JESUS – SACRIFICE
After first looking at the “bird’s eye view” of the crucifixion from God’s perspective, it is necessary to go to Jesus’ perspective. This is due to the fact that Jesus and God are entities of the same Godhead. We cannot talk about the love of God without also talking about the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus understood that God was sending him to this world to do a specific task - restore all of creation and place all of humanity back into a right relationship with God. Jesus states, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name” (John 12:23-26 NIV).
I can only imagine the pain that Jesus endured for the sake of each of us as he hung on that cross and what was going through his mind as blood flowed from the five wounds (head, hands, feet, back, and side).
As the soldiers, Gentiles, and Jews all stood on the hill of Golgotha where he was crucified and ridiculed him, he must have thought, “I did this for them? I cannot believe I left my seat by the throne of God to come and save an obstinate people!” Could this have really been going through the mind of Christ? Scripture tells us something differently. From the cross Jesus states, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV). Even though the people broke his body, they were also breaking his heart because he understood what they were missing out on. He understood the glory of the Father in a way that was incomprehensible to anyone on earth.
Jesus states, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and your children” (Luke 23:28 NIV). This sacrifice Christ made was out of love for God’s children and his desire to see their relationship restored to the Almighty. Christ sacrificed his spot in eternity for a short time in order to redeem the people of God (John 1:1-18).
Jesus sacrificed the riches and comfort of this life for the sake of redeeming you and me to our Creator. He came as a baby boy to a poor carpenter and not as the son of a political or religious ruler. He sacrificed riches for poverty and power for humility.
What is Christ calling you to sacrifice for the sake of a transformed and renewed relationship with God? Is it wealth, stature, fame, pride, materials, relationships, comfort, or special privileges? 2 Peter 2:20-21 states, “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (NIV). Suffer and sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel and Christ will defend you before the Father on the Day of Judgment.
“God may thunder His commands from Mount Sinai and men may fear, yet remain at heart exactly as they were before. But let a man once see his God down in the arena as a Man, - suffering, tempted, sweating, and agonized, finally dying a criminal's death - and he is a hard man indeed who is untouched” (Phillips, CN Online).
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Importance of the Cross-Part II
GOD – LOVE
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17 NIV).
As I ponder the different perspectives of people at Calvary, the first to come to mind is that of the Father. Almighty God, who put this world in place and created human beings to be in relationship with him, had to have the heaviest heart on that day. This God, who used to walk in the Garden with his original creations, was now sacrificing his only son in order to renew his relationship with humanity. “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you’” (Genesis 3:8-9 NIV)?
Even though man failed to love his Creator, God still desired a relationship. And even though man tried to hide from God, the Lord still sought him out.
Human beings have done a wonderful job rejecting God. It is at the crucifixion that God had to reject his son in order to save humanity from their sins. Of course, God’s rejection of His only son was out of love for his creation.
What an interesting way to reverse the curse placed on creation by humanity! The Almighty needed a sacrifice to cover the sins because of his justice. This just God used to allow the blood of unblemished animals to be used to cover sin, but he sent Jesus to be that final sacrifice to continually and forever cover sin. Why his son and not the continued blood of animals? Was it to make our lives easier? The author of Hebrews tells us that it is because the annual sacrificing of animals was a constant reminder of guilt and that it was impossible for the blood of animals to fully cover the sin of humankind (Hebrews 10:1-18).
I cannot imagine the agony that God felt as his son was being killed and the rest of humanity stood at the foot of the cross and ridiculed him. In his mercy and love he did not pour out his wrath on humanity and rescue his son. He saw a far greater victory in restoring his creation to relationship with him. He knew his son, who was part of him, gave up his life for the good of all.
How has God called you to love him and others? What has he called you to give up for the sake of a relationship with him? He gave up his son for a relationship with us because he loved us that much. “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete…We love because he first loved us” (1st John 4:16b-19).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17 NIV).
