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Archive for the ‘Easter’ Category

Waiting in the wake of the cross

Posted in Easter, tagged , , on April 15, 2017| 5 Comments »

Do you ever struggle with waiting? Maybe God has promised you something–something amazing, and yet it does not happen as swiftly as you expected. Instead, God calls you to wait.

The Bible teaches this waiting. Psalm 27:14 exhorts us to “wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 62:5 adds a prayer of the psalmist, “my soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.”

But the waiting is hard. This passion weekend, I was reminded of the disciples waiting–they didn’t seem to believe that Jesus would rise from the dead from what we read in the gospels. They were, however, waiting–huddled together in the upper room, trying to make sense of the chaos and horror they witnessed–their teacher and beloved friend was tried, convicted and sentenced to death on the cross. They watched from afar off as He hung on the brutal torture rack of the Roman cross–dying a slow death of suffocation.

They had believed He was the Messiah–the one who would save them from the Roman oppression, and there He hung–a victim of that very oppression–innocen. What a horror it must have been for them! Their circumstances were over-whelming the promises they had been given. They couldn’t even hold them in focus. Fear ruled their hearts.

So it might be for you. God made a promise, but He is asking you to wait. The circumstances keep getting darker. But still He says, “wait.”

Fear not, Sunday’s coming and He will burst forth in glorious light from the darkness of the tomb–having conquered death and all that oppresses you. He is a risen Savior! He lives!

Wait a little longer . . .

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The final week of Jesus’ ministry – Vocabulary

Posted in Easter, tagged , , , on April 11, 2017|

It is sometimes said that Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is the most important of all Christian holidays. Why might that be the case?

The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus is really a celebration of the events of several days, namely the last supper, the arrest of Jesus, the trials (3) of Jesus, the torture and crucifixion of Jesus, His death, His burial and finally and most gloriously, His resurrection from the death.

Before we consider the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, let us consider some of the vocabulary central to the discussion of Jesus’ death.

Look up the following words in a Bible dictionary or regular dictionary (or on http://www.dictionary.com) and record the meanin. After you record the dictionary definition, look up the key scriptures using the term to see what, if anything, new you learn.

1. Atonement
 Dictionary definition:

 Leviticus 17:11

2. Redemption
 Dictionary definition:

 Psalm 49:8, 15

 Lamentations 3:58

 Galatians 3:13

 Titus 2:14

 Hebrews 9:12

 Revelation 5:9

3. Sin
 Dictionary definition:

 Psalm 32:1

 John 1:29

 John 8:34

 Romans 3:20

 James 1:15

 1 John 1:8

4. Propitiation
 Dictionary definition:

 Romans 3:25

 1 John 2:2

5. Holy
 Dictionary definition:

 Romans 7:12

6. Sacrifice
 Dictionary definition:

 Hebrews 10:4-10

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The Lamb

Posted in Easter, Poem, tagged , , , on March 31, 2017|

The Lamb

At the cross, I was bought and sold,
there my redemption paid.

The currency was blood
a debt I couldn’t pay.

and “Why,” you ask, “Would God
who made the universe agree
to shed one drop of royal blood
to save a wreck like me?

He saw not what I was
awash in sin and death
the mud caked in my coat
the stench of death, my breath

My Savior came
God’s plan to bring
He saw me as I’d be
just as if I’d never sinned
without blame before my King

Gifts He gives, both great and small
the blood is still the best
my Savior’s blood my soul redeemed
from Satan’s bony grasp

You may wonder why choose me
the beauty of God’s plan
is not just this lost sheep t’was saved
but all that come–each man

The door’s wide open, my sweet friend
eternity to gain
He’s the One who bears the marks
He’s the lamb t’was slain

(2003, revised 2016)

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Redemption? Some thoughts

Posted in Biblical Literacy, Easter, Resurrection Sunday, Uncategorized, tagged , , , on February 26, 2016|

Some biblical concepts are easier to understand than others. Redemption may be one of the easier ones. To redeem something means to buy it back.

Imagine you are short on funds for your rent payment. The landlord is threatening to evict you if you don’t pay by the close of business. How do you get money quick? You might consider pawning your Fender guitar – not because you want to sell it, but because it has value and the pawn shop owner might give you enough cash to make your rent. When you get paid at the end of the week, you might head back to the pawn shop to redeem – or buy back – your guitar.

  • What does this have to do with Jesus?
  • Who is being redeemed?
  • From what?
  • How?

The Bible teaches us that Jesus is the redeemer. (See Galatians 3:13; Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12)

We are the redeemed – some of us. The redemption is not limited to any particular group of people. The redeemed come from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Revelation 5:9)

The redemption Jesus Christ offers is redemption from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13), from every lawless deed (Titus 2:14) and from  power of the grave (Psalm 49:15)

It is by Jesus’ own blood that He redeemed us, purchased us back from the ruler of this world (Satan). (See Hebrews 9:12, Revelations 5:9)

The best news is that this redemption Christ has accomplished for me – for you – is eternal (it has no end).

pieces of silver

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Redemption?

Posted in Biblical Literacy, Easter, Resurrection Sunday, Uncategorized, tagged , , , on February 24, 2016|

In this series of posts on the vocabulary of the resurrection and surrounding events, today we consider redemption.

