Seasonal Note: I’m beginning a new Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:
http://www.commontexts.org/
and:
http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html
The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.
The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:
http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com
Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (with God's help), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.
Palm Sunday
March 16, 2008
Palm Sunday is the day the Church commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem the week of his crucifixion.
Isaiah 50:4-9a -- The Lord’s Servant
Psalm 31:1-5, 9-16 -- Prayer for deliverance
Philippians 2:5-11 -- The Example of Christ
Matthew 27:11-54 (or 26:1-27:66) -- Jesus' Trial, Conviction, Death
Isaiah:
The Lord has given his servant the knowledge and ability to testify as one who has been formally educated, so that he can encourage and sustain the weary people of God. Each day the Lord provides the ability to hear with insight.
The Lord opens the spiritual ears of his servant who is not rebellious or unfaithful. The Lord’s servant submitted to flogging and abuse, he didn’t resist shame and spitting.
Because God helps his servant, the servant has not been defeated. His resolve is certain, confident that he will not be put to shame, because God, who is able and faithful to vindicate his servant is near.
If the Lord is near and vindicates the servant, who will oppose him? Let him try. Who is the servant’s adversary who will declare him guilty?
Psalm:
Those who take refuge in the Lord will never be put to shame. Because God does what is right and true and good, God will deliver them and rescue them quickly. The Lord is a refuge and fortress to save them. Because they trust in the Lord for protection and rescue, the Lord will lead and guide them for the sake of the Lord’s name (his character and reputation). The Lord is able and will deliver them from the hidden trap, because they have sought refuge in him. God is faithful, and those who entrust their spirit (their eternal soul) to him will be redeemed (from eternal condemnation and destruction).
When the Lord’s servant is in distress, wasted in soul and body by grief, the Lord will be gracious to him, even though his life and body is wasted with grief and sorrow and his years with misery.
The Lord’s servant has become an object of scorn and horror to his neighbors and enemies and a dread to his friends. People go out of their way to avoid him in public. He has become like a broken pot, and has passed from memory like the dead.
On every side his enemies plot to destroy him, scheming to take his life. But the servant trusts in his Lord, who he acknowledges as his God. He has committed his circumstances into the Lord’s care, trusting that the Lord will deliver him from his enemies. May the Lord’s favor be upon his servant and deliver him from his enemies and persecutors.
Philippians:
Paul was “discipling” the Christians at Phillipi, in Macedonia. He urged them to be united and unwavering in their understanding of Jesus’ example. Although Jesus was the fullness of God in human form (Colossians 2:8-9) he laid that aside, not trying to be exalted by mankind, and instead became a menial servant. Having been born in human flesh, he humbled himself and submitted to physical death, even the excruciatingly painful death on the cross.
Because of his obedience to God’s will, even unto death, God has exalted him and has given him a name (glory and fame) which is above every name, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
Mark:
Jesus had been captured and brought before the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. The governor asked if Jesus was claiming to be king of the Jews as the Jewish religious leaders had charged. Jesus replied that they were the ones who had said so. Pilate asked Jesus if he knew the many charges the Jews were bringing against him, and Jesus did not reply, so Pilate wondered what was going on.
The Roman governor was accustomed to releasing a Jewish prisoner at the Passover festival, as an act of political patronage. So Pilate gathered the Jews and asked them if they wanted him to release Barabbas, a notorious criminal, or Jesus. Pilate knew that the Jews had denounced Jesus out of jealousy. Also, Pilate’s wife had a premonition about Jesus in a dream, and had warned her husband not to become involved in Jesus’ execution. But the crowd demanded Jesus’ execution and asked for Barabbas’ release.
Pilate asked the crowd what Jesus had done to deserve execution, but they just kept demanding execution. So when Pilate saw that no compromise was possible, and that a riot was beginning, he washed his hands in a basin of water in the presence of the crowd and declared himself innocent of Jesus’ blood. And all the people responded, “His blood be upon us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25). So Pilate released Barabbas and had Jesus whipped and handed over to the soldiers for crucifixion.
The Roman soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s house and put a red robe upon Jesus, a reed in his hand, and a woven crown of thorns upon his head. They knelt down before Jesus and mocked him, hailing him as the king of the Jews. They spat upon him and struck him on the head with the reed. Then they reclothed Jesus in his own garments and led him out to be crucified.
As they marched out they encountered Simon of Cyrene passing by and compelled him to carry Jesus’ Cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (meaning place of the skull; outside the wall of Jerusalem in sight of the road into and out of the city), they offered wine mixed with a bitter substance, but when Jesus tasted it he would not drink it.
They nailed Jesus to the cross, and then divided Jesus’ garments between them, and his tunic, which was seamless, by casting lots (similar to rolling dice). Then they sat down to watch. They also placed a sign over him declaring Jesus to be the King of the Jews. Two robbers were crucified with Jesus, on either side. Passers-by mocked Jesus saying that Jesus had said that if the temple were destroyed he could rebuild it in three day, and suggesting that if he were the Son of God he should prove it by coming down from the cross.
