Posts Tagged ‘Resurrection’
Scripture reading for October 20th: Mark 14-16
Mark’s Gospel tells of Jesus Christ serving, healing, casting out demons, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to His own people. Jesus particularly sought out those who were lost and willing to listen. He gathered disciples who would be willing to leave all, follow Him and learn His character and His ways. He is shown teaching them and then sending them out to practice what He had taught. He would evaluate their work and encourage them as well as rebuking them when necessary. It is a Gospel of action: God in Jesus Christ acting to bring salvation to those who would receive it.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” …”Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” Mark 16:15-18, 20.
This Gospel’s closing words are a call to Jesus’ followers to continue the action of God. Jesus Christ had taught His followers all that was needed. They were to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit who would give them the power that was needed to be His witnesses. (Acts 1:8) Then they were to go and preach. No one can hear and have faith for salvation without someone preaching the Word to them! As they preached, they were to act under the authority of the name of Jesus Christ. In His name supernatural signs would accompany the going and the preaching of the Word. Demons would be cast out, sick people would be healed. People would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and would speak with new tongues. The disciples would have supernatural protection as well from attacks of venomous snakes or people trying to poison them. These promises were made to all who would obey the Word of God!
It is interesting to note that these first disciples obeyed and went their way, preaching the Gospel and praying for the sick and demon possessed. Jesus Christ worked with them and signs followed their ministry. The truth highlighted here is that if you are seeking miracles, signs and wonders, the best place to find them is when you obey God’s command to go and preach! Are you willing to act in faith and experience the supernatural following your preaching and prayer? What is holding you back? Are they able to follow you?
Scripture reading for October 14th: Matthew 26-28
Those who have grown up in the church have heard the story of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and crucifixion many times. This story is a key to our redemption from the ravages of sin because it tells of a Savior who willingly took our sin and loved us so much that He gave His life for us. No one really took His life from Him; He offered it on our behalf as a part of God’s plan to bring us back to Himself. Today, as we look at this story, I want us to focus on Jesus and His sacrifice for us.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for a mere thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14-15) Why Judas sold his Master, we are not actually told, except that he belonged to the evil one and was not one of the true disciples. He fulfilled Scripture in Zechariah 11:12-13 that was written about him several hundred years in advance. The Jews sent temple guards to follow Judas to the place where Jesus was praying with His disciples. Judas betrayed his master with a kiss. Jesus told Judas and his followers to do what they came for and offered no resistance.
He was taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Sanhedrin, who met early in the morning, to try to find a way to put Jesus to death. (Matthew 27:1) Caiaphas asked Jesus directly if He was the Christ, Son of the living God. Jesus answered “yes” and told him that in the future he would see Jesus seated at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:63-64) The council pronounced a death sentence, spit on Him, and struck Him with their fists. His trusted disciples deserted Him and Peter denied Him three times as Jesus had predicted.
Jesus then stood before Pilate, the Roman governor, the only one with authority to put Him to death. Pilate listened to the Jews’ charges and then asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus again answered “yes”. Jesus made no other defense against the charges, to Pilate’s amazement! Pilate had been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with Jesus because of a troubling dream that she had. He tried to get the crowd to release Jesus, but they insisted on having a criminal released and demanded Jesus be crucified.
Pilate symbolically washed his hands of the innocent Jesus’ blood and placed the responsibility on the people. They willingly stated: “Let His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:25) Ironically, it is the blood of Jesus alone that can cleanse us all from our sin. We all have done that which caused God to take this drastic measure to save us. It is a wonderful act of grace for Jesus to give His blood for the redemption of those who would crucify Him. We who are saved have willingly confessed our sins and asked that “Jesus blood cover us”. May it cover our children too!
As we rest today and reflect on the reading of the past week, we can’t help but remember what a special day this is! This day is a day that has forever changed history in a number of ways! First, the calendar went from “BC” to “AD” marking a turning point for all mankind. Secondly, Jesus Christ so loved us and all of mankind made in God’s image, that He willingly gave his life for us. He took our sins in His own body on the cross and became a curse for us in order to remove from us the curse of sin (Galatians 3:13-14) and it’s resulting penalty, death. (Revelation 1:17-18) His last words, “it is finished”, (John 19:30) marked the end of all that was necessary for us to have the gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit. (John 14:25-26) The Holy Spirit marks us with an invisible mark telling the Father that we are now His. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Christ was buried in a tomb and it was sealed over and guarded by tough Roman soldiers. (Matthew 27:65-66) Early in the morning on the first day of the week, however, the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty! The women coming to embalm the body heard the glorious and puzzling angelic announcement: “He’s not here; he has risen just as he said. Come see the place where he lay. Go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you.” (Matthew 28:6-7) Jesus was alive and showed himself to those who were close to him. Eyewitnesses touched, handled, and examined his resurrected body. Over 500 saw him at one time. (1st Corinthians 15:3-6)
Jesus is alive today! He is seated at God the Father’s right hand. He is waiting for all his enemies to be made a footstool for his feet. (Hebrews 10:12-13) He is waiting for the command of the Father to come back again for those who are His! All who are ready and watching for His return will be taken to be with Him forever! (Matthew 24:42-44) Those who have died in faith will rise first and we who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we will always be with the Lord! Comfort one another with these words! (1st Thessalonians 4:11-18) Now that will be a “resurrection day” for us all to prepare for! Jesus is alive and coming soon!
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen, Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20