It Was Nine In The Morning

Mark 15: 25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.

Have you ever suffered through the night worrying about some thing that is going on in your life?  The causes for worry are as many as the blades of grass on a golf course.  Each of us has more than likely endured a restless night or two or many.  In my experience, relief comes with the dawn. When we look back on the Passion Week and see what transpired during the night, the final act takes place after the sun rises.  The long walk to Golgotha takes place after sunrise. The physical, and mental pain and suffering of Jesus took place in the dark of the night.  The morning brings a promised conclusion to His ordeal.  Albeit a cruel and painful experience, but the will of the Father must be followed and Jesus is willing to submit to that supreme will.  How many of us would have the courage and fortitude to endure what Jesus endured?  Not a single one of us.  And that is what we need to remember. None of us could, so He had to.  Jesus shared with the disciples before the Passion Week John 16:33. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  Jesus overcame the world and the suffering so that we would not have to. He endured the trial, the scourging, the humiliation, pain, agony and the crucifixion because we could not.  Jesus has overcome the world. Sin and the death that comes from sin have been banished from the lives of those who believe that Christ is the way, the truth and the light.  No other substitutions meet the demands required for the great reconciliation with the Father.  The grace of God given to you and I and all believers was delivered on the cross.

Many will still try to work out an alternative path to salvation.  That can lead to one end – a bad ending. It just does not work. Through Christ is the path to salvation. To follow another path causes needless suffering and worry.  To have to worry whether or not one is worthy enough for salvation must be awful.  And such a needless worry it is. Jesus overcame death, he beat the world so that no one else would have to bear that terrible burden.  With all the possible sources of worry or anguish we should never have to worry about our salvation. That has been taken care.  And in comparison all our other concerns are temporary in nature and we should look to the Father for the peace in our lives that surpasses all understanding.

Prayer: Father we worry about such trivial things in our lives. We often forget that You are in charge. We often seek our own answers to issues and problems when we should be bringing all things to You in prayer. Forgive us Father. Let Your Holy Spirit fill us with the faith to trust in You always. Help us to be strong when we are weak. This we ask in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Wine To Drink Mixed With Gall

Matthew 27: 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.

I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner. The right wine paired with a good cut of meat or salad, to me, adds to the flavor and the pleasure of a dining experience.  Occasionally I will run into a wine that does not live up to its’ promise or ranking.  The most expensive bottle of wine I ever purchased turned out to be a nasty tasting bottle of yuck.  The cork had failed to seal and the wine turned to vinegar.  I was disappointed because I had saved to buy the wine for a special occasion – a dinner shared with good friends.  We choose not to endure the bad wine.

In our lives we can encounter situations where our desire to avoid the pain of a situation is great. We would like to not have to endure the bad wine. However we may find that we must endure the trial or difficult situation.  When we come to the realization that we must endure the trial it can lead to frustration on our part.  And with the frustration can come a bit of soul searching. We might even foolishly ask why us, why now, or why not someone else? We need look no further than 1 Peter 1:6-7 for a better perspective on dealing with trials and tribulations.  In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Granted this may be difficult to do while in the midst of a difficult time or situation. But when we step back and look at what is going on, we often find there is a reason for the trial. And when we pray during the experience we gain an opportunity to connect with the Lord and seek His will in this situation.  Often times we are given an opportunity to learn through the experience. Do not be surprised if in your future you are blessed with the opportunity to share what you learned with someone else in the midst of their own ordeal.  It happens that way, and I can say this with confidence from my own experience.  When we find ourselves filled with fear we can embrace the lessons of Isaiah 43:1-2.   But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.   Friends of the Risen Savior, trust in the Lord - always. 

Prayer: Almighty God we often find ourselves in the midst of an ordeal or trial that is not pleasant to endure. We may be suffering from health issues, relationship problems, job struggles or financial difficulties. Whatever the cause or situation Father, help us keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Give us the faith to remain calm and steadfast. Guide us in Your path as we struggle. And help us to learn what You would have us learn from the experience. In our lives, in all that we do may Your will be done. These things we ask in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

A Place Called Golgotha

Matthew 27: 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull").

“The place of the skull” has long been remembered as the location of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  The very name itself leads even the casual observer to the perception it is a location where death has its’ day. Golgotha is indeed the location we know from the Bible where many things took place and many things changed.  Some things changed for the worse.  And some things changed for the better.  It really boils down to where you fall on the whole believing in the resurrection or not believing spectrum.

            Golgotha represents a major stumbling block for those who would have you and I believe that either Jesus did not really die, or that Jesus did not really die to set you and I free from sin.  Golgotha is like a reef that catches many wayward ships in its’ grasp.  People do not see the totality  of what was accomplished on the cross. They fail to embrace the grace given to us on the cross.  Their perspective in some cases is Christ died to help you, but you still have to earn your own way.  Still others would have you believe that Jesus really did not die. He just sort of died.  He passed out.  And was revived in the tomb.  The part about being stabbed by the Roman soldier to ensure Jesus was dead is an inconvenient truth. John 19:33&34 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 

            We are surrounded by a world that asks you and I to disregard the truth of the Gospel.  The truth that does not fit the current worldview because the truth leaves no room for modern revelation of what is acceptable to man should be acceptable to God.  The world is full of people who will try to deceive you and I into thinking the Gospel truth is really not the “Truth.” The apostle Paul shares an insight into the true intention and the ultimate end for those that seek to deceive. 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.  We must not be fooled by what others tell us is the truth when the real truth, the Gospel truth is right there in scriptures.  As we approach Easter, let us remember the love and hope given to all believers at Golgotha.  And let us also pray for those who seek to deceive that they come to know and embrace the truth of Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Prayer: Lord we are surrounded by serpents with clever tongues. They seek to lead us astray with the half-truths, deception, and outright lies.  The traps they set ensnare many. Help us to see these traps. Give us the words to defend the faith. Give us Your words of love that we might melt the hearts of those who have been deceived. Let Your Holy Spirit fill our conversation with the blinding truth of the Gospel. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.