Category Archives: Heaven and Hell

Blessed, Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Heaven and Hell, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Thankfulness

Reflections On Life, From One Who Nears The End

Many have rightly observed that as someone approaches the end of their life, they often have increasing insight into what was really most important… about what they did right and what they should have done differently. Sometimes even those who spent their whole lives pursuing some idol, such as money and power, begin to realize how empty that pursuit really was. How much more wisdom can we gain, then, from listening to a righteous man as he reflects on his life and walk with God.

Genesis 48

Israel’s Last Days

      1Now it came about after these things that Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is sick.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him. 2When it was told to Jacob, “Behold, your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed. 3Then Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4and He said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession.’ 5“Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. 6“But your offspring that have been born after them shall be yours; they shall be called by the names of their brothers in their inheritance. 7“Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

      8When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” 9Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” So he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” 10Now the eyes of Israel were so dim from age that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.” 12Then Joseph took them from his knees, and bowed with his face to the ground. 13Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him. 14But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands, although Manasseh was the firstborn.

15He blessed Joseph, and said,
“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,

      16The angel who has redeemed me from all evil,
Bless the lads;
And may my name live on in them,
And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

      17When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.” 19But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know; he also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”

20He blessed them that day, saying,
“By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying,
‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!’”
Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

21Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your fathers. 22“I give you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow.”

Israel found his relationship with God to be of highest importance. He reflected back on the promises God made and spoke of them in complete confidence that they would come to pass even though he did not yet see it with his own eyes. There is no hint of regret or lack of faith that God’s promises were not yet fulfilled as of the end of Israel’s life. Rather there is a confident faith that they are in the process of being fulfilled.

Israel valued family… in particular the family he had once lost and then had restored. He did not complain to God that Joseph had been lost, but rather gives glory to God that he was able to see not only Joseph again but also his children.

It was of high importance to Jacob to pass along his blessing to Joseph and Joseph’s sons. Once again, this demonstrates strong faith in the multi-generational promise of God.

There is no bitterness or fear in Israel. He reflects on the loss of Rachel and the sorrow he experienced in that, but gives every confidence from this record in scripture that he is prepared for death, prepared to continue his journey with God beyond the confines of this earthly life.

Reflect on your life for a few moments. Do not rush it. Does your life reflect the values that Israel reflected on at the end of his life? Are you satisfied you are living for God and obeying His commands? Does your life reflect God’s will or your own? Do you have a relationship with God in which you hear His specific directions for your life? Do you seek Him in prayer, study His word, and give honor, praise and thanks to Him consistently?

Are you satisfied with your family relationships?

Do you hold any bitterness or resentment toward others or God?

What changes do you think God wants you to make?

Whether you find yourself nearing the end of this life or anticipating decades yet to come, take time to evaluate your life. Humble yourself to be willing to admit, to yourself and to God, that you should make some changes and then go about making those changes while you still have time. None of our tomorrows are promised to us, no matter what are age and health may be.

Are you ready for what comes next after you die in this world?

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Heaven and Hell

Death Is Just Another Door, One Through Which We All Must Pass

Surely none of us lives a perfect life, for that is left only to Jesus Christ, God Himself who humbled Himself to walk among us and die for us and was resurrected again. Those of us who submit to and follow Christ are on an imperfect journey throughout the entirety of our lives to be more and more like Christ and less like our own sinful nature and less like the world. Eventually, we all face death. How we face death can be a wonderful reflection of our walk with God and will provide some insight into what we really believe about life after death.

Jacob, now Israel, had a long life by our standards, but not as long as those who preceded him.

Genesis 47:9 9So Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.”

We should be careful not to misinterpret Jacob as being overly negative here or complaining. In the very next verse, he blesses Pharaoh.

Genesis 47:10 10And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence.

He is not bitter over his life. Jacob was, it appears, just sharing honestly with Pharaoh that he had experienced a difficult life, and one that was shorter than his “fathers”. We gain more insight into how Jacob at the end of Genesis 47.

Genesis 47:27-31

    27Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous. 28Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years.

      29When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Please, if I have found favor in your sight, place now your hand under my thigh and deal with me in kindness and faithfulness. Please do not bury me in Egypt, 30but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.” 31He said, “Swear to me.” So he swore to him. Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.

