On the Way to Gethsemane

It was the night Jesus was taken, arrested, illegally tried by the Sanhedrin, and taken to Pilate.

Jesus was to have the passover feast with His disciples. He had washed their feet…Judas still being there.

(John 13:4-12. What an act of great mercy;….rejected mercy…..but it shows the mercy of God….one last act to Judas, though his heart was too greedy to receive it. It is either sin or Christ which rules within us.)

Then Jesus sat down and announced that one was there that would betray Him. None knew that it wasn’t them…..

(All thought they would be loyal…..but they did not realize their own weaknesses.)

Jesus shows the betrayer is Judas….giving him the first piece of the passover bread.

Judas goes out:

John 13:30 “He then, having received the sop, went immediately out; and it was night.”

(Terribly, it would never be “light” for him again.)

Then the Lord goes on to begin a new service;….what we call the communion service: the disciples given broken bread….to symbolize His body being broken for us….and the wine…symbolizing His blood being shed in sacrifice for our sins; and their being partakers of His gift….

Matthew 26:26-28 “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

They left the house, and began to walk to Gethsemane.

On the way, Jesus explains to them of His coming death and resurrection:

Mark 14:27-28 “And Jesus said unto them, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.”

Peter emboldened by the fact that Jesus had not said he was the betrayer, confidently says he will never leave Him….

But Jesus speaks to warn…..and comfort him….

Luke 22:31-32 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Then Jesus begins to speak of the future….

…..a future without His bodily presence with them…..

…..beginning His final conversation with them, before His crucifixion:

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.”

He begins to turn their eyes to Someone else….always with the provision of His love and peace.

“Trust Me that I will not leave you as Heavenly orphans,……but will send the Holy Spirit to take My place”…..(John 14:16, 18)

Twice He says that “whatsoever ye shall ask in in My name, that will I do….”(John 14:13-14)

The theme this part of His discourse is: peace….don’t be afraid, I will give you peace.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, giveth I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Then Jesus speaks of their future work, letting them know….even in this, He will not leave them….He will be their strength and life, in the time to come;…..as the Vine is to the branches.

He promises them fruit.

(Seven times He mentions the “fruit” that comes by abiding in Him….once He mentions the end of those branches which do not bear fruit, even though they are in the vine.)

John 15:5 “I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing.”

And what is that fruit?

First the fruit of joy….

John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

Then the fruit from bearing witness of Jesus….

John 15:26-27 “But when the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me;

And He also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.”

Jesus turns now to showing them what the world will do, now that He will go away…

John 16:2 “They shall put you out of the synagogue; yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.”

But even in this,…..He has provided for them.

The first provision being the Holy Spirit….

John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.

The other provision: the truth….

John 16:13 “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He will hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.”

In the truth, there is great safety…..we know what the Lord says,…..therefore we know what we need to ask for….

And again, three times He says to ask in His name: John 16:23, 24, 26.

He here tells them beforehand that He had overcome the world.

Remember, this is even before they took Him,…He was beaten,…He was mocked and given over to the cries of the mob,….and crucified……

….He knew all that was going to happen to Him; and He said they would treat His disciples the same way….

John 16:33 “….but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

(This He calls us to do in Revelation 3:21)

And then, as He grows closer to Gethsemane….(for He will be arrested before they leave)…..

He becomes very, very intimate….for He begins to pray to the Father:

John 17:1 “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee:”

He was showing us the pattern for our lives….glorify God, and He will honor us.

Telling how He had finished the work God had given Him to do….so we should “finish our course”.

He tells the Father that He had manifested His Name (verse 6)…..and His Words (verse 8, 14)

And then, right then….He begins to pray for them:

John 17:9 “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine.”

He prays that they will be kept:

John 17:11, (15) “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee, Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are.”

He prays they will be sanctified,

John 17:17, (19) “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.”

Five times He prays that “they may be one, as We are.” (John 17:11, 21-23 )

That they may know God’s love through Christ Jesus.

John 17:26 “And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

(Sixteen times in these chapters Jesus speaks of love

Six times He speaks of joy)

In this last part of His talk with them, He prays also for us: You and me, there, on His walk to Gethsemane….

John 17:20 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word;”

Then He came to the garden: All the things He needed to say, were said….everything would proceed according to the Father’s Will (Acts 2:22-23).

The Nation stood on the brink…..what would they do with Jesus, Who was called the Christ?

But it was in this very important, intimate discourse with His disciples….that Jesus showed His Father’s heart and plan for them…..and us.

Jesus wants us to know His peace…..

…..His purpose for each of us: abide in Him and bear fruit……

…He wants us to know His overcoming amidst the tribulation and suffering of this present world;…and because He has, we can too……

……and HIs prayer—intimate and full of tender love for those who follow Him.

Will we walk with Him this day, and hear these things for ourselves?