The Jewish leaders also mocked Jesus, saying that Jesus had saved others but could not save himself. They said that if Jesus was truly the Son of God that he should prove it by coming down from the cross and then they would believe in him. They suggested that since Jesus had trusted in God, God should be able to save Jesus if God desired. The robbers (at least one of them), also reviled Jesus.
From noon until three o’clock, the sun was darkened (a solar eclipse), and at three P.M. Jesus cried out with a loud voice, in Aramaic (Jesus’ native language), “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Jesus was quoting (Psalm 22:1) and fulfilling the prophecy of the psalm at that moment. The bystanders thought Jesus was calling Elijah, who was believed to return to herald the coming of Messiah (see Matthew 17:10-13).
One of the bystanders attempted to revive Jesus with vinegar on a sponge extended to Jesus on a reed. The others waited to see if Elijah would come and save Jesus. Then Jesus yielded his spirit with a loud cry.
At the moment of Jesus’ death, the curtain separating the presence of God from the people in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. There was a great earthquake and the graves were opened and the saints of God were raised and appeared to many in Jerusalem. When the Centurion and the Roman soldiers saw the disturbances of nature they were afraid and declared that Jesus was the Son of God.
Commentary:
The text from Isaiah dates around the time of Cyrus of Persia, 539 B.C.* while Judah, the remnant of Israel, was in exile in Babylon. The Word of God is eternal, and is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. The Word applied to the prophet as the Lord’s servant at the time it was written, to Israel who was called to be the Lord’s servant, to Jesus, who was the fulfillment of God’s Word as the suffering servant of the Lord, and it applies to believers and the Church today, who are the “New Israel.”
Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-3, 14). He teaches by word and example how to be the servant of the Lord. Jesus was not accepted by his own hometown and his own nation and religion, because his knowledge and ability to proclaim God’s Word was not by formal worldly education (Isaiah 50:4-5; compare Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6a; Luke 4:16-30).
Jesus was flogged and abused, mocked and spat upon, without resisting. Jesus entrusted himself to God and was vindicated by resurrection to eternal life from the dead. Those who oppose Jesus will not succeed.
Jesus’ resurrection is the fulfillment and proof of God’s Word that those who trust and obey God will never be abandoned but will be protected and rescued from evil and harm. Jesus’ enemies opposed him but were overcome by God; they were plotting to destroy him, but God raised him to eternal life (1 Corinthians 2:6-8).
Jesus fulfilled and demonstrated the truth and faithfulness of God’s Word. Jesus showed us how to trust and obey God’s Word and receive God’s promises. The same Word calls us to become the Lord’s servants and promises God’s support and vindication to us as we trust and obey his Word.
The Jewish religious leaders claimed to know God and God’s Word, yet they didn’t see that Jesus was the long promised Messiah, the Son of God and son of David. Pilate, the Roman governor, a Gentile, was smart enough, without any formal training in the Bible, to recognize that Jesus was innocent. Even Pilate’s wife advised him not to participate in Jesus’ execution, but the Jewish people, misguided by their leaders, invited the guilt for Jesus’ execution upon themselves and on their children. When given the choice, they chose to receive Barabbas, a notorious criminal, and chose to reject and execute their innocent Savior and eternal king.
Everything written about Jesus in the Old Testament, at least five hundred to a thousand years before (for example, Psalms attributed to David), was fulfilled. The crucifixion method of execution was foretold in prophecy (for example Psalm 22:7-8, 14-18), although stoning was the Jewish form of execution. Crucifixion was a Roman form of execution, which was unknown in Israel until Judea became a Roman province around 63 B.C.**.
Jesus was mocked, spat upon and beaten (Matthew 27:27-30; Isaiah 50:5b-6). They nailed his hands and feet to the cross (Psalm 22:16). They divided Jesus’ garments and cast lots (Psalm 22:18). Jesus made no claim to be a political king (John 6:15; 18:36); it was the charge brought by the Jews against him which they hoped would justify Jesus’ execution to the Roman governor. He died between two criminals (Matthew 27:38, and was buried in the tomb of a rich man (Matthew 27:57-60; compare Isaiah 53:9).
The (Gentile) Roman soldiers who witnessed the crucifixion saw the disturbances of nature and were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God Matthew 27:54) but the Jewish religious leaders, who claimed to know God and be experts in the Bible, who claimed that they would believe if Jesus came down from the cross (Matthew 27:42), and who posted guards and sealed the tomb to make sure his disciples didn’t fake a resurrection (Mathew 27:62-66), still didn’t believe when Jesus arose from the grave.
The Jews took responsibility upon themselves and their children for Jesus’ crucifixion. When they rejected their Messiah, God lifted his favor and protection from them. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D., within the lifetime of those who were adults at Jesus’ crucifixion. The Jews were scattered throughout the world and Israel ceased to exist as a nation, until it was reestablished following World War II. The temple, with the sacrificial system on which the Old Covenant of Law was dependent, has never been reestablished.
