Why did Jesus Have to Die?

November 27, 2017 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned that Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained so that they did not know him. And he said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name is Cleopas answered and said to him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have you not known the things which happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we were hoping that it was he who was going to redeem Israel […] Then he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter in to his glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24: 13-27.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

After the annual Passover feast, millions of pilgrims were leaving Jerusalem to return to their homes. Two of Christ’s followers joined in the mass exodus; their hearts were broken and their minds filled with confusion; they like many, had believed Jesus to be the messiah; their hopes were shattered at the foot of the cross, and buried with Christ in his tomb. Supposing him to be dead, the two disciples debated the meaning of his brief existence. Suddenly Jesus Christ himself drew near to them in the guise of another pilgrim traveling along the road. The men could not comprehend why the messiah would need to suffer and die. Quoting the Old Testament scriptures, Jesus cited prophesies that foreordained his punishment and affliction. The cross was not an example of weakness, but rather, an illustration of strength; neither was his blood a symbol of death; for every drop that was shed, has come to represent God’s forgiveness. Jesus Christ took the punishment for sin upon himself; he died so that others could live.

In 1943, a ship named the USS Dorchester was sailing to Greenland as a part of a World War 2 navy convoy. The Dorchester was carrying 903 American soldiers and 4 chaplains. One evening, as the ship slumbered through the icy waters of the North Atlantic, the men were abruptly awakened by a loud explosion. A German U-boat torpedo had torn a hole in the bow of the vessel. All of the men immediately appeared on deck. The four chaplains began distributing the life vests to the soldiers as they abandoned the sinking ship. Within a matter of minutes, they ran out of vests. One of the chaplains bravely removed his vest and gave it to a soldier; the other three chaplains followed his example; these brave men then locked arms and began to sing and pray before drowning in the frigid waters. They chose to die so that others could live.

The disciples did not initially understand why Jesus Christ had to die. He died, because the punishment for sin had to be administered; and the punishment for sin is death. He perished in our stead. He embraced agony and suffering so that we could inherit eternal life. He took our place because he loved us. Return that love today by embracing him. Thank him for his sacrifice and honor him for his courage; you are only alive today, because he was willing to die for you.

“Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you and praise you for receiving our punishment. We understand that it was necessary for you to have suffered for our sins. You loved us when no one else could. Because of your sacrifice we have eternal life. May we never forget what You have done; may we always remain grateful; and may we continually serve You and worthily magnify Your Holy name. We love You Jesus, we thank You, and we praise You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.

Difficulties can Become Blessings

November 20, 2017 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is still day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the blind man’s eyes with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing (John 9: 1–7.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

In the first century it was commonly believed that all deformity and dysfunction was the result of sin. Therefore the disciples inquired whose sin had caused the man’s blindness. Jesus revealed that the man’s deformity came not by sin, but by the will of God. In healing the man, God was honored and glorified. Often the things that appear tragic are designed to bring God the greatest glory. Tragedy and adversity are not always punishments; in fact, frequently they are the greatest blessings we will ever know.

In 2003 a 13 year old Christian girl named Bethany Hamilton was surfing when a 14 foot tiger shark attacked her. The shark severed her left arm just below the shoulder. She nearly bled to death before being rushed to the hospital. Bethany had been one of the top competitive junior surfers in the world prior to her injury. Despite her strong faith, she questioned why God would allow her to endure such a tragedy. She was determined to surf again competitively. Trusting in God, Bethany entered the water and began training nearly 3 weeks after her accident. She started with a long board (making it easier to paddle.) She then moved to a smaller board, and then to a smaller board; until finally, she was once again surfing on a short board. Because Bethany refused to quit she has gone on to place in and win many of the world’s top female surf competitions. Her experience has become world famous; she has received thousands of letters and numerous awards; she has appeared on ‘20/20, Good Morning America, and the Oprah Winfrey Show,’ to name a few. She eventually published a book chronicling her struggle and victory (her story has recently been made in to a major motion picture entitled “Soul Surfer.”) Throughout her ordeal, Bethany has remained an outspoken Christian. She thanks Jesus Christ for her strength, her courage, and her triumph. Was losing her arm God’s will? Yes. What appeared to be a tragedy, has become the greatest blessing she has ever known. With two arms she would have likely won some surf competitions (she might have even made it on to the cover of a surf magazine.) Yet with God in her heart and one missing arm, she has been able to reach the whole world. She is a symbol of faith and a living example of God’s ability to take the broken and make them whole again.

