One Eternal Plan

 

The Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.  If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.  The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.  Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.  That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.  Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs.  Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.

“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.  The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Exodus 12:1-13

 

The Hebrews have been enslaved in Egypt for a period of 400 years. Accepted as guests in the land at the time of Joseph and his Father Israel, they now are in oppressive bondage to the Egyptians. Despite numerous God directed plaques, the heart of Pharaoh was unresponsive to the demands of God. God’s plan of freedom required a ritualistic meal of an unblemished male goat or lamb, one year of age to be utilized in a particular way of sacrifice. The blood of the sacrificed animal was to be placed on the door frame of the Israelite homes. It was this blood seen by the Lord that would spare the inhabitants of that home. The Hebrews complied and were saved by this visible blood. The Egyptians were not so protected so that the first born males of men and cattle died. At midnight the land of Egypt mourned in unison and the Hebrews were released from their captivity.

They were “passed over” by the Angel of Death not because of their actions or status but because of the visible blood of sacrifice.


Passover Restrictions

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “These are the regulations for the Passover meal:

“No foreigner may eat it.  Any slave you have bought may eat it after you have circumcised him,  but a temporary resident or a hired worker may not eat it.

“It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.  The whole community of Israel must celebrate it.

Exodus 12: 43-47

 

The directions for the preparation and sacrifice of the Passover Lamb are specific and covered in great detail. Those directed to take this meal must come in a specific manner. A participant may not be outside of the Hebrew community. The animal carcass must likewise be cared for in a specific manner. A provision must be rendered so that none of the bones are to be broken.

The Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt occurred shortly after midnight. In celebration of this fact, this meal was to be enacted each year on the 14th day of the first month.


The Death of Jesus

 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.  The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.  But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.  The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.  These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”  and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

 John 19:28-37

1500 Years later, John, the disciple Jesus loved, recorded for us an eye-witness account of the crucifixion of Jesus. Three years earlier, John the Baptist declared that Jesus of Nazareth was the lamb that takes away the sins of the world. The similarity between the lamb of the Passover and Jesus of Nazareth is clear. Both were deemed perfect. The lamb of the sacrifice was perfect in a physical sense and Jesus was perfect in a spiritual sense. He was without sin. Both surrendered their life giving blood to do God’s will. It is of note that the crucified Jesus had no bones broken during His crucifixion. The Exodus provision requires that the sacrificed lamb is to have none of its bones broken as well. Biblical uniformity is preserved.

Hours before His death, Jesus had modified the Passover celebration by the introduction of a New Covenant. This covenant did not have law as its basis but focused on the very person of Jesus. Using bread as a symbol, He declared that it was symbolic of His broken body and was to be internalized by His followers. Likewise the Passover Wine was symbolic of His blood that was to be poured out for those who believed in Him. In essence He was gifting His life’s blood so that others could live.

It is this act by the Christ (dying willingly for others) that completes the covenant enacted by God with Abraham the Father of the Hebrews. Jesus chooses to walk the blood path of life as the representative for Abraham and his kin. Such is necessary for neither Abraham nor his descendants could complete it in a sinless state. Perfection is the requirement. Only Jesus is sinless and perfect.

How does this apply to us? We come to God just as Abraham did, in faith. This faith resides in Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God who is the Way to God. It is He who walks the path of death as a substitute for crushed sinners.

We live in a time in which man considers himself smarter that God. He establishes himself as an authority that is more knowledgeable and trustworthy than God. The folly of such should be obvious but we are often guilty of having eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear.

Jesus has declared that He comes with a sword that will disrupt the whole of society. This sword is the Biblical revelation. Take care where you get your information.

We live in a time of critical decision making. Shall we stand and witness for Christianity with our lives or concede the high ground to secular humanism? The stakes are extremely high for our families specifically and society generally.

 

 

 

 

A Unique Idea of God


 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.  So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found.  So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”

 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Genesis 2:19-25

 

This scripture is taken from the Biblical Creation Story with Moses as the recorder. I hesitate to designate Moses as the author since authorship implies a control over the nature and content of the story. Moses penned this work but was not there as an eyewitness. He, in his own style, relates to us God’s view of His creative work.

Immediately we grasp that this writing pits those who accept it against the scientific teaching of this day. Rather than a plan created and enacted by God, those who declare themselves to be more rational than others, affirm that this story is mythological and a more reasonable understanding is that all of this merely evolved. No debate of ideas is accepted and the scholastic law of the land is that all of this merely happened randomly and time is going nowhere except round and around.

The Genesis story declares that God created a singular man and woman to be the parents of a humanity that would populate the earth. From this beginning God gifts procreation, but not life, to this pair. By this union the family will emerge and serve as the foundation for society.

What is apparent is that God is the responsible first cause of Motherhood. It is in the qualities of the good mother that we see the gift of a God-like love to humanity itself. Her love is innate in her composition and is not a learned behavior. It does not require a period of evolution.


 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.  One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me.  The third day after my child was born; this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.

 “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him.  So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast.  The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”

 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.”

But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king.

 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king.  He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”

But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

1 Kings 3:16-27

 

Solomon was a son of King David born to Bathsheba. On the death of David, Solomon became the King of Israel. When visited by God in a dream he requested not riches or power but wisdom to rule God’s people. This incident of determining the mother of a living child reflects this God-given wisdom. His decision concerning this child created a crisis. The true mother forfeited her rights of motherhood so that her son could live. The other woman spoke from a platform of false-reasoning. King Solomon’s decision was based on what would be best for the child as determined by the true mother.


Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

 Matthew 1:18-21

In the Hebrew society a girl became a woman when she reached the age of 12 years and 1 day. We cannot be certain how old Mary was when she was chosen to bear God’s child. Perhaps she was an early teen who was now in the standard year of betrothal. She was recognized to be the wife of Joseph but they still lived apart from one another. The wedding ceremony and consummation of their marriage lay in the future. Her husband Joseph was a man of character and did not demand that she be stoned to death. His intention was to handle this without invoking the authorities. His ability to accept the angelic revelation is proof of his knowledge of and fellowship with God. So, Joseph became the earthly father of his wife’s son. Joseph is frequently overlooked. He is no ordinary man.

In our individual search to find the God who is seeking us, what helps to solidify and assure us of His existence? Some have reasoned that it is man that has created God and not the reverse. What helps to convince you that God is real and the Bible is true? This is a very personal issue and perhaps differs for us all. What are some of the understandings that help us to grasp that God is Creator and the lover of our souls?

The Bible is an orderly compilation of books, 66 in number, written over 1600 years by 40 plus authors. Despite this diversity, it remains on task. Both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are filled with prophecies both fulfilled and awaiting fulfillment. True fellowship with God does present a peace beyond understanding. This just scratches the surface.

What seems obvious to me is that God created mothers and motherhood. It did not evolve, it is not learned behavior, and resides in the soul of the good mother. The affection that dwells in the soul of a good mother parallels the love of God. It is a love of intention because of who she is and who her child is. Such allows a mother to share an attribute of God.

Today is a day set aside for the honoring of motherhood. True and honorable motherhood embraces more that conception, gestation, and delivery. True motherhood requires a lifelong devotion of intentional love to her solitary child or children.

 

 

“100 Years Ago”


Genesis 12:1-4, 15:6

The Call of Abram

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you; I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,    and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.

Genesis 12:1-4

Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:6

The Bible assures us that our age, or in fact any age, is not different from any other. What was created in perfection has been tainted by sin. The world presently and in the past has been dominated by evil and sin. We like to think of ourselves as enlightened because of all of the changes that have occurred in the secular world. Polio is no longer the scourge of the young, rheumatic fever is rare in this and other countries and life expectation has jumped from 47 years to the mid-seventies in the past 100 years. Despite all of the advances in the secular world, it remains a realm of darkness and danger. At the present time the Syrian people are being killed by their own government. Even in our own city, the prudent do not go to certain areas once the sun sets.

As a solution for the darkness that engulfed His creation, God called to a solitary man, Abram of Ur, and simply “Abram believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”  In more simple terms, because of faith in the person and character of God, Abram became in fellowship with God. Seeking faith in God fills the hole in everyone’s soul.

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying  “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.  The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.  The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.  So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’  So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

  “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.  He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

   “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus spoke in parables which are simple stories that are directed to only one or two points. These generally fictional stories are meant to be interrogated by the soul and not merely by the mind. The mind is capable of investigating and storing knowledge. The soul has the ability to turn this learning into wisdom. The simplest definition of wisdom is to think as God thinks.

This story deals with the Kingdom of Heaven and the offer of the King to grant entrance. The invitation is ignored by most but is opened to all. One who comes is not properly attired and is expelled from the Kingdom into darkness. The point that seems clearly made is that we come to the King (God) on His terms and not in any random fashion. The emphasis is on the universal call to all to come to the feast but God dictates that which must be met to participate in the joy.

The Incarnation of the Word of Life

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We write this to make our joy complete.

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:1-7

1st John, written by the Apostle John, “the one Jesus loved,” is a letter written by John in his waning years. The purpose is to discount heresy that had attached itself to the Christian message. John’s thrust was that joy does not have to be postponed to the future but is available at the present if we seek to fellowship with God.

The Scripture from Matthew alerts us to the fact that this fellowship is initiated by God and certain conditions must be met before we are accepted into His presence. The reference to the “wedding suit” makes it clear that this is not a casual “come as you are” affair.

At issue is the transfer from the Kingdom of Darkness (the secular world of sin) to the Kingdom of Light wherein we have fellowship with God and with one another. The means and the mechanism by which this occurs are attributed to “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Some in theologic circles of our day are appalled by the idea of “Substitutionary Atonement” and the shedding of the blood of Christ for the cleansing of sin. The idea, however, is as old as the Old Testament itself which declares that there is no forgiveness from sin without the shedding of blood. I doubt that even the most tenured of seminary professors would be bold enough to challenge John’s statement. John’s statement is backed by personal experience with the Savior Himself.

The thrust of 1st John to his audience of nearly 2000 years ago has the same application today. Joy does not find its source in the contemporary secular culture of any day. The secular world is dark, seducing and temporary. It may provide fleeting happiness but never lasting joy. Joy is an awareness of an intimate fellowship with God that overcomes all circumstances and situations.

It is fellowship with God that Abram discovered and enjoyed. This same fellowship with God is available to all who accept the Lordship of Jesus. By the aspect of forbearance the blood of Jesus cleansed the sin of Abram centuries after he died. The same act of selfless sacrifice can cleanse us all. We must seek it, ask for it and follow its source. Only Jesus can provide us with fellowship with God. It is then that joy dawns in our souls.

 

 

 


Have You Been Gifted?

 

Have You Been Gifted?

Then the LORD said to Moses,  “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—  to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze

Exodus 31: 1-4

The Hebrew people had been enslaved in Egypt for a period of 400 years. They were used as manual labor for the construction projects of the Pharaohs. So, any man’s occupation and labor differed very little from any other. When God called and led them from their status as a slave people it was necessary for God to teach them of His nature and character. He initiated this by giving them rules and regulations that we refer to as the Hebraic Law. He likewise had to teach and direct them in what was to be acceptable in worship. The pagan culture of the Egyptians was saturated with multiple gods and idols. The Hebrews were to understand that the God who called them was solitary and must be approached in a God-directed fashion.

God commanded that a Tabernacle (a portable tent) of complex design be fashioned to house theologic symbols that would direct not only them but us many centuries later. These articles were not to be idols to worship but would point to their liberating God. To accomplish this work God endowed Bezalel and Oholiab with the necessary skills and knowledge to construct these specific objects. The combination of skill and knowledge was gifted by the Holy Spirit so that they might do such all for the glory of God.


At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

“Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.  So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,  I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

 1 Kings 3:5-12

Centuries later, after the Kingdom of Israel had been established, Solomon became king. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and gave him an open opportunity to ask for whatever he desired. Unusual for politics at anytime was Solomon’s request for wisdom that would guide him in his governing of the people. In true modesty, he requested a discerning heart to distinguish between right and wrong. His request pleased God and God granted him both wisdom and riches beyond his imagination. Unfortunately Solomon turned his gifts toward earthly pleasure. As a result we find his writings reflecting disappointment and depression as Solomon’s gaze was turned form God to other issues.

Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  For we live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:5-10

 

Paul, as the apostle to the gentiles, spent a considerable time in Corinth where he had established a church. Of all of the ancient cities, Corinth was the prime example of a pagan culture and its focus. The church had made great strides but it is only natural to suppose that trouble was just around the corner. 1st and 2nd Corinthians deal with issues of doctrine as well as general principles. Paul as their founder was confronted with clarifying issues about daily affairs, resurrection and judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.  ) speaks to an issue that was confusing to the Corinthians and perhaps to us as well. We always draw back at a Biblical pronouncement of “Judgment” for we realize that ordinarily judgment is concerned with the aspect of sin. Paul is however writing to a church body that contains members who have professed Jesus as Lord and Savior , on whose soul and body their sins were punished. These are persons of faith and not merely nominal Christians. So, with what does this judgment deal?

With the miracle of rebirth the very Spirit of God comes to dwell in your soul and He provides spiritual gifts that are to be directed to the good of God’s Kingdom and to His Glory. The gifts are individualistic, numbering one or more and are given as equals to all the recipients. One gift is just as important as any other. The judgment rendered here concerns what we have done with the gift or gifts. The results are “tested by fire” so that which is not of true value is burned away leaving that which was clearly done for the Kingdom of God. The “whether good or bad” does not deal with sin but with the utilization of these gifts. The judgment here does not deal with banishment but with reward for the good and tears for the bad.

The question of all of us is “What is your gift or gifts and what are you doing with it or with them?” To say that “I don’t have a gift” is not an acceptable objection. Your talent may have nothing to do with the conduct of organized worship within these walls. The issue comes down to what we do for God and others as a manifestation of our love for God and neighbor. We all must answer this question.

 

 

 


How Do We Know This Is True?


“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.  Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.  Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.  But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

Daniel 12:1-4

The Old Testament book of Daniel contains many significant events such as the survival of his three friends thrown into the fiery furnace, Daniel’s night in the lion’s den, the hand writing on the wall, as well as an end time countdown when time expires and a judgment ensues. Perhaps more striking is a generalized resurrection of the dead to either everlasting life or eternal shame and condemnation. To this point in time, the nature and extent of the resurrection of the dead was nebulous. Such is clearly promised and the implication is that Daniel will be one of the wise who will shine like the stars in the heavens. What is implied is that death will not have the last word but will be defeated. This news is noteworthy and has application to the whole of humankind this and all days. The prophetic word is not accompanied with any explanation that declares how this is to come about. Such a mystery is to be disclosed in the future.

Who has believed our message    and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?  He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him
.

Isaiah 53:1-2

By oppression] and judgment he was taken away.  Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living;   for the transgression of my people he was punished.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence,  nor was any deceit in his mouth.  Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,  and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days,    and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered,   he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53: 8-11

 

Years before the great prophet Isaiah had introduced us to the Suffering servant who was to be God’s agent. The Jews of his day and later as well did not know what to do with this Suffering Servant. The knowledge hinted at by Daniel is portrayed in a 2700 year old work that outlines the role, purpose, crucifixion and death of this figure who will likewise be resurrected from the dead and will see his offspring.

Those who turn to look upon Him in faith will be rescued from shame and their sins will be completely and everlastingly overcome.


Jesus Has Risen

 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

 Matthew 28:1-8

 

Four gospels present us with four different accounts of who was there, when and how. Does this lessen the veracity of the fundamental story? No, not really. If there were four identical accounts, we would certainly have something to worry about. If multiple witnesses in a court of law give identical eyewitness accounts, they have been coached as to what to testify.

Was the tomb really empty? This is the one thing that everyone agreed upon. The soldiers revealed it to be so. How, they didn’t know. The skeptical Jews said that the disciples stole the body away. Their state of mind was not one of taking on a contingent of armed Roman soldiers. They were hiding behind closed doors and concerned as to whether they were next. Thomas was unwilling to take the word of his companions despite his close association with them for 3 years. An ancient book of religion dating over 1500 years into the past said that Jesus merely swooned and the cold stone of the tomb revived Him. This is a great faith in homeopathic medicine. Jesus had been exsanguinated by His multiple wounds and the Roman lance plunged into His right chest would have killed Him had He not already expired. Multiple additional witnesses included His brother James who thought Him to be insane, the pair on the Road to Emmaus, 500 on a mountain top in Galilee and to Saul of Taurus on the road to Damascus.

What else makes this story ring true? Convinced Jesus was alive; His disciples challenged the Jewish leaders, the Roman Empire, and the secular world at large with this story. Such cost the majority their lives.

But why did Jesus not appear to the powerful and the elite? The issue is not with the intellect alone but with the dark soul and spirit of humankind. The need is not merely knowledge to inform but wisdom to transform. Jesus came for sinners who can comprehend that they need a Savior. There is only one who died on a cross but was resurrected from the grave. It is He that provides the narrow path to a resurrection of Joy.

Good Friday has its purpose and the proof of its worthiness is the resurrection of the Savior on Easter Sunday. It is on this day that Christians profess that the Savior has arisen. He has arisen indeed.

 

 

 


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