terminal illness - Dead Man Not Walking

May 15, 2022May 15, 2022

Hearing

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14-17, NASB)

The Apostle Paul continues his discussion on salvation in Romans 10 (see “Saved,” May 9, 2022). He begins by asking a series of rhetorical questions that point to his conclusion.

His first question is, “How will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?” This question points back to the last line of the previous paragraph: “Whoever will call on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Paul’s point is that to call on the name of the Lord, one has to know Him, or know about Him, first.

His next questions are a progression in logic that point to his conclusion: “How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent?”

"So faith comes from hearing the Good News. And people hear the world sBa, Good News when someone tells them about Christ? Romans ERV — Romans 10:17 image. Found at https://americasbestpics.com/picture/so-faith-comes-from-hearing-the-good-news-and-people-oHIH7esP9

I think the context of Paul’s time is important. Most people didn’t have access to the word of God unless they heard it. Jewish people knew of the writings of Moses and the Prophets. The Gospel was learned by word of mouth. The letters written by the apostles were unknown to most people unless they were members of the churches to which they were written. Paul’s questions seem to point to the importance of the preacher in getting the word of God to the people.

Paul concludes by saying, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Consistent with the context of the time, almost all people came to faith by hearing the word. Paul (then known as Saul) literally came to faith by the word of Christ when Jesus spoke directly to him on the Damascus Road as he was on his way to persecute Christians there.

Today many people come to faith by reading the Bible (the word of Christ), but many people don’t have Bibles and many haven’t heard of Jesus Christ. Somebody needs to tell them. As Paul points out, many people do not “heed the good news.” But it’s our job to tell them of the hope that lies in the name of Jesus our Savior! “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

Worship: “Our God Reigns,” artist unknown.

Recently the Stealth Fighter Association held a reunion in Las Vegas to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first operational flight of the Lockheed F-117A. Among the souvenirs were some “formerly classified” pictures. I flew the aircraft from 1985-1988. The program then was in the “black” world, highly classified. I never thought I’d see these photos. My friend and fellow Zoomie Rick Glitz (we were in the same F-117 and F-16 squadrons) went to the reunion, and sent me some pictures. I’ll show you a couple:

That’s “my” aircraft, tail # 804. That’s not me in the cockpit, but that’s my jet.

13 August 1985: That’s me climbing down the ladder after my first F-117 flight. I’m getting hosed down because apparently I’m on fire. I carried a flag with me that day that I have folded in a display case. Since what we were doing was hush-hush, the plaque on the case has my name, the date, and “A Significant Event.” As was unit custom, I came home that Friday night with a bottle of champagne so Sue and I could toast the “significant event.”

May 12, 2022May 12, 2022

Citizenship

Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:17-21, NASB)

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, offers a contrast between an earthly world view, and a heavenly world view. If you’re a Jesus-follower, then Paul says you’re also a citizen of Heaven! If you’re also an American, you have dual citizenship, but Paul says you owe your allegiance to your heavenly home.

Paul begins by asking the Philippians (and us!) to imitate his and other like-minded people’s behavior. He then contrasts his conduct with that of people who are “enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, . . . who set their minds on earthly things.” Paul then says “our citizenship is in heaven,” and then lists some of the benefits: Our “Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” is there; He will come for us, then transform our bodies into a glorified state just like His!

Philippians 3:20 image. Found at Live Powerfully Now, https://www.livepowerfullynow.org/blog/our-citizenship-is-in-heaven.html

As citizens of heaven, followers of Jesus Christ are supposed to concentrate on the things of heaven, and not be concerned with earthly pursuits. I like the way Gordon Robertson put it the other day. On “The 700 Club,” he noted all the turmoil going on in the world today: Inflation, war in Ukraine, rising crime, etc. When the world seems to be spinning out of control, he said we should focus on our main task: “Populating heaven!” Message received!

As a heavenly citizen, I shouldn’t worry about the cares of this world, but focus on where I’m going next. Since my ALS diagnosis four years ago, I’ve had time to ponder such things. I’m bound eventually to make my home in the New Jerusalem. Even now, Jesus is preparing a “dwelling place” for me and other Christ followers. In the meantime, we need to talk to others about the advantages of residence there. We need to “populate heaven!”
My hope lies not in government, or the agencies of man; my hope is in the name of the Lord!

