UNDERWATER TEMPEST
“Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.”
Matthew 8:24
Have you ever had one of those moments when it feels like the ground that was once so solid falls out from beneath you? You know, those times when you thought you were walking secure and stable only to find that you stepped on a weak spot and the ground gave way. The sudden shift from solid to flimsy can catch us off guard and throw us into a panic mode. I have been there a few more times than I care to admit. There were times in life when I felt the storm coming, like when my marriage was failing, but then there were other moments when I had no idea, like when I lost my job in 2000. Living in Tennessee now days as opposed to California where I was born and raised, I look at it as a comparison between tornados and earthquakes. In Tennessee we are warned when a tornado is coming, but in California there is no warning for an earthquake.
But a quake is exactly what the disciples faced out on the lake one night. In Matthew 8:23-27 we read of a time when Jesus and His disciples were in the boat. With no warning whatsoever, a storm came up on the lake. The waves from this storm were so great that they washed over the sides and onto the boat. But notice where Jesus was during the storm and the splashing of waves…sleeping. The disciples woke Him and knowing His power, asked Him to save them. Jesus got up, disappointed at His disciples’ lack of faith, but then rebuked the waves and the storm was done. This passage ends stating that the disciples were so awestruck that they questioned just who Jesus really was.
I want to point out something in this passage, though, that I think we can truly gain from. In my opinion we know this story from the aspect of Jesus rebuking the wind and waves and the storm being done. However, let us take a look at the word ‘storm’ here. In most places in the Bible the word storm means some type of weather or storm cell that came on them and created rain, winds, hail, what have you. But in this passage only, when referring to the wind and waves Jesus rebuked, it had nothing to do with the weather above. It was the movement of things below that caused this storm. The Greek word in this passage only is SEISMOS, meaning a shaking such as an earthquake. Because the Sea of Galilee is fed partly by underground springs, at any point the springs can give way and cause a shaking underground. This release can produce an unexpected tempest below the water which plays out on the water as strong waves that can swallow up a boat, just as the disciples were facing in Matthew 8:24.
So how does this relate to us? I ask again, have you ever had one of those moments when it feels like the ground that was once so solid falls out from beneath you? In other words, have storms come upon you without warning? We have all had those moments I’m sure, but the thing we need to remember is that Jesus is with us. When the waves came up and rattled the boat the disciples began to panic. “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” We cry out also in these moments, Lord, save us! He has all authority and power in His hands, and has given it to us to use in His name. We are not to be those of little faith but rather those who are empowered by Him. In His name, in Jesus’ name, we too can speak to the wind and waves and command their peace. He is the Lord over the storms we see coming and the Lord over the underwater tempests. What kind of man is this that even the wind and the waves are stilled in His name?
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
EASTER SUNDAY
“’He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay’”
Matthew 28:6
Saturday left the women and the disciples hopeless, while leaving the chief priests and Pharisees fearful. The Savior, the one who had come as a baby, the one who had healed so many, the one who had raised others from the dead, now lay dead and in His own tomb. Hope was gone. But was it? Didn’t Jesus say to His disciples that His death would result in resurrection? In Luke 18:31-33 Jesus spoke of His death. “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’” Did the disciples forget all this? They had seen the mocking, heard the insults, watched the crowd spit on Him and flog Him. And just three days ago they watched their hope die on a cross. Was the belief that He would rise again gone as well?
The fullness of the events had not yet played out. As the dawn broke on the third day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb (Mt 28:1). They were carrying their spices and questioning who would roll the stone away so that they could anoint Jesus (Mk 16:3). But as they were walking toward the tomb, a violent earthquake shook the ground. When the ladies approached the tomb, they found the stone already rolled away and an angel sitting upon it (Mt 28:2). They peered inside but found no one, living or dead. And then the angel spoke, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Mt 28:6). The women hurried away, and in Matthew’s account, were suddenly met by Jesus and fell in worship of Him, clasping His feet. At that moment, the One who had overcome death spoke to them, telling them to announce His return to the others.
He was alive! Though He suffered a violent death of hanging on a cross, a death worthy of only a cursed man (Deut 21:22-23), He now was alive and well. And His death paid our price. Galatians 3:13-14 reads, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” His death paid for my sin, and His rebirthing, His resurrection paved the way for my coming into His family and receiving the promised blessings.
I am no one special, for what Christ did for me He has also done for you. By hanging on the cross, He also paved the way for your redemption, buying you back from the enemy. And while hope seemed lost, He was completing his plan of salvation for your life. When the time was right, when the three days had passed, Christ raised from the dead victorious over the devil. Death could not hold Him down. But now, as with those who have gone before you, you must make a choice. Christ has paid the price, but have you made the decision to accept Him as your Lord and Savior? Romans 10:9-10 tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, then we will be saved. For in doing this we are justified and cleansed. No one can do this for you, but I urge you to do it if you have not. The time is getting shorter each day, and soon there will be no more chances. Let today be the day that you enter into a real relationship with Christ. It is not enough to know of Him, you must know Him.
“’He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay’”
Matthew 28:6
Saturday left the women and the disciples hopeless, while leaving the chief priests and Pharisees fearful. The Savior, the one who had come as a baby, the one who had healed so many, the one who had raised others from the dead, now lay dead and in His own tomb. Hope was gone. But was it? Didn’t Jesus say to His disciples that His death would result in resurrection? In Luke 18:31-33 Jesus spoke of His death. “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’” Did the disciples forget all this? They had seen the mocking, heard the insults, watched the crowd spit on Him and flog Him. And just three days ago they watched their hope die on a cross. Was the belief that He would rise again gone as well?
The fullness of the events had not yet played out. As the dawn broke on the third day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb (Mt 28:1). They were carrying their spices and questioning who would roll the stone away so that they could anoint Jesus (Mk 16:3). But as they were walking toward the tomb, a violent earthquake shook the ground. When the ladies approached the tomb, they found the stone already rolled away and an angel sitting upon it (Mt 28:2). They peered inside but found no one, living or dead. And then the angel spoke, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Mt 28:6). The women hurried away, and in Matthew’s account, were suddenly met by Jesus and fell in worship of Him, clasping His feet. At that moment, the One who had overcome death spoke to them, telling them to announce His return to the others.
He was alive! Though He suffered a violent death of hanging on a cross, a death worthy of only a cursed man (Deut 21:22-23), He now was alive and well. And His death paid our price. Galatians 3:13-14 reads, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” His death paid for my sin, and His rebirthing, His resurrection paved the way for my coming into His family and receiving the promised blessings.
I am no one special, for what Christ did for me He has also done for you. By hanging on the cross, He also paved the way for your redemption, buying you back from the enemy. And while hope seemed lost, He was completing his plan of salvation for your life. When the time was right, when the three days had passed, Christ raised from the dead victorious over the devil. Death could not hold Him down. But now, as with those who have gone before you, you must make a choice. Christ has paid the price, but have you made the decision to accept Him as your Lord and Savior? Romans 10:9-10 tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, then we will be saved. For in doing this we are justified and cleansed. No one can do this for you, but I urge you to do it if you have not. The time is getting shorter each day, and soon there will be no more chances. Let today be the day that you enter into a real relationship with Christ. It is not enough to know of Him, you must know Him.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
SATURDAY
“Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
Luke 23:56
Saturday is considered the first full day of the weekend here in America, yet considered the official day of rest in Israel. Knowing this, and knowing that the Jewish day starts at dusk the night before, it is perhaps easier to understand why very little is recorded about Jesus’ final days when it came to Saturday. After His death on the cross, Joseph, a member of the Council from the Judean town of Arimathea, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. His request was granted. Jesus’ body was taken down, wrapped in linen cloth and placed in the tomb Joseph had cut in a rock. But as this was Preparation Day, and Shabbat was about to begin, not much more is recorded until Sunday. In fact, Luke’s only record of any event happening on Saturday is in Luke 23:56, which reads, “Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
In Matthew’s account of the Saturday activities in Matthew 27:62-66, he records that the chief priests and the Pharisees went before Pilate requesting his permission for yet another reason. Remembering that Jesus had said He would rise again after three days, and perhaps having a better understanding of the events now, they requested the tomb be made secure. Their concern was that the disciples may come and steal His body but then work to convince the people that Christ had indeed been raised from the dead. This deception, in their eyes, would be worse than anything else thus far. Because of this, Pilate agreed to have the tomb secured by putting a seal on the stone, in addition to posting guards.
Now knowing that the women were preparing spices according to Luke, and that the tomb was being secured according to Matthew, one may wonder what was going on with the disciples. There is nothing said about the disciples in any of the gospels. In his book, Plan B, Pete Wilson shares his opinion of the disciples’ Saturday events, and in many ways they can reflect our own lives. “For more than a day, from sundown on Friday to until early Sunday morning, Jesus’ followers waited, feeling more powerless, more hopeless, than they ever had felt in their lives. For all that time, hope is dead.”
