Tuesday, March 31, 2020

John 19:30

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

This verse is brief but contains quite a bit of information in light of the whole of scripture.  The first thing that crossed my mind was when Jesus said “It is finished.”.  What is this “it” that was finished?  Pentecost was still off in the future.  Jesus hadn’t been resurrected yet.  Jesus hadn’t even physically died yet.  So, what was this “it” he spoke?   My bible has a cross reference to John 17:4 “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”  This a reasonable explanation and it fits with the end of John 19:30 where scripture states that Jesus gave up his spirit; his spirit wasn’t taken from him.

I think a fuller understanding requires we go back a little earlier and a little later in time than this specific event.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Matt 27:45-46

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.  Matt 27:51

I believe during the 3 hours from the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3 pm) Jesus was separated from God the Father while Jesus was taking on the sin of the whole world; past, present, and future.  God the Father is completely Holy and cannot be in the presence of sin so he let Jesus take on this burden.  As I noted earlier Jesus gave up his spirit; it wasn’t taken.  This was the only point in time that Jesus was not in complete fellowship with God the Father.

Imagine how we ache with loss of a loved one – how we hurt from broken relationship.  Now picture taking on all this pain from all mankind and for all time.  Alone, no one else to share our pain.  I don’t recall scripture recording Jesus crying out from the physical pain of the Roman scourging.  If you want a graphic depiction of scourging I recommend the movie “The Passion of the Christ.”  No, he only cried out during His temporary separation from God the Father.  It’s just incredible.

The “it” that Jesus said was finished was the reconciliation of mankind to God the Father.  The veil was torn physically in the temple and spiritually between us and God.  For ALL that put their trust in Jesus, we no longer need an atonement; we no longer need a mediator.  Our spirit and the Holy Spirit can have direct relationship.  This is the relationship that Old Testament believers could only dream.  Jesus enabled a restored relationship that God intended; the relationship God had with Adam and Eve in the garden.  A personal relationship between created and creator.

You may wonder what practical application this might have.  There are times (probably more than I’d like to admit) that I get frustrated; even irritated.  If I bring these issues to my Lord the Holy Spirit reminds me that these issues are insignificant to what my Lord suffered so I need to let it go and by letting go I can maintain and/or repair my earthly relationships.  My hope is that as the Holy Spirit conforms me I will remember before my emotions take over rather than after so that repaired relationships are needed much less frequently.

Blessings.

Your Brother in Christ,
Dave

Monday, March 30, 2020

John 13:12-17

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

That evening was the last evening Jesus would spend with these twelve disciples.  During previous meals with these men the disciples speculated who was Jesus’s favorite.  They jockeyed for position as to who was the best; the most faithful disciple.  What would this meal be like?  Not only was it the last evening with them Jesus KNEW it was his last with them.  He had honored God, the Father, and willingly offered himself.  



If you knew you would not live past this evening with who would you choose to spend your time?  Your family?  Your closest friends?  What would you do?  What conversations would you have?  I would choose to spend it with my wife and my daughter.  I’d want them to know how much I love them; how much of a blessing they are to me.  I’d like them to know that just being in their presence was sufficient for me.  I’d want them to know how important a personal relationship with Christ is and to never lose sight of that.  That’s what I’d do.
 
Jesus did not have dinner with his mother or his siblings.  He chose to spend time with these twelve disciples.  These men besides being disciples were his friends; his family for the past 3 years. He had poured his life into the men as Moses had done with Joshua.  With such little time left what else should he say to them?  What else could he do for them prior to his departure?  Clearly, the disciples couldn’t fully appreciate the choice Jesus made about who to spend his time until after the crucifixion; after the resurrection; possibly after Pentecost.

Jesus did not perform one last miracle for them to demonstrate his power.  Jesus (their Rabbi) did not give a wonderful exegesis of scripture.  Jesus performed a simple act of service for his friends to demonstrate humility; show love.

I must confess I fall short of Jesus’s example.  I have a long way to go but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit I expect to be conformed towards that standard.