Worship: “My Hope,” by Hillsong Worship

We’ve seen a lot of the Ukrainian flag on the news lately, since the Russian invasion. I was curious what it represents. Here’s a picture:

history-how-ukraine-has-inspired-me-flag-field — Explanation of the Ukrainian flag. Found at Family History Foundation, https://familyhistoryfoundation.com/2018/09/04/inspirational-history-ukraine-real/

The blue at the top represents the sky. The yellow bottom is grain. Ukraine is known as the “breadbasket of Europe.” I heard on the news recently that Ukraine produces 15% of the world’s wheat. Interruption of this harvest, which appears very likely, will lead to a worldwide wheat shortage. My friend/Classmate/Squadronmate Stu Young sent me at the outset of the invasion an interesting article about how wealthy Ukraine is in natural resources and rich, arable farmland. No wonder Mad Vlad wants Ukraine.

Several weeks ago another friend and Classmate, Mike Hoyes, sent me a suggestion that we pray for Vladimir Putin’s salvation. This is a fantastic idea! The Bible says that God desires (although it’s not His decree) that all of us would be saved. My prayer since has been that God would convict him of how unjust his war is and of the atrocities his army is committing, and change his heart and make Jesus his Savior!

May 9, 2022May 9, 2022

Saved

. . . if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13, NASB)

The text above is from Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, and deals with the topic of salvation. Salvation, it seems, is a matter of the heart. Paul says the mouth is also involved.

Paul says that we must “confess with [our] mouth Jesus as Lord.” Indeed, He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Doing this, Paul says, results in salvation. At the same time, we must “believe in [our] heart that God raised Him from the dead.” From the heart, “a person believes, resulting in righteousness.” The best, simple definition of “righteousness” that I’ve heard is “being made right with God.” By doing these two things, confessing Jesus as Lord and belief in His resurrection, “you will be saved.”

Scripture Illustration of Romans 10:9-10, found at heartlight, https://www.heartlight.org/gallery/3162.html

Saved from what? From the wrath of God. From eternal separation from the Father. From eternal damnation. God sent His Son Jesus to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. He wants us to confess Jesus as Lord, and to believe He raised His Son from the dead. Why? So we can spend eternity in heaven with Him.

Many people believe they can earn their way into heaven. Actually, we’re all sinners, and there’s no way for us to make up for our sins by doing good deeds. One pastor I know refers to this belief as “the old fashioned way,” invoking the actor John Housman’s old Smith-Barney commercials (“They make their money the old fashioned way: They earn it.”)
So how do we get to heaven? Certainly not “the old fashioned way.” As Paul tells us: By confessing with our mouth Jesus as Lord; and believing in our hearts that God raised His Son from the dead.

Worship: “Here I am to Worship/Call Upon the Name of the Lord,” by Hillsong Worship

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022

Pray

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven,Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]
For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:9-15, NASB)

The Bible verses above are Apostle Matthew’s account of Jesus telling His disciples how to pray. The words He teaches them have become “The Lord’s Prayer.” Prior, in Chapter 6, Jesus warns His students not to be like the Pharisees, who like people to notice their good deeds. Rather, He says, they should not make a big production when they give their offerings in the Temple, and when they pray. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” (v. 1)

Jesus starts by saying, “Pray in this way:” He doesn’t say “These are the words you must use.” Some people pray the exact words from memory. Others use the Prayer as a template, praying other words as they go through. However we use The Lord’s Prayer, we should pay attention and not just go through the motions. After all, we’re talking with the Creator God, Who loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for us, that we would have everlasting life!

I think it’s interesting that after the Prayer, the one one point Jesus emphasizes is forgiveness. The portion of the Prayer reads, “And forgive us our debts [trespasses], as we also have forgiven our debtors [those who have trespassed against us].” The word “sin” is not used here, but that’s what He’s talking about. And God has forgiven us of our sins. Jesus points out in the last section that since God has forgiven us, so should we forgive others who have wronged us. Notice too that we’re reporting to God that “we also have forgiven our debtors.” It’s already been accomplished! A final warning: “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

The Lord’s Prayer is a model for us to use when we talk to God. However we use it, we must be careful to think, and not be distracted by its rote nature. We must remember to Whom we’re speaking. We must also remember to forgive others.