I’m sure you have been there; I know I have. Those times in life when we feel helpless and hopeless visit us more than we desire. We are left wondering if things will ever get better. We find ourselves paralyzed. It is in these times that we ask the same question that the disciples may have. Did God forget the promises He made us? Did He abandon us? Does He still have the power to work this out, or is it truly hopeless now? In our situations we find the same bleakness as the disciples found.
Fortunately the story is not finished. In this moment of Shabbat, though, while we wait for the holy day to be over, we are in this time of simply waiting. As with the ladies in Luke’s account, we can do nothing. As with those ordered by Pilate in Matthew’s account, we can do nothing to prevent the guarding. And as with the thoughts of Pete Wilson, we can only assume that the promises have been forgotten. Will tomorrow prove that hope is fully lost, or that hope has been restored? Today, all we can do is wait.
“Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
Luke 23:56
Saturday is considered the first full day of the weekend here in America, yet considered the official day of rest in Israel. Knowing this, and knowing that the Jewish day starts at dusk the night before, it is perhaps easier to understand why very little is recorded about Jesus’ final days when it came to Saturday. After His death on the cross, Joseph, a member of the Council from the Judean town of Arimathea, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. His request was granted. Jesus’ body was taken down, wrapped in linen cloth and placed in the tomb Joseph had cut in a rock. But as this was Preparation Day, and Shabbat was about to begin, not much more is recorded until Sunday. In fact, Luke’s only record of any event happening on Saturday is in Luke 23:56, which reads, “Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”
In Matthew’s account of the Saturday activities in Matthew 27:62-66, he records that the chief priests and the Pharisees went before Pilate requesting his permission for yet another reason. Remembering that Jesus had said He would rise again after three days, and perhaps having a better understanding of the events now, they requested the tomb be made secure. Their concern was that the disciples may come and steal His body but then work to convince the people that Christ had indeed been raised from the dead. This deception, in their eyes, would be worse than anything else thus far. Because of this, Pilate agreed to have the tomb secured by putting a seal on the stone, in addition to posting guards.
Now knowing that the women were preparing spices according to Luke, and that the tomb was being secured according to Matthew, one may wonder what was going on with the disciples. There is nothing said about the disciples in any of the gospels. In his book, Plan B, Pete Wilson shares his opinion of the disciples’ Saturday events, and in many ways they can reflect our own lives. “For more than a day, from sundown on Friday to until early Sunday morning, Jesus’ followers waited, feeling more powerless, more hopeless, than they ever had felt in their lives. For all that time, hope is dead.”
I’m sure you have been there; I know I have. Those times in life when we feel helpless and hopeless visit us more than we desire. We are left wondering if things will ever get better. We find ourselves paralyzed. It is in these times that we ask the same question that the disciples may have. Did God forget the promises He made us? Did He abandon us? Does He still have the power to work this out, or is it truly hopeless now? In our situations we find the same bleakness as the disciples found.
Fortunately the story is not finished. In this moment of Shabbat, though, while we wait for the holy day to be over, we are in this time of simply waiting. As with the ladies in Luke’s account, we can do nothing. As with those ordered by Pilate in Matthew’s account, we can do nothing to prevent the guarding. And as with the thoughts of Pete Wilson, we can only assume that the promises have been forgotten. Will tomorrow prove that hope is fully lost, or that hope has been restored? Today, all we can do is wait.
Friday, April 22, 2011
GOOD FRIDAY
“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
John 19:30
In looking further at the final days of Christ’s life, we now find ourselves on what has since been termed Good Friday. May I ask? What is so good about it? While I do not claim to have all the answers, I do want to take a moment to point out one event that would have made this Friday good. To understand it, though, I want to start in looking at the trials. Jesus had questioned the angry mob that met Him in the garden as to why they had not sought to take Him before if they felt He was the leader of a revolt. But now, standing before Annas, He asked them again. “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me?” Here Jesus openly answered a question concerning His teaching, but following His response He received a strike in His face (John 18:20-22). For answering a question He received a punch in the face? That doesn’t sound good.
Leaving Annas, Jesus was transferred to Caiaphas, the high priest, where again He was questioned. However, it is here that we read the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus in order to put Him away (Mk 14:55). Finding no one, or maybe few, many false witnesses spoke against the Christ, and their stories did not match. The decision of the high priest was already made up, and nothing Jesus could say would change it. Caiaphas ended his interrogation calling the Christ a blasphemer, upon which Jesus was struck again and mocked to prophesy who hit Him. This still doesn’t sound very good.
Lastly, Jesus stood before Pilate. He was innocent yet given over to Pilate with the pretense of being a criminal (Jn 18:30). Hearing that they were bringing Jesus before him as not only a criminal, but as one who faced the death penalty, Pilate took Jesus aside for his own questioning. Pilate found no reason that Jesus should die or have these strong accusations placed on Him (Jn 18:38). Nevertheless, when Pilate announced one criminal was free to go, giving the crowd the choice of Jesus or Barabbas, the crowds chose Barabbas, a known and feared murderer. With the chanting of the crowd in unison demanding Christ be crucified, Pilate washed his hands of their decision. Now Jesus faced death. This sure doesn’t sound good.
Soldiers led Jesus away to the Praetorium where a whole band of soldiers were called on to abuse the Christ. They put a purple robe on Him and a crown of weaved thorn branches, then mocked His majesty. Over and over they beat Him with their fists, spit on Him, and forced Him to His knees in surrender. And if that wasn’t enough, Jesus was forced to carry His own cross before collapsing on the road to Golgotha. It was here that more torture was endured as they nailed Him to the cross in His feet and wrists, leaving Him to hang and die. I will admit, I have had many bad days at the office, but nothing like this. This still sounds nowhere close to good.
But wait a minute because the good is coming to this Friday in history. It is hard to see, but if we look at John 19:30 it can be found. “When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” TETELESTAI. It, at that moment, was finished. These same words were spoken by the priests who would perform sacrifices. Because on Passover the priest would sacrifice the one lamb selected on the 10th of Nisan, many people would come to the ceremony. But with so many, only the people in the front would know when the action was done. Those in the front would then yell back to the crowd that the event was finished. And here, Christ declared once and for all, it is finished. With this, He surrendered His life.
I don’t know about you, but this final portion, although still sad and unjust, seems to bring balance to Good Friday. It was because of all these actions that took place that I am free. My bondage is finished. My chains are finished. My addictions are finished. My sin, my negative confessions, my stupid moments of flesh, they are all finished. Jesus took upon Himself our junk, finishing off the hold it had on us. That makes for a Good Friday. His sacrifice purchased my freedom.
“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
John 19:30
In looking further at the final days of Christ’s life, we now find ourselves on what has since been termed Good Friday. May I ask? What is so good about it? While I do not claim to have all the answers, I do want to take a moment to point out one event that would have made this Friday good. To understand it, though, I want to start in looking at the trials. Jesus had questioned the angry mob that met Him in the garden as to why they had not sought to take Him before if they felt He was the leader of a revolt. But now, standing before Annas, He asked them again. “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me?” Here Jesus openly answered a question concerning His teaching, but following His response He received a strike in His face (John 18:20-22). For answering a question He received a punch in the face? That doesn’t sound good.
Leaving Annas, Jesus was transferred to Caiaphas, the high priest, where again He was questioned. However, it is here that we read the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus in order to put Him away (Mk 14:55). Finding no one, or maybe few, many false witnesses spoke against the Christ, and their stories did not match. The decision of the high priest was already made up, and nothing Jesus could say would change it. Caiaphas ended his interrogation calling the Christ a blasphemer, upon which Jesus was struck again and mocked to prophesy who hit Him. This still doesn’t sound very good.
Lastly, Jesus stood before Pilate. He was innocent yet given over to Pilate with the pretense of being a criminal (Jn 18:30). Hearing that they were bringing Jesus before him as not only a criminal, but as one who faced the death penalty, Pilate took Jesus aside for his own questioning. Pilate found no reason that Jesus should die or have these strong accusations placed on Him (Jn 18:38). Nevertheless, when Pilate announced one criminal was free to go, giving the crowd the choice of Jesus or Barabbas, the crowds chose Barabbas, a known and feared murderer. With the chanting of the crowd in unison demanding Christ be crucified, Pilate washed his hands of their decision. Now Jesus faced death. This sure doesn’t sound good.
