I recently saw the movie, The Guardian, with Kevin Costner. It was about the Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmer program. Their moto, "So Others May Live," describes the reason behind why they put their own lives in danger on every rescue. It is a selfless, sacraficial life these men have chosen, "So Others May Live."
Jesus Christ, our Guardian, chose to freely lay His life down on the cross so, "All might live." This selfless, sacraficial act defined the reason for His life as well, "To die for our sins, that we might not perrish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
The Truth
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Betrayed By A Kiss
Judas, a disciple of Jesus, a friend, someone who walked and talked with our Lord and witnessed His ministry and miracles, chose to betray Him with a kiss. (Matt.26:48,49)
I’m sure we could all look back on our lives and point to some situation where we have felt betrayed. If we only knew beforehand, we could have taken steps to ensure our protection from that breach of trust.
Jesus knew of His betrayal. He mentioned it frequently (Matt.17:22, John 13:21) and even identified his betrayer and did nothing to protect Himself, even though it would lead to His death.(John 13:26) Why? Because He came into this world for one purpose, to die for our sins. (John 12:27) The “betrayal by a kiss”, was only the beginning of what He knew was coming and would endure for us, despising the shame.
The Truth
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
I’m sure we could all look back on our lives and point to some situation where we have felt betrayed. If we only knew beforehand, we could have taken steps to ensure our protection from that breach of trust.
Jesus knew of His betrayal. He mentioned it frequently (Matt.17:22, John 13:21) and even identified his betrayer and did nothing to protect Himself, even though it would lead to His death.(John 13:26) Why? Because He came into this world for one purpose, to die for our sins. (John 12:27) The “betrayal by a kiss”, was only the beginning of what He knew was coming and would endure for us, despising the shame.
The Truth
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Two Thieves
In Luke’s Gospel account of the crucifixion of Jesus, he records some of the conversation between the "two thieves" who were crucified along with Jesus. One blasphemes and mocks Jesus (Luke 23:39) while the other comes to believe in Him. (Luke 23:40)
Two thieves, aware of their crimes and their guilt and just as aware of His innocence’s. (Luke 23:41) - Two thieves, in the same proximity of Jesus - at the same time - hearing and observing the same things - arrived at two different conclusions.
One thief verbally rejects Jesus for what He would not do, give into Satan and save himself and them; the other thief comes to a belief in Jesus for what He did do, die willingly a sacrificial death for all who would believe. (Luke 23:42)
Luke goes on to record the salvation of the thief who believed at death’s door. “Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom. And Jesus said, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in “Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
End your fear of death today and be ready to move on with peace in your heart. How?
The Truth
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
Two thieves, aware of their crimes and their guilt and just as aware of His innocence’s. (Luke 23:41) - Two thieves, in the same proximity of Jesus - at the same time - hearing and observing the same things - arrived at two different conclusions.
One thief verbally rejects Jesus for what He would not do, give into Satan and save himself and them; the other thief comes to a belief in Jesus for what He did do, die willingly a sacrificial death for all who would believe. (Luke 23:42)
Luke goes on to record the salvation of the thief who believed at death’s door. “Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom. And Jesus said, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in “Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
End your fear of death today and be ready to move on with peace in your heart. How?
The Truth
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
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