The Forever Notebook

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
1 John 3:18

Nearly a year ago my wife and I decided it was time to downsize. Like many empty nesters our home needs had changed considerably since our sons had moved out on their own. Consequently, we abandoned the bill laden world of homeownership for something simpler and less burdensome. We opted for apartment living.

Almost every day since moving in a gentleman sat outside our front door in a wheelchair. He was a grumpy sort who frequently smoked cigars and chewed tobacco and for whatever reason had claimed a spot near the entrance to our home. One day, not long after moving in, he knocked loudly on our door and complained that I was parking in his parking place. So as not to cause a scene I accommodated him and moved my car wondering why that particular parking spot was so important to a man without a car.

His grumpiness, cigar smoke, and gross ritual of spitting tobacco in a tin can soon resulted in a changed direction as I opted for the back entrance to avoid the unpleasant encounter. Still, his cigar smoke found its way into our apartment as a continual reminder that he was still there.

Soon after my decision to avoid him I began to suffer from a guilty conscience. I knew in my heart of hearts that I should not allow his offensive behavior and habits to keep me from being in a position of ministering to him. Behind all that gruffness was probably a man who could benefit from some words of encouragement.

In the days that followed I made it a point to try to speak to him. At first he would ignore or barely acknowledge my attempts at conversation. My wife also joined in the mission and offered him things she had baked which he also rejected. Gradually he began to thaw and his demeanor toward us changed, the conversations grew longer, and he even got to the point where he greeted us cheerfully.

Eventually I learned his story of how he had suffered a stroke seven years ago confining him to the wheelchair. I also learned that he was my age, loved the Lord, and that his grumpiness was the result of severe pain and emotional stress from his disability. The better I got to know him the less bothersome were the cigars and chewing. I realized that they were the few pleasures still available to him.

Not long ago he disappeared from his familiar spot. His sister shared that his condition had deteriorated and that he was in intensive care at the hospital. A few days later he died.

In today’s focus scripture we read, “let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” The context has to do with following the Lords commands to live righteously and to love others sacrificially as Christ loved us. Oftentimes we save the sacrificial part of our love for those closest to us while ignoring the needs of others.

Sacrificial love does not always involve great sacrifice of finances or personal resources. Sometimes sacrificial love is a simple offering of kindness from a cheerful heart. The sacrifice comes when we refuse to allow anything to keep us from demonstrating love to the unlovable. Sacrificial love gets past offensive or unpleasant behavior, habits, and conditions and gets to the needs of the individual.

If you don’t love that unlovable person who will? If you don’t show them the love of Christ who will? That person that you are rejecting or avoiding may have been targeted by God for ministry. Don’t make the mistake of failing to carry out your mission.

Listen to that inner voice of the Holy Spirit in such matters. In verses 19 and 20 of 1 John we read, “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.” If you truly belong to Christ there will be times when the Holy Spirit checks your behavior and reminds you of your responsibility. The day I determined to take the back entrance instead of the front I knew that I was avoiding God’s assignment for me.

Is there an assignment from God that you are missing? Isn’t it time that you show some sacrificial love by putting your own feelings and biases aside so that you can be obedient to the voice of the Spirit?

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15

“Those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him.” More than anything else in my life the one thing that I have wanted for as long as I can remember is to live for Jesus. That said, I have failed miserably. I have never lived up to that expectation.

I can’t even begin to imagine how many times I have recommitted my life to Christ or asked for forgiveness of my sins. As a child I would lay upon my bed unable to sleep because I was worried that my life wasn’t right before God. Somebody told me way back then that “the age of accountability” was 11 and by my 10^th birthday I was so overcome with worry that there were nights when I could not sleep at all. I recall thinking that I only had one year to get my life right. Then when I reached the age of 11 I failed my Lutheran catechism class and the only one in my group to do so. My pastor tried to console me by telling me that “you can’t grade faith.” But I was still left with that familiar feeling that I had failed God.

These feelings of falling short of the mark have followed me all the days of my life. I remember tearful confessions through high school and my Navy years. Such feelings of spiritual inadequacy continued into my professional radio career eventually leading me to conclude that God wanted me in the ministry. So I studied theology, became a Southern Baptist pastor, and served churches for about 15 years. The result was even more feelings of not measuring up.