Soldiers led Jesus away to the Praetorium where a whole band of soldiers were called on to abuse the Christ. They put a purple robe on Him and a crown of weaved thorn branches, then mocked His majesty. Over and over they beat Him with their fists, spit on Him, and forced Him to His knees in surrender. And if that wasn’t enough, Jesus was forced to carry His own cross before collapsing on the road to Golgotha. It was here that more torture was endured as they nailed Him to the cross in His feet and wrists, leaving Him to hang and die. I will admit, I have had many bad days at the office, but nothing like this. This still sounds nowhere close to good.
But wait a minute because the good is coming to this Friday in history. It is hard to see, but if we look at John 19:30 it can be found. “When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” TETELESTAI. It, at that moment, was finished. These same words were spoken by the priests who would perform sacrifices. Because on Passover the priest would sacrifice the one lamb selected on the 10th of Nisan, many people would come to the ceremony. But with so many, only the people in the front would know when the action was done. Those in the front would then yell back to the crowd that the event was finished. And here, Christ declared once and for all, it is finished. With this, He surrendered His life.
I don’t know about you, but this final portion, although still sad and unjust, seems to bring balance to Good Friday. It was because of all these actions that took place that I am free. My bondage is finished. My chains are finished. My addictions are finished. My sin, my negative confessions, my stupid moments of flesh, they are all finished. Jesus took upon Himself our junk, finishing off the hold it had on us. That makes for a Good Friday. His sacrifice purchased my freedom.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
WEDNESDAY
“When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.’”
Matthew 26:20-21
For the remainder of this week I want to focus on the events of the Messiah’s last week. Now technically we know that Christ was resurrected and made appearances to the disciples and others following His death before ascending into heaven, but still, this week is known by many as the final week. There is one important factor we must keep in mind, however, as we look at the events that took place. To understand these events we must remember that a Jewish day starts as sundown. In order for the Messiah to have been sacrificed on the 14th of Nisan, when the lambs were also sacrificed in relation with Passover, and be raised after three days, we have to count backwards. That means that on the Wednesday evening of the week our Lord was crucified, the disciples and He were celebrating the Last Supper.
As I was doing my personal study regarding these last week events, my eyes were opened. I long had thought that Christ was crucified on a Friday, therefore the reason we have the holiday of Good Friday, and allowing Christ to resurrect on Easter morning. But that is Western thought. I too was taught incorrectly. With the evenings beginning at night and the Jewish week beginning on Saturday night following Shabbat, it all began to make more sense. Once I counted backward this way then I was able to understand that in order for Christ to be crucified on Passover, the Last Supper would have been had a night early. When others were having Passover on the day Christ was sacrificed, making Him also the lamb, the Messiah had already had His Supper on Wednesday night.
It is on this night that Jesus and the Twelve sat around the table and ate their meal. It was on this night that Jesus would be betrayed. And it was on this night that Christ would give the disciples an image to remember in the breaking of the bread and drinking of the cup. The stage had been set, the price already agreed upon. Jesus knew it. Yet still He did not name names. He made a remark that one would betray Him, but never did He spill out a name. Instead, when the moment was right during their meal, while they were washing their hands as is done twice during the Passover meal, Jesus said, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me” (Matt 26:23). I wonder if the other disciples caught that, or if Jesus may have spoken it quietly.
As the meal continued, it came time for Christ to break the bread. In the Passover meal there are three matzahs placed on the plate. Rabbi’s have fought over the reason for three and cannot come to a joint understanding. Some say they represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the early pillars of the faith, while others claim it represents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While I do not claim to know, I do think the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit makes the most sense. And here is why. The tradition of the Seder is to take the middle matzah and break it in half. If the Son, Jesus, is represented by the middle matzah, and the Bible records Jesus breaking the unleavened bread and referring to His body (Mk 14:22), then would it not make sense that He was in essence the middle matzah? The Messiah is also seen in the cup. The four cups of Passover have meaning. But there was one cup of the four that Jesus said He would not drink of yet (Mk 14:25). This forth cup, the cup of Praise, was not consumed by Christ, nor will it be until the wedding feast of the Lamb (Rev 19:9).
I encourage you tonight, even with Passover already celebrated a couple nights back, that as you are sitting around with your family at the table, take a moment and reflect on this night in history. This night was no ordinary night, but rather was the beginning of the events that paid our ransom. The arrest that followed just hours after the dinner placed the Messiah in the hands of those who would crucify Him. But without this Last Supper, we too may have missed the parallels between Christ and the lamb. Let tonight be a time of reflection. Read this night in your personal study time or with your children. Never forget that His body was broken for you and His final cup untouched until we all join Him at the great wedding feast.
“When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.’”
Matthew 26:20-21
For the remainder of this week I want to focus on the events of the Messiah’s last week. Now technically we know that Christ was resurrected and made appearances to the disciples and others following His death before ascending into heaven, but still, this week is known by many as the final week. There is one important factor we must keep in mind, however, as we look at the events that took place. To understand these events we must remember that a Jewish day starts as sundown. In order for the Messiah to have been sacrificed on the 14th of Nisan, when the lambs were also sacrificed in relation with Passover, and be raised after three days, we have to count backwards. That means that on the Wednesday evening of the week our Lord was crucified, the disciples and He were celebrating the Last Supper.
As I was doing my personal study regarding these last week events, my eyes were opened. I long had thought that Christ was crucified on a Friday, therefore the reason we have the holiday of Good Friday, and allowing Christ to resurrect on Easter morning. But that is Western thought. I too was taught incorrectly. With the evenings beginning at night and the Jewish week beginning on Saturday night following Shabbat, it all began to make more sense. Once I counted backward this way then I was able to understand that in order for Christ to be crucified on Passover, the Last Supper would have been had a night early. When others were having Passover on the day Christ was sacrificed, making Him also the lamb, the Messiah had already had His Supper on Wednesday night.
It is on this night that Jesus and the Twelve sat around the table and ate their meal. It was on this night that Jesus would be betrayed. And it was on this night that Christ would give the disciples an image to remember in the breaking of the bread and drinking of the cup. The stage had been set, the price already agreed upon. Jesus knew it. Yet still He did not name names. He made a remark that one would betray Him, but never did He spill out a name. Instead, when the moment was right during their meal, while they were washing their hands as is done twice during the Passover meal, Jesus said, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me” (Matt 26:23). I wonder if the other disciples caught that, or if Jesus may have spoken it quietly.
As the meal continued, it came time for Christ to break the bread. In the Passover meal there are three matzahs placed on the plate. Rabbi’s have fought over the reason for three and cannot come to a joint understanding. Some say they represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the early pillars of the faith, while others claim it represents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While I do not claim to know, I do think the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit makes the most sense. And here is why. The tradition of the Seder is to take the middle matzah and break it in half. If the Son, Jesus, is represented by the middle matzah, and the Bible records Jesus breaking the unleavened bread and referring to His body (Mk 14:22), then would it not make sense that He was in essence the middle matzah? The Messiah is also seen in the cup. The four cups of Passover have meaning. But there was one cup of the four that Jesus said He would not drink of yet (Mk 14:25). This forth cup, the cup of Praise, was not consumed by Christ, nor will it be until the wedding feast of the Lamb (Rev 19:9).
I encourage you tonight, even with Passover already celebrated a couple nights back, that as you are sitting around with your family at the table, take a moment and reflect on this night in history. This night was no ordinary night, but rather was the beginning of the events that paid our ransom. The arrest that followed just hours after the dinner placed the Messiah in the hands of those who would crucify Him. But without this Last Supper, we too may have missed the parallels between Christ and the lamb. Let tonight be a time of reflection. Read this night in your personal study time or with your children. Never forget that His body was broken for you and His final cup untouched until we all join Him at the great wedding feast.
Monday, April 18, 2011
THE SEDER part 2
“On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
Exodus 13:8
We join together again today, picking up from where we left off in our Seder dinner. Following our recounting of the story of Moses being raised up, the ten plagues, and the great exodus out of Egypt, as well as the four questions that are traditionally asked of the children at the table, we move on next to the actions related to the ten plagues. Dipping one’s finger in the cup of wine or juice, a drop of the contents is spilled on the plate for each of the ten plagues as is named. In my study of the Passover, I heard a pastor give more insight on this matter. We grow up knowing the plagues, but have you ever questioned the reason as to why these items were the plagues? Why did G-d turn the Nile to blood? The answer is because the Nile was one over the Egyptians gods. In each of the plagues G-d was showing His power of the gods of Egypt. Darkness came so as to debunk their sun god. Locusts came to weed out the power of the god of their crops. Our G-d showed His power, and for that we dip our finger in the wine and sprinkle it on our plate. In drinking then the remainder of the second cup we learn of G-d’s second ‘I will’. “I will free you.”
