No Need to Fear Death!

Week 16, Day 5 Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

1 Corinthians 15:55-57   When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…!” (1 Cor. 15:20a)  And because Jesus rose from the dead, we can enjoy that same victory over death!  For the Christian, death is not an enemy to be feared.  It is the door to the abundant, wonderful, perfect life we were created to enjoy.  Life everlasting with our God and Savior!!  No more night, no more sorrow, no more sickness, no more pain, and no more tears!  No more conflicts, no more troubles, no more wars, no more heart aches – and no more stink bugs!  (We’re having an issue with them in my kindergarten classroom.)  As a recipient of God’s amazing grace and salvation, I am so very thankful for this assurance and hope. 

I am grateful that the Lord taught me at an early age, that death is nothing to fear.  This truth became real to me when as a 17 year old – just graduated from high school and ready to head off for college – I had the privilege of standing next to my grandmother’s bedside as she took her last labored breath in her battle with cancer.  In a moment, her body was quiet and peaceful, and I knew that while her body was lifeless, she was alive in Heaven.  Thankfully, in her last months on earth, she made a profession of faith in Jesus.   In that knowledge, the horror of death was gone for me.  Then just a few years ago, I was able to be by my Mom’s side as she breathed her last breath.  I like to think of it as – she went from holding my hand to holding the hand of Jesus.  Again, I was reminded that there is no fear in death.

Because Jesus lives, we too can live.  We can enjoy this life as we walk in His presence and experience his blessings.  But better still – we can look forward to life everlasting with Him.  Because Jesus is risen indeed, the best is yet to come!

“No eye has see, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”    1 Corinthians 2:9

Written by guest blogger, Patty Deiter. 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj

An Unexpected Meeting

Week 16, Day 4 Reading: John 20:1-21:25

John 20:15-16  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,“Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Mary Magdalene visited the tomb where the body of Jesus had been laid twice on that first Easter morning. The first was just before sunrise. John tells us that she started out for the tomb "while it was still dark." The first thing she saw when she arrived was that the stone sealing the tomb had been removed from the entrance. Realizing that Jesus' body was no longer in the tomb, Mary ran off to find Peter and John. Upon hearing what Mary had to say, both disciples raced off to the tomb to see if her report was true. At some point after they had come and gone, Mary returned. With tears streaming down each cheek, she bent over to look into the tomb. To her utter amazement, she saw two angels clad in white. After a brief conversation with them, she turned around and spotted a man standing nearby whom she assumed to be the gardener. All this "gardener" had to do was simply speak her name ... and she realized he was no gardener. Rather he was none other than Jesus!

As I reflected on that, I thought of the words of Jesus recorded by John in chapter ten of his gospel. There Jesus likened himself to a shepherd and his people as HIS flock of sheep. Concerning his sheep, Jesus said,
that they would follow him, for they knew his voice. Mary, as one of Christ's sheep, knew his voice. As soon as he spoke her name, she knew exactly who he was!

How about you, my friend. Are you one of Christ's sheep? Are you a part of His flock? If so, you will know his voice. So are you listening for it? You will "hear" it as you spend time in HIS word. So open the book ... and begin to "listen!"

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Too Good to Be True? Not in this Case!

Week 16, Day 3 Reading: Luke 24:1-49

Luke 24:36-43   As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”  And when he had said this,he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

In this post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, he wanted to allow his disciples to see that he was not a mere spirit ... but that when he rose from the dead, he did so body and all! To prove this was the case, he urged them to touch him to see that his body was real. In addition, he ate before them ... again demonstrating that he had a real body. Jesus went to these lengths because the disciples were harboring doubts. But their doubts were not arising from a spirit of unbelief. Rather, Luke tells us that their doubts sprang from their joy and marvel. Really? Really! 

Place yourself in the disciples' sandals. You had just seen your Master - the One you had left everything to follow; the One whom you were banking your entire future upon - violently executed upon a Roman cross. Now ... against all reason and against all hope this dead Messiah was now alive and standing before you. Could it be? Or was it indeed "too good to be true?" (for as you have been taught ...  if something is too good to be true it probably is!). So in spite of seeing Jesus alive and well - you just might find it hard to believe. Yes?