Here’s your assignment:

  1. Consider the dictionary definition of the words redeem and redemption.
  2. Consider the following verses and what they add to your understanding of redemption:
  • Psalm 49:8, 15
  • Lamentations 3:58
  • Galatians 3:13
  • Titus 2:14
  • Hebrews 9:12
  • Revelation 5:9

lamb

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He’s Alive

Posted in Easter, tagged , on March 30, 2013|

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERADolly Parton singing He’s Alive

“He’s Alive”

The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hope of sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin’ through
To drag us all away
 
And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers’ feet
 
But there was no one there but Mary So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told me where she’d been
She said they’ve moved Him in the night
And none of us know where
The stone’s been rolled away
And now His body isn’t there
We both ran towards the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they’d taken Him
Was more than I could tell
Oh something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn’t lift me very high
‘Cause I’d seen them crucify Him
Then I saw Him die
Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I’d promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn’t be the same
 
But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried
 
Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I ever had
Just melted into peace
 
He’s alive yes He’s alive
Yes He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive yes He’s alive
Oh He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive He’s alive
Hallelujah He’s alive
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive He’s alive He’s alive
I believe it He’s alive
Sweet Jesus

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Poem for For Lent

Posted in Easter, God, tagged , , , on March 27, 2013|

LEngleMadeleine“For Lent, 1966”           By Madeleine L’Engle

It is my Lent to break my Lent

To eat when I would fast

To know when slender strength is spent

Take shelter from the blast

When I would run with wind and rain

To sleep when I would watch.

It is my Lent to smile at pain

But not ignore its touch.

It is my Lent to listen well

When I would be alone,

To talk when I would rather dwell

In silence turn from none

Who call on me to try to see

That what is truly meant

Is not my choice.

If Christ’s I’d be

It’s thus I’ll keep my Lent.

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Easter – Part 3 (Prophecies of Messiah)

Posted in Easter, Prophecy, tagged , , , on March 25, 2013|

Throughout the history of the Jews, many told of the coming Messiah, Promised One.  The following is not intended to be an exhaustive list but rather a representation of some of the Old Testament Prophecies that were fulfilled in the life and suffering of Jesus Christ:

Psalm 2:7-9

“I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.  Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Psalm 110:1-2, 4

The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”  The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! . . . The LORD has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
Psalm 22:1; 6-8

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? . . . But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.  All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, “He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

Psalm 69:20-21

Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Isaiah 50:5-7

The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.

Isaiah 53:1-10

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 

 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked-But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

In the next post, we will consider the prophecies that Jesus made Himself about his betrayal, prophetdeath and resurrection.

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Easter – Part 2 (Exodus and Leviticus)

Posted in Blood, Easter, tagged , , , , on March 24, 2013|

Temple slaughter_area_2In Exodus, God gives Israel the law.  The law was a gift to man, to help him to realize his total inability to meet God’s standard and his obvious and ongoing need for a Savior  . . . who bleeds.  According to Paul, the “law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”  Galatians 3:24

The atonement provided for under the law was only intended as a temporary fix, to cover the sin. It doesn’t take sin away.  The sacrificial system sets up the foreshadowing of the lamb slain to cover the sins of men. In Leviticus, an often overlooked book of the Bible, God lays out a means by which man may atone for sin in order to be able to have restored relationship with God.  He sets up the place for fellowship (Mercy Seat) – where He will meet with man – through His representative (the High Priest).  He carefully details every piece of wood, precious stone, curtain, garment, utensil of the worship.

The starting point of the worship of God was the bronze altar where the sacrifices were made.  It was a bloody place.  At the time of the feasts, the valley behind the temple would have been flowing with blood from the many sacrifices being offered.  Shed blood was a central part of the worship and approach to God.  No one entered the presence of God without a blood covering, a sacrifice to atone for sin.

God told His people in Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”

All this was looking forward to the cross, the shed blood of the Lamb of God, the blood that would atone for the sin of the whole world.

We’re out of space for today.  Check out our next blog for more about Easter.

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Easter – Part 1 (Genesis)

Posted in Easter, tagged , on March 23, 2013|

adam-and-eve-cast-out-of-paradise-after-eating-from-the-tree-of-knowledge-in-the-garden-of-edenBefore Creation, before man was in need of a Savior, there existed God who loved.  Easter is about God’s love.

The need for Easter is first revealed in Genesis 3:15.  When man violated the one rule God had given him, man’s perfect fellowship with God was broken.  Easter represents  his one way back to that fellowship.

God is holy.  Sinful man cannot approach or have a close relationship with a holy God.  Such sin is an abomination to God.  Just as darkness and light cannot co-exist in the physical realm, so too holiness and sin cannot co-exist in the spiritual realm.

In the chapters of Genesis, the reader is given plenteous evidence why a Savior is needed.  In only a few generations, the heart of man was so far from God that God Himself said, “the wickedness of man [is] great in the earth, and  . . . every intent of the thoughts of his heart [is] evil continually.”

Man, without God, is hopelessly unable to maintain his own righteousness.  God shows He is just. He will judge evil and sin as seen in the worldwide flood, the confusion of language at the tower of Babel and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The wages or payment for sin is death.  Romans 6:23.

It is appointed for men to die once, but after this, the judgment.  Hebrews 9:24

Don’t lose hope.  This is not the end of the story.  Check out our next post for more of the Easter story unfolding.

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