Where was God during the Holocaust? Where were the Jews when Jesus was crucified? I don’t believe that the Jews are irrevocably lost, but I am convinced that the only way that they will be saved is by accepting Jesus as Messiah and Lord (Romans 11:13-31; Matthew 23:37-39).
In a sense, we have all crucified Jesus, because we are all sinners (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8-10) and have made Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross necessary for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal death which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Are we, as individuals and as the Church, any more knowledgeable about the Bible and any more prepared for Jesus’ Second Coming than the Jews and Judaism were for his first coming?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Introduction to Isaiah, p. 822, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
**from the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:
http://www.answers.com/judea after ad1
Monday of Holy Week
March 17, 2008
Psalm 118:1-2, 15-24 -- Thanksgiving for deliverance
Let us give thanks to the Lord for his goodness; his steadfast love is eternal. Let all God’s people declare that God’s love is steadfast and eternal.
Hear the glad songs of the righteous in their dwellings: The right hand of the Lord is valiant and exalted. We shall not die, but live to remember and declare the deeds of the Lord. The Lord chastens us greatly, but does not abandon us to death.
“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it” (Psalm 118:19-20).
Thank the Lord that he has answered us and become our salvation. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the ‘cornerstone.’ This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:22-24).
Commentary:
All God’s works and ways are good and right and true. His love is unchanging and eternal.
Jesus Christ is “the right hand of God”. Jesus was courageous to fight the spiritual battle for our salvation on the Cross. Because he did, we needn’t die eternally for our sins (disobedience of God’s Word; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus is the only way to come to God, to know and experience God, and enter into eternal fellowship and life with God (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ who have personally experienced salvation and spiritual “re-birth” (John 3:3, 5-8) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
“Born-again” Christians have personally experienced and testify to the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, and steadfast love. The Lord disciplines his people, and discipline is painful (Hebrews12:5-11 RSV), but his discipline is good and necessary to keep us from eternal death.
Jesus is the gate of righteousness. We can enter God’s eternal kingdom only through Jesus. None of us are righteous on our own merit. The righteous are those who have received the righteousness of Christ (Romans 3:22) as a free gift through obedient trust in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Thank the Lord that he loves us and doesn’t want us to perish eternally (John 3:16-17); that he has known our need, and has answered it and become our Savior in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only cornerstone, the only solid rock on which to build our eternal home (Matthew 7:24).
Judaism at the time of Jesus had become a “religion;” Man’s attempt to manipulate God’s favor for man’s benefit. The Jewish religious leaders were building their own “empires” instead of God’s kingdom. Jesus is the cornerstone which the Jews rejected which is the only foundation on which to build God’s eternal kingdom and our eternal home.
The nominal “Church,” particularly in America, is, in too many instances, in the same place that Judaism was at Jesus’ first coming. Many in the clergy and in the membership treat the “Church” as their personal “empires” through which they gain status and glory. They use “religion” in an attempt to manipulate God to give them what they want, instead of trying to learn and do what God wants.
Are we praising and glorifying the Lord in our homes and in our daily lives? Have we sought to experience the Lord (Acts 17:26-27) so that we will be able to know and declare the great things he’s done for us personally?
Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10) at the end of time. Are we any more ready for Christ’s Second Coming, than the Jews were at his first coming?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Tuesday of Holy Week
March 18, 2008
Acts 10:34-43 -- Gospel to the Gentiles
The Lord was at work in Cornelius, a Roman Centurion at Caesarea, and in the Apostle Peter, to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. Peter had been summoned to Cornelius’ home and he presented the Gospel message to the entire household (Acts 10:1-33).
Peter said that he understood that God shows no partiality to anyone; anyone who has the proper respect and awe for the power and authority of God and does what is right in God’s judgment is acceptable to God.
God sent his Word to Israel, the Gospel (“Good News”) of peace (with God) through Jesus Christ. This Gospel was preached in all Israel, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism that John the Baptizer had preached. After God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with (supernatural) power, Jesus had gone throughout the country doing good and healing all who were enslaved by Satan, by the will and authority of God.
The disciples are witnesses to all that Jesus did, in Jerusalem and throughout the country. Jesus was executed by hanging on a “tree” (i.e., crucifixion), but God raised him (from the dead) on the third day and revealed him, not to everyone, but to his followers who were chosen by God to be witnesses, who ate and drank with him after his resurrection from the dead. And his disciples were commanded to preach to all people and testify that Jesus is appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets (the Old Testament Scriptures) testify that everyone who believes (trusts and obeys) Jesus has forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God’s Word) through Jesus’ name.
Commentary:
We are all equal in the eyes of God. No one is worthy of God’s favor by his own nature, ability, or circumstances of birth. Each of us will be judged impartially according to the standard of God’s Word.
God sent his Word, the Bible, and the “Living Word,” God’s Word fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3, 14), into the world through Israel. The Gospel of peace with God in Jesus Christ, by the forgiveness of sin, began to be preached in Galilee by Jesus, and then throughout Israel and Jerusalem.
