As this Sunday is Palm Sunday, we know that it was on a Sunday that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (to fulfill prophecy; see Zechariah 9:9). He was greeted as a king! According to John 12:12-15, the crowds laid palm branches on the road before Him.
He declared Himself to be the Messiah, the Promised One of God. He knew what was ahead of Him. For the next few days, He answered with great authority and power the challenges posed to Him by the religious leaders of the day. He ate the Passover Meal with His disciples Thursday night, fulfilling His role as the perfect Lamb of God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He agonized over the impending weight of the sins of the world being laid upon Him. He was betrayed into the hands of men. He was questioned, insulted, beaten, spat upon, whipped, scourged, flogged, and made to carry His own death device to Calvary.
As Jesus hung in excruciating pain, suffocating more with every gasp, He uttered some of the most beautiful words of grace...
"Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."
"I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
"Dear woman, here is your son."
When he had given up the Spirit ("No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded."), Jesus died. In fact, His death was so certain that when the Roman centurions, who were experts at execution, came by to break His legs, they did not (another fulfillment of prophecy - "not one of His bones will be broken.").
Jesus laid down His life for the world. This is the ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus took up His life in His resurrection from the dead. This is the ultimate victory!
See you this Palm Sunday to worship the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Randy
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Why Pray?
If God already knows what's going to happen, and if God is sovereign enough to control or allow what happens, isn't prayer just an exercise in futility?
Simply put, what is the real purpose of prayer? There are three reasons that come to mind...
First: Prayer acknowledges both the fallenness and the frailty of man. That is, we offer prayers because we are helpless and because we are powerless as it relates to the present and the future.
Second: Prayer demonstrates an active and real faith in God. A person who prays to God believes that God cares and that God will "work all things for the good of those who love Him."
Third: Prayer aligns the praying person's will with the perfect will of God. There is power in studying the prayers of Scripture, specifically those of Jesus. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus emphasizes "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed:
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matt. 26:39)
These two examples emphasize the importance of aligning our will with God's will. Interestingly, the Bible declares that "with God, all things are possible." Even Hezekiah learned that God's possibilities are always beyond our meager capability to understand His grandest purposes. (I will let you look that story up for further study!)
So, prayer matters. Prayer works. Prayer is imperative to the Christian life.
Pray more frequently. Pray more fervently. Pray more faithfully!
Dish Out
Simply put, what is the real purpose of prayer? There are three reasons that come to mind...
First: Prayer acknowledges both the fallenness and the frailty of man. That is, we offer prayers because we are helpless and because we are powerless as it relates to the present and the future.
Second: Prayer demonstrates an active and real faith in God. A person who prays to God believes that God cares and that God will "work all things for the good of those who love Him."
Third: Prayer aligns the praying person's will with the perfect will of God. There is power in studying the prayers of Scripture, specifically those of Jesus. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus emphasizes "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed:
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matt. 26:39)
These two examples emphasize the importance of aligning our will with God's will. Interestingly, the Bible declares that "with God, all things are possible." Even Hezekiah learned that God's possibilities are always beyond our meager capability to understand His grandest purposes. (I will let you look that story up for further study!)
So, prayer matters. Prayer works. Prayer is imperative to the Christian life.
Pray more frequently. Pray more fervently. Pray more faithfully!
Dish Out
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Are You Patient?
When is the last time you were impatient? Months ago? Weeks ago? Days ago? Hours ago? Minutes ago?
The classic quote comes to mind..."patience is a virtue." What does that mean?
Well, God has a lot to say about our being patient - first with Him; second with others.
First of all, we must understand that patience is one of God's attributes:
"The Lord, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." (Ex. 34:6-7)
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
As for us, God's Word says that the source of our patience is wisdom (Prov. 19:11). And that a man gains wisdom by "fearing the Lord." (Prov. 9:10)
Patience is also a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
God's Word also defines love as patient. (1 Cor. 13:4)
Therefore, we see that patience is developed only to the extent that we are in constant fellowship with God! We get impatient when we fail to see the world or circumstances or people through God's eyes!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Dish Out
The classic quote comes to mind..."patience is a virtue." What does that mean?
Well, God has a lot to say about our being patient - first with Him; second with others.
First of all, we must understand that patience is one of God's attributes:
"The Lord, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." (Ex. 34:6-7)
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
As for us, God's Word says that the source of our patience is wisdom (Prov. 19:11). And that a man gains wisdom by "fearing the Lord." (Prov. 9:10)
Patience is also a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
God's Word also defines love as patient. (1 Cor. 13:4)
Therefore, we see that patience is developed only to the extent that we are in constant fellowship with God! We get impatient when we fail to see the world or circumstances or people through God's eyes!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Dish Out
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