I saw a movie recently about the life of Martin Luther and I was fascinated by his spiritual pilgrimage. He described one period of his life as one of spiritual despair in which he devoted himself to fasting, long hours in prayer, and frequent confession. But all of these spiritual exercises failed to satisfy his desire for pleasing God. In Luther’s years of spiritual struggling I could see myself and readily identified with his constant striving yet, no matter how hard he tried, continually failing to live up to God’s expectations.

Even when I awoke this morning my spiritual shortcomings were on my mind. And then I read the focus scripture, “those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him.” In reality the bar is set higher than any of us will ever be able to reach. Denying self and living for Jesus is beyond our mortal capability. Although a worthy goal no matter how hard we try we will always need God’s grace.

When Jesus announced to Peter that he was about to deny him Peter said, “no way.” He was willing to fight to the death for his Lord. But we all know what happened. Peter did exactly what Jesus said he would do and then wept bitterly. Later, while walking with the risen Lord, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Peter responded, “You know that I love you.” Indeed Jesus did know that Peter loved Him. Regardless of the depth of our love for the Lord there will be times when we fall short of the mark.

In those moments when I am confronted with my spiritual inadequacies I have learned that His grace is sufficient for all my needs. He died for my failings and there is no limit to the number of times He will grant forgiveness for my sins.

I’ll never be as good as I want to be for Him and neither will you. But when we are going through those feelings of spiritual inadequacy we should accept His forgiveness, forgive ourselves, and move on.

“He is not here; he has risen!”- Luke 24:6

What are your fondest Easter memories? The first Easter that I can remember was when I was five years old. My Uncle Buddy had joined the Marine Corps shortly before Christmas and didn’t return home from basic training until near Easter. Consequently, my mother decided to leave up the Christmas tree so we could have a combination Christmas/Easter celebration. By Easter that tree looked like Charlie Brown’s needleless Christmas tree.

A year later I had a severe case of the measles at Easter. During that time I was confined to the couch in the living room. On the day before Easter I was greeted by some surprise guests. Mom and dad had purchased two live baby bunnies that were not supposed to be seen until Easter morning. But the bunnies had a different idea and escaped from their box in the kitchen.

I also recall my annual Easter morning basket of colored eggs, marshmallow peeps, and chocolate bunnies which traditionally followed with a big family dinner at my grandmother’s house featuring her homemade coconut Easter Bunny cake. Additionally, my childhood Easter celebration always included going to church. Easter Sunday services were always packed to overflowing with decked out parishioners sporting brightly colored new outfits.

Just like you I have many fond Easter memories and have shared only a few to get you thinking about what you remember most about Easter. However, those things we recall about Easter pale in comparison to what Jesus’ disciples experienced on that first Easter Sunday morning. Can you imagine what it was like when they went to the empty tomb.

There are certain events in your life that are so significant that they remain etched in your memory as if they happened just yesterday. Your wedding day, the birth of your first child, the death of a loved one, the day you graduated from high school, etc. These experiences vividly remain with you in great detail. So it must have been for those disciples who looked into the empty tomb.  

I have often thought about the courageous women who followed close behind Jesus on the road to the cross. How it must have grieved them to see the pain already inflicted upon Him through the cruel beating, flogging, and crown of thorns and then to see the nails driven through His hands and feet and to watch for six horrific hours as Jesus suffered the cruelty of the cross. They witnessed the punishment, the ridicule, and the murder of the One they loved dearly and even after His death they waited for Jesus’ body to be removed from the cross. When His body was carried off for burial they followed to see where He was entombed. They finally left out of obedience for rest on the Sabbath. Even then they planned to return to the grave for the proper preparation of Jesus’ body with spices and perfumes. How that miserable ordeal must have played over and over again in their minds.

When we are shaken by severely traumatic situations the agonizing thoughts remain continually with us. As they awoke on that first Easter Sunday morning they were surely greeted by thoughts of overwhelming grief. In fact, the weight of emotional stress may have been so great that sleep eluded them. They approached the tomb, not in joy, but in great sorrow.

With an unpleasant task before them they returned to the tomb to provide Jesus with a proper burial. Upon arriving they were hit with yet another setback. The tomb was empty. And then:

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words. (Luke 24:4-8)

The resurrection of Jesus changed everything for them. Sorrow turned to joy, defeat turned to victory, discouragement turned to hope, and death turned to life. Three simple yet powerful words changed their lives forever. “He has risen.”

