"So That They...Might No Longer Live For Themselves"

"They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha."  (John 19:17)

Today the sign says, "Skull Hill."

From the third hour to the ninth hour Jesus hanged upon a Roman Cross.  Whatever pain and suffering a human being may experience, it will never come close to the suffering of Jesus on that cross.  The reason is quite simple.  He was not only suffering for my sin and your sin.  In His Body and Blood, Jesus bore the sin of humanity, past, present, and future.  He experienced, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Though some theologians argue with this, the creed says, "He descended into Hell."  I can show that from Scripture, but this is not the time.  Regardless, in some mysterious way, Jesus was separated from Father on that cross.  One could ask, "Is there a more explicit definition of Hell?!?"  When did this "forsaken" occur?  Was it the whole six hours or just, "about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour?"  Was it when the earthquake hit?  We don't know.  We just bow in reverence.

Hebrews 2 says, "Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives."  Now we can say what Paul said to the Corinthian Church, "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf."

Father, in Jesus' Name, my desire is that I "live...for Him who died and rose again on [my] behalf."  Amen.
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www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com






"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2



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It All Happened "While They Were Eating"

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From: Sforest@aol.com
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 12:40:42 -0400
Subject: It All Happened "While They Were Eating"
To:

"While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you.'" (Matthew 26:26, 27)

Today is what has been called in Church history, "Maundy Thursday," the traditional night of the "Last Supper," the last Passover Seder which Jesus had with His disciples--- until He drinks it new with us in "Father's Kingdom."  The word, "maundy," is from the Latin which means, "command."  Some historians say that it is connected with, "washing."  It was on this night that Jesus commanded the disciples to "love one another, even as I have loved you...."  And, by washing the disciples feet, Jesus demonstrated love as serving.

During a prayer meeting this past week, it occurred to me that while the synoptic Gospels cover the "Last Supper" in just a few verses, John's Gospel gives more details in devoting five complete chapters to the evening!  As I was reflecting on this, I was reminded of the "drive- through-service" atmosphere which is in most Protestant Communion services (I have conducted many of them myself).  It usually takes just a few minutes.  The original Communion "Service" lasted hours. 

An accurate reading of John's account of the evening reveals that Jesus washed the disciples feet during the meal.  And all of the teaching which is so familiar to us, "love one another (13)--I go to prepare a place for you--I am the way, the truth, and the life (14)--abide in Me and I in you-- ask what you will--you are My friends, (15)--In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world," (16) and the "High Priestly Prayer" of Jesus-- "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" (17)--all took place while "they were eating."  Just picture it-- Jesus reclining at the table, John leaning on His Breast, Jesus sharing His Heart, the dialogue which transpired among Jesus and His friends, and closing it all by, "and when they had sung a hymn."  This is Communion.  

Americans particularly are a rushed, hurried generation, as a pastor once said, "Just so we can beat the Baptist to the salad bar."  But this last meal was a relaxed time, unhurried, deeply "meaningful," which, by the way, included remembrance of the exodus from Egypt, and perhaps most sobering, a glimpse of "the fellowship of His Sufferings." 

My paternal grandmother had a good attitude towards family meal times.  When we would sit down to a meal at her house, she would say, "Now we have all day."

Father, in Jesus' Name, grant me more "meal" times like this with You.  Amen.
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Prophetic News and Commentary:     www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com



"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2



**************
Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a recession. (http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare00000003)

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