Jesus, knowing this to be their situation, wanted to leave no doubts in their minds that he was indeed alive! One day, you and I will not have to imagine seeing the risen Jesus. We will see him ... body and all!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Improved Vision

Week 16, Day 2 Reading: Mark 16:1-20

Mark 16:8   “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid…”

Sometimes when I study the Bible, I close my eyes and imagine myself “in the scene” taking part in the events of the passage I am reading. This practice brings the Scripture to life and it helps the words penetrate my often-hurried heart.  When I come to a passage like this one in Mark, it gets exciting – can you imagine being a witness to the Resurrection?

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome came to the tomb, saw that it was empty, and talked with an angel who announced, “He has Risen. He is not here!”

 The next day, Jesus himself appeared to Mary Magdalene and, later, to two other followers. All three witnesses ran back to the disciples and breathlessly reported what they had seen. They were amazed! They jumped to their feet and the whole group began singing and praising God! Well…not exactly. The Bible records their response in two short indictments.

 “They were afraid” (vs. 8)

“They did not believe.” (vss. 11, 13)

Ouch! This is where I’d like to take myself out of the scene, but I can’t. Too often, I’m the skeptic. I’m the one who stays silent with fear or disbelief, even when God has kept His promises, answered my prayers, or demonstrated His power in a miraculous way! Lord, improve my vision. Fill me with faith and belief so I can overflow with the story of your greatness to others. 

Written by guest blogger, Holly Wismer 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj

Fear Not!

Week 16, Day 1 Reading: Matthew 28:1-20

The whole of this chapter is about the resurrection of the Jesus.  Matthew 28:1-10 describes Christ’s resurrection and appearance to the women. Matthew 28:11-15 speaks to the confession of the soldiers. Matthew 28:16-20 contains Christ's commission to his disciples.

The word “fear” is used several times in this passage.

There was an earthquake and an angel of the Lord rolled the stone away.  Jesus did not need the power of angels to roll away the stone so He could ascend to heaven. This was more for the benefit of the women to see that Jesus was gone and for the angels of the Lord to provide instruction. It was also for the benefit of his enemies as the guards “shook” for fear and became like dead men.

Just imagine going to see the grave of a loved one and seeing the dirt removed, coffin open, body gone and clothes remaining all neat and tidy. This is exactly what the women saw as the angel of the Lord invited them into the tomb to show them that Jesus followed through with what he said he was going to do. The angels encouraged the women to put their fear away and to go and tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.

It was a different story for the guards who feared for their lives because they somehow missed what they must have thought was the theft of Jesus’ body his disciples. Some of the guards got up the courage to go and meet with the chief priests who needed to come up with an alternate story, and used bribery to squelch the truth. They were fearful of what was true.

As we seek to grasp the importance of the “Resurrected” Jesus we need to ask: Do I fear Jesus’ return? Or…Am I excited about Jesus’ return? I pray today and everyday: Jesus please come now!

Written by guest blogger: Don Mills

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj

An Eleventh Hour Conversion!

Week 15, Day 5 Reading: Luke 23:26-56

Luke 23:39-43  One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

If one ever needed an illustration of the truth that we are saved "by grace ... through faith ... and not a result of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9), this is it! If this criminal's eternal destination was dependent upon piling up enough good deeds to outweigh the bad, he had run out of time! Yet, he did not give up hope. He did the only thing he could do. In faith, he reached out to Jesus. And Jesus responded with the promise of eternal life! 

Wow! I am so glad this interaction is included in Luke's gospel. All of the other three gospels mention these two who were crucified with Jesus. Matthew and Mark point out that both of these convicts reviled and blasphemed Jesus. But only Luke contains this plea for forgiveness from the repentant thief (whose heart was changed while hanging on his cross). 

Perhaps you look at your life and you see a lot of baggage. You wonder if God could every forgive you for some of the horrible things you have done. Take hope, my friend. If God could forgive a hardened criminal who deserved to die when he reached out in sincere and genuine faith and repentance .... he will certainly forgive you as well! Confess your sin today and ask him for the forgiveness that only Jesus can offer and the new life that only he can give! 

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

The Innocent Condemned

Week 15, Day 4 Reading: Luke 22:66-23:25

Luke 23:22-23 “For the third time he (Pilot) demanded, ‘Why?  What crime has he committed?  I have found no reason to sentence him (Jesus) to death…’  But the crowd shouted louder and louder for Jesus’ death, and their voices prevailed.”  (NLT)

    

Have you ever set out to do good only to have your efforts become the target of character assassination, misunderstanding and mistreatment?  That happened recently to a friend of mine who, in an attempt to help  one person out, was accused by another of impure motives, unprofessionalism and backstabbing.  My friend has endured a great deal of hurt and stress as a result of the situation.  But as much as my friend has unjustifiably suffered, it is NOTHING compared to the anguish that Jesus suffered at the hands of his own people. 
   