My Easter memories have no real value other than just the recall of some happy times of days gone by. Oh, but the Easter memories of those women who faithfully followed Jesus. I’ll take their memories over mine any day.

I can only imagine how things will be in heaven. Maybe someday I’ll be so fortunate as to sit by some of these women as they recall their experience on that first Easter. And if someone should ask me to share my favorite Easter memory I’ll simply say, “My most favorite Easter memory is the same as yours. ‘He has risen!’”

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”- Hebrews 12:2

When you go through difficult times your mind is consumed by the ordeal. To provide yourself relief you may at times think back to simpler times when life was less problematic and when your future seemed brighter. You give your mind rest by thinking upon precious memories.

You have probably never heard of John Braselton Fillmore Wright but more than likely you have heard a song that he wrote in 1923 called Precious Memories. It has been recorded by numerous gospel and country music artists including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Alabama, Randy Travis, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Bob Dylan, and Aretha Franklin. (It may be easier to list the artists who have not recorded the song.) Precious Memories was one of many sentimental songs written by Wright who was a farmer by trade.

Wright’s life had been filled with setbacks due to the loss of dear family members and it was through song that he relieved the pain of a broken heart. A year and a half before writing Precious Memories his youngest son died of diphtheria at the age of five. It is no wonder that so many people have identified with the sentiments expressed in the lyrics. Here is the familiar chorus:

Precious memories, how they linger

How they ever flood my soul

In the stillness of the midnight

Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

Today’s focus scripture is written in the context of difficult times and suffering. In the preceding verse we are told, “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Heb 12:1) Then in verse 3 we read, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Verses 1 and 3 help us to understand the instruction in verse 2:

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

There is certainly nothing wrong with taking your mind to a place and time from the past to relieve the agony of the moment but here the emphasis is on the relief that can be found by focusing on “the joy” that lies ahead. Before you lies something far greater than anything than you have ever experienced. It will be a time of total victory in a place where there will be no more pain or sorrow. Just as Jesus “endured the cross” by looking to “the joy set before him” we gain the courage, boldness, and faith we need for standing in the midst of hardship by following His example. We look to Christ not only as the “author of our faith” but also as the “perfecter of our faith.”

Jesus faced the cross not only by enduring but also by “scorning its shame.” He refused to allow the cross to defeat Him. When we stand up to our hardships in faith and confidence in God we are “scorning” its hold on our lives. We know that we can be hurt but not destroyed. We will reign victorious in Christ.

Just as Jesus looked to the time that he would sit down “at the right hand of the throne of God” we can be emboldened by thinking on that time when we will be with our Lord in His heaven.

The Easter message gives us Precious Memories for the future and relief is found, not from what was, but what is and shall be as we “fix our eyes on Jesus.”

Now, let’s revisit the chorus to Precious Memories but rather than looking back let’s look forward to our blessed hope. Pay particular attention to the precious sacred scenes in your future.

Precious memories, how they linger

How they ever flood my soul

In the stillness of the midnight

Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

It just occurred to me that this is the second time when this song has come to mind as I have considered God’s word. Ironically, as “Precious Memories of the future flood my soul” on this Easter Eve it was on Christmas Eve (see Precious Memories) when I last wrote about this song as the result of my observations on Luke 2:19: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” That message had to do with looking back on what God has done in your life as a believer.

Wherever we see Jesus, in the past, present, or future there will be plentiful Precious Memories for strengthening our faith. When we “fix our eyes on Jesus” there is always hope.

Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”- Matthew 20: 17-19

When Jesus made this claim his disciples didn’t grasp the meaning. Such an incredible prophecy of one’s fate was far beyond the realm of human rationale. Sure, Jesus’ ministry had been met with opposition but He had all these extraordinary powers and such amazing knowledge and wisdom. Wherever He went He drew large crowds of people who adored Him. They and His disciples saw Jesus as the blessed hope of Israel, the one who would be their great liberator and king. The future looked so promising. With Jesus as their leader they were headed for a better tomorrow. Then, suddenly, Jesus hit them with words that stopped them in their tracks. “Betrayed…condemned…mocked…flogged…crucified!”

This One who would lead them was now prophesying His impending death. There are few things in life that hit so hard as the news that someone you love dearly is about to die. Possibly they were too consumed by words of Jesus’ death to consider the words that followed. “On the third day he will be raised to life!” Even if they did try to process these words such an event was beyond comprehension. People just don’t die and then come back to life a few days later. They had seen Jesus perform some amazing miracles including raising Lazarus from the dead but this assertion was beyond comprehension.