As I ponder the different perspectives of people at Calvary, the first to come to mind is that of the Father. Almighty God, who put this world in place and created human beings to be in relationship with him, had to have the heaviest heart on that day. This God, who used to walk in the Garden with his original creations, was now sacrificing his only son in order to renew his relationship with humanity. “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you’” (Genesis 3:8-9 NIV)?
Even though man failed to love his Creator, God still desired a relationship. And even though man tried to hide from God, the Lord still sought him out.
Human beings have done a wonderful job rejecting God. It is at the crucifixion that God had to reject his son in order to save humanity from their sins. Of course, God’s rejection of His only son was out of love for his creation.
What an interesting way to reverse the curse placed on creation by humanity! The Almighty needed a sacrifice to cover the sins because of his justice. This just God used to allow the blood of unblemished animals to be used to cover sin, but he sent Jesus to be that final sacrifice to continually and forever cover sin. Why his son and not the continued blood of animals? Was it to make our lives easier? The author of Hebrews tells us that it is because the annual sacrificing of animals was a constant reminder of guilt and that it was impossible for the blood of animals to fully cover the sin of humankind (Hebrews 10:1-18).
I cannot imagine the agony that God felt as his son was being killed and the rest of humanity stood at the foot of the cross and ridiculed him. In his mercy and love he did not pour out his wrath on humanity and rescue his son. He saw a far greater victory in restoring his creation to relationship with him. He knew his son, who was part of him, gave up his life for the good of all.
How has God called you to love him and others? What has he called you to give up for the sake of a relationship with him? He gave up his son for a relationship with us because he loved us that much. “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete…We love because he first loved us” (1st John 4:16b-19).
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Importance of the Cross-Part I
The pivotal piece of the Christian faith is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. If Easter Sunday never happened, then our faith would never have had the impact that it has had on the world for nearly 2,000 years. Even though the resurrection is so important, it would not have needed to happen without the death of Jesus Christ happening first.
The mission of Jesus Christ’s life on earth was to go to the cross and die for the sins of the world. We celebrate his death on Good Friday, which is essentially three days before Easter Sunday. It is called “Good” because it was this sacrifice of love that allowed human beings to again stand before God as righteous. We as people need the blood covering of Jesus in order to have the ability to stand before our Creator. We need Jesus to stand next to us as our advocate in order for the Judge to allow us into the eternal heavens. Because of Jesus, we live with hope.
However, in order for one to experience the saving grace of Jesus, one must first invite him in to his or her heart. Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20 NIV). It is a relationship with Jesus Christ that transforms a person to a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is Jesus Christ who imparts his spirit into his children to lead them through this life and prepare them for the resurrection of the dead and eternal life with Almighty God (Romans 8:1-17). The initial step of the Christian faith is accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord of lords and King of kings. The following steps consist of a lifetime of continually being transformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ.
As I think of my faith in Christ, the journey that I have been on, and the way Christ is continually transforming and shaping me into his image and likeness, I am humbled by the cross. I still cannot comprehend and fully understand the sacrifice he made for the children of God. I try to put myself in the shoes of those in attendance the day he died and try to understand where they were coming from; what they saw, felt, and experienced. How did the cross of Christ transform the people watching him suffer and die? Even though Christ was killed nearly 2,000 years ago, can I still really put myself there to understand the totality of the circumstances or the beginning stages of the faith I hold so dear? What can the participants and the onlookers of the crucifixion teach me about the faith and the possible emotions and experiences that I may feel and face as a Christian in the 21st century?
The next 8 weeks we will walk through a prayer devotional that will take each of us through the night Jesus was crucified, but through the perspective of a different person on scene. We will see the cost that was paid by Jesus and the others who chose to follow him and those who chose not to.
Of course, my interpretation is based off of speculation simply because the characters I will discuss are no longer living on this side of heaven, but I will use the Holy Scriptures to help guide our journey this week. Get ready to be transformed and made more aware of the cost of following Jesus and the benefits one receives when calling that man Lord and Savior.
