Didn’t Have That Grace….

Continuing from yesterday’s entry about the blindness and mental distortion that occurs when sin is allowed in one’s life, we read about the religious leaders hearing about Jesus’ resurrection, denying it by bribing the soldiers to make up a story, and lying about what really happened. It’s really hard to believe that it’s possible for a human being to deny the very thing they dedicate their lives to promoting. Hypocrisy has a way of doing just that. And worse yet, all people hate hypocrisy, but only a few have the ability to see it in their own lives and do something about it. It’s only through God’s Spirit that we have the ability to recognize our sin. Then when our conscience convicts us, God gives us the power to repent, be forgiven, and are strengthened to move forward without the baggage that goes along with it. The religious leaders didn’t have that grace. At least they denied their sin when it came up. If you don’t think this exact behavior continues today, look at Washington DC. Look at our media. It’s on display, for all to see. Some even brag about it. How do you handle your sin when your conscience convicts you?

11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole His body.’ 14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. Matthew 28:11-15

Farther..Longer… And Cost You More…

Can you imagine someone calling Jesus a deceiver? That’s exactly what the religious leaders called Him when they went to see Pontius Pilate. They called Jesus a deceiver. What type of mindset does a person have to have in order to call the Author of Truth a liar? Before you answer that, remember it’s what sin does to us that causes this spiritual blindness, which leads to this distorted view of truth. We all have that potential in us, waiting for the right moment to spring into action when Satan attacks us with his temptations. These religious leaders were so self-absorbed with protecting their way of life that they missed the very Person Whom they were supposed to be worshipping, standing right in front of them. The power of sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. When sin tempts you to run from God, turn instead and run toward Him. It might seem counterintuitive, but the opposite of what you think is right when under its influence is exactly the remedy to your dilemma.

62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while He was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent His disciples from coming and stealing His body and then telling everyone He was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. Matthew 27:62-66

What He Experienced Was Overwhelming…

Imagine how lonely Jesus felt on the cross? What He experienced was overwhelming. Imagine being ridiculed by the leaders of your faith? Then by people walking by? And even two guilty sinners hanging on each side were making fun of Him? And lastly by the feeling of being abandoned by God Himself? Can you imagine the dismay, the loneliness, the despair one might feel in that situation? Jesus does, and He’s willing to share the hope that came from that event with you. What He accomplished on that cross that day, enduring the ridicule, the sense of abandonment, the loneliness, and the despair that this event brought, only intensifies the gift of God’s grace to us. Jesus knows suffering, for He endured the greatest sacrifice so that we will never suffer eternally. Trust Him with your life, for He is worthy. He knows us better than we know ourselves. By knowing Him, and His suffering, we get to know ourselves, and receive “life” in the process.

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at You now!” they yelled at Him. “You said You were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if You are the Son of God, save Yourself and come down from the cross!”41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but He can’t save Himself! So He is the King of Israel, is He? Let Him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in Him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue Him now if He wants Him! For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with Him ridiculed Him in the same way. Matthew 27:39-44

What You Need To Heal….

The next time you’re struggling with rejection or disappointment with people, remember Jesus understands, He gets it. What He suffered through was more than any other human being ever to live, so He will understand what we are going through. And His compassion and empathy He will bring you, cannot be surpassed. Jesus gets you. He understands our pain and suffering. Go to Him today. Lay your burdens on Him. He will help you. He will give you exactly what you need to heal.

27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on His head, and they placed a reed stick in His right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before Him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on Him and grabbed the stick and struck Him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him again. Then they led Him away to be crucified. Matthew 27:27-31

Experiencing Real Life….

Wisdom is the application of God’s word, and the experience that comes from it. When you make gaining wisdom your goal, your desire to know God’s word and will, and make it your priority to live it out in obedience, you will find true life. You will find favor with the Lord. Those that purposely ignore God to pursue riches, fame, vanity, and other selfish endeavors miss out on experiencing real life. It’s like they purposely injure themselves, then spend the rest of their lives either trying to heal, or trying to avoid the pain a Godless life brings, all the while blaming everyone else instead of themselves. And you wonder why there is so much misery and despair? They look forward to death to end their self-inflicted chaos. If you want proof, look at today’s society. Abortion prevents future suffering (by death) and called healthcare (to make themselves feel better about it), and assisted suicide (they think) ends the misery. As it says here, their actions show they love death more than life (knowing God). If you want to find life, it’s found in knowing God. If you want to crave death, ignore Him.

35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.36 But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:35-36

Still The Answer To The Dilemma Of Sin….

To think that Jesus’ atonement for our sins happened on a cross in the Middle East over 2,000 years ago. But it still accomplishes its purpose today, and will continue to rescue lost souls in the future. If we hear anyone today proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus, this psalm, written by David over 3,000 years ago, should mean even more to us today. And people say the Bible is antiquated. It may be old-fashion, but it’s still saving souls 2,000 plus years later. It’s still the answer to the dilemma of sin. It still brings hope to hurting souls. And it still heals spiritually blind sinners. Old, out-dated, or irrelevant for the current times, is not an excuse for disrespecting God. His word and the souls of people are the only things that will last forever, no matter how it’s portrayed by the world. Tell these truths to the next generation, and you’ll not only fulfill prophecy, serving your purpose, but you’ll assist in the salvation of those not yet born.

29 Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.Bow before Him, all who are mortal,all whose lives will end as dust.30 Our children will also serve Him.Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.They will hear about everything He has done. Psalms 22:29-31

Know What’s Right, But Choose To Do Wrong….

Pontius Pilate was a crude man, much like today’s politicians. He knew Jesus was innocent. He was even warned by his wife to leave Him alone. He thought for sure the Jews would release Him, for it was in his power to release one prisoner during this time of year. And even though Pilate was surprised that the Jews chose Barabbas (a documented murderer) to be released instead of Jesus, Pilate’s lack of integrity, and his spineless mentality, went on ahead and had Jesus crucified. Knowing Jesus was innocent, he still went ahead and sentenced Him to death. Does this sound like a modern day politician? They seem to know what’s right but choose to do wrong in order to remain popular and in power, and fatten their wallets. When we know the right thing to do, and fail to do it for any reason, but especially for being politically correct, look out, God’s hand of discipline or judgement is coming for us. He will discipline those who are saved, and condemn those who aren’t saved. Our politicians may spend their entire political careers gaining wealth and power, but what they don’t realize, in the end, is the price they ultimately pay won’t compare to what they compromised their soul for. For what shall a man profit, it he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul in the process? We must hold our politicians accountable, in hope of God rescuing them from themselves. The same applies to us, when we put being PC ahead of doing what we know to be right, we can’t expect a bed of roses. It just doesn’t work that way. Integrity has no holiday.

11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are You the king of the Jews?” the governor asked Him.Jesus replied, “You have said it.” ”12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against Him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t You hear all these charges they are bringing against You?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd–anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you–Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about Him last night.”20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has He committed?”But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify Him!”24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for His death–we and our children!”26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned Him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. Matthew 27:11-26