The Lordship of our Lord

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”

(Every song in the Bible praises the Lord.

It is interesting to note that a song is not mentioned in the Bible, until Israel is redeemed from Egypt (Exodus 15)……for it is only the redeemed that can truly sing praises to the Lord.)

But here we are talking of the Lordship of our Lord…..for there are many which say, “Lord, Lord,” with their lips….who never have the reality of His Lordship in their hearts and lives.

Luke 17:20-21 “And when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or Lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Jesus had come preaching the kingdom of God:

Mark 1:14-15 “….Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye , and believe the gospel.”

If they would have received His Word…..and repented…and believed the good news that the kingdom was at hand…..they would have seen, by faith…that He was the King.

Yet, the Pharisees were always looking for ways to “catch something out of His mouth, that they might accuse Him” (Luke 11:54)….

…so they demand…

….(I think this is an amazing insight into their whole attitude….and the attitude of every natural man….we “demand” of God….

…..we demand to know….now, not later.

…..we demand to be shown the how of things.

…..we demand to be consulted, or included in the decisions of our Purpose.)

Yes, these Pharisees demanded….

…..and the Lord Jesus could have…with immense power….proved His kingdom….then, to them.

But instead He speaks…..letting His Word sink into their souls.

“You look for the Kingdom of God with trumpets…..Here!….or There!…..for you will only “see” with the “observing” eye of sight.

….no, I have not come with pomp and pageantry…..I have come to present Myself as King….to you”

They might have accepted a King to rule the nation…..to bring prosperity and honor to them….

….but would they accept a King to rule their lives?

Well, I am here to remind all of us….that it is the same today.

Christ Jesus is Lord……He rules and reigns supreme…..there is no where in the universe above or in the earth below…that He does not rule, and overrule.

Yet today, the kingdom of God….is shown on earth only within us….me, you, us…..when we make Christ Jesus our Lord.

He will take that small kingdom of my heart and life…..and shine brightly through it.

He will show His laws by my life…..my obedience to Him.

He will show His peace like a ever flowing river amid the troubles of this world….through His kingdom….which is me.

He will make this small kingdom a fruitful land…..with pleasant and comforting influences within me…..and through me.

And He will cause me to sit with Him,…..resting in His Victory…..even though the battle is still being fought within me…..and around me in this world.

He is King…..He is Lord….

…..are we just recognizing Him with our mouths as such….or are we bowing to Him.

Paul writes of some:

2 Timothy 3:5,7 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

How do they deny the power thereof?

“…for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

They are never able to come to the knowledge of that truth, that gives you deliverance….that sets you free….to serve!

The Lordship of the Lord makes claims on people’s lives….and we must….if we will make Him Lord….obey.

Perhaps you say, that does not sound like freedom….

…but it is.

Think of it…..

Any time we move further from sin…..and closer to God….

….the more free we become.

The service of sin is bondage by blindness…..to what we are heading into….and how far this dark tunnel leads.

The service of sin is bondage by tying our hands…..to “the thing” we lust after….and getting pulled by it….faster and faster till we are just being dragged by it.

The service of sin is bondage by laming us….with arrows of poison, till the limbs that might have walked away from sin….are so lame, they can’t.

But the Lord Jesus Christ first saves us from the love of sin…..this is great freedom.

The Holy Spirit moves…..and gives light for darkness….

….and then cuts the cords of lust, so that we are free to receive Christ….

….and then leads us to the Great Physician….who can remove the poison from us.

But more…..the Lord Jesus Christ gives a complete salvation…”to the uttermost”(Hebrews 7:25):

1 Timothy 2:4 “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

For “the knowledge of the truth” is the key…..and that knowledge is of ourselves…

John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

The law was beautiful….showing the way to live a life of honesty and holiness…….but no man could keep it.

When the Lord Jesus Christ came…..He kept it….perfectly…fulfilling all that God demanded….fully.

And because He did….we have been given grace….the unmerited favor of power…..

…..His power in us, to do…..as we face the truth of ourselves.

There is no sin Christ can not forgive…

….no muck and mire He can not pull us out of….

….no pit He can not save us from….

….but we must get honest with the Lord about our sin…..and receive His grace or power….to do what He says about it.

John 1:16 “And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

For every grace we need…..He has it for us…..as our Lord and Savior….

Will we come to the “knowledge of the truth”?

Shew me Thy Ways, O Lord

Psalm 25:4 “Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.”

Prayer, when we are led and taught of the Holy Spirit, is never selfish….

…when we ask for mercies for ourselves….we also are reminded and seek mercies for others, in situations like ourselves.

Jude 20-22 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

“Shew me Thy ways, O Lord”

“Your ways are so opposite mine….turn my eyes to see, in Your Word…and by Your Spirit, what Your way is.