The mission of Jesus Christ’s life on earth was to go to the cross and die for the sins of the world. We celebrate his death on Good Friday, which is essentially three days before Easter Sunday. It is called “Good” because it was this sacrifice of love that allowed human beings to again stand before God as righteous. We as people need the blood covering of Jesus in order to have the ability to stand before our Creator. We need Jesus to stand next to us as our advocate in order for the Judge to allow us into the eternal heavens. Because of Jesus, we live with hope.
However, in order for one to experience the saving grace of Jesus, one must first invite him in to his or her heart. Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20 NIV). It is a relationship with Jesus Christ that transforms a person to a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is Jesus Christ who imparts his spirit into his children to lead them through this life and prepare them for the resurrection of the dead and eternal life with Almighty God (Romans 8:1-17). The initial step of the Christian faith is accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord of lords and King of kings. The following steps consist of a lifetime of continually being transformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ.
As I think of my faith in Christ, the journey that I have been on, and the way Christ is continually transforming and shaping me into his image and likeness, I am humbled by the cross. I still cannot comprehend and fully understand the sacrifice he made for the children of God. I try to put myself in the shoes of those in attendance the day he died and try to understand where they were coming from; what they saw, felt, and experienced. How did the cross of Christ transform the people watching him suffer and die? Even though Christ was killed nearly 2,000 years ago, can I still really put myself there to understand the totality of the circumstances or the beginning stages of the faith I hold so dear? What can the participants and the onlookers of the crucifixion teach me about the faith and the possible emotions and experiences that I may feel and face as a Christian in the 21st century?
The next 8 weeks we will walk through a prayer devotional that will take each of us through the night Jesus was crucified, but through the perspective of a different person on scene. We will see the cost that was paid by Jesus and the others who chose to follow him and those who chose not to.
Of course, my interpretation is based off of speculation simply because the characters I will discuss are no longer living on this side of heaven, but I will use the Holy Scriptures to help guide our journey this week. Get ready to be transformed and made more aware of the cost of following Jesus and the benefits one receives when calling that man Lord and Savior.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Who do we rely on for our basic needs?
It is so easy to turn on the evening news, check the major networks online, or look at a news paper and get depressed and worried about the state of our world. The economic crisis and depressed housing market has nearly brought our country to her knees. The raging wildfires in California are leaving families homeless. There was a school in Haiti that killed 100’s of students when the walls of that structured collapsed. Bankruptcy seems to be a norm and daily occurrence. We have a president elect who is already facing assassination threats and we also have a very divided government who wants more power. The big industries in our country seem to be slashing jobs and leaving people unemployed, which has been its highest in years.
One does not have to look far in the Times-Gazette to see that Ashland, OH is not exempt from the struggles of the world. Nearly a month ago, Archway closed down, AU cut 48 full time jobs last week and many families I know are struggling to put food on their table. Where is the church’s place in this world?
The church needs to offer sympathy and hope to our hurting world. The church needs to comfort those in need and do what it can to provide the physical and spiritual needs to the hurting and hungry. Most importantly the church needs to offer Jesus Christ. He promises to never leave or forsake his children (Hebrews 13:5). He promises to provide each day our daily bread (Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:5-15). It is interesting to look at the Lord’s Prayer and pray it from the perspective of being one in need and not one who has everything. Jesus promises today’s bread.
When the Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years, the Lord provided them food each day by giving them bread from heaven. He commanded them to only take what they needed for the day because he would daily supply new bread. Those who did not listen to his command would store up more bread then needed. By mid-afternoon this bread would turn sour and would grow maggots (Exodus 16). He promised new bread each day so there was no reason to worry about having enough bread for tomorrow.
Is this the mentality we are going to have to have in the coming future? Will we have to cling to this promise that the Lord will supply daily, like we never have had to in the past? We must put our trust in Christ and continue putting one foot in front of the other. Christ commands us not to worry and to put our trust in him (Matthew 6:25-34).