There is also the possibility that they were only hearing what they wanted to hear, much like we sometimes read scripture. It’s kind of like watching television and tuning out the commercials and flipping through the shows until we settle on something we like. I once worked with a radio station receptionist who read the bible at her desk every day. One day as I was walking by I noticed that she was highlighting scripture but not with a yellow highlight pen. She was using a black marker. It looked like she was marking out parts of scripture that she didn’t like.

We also cannot ignore the fact that the Holy Spirit frequently veiled the meaning of Jesus’ instruction only to give them understanding at a later time. The same thing happens to us. Have you ever read a passage of scripture numerous times and then one day you have a light bulb experience? “So that’s what that means.” It was not until after Jesus’ resurrection that they were able to understand His prophecy. It took a relatable life experience and the illuminating work of the scripture to grasp the meaning of Jesus’ words.

Jesus’ prophecy concerning Himself was that on the other side of suffering everything is going to be OK. There is going to be incredible victory. That terrible ordeal of the cross would not be the end but the beginning of something better. To get to the better future that they had envisioned He must first suffer and then there would be victory, not as they had imagined, but something far better with eternal value. God’s plan is always better than man’s plan.

Jesus’ victory was not just for Him but for all who put their faith in Him for eternal salvation. Whenever we face painful trials we can always be certain that on the other side of suffering there is victory. Jesus conquered death and suffering with His resurrection. All afflictions on this earth for the Christian are temporary and end in eternal victory.

At your disposal is a power that is unfathomable. It is the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. It is mind-blowing supernatural power that exceeds human comprehension. Nothing you face in life is impossible for God. Surely we must be grounded in the reality of human experience and knowledge. But we should never forget that we are not solely limited by that which we can see and understand. There is a power that is in us that supersedes the limitations of the natural world. Now and forever, on the other side of suffering there is hope…because He lives. Suffering and death is not the end. Thanks be to God for His incredible gift.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”-
Psalm 14:1

This is the 4^th in a series of Easter messages and today’s focus is on “fools.” You may be wondering what Easter has to do with “fools.” For that matter, what does Psalm 14:1 have to do with Easter? Actually, it has everything to do with the Easter story as I hope you will understand after reading this article.   (And since it’s April Fool’s Day)

So, what is a fool? Do you know anybody that fits your definition of a fool? How about that guy that cut you off in traffic the other day? Or that customer service representative who just wasn’t willing to help? Did I hear someone say politicians? Don’t get me started.

“Fools” are first identified in our focus text as those who say that “There is no God.” Then in the verses that follow David amplifies the meaning by describing the behavior of fools. Just in case you think he must be talking about somebody other than you David writes, “there is no one who does good.” In verse 3 he repeats the phrase and adds the words “not one.” All of us at sometime in our lives were viewed by God as fools.

David describes what God sees when he looks at man in verse 2: “The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” Sadly, what God sees is not a pretty picture. “All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (v3)

We are born with a sin nature which means based on the previous description that we come into the world as fools which is precisely where the Easter story comes into play. God looked at the foolish state of man and provided a remedy. Out of His love He sent Jesus to die for our sinful foolish ways. Maybe Mr. T had a little more depth of meaning than I ever gave him credit for when he shouted, “Pity the fool!” The LORD looked down from heaven with compassion and saw that we were incapable of fellowship with Him.

You may think it is overly bold to say that the person who is without God is a fool. But those aren’t my words. They are God’s words. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” God does not want anyone to remain as a fool. (2 Pet 3:9) But to reject His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ is to remain a fool. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) That is to say that, “You are a fool to reject Christ.”

To be clear, Christians can still act like fools. We act foolishly when we disobey God or fail to follow His direction. But the difference between us and the person who denies God is that God no longer sees us as fools. When God looks at the Christian He sees the righteousness of Christ.

This message will be received by some as “foolishness” and those of us who express such thoughts will be perceived as “fools for Christ.” (1 Co 4:10) But better a fool in the eyes of man than in the eyes of Almighty God.

What then is the most foolish thing that man can do? The most foolish thing that anyone can do is to reject the Easter message. Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead that you might have eternal life. Repent of your foolish ways (sin) and put your faith, trust, and hope in Jesus.

The Declaration of Dependence- Jesus is Lord

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”- Isaiah 53:5-6

Most children hit a time in their lives when they long for freedom and independence. During this developmental stage they can become rebellious, obstinate, secretive, and very difficult to keep under control.

It is not my intent to cast stones at teens because I was once one of them. I can’t recall that I was particularly rebellious but I do remember how desperately I wanted to move out and get on my own.

I grew up in a small town and about our only contact with the outside world was a black and white television. On a good day we could pick up three snowy channels by manipulating the rabbit ears antenna that sat atop the TV. Granddaddy claimed to have improved our reception by wrapping the rabbit ears in aluminum foil.

My grandparents made all choices in regards to television programming. During the day Mammaw watched her favorite soap operas and talked back at them as if she was part of the show. She frequently responded to the women in these shows by calling them “hussies.” In the evening Graddaddy took over the TV control knob (nope, no remote control) beginning with the Huntley-Brinkley Report followed by a series of Westerns and cop shows. He also talked to the TV. Actually, it was more of a grunt of disapproval.

Breakfast was at 5, lunch at 11, and dinner was at 4 every day of the year with no exceptions. We followed the same seating arrangement at every meal and rotated the same menu from week to week. Any attempts at talking during meals were greeted by that all too familiar grunt from Granddaddy. Come to think of it, he never really talked much. But, by the tone of his grunt we knew what he meant.

From the aforementioned mundane structure I grew increasingly desirous of life on my own which would include a color TV, meals when I wanted, and my own set of wheels. My ticket to my new life came soon after graduation when I joined the Navy and headed off to boot camp. It didn’t take long for me to realize that life on my own wasn’t the dream world for which I had hoped but I definitely preferred my newfound independence over my former way of life.

There is an inner desire in all of us for independence. From a spiritual perspective when we come into the world we have already declared our independence from God. Although we have a sin nature there is also a natural desire in all of us for spirituality. Before us are numerous choices for fulfilling that spiritual desire but there is only one way that truly satisfies. Jesus refers to those who are wandering spiritually as “sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt 9:36) Jesus expressed that concern out of compassion because “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” God allows you to do your own thing spiritually but He grieves over the wrong choices because they all lead to eternal destruction and removal from the blessings of God.   The independent life apart from God is a sinful life that leaves you at enmity with God. Your spiritual wandering produces a sickness that leads to death.

At Easter we celebrate a historical event in which God, out of His compassion and love for you and me, provided a remedy for our fatal spiritual disease through the death and victorious resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.” Jesus paid the penalty that we deserve for our sinful life of independence from God. “The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

The Easter victory means that those who trust in God’s provision are at “peace” with God and they have been “healed” of their sin affliction. Jesus took care of our sin problem by paying the penalty we deserve for our transgressions. “The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

The desire for independence is strong in all of us. So much so that many years ago here in the United States of America our nation united under a document called The Declaration of Independence. A more important document was signed nearly 2,000 years ago and written in the blood of Jesus Christ. To accept the tenants of that great ancient document is to surrender to Jesus as the Lord of your life. It is, in effect, your Declaration of Dependence on Him that guarantees that you have been set free from the bondage of sin. “By his wounds we are healed.”

This Easter week, rededicate yourself to the Lordship of Christ.  Reaffirm your dedication to dependence on Him.

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.”-
Isaiah 53:3-4

Have you ever been wrongly accused? Have you ever been mocked, harshly insulted, despised, or ridiculed? Have you ever been the recipient of violent hatred? Have you ever been rejected by your own people or betrayed by a close friend? Has a parent that you love dearly ever turned his or her back on you completely? Have you ever been physically abused and beaten? If your answer is yes to any of these questions then you, in a small way, can identify with the mental anguish and physical pain experienced by Jesus in the days leading up to His crucifixion.   His response to all of the preceding questions would be a resounding “yes.” 

In yesterday’s message (Jesus Paid It All) I talked about the significance of Jesus’ sinless life. He was good, godly, righteous, and spotless in regard to offence against God. Yet He was treated as the worst among criminals.

Jesus had been given opportunities along the way to turn back from this ultimate horror. Even before He began His ministry Satan offered Him a seemingly attractive alternative.(Lk 4:1-13) His disciples were willing to take up arms to protect Him(Mk 8:32-34) and even warned Him not to go back to Jerusalem. But Jesus did not relent from His mission because it had been ordered by God. When we say that Jesus was a man without sin we should also recognize that to be sinless is to be completely faithful to God even in the most difficult circumstances. He was obedient even to the point of surrendering to the cruelty of the cross.

