The centurions (Roman Guard) were the elite of the Roman Army, and were assigned the gruesome task of preparing Christ for the crucifixion. As a group, they beat him severely with a whip on his back, enough to nearly disable him. They crowned him with thorns, drove nails through his hands and feet, hoisted him up and divided his clothes amongst them by casting lots. They were attempting to humiliate him before cruelly hanging him on a cross. As you read through the accounts of the events in the Gospels of the bible, one can barely read, because of the graphic detail of the punishment Christ took.
One centurion who witnessed and participated in the event had a moment of understanding that must have changed his life forever. He had heard of the proclaimed miracles Christ performed, he had watched the people accuse him for nothing of violence or ill-repute. He had watched his demeanor as he toiled carrying the cross up the hill. Perhaps he had helped him. Did he hear the words of Christ on the cross as he uttered "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do" ? We do know this... He had a realization when he took it all in that caused him to cry out from the depths of his soul.... "Surely he was the Son of God !!" (Mat 27:54)
I too must come to that conclusion as I read the crucifixion story. I have never seen such strength, compassion, resolve to a mission, forgiveness, agony, separation, mixed into one event, as a result of the best life ever lived. It humbles me and brings me to tears and to my knees.
Perhaps you too will sense what the centurion did, this week as you take time to reflect on the journey of Christ to the cross.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
He's Alive - I'm Forgiven
Some of the lyrics of my favorite Easter Song.... I hope they help you rejoice today, because He is Risen....
He's Alive (by Don Francisco)
The gates and doors were barred, and windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound..
Half in hopeless sorrow, and half in fear of the day....
Would find the soldiers breaking through to drag us all away.
Just before the sunrise, I heard something at the wall.
The gate began to rattle, the voice began to call.
I hurried to the window, looked down into the street..
Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers feet.
There was no one there but Mary, so I went down to let her in.
John stood there beside me, as she told me where she'd been.
She said they've moved him in the night and none of knows where.
The stone's been rolled away, and now his body isn't there.
We both ran toward the garden, then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and the empty tomb, just the way that Mary said.
But the winding sheet they wrapped him in was just an empty shell.
How or where they had taken him, was more than I could tell.
Well something strange had happened there, just what I did not know.
John believed a miracle, but I just turned to go.
Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high...
Cause I'd seen them crucify him, and then I saw him die...
Back inside the house again... the guilt and anguish came.
Everything I'd promised him just added to shame.
When at last it came to choices I denied him I knew his name
Even if he was alive.... it wouldn't be the same.
Suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume,
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room.
Jesus stood before me with his arms held open wide.
I fell down on my knees and just clung to him and cried.
He raised me to my feet, and as I looked into his eyes.
Love was shining out from him like sunlight from the skies.
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release.
And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace.
He's Alive ! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven Heavens gates are open wide.
He's Alive ! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven Heavens gates are open wide.
He's Alive ! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven Heavens gates are open wide.
He's Alive ! He's Alive! He's Alive
John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
And on this Easter, I hope you know that Christ has risen from the dead, and He's Alive and forever reaching out to us.
Happy Easter
Jeff
He's Alive (by Don Francisco)
The gates and doors were barred, and windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound..
Half in hopeless sorrow, and half in fear of the day....
Would find the soldiers breaking through to drag us all away.
Just before the sunrise, I heard something at the wall.
The gate began to rattle, the voice began to call.
I hurried to the window, looked down into the street..
Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers feet.
There was no one there but Mary, so I went down to let her in.
John stood there beside me, as she told me where she'd been.
She said they've moved him in the night and none of knows where.
The stone's been rolled away, and now his body isn't there.
We both ran toward the garden, then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and the empty tomb, just the way that Mary said.
But the winding sheet they wrapped him in was just an empty shell.
How or where they had taken him, was more than I could tell.
Well something strange had happened there, just what I did not know.
John believed a miracle, but I just turned to go.
Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high...
Cause I'd seen them crucify him, and then I saw him die...
Back inside the house again... the guilt and anguish came.
Everything I'd promised him just added to shame.
When at last it came to choices I denied him I knew his name
Even if he was alive.... it wouldn't be the same.
Suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume,
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room.
Jesus stood before me with his arms held open wide.
I fell down on my knees and just clung to him and cried.
He raised me to my feet, and as I looked into his eyes.
Love was shining out from him like sunlight from the skies.
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release.
And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace.
He's Alive ! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven Heavens gates are open wide.
He's Alive ! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven Heavens gates are open wide.
He's Alive ! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven Heavens gates are open wide.