One does not have to look far in the Times-Gazette to see that Ashland, OH is not exempt from the struggles of the world. Nearly a month ago, Archway closed down, AU cut 48 full time jobs last week and many families I know are struggling to put food on their table. Where is the church’s place in this world?
The church needs to offer sympathy and hope to our hurting world. The church needs to comfort those in need and do what it can to provide the physical and spiritual needs to the hurting and hungry. Most importantly the church needs to offer Jesus Christ. He promises to never leave or forsake his children (Hebrews 13:5). He promises to provide each day our daily bread (Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:5-15). It is interesting to look at the Lord’s Prayer and pray it from the perspective of being one in need and not one who has everything. Jesus promises today’s bread.
When the Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years, the Lord provided them food each day by giving them bread from heaven. He commanded them to only take what they needed for the day because he would daily supply new bread. Those who did not listen to his command would store up more bread then needed. By mid-afternoon this bread would turn sour and would grow maggots (Exodus 16). He promised new bread each day so there was no reason to worry about having enough bread for tomorrow.
Is this the mentality we are going to have to have in the coming future? Will we have to cling to this promise that the Lord will supply daily, like we never have had to in the past? We must put our trust in Christ and continue putting one foot in front of the other. Christ commands us not to worry and to put our trust in him (Matthew 6:25-34).
Monday, November 10, 2008
Whatever you did for the least of these...
On October 31st we as a youth group headed up to Cleveland for Acquire the Fire. There were many issues discussed and the weekend speakers gave you a number of challenges. One of these challenges was to put your faith in Christ into action. Matthew 25:40 states, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’ (NIV).
We are called by God to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give a drink to the thirsty, and visit the sick and imprisoned. I was excited to see you all decide to sponsor a child from Thailand who is in need. “Man Thong” will now be able to survive in his poverty stricken country because of your help. Feel good about yourselves, but DO NOT stop there. Daily provide a helping hand for those in need, but do it in the name of Jesus Christ. Let his love for you be the driving force behind why you do good for others. This Advent and Christmas season you have a number of opportunities to serve those in need, which in turn is actually serving Jesus Christ; as scripture says (Matthew 25:31-46).
We have Operation Christmas Child coming up this week (November 23rd). We will be feeding the poor people of Ashland on November 30th at First UMC. We will be Christmas caroling to our church family’s shut-ins on December 21st. These are wonderful ways to serve Christ through helping others. I am proud of you all and the sacrifice you made financially in supporting “Man Thong.” Keep it up! Let’s continue to grow together in the faith and make this holiday season the best one yet.
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17 NIV).
We are called by God to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give a drink to the thirsty, and visit the sick and imprisoned. I was excited to see you all decide to sponsor a child from Thailand who is in need. “Man Thong” will now be able to survive in his poverty stricken country because of your help. Feel good about yourselves, but DO NOT stop there. Daily provide a helping hand for those in need, but do it in the name of Jesus Christ. Let his love for you be the driving force behind why you do good for others. This Advent and Christmas season you have a number of opportunities to serve those in need, which in turn is actually serving Jesus Christ; as scripture says (Matthew 25:31-46).
We have Operation Christmas Child coming up this week (November 23rd). We will be feeding the poor people of Ashland on November 30th at First UMC. We will be Christmas caroling to our church family’s shut-ins on December 21st. These are wonderful ways to serve Christ through helping others. I am proud of you all and the sacrifice you made financially in supporting “Man Thong.” Keep it up! Let’s continue to grow together in the faith and make this holiday season the best one yet.
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17 NIV).
Monday, November 3, 2008
Establish your identity in Christ...
We in the United States of America are calling tomorrow's election the most historical of our times. This may be so, but what troubles me has been how Christian men and women are wrapping themselves up in a particular political party. Pastors and laity alike have been taking sides. "Evangelicals of Obama, or, "You aren't Christian unless you vote Republican," are just two of many bumper stickers I have seen in the past few months. But my question is, should we be taking sides? Can Christians really only vote one way? Should we really be forcing Christ to camp out on one side of the spectrum or the other?