And blessed Holy Spirit, sanctify my understanding, so that it will be enlightened to discern…for myself…..what You want me to do.” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

1 John 2:20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

“You are able to tell me what to do, You are able to show me what to do,….help me to “see” it,….and teach me to walk in it.”

Psalm 25:5 “Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.”

“Lord, I am so backwards sometimes….I ask that You would take my hand, as if I was a little child, and lead me….not just in the path of truth, in general…..but lead me into Thy truth, for me.”

“Teach me, and make me teachable in the situations we are going in…for You are my salvation….save me from myself, the world, and the Adversary of my soul.

….I will wait all through the lighted times, and even though it seems to grow dark….I will wait for You.”

(The first mention of “teach” is God’s teaching…..He is speaking to Moses that He will teach him “what to say” [Exodus 4:12], and “what to do” [Exodus 4:15].

And five times in this Psalm, David speaks of God “teaching” those who want to be taught.

Psalm 25:4 “….teach me Thy paths.”

Psalm 25:5 “Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me…”

Psalm 25:8 “….will He teach sinners in the Way.”

Psalm 25:9 “…the meek will He teach His Way.”

(Meek means “seeing yourself as you are”…..not boastful, not timid, not pretending humility…..but as you truly are…honest)

Psalm 25:12 “What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.”)

And what is our part in this teaching?

Psalms 25:15 “Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.”

To keep our eyes on Him…in trust…for He is a God of tender mercies:

Psalm 25:6 “Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.”

God’s spiritual mercy is based upon the covenant with His Son, Jesus Christ.

God would be merciful, because Christ would become our Redeemer, Savior, and Intercessor.

And God’s heart is full of “tender mercies, and loving kindnesses” for those who turn to Him.

(Elisha Coles 1678). “Divine love is an eternal fountain that never stops running while a vessel is empty, or is capable of holding more;…

….and it stands open to all comers: therefore, come:…”

This is what David felt….God was full of mercy and loving kindness….therefore he pleaded to be taught of God….

…confessing his sins (verses 7, 11, 18)

….and trusting in “O my God”…..

…for He is “good and upright (righteous)” [verse 8].

(Psalm 25:24 “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.”

This covenant is, of course, Salvation through Christ…..

….and it is more….for it is the secret workings of the Holy Spirit in those that are born again…working in them the blessedness of intimate communion,…showing them the traps ahead,….or by passing on to them the hope and grace needed. John 14:26, John 16:13–14)

David’s final prayer for himself, here, is:

Psalm 25:21 “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee.”

“I know I am not through this trial yet,…..but I also know that You will give me Your truth to guide me….let me hang on to it…

…and You have placed me into Your covenant….and You will preserve me….from sin, and my enemies……that I may do Your Will.”

And so David turns, in trust, from himself….to pray for all Israel, and their troubles….

…God, Who would save him, would save all His believers.

Dry bushes inflamed for God

Exodus 3:2, 13-14 “And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush:  and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

          And Moses said unto God,  Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them,  The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you;  and they shall say to me,   What is His name?  What shall I say unto them?

         And God said unto Moses,  I AM THAT I AM:  and He said,  Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel,  I AM hath sent me unto you.”

When Moses was called to start his work,…. before a bush which burned, yet was not consumed….he was given the name:  I AM THAT I AM.   or Jehovah.

Jehovah comes from the root “havah” meaning “to be”….underived existence.   

        Jehovah is the eternal, self-existent One….without beginning or end.  (Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”)

Yet, “havah” as a verb also means “to become”.   Jehovah becomes the need of His people….peace, strength, salvation.

All this was set forth in HIs conversation with Moses….”And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians…”   God reminded Moses of the covenant with Abraham.

        So He gives Moses HIs name….I AM THAT I AM.    I have not forgotten the promise to bring you out of Egypt….I will fulfill all My Word.

It was Jehovah which burned as fire within that dry, desert bush….yet did not consume it…but rather lit it up….inflamed it….and made it a spectacle.

Let me say, that God does the same to us….as dry, desert bushes….we can be “lighted” by God,  and inflamed for His Purpose….to be a spectacle to all around (1 Cor. 4:9)…that God may call men to His service.

Our souls are the bush…and we are indwelt by the great  I AM….

Accordingly, the principal thing God does when He brings us into the covenant of grace,  is to teach us to know Him.

Hosea 6:6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

       This was repeated by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 12:7.

This mercy is covenantal affection and loyalty.   It is love of God,  and love of all the household of faith.    

      (Let me say here,  that love is not just emotion…but the actions of the heart to do good for the person or persons.   It is never a mere feeling.  Certainly, it may start in the heart….but it comes out the hands and life.   It is prayer and works.)

These things are the result of genuine knowledge of God.    As I AM THAT I AM is faithful…so we who are His,  are to be faithful, too.