He's Alive ! He's Alive! He's Alive
John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
And on this Easter, I hope you know that Christ has risen from the dead, and He's Alive and forever reaching out to us.
Happy Easter
Jeff
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Passover Week - A week of contrasts
The week we contemplate called "Passover Week" right after Palm Sunday historically was in every way a week of contrasts. Loyalty vs. Betrayal, Good vs. Evil, Lost man vs. Redemptive Christ, Truth vs. Deception. Most of all, in the midst of all the drama, the agenda of heaven was in play. All along, Christ was on stage to display his Glory to man, and to demonstrate in the most personal and intimate of ways that he had come to redeem man to God, their creator. He paid a cost that none other could pay for a debt that we all owed but could not pay.
Loyalty vs. Betrayal
Jesus had spent much time teaching Judas carefully and revealing his intention for the world. Judas had other things in mind (and Christ knew this). Because of greed for an earthly kingdom and the idea that Judas would play an important role in that earthly kingdom, Judas could not accept the realization that Christ had come to redeem man for an eternal kingdom. Betrayal of Christ to gain money and power was the reaction of Judas. A reaction that cost him his very sense of being, and he hung himself out remorse.
In the same event, Christ showed loyalty to his followers by prompting the Pharisees and soldiers to let his followers go, because it was him that they wanted. Demonstrating the complete purity of character that only he could, he willingly went with the accusers because of the will of God. Grace under pressure. And loyalty to the very purpose God the Father had sent him to complete. It was only moments earlier that Jesus was praying in the Garden, sweating drops of blood, crying out God, "NOT MY WILL, BUT THY WILL BE DONE."
Good vs. Evil
The arresting officers and leaders of the Pharisees were bent on cutting out what they perceived as their competition. The life and words of Jesus Christ had threatened their world of self made security and power over people. If you look at what upset them to the point of crucifying Jesus, was simple jealousy and power struggle. Christ was about healing, helping the hurting, feeding the hungry, loving your enemy, and the Pharisee's were all about power and social greed. Evil desires foster evil deeds. Men build up their false pride, and convince themselves of self made righteousness, and seek the condemnation of those who oppose. Imagine the wake up call when they one day realized that they had arrested the Son of God... Evil desires yield evil deeds.
In all of this Christ knew that God's purpose in him would be fulfilled in the face of the evil intentions that wanted to do him in. In fact he had told his disciples that these things would happen and spent careful time preparing them for the event. He had promised them that he would be crucified, buried, but would rise triumphantly in 3 days. Hard for a person to understand who only knew the limitations of life and death here on earth. It seemed so final. But Jesus knew what he must suffer and conquer to bring about our redemption before a Holy God.
Truth vs. Deception
When significant truth is met by significant deception, the deceiving party has to divert to unscrupulous tactics to hide its agenda and defend its stance. Thus was the case when Christ was brought before the high priest of Jerusalem. One of the high priests who was involved in questioning Christ, struck Jesus in the face because of his response of honesty to the high priest... Jesus amazingly maintained composure, and replied... "If I said something wrong,... testify to what is wrong, but if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me"
Do you suppose that the high priest realized he was actually slapping the face of his creator.... The one who gave him his very life and breath ? Jesus had openly shown who he was... he backed it up with words and deeds and miracles... and yet this high priest and the others who followed him to give him up to Pilate actually believed their own deception. Deception is like that. It starts with things like jealousy, envy, anger, and a false sense of what real living is about and can lead to a number of ways that we react to our own deceptions.
So as the drama unfolded, a number of other contrasts are seen. Pilate found Jesus not guilty, and looked for a way out that would make him not have to take a stand on his very own declaration of "Not Guilty"... He had actually said he found no guilt in this man, but because of his fears, he started figuring a convenient way around the truth, and placed the option back to the people. Pilate saw the truth in what Jesus said, but still chose to deceive himself, by offsetting his responsibility. Somehow then, he would not be guilty of condemning an innocent person.
In all of this, Christ stood silent before his accusers, because he knew the mission God the Father had put him on, and man's willingness to be deceived was only a vehicle for God to sacrifice his only Son for the very sins done against him. That is the way truth is... It doesn't have to defend itself before man. It simply stands. It simply convicts. That is why Jesus said in John 14:6 - "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father but by me." And his credentials stood on their own... He healed the sick, raised the dead, turned the water into wine, and he died in our stead on the cross, was buried, and rose again. What a savior.