Your Brother in Christ,
Dave

Sunday, March 29, 2020

“A Help In Temptation”

A: Hebrews 2:17-18 “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” 
O: Once again, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus came for a very specific purpose!  And His purpose was to enter into our suffering.  Do you ever think of temptation as a form of “suffering”?  Well, if you’ve ever been tempted and tried to resist, you know how difficult it can be!  If you’ve ever wanted to resist but didn’t and then know the pain of failure, defeat and weakness, well…you can related to this text!  But the good news of this text is that Jesus also suffered under temptations that HE can bring you HELP in your temptation!
So how does Jesus help us in our temptation?  Well, certainly there is the gift of His Word, which can be a “lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105).  His Word can help us address the issues of temptation specifically as well as generally by giving examples of people who also faced what you’re going through.  And it’s through God’s Word that we find some really practical advice!
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13 
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”- James 4:7-8. 
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” - James 5:16
So, “a way of escape”, “submission” and “resistance” and “confession to one another” and “prayer”!
My guess is, if you employed any or all of these practical approaches, you would find VICTORY over the evil one and over your temptations!
A:  So, HOW can you apply these strategies and approaches as you consider the temptations you face?

P:  Heavenly Father, THANK YOU for all the ways you have given us to resist and to have victory over our sin.  But MOSTLY thank you for Jesus, my “High Priest” who through His suffering and death on the cross made propitiation for my sins.  Help me trust in Him and by His grace and strength, resist, be healed, and not fall into any temptation.  In Jesus Name.  Amen!

Pastor Tim


Saturday, March 28, 2020

Scripture: John 12: 3-8
3Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."
Observation:
Two observations stand out to me as I read these verses again.  The first is the description that because of Mary’s act “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”  This was an act of love and devotion on the part of Mary to Jesus.  Her actions affected multiple senses of those who were around her.  Not only could they watch her devotion to Jesus, they could not help but smell it because of the fragrant ointment used.  What do my acts toward Jesus fill the room with?  Is it something pleasing that all around me cannot help but notice like Mary’s was?  Or, unfortunately, is it noticeable for a different reaction.  Perhaps worse yet, does my lack of devotion leave the room empty?
The second observation is the reminder that Jesus knows our heart and the purpose behind the actions we take.  This is clear when He addressed Judas’ question about proper use of the money.  The notes in my Bible state that the cost of the ointment was probably close to a year’s wages.  Surely something more could have been done with this money to advance Jesus’ ministry as Judas states.  However, Jesus knows the heart of both Mary and Judas.  He knows Mary’s intentions are pure and honorable, while Judas’ are not.  
Application:
First, how does my devotion to Jesus affect those around me?  Do I leave a pleasing fragrance in the lives of those around me or is any impact felt at all?  This is not a statement saying that we are saved by works, but an understanding that my reaction to Jesus (His love for me and what that means to my life) should leave a pleasing impact, fragrance, to those around me.  I am reminded of Jesus’ words in John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  What can I do to demonstrate I am a follower of Jesus by sharing His love with those around me?
Second, how amazing that God knows us so intimately!  This gives me a mixture of emotions including awe, fear, and hope.  But I am comforted to know that Jesus knows me.  He knows my thoughts and desires.  He knows me beyond a surface level.  This is comforting.  He doesn’t just know of me, He takes the time to know me on a deep, personal level.  Thankfully, despite knowing all this about me, He still calls me His child and loves me more deeply, more intimately, than I will ever be able to understand while on Earth.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for knowing me intimately.  As fearful as it can be to realize you know my intentions, my thoughts, and my desires, it is comforting that You know me at a level deeper than I understand myself.  Despite this knowledge of my heart (because of the knowledge of my heart), you sent Jesus to die for me, to save me from my sins, and to bring me into a deep relationship with you.  Because of this deep love, help me share this news with others; that you know them deeply and want them to know you in that way too.  Help my actions affect those around me in many different ways, filling the room with your love just like the ointment used by Mary.
Jeff Wiese

Friday, March 27, 2020

Scripture: John 4: 25-26
25The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." 26Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."
Observation:
I have to admit, my observation comes not from these verses but from later in the story.  Verse 28 tells us that the woman “left her water jar and went away into the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.  Can this be the Christ?’”.
She left her water jar!  The thing that she had came for, the thing she originally thought would provide for her life.  She left it behind immediately because of what she found at that well; the water that gives eternal life that Jesus referred to in verse 14.
Because of her immediate response to Jesus, verse 39 tells us that “Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, …”.  Her reaction to Jesus had a profound affect not only on her, but on many of those around her.
Application:
What is my reaction to Jesus sharing who he is with me?  Sadly, if I am honest with myself I am much less enthusiastic in my response.  I don’t find myself leaving behind my work for the day to immediately go share what God has revealed to me with those in my community.  
Thankfully along with Jesus’ revelation of who He is to me, He has revealed why He came.  Through His death and resurrection I have life eternal with Him.  My sins are forgiven and God has made me His child.  This is the news that God has called me to share, just like the Samaritan woman at the well did.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself and your love to me through Jesus.  Help me to share the story of your love and forgiveness with those in my community that they too might come to know you and your love for them.
Jeff Wiese