Now then, let us enjoy the three essentials of the Passover Seder. With the shank bone of the lamb in hand, the leader explains that the lamb was sacrificed for an important reason. The blood from this sacrifice was painted on the doorpost of the home with the hyssop so as to make the declaration that inside that home were worshippers of the true G-d. The lamb was not strangled or bones broken, yet was killed, paving the way for the salvation of the Israelites. And like was recorded in Isaiah concerning our Messiah, He too was not strangled nor a single bone broken, but rather He willing gave Himself as the lamb who took away our sins.
The matzah is then lifted. It is because there was not enough time for the dough to rise that we eat unleavened bread during the feast. As I read this portion in Exodus 12:11, I cannot help but fall in love with G-d all over. In this scripture G-d tells them how to eat, with their cloak tucked into their belt, sandals on, and staff in hand. They had to be ready to leave at any moment. Bread made with yeast takes time to make, therefore, they were forbidden to use yeast because it would slow them down. How wise is G-d to tell them not to use yeast?
A second hand washing is done and next we enjoy, if truly we can say that, the bitter herbs. It is because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our forefathers in Egypt that we remember their pain, persecution, and suffering as we taste the horseradish commonly used. This taste is to bring tears to our own eyes, as the affliction of slavery brought tears to the Israelites’ eyes. Then the cup is drunk again, this time in praise, adoration, and reverence of G-d. It is G-d who has brought Israel out of bondage, and has brought us out of bondage as well. We are free from sorrow, mourning, darkness, and servitude, and now step into His marvelous light and life.
Another portion of the meal that needs inclusion and explanation is the charoseth. This dish is made of apples, cinnamon, wine, and sugar, and although sweet in flavor represents Israel’s time in servitude. Charoseth is a symbol of mortar, representing the clay brinks which were made by Israel while they were in Egypt. Taking now from the bottom of the matzah pile, the leader breaks off two pieces for each one at the table. With a taste of bitter herbs and charoseth on the matzah, the bite is taken. The Passover meal is also now served.
Remember the afikomen we talked about yesterday? It was the piece of matzah that was broken and a portion covered in linen and hidden during the meal. Well it is now time to find it. When the child finds the missing matzah, the leader of the celebration must ‘rescue’ it by paying money or a gift to the child. As the child receives the prize, the leader of the table begins to break off pieces for each guest. In the matzah are seen stripes, pokes, and rough sides when broken. It is in this piece then that we see the Messiah’s torture. He was whipped, beaten, pierced, and endured a spear in His side. He suffered death, but not in vain. He took our death penalty so that we may have life. For as Romans says, we all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death (Rom 3:23, 6:23). As we reflect of the matzah, let us not forget what the Messiah suffered in love for us.
It is at this point that a third cup is taken, the cup of redemption. “I will redeem you.” This is G-d’s promise that He would redeem His people from slavery. His promise was that they would not be slaves forever, but that He would buy them back. It was after this cup when taken at the Last Supper that the Messiah stated a new covenant was being made. Soon after, the door is opened and Elijah’s cup is filled. During the meal, an extra table setting has been laid out but not used. This is for Elijah. The door is opened to see if the prophet will come. If Elijah does not come, the door is then closed and the feast moves to its last cup, the cup of praise.
After the cup of praise, the Seder is concluded. The Seder of Passover is complete, even as our salvation and redemption are complete. The lamb has been sacrificed and forgiveness of sin made possible. But our Lamb, the Messiah, has also been sacrificed and forgiveness of sin has been made possible through Him. It is my desire that in this abbreviation of the Seder G-d has been made new to you, and that you find Him this season. May on this day you be among those who, as Exodus 13:8 states, “tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
Next year in Jerusalem!
“On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
Exodus 13:8
We join together again today, picking up from where we left off in our Seder dinner. Following our recounting of the story of Moses being raised up, the ten plagues, and the great exodus out of Egypt, as well as the four questions that are traditionally asked of the children at the table, we move on next to the actions related to the ten plagues. Dipping one’s finger in the cup of wine or juice, a drop of the contents is spilled on the plate for each of the ten plagues as is named. In my study of the Passover, I heard a pastor give more insight on this matter. We grow up knowing the plagues, but have you ever questioned the reason as to why these items were the plagues? Why did G-d turn the Nile to blood? The answer is because the Nile was one over the Egyptians gods. In each of the plagues G-d was showing His power of the gods of Egypt. Darkness came so as to debunk their sun god. Locusts came to weed out the power of the god of their crops. Our G-d showed His power, and for that we dip our finger in the wine and sprinkle it on our plate. In drinking then the remainder of the second cup we learn of G-d’s second ‘I will’. “I will free you.”
Now then, let us enjoy the three essentials of the Passover Seder. With the shank bone of the lamb in hand, the leader explains that the lamb was sacrificed for an important reason. The blood from this sacrifice was painted on the doorpost of the home with the hyssop so as to make the declaration that inside that home were worshippers of the true G-d. The lamb was not strangled or bones broken, yet was killed, paving the way for the salvation of the Israelites. And like was recorded in Isaiah concerning our Messiah, He too was not strangled nor a single bone broken, but rather He willing gave Himself as the lamb who took away our sins.
The matzah is then lifted. It is because there was not enough time for the dough to rise that we eat unleavened bread during the feast. As I read this portion in Exodus 12:11, I cannot help but fall in love with G-d all over. In this scripture G-d tells them how to eat, with their cloak tucked into their belt, sandals on, and staff in hand. They had to be ready to leave at any moment. Bread made with yeast takes time to make, therefore, they were forbidden to use yeast because it would slow them down. How wise is G-d to tell them not to use yeast?
A second hand washing is done and next we enjoy, if truly we can say that, the bitter herbs. It is because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our forefathers in Egypt that we remember their pain, persecution, and suffering as we taste the horseradish commonly used. This taste is to bring tears to our own eyes, as the affliction of slavery brought tears to the Israelites’ eyes. Then the cup is drunk again, this time in praise, adoration, and reverence of G-d. It is G-d who has brought Israel out of bondage, and has brought us out of bondage as well. We are free from sorrow, mourning, darkness, and servitude, and now step into His marvelous light and life.
Another portion of the meal that needs inclusion and explanation is the charoseth. This dish is made of apples, cinnamon, wine, and sugar, and although sweet in flavor represents Israel’s time in servitude. Charoseth is a symbol of mortar, representing the clay brinks which were made by Israel while they were in Egypt. Taking now from the bottom of the matzah pile, the leader breaks off two pieces for each one at the table. With a taste of bitter herbs and charoseth on the matzah, the bite is taken. The Passover meal is also now served.
Remember the afikomen we talked about yesterday? It was the piece of matzah that was broken and a portion covered in linen and hidden during the meal. Well it is now time to find it. When the child finds the missing matzah, the leader of the celebration must ‘rescue’ it by paying money or a gift to the child. As the child receives the prize, the leader of the table begins to break off pieces for each guest. In the matzah are seen stripes, pokes, and rough sides when broken. It is in this piece then that we see the Messiah’s torture. He was whipped, beaten, pierced, and endured a spear in His side. He suffered death, but not in vain. He took our death penalty so that we may have life. For as Romans says, we all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death (Rom 3:23, 6:23). As we reflect of the matzah, let us not forget what the Messiah suffered in love for us.
It is at this point that a third cup is taken, the cup of redemption. “I will redeem you.” This is G-d’s promise that He would redeem His people from slavery. His promise was that they would not be slaves forever, but that He would buy them back. It was after this cup when taken at the Last Supper that the Messiah stated a new covenant was being made. Soon after, the door is opened and Elijah’s cup is filled. During the meal, an extra table setting has been laid out but not used. This is for Elijah. The door is opened to see if the prophet will come. If Elijah does not come, the door is then closed and the feast moves to its last cup, the cup of praise.
After the cup of praise, the Seder is concluded. The Seder of Passover is complete, even as our salvation and redemption are complete. The lamb has been sacrificed and forgiveness of sin made possible. But our Lamb, the Messiah, has also been sacrificed and forgiveness of sin has been made possible through Him. It is my desire that in this abbreviation of the Seder G-d has been made new to you, and that you find Him this season. May on this day you be among those who, as Exodus 13:8 states, “tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
Next year in Jerusalem!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
THE SEDER part 1
“On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the L-RD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
Exodus 13:8
Tomorrow night marks the beginning of Passover, and many families both Jewish and non will sit around the table and partake in the Passover meal. But unless you have a Passover Haggadah, you may not understand the meaning and symbolism behind each prayer, drink, or item on the plate. The meal is made up of more than just lamb, parsley, and charoseth. It is made up of remembrance, hope, and life. Over the next two days I would like to take some time to explain the Passover meal in hopes that you too will see more than just ritual, but rather see G-d’s hand.