Jacob did not live in denial that he would face death… but rather he prepared for it. Jacob was not bitter or afraid that he would die… he was planning for it and helping his family prepare for his funeral arrangements. Jacob was not angry at God as he faced death… he bowed in worship to God even as he was discussing his own death.

Jacob faced death with dignity and faith. He prepared for it, both the specific arrangements for his burial, but also remaining in right relationship with God. Jacob knew he would go to be with God when he died. His last wishes of where he was to be buried may even reflect his faith in God’s promise as Canaan was the land of promise God revealed to Jacob and that was where he wished to be buried.

Are you prepared for the reality that each of us will face death? One might even say statistics prove that 5 out of 5 people die. Are you prepared now? There are no guarantees as to how long you may have. Death is not something to fear for the faithful who submit to and follow Jesus Christ. It is, however, something to prepare for both spiritually by truly living your life according to God’s instruction and physically in terms of preparing your loved ones for your death and preparing as best you can so that they will be properly cared for when you die.

Do not live your life in fear of death, but rather recognize death for what it is… another door through which we all must pass. It is important to know where you will go when you walk through that door… heaven or hell.

If you have already submitted wholeheartedly to Christ, take great comfort and continue on your path to grow closer to Him and prepare to help others who will carry on after you die.

If you have not yet fully submitted your heart and life to Christ then I urge you to do so urgently. You will never regret it! Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Heaven and Hell, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Salvation, Suffering / Adversity, Trinity

Where I Go, You Cannot Follow Me Now; But You Will Follow Later

When someone we love tells us they are leaving, perhaps dying, we generally find ourselves dealing with a strong emotional response. We don’t want them to go. We want to be with them. We want to see them again. So it was with Jesus’ disciples when Jesus told them, again, that He was going to be betrayed by one of their close circle of disciples and then die.

John 13:36

 36Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”

While it must have been encouraging to hear that they could follow later, there is not doubt it was an emotional moment for Jesus and His disciples. But Jesus loves all of us who follow Him so much, He saw fit to encourage us as we continue to deal with the struggles and difficulties of this world and what seems at times like a world bound and determined to reject the one, true God at every turn. The direction Jesus gave His disciples applies to His followers today as well. He reassured us how to follow where He went.

John 14:1-6

1“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4“And you know the way where I am going.” 5Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

It is amazing to me how so many want to rationalize that “all religions” can be equal paths to heaven and to living for God. This concept is born out of ignorance or outright denial of what most religions teach. Certainly when it comes to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam they all clearly identify that they are mutually exclusive. (In other words, they all identify the others as false religion.) Yet people insist on believing Satan’s lie that somehow all paths can lead to God.

For any who genuinely submit to Jesus, He was clear. You can not accept Jesus as God and rationally also deny what He taught…. that He is the only way to the Father, to heaven. “No one comes to the Father but through Me.” He taught similar principles elsewhere throughout scripture as well.

Matthew 7:13

13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Jesus clearly taught that most people, sadly, reject God and follow the wrong path. Most people do not find their way to God or to heaven. Only those few who genuinely follow and submit to Jesus will make it to rejoice with Jesus in heaven. All others will find themselves in a tortuous and miserable existence of their own choosing… hell.

Many who claim to follow Jesus do not really follow Him. They go to church and say His name, but they have not transformed their lives to submit to and follow Him. They live for the world and drop His name every once in awhile… this will not be enough.

Matthew 7:21-23

 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

We do not rejoice in knowing that most will end in hell. Quite the opposite. This knowledge should motivate true followers of Christ to demonstrate the love of Jesus and the truth of God’s word to others with a sense of urgency and importance that transcends the daily activities we engage in during our daily lives. We do not show love by staying silent and accepting political correctness or condoning the sinful behaviors of others. We show love by proclaiming the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ! How can people follow Jesus, truly, if the truth is not taught clearly?

Romans 10:14-15

14How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

Pray God would strengthen your courage to proclaim Him boldly. Prepare by studying the word humbling yourself in prayer daily.  Make sure that you are a disciple, a learner, following behind Christ so that you can lead others as well.

Please consider reading the following teachings to help yourself get started on the path as a disciple:

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Heaven and Hell, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Salvation, Share the Good News

The Building Is On Fire, We Must Warn Others!

