UPWARD FOCUS
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Scripture references throughout are from the NIV version unless otherwise stated. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc ® Used by permission All rights reserved worldwide
Page4:IwonderhowJesusfeltaboutsomeoneelsecarryinghiscross
Page7:WhydidJesusdieonthecross?
Page10: DidJesusReallyDieandRiseAgain?
Page14:JesusLovedYoutoDeath–Journey TowardsEaster–GoodFriday
Page20:HowToFocusOnGod’sGoodness
Page26:TheHolySpirit
Page28:AreyouPeterorJudas?
Page34:CommunionandtheLastSupper
Page36:ShameOffYou
“For God so loved the world, that he gave hisonlySon,thatwhoeverbelievesinhim shouldnotperishbuthaveeternallife.”
John3:16
RuthBaker
The cross is where we see Jesusathismosthumanand most divine. It is heart breaking to read about his anguish, even though we know the triumph to come. This in itself is something Jesusunderstood–whenhis friendLazarushasdied(John 11:38-44), Jesus wept even though he knew that in a moment he would raise him tolifeagain.
I feel this emotional pain when I read the account of Jesus‘ arrest and crucifixion. My heart breaks for him whenhestruggleswithGod’s willandyetacceptsit.
Even when an angel appears and strengthens him, Jesus is still in anguish and “he prayedmoreearnestly,andhissweatwaslikedropsofbloodfallingtotheground.” (Luke22:42-44).
Andthisisbecauseofme,Ithink.Whilewewerestillsinners,Christdiedforus.Thisis whatthecrossmeans.ThisiswhatJesus’sufferingmeans.Hisanguish,hispain,his fear,hissorrow–itwasmine.Itwasmyfault.
EventhoughIknowwhatitmeans.EventhoughIknowwhathappenednext,isstill feelthestingofshamethatitwasmysinthatputhimthere.
Andyeteventhisshameofsomeoneelsecarryingourpunishmentissomethingthat Jesus felt. In Luke 23:26 we see that “as they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene,whowasonhiswayinfromthecountry,andputthecrossonhimandmade himcarryitbehindJesus.”
AsIwasreadinginmyquiettime,thisstoodoutstarklytomeasIcontemplatedmy shame. Jesus, on the road to his own crucifixion, having accepted the will of God, even though bodily broken, was forced to accept the suffering of another on his account.
Thecrossbarofthecrossisestimatedtohaveweighedaround32-42kilograms(or7090pounds)andthewholecrossintheorderof136kilograms(or300pounds).Even carryingthecrossbarwouldhavebeenastruggleforSimononalongjourneythrough jeeringcrowdsalonghotdustyroadstothecrucifixionsite–thewholecrosssomuch more.AndSimonmusthavetrippedandstrainedandstumbledhiswaybehindJesus. And Jesus, walking in front, knew he was there. And knew he must have been suffering.
IfIwasJesus,Iwouldhavefeltshame.ShameforthepainofSimon,pickedoutofthe crowdatrandomandforcedtosufferbecauseofme.
ButthisiswhereagainwerememberthatJesuswasfullyhuman.HefeltwhatIfeel when I contemplate the cross. He knows and understands us and our emotions so well–becausehefeltthem.
And this is where I remember not to stay in my shame. You see, shame is a spur to correctbehaviour.It’satriggertochangetheheart.
It’s not a place we should stay. Because I am aware of my sin, I feel shame. That shameisaspurformetobreathelifeintomyfaithwithdeeds–deedsofgratitude andobediencetotheonewhosavedme,theonewhogaveeverythingforme.
Theshameleadsmetoagratitudedeeperthananocean.Hedidthisforme–forall ofus–whilewewerestillsinners.Whilewedidn’tknowhim,whileweignoredhim, while we held him on the cross with our sins. The expanse of God’s mercy is breathtaking.
And Jesus, our saviour, our shepherd, our treasure. So human. So divine. It’s unfathomable.Andyetwecanseetheselittleglimpsesinthegospelsofthestateof hisheart,whichinturnhelpsustounderstandthegloryofhisdivinity.
Readthegospelsagain.Readthecrucifixionaccounts.Hearhiswords.Feelhispain. And remember his glory. Because God’s actions are about the glory, not about the shame.Letyourshametakeyoutogratitude,andaswecelebratethisEaster,letus bowdownandworshipathisfeet,becausehedeserveseverythingwehave.