Jesus so anguished over the suffering that awaited Him that He prayed to the Father to provide another way. “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Lk 22:42) More important to Jesus than His own pain and suffering was perfect obedience to God.

Jesus was determined to see God’s plan through. He was driven by love and devotion to the Father but we also should remember that He had you and me in mind. In today’s focus scripture we read, “he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows.” He carried the weight of our sin and guilt paying the penalty that we deserve.

When the scripture says that Jesus was “stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted” we are reading a description of what we deserve for our sin. Jesus was “stricken,” “smitten,” and “afflicted” in our stead. All of what our Lord went through was for us. Every insult, all the grief, all the pain, and every drop of blood shed by Jesus were given on our behalf.

Think for a moment of how you have sacrificed for those you love. There have been times when you have kept going and giving despite personal hardship. You endured pain, difficulty, and even denied yourself for their sake. Essentially what you were saying was, “I’m not going to turn back because I love them too much.” Jesus had a similar thought in mind as He carried out God’s plan for your redemption. He loved you too much to quit.

Sometimes I’ll ask my granddaughter how much she loves me to which she will respond by completely extending both arms and saying, “Gandad, I love you this much.” As Jesus’ arms were stretched out on the cross we were given a picture of the loving arms of our Savior ready to receive us. It is an image that represents the greatest love that man has ever witnessed.

From the cross Jesus said, “It is finished.” In effect, with these words Jesus was saying, “I love you this much.”

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.”

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”-
2 Corinthians 5:21

It is Easter week and undoubtedly there will be some new ridiculous claim about the life and work of Jesus. The most recent bizarre assertion is the notion that Jesus had a homosexual affair. A few years ago we were told that His coffin had been found which disproved the bodily resurrection of Christ. No doubt, somewhere on television this week, the bizarre and felonious tale of Jesus’ marriage to Mary Magdalene will appear. TV producers and writers have gone to great length to spin a yarn that claims that Jesus didn’t die on the cross, married Mary Magdalene, had children, and that they went into hiding in India or France.

Such efforts at disproving Christian doctrine are nothing unique to our time. Soon after His resurrection an erroneous claim was circulated that Jesus’ resurrection was a hoax perpetrated by His disciples who had hidden His body. In the late 1,700′s there was a theory advanced that claimed that Jesus didn’t really die on the cross. He just fainted from drugs given by Luke the physician. Another theory suggests that Pontius Pilate was bribed to have Jesus removed from the cross.

Through the ages there have been numerous attempts at disproving the claims of Christ and His followers.  The intent of all these false claims is to portray Jesus life and work as a lie. And if Jesus is a liar that would mean that He is a sinner just like the rest of us. That would also mean that His death has no meaning and purpose, the sin debt has not been paid, and Jesus died for nothing. There is no longer any hope for an eternal relationship with God. If Jesus had sinned, even once, His death would have no more meaning than you or me dying for the sins of mankind.

The good news is that Jesus had no sin. The Deceiver that I spoke of in yesterday’s message (see Palm Sunday- The Launching Pad for Satan’s Failed Plan) continues his sinister attempts at undermining the message and work of Christ. All he has to do is to get you to believe one of these false distortions of God’s truth that lead you to the conclusion that Jesus is not God, or that He was just a great teacher, or that Jesus was a sinner just like us. Such thinking pulls the rug from under the foundation of your faith.

Here then is the amazing truth that we celebrate at Easter. Jesus, “who had no sin,” became our sin and paid the penalty that we deserve. Peter put it this way: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.” (1 Pet 2:24) In that amazing sacrificial act of love our sin debt was paid in full and the righteousness of Christ was placed upon all who believe. (Ro 4) We became “the righteousness of God.” Jesus did not just die but He was victorious over the grave just as He had promised. He is God’s flawless sacrificial lamb. His blood cleanses us of all unrighteousness.

Don’t believe the vain imaginings of men. Believe the truth as given by God and found in His word. As Easter approaches turn your heart, your eyes, and your faith to the author and finisher of your faith. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Remember that Jesus Paid It All.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

And now complete in Him,

My robe, His righteousness,

Close sheltered ‘neath His side,

I am divinely blest.