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Scripture: Luke 23: 50-56
50Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Observation:
As I read and reread these verses in thinking about this blog entry three words keep coming into my mind; Provision, Preparation, and Perspective.  
Provision:
A burial place for Jesus’ body was provided through Joseph of Arimathea.  More than simply a location to place the Lord’s body, the notes in my Bible illustrate that this was also God providing a way for prophesy about Jesus to be fulfilled.  Luke tells us that Joseph was a member of the council, and implication here is that he was in a position of leadership within his community and likely someone of financial resources.  Jesus was buried in the tomb Joseph had prepared for himself.  Isiah 53:9 states that:
“… they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death . . .”
Through Joseph’s tomb, the grave of a rich man, God provided fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the death of the Messiah.
Preparation:
Again, a grave had been prepared by Joseph.  His intention for preparing this grave was different than how God used it.  However, Joseph was prepared for God’s use when the time came.
Additionally, verse 56 tells that the women following Jesus went back to prepare spices and ointments for Jesus’ body.  They were preparing to show their love to Jesus in what may have been perceived at the time as a final act of devotion to him.
Perspective:
Verse 56 also tells us that despite all of this going on and the acts of devotion they felt compelled to do to Jesus’ crucified body, the women rested on the Sabbath day as they were commanded to do.

Application:
Provision:
I reflect on the many ways that I see where God has provided for me in my life and acknowledge the many more that I am unaware of.  His provision is also a reminder of His kept promises.  A small list of those promises I find most comforting are:
  •       God promises to be with us in our time of need  (Deuteronomy 31:8 and Isiah 41:10)
  •        Forgiveness of our sins (1 John 1:9 and 2 Chronicles 7:14)
  •        That He has a plan for me including prosperity, hope, and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)
  •        That He hears and answers my prayers (Mark 11:24)
  •        That He loves me (John 3:16)

I am reminded how God has and continues to provide for me in every aspect of my life.  My application, is to keep this remembrance of God’s provision in the forefront of my thoughts.

Preparation:
Jeremiah 29:11 states that God has plans for us.  However, we do not always see what those plans are and how God will use us in his ultimate plan.  That is why it is important that we are prepared for where He places us and how He uses us.  One way to stay prepared, is to be in His word daily.  The Bible reminds of us these promises listed above; not only to us but to everyone.  Daily, or at least regular, reading of the Bible prepares us to share His love with others.

Perspective:
With a demanding job and two active children as well other family and social commitments it is often easy for me to lose perspective on what is important.  My guess is many of you face this same challenge.  The women following Jesus remind me to keep proper perspective on what I am doing and why I am doing it.  Even if I am devoted to doing tasks that I believe are pleasing to God (such as being a good husband, father, son, and employee) if I don’t make the priority worshiping Him and doing these things to honor Him, I have lost proper perspective.  We often say that God does not need our works or finances, but what He desires is our relationship with Him.  Despite our busy lives, it is important that we set aside time (as we too are commanded) to worship and develop our relationship with God.

Prayer:

Father God, I am thankful for the ways you provide for me throughout my life.  Physical and spiritual needs you provide; often without my awareness or acknowledgement.  Prepare me to be used for your will and to do the work of your kingdom.  And help me keep proper perspective on why I do these things and when to take time to rest, to worship you, and to know you better.

Jeff Wiese

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

39One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Observation:
I find myself asking, who would I be in this situation?  The first criminal doubts Jesus; if you are Christ save yourself and me.  The second offers a confession and prayer; acknowledging that Jesus is the Christ and asking that Jesus remember him in Heaven.
Obviously, I would like to think that I would like to be more like the second criminal.  That in my final hours I would openly confess Jesus as Lord and ask for Him to remember me, intercede for me, in his kingdom.  That I would acknowledge my wrong, understand that I justly deserve punishment, and Jesus is being punished unjustly.  
Sadly, I often find myself acting more like the first criminal.  I have an idea of what God should do, how He should use His power and might.  Healing that I believe should come to those I love.  Answered prayers to the many things I have asked for.  Justice for the many wrongs I see around me and sometimes feel have been done to me.  Thankfully, God’s view is much larger than mine.  
Application:
I am blessed in that I have the benefit of hind-sight.  I know how the story ends; not on that cross.  That three days later Jesus will rise from the grave having conquered death, paid the price for my sin, and has promised me eternal life with Him just like the second criminal.
One of my new favorite songs is “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship. Part of the lyrics state:
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in Your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake You died
There is great comfort in that thought; that while on the cross, Jesus saw through to the other side that the second criminal would be with Him that day.  That He saw I would be with Him in Heaven.  That He saw you would be with Him in Heaven.
Honestly, it is not important who I would be in that situation.  Jesus died for both criminals.  He died to redeem both criminals as well as all people who had been, who were, and who were to come.  More importantly, He rose so that we can have eternal life with Him.  “King of Kings” later states:
By His blood and in His name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for remembering me.  Help me to remember that through Your death and resurrection I am no longer bound by sin.  You have made me Your child, redeemed me from my sins, and promise that I will be with You in paradise. 
Jeff Wiese

