It is Easter time and it is that time we study the scripture anew.
A number of years ago, driving home
from work during Lent season, Chuck Swindoll was giving a blow by blow
description of Christ’s suffering and death on the Cross. It was a life changing experience to hear all
that Christ physically, emotionally and mentally went through from the time the
chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill him, the Garden of
Gethsemane to His asking forgiveness for us. The piercing pain in my heart I had never
experienced. For the first time I really
zeroed into the pain Jesus suffered, and tears flowed freely down my
face. Not only was I experiencing His
pain, I realized a love for me (and all peoples) that humbled me prostrate before the Lord of my
life. I knew the story in scripture. I had heard and read the scripture before, but
this day, the Holy Spirit touched me and my knowing became incredible
understanding in my heart of a love that goes beyond anything we know on this
earth.
For the next week and a half as
we approach Easter, we would like to share with you this scripture, all Christians
for sure and many non-believers, have heard repeatedly throughout a life
time. Our prayer is that once again hearing this scripture, you will
experience a new miracle, a new revelation in the inner depths that reveals new understanding where you are in your walk with the
Lord.
After 400 years between the Old
and New Testament Christ is born, “For God so loved the world . . . .” (John 3:16). His Sermon on the Mount is a compilation of
His moral teachings and Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator of the
New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6). He began His
miracles when He turned water into wine, John 2:11. Jesus continued to do greater and greater
miracles and signs until that day the Chief Priests began to plot the death of
Jesus. (John 11:45-53). Their concern
was, “If we let Him (Jesus) alone like this, everyone will believe in Him,
and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” Caiaphas, the High Priest, said, “consider
. . . is it not expedient for us that one man die for the people than a whole
nation should perish and then from that day on, they plotted to put Jesus to
death.” That was their reasoning for
killing Jesus, a Man that spoke peace and never fell short of the Glory of God
The Chief Priests became fearful
in their hearts and in selfishness and greed they sought to prevent losing
their prestige and position. They feared
the people would believe in Jesus as their Messiah. The Gospel of Mark tells us they used trickery (deception)
to put Jesus to death. Their deception
waited until after the Passover because they feared the reaction of the people
(followers of Christ).
Let us ask you, were you ever
placed in a position that someone premeditated to cause great harm to
you by deception and lies? You are
innocent! Yet because of the evil in the heart of another, great pain, damage
to your character comes to you. Once a person
speaks a lie, it is exceedingly difficult to prove truth.
We can stand on the same truth
that Jesus Christ stood, His Heavenly Father.
Christ is sent into the world with a love beyond comprehension. The Father had given Him a mission and the
Father was with Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, giving Him strength,
courage, and assurance that He (Jesus) would finish the mission for which He
was sent. Jesus Glorified God, “I have glorified You (God) on the earth, I have finished the
work which You have given Me to do”. (John 17:4) The High Priests
may have lied, cheated with trickery and deception, and schemed until Christ
was to hang on the Cross. Truth
prevailed in the resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God, that we may know life
eternally.
Regardless of what man can do to
us, in the truth of the cross our mission will be complete in the dignity and
honor we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us Pray!!
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