“The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”- John 12:12-14

I have long been fascinated with this scene which is often referred to as The Triumphal Entry. We commemorate this event in the life of Christ with a day we call Palm Sunday which, of course, is named for the palm branches that were laid before Jesus in the streets of Jerusalem. It was a joyous occasion as Jesus was lauded as a conquering hero riding on the back of a small donkey. However, it took less than a week for many from that same crowd to turn completely from praising Jesus to calling for His death. How quickly their shouts of joyous “Hosanna” changed to the hostile chant, “Crucify Him. Crucify Him.” So, we ask, how and why did those people change their opinion of Jesus so quickly?

1- Mob mentality- Did you ever watch the old cowboy movies when the mob would turn on the good guy and want him hanged? Of course, since he was the good guy who wore the white hat he would ultimately be proven right and set free from his penalty in just the nick of time. Today, we frequently see the mob mentality at work as the new coach on a college or pro team is welcomed and praised as he takes charge of his new team. Then one day after a series of losses those words of praise turn to words of “fire the bum!” The same is true in the political arena. A new president takes office with high approval ratings but before long the cheers turn to jeers as his popularity takes a nose dive. No doubt, our generation is much like those who were lauding Jesus’ praises on that first Palm Sunday. Just as it happened then it could just as easily happen today. In fact, with today’s 24 hour news and rabid commentary it would probably only take us a few hours to turn against Jesus.

2- Everybody else was doing it- Many people subscribe to the “what’s in” way of decision making. Surely, if it is popular it must be right. Or, so they think. There have been periods within my lifetime in which it has been fashionable to be a Christian and church membership boomed. There have also been times when the reverse was true as in recent years when there has been a decline in acceptance of the traditional Christian church. We go the way of the crowd because we want to fit in. We long for acceptance. Of course, there is great danger in following the crowd especially when the crowd is wrong. There were though a handful of faithful followers who did not turn against the Lord. Their relationship was not based on popularity but on God’s truth as revealed in Jesus.

3- Jesus didn’t live up to their expectations- Many of the people lining the streets and joining in the praise fest were those who were expecting Jesus to be a great earthly king who would lead them back into prominence as a nation and deliver them from their servitude to Rome. In verse 13 we see that they shouted, “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Their expectation was that Jesus would be a great military leader and king like David. Indeed Jesus was their king but their expectation of how He would lead His people was way off the mark. Consequently, they turned on Jesus.

4- It was Satan’s plan- The 3 previous scenarios provided fertile ground for the manipulative work of the devil. He could effectively use their mob mentality, the dynamic of going along with the crowd, and their ignorant expectations of Jesus for pushing the crowd toward his goal. This was his greatest time of opportunity. In Luke’s gospel we are told that when Satan failed to achieve his objective by tempting Jesus that “he left him until an opportune time.” (Lk 4:13) The devil was hard at work seeking to divert Jesus from God’s plan for man’s redemption. Satan turned Judas against Jesus, sought to sift Peter as wheat (Lk 22:31), and then he worked in the hearts and minds of the unsuspecting crowd, the Jewish leaders, and Roman authorities to accomplish his evil purposes. Satan’s sinister plan led to a cross at Golgotha but what looked to be certain victory actually resulted in Satan’s defeat. Satan’s plan played right into God’s plan for our reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ.

5- It was God’s plan- God allowed Satan to have his way but only to the point of accomplishing the divine objective for our redemption. God’s way will always be victorious. The praise offered to Jesus on the first Palm Sunday was a small representation of that which was to come as Jesus won the victory of victories. As King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus is worthy of all praise now and forever. God’s good always triumphs over Satan’s evil. God is omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful), and omnipresent (present everywhere simultaneously). Satan is none of those things. The Deceiver had been working behind the scenes to set the stage for Jesus’ destruction and Palm Sunday served as his launching pad from which his plan rapidly unfolded. No matter how well conceived his plan he was not then nor will he ever be able to stand against the power of Almighty God.

There is a very personal lesson to be learned from this incredible drama in which good triumphed over evil. When your life is filled with uncertainty and the weight of difficulties is holding you down remember that God has a higher plan. His plan for good in your life will triumph over all that the enemy may throw your way. You should never forget that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 Jn 4:4) You should never give up because you “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Ro 8:28) Praise God for the victory!