Imagine for a moment that you are working in or visiting a large building complex with many people. Everyone is going about doing every day tasks, completely unaware that a fire rages within the building complex. Some see the smoke and recognize the coming peril. They try to warn others, but many do not want to hear it. They are busy. They do not believe the building is on fire. They mock and discourage those who are trying to warn everyone. They ignore even the fire alarm, assuming it is a drill, malfunction, or prank.

You are a fool. We don’t believe you.

You are just trying to ruin our day and make our life difficult.

The God I believe in would not allow fires in buildings with people.

If it is on fire, leave yourself then. Quit bothering us.

A few listen, heed the warning and consider the danger… eyes opened to the smoke they begin to try to save others or just run out of the building themselves.

The first reaction many of us have is that this is silly. It would never happen. Of course people would heed the warning. But there is a much greater danger for all of those who do not yet accept the truth of Jesus Christ as God… an eternity of suffering in Hell for rejecting Jesus Christ. Many who serve Jesus Christ are and have been for centuries trying to warn others about the impending danger. We are mocked, persecuted, and sometimes killed for our effort. We are seldom welcomed with open arms and thanked for bringing the good news of the gospel… of salvation through Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is even the church itself that is persecuting those who bring the true message of the gospel to the people. There are countless examples including the religious leaders of Israel and the Catholic church over many centuries.

The message of Christ is at once very simple such that a child can understand it, and yet very difficult in that we must change to move away from our sinful ways of doing things our way and turn toward Jesus and doing things God’s way. (Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.)

No matter the suffering or risk to ourselves as followers of Jesus, He wants us to tell everyone about the truth of the gospel! We know this because of how Jesus lived out His earthly ministry and how His disciples lived and died to share the gospel after Jesus had returned to Heaven. Jesus made a point of highlighting this, not as a request, but as a command, to His disciples and the command is still in effect for all true followers of Jesus Christ today.

Mark 16:15 15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Many have become complacent about the urgency of sharing the gospel.

Christ has not returned yet in judgment, perhaps He never will.

Maybe all will go to Heaven because God loves us.

Yet Peter highlights to us even thousands of years ago the flaw in that thinking. God is patient. His timing is not our timing. But, the end will come and will come suddenly. Those who are not prepared will end up in Hell for eternity due to their rejection of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:9-11 9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Consider from a slightly different perspective as well. Although the end of the age has not come and Jesus has not returned in judgment as yet, countless generations of people have died and most of them did not know when they would die ahead of time. We must be prepared in accepting and submitting to Christ wholeheartedly before our time on this earth ends either by our death or by Jesus’ return.

Our Lord commands us to tell as many as we can about the salvation He offers through faith, by grace. He does not ask us to do so “if convenient”. He commands us to go to all the world… decidedly loving and sacrificial, but certainly not convenient.

If we picture ourselves back in the opening story… in a building complex that was on fire. Would we just leave quietly? Would we not tell others? How much more so should we be urgently proclaiming the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ when the eternal salvation or damnation of people’s souls are at stake!

Study God’s word daily. Pray humbly before God daily. Ask Him to prepare you and prepare people to hear the message when you share it. Pray as Peter and John did that God would give you the boldness to proclaim the gospel in all situations to all audiences everywhere around the world.

Acts 4:23-31

23When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,

25who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,
‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,
AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

      26‘THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,
AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER
AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’

27“For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Heaven and Hell

Prayer Request: Pray for Christians Facing Persecution Around the World

We are continuing our weekly extra post on Fridays. We have now expanded from “HFJ News”, providing updates and information about our website and other online resources, to also include specific prayer requests for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

Today we are calling for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world to come together in prayer for the persecuted Christians around the world. In particular, Muslims in the Middle East are trying very hard to commit genocide of the Christians there. Genocide is when one group of people is singled out for their race or beliefs and targeted for complete destruction. Sadly, many nations that could help, like the USA and Europe, are too busy trying to bring in Muslim immigrants rather than reaching out to the Christians that are being targeted for complete destruction. Political correctness and corruption works against God’s people.

Let us pray that God would be with His people around the world and protect and guide them.

Psalm 20

Prayer for Victory over Enemies.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

1May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!

2May He send you help from the sanctuary
And support you from Zion!

3May He remember all your meal offerings
And find your burnt offering acceptable!