Because of His great love, Jesus, the perfect, sinless, Son of God, laid aside His power and position in Heaven to come to earth to save and redeem mankind – you and me!  However, the very people who should have recognized Him and embraced Him, falsely accused Him, questioned His motives and ridiculed His methods of ministry.  These people eventually went to the extreme of having Jesus put to death by crucifixion.  Jesus-- the innocent, was condemned.
   
As I meditated on the reading for today, I was struck by the fact that the people who should have embraced Jesus and defended His innocence did not while those who you would have expected to condemn Him, found no fault in Him.  Sadly, I believe that is still happening today.  How often do we who have experienced His grace and salvation – who should know better – question His motives and methods in our own lives.  How many times when we are facing some difficulty in our lives, do we question God’s love for us or His wisdom and ways of working out His plan in our lives?   Sobering to think about…
  
The good news is that Jesus understands our weaknesses and He loves us anyway.  He is faithful even when we are not.  Today I am praising my Lord that He willingly endured unjust condemnation so that in Him, I can have abundant life!  

Written by guest blogger: Patty Deiter 

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

The Afterward of Betrayal

Week 15, Day 3 Reading: Matthew 26:69-27:10

Matthew 26:74-75   … He swore to them, “I don’t know that man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter denied Christ three times on that evening before He was crucified, but it wasn’t until the  rooster’s crow that he fully realized what he had done. Like Adam and Eve before him, Peter wept bitterly at his choice to turn against the One who loved him.

He wasn’t alone. The next morning, Judas came face-to-face with his betrayal of Jesus, too. Immediately he returned the priests’ payment—30 pieces of silver that would always be stained with the blood of the betrayed. Judas fled the “scene of the crime,” became his own judge, jury and executioner, and allowed a moment of sin to determine his destiny.

…And Peter? In John 21, he sees the risen Christ on the shore and he doesn’t run away! He jumps out of his boat and swims toward the shore. He declares his love for Jesus and promises to feed His sheep. By God’s grace, and in the power that came through Jesus’ victory over sin, Peter keeps those promises until the day he is martyred for the sake of the Gospel.

Like Peter and Judas, we betray Christ each day when we give in to disobedience, self-sufficiency, and fear—it’s what happens next that really matters. Will we concentrate on our failures or will we confess, repent, and focus our eyes on Jesus? Will we live like the Gospel is real, or try to carry our own sin? Two betrayers, two very different epitaphs – which one will you be?

Written by guest blogger, Holly Wismer 

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Be Safe ... or Be Bold

Week 15, Day 2 Reading: Matthew 26:57-68

Matthew 26:57-58  “Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.”

It would be rather easy to skip over the simple observation of where Peter was in this passage – at least I almost did! The reality is that Peter, the friend and disciple of Jesus who should have been there to testify to the innocence of Christ, was following Him at a safe distance from those who hated Him. Instead of having boldness and defending Jesus, Peter cowers in fear of man.

Unfortunately, I find myself all too often acting like Peter. I am far more content to stand at a safe distance instead of going and boldly proclaiming the Gospel. But, the truth is we have been called not to the fear of man, but to defend Christ and His truth. We have been set free through Christ not to be afraid of man, but to spread the Gospel to all who will believe.

So, maybe we should ask ourselves where we are. Are we following at a safe distance from controversy or danger, or are we willing to get uncomfortable for the sake of Christ? As John Calvin once said, “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet remained silent.”  Let's determine to boldly speak for Christ!

Written by guest blogger: Adam Swift 

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Sovereign over the Supernatural Realm!

Here are the PowerPoint slides for Sunday, March 17th: Mark 5:1-20. Enjoy!

A supernatural encounter mark 5 -1-20 - march 17, 2013 from John Smith

Thanks for stoppging by . . .
pj

Jesus Had to Die!

Week 15, Day 1 Reading: Matthew 26:57-68

Matthew 26:52-54  "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?   But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?"