“Father,forgivethem,fortheydonotknowwhattheyaredoing.”Luke23:34
ToBringtheOldTestament PriesthoodtoanEndand BecometheEternalHighPriest
ToPleaseHisHeavenlyFather
ToBecomeforUsthePlace WhereWeMeetGod
SoThatHeWouldBeCrowned withGloryandHonour
ToAchieveHisOwnResurrection fromtheDead ToDeliverUsfromEvil ToMakeHisCross theGroundofAllOurBoasting ToBringUsCloser toGod ToFreeUsfromBondage andtheFearofDeath
ToFreeUsfromtheSlavery ofSin
ToShowHisOwnLoveforUs ToMakeUsHoly,Blameless, andPerfect
ForgivenessofOurSins ToReconcileUstoGod
"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
WOMEN OF THE BIBLE
Who?Priscilla
WifeofAquila
When? Approx.50C.E.
OneoftheearliestknownChristianconvertswholivedinRome FriendandministryworkerofPaul Usedhergiftsandresourcestoinfluencethespreadandnurturingof theearlychurch.
MomentsofImportance
Claudius(Emperor)hadexpelledfromRomealltheJewswhofollowedChrist SailedwithAquilaandPaulfromCorinth.PaulleftPriscillaandAquilainEphesus ExplainedtoApollosthewayofGodtogrowApollosunderstandingandfaith
In1Corinthians16:19,welearnthatthereischurchatthehouseofPriscilla PriscillareturnedtoRomewithAquilaafterClaudius’edictwasrescinded PaulstatesthatPriscillariskherlifeforhimandthechurchoftheGentiles.
LessonsLearned
Welcomeothersintoyourhome,showandteachtheloveofJesustothem Encourageoneanotherandhelpeachother
Don’tletothersstandinyourwayofyourmissiontospreadtheWordofGod UseyourtalentsandgiftstoglorifyGod
Reading:Acts18:18-19,Acts18:26,Romans16:3, 1Corinthians16:19,2Timothy4:19
Who?
SimonofCyrene
FatherofRufusandAlexander
FromCyrene,acoastaltownontheMediterraneanSea,EasternLibya CarriedJesus’cross
Onlynamedis3scriptureverses
MomentsofImportance:
Afterbeingbeaten,Jesuswasweakenphysicallytocarrythecross
Simonwaspassingbyandwascompelledtocarrythecrossbythesoldiers
SimoncarriedthecrossbehindJesus
Simondidn’trefuseorrun,hecarriedthecrossforJesus
LessonsLearned
Godispurposefulineverythingthatisdone.Simonwouldhavebeenplacedinthe rightplaceandtherighttimetotaketheburdenfromJesusofcarryingthecross.
JustasSimonwasbehindJesuscarryingthecross,wetooneedtofollowJesus withourcrosses.
EventhoughSimonisnottalkedaboutverymuchintheBible,hehadapurpose andwasanotherwitnesstoJesus’crucifixion.
Did Jesus Really Die and Rise Again?
One of the most enjoyable portrayals of the Christian messageIhaveseenrecentlywasthemovie, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. My childhood visions of Narnia from reading the book by C.S. Lewis came to life on the screenbeforeme.WhenIfirstsawthemovie,Iwondered howmanyviewersrealizedthattheyhadjustwitnesseda gripping interpretation of the Christian message. C.S. Lewis, a brilliant scholar and writer, taught at Oxford University and wrote the series of books called, The Chronicles of Narnia. The books provide an important interpretationofessentialChristianbeliefs. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lewis depicts essential features of Jesus Christ throughthelion,Aslan.
Aslan represents a type of Christ, and many similarities may be drawn between them. However, the most striking one relates to the notion of death and resurrection.BothAslanandJesuswillinglylaydowntheirlivestosaveothers.In their sufferings, Aslan and Jesus are treated cruelly and unmercifully by their torturers,butneithercomplainorattempttobreakfree.Theirdeathsbringabout redemption.
JESUSISOURREDEEMER
In the movie, the character, Edmund is redeemed from the power of the White Witch by Aslan. In Scripture, Jesus redeems all humanity from the power of sin. Death cannot hold Aslan – a fact joyfully experienced by Susan and Lucy as they once again touch his mane and feel the warmth of his breath.TheGospelwritersattestto the fact that Jesus appeared following His crucifixion - an event witnessed by more than 500 of His followers.
Lewis’ novel and the recent movie baseduponittellacaptivatingtale.But isthestoryofJesus–Hislife,deathand resurrection, akin to the genre of fantasy and myth that Lewis employs? Can we really believe that Jesus died and rose again from death? The Gospel writers were convinced that these events took place, for the impact they had on them radically altered their worldview and changed the course of their lives. The fact that Jesus died is one attested to by eyewitnesses and followers of Jesus. Jesus’ mother and Mary Magdalene were near the cross whenJesusdied.
"Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. "
Matthew27:56
One of the Roman centurions who oversaw Jesus’ crucifixion was so moved by the manner in which Jesus died that he said, “surely this manwastheSonofGod."
Fromamedicalpointofview,Jesus did indeed die on the cross, for bloodandwaterflowedoutofHim when He was pierced near the heart.