Selah.

4May He grant you your heart’s desire
And fulfill all your counsel!

5We will sing for joy over your victory,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

6Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.

7Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.

8They have bowed down and fallen,
But we have risen and stood upright.

9Save, O LORD;
May the King answer us in the day we call.

Even for those who are persecuted and killed, we have hope in salvation through Jesus Christ! Our brothers and sisters who remain strong in their faith through persecution and death will go to be with the Lord in Heaven. Praise God for this promise and hope!

We invite you to pray with us whenever you have time or submit a prayer request of your own. Please visit our Prayer Requests section on our website.

May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be with all of you!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Grace / Patience, Heaven and Hell, Kindness / Gentleness, Love

Be Patient With Everyone… Yes, Really

The world teaches us that we have a right to be easily offended by everyone who disagrees with us or acts wrongly toward us. The world teaches us we have a right to confront them and condemn them. The world teaches us to be angry and hostile to those who do not agree with us.

Jesus Christ teaches us a different way… a better way… patience and perseverance… self-control, godliness, kindness and love.

James 1:2-4 2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 14We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

2 Peter 1:5-9 5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

We certainly do not have to agree with or accept persecution from those who disagree with us. However, we can respond truthfully, confidently, boldly, and yet still be kind, patient, loving in our manner. We must look to the example of Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry and do as He did. That is part of why He came… to demonstrate the example of living a righteous and sinless life.

This is an area where many of us do well to pray and ask the Lord for help to overcome our natural defensive impulses and instead see people as God does… with patience and love.

However, similar to Jesus, we must never waiver about the truth. There is clear right and wrong… a clear message of the gospel… a clear warning that most of the world is on the path to Hell. We do not help them by remaining silent or accepting their wrong perception that there are many ways to Heaven or that everyone goes to Heaven or that Heaven and Hell do not exist. We help them by persevering in proclaiming the truth of the gospel through our actions and our words.

John 14:6 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Consequences of Sin, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Grace / Forgiveness, Heaven and Hell, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Love, Merciful, Mockers, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Suffering / Adversity, Wickedness / Evil

No Greater Act of Love

The dreadful treatment that Jesus received up to and including dying on the cross gives us insight into what we deserve for our wrong behaviors and attitudes. He deserved no such treatment. Jesus lived without sin, in perfect obedience to God. God willingly chose to become man in the person of Jesus Christ and to suffer and die for our sins. There is no greater and more clear act of love than to take our punishment in our place. Picture yourself going through this suffering and death instead of Jesus… what would it be like? Then praise God for showing us love, grace, and mercy in taking our punishment for us.

Matthew 27:27-56

Jesus Is Mocked

      27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 28They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 31After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

      32As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

The Crucifixion

      33And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.

      35And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. 36And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. 37And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

      38At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads 40and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42“He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43“HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

      45Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” 47And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” 50And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

      55Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

There are consequences for our sin, for our wrong behaviors and attitudes. The wages of sin are death, but God offers us mercy and grace through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God offers mercy in that He will withhold from us the punishment we deserve if we accept the lordship of Jesus Christ. God offers grace in His offer of eternal life and forgiveness, which we do not deserve. God shows us love by paying accepting upon Himself the punishment we deserve. The consequences of sin had to be dealt with. They could not be ignored.  Jesus suffered for us.

We see also the wicked, who mock and scorn Jesus and those who follow Him. They reject and rebel against God. Ultimately, all shall recognize Jesus as Lord, but for those who reject Him throughout their lives on earth, it will be too late to accept His offer of forgiveness when they stand before Him after they die.

Romans 14:11-12

11For it is written,
“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”

12So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Heaven and Hell, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Love, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Salvation

Yes, Jesus Loves Us That Much!

After Jesus finishes His  prophetic response to Peter, James, John and Andrew regarding when the temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed and the signs of Jesus’ return and the end of the age, He again returns to the topic of His impending death. As we studied previously in our teaching, Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection – He Went Willingly, Jesus has made  a point to clearly communicate multiple times to His disciples that He is to die and be resurrected. As the day approaches, He even tells them what day it will occur, during Passover.