Is there anything in your life that you struggle with; something that seems tragic; a source of shame or pain? Take another look; you may find a wonderful victory hidden within a great calamity. Seek the Lord, and He will strengthen you and lift you up. Lean on God, and let Him use you; He will take your weaknesses and make them your strengths. When He transforms your life, remember to give Him the credit He deserves. Utilize God’s power and have faith; never give up; face your fears; and many will see ‘the glory of God,’ revealed in you.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You turn our weaknesses in to our strengths. May Your enduring power and wisdom give us victory over the obstacles we face. Heal us Father, and fill us with Your courage, that by faith, we may overcome our fears and shortcomings; through the power of Your Holy Spirit may we all be able to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.

Faith Grows

November 13, 2017 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” (Luke 13: 20-21.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

What is leaven? Leaven is a collection of microscopic organisms, sometimes known as yeast. The yeast produces small bubbles of carbon dioxide, which are kneaded throughout bread dough. When the bread is cooked the micro-organisms are killed, and the gas bubbles expand and give the bread it’s size and soft feel (unleavened bread is very flat and hard.) Cooking bread without a leavening agent was common in the first century, especially among the Jews who were forbidden to eat leavened bread during the Passover week. Jesus compared leaven to the Kingdom of God. What do they have in common? The kingdom of God is something that is hidden away inside of a person’s heart, just as leaven is hidden away (and cannot be seen) in an unheated loaf of bread. A tiny bit of leaven will eventually spread through the loaf until it is completely saturated. Similarly, the kingdom of God often has a small beginning in the heart of the believer, but just a little bit of God’s kingdom is enough to eventually saturate the entire heart and life of the person who receives it. (Also, here, I believe Jesus is referring to the spread of the gospel outward from Jerusalem through the world; and indeed, the message has spread across the entire globe.)

Today scores of people own I-phones; many have also purchased some version of an Apple Computer. This brand seems to be a part of the lives of millions, if not billions of individuals on the planet. It would be easy to think that this company had its beginning in a huge office building, backed by some of the most powerful investors on the planet. It would be easy to envision a national advertising campaign and literary buzz announcing the start of Apple Computers. This would be easy to imagine, but it would also be incorrect. Apple Computers was started by two teenagers in a garage (Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs.) Steve’s dad had to clear out the garage so the boys had enough room to begin manufacturing their first personal computers. Something that two children began in a garage today spans the globe and affects the lives of billions of people.

Similarly, our understanding of faith is often skewed. We believe that strong faith in the Lord is something that a person just has, and there is no way to get it. This is an unfortunate belief; faith is not necessarily something that explodes immediately in a person’s life (it can, but not always.) Faith in Christ can have meager beginnings from which it may grow to affect every area of the believer’s life. This can be a scary prospect for a lot of people, and this is why many often harden their hearts and refuse to allow God’s kingdom to even have a beginning in them. Those who do allow the kingdom of God into their hearts are transformed from the inside out. Allow God to change you; allow Him to affect every area of your life, and you will know peace; you will know the truth; and you will know God.

“Lord, we lift You up; You are an awesome and mighty Father. We come before You today and we ask and pray that You would continue to grow within us; fill up our hearts and lives completely Lord. We ask You to keep expanding, and to enter into the areas of our lives that we might be holding back from You. Lord give us more of Your Holy Spirit and Your truth; and increase our faith. Take full control of our hearts and minds. We love You Lord, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.