Why would we need to verify that Jesus died? Some scholars deny that Jesus rose fromthegravebyclaimingHedidn’tactuallydieonthecross,butrevivedinthecool of the tomb. However, the primary historical record – the New Testament, demonstrates that Jesus indeed did die. But what is even more astounding is the Gospel’s claim that three days later He rose again from death. His resurrection was witnessedbynumerouspeople,andonmanyoccasions.
He appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10-18); to two of His followers on the roadtoEmmaus(Luke24:13-35);duringa gathering of a group of disciples while theywerehavingameal(Luke24:36-49); onabeachearlyonemorningafter3 of the disciples were out fishing (John 21:1-14);tomorethan500oftheearly Christiansatonetime(1Corinthians15:6).AlloftheseexperiencesoftherisenJesus tookplaceoverasixweekperiodoftime.NoneofthedenialsofJesus’resurrection rely upon concrete evidence. On the contrary, the only evidence that we do have compellingly leads us to believe that Jesus did not remain in the grave, but rose fromthedead.
C.S.Lewis’booksaresplendidstories,buttherecordofJesus’deathand resurrectionisnomyth–itisthefoundationofGod’spurposefortheworld,anditis thejoyandhopeofeverybelieverinJesus.C.S.LewiswroteinMereChristianitythat Jesusmusteitherbeamadman,adeceiver,ortheLordoflife,asHeclaimedtobe. WemustdecideforourselveswhowebelieveHimtobe.ThisEaster,whynotexplore theclaimsoftheBibleconcerningJesus’deathandresurrection?JoinanAlpha groupinyourcommunity,orvisitachurchthatunashamedlyaffirmsthatJesusmay bepersonallyknownasSaviourandFriend.Heisalivetoday,andiswillingtomake HimselfknowntoallwhohavefaithinHim.
Writtenby:Rev.Dr.JustinBradbury
JESUSLOVEDYOU JESUSLOVEDYOU TODEATH–
JOURNEYTOWARDS JOURNEYTOWARDS EASTER–GOOD EASTER–GOOD
FRIDAY FRIDAY READ John 19:1-37
Likemostboys,whenIwaslittleIwantedtobejustlikemydadwhenIgrewupand dowhathedid.Maybeyoucanrelate.Becausehewasapastor,thismadeforsome very interesting moments! Beginning when I was still a pre-schooler, I would regularly set up a little pulpit in our living room, put on a pair of my father’s old glasses,andleadsimplechurchservices.IdidmybesttofollowtheexamplesIsaw every Sunday. We had singing and preaching and even communion from time to time. I would do this with any audience I could scrounge up – even babysitters. My favourite topic to “preach” on – and one which I returned to over and over again –wasJesus’deathonthecross.Tothisday,Istillhavesomeofmysimplechildhood sermon notes on this theme. I was absolutely captivated by the extent of Jesus’ sacrificeformeandallpeople.Itgrippedmymindandmyheart.
ButIsometimesfearthatIhavelostmychildlikewonderatwhatJesusexperienced andaccomplishedonthatfirstGoodFridaymorethan2000yearsago.Ihavereadthe fourGospelaccountsandheardmessagespreachedabouthisdeathsomanytimes thatitiseasytoalmostglossover.Sortabeenthere,donethat.Howaboutyou?Or perhapstheideaofthecrucifixionofJesusseemssogruesomethatyouwouldrather notthinkaboutitandinsteadjustfastforwardtothegoodstuffofhisresurrectionon EasterSunday?
Today’s passage in John 19:1-37 recounts numerous details from the day of Jesus’ death.CondemnedbytheJewishreligiousleaders.SentencedbyPontiusPilate,the Romangovernor.Whippedandslappedandmockedbythesoldiers.Strippedofhis clothesandhisdignity.Torturedbycrucifixiononthecross.Mournedbyhismother andclosefriends.Piercedinhissidewithaspear.Andultimatelydeclareddead.Why did he go through all of that? Why allow those people to treat him with such contempt?Whybewillingtosuffersuchtorment?
JesuswastheSonofGod,thepromisedMessiah,theLordofheavenandearth.He didn’t have to endure it. Even one of the criminals on the cross beside Jesus recognizedthathecouldhavesavedhimself(seeLuke23:39).Sowhydidhedoit?
Thesimpleansweris,becauseofhisamazinglove!Yousee,Jesuslovedyoutodeath.
Romans 5:8 says, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us whilewewerestillsinners.”FirstJohn4:10says,“Thisisreallove–notthatweloved God,butthathelovedusandsenthisSonasasacrificetotakeawayoursins.”Jesus loved you to death. Good Friday is an opportunity to remember once again this incredibletruth–andevenmoreimportantly,toexperiencetherealityofJesus’love foryoupersonally.