Worship: “The Lord’s Prayer,” by Sandi Patty

May 3, 2022May 3, 2022

Gratitude

While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19, NASB)

In the Bible passage above, Dr. Luke tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with ten leprous men. He’s on His way to Jerusalem to fulfill His earthly mission, to die for you and me to save us from sin and death. The men see Jesus, and beg for mercy, wanting to be healed from their leprosy. Jesus tells them to go and show themselves to the priests, which is in accordance with the Law of Moses when a person is healed from leprosy. As the men are on their way, they are healed. One of the men, a Samaritan, returns to praise God and to thank Jesus for his healing. Jesus responds by telling him “your faith has made you well.” A note accompanying the text says the literal translation is “your faith has saved you.”

Several lessons in this passage. As the website Never Thirsty puts it, “Ten lepers healed, only one was saved.” We should never overlook God’s role in healing. Sometimes He heals supernaturally, sometimes He uses doctors. In many cases, He chooses to not heal. In any case, God heals us. We need to acknowledge this and rely on Him. In the story, the ten men begged Jesus for mercy, and He healed them. We must pray to God for healing.

The Samaritan man showed gratitude. Not only was he healed from his disease, but Jesus told him his faith had saved him. He had been saved from the God’s wrath, received God’s grace, and secured a place for himself in heaven for eternity. All because he gave thanks for his healing, and confessed that it was from God.

Luke 17:11-19 image. Found at Never Thirsty, https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-studies/life-of-christ-ministry-perea/ten-lepers-healed-only-one-was-saved/

Luke makes a point that the man is a Samaritan, a foreigner. The Jews considered the Samaritans to be a mongrel race. They wouldn’t have anything to do with them. He was probably one of the first Gentiles to receive salvation. Luke might be pointing out that Jesus was announcing salvation not only to Israel, but to Gentiles as well.

For me, the main lesson is to be grateful. Especially when I ask God for something. We all are big on praying for things, but when God delivers, we forget from where they came. For example, I pray every night that God would keep my lungs clear so Sue wouldn’t have to get up and suction them, thus getting a good night’s sleep for her. In the morning, I remember to thank Him for making it happen. And so on throughout the day.

God is good, all the time. He wants to give us blessing upon blessing. But He also wants us to acknowledge and thank Him for those blessings. The biggest blessing He has given us is His Son Jesus. We must thank Him for this most precious gift without end.

Worship: “Thank You Lord,” by Chris Tomlin, ft. Thomas Rhett, and Florida Georgia Line

April 30, 2022April 30, 2022

Psalm 139

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows knows it very well. (Psalm 139:13-14, NASB)

Psalm 139 was written by King David, and is titled “God’s Omnipresence and Omniscience.” David poured a lot of his soul into this psalm. There’s much to it, including the two verses above.

David starts out by acknowledging that God “formed” him, and “You wove me in my mother’s womb.” We can all make the same statement. God lovingly and carefully crafts each one of us to meet His plan. No one of us is a mistake or is built with fault, because God does not make mistakes.

The psalmist goes on to give God thanks, “for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Think of it: The Creator God has a hand in crafting each one of us in mother’s womb. As in the paragraph above, we can each one of us give thanks to God for the way He lovingly and thoughtfully built us. You were “fearfully and wonderfully made,” as was I. And like everyone we meet has been made in the image of God, so is everyone “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Photo Credit: Alicia Zinn/Created in Canva Psalm 139:13-14 image. Found at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fearfully-wonderfully-made-jeff-adams/

Does the knowledge that everyone you meet is “fearfully and wonderfully made” inform how are you want to treat others? I confess that I don’t always treat others the way God wants me to. In the morning I try to get my mind right by praying “Shema” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Then I personalize it paraphrasing Jesus’ words from Mark 12:29-31 to sound like this: O Lord, You are my God. I will love You, O Lord my God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength. I will also love my neighbor as myself.