The Gospel message is that Jesus is the “anointed” (Messiah and Christ both mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek respectively) Savior and eternal King of God’s heavenly kingdom. God has been revealing his purpose and plan for Creation throughout the Old Testament scriptures through his prophets. Jesus is God’s only provision for peace with God through the forgiveness of our sins, and the only way to salvation from God’s eternal condemnation, and to eternal life in God’s kingdom in paradise (John 14:6). Jesus has been God’s plan from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
John the Baptizer was the promised “Elijah” who was to precede the manifestation of the Messiah (Matthew 17:10-13). John preached a water baptism for repentance, to prepare the people to receive the Messiah, and also to reveal the Messiah to the people (John 1:31-34).
Jesus was “anointed” with the Holy Spirit and with supernatural power (Luke 3:22; 4:14; Colossians 2:8-9). Jesus did many miracles of physical healing and feeding, and spiritual healing (casting out demons), which were intended to reveal who Jesus is and to show that Jesus has the power to feed and heal spiritually. Jesus died on the cross so that he could free us from Satan and the power of death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Jesus was crucified but was raised from the dead to eternal life on the third day, according to God’s Word recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures (Hosea 6:2; Psalm 16:10). Jesus told his disciples, at least four times recorded in scripture (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34; Matthew 26:1-3), that he was going to be crucified and rise again on the third day.
Jesus’ disciples were chosen to be the witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, and to carry on the mission of Christ to proclaim the Gospel and to bring salvation and reconciliation to all people who accept God’s forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus appeared to over five hundred people after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-10). Jesus promised that he would manifest himself to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:21).
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is the prototype and example of the “modern,” “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-21). He and all modern, truly born-again disciples have experienced the risen Jesus and testify that he is risen and eternally alive.
A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c), who trusts and obeys Jesus, and has been spiritually “reborn” through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. All disciples of Jesus Christ are commanded to wait in “Jerusalem” (the Church) until they have received the gift (“anointing;” “baptism”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), and then they are to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).
Jesus has been appointed by God to be the judge of the living and dead, in both the physical and spiritual senses (Matthew 28:18; John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 4:5). We’re born physically alive but spiritually dead. Only Jesus gives spiritual “rebirth” through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Jesus has promised to return at the end of time to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 1:9-11). No one can be certain of living until tomorrow. Time ends for us individually when we die. The very next thing will be the Day of Judgment at the throne of Jesus Christ.
Are you ready for Jesus’ return? Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Wednesday of Holy Week
March 19, 2008
Colossians 3:1-4 -- Spiritual Life
Those who have been raised (from spiritual death to eternal life) with Christ must seek spiritual, heavenly things, where Christ is at the right hand of God. So we must focus on spiritual things rather than earthly things. We must consider ourselves dead to the things of this world and our lives hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, in whom we have life, appears we will also appear with him in glory.
Commentary:
We are born into this world physically alive but spiritually dead. This lifetime is our only opportunity to seek God and receive eternal life in God’s heavenly kingdom (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God’s Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), salvation from eternal condemnation (the penalty for sin; Romans 6:23), restoration to fellowship with God (broken by sin) and to eternal life (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Only Jesus gives the gift (“anointing,” “baptism”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we must learn from him how to live to serve and please God. As we grow spiritually in discipleship through obedient trust in Jesus, we are “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the Holy Spirit. We must learn to be guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to seek, know and do God’s will.
Only what we learn and do spiritually in this world will matter in eternity. It would be a tragedy for us to spend the time we have in this world learning, doing and accumulating what is worthless eternally, while missing the opportunity to prepare for and receive what is eternally priceless (Mathew 6:19-21).
We must no longer live according to the ways of this world. Our priority is no longer to please our boss or our spouse, but to please our Lord. Our priority is no longer “getting ahead” in this world but in preparing for eternal life (Matthew 6:25-32).
We must learn to live according to the ways of God’s eternal kingdom in heaven. In order to do that we must seek God’s Word daily with prayer and meditation and learn to remember and apply God’s Word for the day, one day at a time (Matthew 6:11, 33).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Maundy Thursday
March 20, 2008
Maundy Thursday is the day the Church commemorates the institution of the New Covenant and the "Lord's Supper" (Holy Communion, the Eucharist), and the betrayal of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 12:1-14 -- Institution of Passover
Psalm 116:10-17 -- The Cup of Salvation
1 Corinthians 11:23-32 -- Cup of the New Covenant
(or 11:17-32)
(or 11:23-26)
John 13:1-17, 34 -- Servanthood
While Israel was still in Egypt the Lord told Moses to prepare the people to observe the feast of Passover. In the first month, on the tenth day each household was to select a perfect unblemished male lamb, one year old, to be slain and roasted on the fourteenth day in the evening. They were to mark the doors of their houses with the lamb’s blood, so that the destroying angel would "Pass over" the Jews when God afflicted Egypt with the final plague, the death of every firstborn male of people and animals. They were to eat in haste, ready to travel to leave Egypt, and nothing was to remain until the morning. Small families could share a lamb with their neighbor; anything leftover had to be burned.
