In America we tend to exalt athletes, actors, public figures, big business execs—people we know next to nothing about. Their talent, success, and standing wow us. We envy their abilities and covet their power. What baffles me most is how we equate financial worth with possessing wisdom. It’s almost as if dollars and cents are thought to make a person invincible.
Naked we entered, and naked we shall exit.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the best-attested events in the ancient world, and yet, we still hear critics of biblical historicity use terms like alleged when speaking about it. Jesus’ life and teachings are more documented than any other historical figure. But why? Is it because He was crucified? That can’t be so, hundreds of thousands have been sentenced to death by crucifixion. Is it because He was innocent? Not possible. Many have been wrongly accused and executed. Is it because Jesus claimed Himself the divine Son of God? Many Jews throughout history attached the status of Messiah to themselves. Then what is it about Jesus of Nazareth that separates Him and makes His teachings untouchable?
By His own power He overcame the grave.
♥
“Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of Your unfailing love.” (Psalm 6:4) Meditating on this verse today, it occurred to me that the need to be saved is actually baked into our nature. There’s not a beating heart who isn’t seeking a way to conquer the grave, that would include numbing our thinking from the reality that our own demise is right around the corner. The very thing we desperately scramble for is the one thing we decidedly oppose. Why is that?
Cuz it would mean submitting to God our need for forgiveness for having neglected so great a salvation.
It’s Holy Thursday. Today is the day Christians commemorate Christ taking bread, breaking it, and offering it up as a symbol of His body, soon to be broken for our treason against Him as King and Ruler of our entire person. We remember Jesus offering a new covenant, in His own blood—no more the blood of bulls and sheep—but the blood of the spotless lamb of God. We exalt the God of Scripture, Who by His wisdom created the earth, and by understanding established the heavens. We praise His grace for revealing deep and secret things to His servants who walk before Him with all their hearts. We bow before the riches of His mercy on those who fear Him from generation to generation. We celebrate His delivering us from the power of darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
♥
“He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:11-13)
In America we tend to exalt athletes, actors, public figures, big business execs—people we know next to nothing about. Their talent, success, and standing wow us. We envy their abilities and covet their power. What baffles me most is how we equate financial worth with possessing wisdom. It’s almost as if dollars and cents are thought to make a person invincible.
Naked we entered, and naked we shall exit.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the best-attested events in the ancient world, and yet, we still hear critics of biblical historicity use terms like alleged when speaking about it. Jesus’ life and teachings are more documented than any other historical figure. But why? Is it because He was crucified? That can’t be so, hundreds of thousands have been sentenced to death by crucifixion. Is it because He was innocent? Not possible. Many have been wrongly accused and executed. Is it because Jesus claimed Himself the divine Son of God? Many Jews throughout history attached the status of Messiah to themselves. Then what is it about Jesus of Nazareth that separates Him and makes His teachings untouchable?
By His own power He overcame the grave.
♥
“Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of Your unfailing love.” (Psalm 6:4) Meditating on this verse today, it occurred to me that the need to be saved is actually baked into our nature. There’s not a beating heart who isn’t seeking a way to conquer the grave, that would include numbing our thinking from the reality that our own demise is right around the corner. The very thing we desperately scramble for is the one thing we decidedly oppose. Why is that?
Cuz it would mean submitting to God our need for forgiveness for having neglected so great a salvation.
It’s Holy Thursday. Today is the day Christians commemorate Christ taking bread, breaking it, and offering it up as a symbol of His body, soon to be broken for our treason against Him as King and Ruler of our entire person. We remember Jesus offering a new covenant, in His own blood—no more the blood of bulls and sheep—but the blood of the spotless lamb of God. We exalt the God of Scripture, Who by His wisdom created the earth, and by understanding established the heavens. We praise His grace for revealing deep and secret things to His servants who walk before Him with all their hearts. We bow before the riches of His mercy on those who fear Him from generation to generation. We celebrate His delivering us from the power of darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
♥
“He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:11-13)