God wants us to love Him, and to love other people. King David gives us a way to look at ourselves and at others as “fearfully and wonderfully made.” As he says, we should praise God for how we were crafted, but we should also appreciate the same in others.

Worship: ”Me on Your Mind” by Matthew West

April 24, 2022

Love III

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails . . . (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NASB)

First Corinthians 13 is known as “the Love Chapter.” In Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, he details the attributes of perfect love. Human beings are not capable of attaining these characteristics, but as followers of Jesus, we’re expected to try. The only Ones capable of executing these tenets are are the Triune God. As we humans go through life, we continue to get better, but we’ll not achieve perfection until God calls us home to be with Him. The attributes of perfect love are consistent with the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

I heard someone say (at a Bible study or in a sermon) that we should replace the word “love” with our name to get a good read on where we stand with regard to love. Mine would be “Wade is patient, Wade is kind,” etc. If I’m honest with myself, and I’m not patient, for example, then with God’s help, Wade would have some work to do on his patience.

Last year, an Air Force Academy classmate, Terry Williams, invited me to do an online men’s Bible study. One of the lessons was on this passage from 1 Corinthians 13. Referring to the phrase, “does not take into account a wrong suffered,” the author asked: “Are you unoffendable?” I had never heard that worded like that, but I knew what it meant, and I knew in an instant that I was guilty.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - Bible Verse about Love — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 image. Found at Bible Verse Images, https://www.bibleverseimages.com/love-bible-verse-14.htm

Let me first explain that ALS is a contact sport. I’m constantly being rolled and lifted and placed in a shower chair, wheelchair, recliner, or back in bed. In the process, it’s possible for many minor injuries to occur. I’ve been pinched, slapped, had my fingers and toes jammed, had my head squeezed by the hydraulic lift. I think the only thing that hasn’t happened is I haven’t been bitten. But none of this is intentional, the caregivers do their best, it just happens. Normally when it does, I blow it off, but in reflection, I found the only person I wasn’t quick to forgive was the one that I should.

The person who I’ve borne grudges against? The woman with whom God paired me; the woman who is supposed to be my best friend; and my partner in life, my wife Sue. As I said, when I read that question, I was convicted about my conduct. With God’s help, I resolved to do better. God’s not done with me yet. He’s still working on me until the day He decides to take me home. As for me, I’m trying not to take things so seriously. I try to smile at her more, and mouth the words “I love you!” more. My facial muscles are such that I’m sure my smile isn’t what it used to be, and might be mistaken for something else. And I have to do the “I love you!” more than once before she gets it. But as I said, I’m a work in progress.

Paul gives us the attributes of perfect love. Although it’s impossible for us to attain, it’s important that we try. Someday those who love Jesus will display these exact tenets. In heaven, the New Jerusalem, there will be no jealousy, and no envy. There will only be love as you read above. I can’t wait! Are you going to heaven?

Worship: “Love,” by Kirk Franklin

April 21, 2022April 24, 2022

Love II

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” . . . Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’ . . . “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God . . . “ (John 3:3, 5-7, 16-18, NASB)

The Apostle John records the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, in which Jesus states what would become the most famous verse in the Christian Bible. John tells us Nicodemus is a Pharisee, “a ruler of the Jews.” (John 3:1) Nothing more is mentioned of him until he assisted Joseph of Arimathea to lay Jesus in the tomb. Nicodemus brought “a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.” (John 19:39)

John tells us that Nicodemus came to Jesus by stealth, “at night.” He doesn’t want his colleagues to know. Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus is from God, that “no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2) Jesus answers him in the text above, that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus is naturally puzzled. “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” (John 3:4) Jesus replies (again in the text) that it’s not a fleshly birth He’s talking about, but a spiritual birth.

After some back-and-forth conversation, Jesus tells Nicodemus how to achieve a spiritual birth in that famous verse: “For God SO LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him SHALL NOT PERISH, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, emphasis mine) God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us to take our place, and take the punishment we deserve for our sins. How do we achieve that spiritual rebirth? By believing in Jesus! In so doing, we achieve everlasting life, and in Jesus’ words, we “shall not perish.” At Christmas we celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ that God gave us because He loves us so much. We just celebrated Resurrection Sunday, in which Jesus fulfilled the life everlasting (He was raised from the dead), which He told Nicodemus he would have if he were to be born again.