Psalm:
The psalmist trusted in the Lord rather than man, even when he was greatly afflicted, knowing that hope in men is in vain.
The psalmist asks how he can thank the Lord for the Lord’s great blessings. He said, “I will lift up (or “accept and praise;” Strong’s Hebrew #5375) the cup of my salvation and call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13). The psalmist promised to pay his vows in the presence of God’s people. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).
The psalmist proclaims that he is the Lord’s servant, the son of the Lord’s handmaid. The Lord has freed him from the bonds (of sin and death). So he will give an offering of thanksgiving, and will always trust in God for all his needs.
1 Corinthians:
Paul was making disciples of the Corinthian believers. He taught them the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion; the Eucharist) as he had received it directly from the risen Jesus, through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
On the night of Jesus’ betrayal Jesus instituted the New Covenant of grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) between God and mankind. The basis of this covenant was the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross and sealed by the covenant meal of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus took bread, gave thanks to God the Father and then broke the bread and declared that this bread was Jesus’ flesh, broken for all and asked them to remember Jesus whenever they celebrated this meal. Jesus did the same with the cup of wine, which he declared was his blood of the New Covenant. Whenever the Lord’s Supper is celebrated we declare Jesus’ death until he returns (on the Day of Judgment).
Paul warned that any one who participates in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of Jesus. So each person should examine himself so as to be able to participate in a worthy manner. Any one who partakes of the bread and wine without discerning the body and blood of Christ eats and drinks judgment upon himself. Such judgment causes weakness, illness and death. If we judge ourselves through objective self-examination we have no fear the judgment of God or others. The Lord’s judgment is intended to chasten us so that we may not be condemned with those who are worldly.
John:
At the feast of Passover which he and his disciples observed in the upper room in Jerusalem, Jesus knew his end was coming and that he was leaving this world. Jesus had loved his disciples and he loved them to the end (all the way to the death on the cross; the utmost love). During the supper, knowing that he had come from God and was returning to God, and knowing that Judas Iscariot had decided to betray Jesus, Jesus got us from the table and began to wash the disciples’ feet.
When he came to Peter, Peter did not want Jesus to be humbled by washing Peter’s feet. Jesus told him that they didn’t understand yet what was happening, but would later. Jesus told Peter that unless Jesus washed his feet, Peter would have no part in Jesus. At this Peter said that the Lord should wash Peter’s head and hands also. But Jesus told him that a person who has bathed only needs the dust of his feet washed, and he said the disciples were clean all over, but not all of them, knowing who would betray Jesus.
When Jesus had finished he returned to his place at the table and asked them if they understood what Jesus had done. If their Lord and Teacher has washed their feet, they ought to be willing to wash one another’s feet. A servant is not better than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him. So if you have understood this you will be blessed if you do this. Then Jesus gave them the “new commandment” to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
Commentary:
God directed Moses to establish the Passover feast on the eve of Israel’s Exodus (mass departure) from Egypt. They were to be prepared to leave and to eat it in haste. They were to choose a perfect lamb for the feast. They were to mark the door frame of their homes with the blood of the lamb so that the Lord would “pass over” over them when he destroyed the firstborn of humans and animals in Egypt. They were to leave nothing left over; what was not eaten was to be burned. The Passover feast was to be observed forever and it was to mark the beginning of a new year.
At midnight God passed through Egypt and destroyed the firstborn of man and animal of the Egyptians, as he had warned them he would, if they didn’t obey God’s Word and let Israel leave, but which they had refused to heed (Exodus 11:4-10). None of the firstborn of the Israelites were destroyed. During the night the Egyptians discovered that all their firstborn were dead, and they went to Moses during the night and compelled them to leave in haste in the night as the Lord had said (Exodus 12:29-39).
God has been progressively revealing his plan for Creation in the Bible, through the history of his dealing with Israel. The Passover was intended to be a parable, a metaphor for life in this world and God’s eternal plan for Creation. We are born into bondage to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this world. Satan is the “Pharaoh” of this world and he doesn’t want to let us go. Jesus is the perfect “Lamb of God” sacrificed on the Cross to free us from Satan and “Egypt” so that we can enter the “Promised Land” of God’s eternal kingdom in heaven. Jesus’ blood, shed for us on the Cross, marks us as his and protects us from eternal destruction.
Jesus is also our “Moses,” who mediates, between ourselves and God, the “New Covenant” of salvation by grace (unmerited favor; a free gift), to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. Jesus is the mediator who frees us from “Pharaoh” and “Egypt,” and leads us through the “Sea” of Baptism, the “wilderness” of this world, the “River” of physical death, and into the eternal “Promised Land.”
God’s Word warns that those who do not trust and obey God are going to be eternally destroyed, and that we’ve all disobeyed God (the definitian of sin; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). God has provided the Passover “Lamb” in Jesus Christ, and only those who are marked by the “blood” of Jesus Christ are going to be passed over by the Lord on the Day of Judgment, and only they will receive eternal life in the “Promised Land.”