REFLECT
Wouldyoutakethetimetoslowlyreadthroughtheseversesandmeditateagainon all that Jesus went through for you? Don’t rush through the passage – linger and ponder. How does it impact you to read the account of Jesus’ death through the frameworkoflove?Haveyouexperiencedhislovepersonally?Whatisyourresponse toJesus’sacrificetoday?
BOTTOMLINE
Jesuslovedyoutodeath.
LIVE
First John 4:19 says, “We love each other because he loved us first.” The Bible teaches that your love for others is a natural response to first experiencing Jesus’ loveforyou.WhoaroundyouneedstoencounterJesus’love–whetherforthefirst time or in a renewed way? How can you practically demonstrate it? Who can you sharethiswonderfulmessagewith?
PRAY
God, thank you for showing me your love in such a tangible and transformational way.Jesus,thankyouforlovingmetodeath!Thankyouforbeingwillingtosufferon thecrosssomysinscouldbeforgiven,mylifemadenew,andmyfuturesecured.I amsohumbledthatyouwouldlovemeevenwhenIwantednothingtodowithyou. PleasehelpmetoexperienceyourloveinafreshwaythisEasterseason.AndJesus, givemethecouragetoshareyourlovethroughwhatIsayanddowiththosewhoso desperatelyneedit.Amen.
“Ifyoudeclarewithyourmouth,Jesusis Lord,andbelieveinyourheartthatGod raisedhimfromthedead,youwillbesaved.” Romans10:9
Book:John,chapters19-20
JohnChapter19-20happenedinAD33
Thereare21chaptersinJohn
WrittenbyJohn theApostle
Johnisthe4thbookintheNewtestamentandthe43rdbookoftheBible Johnwas1ofthe12disciples(Apostles)ofJesus
AsyouarereadingthroughJohn19-20keepaneyeoutforthefollowing:
19-20 MockedandCondemned
KeyVerses
John19:1-6
John19:19-22
John19:38-42
John20:1-9
John20:11-17
John20:19-31
ReflectionQuestions
2.Whatdoesthephrase“itisfinished”mean? HowdoyoufeelwhenyoureadaboutthepainJesuswasin?1.
3.LikeThomas,doyouexperiencedoubtsaboutwhatJesusdidforyou? BringthemtoGodtoday.
HOWTOFOCUSONGOD’SGOODNESS
Isay,“Godisgood!”Yousay,“Allthetime.”Iwouldbewillingtobetthatmostofus hadthisdrilledintoourheadsgrowingup.But,whatdoesitmeanthatGodisgood? How can we focus on God’s goodness? How can we live like we believe that God is good?Let’sanswerthesequestionsbylookingatBibleversesthatfocusonourGood God.
Howdoweknow“Godisgood”?
InPsalm34:8NIV,weareinvitedto“tasteandseethattheLordisgood.”Whenwe “taste”somethingforthefirsttime,wearetryingitouttoseehowwellwemightlike it. In the same way, the Psalmist is so sure that we will find God’s goodness to our likingandnotlacking,thathegoesontosayinthesecondpartoftheverse,“blessed arethosewhotakerefugeinHim.”
With this thought in mind, we see, God’s goodness is not just in His nature but it is alsoexpressedinHisactionsandtoHispeople.So,theshortanswertoourquestion, “HowdoweknowGodisgood?”,isthis:TheBibletellsmeso.Wearegoingtodive intothattopicnext.
HowcanwefocusonGod’sgoodness?
We can focus on God’s goodness by focusing on His word. His word tells us He is good.ItalsorecountsHisgooddeedstowardHispeople.God’sgoodnessisalsoseen inHisotherattributes,love,mercy,grace,forgiveness,andHiscompassion.
TherearealsosomanyamazingworshipsongsthatfocusonthegoodnessofGod.I havelistedafewbelowwiththeirYouTubelink.And,finally,wecankeeprecordof God’sgoodnesstousinaprayerorgratitudejournal.Ihaveputafewideasbelow.
BibleVersesthatFocusonGod’sGoodness
SurelyYourgoodnessandlovewillfollowmeallthedaysofmylife,andIwilldwell inthehouseoftheLORDforever.Psalm23:6NIV
TheLord,theLordGod,mercifulandgracious,longsuffering,andaboundingin goodnessandtruth.Exodus34:6NIV
NotoneofalltheLord’sgoodpromisestoIsraelfailed;everyonewasfulfilled. Joshua21:45NIV
GivethankstotheLord,forheisgood;hisloveenduresforever.
1Chronicles16:34NIV
GoodanduprightistheLord;thereforeheinstructssinnersinhisways.