Our souls are our true personality…who we really are:  our wills, our minds (understanding), our hearts (affections), and our conscience.   They are the most precious thing….for Christ came to save us.   Yet, our natural habits in our minds, hearts, and wills need to be changed into the character of Jesus Christ.

Here is where the warfare rages….but thankfully we who are Christ’s have His fire of the Holy Spirit within us to give us what we need.

We are attacked in our minds….doubts and fears,  evil thoughts of anger or lust,…

…over seeking “happiness” or mocking from others,  hurt our hearts….and our wills tremble because of these influences…

…but, again, I say…we have the fire of the Holy Spirit within…Who reminds us of His faithfulness to deliver from bondage….will we bow to God, and resist the devil?

     James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

         Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands,  ye sinners;  and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

First it is to the Lord Jesus we surrender:   “For He must reign,  till He hath put all enemies under His feet.” (1 Cor. 15:25)

Then we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice….to the Holy Spirit…to be transformed…by the renewing (to renovate) of our minds (understanding) so that we walk in the light of God (1 John 1:7),…and not according to the “wisdom” of this world.

As we willingly will all of this….the Holy Spirit…that fire within us….transforms us!   

      Like as Moses was unwilling at first….yet had his understanding transformed, and his will made willing (Philippians 2:13)…and went to do Jehovah’s Will….before Israel….and in before Pharaoh….

….we,  too, are given His Word….His enabling grace,…and His Will….within our minds, hearts and wills.   Our natural life becomes spiritual.   And we stand as those lights before the world, that He has called us to:

Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world.  (Notice the personal)

A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

       Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,  but on a candlestick;  and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

       Let your light (again, personal) so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The object is always to glorify God….to honor HIm….and He calls us, as dry bushes to let the fire of the Holy Spirit burn within us….and be shown out of us….by our natural selves becoming spiritual lights of Jesus Christ.

Pilate

Matthew 27:22 “Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They say unto him, Let Him be crucified.”

This is a question each person will answer for themselves. What will you do with Jesus who is called the Christ?

Pilate was a common politician. He cared for nothing in Israel, except political gain for himself.

His headquarters were usually in a city by the Mediterranean Sea, but because of the Passover feast and the multitudes of people which could cause problems, he came up to Jerusalem.

This put him right in the middle of Christ’s trial.

(The chief priests only brought Him to Pilate, because by Roman law they could not put any prisoner to death. Only Rome had that power. John 18:31)

Pilate knew that for envy the chief priests had brought Jesus to him. That there was nothing in their accusations.

Mark 15:10 “For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy.”

And he tried three times to back out of a judgement against Jesus.

He knew Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against Him, but refused to stand with the truth; choosing rather to try and wiggle out of making a decision.

(And how many of us do the same….try and wiggle out of making a decision about Christ Jesus,….or His Word to us?)

1st. They brought Jesus to Pilate accusing Him of perverting the nation. They said He told them not to obey Caesar or pay taxes……and for being Christ, a king.

Luke 23:2 “And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a king.”

Pilate asks Jesus if He is a king. Jesus reply’s, “Thou sayest it.” And tells Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36-38)

Pilate again asks, “Art thou a king then?”

Jesus answered, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, ad for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.

Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

Pilate’s classic answer: “What is truth?”

(Certainly Pilate was not usually acquainted with the truth. Deals, flattery, and deceit were what he knew. But he was standing in front of Truth.)

But he knew Jesus was innocent, so he went out, and tells the rulers he found no fault in Him. If they wanted to take Him and beat him, they could.

But His death was what they wanted.

2nd. When Pilate hears that Jesus was from Galilee, he thinks to get out of a judgement by sending Jesus to Herod.

But Jesus would not even speak to Herod, so Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate.

Luke 23:7, 11 “And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself was at Jerusalem at that time.

And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.”

Pilate can not get rid of Him.

Faced with a decision about Jesus, he again tries to release Him. (Even his wife tells him to “have nothing to do with that just man”. Matthew 27:19)

Luke 23:13-16 “And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people; and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him, and , lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

I will therefore chastise him, and release him.”

Jesus is then beaten, and brought again before Pilate. He thinks that if they see that Jesus was punished, they might think He had done enough.

3rd. When the chief priests see that Pilate might not put Jesus to death, they tell Pilate that Jesus made himself the Son of God. (John 19:7)

This frightens Pilate and he asks Jesus, “Whence art thou?”

Jesus refuses to speak, and Pilate speaks the words that will condemn him forever:

John 19:10 “Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?”

Yes, he had the power; but refused to use it as he knew he should.

John 19:12-13 “And from thencefore Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: Whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and set forth down in the judgement seat….”

That was the breaking point: they told him that he was not a friend of Caesar if he released Jesus,……for Jesus had made himself a king.

Pilate, a man of power….set in authority to do what was right. His wife warned him…”have nothing to do with that just man:”…Matthew 27:19.