Jesus’ blood marks us as God’s people and seals us to the New Covenant. At Jesus’ “Last Supper,” the night before his crucifixion, Jesus instituted the “New Covenant” with his disciples (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). The New Covenant replaces the Old Covenant of Law. Jesus has become the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins, once for all time and for all people who will accept and receive it by faith (obedient trust) (Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Jesus is the “Cup of our Salvation.” Under Jewish Law, Israel was forbidden to drink the blood of the animal sacrifices or eat meat with its blood. It was believed that “blood” contained the “spirit” of the animal. When Jesus instituted the New Covenant feast he declared that the cup is his blood, shed to seal the Covenant. God didn’t want his people to be filled with the spirit of animals but with his Holy Spirit.
One does not receive the Holy Spirit merely by receiving the Communion Cup, but those people who believe (trust and obey) Jesus will be filled with his indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Paul warns that we must participate in the Lord’s Supper in faith, believing that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, and was raised from death to eternal life. If we truly believe in Jesus we will be his disciples; we will seek to know what Jesus teaches, and will trust and obey Jesus. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper without being a disciple of Jesus, who learns and does what Jesus teaches, is unworthy and brings upon oneself condemnation instead of salvation.
How can we thank the Lord for the gift of forgiveness and salvation from eternal destruction? By trusting and obeying Jesus; by relying on Jesus to help and guide us.
Jesus teaches by word and example. Jesus is the Word of God fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus tells us to love and serve one another, and he shows us what that means. He washed his disciples’ feet, even the feet of Judas Iscariot, who Jesus knew was going to betray him that very night.
Judas was at the Lord’s Supper with the other disciples. He received the “morsel” (perhaps bread dipped in wine) from the Lord’s hand (John 13:26-27). Jesus warned him and gave him a last opportunity to repent and be restored by the Lord, but he chose to leave the Lord and go out into the “night” (of sin; John 13:21-30), and he brought eternal judgment and condemnation upon himself.
Do we become members of the Church to be servants of the Lord and servants of others, or to receive “religious benefits?” Are we willing to be “disciples?” Do we seek to know God’s will in order to do it, or are we trying to manipulate God to do our will? Are we serving others for Jesus, or do we want the Church to serve us?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Good Friday
March 21,, 2008
Good Friday is the day the Church commemorates Jesus’ death on the Cross.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Man of Sorrows
Psalm 22:1-23 -- Suffering Servant
or Hosea 6:1-6 -- The Third Day
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 -- Author of Eternal Salvation
John 18:1-19:42 -- Betrayal Trial Crucifixion and Death
or 19:17-30 -- Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death
Watch and see! The Lord’s servant will prosper; he will be exalted and lifted up very high. Many will be astonished and shocked by his appearance, marred beyond human recognition. The rulers of earth will be unable to speak because they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they haven’t heard.
Who has heard and believed; to whom has the Lord’s arm been revealed? He grew up like a scrawny seedling in dry ground. He was not good-looking, that any one should notice; he had no physical beauty that we should desire him. People despised and rejected him. He was a person who experienced sorrow and grief. People did not appreciate him, but despised and loathed even to behold him.
He really bore our griefs and sorrows, but we were glad that it was he that was stricken, forsaken by God and afflicted. But it was for our sins that he was afflicted and punished, and it was his punishment that healed us and made us well. We have all gone astray (from God’s will) and pursued our own desires, and God has laid all our sins on him.
The Lord’s servant was oppressed and afflicted, but didn’t object or complain. He was like a lamb led to slaughter, or a sheep being sheared, without resistance. He was executed by human oppression and condemnation. Who cared that he lost his life and suffered for our sins? “And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death though he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth” (Isaiah 53:9).
But it was God’s will to allow him to suffer abuse; by allowing himself to be sacrificed for sin he shall see his offspring, and will prolong his life. God’s purpose will prosper by his efforts; he will take satisfaction in the rewards which result from his suffering. By his knowledge the Lord’s righteous servant will make many be accounted righteous, since he has borne our sins. God will give him the rewards of his victory over our spiritual enemy, and the servant will share those rewards with those who are strong (who have endured and persevered in obedient trust in the Lord). He was willing to give his life and be condemned with sinners, in order to bear their punishment and intercede for their forgiveness.
Psalm:
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The petitioner (by attribution, David, the shepherd-king of Israel) cried out to God for help. He felt far from God’s help; God’s answer seemed slow in coming and he had no relief.
But the petitioner remembered that God is sacred and worthy of praise. He remembered the testimony of the forefathers of Israel, who trusted in the Lord and were delivered by God. God heard their cries and saved them; their faith in God was not disappointed.
The petitioner acknowledges that he has no worldly status; people despise and scorn him. “All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they wag their heads. ‘He committed his cause to the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’”
The petitioner acknowledges that the Lord gave him birth and provided for and protected him as he grew up. He had been committed to the Lord his God from birth. The petitioner asks the Lord to draw near because the petitioner is in trouble, with no one else to deliver him.
The petitioner feels surrounded by wild beasts with open mouths, ready to tear and consume his flesh.