Redemption vs. Condemnation
As I contemplate the contrasting events of the Passover Week, I am humbled to think that Christ did all he did for us for a simple reason... "Redemption". Romans says that "There is therefore now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." What an incredible thought. From being at minimum one of the crowd who sent Christ to the cross, because of my sins, to being Forgiven. That is contrast. From hopelessness to eternal hope. Because Christ endured and took on the punishment of my sins.
May the blessing of Christ's sacrifice bless you this week.
His Servant,
Jeff
Loyalty vs. Betrayal
Jesus had spent much time teaching Judas carefully and revealing his intention for the world. Judas had other things in mind (and Christ knew this). Because of greed for an earthly kingdom and the idea that Judas would play an important role in that earthly kingdom, Judas could not accept the realization that Christ had come to redeem man for an eternal kingdom. Betrayal of Christ to gain money and power was the reaction of Judas. A reaction that cost him his very sense of being, and he hung himself out remorse.
In the same event, Christ showed loyalty to his followers by prompting the Pharisees and soldiers to let his followers go, because it was him that they wanted. Demonstrating the complete purity of character that only he could, he willingly went with the accusers because of the will of God. Grace under pressure. And loyalty to the very purpose God the Father had sent him to complete. It was only moments earlier that Jesus was praying in the Garden, sweating drops of blood, crying out God, "NOT MY WILL, BUT THY WILL BE DONE."
Good vs. Evil
The arresting officers and leaders of the Pharisees were bent on cutting out what they perceived as their competition. The life and words of Jesus Christ had threatened their world of self made security and power over people. If you look at what upset them to the point of crucifying Jesus, was simple jealousy and power struggle. Christ was about healing, helping the hurting, feeding the hungry, loving your enemy, and the Pharisee's were all about power and social greed. Evil desires foster evil deeds. Men build up their false pride, and convince themselves of self made righteousness, and seek the condemnation of those who oppose. Imagine the wake up call when they one day realized that they had arrested the Son of God... Evil desires yield evil deeds.
In all of this Christ knew that God's purpose in him would be fulfilled in the face of the evil intentions that wanted to do him in. In fact he had told his disciples that these things would happen and spent careful time preparing them for the event. He had promised them that he would be crucified, buried, but would rise triumphantly in 3 days. Hard for a person to understand who only knew the limitations of life and death here on earth. It seemed so final. But Jesus knew what he must suffer and conquer to bring about our redemption before a Holy God.
Truth vs. Deception
When significant truth is met by significant deception, the deceiving party has to divert to unscrupulous tactics to hide its agenda and defend its stance. Thus was the case when Christ was brought before the high priest of Jerusalem. One of the high priests who was involved in questioning Christ, struck Jesus in the face because of his response of honesty to the high priest... Jesus amazingly maintained composure, and replied... "If I said something wrong,... testify to what is wrong, but if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me"
Do you suppose that the high priest realized he was actually slapping the face of his creator.... The one who gave him his very life and breath ? Jesus had openly shown who he was... he backed it up with words and deeds and miracles... and yet this high priest and the others who followed him to give him up to Pilate actually believed their own deception. Deception is like that. It starts with things like jealousy, envy, anger, and a false sense of what real living is about and can lead to a number of ways that we react to our own deceptions.
So as the drama unfolded, a number of other contrasts are seen. Pilate found Jesus not guilty, and looked for a way out that would make him not have to take a stand on his very own declaration of "Not Guilty"... He had actually said he found no guilt in this man, but because of his fears, he started figuring a convenient way around the truth, and placed the option back to the people. Pilate saw the truth in what Jesus said, but still chose to deceive himself, by offsetting his responsibility. Somehow then, he would not be guilty of condemning an innocent person.
In all of this, Christ stood silent before his accusers, because he knew the mission God the Father had put him on, and man's willingness to be deceived was only a vehicle for God to sacrifice his only Son for the very sins done against him. That is the way truth is... It doesn't have to defend itself before man. It simply stands. It simply convicts. That is why Jesus said in John 14:6 - "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father but by me." And his credentials stood on their own... He healed the sick, raised the dead, turned the water into wine, and he died in our stead on the cross, was buried, and rose again. What a savior.
Redemption vs. Condemnation
As I contemplate the contrasting events of the Passover Week, I am humbled to think that Christ did all he did for us for a simple reason... "Redemption". Romans says that "There is therefore now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." What an incredible thought. From being at minimum one of the crowd who sent Christ to the cross, because of my sins, to being Forgiven. That is contrast. From hopelessness to eternal hope. Because Christ endured and took on the punishment of my sins.
May the blessing of Christ's sacrifice bless you this week.
His Servant,
Jeff
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