He knew Christ was innocent of all charges….on his own, I believe he would have let Him go….

….but, instead….Pilate gave into his king. As soon as Caesar was mentioned, Pilate gave up what he knew to be right…..to bow before the king of his life.

Who is our king? Do we bow before the crowd’s opinion? Or the perceived necessity?

The politician’s heart in Pilate ruled that day.

(Do we let our position before men rule us? Or do we stand with Jesus, even when it means loss to us?)

Jesus was led out before the mob. He had been beaten and was wearing a crown of thorns and the purple robe.

Pilate cried: “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?”

The chief priests had persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas, instead of Jesus. (Mark 15:11)

So Jesus was rejected one last time by a mob, crying, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.”

Three times Pilate tried to get out of the judgement of Jesus Christ, when all he had to to was do the right thing: Jesus was innocent, so release Him. This he knew, but refused to act upon….

….what will we do?

Pilate tried to persuade himself that he was innocent of His blood…..and he washed his hands in front of the mob (Matthew 27:24), but Jesus’s blood will be required of him for eternity.

Mark 15:15 “And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.”

We all make choices according to the ruling attitudes of our hearts and minds.

That is why it is so important for us to let Christ rule in our hearts as our King.

Then He can choose for us.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

What will we do with Jesus?

Will we acknowledge Him as our King? Even before others?

Being made Conformable

Philippians 3:10-12 ” That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Not as though I had already attained, neither were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

“Being made conformable”

To be made “conformable” is to be made pliable in the Lord’s hands.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit’s impressions.

This is something Paul had to learn, as he says here……and we have to learn.

The Holy Spirit does not zap us with some power which is apart from Himself.

But He fills us with Himself, and His grace (the unmerited favor of power) as we yield.

Yield in scripture is to give in, to submit, to bow our hearts, to Him.

One of the greatest Victories of the Holy Spirit in our life, is that we are made useable.

God can never use the natural man, and bless him as He wants, for the natural man is at odds with Him.

Romans 8:7″ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

The natural man won’t yield to God’s authority, except in lip service to make himself look good.

So God gives us a new nature. It is His nature implanted within us by the Holy Spirit, when we are born again.

We must yield to the new nature instead of yielding to the old habits, ways, and attitudes, in any given circumstance.

Our adversary, the devil, fights against the new nature, and uses tricks to get us to be unthankful, or discontent with the way the Lord is leading us.

To quench the Holy Spirit’s help by distrust, and worry.

Often we do not realize the subtlety of this weapon; or the extent to which it ruins our peace.

It appears quite reasonable: “You don’t really want to do that, now, do you?”

“Think of what everyone is going to think about you!”

Or, “How rude people are!”

But, Paul says he learned to be “conformable” to the Holy Spirit, in his life’s situations. And we can be, too.

We are not all the same. Some yield easily in this,……but not that. And some are just the opposite.

But if you stay at this yielding, He will make you conformable in every situation which comes up.

You will know His Will and the power to do it will come, because you will do His Will.

This is true freedom. Freedom to be what we ought to be.

Resurrection Power:

Ephesians 1:18-20 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,”

There are three things promised us:

That our understanding would be enlightened or given light to see His Will, and how we are to do it.

That we may have the confident expectation that God will do what He says where our calling is concerned. That we may know the true riches we have in Christ Jesus, and since they are our inheritance; we may get them into us here, and now.

That we may, by the knowledge of experience, have that same power working in us, by which God raised Christ from the dead.

Philippians 3:12 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Paul is saying that he had not attained or become complete in Christ Jesus, yet; …….but that he followed after Christ, so that he could have in present possession all that Christ had for him.

(That is what “apprehend” means)

Because he was Christ’s present possession; he belonged to Christ.

The Lord had empowered him, and would empower him……so he chose to follow on after the Lord, till he had fulfilled the calling Christ gave him.

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

This all begins with us knowing Christ Jesus.

We may know Him a little, or a lot; but there is always something more to learn about our Lord.

He calls us to follow Him….and become pliable in His hands….for our lives.

A new creature…in Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

When we are born again,  we are a new creature….

…yes….but still a creature.

(As the creature we must face the reality of our creatureliness.  

       Reaping and sowing (Gal. 6:7) is one of those realities.  Some people believe that God does not chasten Christians.   That His mercy outweighs HIs governmental rights.   No.   

      As His new creature we have the privilege to see and bow to HIs corrections….and actually love the hand that chastens us.   It is not the correction we love….but Him, Who would never do us harm.  Therefore all that comes to us, comes for our good.   As a new creature, we have grace to see and to yield to HIs corrections….no matter how they come.  

      To bow before Him, as one who certainly deserves a lot more.

      There is no merit in what we suffer, but in the changed attitude in submitting to His rebukes!)