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Luke 23:32-38


Scripture:  Luke 23:32-38: “Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Observation: Jesus is finally at the hour of his crucifixion.  He faces the ultimate humiliation and degradation. He came into this world with angels singing and announcing his presence. He was visited by the three kings and given precious gifts.  And now he is with criminals.  He is being nailed to a cross. He is being mocked. His clothes are being divided up amongst the guards based on the results of a dice game. And someone puts up a sarcastic label over his head on the cross labeling him as King of the Jews.  Surely this is not how it was supposed to end up for the King of Kings!  Except that it IS exactly how it is supposed to end up. Everything that happens here is a fulfillment of prophecy.   Jesus comes to save us from our sins in the only way he could. He has to die to pay the ultimate price that we could not pay- the price of dying in our place. Jesus died in our place, to atone for our sins.  In order to do this, he must be rejected, despised, and degraded. He knew this was coming and he willingly did it, taking the punishment that WE deserved, not him.  The book of Isaiah chapter 53 tells us: 
Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,yet we considered him punished by God,    stricken by him, and afflicted.But he was pierced for our transgressions,    he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him,    and by his wounds we are healed.”
   

Even though we were enslaved to sin since the fall in the garden, God has promised to send a savior. Genesis chapter 3 tells us:
“And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring[a] and hers;
he will crush[b] your head,
    and you will strike his heel.”
Even though we are fallen, god loves us still, so much that he sent a savior. This was promised to us at the fall and was fulfilled in Jesus
Application:  Christ paid the price for us all. Do we live like we are loved and forgiven, or do we tend to forget the suffering and pain that Jesus endured for us? Do we remember Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Prayer: Lord help me never to forget that I am a fallen sinner and would be lost but for the grace of Jesus who died for me.  Help me to live for Jesus as a response in gratitude for all he has done for me.  Amen.

Jack Wells

Monday, March 23, 2020

Luke 23:26-31


Scripture: Luke 23:26-31 “And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.  27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”


Observation: So much in this passage!  First, Simon of Cyrene. He was likely a visitor for the Passover. In his weakened state, Jesus was likely not able to carry the cross. Simon was pressed into service to carry the cross. We must wonder if he knew the significance of what he was doing at the time.  Later in scripture we have evidence that perhaps Simon’s sons might have become followers of Jesus.  Mark 15:21 mentions Simon’s sons Alexander and Rufus.  Romans 16:13 mentions Rufus. Perhaps this is because they were known figures in the later church, as some scholars have postulated. It makes us think of the significance of what we do in the name of Jesus. That seemingly small act may have sparked faith and discipleship in his descendants, and inspired others as the Gospel was preached.
Let’s look at the people mourning and lamenting. Jesus cautions them about what is to come. He tells them not to weep for him who came to save the world, but for the sin that infects them and their children. Jesus is making the sacrifice for us. He is the cure for the disease that infects us all.  As a prophecy, he tells them essentially that while things might look bleak now, they will likely get worse before they get better.  The dark days of the fall of Jerusalem and the temple are coming. As a reference to end time prophecy and his return, Jesus warns that it might have been better for those who are not believers never to have been born when he comes again.  Those in unbelief will literally wish for the mountains to fall on them. There will be a massive falling away before he returns in ultimate triumph. Verse 30 speaks to the injustices that will be delivered not only to unbelievers but to those in the faith as well.  In the near term the old and the young will be killed in the fall of Jerusalem. Ultimately, all will be judged when he comes again in glory.
Application:So, what can we take from this scripture?  Several things!  Simon shows that serving our Lord has blessings that we can’t even anticipate. He found out in a very literal way what it means to take up the cross and follow Him!  Those blessings will be carried on to the next generations as well as immediate.  Jesus tells us to not weep for him but for ourselves. He is come to save us from the despair of our own sin.  We need to turn away form our sin and look to him. Ultimately, we will be judged when he comes again.
Prayer:  Father help us to willingly serve you when called, and to believe that your blessings will multiply. Help us to turn away from our sins and to keep our faith and hope in you, the savior of the world. Amen.
Jack Wells