The booklet that contains the compilation of passages and remembrances used during the Passover Seder Service is known as the Haggadah. This term comes from the word V’HIGAD-TA, as seen in Exodus 13:8, meaning to tell the story of
G-d’s redemptive grace. This story of grace is told through the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah. But this story is also told through the acts of prayer, washing of hands, and drinking from the cup, as well as items both on and off the plate. For instance, when the Seder meal begins, it begins with the searching for the leaven. In Exodus 12:19-20, G-d order’s that the Israelites must eat unleavened bread. Therefore, in many Jewish homes, before Passover begins, all leavened items must be removed from the house. Our Messiah made the unleavened bread a symbol of His own sacrifice for our sins, and we must also search out the leaven of sin in our lives so as to keep this feast holy. For as we read in I Corinthians 5:6-8, Paul reminds us that a little leaven works through the whole batch.
Following the search, the lighting of the festival candles is performed. It is traditional for a woman to light the candles and recite a blessing as she does. As the feast moves on, the candles will continue to burn showing us light, symbolizing the Messiah as the light of the world. Then, the first of four cups is taken. The drinking of the cup is known as the Kiddush, and this first cup is the Cup of Sanctification. Represented in this is the first of the “I will” promises made by G-d. “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” But I want to point something out concerning this cup. If Egypt represents slavery, and Israel has indeed already been brought out, then perhaps there is another reason for this cup, one personal to us. Think about your life. Are you in slavery to sin? Are you in bondage to ways not of
G-d? Then this cup is for you, and this “I will” is G-d telling you that you too will be brought out of slavery.
Continuing forward, we move on to the washing of the hands. In the book of John, we read of the Messiah getting up from the meal and showing the full extent of His love for His disciples. He washed their feet (Jn 13:1-11). We wash our hands before moving on as a reminder of His washing of the disciples’ feet. It is only after these steps that we are then able to turn our attention to the items on the plate. The karpas, or parsley, is that first food. The parsley is dipped into salt water or vinegar and followed by a blessing. This act represents the hyssop which was used to place the blood of the Passover lamb upon the doorway, but the salt water is used to represent the tears shed in Egypt which were salty. Please, I know that parsley comes standard on fancy restaurant dishes, but I ask that you never look at parsley the same way again. Let it be seen as a remembrance, as a tool used in your deliverance.
The last piece of the Seder that I want to focus on today is the breaking of the middle matzah. As the leader of the table takes the middle matzah and breaks it in two, one half is replaced between the whole ones. The other half is wrapped in a linen cloth for the Afikomen, the hidden portion of the feast that children will later seek out for a prize. This breaking of the bread is representational of the Messiah’s breaking the bread in Luke 22:19. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” This act is followed then by the retelling of the story of the Exodus, for it is here that not only do we see the people of Israel in need of a Savior, but if we look honestly we will see our need for a Savior.
The parallels are deep, but so often we count them as history. But the Word of G-d is alive. If it were dead it would have no meaning to us today; it would just be another good book. But the Word speaks to us, calls out to us, and beckons us to come into a relationship with Him. We are no different than the Israelites. We need deliverance. The Passover lamb brought deliverance for the Israelites, and the Messiah brought deliverance for us. All we have to do is cry out to Him and He will save us also. My prayer is that this season will not just be ritual, but that it will be the day for your salvation from slavery
“On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the L-RD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
Exodus 13:8
Tomorrow night marks the beginning of Passover, and many families both Jewish and non will sit around the table and partake in the Passover meal. But unless you have a Passover Haggadah, you may not understand the meaning and symbolism behind each prayer, drink, or item on the plate. The meal is made up of more than just lamb, parsley, and charoseth. It is made up of remembrance, hope, and life. Over the next two days I would like to take some time to explain the Passover meal in hopes that you too will see more than just ritual, but rather see G-d’s hand.
The booklet that contains the compilation of passages and remembrances used during the Passover Seder Service is known as the Haggadah. This term comes from the word V’HIGAD-TA, as seen in Exodus 13:8, meaning to tell the story of
G-d’s redemptive grace. This story of grace is told through the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah. But this story is also told through the acts of prayer, washing of hands, and drinking from the cup, as well as items both on and off the plate. For instance, when the Seder meal begins, it begins with the searching for the leaven. In Exodus 12:19-20, G-d order’s that the Israelites must eat unleavened bread. Therefore, in many Jewish homes, before Passover begins, all leavened items must be removed from the house. Our Messiah made the unleavened bread a symbol of His own sacrifice for our sins, and we must also search out the leaven of sin in our lives so as to keep this feast holy. For as we read in I Corinthians 5:6-8, Paul reminds us that a little leaven works through the whole batch.
Following the search, the lighting of the festival candles is performed. It is traditional for a woman to light the candles and recite a blessing as she does. As the feast moves on, the candles will continue to burn showing us light, symbolizing the Messiah as the light of the world. Then, the first of four cups is taken. The drinking of the cup is known as the Kiddush, and this first cup is the Cup of Sanctification. Represented in this is the first of the “I will” promises made by G-d. “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” But I want to point something out concerning this cup. If Egypt represents slavery, and Israel has indeed already been brought out, then perhaps there is another reason for this cup, one personal to us. Think about your life. Are you in slavery to sin? Are you in bondage to ways not of
G-d? Then this cup is for you, and this “I will” is G-d telling you that you too will be brought out of slavery.
Continuing forward, we move on to the washing of the hands. In the book of John, we read of the Messiah getting up from the meal and showing the full extent of His love for His disciples. He washed their feet (Jn 13:1-11). We wash our hands before moving on as a reminder of His washing of the disciples’ feet. It is only after these steps that we are then able to turn our attention to the items on the plate. The karpas, or parsley, is that first food. The parsley is dipped into salt water or vinegar and followed by a blessing. This act represents the hyssop which was used to place the blood of the Passover lamb upon the doorway, but the salt water is used to represent the tears shed in Egypt which were salty. Please, I know that parsley comes standard on fancy restaurant dishes, but I ask that you never look at parsley the same way again. Let it be seen as a remembrance, as a tool used in your deliverance.
The last piece of the Seder that I want to focus on today is the breaking of the middle matzah. As the leader of the table takes the middle matzah and breaks it in two, one half is replaced between the whole ones. The other half is wrapped in a linen cloth for the Afikomen, the hidden portion of the feast that children will later seek out for a prize. This breaking of the bread is representational of the Messiah’s breaking the bread in Luke 22:19. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” This act is followed then by the retelling of the story of the Exodus, for it is here that not only do we see the people of Israel in need of a Savior, but if we look honestly we will see our need for a Savior.
The parallels are deep, but so often we count them as history. But the Word of G-d is alive. If it were dead it would have no meaning to us today; it would just be another good book. But the Word speaks to us, calls out to us, and beckons us to come into a relationship with Him. We are no different than the Israelites. We need deliverance. The Passover lamb brought deliverance for the Israelites, and the Messiah brought deliverance for us. All we have to do is cry out to Him and He will save us also. My prayer is that this season will not just be ritual, but that it will be the day for your salvation from slavery
Thursday, April 14, 2011
SHABBAT HAGADOL
“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.”
Exodus 12:3
Today on the Hebrew calendar is the 10th of Nisan. This day is a landmark day in Christian history. While many major events have happened on the 10th of Nisan, today I would like to focus on two specifically. According to the Talmud, the flight from Egypt took place on the 15th of Nisan, making the 14th the day the Passover lamb was sacrificed. As we will see, the lamb was to be cared for a total of four days, placing the selection of the Passover lamb, the Korban Pesach, on the 10th of Nisan. It was on this day that not only were the events set in motion for the Israelites’ freedom, but were also set in place for ours.
First, I would like us to focus on a passage found in Exodus 12. According to this chapter, it was on the tenth day of this month that each man was to take a lamb for the Passover feast. There were restrictions for the selection of this lamb. “The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats” (Ex 12:5). I want us to take a moment to look at the word ‘defect’. In Hebrew the word is TAMIYM, referring to the lamb as having to be entire, complete, whole, healthful, or innocent. Not only were these words to be the description of the physical lamb chosen, but as we will later see, they were descriptions of the Lord Himself, our Passover Lamb.
Exodus 12:6 continues on in the description of the lamb. “Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.” It is here that we read that the lamb had to stay with the family for a short period of time. The reason for this was so that the lamb would no longer be simply a ‘lamb’, but rather their lamb. By feeding it, caring for it, and being sure to keep it pure, they were investing themselves into this lamb. On the twilight of the 14th of Nisan the lambs were then publicly sacrificed by the assembly and the blood of that person’s lamb was then applied to the doorpost as a sign of the family’s faith.