Rarely, in the history of mankind, have we seen a superior force willingly allow itself to be routed without a fight.   Those who would rule in this world must do so through superior power ... it has always been that way.  Peter believed this to be the case in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Only John's gospel (18:10) names the brave soul was who drew a sword in defiance of the "great crowd" that had come to arrest Jesus.  Hours before this incident, Peter is publicly humbled by his Lord as the one who would deny Him three times before daybreak.  All the gospels mention that! 

Peter's intent to prove his bravery and fidelity to Jesus revealed His lack of understanding of what Christians today hold so precious.  Jesus HAD to die.  His kingdom would not (and will not) advance through force or coercion   God's plan is to expand His kingdom into all the world through humble service and death – first for the Savior and then those who would follow Him.

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12:24)

Written by guest blogger, Pastor Alec Millen 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj

A Change Coming NEXT Week

Starting with next Monday's post (March 18th), a number of guest bloggers will be writing several of the upcoming minute devotionals. I decided to go this route (thanks, Holly!) to help lighten my load. But I also wanted to give some others who enjoy writing the opportunity to do so and offer up some rich spiritual food from their own hearts and minds. To determine who is doing the writing, look toward the bottom of the post. If done be one of our guest bloggers, their name will be noted. If you see no mention of a guest blogger, then that particular post was written by yours truly!

I hope you are getting a lot out of our Essential Jesus readings. I am. And for that I am grateful!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Time Out!

This is the second of three scheduled weeks for Reflection, Proclamation, Catch Up. So take the time to go back and reflect on what you have read and learned, share something you have learned with another person and/or simply catch up (which ... if your schedule has been anything like mine across the course of these first several weeks of 2013, this third option may very well be the one you have to focus on!).

Thanks for stopping by ... more "minute devotionals" will be back next week!
pj

Three Greats! (Mark 4:35-41)

Here are the PowerPoint slides for Sunday, March 10th. Enjoy!

Three greats mark 4 -35-41 - march 10, 2013 (1) from John Smith

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Say "No!" to Self!

Week 14, Day 5 Reading: Mark 8:31-9:1

Mark 8:34-37   And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For  what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  For what can a man give in return for his soul?"

This "hard saying" of Jesus is one that the Church in America must hear! Given that two of the most cherished values of our culture are personal comfort and personal convenience, there is far too much self-centered, unsacrificial living being practiced by average church goer today. Jesus makes it very plain here that self-denial and NOT self-gratification is the path he calls us to walk. 

Take a moment and reflect on the following insights into this desperately needed virtue of self-denial: 

"If we do not die to ourselves, we cannot live to God, and he that does not live to God, is dead." (George MacDonald). 

"Holiness is an unselfing of ourselves."  (Frederick W. Faber)

"I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him."  (Charles Spurgeon) 

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Forgive ... and Forgive ... and Forgive!

Week 14, Day 4 Reading: Matthew 18:15-35

Matthew 18:21-22  Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Peter, the outspoken leader of the band of Twelve, asked Jesus a lot of questions (questions, I am sure, that were also in the minds of the other eleven!). To understand his question here, one must understand the popular teaching of the rabbis of Jesus' day. Citing a number of verses from the Old Testament prophet Amos, (Amos 1:3, 2:6, etc.), the rabbis taught that since God forgave his enemies three times, that it was sufficient for man to also forgive three times. So Peter, took that number, doubled it and added one (just to be sure) and asked Jesus if offering forgiveness seven times was adequate. Jesus' response? "Peter, forgive until you have lost count!" Jesus then goes on to illustrate with the parable of the unforgiving servant (PLEASE be sure to spend some time reflecting on that!). 

Jesus' point was simply this: God forgives us a debt of sin against him that we could never ever hope to repay! Yet ... countless times ... with countless sins ... he forgives us! Therefore, it is presumptuous for us to refuse forgiveness of another in light of what God has done for us! SOOO ... the next time someone offends you ... hurts you ... takes advantage of you ... remember this teaching of Jesus and forgive! 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj

P.S. - Click here for more on forgiveness. 

An Unpopular Message!

Week 14, Day 3 Reading: John 14:1-14

John 14:5-6  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

When Jesus revealed to his disciples in the upper room that he was soon "going away," this troubled them greatly. After all, they had given up everything and had followed him for close to three years. To even think of life without the Master was too much to bear. So Jesus in John 14 brings comfort to them. He tells them he is going away for their benefit, for while gone he will prepare a place for them in his Father's house (think "heaven.") However, as was so often the case, the disciples could not quite grasp his meaning. And so Thomas voices a question that I am sure most if not all of them were thinking. "How can we know the way?" 