It troubles me how excited and "fired up" Christians are getting over this year's election, but remain silent about their relationship with Christ, who is the only absolute truth in this world. Should we be more vocal about our political views or about the freedom we have experienced in Jesus Christ? What should we be grounding our identity in? Should it be in political parties and their candidates that come and go? Or, should it be in Jesus Christ, who will never leave you or forsake you?
Teens, I challenge you to put your trust in Christ first. I challenge you to ground your identity in him and only him. We are part of a country where we have the oppurtunity to vote and we SHOULD vote. With that said, do not get depressed if your candidate loses or do backflips if your candidate wins, but instead weep for the lost of this world and rejoice that your names are written in the book of life.
Presidents come and go. Taxes, economic reccessions, political parties and their agendas come and go, but Christ Jesus remains forever.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 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. 5:16-21 NIV)
It troubles me how excited and "fired up" Christians are getting over this year's election, but remain silent about their relationship with Christ, who is the only absolute truth in this world. Should we be more vocal about our political views or about the freedom we have experienced in Jesus Christ? What should we be grounding our identity in? Should it be in political parties and their candidates that come and go? Or, should it be in Jesus Christ, who will never leave you or forsake you?
Teens, I challenge you to put your trust in Christ first. I challenge you to ground your identity in him and only him. We are part of a country where we have the oppurtunity to vote and we SHOULD vote. With that said, do not get depressed if your candidate loses or do backflips if your candidate wins, but instead weep for the lost of this world and rejoice that your names are written in the book of life.
Presidents come and go. Taxes, economic reccessions, political parties and their agendas come and go, but Christ Jesus remains forever.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 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. 5:16-21 NIV)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The importance of relationships
King David was a man after God's own heart. I would consider him one who was really tight with the Father. David seldomly let the things of this world get in the way of his relationship with God. This is evidently shown by the psalms he wrote that discussed his relationship with God. Although he was a man driven by his love for God, there were times in his life that he allowed the world to come in between the two of them. This is seen in his great sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (2 Sam 11:1-26) and his census of the Israeli army (2 Sam. 24:1-17). Even though thes great sins separated himself from God, he evantually came back to the Father with a repentant heart and their relationship was one again restored.
I challenge you all to focus on your relationship with God this summer. Draw close to him, seek him, praise him, boast about him, fear him, and take refuge in him. He will not disappoint you.
Psalm 34:8-9, "Taste and see tht the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing."
I challenge you all to focus on your relationship with God this summer. Draw close to him, seek him, praise him, boast about him, fear him, and take refuge in him. He will not disappoint you.
Psalm 34:8-9, "Taste and see tht the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing."
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
"My Hope is Built..."
This past week in church we honored all the graduates for completing a particular area of study. Pastor Jim also challenged them to have Christ be the solid rock in their lives on which they stand. This service also reminded me of the trip Meredith and I took to the Grand Canyon a little over a year ago.
It was an amazing view!! I still can't think of the right words to describe how majestic it looked. As I looked into the canyon I could not help but think of the Almighty Creator. This place also reminded me of a favorite hymn of mine. "My Hope Is Built..." The chorus of this hymn describes Christ as a solid rock. It portrays him as the only foundation in which each and every one of us should stand firm on. Not money, appearance, friends, family, fame, etc., but on Christ alone.
Allow Christ to be your foundation on which you stand. He will not disappoint you. He will never foresake you. He will never abandon you. You won't find truer happiness in anything else. "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand."
It was an amazing view!! I still can't think of the right words to describe how majestic it looked. As I looked into the canyon I could not help but think of the Almighty Creator. This place also reminded me of a favorite hymn of mine. "My Hope Is Built..." The chorus of this hymn describes Christ as a solid rock. It portrays him as the only foundation in which each and every one of us should stand firm on. Not money, appearance, friends, family, fame, etc., but on Christ alone.
Allow Christ to be your foundation on which you stand. He will not disappoint you. He will never foresake you. He will never abandon you. You won't find truer happiness in anything else. "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)