Now then, let us skip ahead a few hundred years to the time of Christ. Jesus’ last Passover week began as He entered Jerusalem. On the 10th of Nisan, He rode into town and a donkey to announce His Messiahship. But look at the words of the people’s shouting in John 12:13, which were first recorded in Psalm 118:25-26. “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” Hosanna is actually the phrase HOSHIAH NA, meaning please save or save now. The people’s shouts were a plea for salvation. Knowing the sacrifice of the lamb would only save them till the next Passover, they were now pleading for the salvation of their lives. For if only but a moment, the proper praise was given to Christ, their Mashiach, Messiah.
This same date of when Jesus entered the city was the same date in which the lamb was selected. It was also four days from the entry till Jesus became our sacrifice. As He stood before His accusers, they could find no wrong in Him (Luke 23:13-14), proving He was spotless. Jesus was falsely accused, beaten, and sentenced to die. If He had failed even once while on earth, He would not have been worthy to be our Lamb. But He did not. He was tempted in every way, yet never fell. It is because of today in history that we are and can be saved. The lamb, the perfect Lamb, has been inspected and found blameless, and His sacrifice has brought our salvation.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.”
Exodus 12:3
Today on the Hebrew calendar is the 10th of Nisan. This day is a landmark day in Christian history. While many major events have happened on the 10th of Nisan, today I would like to focus on two specifically. According to the Talmud, the flight from Egypt took place on the 15th of Nisan, making the 14th the day the Passover lamb was sacrificed. As we will see, the lamb was to be cared for a total of four days, placing the selection of the Passover lamb, the Korban Pesach, on the 10th of Nisan. It was on this day that not only were the events set in motion for the Israelites’ freedom, but were also set in place for ours.
First, I would like us to focus on a passage found in Exodus 12. According to this chapter, it was on the tenth day of this month that each man was to take a lamb for the Passover feast. There were restrictions for the selection of this lamb. “The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats” (Ex 12:5). I want us to take a moment to look at the word ‘defect’. In Hebrew the word is TAMIYM, referring to the lamb as having to be entire, complete, whole, healthful, or innocent. Not only were these words to be the description of the physical lamb chosen, but as we will later see, they were descriptions of the Lord Himself, our Passover Lamb.
Exodus 12:6 continues on in the description of the lamb. “Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.” It is here that we read that the lamb had to stay with the family for a short period of time. The reason for this was so that the lamb would no longer be simply a ‘lamb’, but rather their lamb. By feeding it, caring for it, and being sure to keep it pure, they were investing themselves into this lamb. On the twilight of the 14th of Nisan the lambs were then publicly sacrificed by the assembly and the blood of that person’s lamb was then applied to the doorpost as a sign of the family’s faith.
Now then, let us skip ahead a few hundred years to the time of Christ. Jesus’ last Passover week began as He entered Jerusalem. On the 10th of Nisan, He rode into town and a donkey to announce His Messiahship. But look at the words of the people’s shouting in John 12:13, which were first recorded in Psalm 118:25-26. “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” Hosanna is actually the phrase HOSHIAH NA, meaning please save or save now. The people’s shouts were a plea for salvation. Knowing the sacrifice of the lamb would only save them till the next Passover, they were now pleading for the salvation of their lives. For if only but a moment, the proper praise was given to Christ, their Mashiach, Messiah.
This same date of when Jesus entered the city was the same date in which the lamb was selected. It was also four days from the entry till Jesus became our sacrifice. As He stood before His accusers, they could find no wrong in Him (Luke 23:13-14), proving He was spotless. Jesus was falsely accused, beaten, and sentenced to die. If He had failed even once while on earth, He would not have been worthy to be our Lamb. But He did not. He was tempted in every way, yet never fell. It is because of today in history that we are and can be saved. The lamb, the perfect Lamb, has been inspected and found blameless, and His sacrifice has brought our salvation.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
CONTINOUS PLAY
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
Proverbs 23:7a KJV
Are you like me? Are you the kind of person who plays over and over in your head the terrible things you have done? Do you find yourself stuck on continuous play when it comes to thoughts or words spoken to or about you? I don’t think that this behavior has anything to do with us being bad people, but I think it has everything to do with the enemy keeping us down. As I have shared before, the devil’s main goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. He may do that through an action, but he can also work to do that in our thoughts. Our mind is a battlefield, and in her book, The Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer writes, “Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts. If we have a negative mind, we will have a negative life.” Does that not sound like the plans of our enemy, stealing, killing, and destroying us?
In Proverbs we are made aware that as we think in our heart, so we become (Prov 23:7). Now this principle works both ways. However, before we get into that, let us define two important words in this scripture. First is the Hebrew word SHA’AR, meaning think, reason, calculate, reckon. My mind journeys back to other ways this term has been used. A calculated guess. An answer that has been reasoned. Or even just responding to a question with, “I reckon so.” The idea behind it is that it wasn’t hap-hazard but rather thought out. Time was given to it, deliberating both sides of the issue or equation before giving an answer.
The second term we should review is NEHPESH, the Hebrew word for soul, self, mind, passion. The Bible translates it as heart, but it is so much more. It is the seat of our emotions, the appetite of our life, and the breathing substance of our being. It is this that needs our protection, our consideration, and our well thought out, calculated response.
The Bible tells us in I Corinthians 2:16, that we have the mind of Christ. So then if we have the mind of Christ, why is it that we are allowing the record player of our faults to continue to define us? What do I mean by this? For me, one of the biggest struggles I have is in regards to rejection. From an early age I have struggled with people’s opinion of me. I can tell you I do not care what you think, but inside I do. I think too much. I play over and over in my mind the terrible things I have done and the negative things people have said about me. I have listened to them for so long, and have reasoned them for so many years in my mind, that I have come to believe them. I know they are lies, yet still I cannot shake them. And what’s worse is that now I look for them to happen. I expect people to reject me, hate me, and want nothing to do with me because I have listened to these words for so long.
But remember, I told you it works both ways. In my struggles with rejection I have found myself coming back to see what God says of me. Although this has been a hard task, it has begun to take effect. I have made it my goal to focus on Him and His love for me as opposed to continuing to play the records of my past. I have found myself thinking, reasoning, calculating, and reckoning on His records of me. And because of this, my soul, self, mind, and passion is being re-birthed. Is it easy? No. The enemy hates anything of God, so he continues to try to overcome this right way of thinking.
I guess what I am trying to say today is that I, and maybe you also, battle so much with thoughts and actions of the past that we paralyze ourselves. We continue in this mindset that we can never be more and listen to the voice of the enemy as our confirmation. But that is not God. God does not play condemnation over and over in our minds, nor any negative thought. I find that I get stuck in that rut of thought. This is where I have to cry out to God and question His thoughts of me, His plans for me, and take on His idea of me. This is where I have to allow my mind to play His records of me…and believe them. My mind will never be renewed until I open myself to His pure and loving thoughts of me. I want God to win this battlefield in my mind. I want to continuously play his records.
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
Proverbs 23:7a KJV
Are you like me? Are you the kind of person who plays over and over in your head the terrible things you have done? Do you find yourself stuck on continuous play when it comes to thoughts or words spoken to or about you? I don’t think that this behavior has anything to do with us being bad people, but I think it has everything to do with the enemy keeping us down. As I have shared before, the devil’s main goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. He may do that through an action, but he can also work to do that in our thoughts. Our mind is a battlefield, and in her book, The Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer writes, “Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts. If we have a negative mind, we will have a negative life.” Does that not sound like the plans of our enemy, stealing, killing, and destroying us?
In Proverbs we are made aware that as we think in our heart, so we become (Prov 23:7). Now this principle works both ways. However, before we get into that, let us define two important words in this scripture. First is the Hebrew word SHA’AR, meaning think, reason, calculate, reckon. My mind journeys back to other ways this term has been used. A calculated guess. An answer that has been reasoned. Or even just responding to a question with, “I reckon so.” The idea behind it is that it wasn’t hap-hazard but rather thought out. Time was given to it, deliberating both sides of the issue or equation before giving an answer.
The second term we should review is NEHPESH, the Hebrew word for soul, self, mind, passion. The Bible translates it as heart, but it is so much more. It is the seat of our emotions, the appetite of our life, and the breathing substance of our being. It is this that needs our protection, our consideration, and our well thought out, calculated response.
The Bible tells us in I Corinthians 2:16, that we have the mind of Christ. So then if we have the mind of Christ, why is it that we are allowing the record player of our faults to continue to define us? What do I mean by this? For me, one of the biggest struggles I have is in regards to rejection. From an early age I have struggled with people’s opinion of me. I can tell you I do not care what you think, but inside I do. I think too much. I play over and over in my mind the terrible things I have done and the negative things people have said about me. I have listened to them for so long, and have reasoned them for so many years in my mind, that I have come to believe them. I know they are lies, yet still I cannot shake them. And what’s worse is that now I look for them to happen. I expect people to reject me, hate me, and want nothing to do with me because I have listened to these words for so long.