Psalm25:8NIV
FortheLordisgoodandhisloveenduresforever;hisfaithfulnesscontinuesthrough allgenerations.Psalm100:5NIV
TheLordisgoodtoall;hehascompassiononallhehasmade.Psalm145:9NIV IwilltellofthekindnessesoftheLord,thedeedsforwhichheistobepraised, accordingtoalltheLordhasdoneforus—yes,themanygoodthingshehasdone forIsrael,accordingtohiscompassionandmanykindnesses.Isaiah63:7NIV
TheLordisgoodtothosewhosehopeisinhim,totheonewhoseekshim;itisgood towaitquietlyforthesalvationoftheLord.Lamentations3:25-26NIV
YouknowthemessageGodsenttothepeopleofIsrael,announcingthegoodnews ofpeacethroughJesusChrist,whoisLordofall.Acts10:36NIV
Likenewbornbabies,cravepurespiritualmilk,sothatbyityoumaygrowupinyour salvation,nowthatyouhavetastedthattheLordisgood.1Peter2:2-3NIV
WorshipSongswithFocusonGod’sGoodness
GoodnessofGodbyCeeCeeWinans
Good,GoodFatherbyChrisTomlin
GodisSoGoodbyPatBarrett
GodisGoodAlltheTimebyDanMoen
KeepingRecordofGod’sGoodness
OneofthewaysthatIkeepfocusonGod’sgoodnessistoremindmyselfofhow faithfulHehasbeentomeinthepast.IhaveaprayerjournalandIliketowritehow Godanswersprayerstomeandothers.Similarly,mydaughterkeepsagratitude journalwheresherecordseachdayafewthingsthatsheisthankfulthatGodhas giventoherordoneforher.Wesimplywenttothestoreandpickedoutsomecute notebooksbutthesedays,therearesomanyresourcesourtheretoguideyou.Ihave alistedafewbelow.
HowcanwecanlivelikeGodisgood?
ItisonethingforustosayGodisgoodandreadscripturesaboutGod’sgoodnessbut ifwetrulybelieveit,thenwehavetoputsomefocusintolivinglike.Godisgood. Practically,thislookslikeusobeyingHiscommandsandsharingHisgoodnesswith others.
ObeyingHisGoodness
Jesussaid,“Ifyouloveme,keepmycommands.”(John14:15NIV)So,here’sthe thing,weknowourGodisgoodwhichmeansHislawisgood.So,welivelikewe believeGodisgoodwhenwearewillingtogoHiswayandwalkinHistruth. Psalm119isabeautifultributetoGod’scommands.Thelongestchapterinthe entireBible;itiswrittenasanacrosticpoem.ThePsalmistexclaims:“Youraregood, andwhatyoudoisgood;teachmeyourdecrees.”(Psalm119:68NIV)Heknowsthat onlyGodisgoodandheishumbletoadmitthatHeneedsGodtoteachHim. Similarly,weneedGodtoinstructusonHiswordsothatwecanlivelikeHeisgood andshowHisgoodnesstoothers.
TellingOthersthatGodisGood
IntheNewTestament,God’sgoodnessisspreadtoothersthroughthegospel,orthe goodnewsofJesusChrist.WehavearesponsibilityasGod’speopleto“gointoall theworldandproclaimthegospeltothewholecreation.”(Mark16:15NIV) Romans10:13-14says,“For“everyonewhocallsonthenameoftheLordwillbe saved.”Howthenwilltheycallonhiminwhomtheyhavenotbelieved?Andhoware theytobelieveinhimofwhomtheyhaveneverheard?Andhowaretheytohear withoutsomeonepreaching?”SomeonehastotellthelostofthehopeofJesus. And,GodhaschoseusasHiswitnesses.
ChallengeyourselftotellsomeonetodayaboutGod’sgoodness.Itmaybeassimple assaying,“CanItellyousomethinggood?”Withsomuchbadintheworld,noone willturndownagoodstory.TellthemhowJesussavedyou,atimewhenHehelped you,orwhatgoodGodiscurrentlyworkinginyourlife.
PSALM96:3NIV
WhatifwefeellikeGodisNOTgood?
Sometimes, when we are suffering, when our child is hurting, or we are just in the middle of a bad day, it can feel like God is not being good to us. We should be reminded however, that we are promised that this world is full of trouble. On the otherhand,throughthesetrials,wecandependonourgoodGodtostrengthenus, teachus,growourfaith,andbringusthroughwithanewtestimonyofHisgoodness.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Human understanding is so limited and when we let our own feelings dictateourthinkingandactions;wegodownadangerouspathofbelievingliesand mistrustingtheLord.ThisiswhywehavetomediateonthepromisesfoundinGod’s word. We can rely on the truth of His word to keep our mind straight and looking forwardtoHisgoodnessbeingrevealedinHistime.
“AndweknowthatinallthingsGodworksforthegoodofthosewholove him,whohavebeencalledaccordingtohispurpose.”