He feels poured out like water; all his bones are out of joint; his heart is like melted wax. His strength is as dried up as a broken pot, his tongue sticks to the roof of his mouth; he is at the verge of death.
He is surrounded by evildoers, like a pack of wild dogs; “they have pierced my hands and feet- I can count all my bones- they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast lots” (Psalm 22:16-18).
The petitioner prays that the Lord will be near and will hurry to help him, to deliver his life from the sword and the power of the dogs; that the Lord will save him from the mouth of the Lion and the horns of the wild oxen.
The petitioner vows to make the Lord’s name known to the petitioner’s brethren, and will praise the Lord in the congregation of God’s people, telling them to fear (have the appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of) and praise the Lord.
Hosea:
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him” (Hosea 6:1-2).
Let us keep on seeking to know the Lord “for his going forth is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:3).
What more can the Lord do with his people? Their love is as transient as the morning fog or dew that quickly disappears. The Lord has cut them by his prophets and slain them by his Word. The Lord’s “judgment goes forth as the light” (Hosea 6:5c; compare John 1:4-5, 9, 19-21).
The Lord desires our steadfast love and knowledge of him; not sacrifices or religious ritual.
Hebrews:
Jesus our great high priest who understands weaknesses of our flesh, because he experienced every temptation like we are, but without sinning. So we can draw near to the "throne" of grace (God's unmerited favor towrd us through Jesus Christ) where we can find abundant mercy and grace when we need it.
While Jesus was in human flesh, he earnestly sought help with prayers and supplications to God the Father, who was able to save him death. His prayers were heard and answered because he had the appropriate awe and respect fpr God's authority and power he trusted and obeyed God's Word. Although he was God's Son, he learned to obedient to God through his suffering, and having been perfected (spiritually mature), he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
John:
The Roman soldiers took Jesus out to the place of crucifixion, called Golgotha (outside the city wall close to the road into and out of Jerusalem). There they crucified him between two robbers. Pilate placed a sign above Jesus, naming Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews, written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. The Jewish religious leaders wanted it changed to say that Jesus only claimed to be the King of the Jews, but Pilate, wouldn’t change what he had written.
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his clothes and divided them up between them, but his tunic was woven of one piece of fabric, so they cast “lots” (like rolling dice) for it, fulfilling Psalm 22:18 (above).
Mary, Jesus’ mother, Mary, wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene standing by the cross with the Apostle, John (the disciple Jesus loved), he commended his mother’s care to John, and from that time, John shared his home with her.
Then, in fulfillment of scripture (Psalm 69:21), Jesus said that he was thirsty, so they put vinegar on a sponge and lifted it up to Jesus on a reed of hyssop. After receiving the vinegar Jesus declared “It is finished” and bowed his head and surrendered his spirit.
Commentary:
This prophecy of Isaiah is dated about 539 B.C.,* when Judah, the remnant of Israel, was in exile in Babylon, and the Babylonian empire had been conquered by Cyrus of Persia.
Jesus is the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. Who could imagine that God’s “anointed” eternal king would prosper through suffering and win victory by dying? Jesus was not a success in worldly terms. He wasn’t rich, he wasn’t handsome. The world despised, rejected, and executed him.
Who has believed God’s Word spoken through the prophets? Jesus is the right arm of the Lord; the power and authority of God. Who has realized and accepted God’s self-disclosure in Jesus Christ?
Jesus is the Lord’s suffering servant, the Messiah, God’s plan of Salvation (which see, sidebar, top right), designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus bore our sorrows, griefs, and burdens of sin on the Cross so that we wouldn’t have to die eternally for them ourselves. We have all sinned (disobeyed God’s Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23; se God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Jesus, though perfectly sinless, was unjustly tried, condemned and executed. He didn’t resist or complain. Jesus is going to return at the end of time. In the Day of The Lord, when Christ returns, it will be the leaders and people of this world will be speechless at his throne of judgment. Then they will understand beyond what they have known and been told.
Jesus was put to death between two criminals, and buried in a rich man’s tomb in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:9, prophesied over five hundred years before. By allowing himself to become the only sacrifice for sin acceptable to God (Acts 4:12), he produced many offspring, his children, to whom he has given “rebirth” (John 3:3, 5-8) to spiritual eternal life through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit. By trusting and obeying God’s will, even to physical death on the Cross, he received eternity-long life, and he showed us how and made it possible for us to receive eternal life also.
God’s purpose has prospered through Jesus Christ. Jesus possesses divine knowledge, which he imparts to his disciples through his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:26; John 16:13-14). Through the gift of the Holy Spirit he reveals himself and God the Father to us so that we have personal knowledge of them (John 14:21), and he imparts his righteousness to us (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-22b).
Jesus won the victory over Satan and death at the Cross (Hebrews 2:14-15), which is revealed and demonstrated by his resurrection. We share in that victory through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.
Jesus' death on the cross made it possible for us to be spiritually cleansed so that we can be the temple of the Holy Spirit within us (John 16:7; 1 Corinthians 3:16). Jesus has become the source of eternal salvation to all who believe (trust and obey) Jesus.