But remember, I told you it works both ways. In my struggles with rejection I have found myself coming back to see what God says of me. Although this has been a hard task, it has begun to take effect. I have made it my goal to focus on Him and His love for me as opposed to continuing to play the records of my past. I have found myself thinking, reasoning, calculating, and reckoning on His records of me. And because of this, my soul, self, mind, and passion is being re-birthed. Is it easy? No. The enemy hates anything of God, so he continues to try to overcome this right way of thinking.
I guess what I am trying to say today is that I, and maybe you also, battle so much with thoughts and actions of the past that we paralyze ourselves. We continue in this mindset that we can never be more and listen to the voice of the enemy as our confirmation. But that is not God. God does not play condemnation over and over in our minds, nor any negative thought. I find that I get stuck in that rut of thought. This is where I have to cry out to God and question His thoughts of me, His plans for me, and take on His idea of me. This is where I have to allow my mind to play His records of me…and believe them. My mind will never be renewed until I open myself to His pure and loving thoughts of me. I want God to win this battlefield in my mind. I want to continuously play his records.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
STAND UP, MEN!
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
I Corinthians 16:13
Today’s devotional is aimed towards men; I’ll go ahead and make that known. Although everyone can benefit from the message, my main target in writing this entry is to encourage the men to stand up. As men we are called by God and given the task to be the spiritual leaders of our home. God has given us this specific mission, but are we walking it out? In our brief time today I want to show you three examples of men who did not lead their families in the way God commanded, and look at the punishment that came as a result. In so doing, it is my prayer that as standing on the vanguard of our homes has been becoming clearer to me, it will also become clearer to you. It is time we take our mission seriously, for it involves all those we love.
First, let us look at the life of Achan. Following the victory of the Israelites over Jericho, God had given specific instructions to not take the plunder of this battle. Everyone heard this command repeated by Joshua, yet still someone took. It was not made known right away. In fact, it was not made known until the defeat at Ai when an army of few defeated an army of many. As Joshua inquired of the LORD why they lost, God pointed out sin in the camp. All the tribes lined up, and one by one they were separated and excused until only Achan was left. Achan confessed his sin, but look what happened next. “Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned [his family], they burned them” (Josh 7:25). Because Achan did not take his stand as the leader of the house, he and his whole family were stoned.
Next, look with me at the life of Haman. Haman allowed his hatred for the Jews to ruin him. He was so obsessed with the obliteration of the Jews that he opened the door for his demise. By building a gallows of seventy-five feet high for Mordecai, his heart was bent on destruction. But in the end it was not only Haman that suffered for his sin. Esther 7:9 tells us that Haman was hung on the gallows he had forged, but Esther 9:13 also shows us that the queen petitioned also that his sons be hung on gallows. Again, in the end, Haman’s lack of standing for God became his family’s ruin.
Lastly, I want to look at Daniel, or more so the other administrators to the king found in chapter 6. Look with me at Daniel 6:24. “At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lion’s den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” How did the wives and children get tossed into the mix of death by lions? Because the men did not stand up for God and obey God, but rather flattered the king and worked against God’s ways, the whole family suffered. Each man’s sin took the lives of the man’s family.
When will we stand up, men? We know that in standing for nothing we fall for anything. When will we rise up as the spiritual leaders that God has called us to? When will 1 Corinthians 16:13 jump off the page and become our mission? “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” Are you on guard? The enemy is looking to take you away from your post. Are you standing? We cannot afford to slouch or sleep on our watch. Are we men of courage? Be a man; be brave. And are we strong? Wimpy saints will not survive in spiritual warfare. Men, we are blessed to be in our position. For the sake ourselves, our wives, and our children, let us not throw it away.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
I Corinthians 16:13
Today’s devotional is aimed towards men; I’ll go ahead and make that known. Although everyone can benefit from the message, my main target in writing this entry is to encourage the men to stand up. As men we are called by God and given the task to be the spiritual leaders of our home. God has given us this specific mission, but are we walking it out? In our brief time today I want to show you three examples of men who did not lead their families in the way God commanded, and look at the punishment that came as a result. In so doing, it is my prayer that as standing on the vanguard of our homes has been becoming clearer to me, it will also become clearer to you. It is time we take our mission seriously, for it involves all those we love.
First, let us look at the life of Achan. Following the victory of the Israelites over Jericho, God had given specific instructions to not take the plunder of this battle. Everyone heard this command repeated by Joshua, yet still someone took. It was not made known right away. In fact, it was not made known until the defeat at Ai when an army of few defeated an army of many. As Joshua inquired of the LORD why they lost, God pointed out sin in the camp. All the tribes lined up, and one by one they were separated and excused until only Achan was left. Achan confessed his sin, but look what happened next. “Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned [his family], they burned them” (Josh 7:25). Because Achan did not take his stand as the leader of the house, he and his whole family were stoned.
Next, look with me at the life of Haman. Haman allowed his hatred for the Jews to ruin him. He was so obsessed with the obliteration of the Jews that he opened the door for his demise. By building a gallows of seventy-five feet high for Mordecai, his heart was bent on destruction. But in the end it was not only Haman that suffered for his sin. Esther 7:9 tells us that Haman was hung on the gallows he had forged, but Esther 9:13 also shows us that the queen petitioned also that his sons be hung on gallows. Again, in the end, Haman’s lack of standing for God became his family’s ruin.
Lastly, I want to look at Daniel, or more so the other administrators to the king found in chapter 6. Look with me at Daniel 6:24. “At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lion’s den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” How did the wives and children get tossed into the mix of death by lions? Because the men did not stand up for God and obey God, but rather flattered the king and worked against God’s ways, the whole family suffered. Each man’s sin took the lives of the man’s family.
When will we stand up, men? We know that in standing for nothing we fall for anything. When will we rise up as the spiritual leaders that God has called us to? When will 1 Corinthians 16:13 jump off the page and become our mission? “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” Are you on guard? The enemy is looking to take you away from your post. Are you standing? We cannot afford to slouch or sleep on our watch. Are we men of courage? Be a man; be brave. And are we strong? Wimpy saints will not survive in spiritual warfare. Men, we are blessed to be in our position. For the sake ourselves, our wives, and our children, let us not throw it away.
Monday, April 4, 2011
SPIRITUAL PROTECTION
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Looking back at parts of my childhood, I can see God had a hand on me. I was raised in a home where love was abundant and God was given first priority. Our family would go to church every Sunday morning, night, and Wednesday night, as well as most every special event. And it wasn’t that we just went, but we were involved. Dad was an usher and mom was on the dance team. My siblings and I were involved in the different children’s and youth groups according to our age and in some fashion were using our talents for God. So then, with all this positive Christian-life flowing in and out of us like blood in our veins, why did I find myself wooed so easily by the enemy, and attracted to pornography? In a way I have known the answer for years. The enemy wanted to take me out of commission. But as I was reading over the weekend in a book authored by Perry Stone, I found more confirmation and basis for my hypothesis.
In his book, Purging Your House, Pruning Your Family Tree, Perry Stone writes:
"Throughout history, the adversary has set his focus on infants and children, especially during major prophetic seasons when God was raising up a deliverer for His people or for His nation. The pharaoh of Egypt assigned the Egyptians midwives, and later, all the Egyptian people, to cast every newborn Hebrew son into the Nile River…Centuries later, Herod heard that a king of the Jews had been born in Bethlehem. Out of fear, he commanded Roman soldiers to slay all infants under two years of age. Through God’s protection, both Moses and Jesus escaped from these decrees of death.”
These two examples prove my point. The devil longs to take us out at an early age. I was eleven when I was first introduced to porn. And it wasn’t like I went out searching for it; it found me. While taking a simple walk I found an adult magazine that had been tossed to the side. I picked it up and although I was disgusted, I was hooked. Years later, as an adult, I was still battling the same issues. And why not, as Stone also writes, “Adults who are struggling today were children only yesterday. Many who battle addictions and bondages first encountered the snares of the enemy as children.”So why should this matter? And why make this today’s devotional? The answer is because two things need to happen if we plan to stand on the vanguard. One, we must first come out of the addictions we are in. Not everyone is in pornography. Others are into drugs, addicted to alcohol, given to prostitution, what have you. But this is the time to come out; to cry out to God to forgive us for our sins and surrender ourselves to Him. Only He can break the chains of our bondage. But the second thing is this. We must stand up as parents and protect our children. We are given the task to train up a child in the way s/he should go, but are we? Are we standing in the gap for our children and defending them from the enemy’s onslaught? We parent the next generation, the next leaders, and the next deliverers. We are spiritually responsible for the legacy that God gives us. Are we standing?
The enemy’s main plan is to steal, kill, and destroy, and he will start young. He’ll work his way in there and twist and deceive and lure, so that when the time comes for the child to stand up, he is absent. Too many have been absent when it was their time. So then, let us stand up so that this does not continue. Let us seek God’s power to put aside the sin that entangles us, so that its web will no longer entangle those who follow us, and begin now to claim the next generation for God. Let us raise up the next generation to hear and obey God’s voice, and resist the devil.
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Looking back at parts of my childhood, I can see God had a hand on me. I was raised in a home where love was abundant and God was given first priority. Our family would go to church every Sunday morning, night, and Wednesday night, as well as most every special event. And it wasn’t that we just went, but we were involved. Dad was an usher and mom was on the dance team. My siblings and I were involved in the different children’s and youth groups according to our age and in some fashion were using our talents for God. So then, with all this positive Christian-life flowing in and out of us like blood in our veins, why did I find myself wooed so easily by the enemy, and attracted to pornography? In a way I have known the answer for years. The enemy wanted to take me out of commission. But as I was reading over the weekend in a book authored by Perry Stone, I found more confirmation and basis for my hypothesis.
In his book, Purging Your House, Pruning Your Family Tree, Perry Stone writes:
"Throughout history, the adversary has set his focus on infants and children, especially during major prophetic seasons when God was raising up a deliverer for His people or for His nation. The pharaoh of Egypt assigned the Egyptians midwives, and later, all the Egyptian people, to cast every newborn Hebrew son into the Nile River…Centuries later, Herod heard that a king of the Jews had been born in Bethlehem. Out of fear, he commanded Roman soldiers to slay all infants under two years of age. Through God’s protection, both Moses and Jesus escaped from these decrees of death.”
These two examples prove my point. The devil longs to take us out at an early age. I was eleven when I was first introduced to porn. And it wasn’t like I went out searching for it; it found me. While taking a simple walk I found an adult magazine that had been tossed to the side. I picked it up and although I was disgusted, I was hooked. Years later, as an adult, I was still battling the same issues. And why not, as Stone also writes, “Adults who are struggling today were children only yesterday. Many who battle addictions and bondages first encountered the snares of the enemy as children.”So why should this matter? And why make this today’s devotional? The answer is because two things need to happen if we plan to stand on the vanguard. One, we must first come out of the addictions we are in. Not everyone is in pornography. Others are into drugs, addicted to alcohol, given to prostitution, what have you. But this is the time to come out; to cry out to God to forgive us for our sins and surrender ourselves to Him. Only He can break the chains of our bondage. But the second thing is this. We must stand up as parents and protect our children. We are given the task to train up a child in the way s/he should go, but are we? Are we standing in the gap for our children and defending them from the enemy’s onslaught? We parent the next generation, the next leaders, and the next deliverers. We are spiritually responsible for the legacy that God gives us. Are we standing?
The enemy’s main plan is to steal, kill, and destroy, and he will start young. He’ll work his way in there and twist and deceive and lure, so that when the time comes for the child to stand up, he is absent. Too many have been absent when it was their time. So then, let us stand up so that this does not continue. Let us seek God’s power to put aside the sin that entangles us, so that its web will no longer entangle those who follow us, and begin now to claim the next generation for God. Let us raise up the next generation to hear and obey God’s voice, and resist the devil.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
WONDER-TWIN POWER, ACTIVATE
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”
Acts 1:8a
I know I am about to date myself with today’s illustration, but hear me out. When I was a kid I would watch the Justice League where a host of super-powered friends would together fight the evils of those who caused destruction. Among them were Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Wonder-twins. Do you remember the Wonder-twins? They were this brother and sister team that, when they touched their rings together, they would turn into whatever item was needed to help the situation. For instance, if there was a fire that needed to be put out, they would touch rings and say, “Wonder-twin power, activate!” The girl would say, “Turn me into an eagle,” and poof, she was an eagle. Then the brother would say, “Turn me into a pail of water,” and poof, he would be water. Then in her eagle form, she would grab the pail’s handle and fly off to the fire and pour her water-formed brother over it. Victory was theirs, and human form was then retaken.
I used to love that show. I used to love the way that they would transform themselves in that moment and become what was needed. But isn’t it funny that those super-powered twins still leave a great impact on my life. In fact, I have even played being a Wonder-twin with my kids. When my daughter’s room is a mess and she wants me to help her clean, I’ll tap our fist together and say, “Turn me into a clean sweeper,” or something like that, while all along she looks at me like I’m crazy. Or with my son, when we’re running behind I ask to be turned into a cheetah so I can run fast.
But as I was joking around about this last night, God prompted me. In a way, we have been given this Wonder-twin power. We call it, the Holy Spirit. I remember as a kid when I wanted to speak to others about Christ, a fear would come over me. Mom would assure me that the Spirit would give me the words to utter in that moment of obedience. And He always did. It’s like I would touch rings with the God and say, “Turn me into a bold Christian,” and BAM! I had the boldness to share with others about Christ. Yet isn’t that exactly what Christ said right before He ascended into heaven?
In Acts 1:8, Jesus spoke that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on us. Now He was speaking to the disciples, but contrary to what others may believe, I have no doubt He was also speaking to you and me. This power wasn’t only for the disciples, nor did it die out when they passed. This same power has been given to us. And we know it came as He had promised, because as the disciples were in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:3-4). Talk about your Wonder-twin power activating! They had just been given the Holy Spirit.
Do we realize the power of the Holy Spirit? Simon the sorcerer did in Acts 8:18-19, because he wanted to buy it. But do we understand it? Do we hear about the Spirit and turn running, or do we say, “Spirit of God, fall on me”? These last few days, well actually since my dad passed, I have found myself many times realizing how much more I need God. Just when I think I got it right, I realize I am still nothing without God. I need His Spirit. I need the Spirit to guide me, protect me, empower me, and counsel me. I am hungry for God, hungry to do His will, but I cannot do in my own strength. Perhaps that is why we are reminded that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zech 4:6).
Wonder-twin power, activate. Turn me into a Holy Spirit filled man of God.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”
Acts 1:8a
I know I am about to date myself with today’s illustration, but hear me out. When I was a kid I would watch the Justice League where a host of super-powered friends would together fight the evils of those who caused destruction. Among them were Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Wonder-twins. Do you remember the Wonder-twins? They were this brother and sister team that, when they touched their rings together, they would turn into whatever item was needed to help the situation. For instance, if there was a fire that needed to be put out, they would touch rings and say, “Wonder-twin power, activate!” The girl would say, “Turn me into an eagle,” and poof, she was an eagle. Then the brother would say, “Turn me into a pail of water,” and poof, he would be water. Then in her eagle form, she would grab the pail’s handle and fly off to the fire and pour her water-formed brother over it. Victory was theirs, and human form was then retaken.
I used to love that show. I used to love the way that they would transform themselves in that moment and become what was needed. But isn’t it funny that those super-powered twins still leave a great impact on my life. In fact, I have even played being a Wonder-twin with my kids. When my daughter’s room is a mess and she wants me to help her clean, I’ll tap our fist together and say, “Turn me into a clean sweeper,” or something like that, while all along she looks at me like I’m crazy. Or with my son, when we’re running behind I ask to be turned into a cheetah so I can run fast.
But as I was joking around about this last night, God prompted me. In a way, we have been given this Wonder-twin power. We call it, the Holy Spirit. I remember as a kid when I wanted to speak to others about Christ, a fear would come over me. Mom would assure me that the Spirit would give me the words to utter in that moment of obedience. And He always did. It’s like I would touch rings with the God and say, “Turn me into a bold Christian,” and BAM! I had the boldness to share with others about Christ. Yet isn’t that exactly what Christ said right before He ascended into heaven?
In Acts 1:8, Jesus spoke that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on us. Now He was speaking to the disciples, but contrary to what others may believe, I have no doubt He was also speaking to you and me. This power wasn’t only for the disciples, nor did it die out when they passed. This same power has been given to us. And we know it came as He had promised, because as the disciples were in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:3-4). Talk about your Wonder-twin power activating! They had just been given the Holy Spirit.
Do we realize the power of the Holy Spirit? Simon the sorcerer did in Acts 8:18-19, because he wanted to buy it. But do we understand it? Do we hear about the Spirit and turn running, or do we say, “Spirit of God, fall on me”? These last few days, well actually since my dad passed, I have found myself many times realizing how much more I need God. Just when I think I got it right, I realize I am still nothing without God. I need His Spirit. I need the Spirit to guide me, protect me, empower me, and counsel me. I am hungry for God, hungry to do His will, but I cannot do in my own strength. Perhaps that is why we are reminded that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zech 4:6).
Wonder-twin power, activate. Turn me into a Holy Spirit filled man of God.
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GOD OUR FATHER
If one were to move away from the misconception that God is so distant in His status and truly understand, as Christ so often pointed ou...