By:ArricaHess
The lion stands for Christ resurrected the lamb for Christ's sacrifice
THE HOLY SPIRIT
JesusfirstsenttheHolySpirittoHisdisciplesafterHehadconquereddeath. Before Jesusdiedonthecrossforusandroseagain,John16explainshowJesushad preparedthemforHimleavingthemandgoingbacktoHisfatherinHeaven.
Then,JesusalsovisitedthemafterHisdeathandspokethesewords:
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts1:8
TheHolySpirit:
Givesspiritualgiftstobelievers
Helpswithourweaknessesandintercedesforus
Helpsusnotparticipateinsinfulacts
FillsuswiththeFruitoftheSpirit (Galatians5:22-26)
Givesuseternallife
IfyouareabelieverofJesus,youknowwhattheHolySpiritfeelslikeandhowHe guides you every day. If you do not believe in Jesus, then we invite you to start a relationshipwithHim.StartbyreadingtheBibleandgettingtoknowthewonderful promises God has made for us. When you are ready, receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour,andpreparetofeelthewonderfulpresenceoftheHolySpiritinyourlife!
NAIL
llmetalspikewithabroadened allyintowoodwithahammerto etherortoserveasapegorhoo
THANKYOUJESUS
AREYOUPETER ORJUDAS?
AreyoumorelikePeterorJudas?
Your initial reaction to that question may be filled with confusionoraresounding“Peter, of course!” but the answer may notbeassimpleasitappears.
During the time of Jesus’ ministry,Hehadmanyfollowers. However, twelve were appointed byJesustobeHisdisciples,with Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot beingtwoofthosetwelve.
Peter was a fisherman by trade.Hewasknowntohave a quick temper and was a very outspoken person. His brother, Andrew, gathered him to meet Jesus, leading to Peter becoming one of Jesus’ followers. Peter would be one of the closest men to Jesus during His ministry. He would declare Jesus as the Messiah and Jesus empowered Peter to start the church (Matt.16:1320,Mark8:27:30).
Not much is known or shared about Judas throughout the Gospels. However, Judas was the treasurer and keeper of the money bag for Jesus and thedisciples(John12:4-6).
Jesus entrusted Judas to look after the funds, but Judas was a greedy man. He had a money problem and would often steal from the money bag. He had a heartproblem.
Both men were first-hand witnesses to the miracles Jesusperformedandthelife He lived. They were there when He fed the five thousand with five loaves andtwofish.
TheyweretherewhenHecastout demonsandhelpedtheblindsee. They were there when He calmed the storm. Peter even walked on water.
Both men saw clearly the fulfilment of Messianic prophecies performed by Jesus. Both men joined the other disciplesinperformingmiraclesandsaw theworkofGodtakeplace(Mark6:7-13). Yet both men had moments of rejecting Jesus. Both men turned their back on HimwhenHeneededthemthemost.
PeterwoulddenyJesusthreetimesand fall asleep in the garden when Jesus askedhimtostayawake(Matt.26:36-46; Luke 22:54-62). Judas would betray Jesus and give him up to authorities for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16; Luke22).However,bothmenresponded to their rejection of Jesus in two very differentways.
Before we get into how they responded, let’s go back to the Last Supper for a very subtle, but major distinction in the way Peter and Judas sawJesus.
Matthew26:21-25says:
“And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’ Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said so."
Did you catch that? All the disciples of Jesus, including Peter, referred to Him as Lord, when asking if they were the ones that were going to betray Him, except for one. Judas referred to Jesus as Rabbi. After spending three years of life with Jesus and seeingeverythingHedid throughout His ministry, Judas still only viewed Jesus as a great teacher and a great man. He didn’t see Him as the Messiah. He didn’t see HimasLORD.
Judas,whobetrayedJesus and gave away His whereabouts for thirty pieces of silver, would never fully understand who Jesus was. He felt immense guilt and regret of what he had done. He knew instantly he had done something wrong and he returned the money.
“When Judas , who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ’I have sinned’, he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood’…So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”
–Matthew27:3-5
“Betrayed innocent blood.” Judas knew Jesus was innocent. Judas knew Jesus was a good man. But he still didn’tknowhimasLORD.
Peter, when questioned of whether he knew Jesus or not, denied knowing Himonthreeseparateoccasionsjustas Jesus had predicted (Luke 22:31-62). It was during Jesus’ prediction of these events that Peter emphatically denied that he would ever do such a thing. After he denied Jesus, Peter felt immense guilt and regret. He knew he had done something wrong. He returnedtohislifeasafisherman,only to have an encounter a few days later withtherisenChristonabeach.
AsPeterandthediscipleswerefishing, amanwastryingtohelpthemfromthe shore.
John21:7says:
“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.”