A creature brought into being for the Creator’s Purpose!  “…to them that are the called according to His Purpose…”

Everyone has a purpose….in the Will of God,  but it is only when we are born again, that we can enter into that Purpose… and fulfill it.

      The lost man surely has a purpose….but he will never fulfill it.  It is too high,  too broad,  too great to be able to be done without the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep HIs commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.”

      But man, without God, can not do this…..nor does he want to.

      Only the redeemed can walk with God.   

2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

According to His Purpose and grace.   Now He has a purpose for us through grace.   It is not of merit…we do not earn it…..we do not deserve it!   

     But by His purpose for us…and His grace for us….we are called to service.

(How much is given us….in Christ Jesus!   Several times in this small book alone….”in Christ Jesus” is mentioned….

…”His own purpose and grace,…given us in Christ Jesus”  2 Tim. 1:9

…”faith and love which is in Christ Jesus”  2 Tim 1:13

…”be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Tim. 2:1

…”obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”  2 Tim.2:10

…”all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”  2 Tim.3:12

As Paul wrote in another book….”For in HIm (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

     And ye are complete in Him (Christ), which is the head of all principality and power.”  Colossians 2:9-10)

In Christ we are a new creature….given a new nature, which longs for the things of God.  

Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death;  but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

In Christ,  we touch other people’s lives….are we manifesting His Presence with us?

Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,  that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable unto men.”

In Christ, we glory in tribulations, for they work patience…a choice fruit of the Spirit.

Romans 5:3 “…but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”

1 Peter 4:19 “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in  well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

    It says Creator here,….not Lord, or God…but Creator.    Because we were “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10)..”which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

   And when did He ordain us to walk in them?    

Ephesians 1:4  “According as He hath chosen us   in Him (Christ)   before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:”

In Christ, we can know the love of Christ,…”which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)

We, who are born again,  are in Christ Jesus.   All that He has won for us, is at our disposal…and all that we are to walk in,… is before us.

What will we do with it?    Sometimes we think we want what the Lord has for us….but are unsure of the cost.    

       About a year ago, I felt a lack in my spiritual life.   I took it to the Lord for an answer….but got none.   Weeks passed…

       I finally came to Him and said,  “Whatever is the cost, Lord, to draw me closer to You…to remove whatever hinders…to have the closest possible fellowship with You…do it and I will pay the cost.

      Last year, there was much humbling….and toward the end of the year, pain and hospital for weeks away from my husband and family….

….and alone,  the Lord showed me a great deal.   

Let me give this verse….a choice one,…and God blesses it!

1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 “In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

     Quench not the Spirit.”

If we begin here….with the thanksgiving He deserves….we will not quench the Spirit, but will have the grace needed…to see us through all that comes in our way to heaven.

Malachi

Malachi 1:1 “The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.”

I love this book,….it has one of my favorite verses in it.

It is written several hundred years after the captivity under Nebuchadnezzar………and over four hundred years before Christ (the fullness of times is come…Galatians 4:4)

God, according to His promise……has brought them back to the land, and told them to build Him a temple, and rebuild their lives.

Those of a willing heart, came back in joy….

…and though there was persecution, and problems….still the Lord has given them encouragement and instruction by His prophets.

And so, the people have built a temple, and returned to the sacrifices for sin, peace, and trespass…..and things are good….for a time…

….but…after a while…

….their greed, and love of money has led them into error and sin….again.

Not of idolatry….which was their sin before the captivity….but of impiety…..a lack of reverence to God.

In Malachi……in four short chapters, God declares His love to Israel….”I have loved you, saith the Lord.” (Malachi 1:2)…

……and shows their dishonor to that love……and to Him.

And how are they dishonoring Him?

Malachi 1:6 “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: If then I be a father, where is mine honor? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of host unto you, O priests, that despise My name. And ye say, Where in have we despised Thy name?”

Concerning the sacrifices, God had laid down some very specific laws that they were to follow….

….and had given them priests to enforce these.

The priests were to sacrifice nothing that was blemished, torn, or too old….

…for each sacrifice showed forth the Great Sacrifice of Christ.

But after returning from captivity….building houses, and estates again….and the temple…

….their affection became consumed by making “more”…..more money, more cattle, more land.

And in the process, they began to bring “second-hand” sacrifices to God….

….thinking He would not mind….after all He is getting a sacrifice!

And at the heart of this dishonoring of His sacrifice…..were the priests.

They should have stood with God, and made the people aware of their sin….but instead, they encouraged it.

Malachi 1:7-8 “Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted Thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.

And ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?

Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.”

God is very practical…..

….He tells these “worshippers”…….to take these animals to the governor…..

…find out what he thinks of your present?

He is mocking them,….for He knows no man would except a defective present….

…..yet they were bringing these to Him.

(They bring the blind, for they have no “sight” or understanding in their sacrifice and worship….they are blindly giving for show.