“Christus und Nikodemus,” by Fritz von Uhde, 1908. Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus#/media/File:Fritz_von_Uhde_-_Christus_und_Nikodemus_(ca.1886).jpg

Jesus concludes His discussion with the Pharisee by telling him His mission on earth is not to judge, but to save the world; that if we believe in Jesus, we’ll not be judged. His final warning to Nicodemus is that anyone who does not believe in Jesus has already been judged, “because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

We’re not told of Nicodemus’ reaction to his conversation with Jesus. In “The Chosen,” Season 1, they do a splendid job of portraying the conflict that must have gone through his mind. In the film, after their encounter, Jesus invites the Pharisee to go on a journey with Him and His disciples. As they leave on their trip, Nicodemus is seen hiding behind a corner, sobbing. The Pharisee had grown comfortable in his lifestyle. He was conflicted about leaving all that behind to follow Jesus. But he must have eventually made the choice to be born again–he helped Joseph to bury the body of the Son of God.

Using Jesus’ own words, the choice is simple: Without Jesus: Face God’s judgment and perish. With Jesus: Be saved and have eternal life.

Worship: “God So Loved,” by Jaci Velasquez

April 17, 2022April 17, 2022

Risen

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.” (Luke 24:1-6, NASB)

In the narrative above from Luke the beloved physician, it’s now Sunday morning, the day after the Sabbath. The disciples are still in shock after witnessing their Teacher brutally tortured and executed. They’re behind locked doors for fear of the Temple leadership coming after them next. The two Marys (Jesus’ mother, and Mary Magdalene) have prepared spices for a proper burial, and now that the Sabbath is past, are going to the cave where Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had put Jesus’ body late Friday afternoon.

According to Luke, they find the stone rolled away from the tomb’s opening, and Jesus’ body is not there! Two angels appear, and they utter a statement that is arguably the most important of all Christendom: “He is not here, but He has risen.”

The fact of the resurrection is crucial to our faith. Jesus said He would be crucified, and the third day would rise again. The disciples and the two Marys watched Him die and didn’t remember what He told them. After all, they weren’t used to seeing people come back from the dead, even though just weeks before they had seen Jesus call Lazarus from out of his tomb. If Jesus was Who He claimed to be (God), then if He had not come back from the dead our faith would be useless. There would be no hope of everlasting life. No hope.

He Is not Here! He Has Risen! — He is not Here! He has Risen! Found at Good Salt, https://www.goodsalt.com/details/lfwas1654.html

The angels also ask the question: “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?” They wanted to emphasize that not only had Jesus been risen, but He was alive. There was hope in their question and statement. Jesus would seem to emphasize His being alive when He appeared to the disciples several times before His ascension. What’s important is that to followers of Jesus, Christ’s death and resurrection means that sin and death are defeated. Because He’s alive, we can also have life everlasting.

We have seen despair and hopelessness on Friday turn to joy and hope on Sunday morning. It took awhile for reality to catch up to some of the disciples (Thomas the Doubter, for one), but over time they understood Who Jesus really is, and His words of salvation. Jesus told His disciples what would take place, and it did. He came to earth to die as a substitute to take the punishment we all deserve as sinners. God’s most precious gift that we celebrate at Christmas fulfilled His mission on Good Friday. He completed the promise of eternal life on Resurrection Sunday. Because He lives, we have hope for eternal life. Do you believe in Him?
When Christianity was in its infancy, in the middle east and southern Europe, it was dangerous to be a follower of Jesus. The Christians used a greeting that only they were familiar with, used to find out if a stranger was a brother or sister in Christ. The first person would use the greeting, “He is risen!” The second would reply, “He is risen indeed!” He is risen!