Thereitisagain.LORD.AssoonasPeter heard those words from John, he humbly and eagerly ran to Jesus. After they had all finished eating, Jesus and Peter had a conversation. To resemble thethreetimesthatPeterdeniedJesus, Jesus asks Peter on three separate occasions “Do you love me?” – a beautiful showing of love and grace. Each time, Peter responds with “Yes, Lord.YouknowthatIloveyou."
Judasfeltshame,regretandguiltand triedtopayforhisownsins.Hetookit uponhimselftosufferforhismistakes. In return, he received the punishment byendinghisownlife.Asadendingto aman’slifewhowalkedtogetherwith Jesus. An unchangeable decision and regrettablepricetopay.
Peter also felt regret and guilt, but instead of paying for his own sins, his encounter with the Risen Christ allowed him to receive the fullness of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Jesus paid the punishment. Jesusboretheshameandguilt.Jesus paidtheprice.
Peter and Judas both experienced Jesusintimately,butonlyPeterwasa changed man. Both men rejected Jesus,butonlyPeter
would see true life transformation and forgiveness. Both men sinned greatly, butonlyPeterrepented.Peter’sdenialof Jesus, like Judas’ betrayal, was caused by the human nature of pride and sinfulness and giving into the temptations of Satan. However, Peter sought forgiveness for his denials; whereas, Judas couldn’t and didn’t. His heart wasn’t in the right place. The lack of transformation in Judas’ life despite being around Jesus is a sad and scary thought. Despite being around Him, Judas never truly knew who Jesus was. He just thought He was a great teacher andagreatman–whichHewas.ButHe is so much more than that. He is the Christ. The Messiah. The Saviour of the world.HeisLORD.Howmanyofushave experienced Jesus yet haven’t been transformed?Howmanyofushaveseen Jesus work miracles yet we don’t view HimforwhoHetrulyis?
HowmanyofussinanddenyJesus(evenrejectingwhatGod hasforyouorignoringHisconvictionisaformofdenial),but don’truntoHimforforgiveness?Howmanyofusdon’ttruly knowwhoJesusisandwhatHehasdoneforus?
So, are you more like Peter or Judas?
When you sin, when you deny and disobey Jesus, when you make a mistake – do you try to punish yourself ordoyouhumblyruntoJesusandallow Hisfinishedworkonthecrosstopaythe price for you? Do you misunderstand who Jesus is and what He’s done or do youhumblycometoHiminrepentance andgratitude?
Conversations of apostasy or never being saved surround this contrast of these two men, but our focus is on the finishedworkofJesusonthecrossand the forgiveness that comes with that. CometoJesus.
Jesus died for a reason. He did somethingnoneofuscoulddo.Hedid somethingnoneofushavetodo,ifwe choose to receive His finished work. WhatawonderfulSaviour.Whatanact oflove,graceandmercy.Letuschoose to be like Peter and run towards the LORD.
Hebrews4:16“
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
COMMUNION AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
In First Corinthians 11, Paul writes about the LORD’s Supper. There weredivisionsamongstthepeople assomewereeatingselfishly,while others were getting drunk. They weredisrespectingGod.Theywere missing the whole point of the meal.
Paul instructs and teaches the people on Jesus’ true intention when partaking in the LORD’s Supper:
"For I received from the LORD what I also delivered to you, that the LORD Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the LORD’s death until he comes.” (vv. 23-26)
There it is. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the LORD’s death until he comes.” Jesus’ true intention with the meal. Some believe that the bread and cup are the actual elements of Jesus - the actual body and blood. But that is not true. The bread and the cup are images. They are metaphors. They are representations of Jesus’ body brokenforusandJesus’bloodshed forus.
Many churches that offer communion at services often recite thewholepassagefromPaulinFirst Corinthians. They go on to read the section of taking it in an unworthy manner, stating that those who do not believe in Jesus have to let the cup and bread pass by. This often scares, discourages and embarrassesthosewhodonotknow Jesus. But is that what Jesus would havewanted?
At the time of the first LORD’s Supper, Jesus was still alive. In the room with Him were His disciples. They partook in the meal, but they hadn’texperiencedJesus’deathand resurrection yet to proclaim His death.
They had been around Jesus during His ministry and He spoke of His upcoming death and resurrection, yet this meal was in many ways their first time to truly receive the sacrifice of Jesus. It was foreshadowing His death and sacrifice to come.
As stated earlier, there were divisions amongstthepeopleinthechurchasmany were using the LORD’s Supper as an opportunity to get drunk or eat selfishly, while neglecting others. Some would go hungry.ThisistheunworthymannerPaul is speaking of. They weren’t thinking of Jesuswhenreceivingthemeal.Theywere thinkingofthemselves.
TheLORD’SSupperisabeautifulmoment of connection with Jesus. If received purely, it is a deep time of reflection and proclamation of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is an acknowledgement of Jesus’ finished work on the cross and gratitudetowardsHissacrificeforus.