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Hebrews 4:15-16

“Sympathy”

S: Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 
O:  Have you ever been in need?  Have you ever struggled with your sins?  Have you ever wanted to NOT do something that you knew wasn’t “good” and yet….couldn’t resist?  “Fell into”….that deep and dark place of guilt and shame?  
Have you kept secrets because of it?  You know…DIDN’T come clean around others because you were afraid of their judgment or disappointment or you were afraid they would stop being in relationship with you?  So, you put up a front…spun it in your favor….played ignorant just to “save face”?
IF any of that sounds familiar….well…that’s what being human feels like!  Sin is ALWAYS worse than we think in the moment of falling into it!  The lie is….we can “handle it” or that no one will find out.  But here’s the deal with the Devil.  
He tempts you with the carrot, then beats you with the stick of guilt and shame and judgement and condemnation!
Which is why the words of todays reading are so powerful and good and sweet to our ears!
Jesus, understand what it’s like to face what you’ve fallen into!
He knows how the dynamics of sin and temptation works.
And He “sympathizes” with you! 
The word in the Greek we translate “sympathy” is the Greek word: “sympatheo”!  This is one of those Greek words that is very similar to the English!  It means to “have pity”, “have compassion for”or to “suffer with”.  Of course…Jesus “suffered with” us!  Not ONLY and supremely on the cross, but also in all those little ordinary ways of life!  He was hungry, tired, hot, cold, uncomfortable, misunderstood, mistreated, ridiculed, resisted, unfairly and unjustly accused of all manner of false things.  He was betrayed, abandoned and thought poorly of.  There is NO suffering any of us have ever felt that He hasn’t “entered into” with us!  Perhaps there is a connection to “Emmanuel - God WITH us”?  Maybe Emmanuel is just another way of showing and saying…He sympathizes WITH our condition, our circumstance or our situation?   And because He sympathizes with our situation, our sins, our guilt and shame, this is why He invites us to “come” to Him (Matthew 11:28-29) and find grace and “mercy” and “help” in our time of need.
A: What things have you been carrying around that are keeping you locked into shame?  

P: Lord Jesus, You are my High Priest!  At Your invitation and because of Your intercession for me and because of Your sacrifice, I come before You in prayer to bring ALL my sins and guilt and everything I’ve done and left undone.  Help me to trust in Your sacrifice for ALL my sins and help me be free from the guilt and shame!  And, help me to sympathize with others and use my life to bless them.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

Pastor Tim


Saturday, March 21, 2020

Luke 23:1-5


Scripture:  Luke 23:1-5 “Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
Observation: Next stop: Pilate.  The last group of accusers didn’t have the legal authority to sentence anybody for anything. For that they needed the government. Enter Pilate, the highest ranking local Roman official.  So, the religious leaders bring Jesus before Pilate with the charges and expect Pilate to accede to their wishes and to condemn Jesus. But the problem is that Pilate doesn’t really find any serious crime. Certainly, none that would warrant a death sentence.  Even as the accusers are pleading with him-the passage uses the term “urgently.” At this point Pilate can see the true motives of the religious leaders. Yes, the accusers might have an issue. Yes, Jesus might be trying to upset the religious status quo (which is exactly what he was doing) but there just was no evidence of a crime warranting death.
Pilate at this point is looking at Jesus and seeing him as a guiltless man.  This is quite an observation when we realize that is EXACTLY who Jesus was! As the Son of God Jesus was guiltless and sinless. Pilate was likely not thinking in that context at that time. He was likely concerned with his own political self-interest, and how his actions would look to his own superiors. But, he had it exactly right!  Jesus is the only sinless man who ever lived.  He was fully God and fully man, guiltless and without sin.  Pilate saw Jesus, but he didn’t really see him.
We can be that way too sometimes. We see Jesus but we don’t really see him. We know of him, but we don’t really know him.  We can look at Jesus through the lens of society and what the world teaches about him and fail to realize who he really is.  Jesus was God made man. He has been through all the trials, temptations, and suffering that we go through, and emerged sinless. Since he has “been in our shoes” he knows what we feel and can intercede for us with our Heavenly Father.  The book of Hebrews tells us this:
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16
Application: Do we remember that Jesus has shared in our suffering? Do we remember that Jesus is our eternal savior and everlasting God? Do we know that he is interceding for us in the heavenly realms?
Prayer:Dear Jesus help me to never forget that you are my Lord and Savior.  Help me to remember to trust in you as I face trials in my life, and to remember that you have already overcome the world. Amen.
 Jack Wells