A Week in the Life of Christ

In our system of a “week” we see Jesus moving toward the Cross, toward our destiny, toward His Suffering, toward our Salvation and it is begins with Palm Sunday. The day of the waving of the Palm leaves. The day of shallow Praises, weak worship, heartless blessings of the Messiah and the rebuke of the children. A day of deep sorrow and Jesus weeping, not for Himself, but for those who did not discern the depth of this day of His Visitation. Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal. It was at this very meal that Jesus imparted to us the “Emblems of Holy Communion, the Eucharist.” The meaning of Eucharist is powerful: it is gratitude, favor, Grace, and Spiritual Communion with God. All this Jesus did for us by offering Himself as our Lamb of Sacrifice.  As He came to the City of Jerusalem, His new followers begin to express their outward Praises. “Outward,” because their heart was far from Him. “They spread their garments in the way, took branches of Palm trees and went forth shouting, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel. Hosanna in the Highest!” Some of the very voices that praised Him would cry out Crucify Him! When the children cried out “Hosanna to the Son of David! It displeased the Chief Priest and Jesus pointed them to Ps. 8:2.The journey into Jerusalem is called the Triumphal Entry, Matt. Mark, Luke, and John record this occasion. Jesus did this to fulfill Prophecy: [Zech 9:9]. As He came near the city, “He wept over it; Saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!  Jesus visited the temple, saw the money changers, drove them out and proclaimed, “My House is the House of Prayer! He Visited Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Very Important moment: Mary Anointed His Feet with ointment of spikenard and when Judas Iscariot complained about the cost of the ointment, Jesus said: “Let her alone: against the day of My burying hath she kept this.” O Rejoice greatly Child of God! Our King is Coming!   Loving you, Pastor

His Side Pierced for Us

The fourth point of these Lenten Messages concerns Jesus side. As His time on the Cross is coming to a close we note the “Seven” things He said from the Cross. It would be well for us to hear the depth of these sayings. [1] “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” [Lk.23:34] This is seen in Scripture as the rulers “derided” Jesus, saying He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God.” [Lk. 23:43] [2] Jesus spoke with compassion to the thief who turned Him: “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” [3] When Jesus saw His Mother, “Woman, behold thy son, and to John He said, Behold thy Mother.” [John 19:26-27]  [4] Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sa bach tha ni? That is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? [Matt. 27: 46] [5] Jesus knowing that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” [John 19:30]  [6] Again Jesus cries with a loud voice: “Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit:” [Luke 23:46]  [7] Jesus said “It is Finished: He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.”[John 19:30]   The sun was darkened over all the earth and the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from top to bottom! Now we can go boldly unto the Presence of God! It is now that the final point of our Message unfolds: John 19:33-34  “When they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear Pierced His side, and forthwith came there out Blood and Water.”  I have given a lot of thought to this moment over the years as we approach this season of Jesus suffering. This is not a Doctrine, just a thought to ponder: Perhaps as the Blood and Water flowed from His Side, the Holy Spirit of Promise entered into the earth! His Blood to cover our sins and His Holy Spirit to bring Truth and Comfort.  John is the only one who writes of this Piercing, He also writes in 1 John 5: about the Water and the Blood and the Spirit. Some think of the Water as the Word, others think of the Water as the Spirit. Little is said about this moment at the foot of the Cross. Most theologians talk about the “washing of the Word” and the Cleansing of the Blood unto Salvation. And always as they discuss, I hear the Spirit attached! Jesus said; “If I go away the Comforter will come.”  As He left this earth, the Blood and Water poured forth from His Side – His Side was riven for us and the Holy Ghost arrived!  Loving you, Pastor

My Heart Melteth Like Wax

In Today’s Message we see the “Inner Man” of Christ, His thoughts, His pain, His desires, and His cry for help.  It is awesome that David saw in the spirit the “Suffering of Christ!” He writes of his own suffering and yet it is not to be compared with the Suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ. The things that David saw in the Spirit came to pass as Jesus was Crucified! Most everyone knows about the Cross of Christ, even infidels will wear a cross. Yet what do we know about the Suffering Saviour beyond the pain of the thorns, the beatings and the nails? No wonder David was a man after God’s own heart, he had worshiped God to a great depth, therefore David became privy to the Sufferings of Christ.  I am sure if Christianity would walk their life in the path of Christ, always remembering His Suffering for us; we would never do some of the things that breaks His Heart. If we would remember His Suffering, His Sacrifice, we would rethink some of our decisions. Today we look not just at the Suffering of His Flesh, but the Suffering of His Soul, His Spirit, and His Heart. Psalm 22 is where we find 27 comments of David under the Anointing of the Spirit of God, sharing the Sufferings of the Saviour. Not only was there horrible pain in Jesus flesh, but perhaps even a greater depth of great pain in His Heart, His Soul and His Spirit. As Jesus faced the Suffering of the Cross, He took His closest disciples with Him, Peter, James, and John, and said to them: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me. He went a little further, and fell on His face, and Prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” [Matt. 26:38-39] O Jesus thank You for being obedient in the midst of your great Suffering, and bringing forth our Salvation! Let the Church Worship our God, His Son our Saviour and the Power of the Holy Ghost!  Amen.   Loving Jesus and everyone of you, Pastor