So,thenexttimeyoureceivecommunion, may you think about Jesus. May you reflect on what He did for you - what He didforusall.
“Shame on you!” or “Shame, shame I know your name!”
Howmanytimeshaveyouheardthoseexpressions?
If you’re not familiar with them, they are often responsesorcommentsmadebyanonlookerwhenyou do something bad or something wrong. How sad is it that the first thing you are made to feel is shame? That’swhatAdamandEveexperiencedinthegarden.
Genesis2:25says: “Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” ThiswasGod’sdesire,ashamefree world. But then sin crept in. In the very next chapterofGenesis,weseethecompleteopposite.
Genesis3:9:11reads: “But the Lord God called to the man, ‘where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ And He said, ‘who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?’”
Theyhid.Theywereafraid.Theyfeltguilty.They feltshame.
Canyourelatetothat?Haveyoueverdisobeyed GodorsinnedagainstHim,onlytorunandhide from Him rather than run to Him? Were you afraidtogotoGod?Didyoufeelguilty?Didyou feelshame?
ThatisexactlywhatSatanwants.HedidittoAdamandEveinthegardenandhe continues to do it to us today. Many of us live a life full of shame. Why is that? Becausewehaven’ttrulyacceptedwhatwehaveinJesus.
ButGod!
PaulwritesinRomans8:1that, “therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Wow.WhatacontrastfromwhatSatanwantsustofeel. Nocondemnation.Noguilt.Noshame.InJesus,wehavefreedomandforgiveness. InJesus,wehavegentleconviction.Wehavenoshame.
Acceptingandapplyingthistruthtakestime,especiallyifyouhavelivedalifefull ofshame.Butletitnotbeapartofyourlifeanylonger.
When we disobey God and sin against Him, let us come to Jesus. Let us not run from Him but run to Him. Let us not be afraid. Let us receive the shame-free life thatHeoffers.LetusreceiveHisforgivenessandlove.
No longer is it shame on you, but shame off you. ShameoffyouinJesus’Name!
What a beautiful gift from Jesus. A life transformed. A lifewithoutshame.JustasGodintendedittobefrom thebeginning.
"Behold,
at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth." (ESV)
Zephaniah3:19
Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament
ZECHARIAH
Ifyouhadtopredictwhatwasgoingtohappen500yearsfromnowwhatwouldyou comeupwith,Woulditbethattheiphone728wouldbeout,maybecarswouldbe drivenintheskybyrobotsoradozenseggswillcost$50basedoninflation.Most likelynoneofthesewillendupcomingtrue.
WhenZechariahspokeitwasabout500yearsbeforeJesus’timeonearth.Yet,allof hispropheciesaboutJesuscametrue.Herearejustafewexamples:
Zechariah9:9,“Rejoicegreatly,DaughterZion!Shout,DaughterJerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey,onacolt,thefoalofadonkey.”TheapostleJohnusesthiswordinginJohn 12:15, “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’scolt.”
InZechariah11:12-13,Zechariahspeaksofthirtypiecesbeingthepriceofaslave, payingtheshepherdanaimlessrate.InMatthew27:9-10,weseethethirtypiecesof silverreappear,asJudassoldJesusfor30pieces.Themoneywasreturnedoutof remorse from Judas, then used by the Chief Priests to buy the potter’s field. It is shown what Jesus’ worth was to the Jews when they estimated the Shepherd’s valueataslave’srate.
Zechariah13:1,reads“OnthatdayafountainwillbeopenedtothehouseofDavid andtheinhabitantsofJerusalem,tocleansethemfromsinandimpurity.”Weknow thatJesus,bornofDavid’slineage(Luke1:31-33)cameintothisworldtocleanseus fromsin.
Zechariah’s prophecies although written about 500 years earlier was accurate about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died on the cross so we no longer wouldbeaslavetosin.ThankyouJesus!
GRANDMA'SCORNER THE EMPTY EGG
Finding Easter eggs is a fun event for children and adults. I remember one time watching my Grandchildren opening up their Easter eggs and after they were done their egg hunt, one of my grandchildren had nothing inside one of their eggs. The othergrandchildyelled“that’swhathappenedtoJesus.”Wealllaughedathowcute itwasbutitreallygotmethinking.
Jesuslaidhiddeninatombafterhehadsacrificedhimselfonacrossformysinsand yoursins.ThehugestoneblockingtheentrancewasrolledawayandJesuswasnot inside.JesushaddefeatedSatan,defeateddeath,foryouandformetolivewithHim andHisFatherGodinEternity.
So,ifsomeoneyouknowhappenstoopenupanemptyEastereggremindthemof Jesus’ love for them and how he conquered the grave. Just because something is emptyinside,thereisstillgreatvalueinit.
Gramma Sisslee
“IT IS FINISHED”
John19:30
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."
John11:25