In answer to this question, Jesus gives one of his hallmark answers: concise yet full of truth! He says "I am the way (to God), the truth (about God, life and reality) and the life (eternal, abundant life - life as God the Creator intended it to be lived!)." Then he adds that his way is indeed the ONLY way! 

Now, this is not a message that resonates in our ever inclusive culture. People don't like to be told that there is only one way to heaven (or one way for anything, for that matter) ...let alone that Jesus Christ is the only way! But no matter how unpopular this message is ... and no matter how many people scoff at its veracity, this does not change the reality that it is indeed TRUE! And we, as Christ's ambassadors must proclaim this message! 

May God give you (and me) the boldness we need to share this message with those who so desperately need to hear it! 

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Walking in Step with the Spirit

Week 14, Day 2 Reading: Mark 3:20-35

Mark 3:28-30  “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

A couple of Sunday's ago, we dug into this passage as part of our reMARKable sermon series at Grace. The nature of the "unpardonable sin" has haunted many of God's people across the centuries out of fear that perhaps they were or might one day be guilty of committing it. As we saw in our study, there is no need to fear. For a genuine Christian could never do so. For this sin that God will not forgive is the ongoing, continual rejection of the witness of the Holy Spirit to the Savior’s person and work. A person who has truly been "born of the Spirit" (John 3:5; Titus 3:5-6) would never be in such a state. 

However, this does not mean that we cannot "grieve" the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) or put out his fire within us (1 Thessalonians 5:19). So ... all this said, we must seek to "keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25) and be "filled" with Him (which simply means to be under his influence [Ephesians 5:18]). Of course, the way to do this is to know God's Word and live it out! For ultimately, it was the Spirit of God who inspired the writers as they wrote the Bible ... so that at the end of the day what they wrote was what God wanted written (2 Peter 1:21). So as we order our lives by the blueprint for life as outlined in the Scriptures, then we in turn ... "walk in step" with Him! 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj

Fair Weather Fans

Week 14, Day 1 Reading: John 6:25-71

John 6:66-69   After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.  So Jesus said to the Twelve,“Do you want to go away as well?”  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Many of those following Jesus during his earthly ministry were nothing more than "fair weather fans!" They were willing to follow him to see him heal, perform miracles, and even listen to some of his teachings. But when his teaching got "personal" and began to make demands upon them, their true colors showed and they disappeared. 

At this point, Jesus turns to the Twelve and asks them if they want to go as well. Peter replies, and in his response, he hits the proverbial nail squarely on the head. In considering the other options ... none compared with Jesus. After all, he is the only one who has the TRUTH ... and Peter knew that because he knew who Jesus was ... "The Holy One of God!"  

Friends, there are a lot of voices that call out to us.But there is only ONE voice that we need to heed! And that is the voice of God as given to us in His Word. So, beware of the lies that bombard your ears every day. Replace them with the Truth as given in the Scriptures.

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Three Mini-Parables --- March 3, 2013

Here are the PowerPoint slides for Sunday, March 3 (Mark 4:21-34).  Enjoy!

Three mini parables mark 4 -21ff - march 3, 2013 from John Smith

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

If Possible?

Week 13, Day 5 Reading: Mark 14:32-42

Mark 14:35-36   And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Here is an amazing portrait of our savior. Knowing the suffering (of which we cannot imagine) he was about to endure, he asks His Father to remove this cup (of suffering) from him. In Matthew's account of this prayer, he notes that Jesus adds the words, "if it is possible" (Matthew 26:39). Now Jesus knew that it was not possible. He knew the Old Testament Scriptures which foretold his cruel and vicious death (Isaiah 53:4-10). He knew that he came to this earth, "not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). On several occasions he told his disciples that he would soon "suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed" (Matthew 16:21) - something that his disciples did not want to believe (Matthew 16:22-23). 

So, if Jesus knew God's plan for him (which included the cross), then why did he pray, "if it be possible?" I believe what we are seeing here is the total humanity of Jesus. What human being (unless he was mentally deranged) would welcome the pain and suffering that Jesus was called upon to go through? This prayer shows without a doubt that God the Son had actually become one of us ... and as one of us he could now die for us! 

Hallelujah! What a savior! 

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj