of your weaknesses. Tell Jesus how you feel. Clearly communicate your despair, discouragement, and frustration in prayer. Put your sense of hopelessness into words. Let Jesus know just how serious the situation has become for you. "Cast all your cares on him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
Then become part of a small group that can encourage and help you carry your burdens. Find some friends you can trust. Fear of rejection often makes accountability scary. But no matter how deep the fear or how hard it may seem, a small group of friends will give you love, acceptance, and forgiveness rather than rejection. Their counsel will help you grow in Jesus and focus on the positive (Philippians 4:8). There are people who genuinely love you for who you are, not for something you can do for them. Cultivate these friends. Jesus will help you find them.
Christians who are trying to establish a healthy self-image for themselves are missing the point altogether. They're focusing on who they are in Christ, rather than on who Christ is in them. Instead, get caught up in reflecting the glory of Jesus instead of living the way of the Jesus. Behold the beauty of His majesty and glory. As you give yourself to beholding His face, you won't have any more problems with your self-image. You'll forget about yourself and will be completely consumed with the beauty of His face.
Remember when we walk in his presence and behold his face and reflect his glory, we are changed into the likeness of Christ. Who else do we need to approve of us?
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."(John 17:20-26)
Jesus prays for something of importance in this gospel — Jesus prays for us! “I do not pray for my disciples alone, I pray for all those who will believe in me through their word that they all may be one.” Jesus prays for all those who believe in him. He prays for you and for me.
What does Jesus pray for? He prays, first of all, that we may be one. We are called to work for unity and harmony among all believers.
Jesus also prays that we will be of one accord with God in all our thoughts and actions. He prays that we will always be in his company and that the love of God will always live in us.
That Jesus prays for us highlights the fact that we need prayers. Due to our fallen, wounded, nature, we can't go it alone. Thankfully the prayer of Jesus is effective. How could a loving Father not listen to the prayer of his only son?
It is a great comfort to realize that Jesus prays for us. In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in happiness and depression, in success and failure, in sorrow, in doubt, in temptation, in all our sundry and varied needs, it is the prayer of Jesus that sustains us.
The knowledge that Jesus prays for us gives us the courage and fortitude to be all that God calls us to be. In times of failure and sin Jesus gives us the hope and vision of ultimate success.
Gracious God,
you hear the prayers of Jesus, your Son,
who prays for us always,
even when we are weak and fail.
Help us to support each other
with the same love you have for us.
Without you, we can do nothing.
Amen.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be Still and know that I am God"
Jesus prays for something of importance in this gospel — Jesus prays for us! “I do not pray for my disciples alone, I pray for all those who will believe in me through their word that they all may be one.” Jesus prays for all those who believe in him. He prays for you and for me.
What does Jesus pray for? He prays, first of all, that we may be one. We are called to work for unity and harmony among all believers.
Jesus also prays that we will be of one accord with God in all our thoughts and actions. He prays that we will always be in his company and that the love of God will always live in us.
That Jesus prays for us highlights the fact that we need prayers. Due to our fallen, wounded, nature, we can't go it alone. Thankfully the prayer of Jesus is effective. How could a loving Father not listen to the prayer of his only son?
It is a great comfort to realize that Jesus prays for us. In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in happiness and depression, in success and failure, in sorrow, in doubt, in temptation, in all our sundry and varied needs, it is the prayer of Jesus that sustains us.
The knowledge that Jesus prays for us gives us the courage and fortitude to be all that God calls us to be. In times of failure and sin Jesus gives us the hope and vision of ultimate success.
Gracious God,
you hear the prayers of Jesus, your Son,
who prays for us always,
even when we are weak and fail.
Help us to support each other
with the same love you have for us.
Without you, we can do nothing.
Amen.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be Still and know that I am God"
Monday, March 29, 2010
Will we recognize Jesus if he walked among us today?
"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages[a] would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself"(John 6:5-15).
Would we recognize Jesus if he walked among us today? If someone performing signs and miracles were to suddenly appear would we know for sure that it was Jesus?
If Jesus again walked among us, recognizing him would present a problem: The scriptures warn us that the working of signs and wonders mean absolutely nothing, because the Devil himself can duplicate these signs and wonders. The scriptures warn that even those who are called leaders in the Church will be deceived. Thus, the scriptures teach us that we are to ignore signs and wonders, and we cannot depend upon our religious leaders to recognize the return of the Christ.
This means the modern believer is confronted with a very serious problem that each of us must come to terms with. Once we acknowledge that we can neither rely upon either signs or our religious leaders, we are then left solely dependent upon our own wisdom and perception of the Word of God, which ultimately means, we must use the same exact test as did the Jews to recognize the true Messiah when he comes. This presents a problem, in that, the only valid test which is ordained in the scriptures is to look for the one who will inaugurate the Kingdom of God.
In the realization of this fact, every Christian should ask himself what they would do today if we were confronted with the same exact problem as were the Jews at the beginning of our Common Era? What if a great teacher came and claimed to be the Messiah, performed miracles and signs, healed and raised the dead, and yet he failed to fulfill the most important prophecy of scripture, and inaugurate the Kingdom of God upon the earth? Would we open our arms to him; hear his message; and alter our lives in accordance with his teachings? Or, would we point to the warning of the scriptures, and like many of our Jewish brothers say: If you are indeed the Messiah, the Chosen One sent by God, then fulfill the scriptures, and inaugurate the Kingdom as the Bible foretells. But what comprises the Kingdom of Heaven? How will we recognize that sign? What should we look for in the person who claims to be the returning Jesus?
All of us would like to say that we would recognize Jesus. Probably most of the Jews thought the same thing.
I think something to keep in mind is the distinct difference between Jesus and other religious leaders and miracle workers.
Jesus didn't ask for anything for himself. Jesus didn't ask for power, money, or fame. He didn't destroy, he built. He did not condemn, he forgave. He did not judge, he loved. He only healed, he did not harm. I suppose if someone who possessed all those same characteristics would seem to fit the pattern of Jesus. However, I believe that we as his followers will know him in our hearts and souls. We will recognize him by his love, his caring, his compassion, his acceptance of all who are forgotten.
Feeding the multitude was a sign of the power of Jesus while he walked the earth, but the bigger sign I think is the fact that he cared that the people were hungry and he cared about feeding them. He was concerned about the entire person and their needs. Jesus will feed both our bodies and our souls. We will know him by his love for us.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages[a] would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself"(John 6:5-15).
Would we recognize Jesus if he walked among us today? If someone performing signs and miracles were to suddenly appear would we know for sure that it was Jesus?
If Jesus again walked among us, recognizing him would present a problem: The scriptures warn us that the working of signs and wonders mean absolutely nothing, because the Devil himself can duplicate these signs and wonders. The scriptures warn that even those who are called leaders in the Church will be deceived. Thus, the scriptures teach us that we are to ignore signs and wonders, and we cannot depend upon our religious leaders to recognize the return of the Christ.
This means the modern believer is confronted with a very serious problem that each of us must come to terms with. Once we acknowledge that we can neither rely upon either signs or our religious leaders, we are then left solely dependent upon our own wisdom and perception of the Word of God, which ultimately means, we must use the same exact test as did the Jews to recognize the true Messiah when he comes. This presents a problem, in that, the only valid test which is ordained in the scriptures is to look for the one who will inaugurate the Kingdom of God.
In the realization of this fact, every Christian should ask himself what they would do today if we were confronted with the same exact problem as were the Jews at the beginning of our Common Era? What if a great teacher came and claimed to be the Messiah, performed miracles and signs, healed and raised the dead, and yet he failed to fulfill the most important prophecy of scripture, and inaugurate the Kingdom of God upon the earth? Would we open our arms to him; hear his message; and alter our lives in accordance with his teachings? Or, would we point to the warning of the scriptures, and like many of our Jewish brothers say: If you are indeed the Messiah, the Chosen One sent by God, then fulfill the scriptures, and inaugurate the Kingdom as the Bible foretells. But what comprises the Kingdom of Heaven? How will we recognize that sign? What should we look for in the person who claims to be the returning Jesus?
All of us would like to say that we would recognize Jesus. Probably most of the Jews thought the same thing.
I think something to keep in mind is the distinct difference between Jesus and other religious leaders and miracle workers.
Jesus didn't ask for anything for himself. Jesus didn't ask for power, money, or fame. He didn't destroy, he built. He did not condemn, he forgave. He did not judge, he loved. He only healed, he did not harm. I suppose if someone who possessed all those same characteristics would seem to fit the pattern of Jesus. However, I believe that we as his followers will know him in our hearts and souls. We will recognize him by his love, his caring, his compassion, his acceptance of all who are forgotten.
Feeding the multitude was a sign of the power of Jesus while he walked the earth, but the bigger sign I think is the fact that he cared that the people were hungry and he cared about feeding them. He was concerned about the entire person and their needs. Jesus will feed both our bodies and our souls. We will know him by his love for us.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
We are united with God in Christ
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,[a] not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead" (Collosians 2:6-12.
Christianity is not a list of things to do—it is faith that Christ has done everything we need to be right with God—and he did it on the cross. “When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10). God reconciled the universe through Christ, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20). If we are reconciled through him, all our sins are forgiven (verse 22)—reconciliation, forgiveness and justifica¬tion all mean the same thing: peace with God.
The story doesn't end with the crucifixion. Friday was dark, but Sunday morning things brightened up considerably. If Jesus had just been killed, then it would have just been another example of a great human teacher being crushed by the status quo. He would have been no different than Socrates, Gandhi or Martin Luther King. His death would have little meaning. But Sunday Morning, the tomb was empty. And for 40 days afterward Jesus was seen by more than 500 people (I Corinthians 15.6).
Just as the crucifixion is historical fact, so is the resurrection. Jesus lives today. And he has a gift of eternal life available to everyone. And not just eternal life, but eternal relationship with God. Imagine, being on intimate terms with God, able to live in his presence and walk with him daily here on earth, but also to live forever with him in heaven. What would you pay for that opportunity? Well, it's not for sale. The price has already been paid.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,[a] not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead" (Collosians 2:6-12.
Christianity is not a list of things to do—it is faith that Christ has done everything we need to be right with God—and he did it on the cross. “When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10). God reconciled the universe through Christ, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20). If we are reconciled through him, all our sins are forgiven (verse 22)—reconciliation, forgiveness and justifica¬tion all mean the same thing: peace with God.
The story doesn't end with the crucifixion. Friday was dark, but Sunday morning things brightened up considerably. If Jesus had just been killed, then it would have just been another example of a great human teacher being crushed by the status quo. He would have been no different than Socrates, Gandhi or Martin Luther King. His death would have little meaning. But Sunday Morning, the tomb was empty. And for 40 days afterward Jesus was seen by more than 500 people (I Corinthians 15.6).
Just as the crucifixion is historical fact, so is the resurrection. Jesus lives today. And he has a gift of eternal life available to everyone. And not just eternal life, but eternal relationship with God. Imagine, being on intimate terms with God, able to live in his presence and walk with him daily here on earth, but also to live forever with him in heaven. What would you pay for that opportunity? Well, it's not for sale. The price has already been paid.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
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