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (1 Peter 2:21-24, NASB)

Worship: “Evidence,” by Josh Baldwin

On Good Friday night, Sue and I watched Mel Gibson’s 2004 movie “The Passion of the Christ.” We saw it in the movie theater when it first came out. Powerful. Gibson captured the last 18 hours or so of Jesus’ life as authentically and true to the Bible as possible. What also struck me was how quiet it was afterward. I don’t think anyone said a word filing out of the theater. I remember a column written by Charles Colson at the time. He said that Mel Gibson had a cameo appearance of sorts in the movie. During the film when Jesus is being nailed to the cross, Gibson’s hand is wielding one of the mallets. We’re quick to judge the people who had a part in Jesus’ crucifixion. Truth be told, if any of us had been there, we would have done the same. This was Gibson’s way of acknowledging his guilt and his sins. Colson explained that years ago one of the masters (I think it was van Gogh) painted himself into the crucifixion as a Roman soldier and an active participant. Interesting!

April 15, 2022April 15, 2022

Crucified

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43, NASB)

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. (Matthew 27:50-51, NASB)

As Thursday night turned into Friday, Jesus found Himself bound and beaten by the officers of the temple. He would be taken to be interrogated by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, then to Herod (who had jurisdiction over Galilee, where Jesus resided), then back to Pilate. All the while, He was beaten and mocked by the Roman soldiers. They placed a crown of thorns on His head. These thorns were middle eastern thorns, long and sharp. They didn’t just “place” it on His head, they jammed it down, so the blood ran down His face. Jesus endured all this willingly, and He did so for you and for me.

Then they scourged Jesus. The whips they used had jagged pieces of metal embedded in the cords. When the whip made contact, the metal would tear into the flesh, often exposing the internal organs (” . . . and by His stripes we are healed.”). Often the criminal going through this torture would die from the organ exposure. Jesus endured all this willingly, and He did so for you and for me.

Next, Jesus was forced to lug the cross to the place of His execution. When they arrived at Golgotha, He was nailed to the cross. He endured more mocking and scorn from the chief priests and passersby. And the two thieves on either side of Him, also being crucified, joined in. Jesus endured all this willingly, and He did so for you and for me.

In Dr. Luke’s account above, one of the thieves had a change of heart. I think this was the first-ever recorded “death bed conversion.” The thief scolded his counterpart, and acknowledged Jesus is God. Then he asked Jesus to “remember me when You come in Your kingdom.” Jesus replied that they would be together that day “in Paradise.”

Jesus was crucified at about 9 o’clock in the morning. At around noon, the sky became as dark as night (God was not pleased at what was going on). At about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, per Matthew’s account above, “Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” At the same time, an earthquake occurred (God continued to show His displeasure), so powerful it split the rocks. Also, Matthew reported, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

*And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.* – Matthew 27:51. Found at Calvary Chapel Placerville, https://calvarychapelplacerville.com/2020/03/torn-from-top-to-bottom/

The tearing of the veil is significant on two points: First, Matthew emphasizes that the tear was from top to bottom. It was impossible for men to do this. God had to have done this, and He did it using the earthquake. Second, the veil separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the inner sanctuary. Only the High Priest was allowed access, once a year, bringing blood from a sacrificed animal to atone for the sins of himself and the people. God tore the veil to say that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for repentance of sins and there was no longer need to separate God from man. As the author of Hebrews said, “we [now] have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh.” (Hebrews 10:19-20)

Good Friday was a momentous day. Our Lord, the Messiah, was brutally tortured and executed by the authorities, who as Jesus said in an act of forgiveness, didn’t know what they were doing. We see the death bed conversion of a thief who acknowledged Jesus as God, and asked His forgiveness. We also see an act of God, the tearing of the veil, that told the world that the way to salvation and forgiveness of sins is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ mission coming to earth was to die as an acceptable sacrifice to the Father God. As we used to say in the Air Force, “mission complete!” Jesus made the sacrifice, it’s up to us to acknowledge it, confess our sins, and ask Jesus to be the Lord of our life. Jesus Christ did His part (He endured all this willingly, and He did so for you and for me). Have you done yours?

As Friday wound down, as sunset approached and the Sabbath with it, Jesus was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. His disciples were distraught, and went home defeated. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus, also eye witnesses to the whole spectacle, noted where Jesus was lain, went home to mix spices to prepare the body for a proper burial, then observed the Sabbath. Jesus was dead. All seemed hopeless. But then there was Sunday . . .

Worship: “Above All,” by Michael W. Smith