They bring the lame and those ready to die…”sick”….because that is the state of their hearts toward God.

Malachi 1:14 “But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and vowels, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and My name is dreadful among the heathen.”)

But that is not all…..the people had begun to put away their wives, and marry women of the land….

It wasn’t really divorce as we know it. The old wives were merely put into another house, and the husband would get a new wife.

The first wives were coming to the priests and weeping (looking toward the mercy seat)…..but the priests did nothing….

….but God heard.

Malachi 2:13-14 “And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that He regarded not the offering any more….

Yet ye say, Wherefore?

Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”

And the third sin was with their tithes:

They were to give the first portion of their goods to God,….

……a sign that they were all His,….and that they thankfully received what He gave them.

Malachi 3:7-8 “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them.

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.

But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.”

These three things symbolize our everyday life in the world….things which should be sanctified to the Lord, as Christians…

….our spiritual life….worship and work….how we do, when we do, what we do.

….our family life….to our parents, our spouses, to our children.

….our financial life….giving God control of our finances…(Matthew 6:31-33)

Impractical, you say?

Frankly, there is nothing so impractical,…..as a Christian giving only part of his life to Christ.

When God is in control of our lives…in every way……we are blessed…if not with everything we want….with everything we need, for now.

Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in My house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts,

if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

The Lord has opened His heart to them…..then He speaks of opening the windows of heaven….if they will return to Him,….and honor His Word.

And then here is one of my favorite verses: I love this….our God is so Personal….He sees everything….He is Almighty…..yet…

….speaks as if He bends down to catch these words, spoken between believers!

Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another:

And the Lord hearkened and heard it,

And a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”

(In every age, God has His godly remnant….those that look to His honor, and trust on His word….

….even in the worst of times….there will be such a remnant in the Tribulation period)

I love this!

Those that feared Him…..reverence and love was what He spoke to them about…..

(Though the majority thought, “It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance….”Malachi 3:14

Those wrapped up in this world always think of “profit and loss”…..but forget their souls…Matthew 16:26)

….yet, for those that loved the Lord,….they “spake often to one another”

…..comforting and encouraging each other in the Word of the Lord…..

And when they did…..He leaned down and “hearkened and heard it”.

And when God hears, He answers (1 John 5:14-15)….

Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves in the stall (under His special care and protection).”

God would remember….and write their names…..in His book of remembrance,….

…..for those that “thought upon His name”.

The word, “thought” here, means “valued”…those that valued His Name….and Him.

God loves to be longed for….He loves to be sought;

For He sought us Himself with such longing and love;

He died for desire of us….Marvelous thought;

And waits for us, to be with Him in heaven, above.

God leaves this book…..and the Old Testament…..

….with a finger pointing to the coming of His Son….and to the prophet (John the Baptist. Malachi 4:5-6)…

….that will be sent, to awaken those that look for Christ,….

…..to prepare themselves….to prepare their hearts….to prepare their families for….the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

Great for those who received Him…..dreadful for those who thought that they could in any way….”get rid of” the Son of God.

We, too, are waiting for Christ Jesus (the rapture)…..and it is time we prepare our hearts for His return.

Are we giving Him our best, our all, in all our everyday happenings?

In this world, of so many “things”…..what do we “value”?

Jehovah Shalom: The Lord my Peace

It is interesting how the Lord showed Israel His character, by giving them names.

This would be the character He would manifest to them, in the situation they were in. It would be what they needed from Him now….would they receive it?

And what was the situation that Israel was in when He said “The Lord my Peace”?

Was it when they had peace and prosperity?

No.

Actually, Israel was worshipping idols…the gods of the people they were living among. They had no peace, spiritually, or temporally.

Judges 6:1 “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.”

God’s people were identifying with their enemies, in their worship, instead of being separate from them, to God. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “…come out from among them, and be ye separate…)

So, to awaken the people to their sin, God permitted enemies to come into the land and take away much of their harvest…year after year.

This had continued for years, and finally God shows Himself to someone who had a very small knowledge of God….he knew a little of what God had done before…but no knowledge of Him, for himself.

Judges 6:12-13 “And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.

And Gideon said unto Him, O my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

To me, this is pretty mouthy. But God does not correct him, because he was asking the right question….just in the wrong tone.

See what the Lord does: “And the Lord looks upon him…” (Judges 6:14).

I want to say here, that when the Lord gives you “that look”, things change.

God tells him to, “Go in this thy might and thou shalt save Israel….Have not I sent thee?”

Gideon now asks, How?

And the Lord says, “Surely I will be with thee,…” (Judges 6:15-16).

God’s Presence means grace…the unmerited favor of power. Power on the inside for faith, courage, and trust. Power on the outside for guidance, strength, and ability.

So Gideon says, “If I have found grace in Thy sight, show me a sign…”

(Psalm 86:17 “Show me a token for good: that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because Thou, Lord, hast helped me and comforted me.”)