Jesus began to quote Psalm 22 on the Cross at the moment he was fulfilling that prophecy. The Psalm, attributed to David, the great shepherd-king of Israel, had been composed almost a thousand years before. Psalm 22:14-17 specifically describes crucifixion, which was unknown until Israel came under control of the Romans around 63 B.C.** Stoning was the Jewish method of execution.
The religious leaders of Israel claimed to be experts in the Bible but were unaware that they were doing exactly what had been prophesied about them (Psalm 22:7-8, 16-18; compare Matthew 27:39-43; Acts 13:27). That doesn’t mean that they were predestined; or had no choice, however.
God’s Word is eternal, and is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. Jesus relied on God’s promise in Hosea 6:2 that God would raise him from physical death to eternal life on the third day. Jesus told his disciples at least three times that he would be crucified and raised from death on the third day (Matthew 16:21; 17:22; 20:17-19).
Jesus demonstrates that God’s Word is absolutely true and reliable. Jesus demonstrates what it means to trust and obey God’s Word and to do God’s will. We can claim the same promise, provided that we trust and obey Jesus and God’s will, and receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Note that suicide and euthanasia are not God’s will for anyone.
The Lord wants us to seek and come to know him, and his will and purpose for us (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
God’s Word contains great promises, but also ominous warnings. We will either be saved eternally by God’s Word, or we will be condemned to eternal destruction by God’s Word.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Introduction to Isaiah, p. 822, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
**from the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:
http://www.answers.com/judea after ad1
Saturday of Holy Week
March 22, 2008
Matthew 28:1-10 -- The Empty Tomb
[or John 20:1-9 (10-18)]
Jesus had been crucified on Friday. He was laid in the tomb until after the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). Early on Sunday, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the wife of Clopas, went to the tomb to prepare his body for burial.
The Jewish religious leaders had posted guards to prevent Jesus’ disciples from removing the body and faking his resurrection. There was an earthquake. An angel of God came and rolled away the stone that had been sealing the entrance to the tomb and sat upon the stone. The angel’s appearance was bright like lightening and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards were paralyzed with fear.
The angel told the women not to be afraid. The angel said he knew they were seeking Jesus, but Jesus was not there. He had risen as he had said (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). The angel showed them the place where Jesus had been laid, so that they would know that the tomb was empty, and then told them to go and tell Jesus’ disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus would be going ahead to Galilee and they were to follow and would see Jesus there.
The women quickly left in great fear and joy and ran to tell the disciples. On the way Jesus met and greeted them. They fell down at his feet and worshipped him. Jesus told them not to be afraid, and repeated the message to tell his disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.
Commentary:
The Jewish religious authorities wanted Jesus to be dead and to stay dead. Because the Jews didn’t want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath, the Roman soldiers hastened the death of the two criminals crucified with Jesus by breaking their legs, but Jesus was already dead (John 19:31-35), so they did not break his legs, fulfilling the law of Passover, that the bones of the lamb were not to be broken (Exodus 12:46). A soldier pierced Jesus’ side and blood and water came out, indicating that Jesus was truly dead, and fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 12:10.
On the Sabbath, the Jewish religious leaders went to Pilate and asked him to order that the tomb be sealed and guarded, so that the disciples could not perpetrate a hoax by stealing the body. The Jewish priests and elders had criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, but saw nothing wrong with conducting business with the secular authorities on the Sabbath. Pilate gave them permission and the Jews sealed and guarded the tomb themselves (Matthew 27:62-66).
After Jesus’ resurrection the guards went into Jerusalem and told the Jewish leaders what had taken place, and the Jews bribed them with money to tell everyone that Jesus’ body had been stolen by his disciples during the night (Matthew 28:11-15).
To this day there are those who claim that Jesus never died and that his resurrection was a hoax (Matthew 28:15). Believers who have trusted and obeyed Jesus are “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9). We know that Jesus is alive by the Holy Spirit which he has given us (1 John 3:24; 4:13-15).
Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). “Born-again” Christians have personally experienced the risen Jesus, and testify that he is risen and eternally alive.
The most important doctrine of the Christian Church is that Jesus died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures (the Bible), that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and then appeared to over five hundred eye-witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-7). He also appeared to Paul (Saul of Tarsus), the prototype of the “modern,” “post-resurrection,” "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle (messenger; of the gospel) of Jesus Christ, as we all can be (1 Corinthians 15:8-9; Acts 9:1-6).
Any one who claims that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, has not come in human flesh is a liar (1 John 2:22-23; 4:1-3). Any one who claims that Jesus has not risen from the dead is a liar (1 Corinthians 15:12-23).
When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion; the Eucharist) we proclaim his death until he returns (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Jesus is the “Lamb of God” (John 1:36); the perfect sinless sacrifice whose blood marks us to be “passed over” by the destroyer (Exodus 12:1-13). The Lord’s Supper is the New Feast of Passover, sealing the New Covenant of grace (unmerited favor), to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Have you experienced Jesus’ resurrection?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