And here is where the Lord shows him His character:

Gideon goes to “bring forth my present”….a meat-offering, for the Lord. And when he brings it:

Judges 6:20-21 “And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.”

All of a sudden Gideon knows God’s power, and is afraid….”Alas, O Lord God!…”

(“There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked”. Isaiah 57:21)

Only God can give real peace…steady, comforting, and establishing peace.

But then the Lord speaks peace to the one He is calling….and an altar to the Lord, is made.

Judges 6:23-24 “And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

Then Gideon built there an altar unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-Shalom (the Lord my Peace): unto this day it is yet in Oprah of the Abi-ezrites.”

Shalom or Peace in the Bible means “the end of all strife, the removal of everything that causes division; and a giving of wholeness or wellness.”

The offering, and the altar shows sacrifice, and it is only on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice that we may have peace with God.

Colossians 1:20 “And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whither they be things in the earth, or things in heaven.”

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”

Peace of mind and heart are given as we learn to trust in Him.

He will keep us…we do not keep Him, but simply hang on to Him and HIs Word by the arm of trust.

“Mind” here is imagination; and how many times we let our minds follow a path which leads us no where near where God wants us.

The Lord showed Gideon His character by this name: The Lord my Peace.

He gives us peace with God, peace with each other, and peace, even with ourselves.

He is peace. He speaks peace. All, by, and in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He has it for me, you and all His people…inside to establish us in faith, courage and trust…..and outside, for guidance, strength and ability…..will we yield to Him and receive it?

The Seven sayings of Christ on the Cross

Many people have preached on these. They are wonderful….for think of the beatings He has had…yet He speaks….not for His benefit….but for others.

And wasn’t that His whole life’s work?

Luke 23:33 “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”

Christ is now brought to the place of His greatest suffering. The beatings are past but the shame and desertion by God; death, and burial ahead.

But how does He meet them?

Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

The first thing He says on the Cross is: “Father, forgive them.”

He forgave them first. They did not ask for it; but He, as the greatest King, forgave the greatest debt, and He did it before they asked.

The “them”, were those chief priests who tried Him and took Him to Pilate,

the Jews who cried “Crucify Him”,

and those who stood and mocked Him, even in His miserable suffering,

the people crying,

and the Romans who nailed His hands.

As the mocking continues, the malefactors enter in. But then one speaks up for Christ:

Luke 23:40-42 “But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly;…but this man hath done nothing amiss.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

Here, one is saved, by belief in the Lord; and one is not. For the second thing Jesus said on the cross was another word of forgiveness, and also blessing:

Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be. With me in paradise.”

Then, looking down Jesus saw His mother, and John, the beloved disciple, who was the only one who had followed Him from the Garden…to the Cross.

He, alone of the disciples, stood at the foot of the cross, ready to be arrested, if necessary, to stay close to Jesus.

So Jesus speaks the third sayings:

John 19:26 “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!”

John 19:27 “Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

Here, Jesus sees to His mother, committing her into the hands of John, the beloved disciple.

She was to look on him as the son she lost.

He was to look on her as his mother, and take care of her, seeing to her in her old age.

(This he did, and it is said, that she went with him on his preaching tours; that her bones are buried in the wall of Ephesus.)

Six hours the sun had shone down upon all of this suffering.

Luke 23:44-45 “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.”

The sun “was darkened”: The awful agony of the sin bearer, fulfilling the suffering of the wrath of God on our sin, was “darkened”. No one but God and Christ, could enter into this propitiation.

God darkened the sun, to show that this was not for view; no one would understand such suffering, and so, no one could truly view it in it’s terror. This suffering went on until He paid the price for all that would come to Him.

In this time, Jesus spoke the fourth saying:

Matthew 27: 46 ” And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani ? That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

God forsaking Him was because of our sin; for God can not look upon sin, without wrath.

And Jesus was “‘made sin for us”. (2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.”)

The price paid, Jesus spoke the fifth saying:

John 19:28 “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

They had offered him wine mingled with myrrh to deaden the pain, earlier; but He refused it. He would feel every moment of pain, that He would be able to pay the full debt of our sin.

Mark 15:23 “And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.”

But this time, they gave him vinegar.

John 19:29 “Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.”

Then, He spoke the sixth and seventh sayings:

John 19:30 ” When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, (That is He cried for all who would hear, to hear “It is finished”) he said, Father, into they hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

Jesus, having finished the work of atonement, cried out; but then he gave his spirit unto the Father, in the last solemn moment before death.

Christ was our High Priest, who offered Himself as the Sacrifice for sin, for us.

In every saying there was love, offered again and again, for those who would receive it.

He drained every drop of suffering for us. And died, was buried, and rose again to give us His Eternal Life.

Have you received Him as Lord and Savior?

Do you have Him in your life?