Matthew 26:1-13

The Plot to Kill Jesus

      1When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”

      3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

Jesus clearly went willingly to His torture and death. God loves us all so much that He became man in the person of Jesus Christ and willingly suffered and died and was resurrected for us…for our sins… all of us. He extends the offer to us, having already paid the price for our sin and wrong choices. All we need to do is accept His offer. (To learn more, study our teaching, The Message of the Cross – Salvation.)

He loved His disciples enough to continually remind them in advance of what was going to happen so they would understand later and recognize the proper perspective that Jesus did so willingly in obedience to God’s plan. He confirmed multiple times what was to happen and then even when it was to happen. God truly loves us that much. The Bible records this history so that even today, thousands of years later, we can be clear that Jesus willingly laid down His life for our sins. He was not tricked or defeated… He volunteered to take our punishment. We deserved to be on the cross, but He went on our behalf.

If someone died saving you from being killed in a tragic accident, such as being run over by a truck… you would tell everyone about it with thanksgiving and praise for that person. You would probably remember and retell it your entire life.

If someone offered us $100 and all we had to do was accept it… and then told us they would offer the same deal to everyone, not matter what they have done wrong in their lives… no matter who they are…  we would take it, thank them, and tell everyone else we knew about this great opportunity.

Why is it that when we hear of this offer for forgiveness of all our past mistakes and reconciliation with God for eternity, we so often keep it to ourselves?

We would tell everyone about the $100 without worrying if we were insulting them by implying they need the money. If we do not feel the same way about telling them what Jesus offers we must consider deeply whether or not we, ourselves, really believe it is true and whether or not we love others enough to help them find Jesus.  Some will reject the message just as some would not believe you about the $100 offer… but some will believe and will come to Jesus.

Rejoice in being a worker in God’s harvest! Do not be “embarrassed” by your love for Jesus but rather be glad in it and share it with everyone!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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Character of God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Heaven and Hell, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Love

God Will Not Force Himself On Anyone

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After passionately teaching against the hypocrisy and wickedness of the religious leaders, who lead so many of God’s people away from the kingdom of God, Jesus pauses to express His sadness at the path of rejecting God that Jerusalem has chosen.

Matthew 23:37-39

    37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. 38“Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! 39“For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’”

God has great love for His people and a desire to gather them together in His care. However, He will not force Himself on anyone. He grants each of us free will and the ability to accept and submit to God, or to reject Him and live according to our own path. The path of submission to God is filled with joy even in suffering and leads to eternity with God in Heaven. The path of our own desires, of our internal sin nature, the deceptions of Satan… that appears fun and exciting on the surface but can never fill the emptiness inside of each of us that results from being separated from God. This path leads to destruction and eternal separation from God in Hell.

Many will choose the wide path that leads to destruction, and only a few will choose the truly righteous path for it is narrow… but it leads to eternal life with God.

Which path will you choose?

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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False Prophets / Teachers, Heaven and Hell, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Marriage, Wickedness / Evil

Jesus Answers the Sadducees and Pharisees

It seems the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious leaders of the time, those most educated and trained in the formal practices of religion, never tired of spending time and energy trying to trick Jesus while at the same time never had any energy to try to accept Him for whom He claimed to be… God and Messiah.  The same is still true for many people today. They spend all their effort trying to explain away Jesus rather than accepting Him as Lord and submitting their lives to Him.

Matthew 22:23-45

23On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, 24asking, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.’ 25“Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; 26so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. 27“Last of all, the woman died. 28“In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.”

29But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30“For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31“But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” 33When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

34But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. 35One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbors as yourself.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: 42“What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” 43He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, 44‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet”?

45“If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?” 46No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.

The Sadducees did not believe in life after death. They were not trying to learn from Jesus, but rather trick Him or trap Him. Jesus always has answers and is never surprised. He knows the wickedness of those who try to dismiss or reject Him. In His grace, He offers answers anyway and those of us who have ears to hear will learn.

As difficult as it seems to those of us who are married and love our spouses, Jesus tells us that life after death in Heaven will be very different than what we experience on earth today. The marriage relationship is a gift for us to enjoy in this life, but will not be the same in life after death. It is hard for us to imagine, but God has something better arranged for life after death for those who follow Him than even what we enjoy in this world.

Jesus further confirms resurrection is real and those who were in right relationship with God when they died have already been resurrected and are with Him in Heaven.

Once the Sadducees failed, then the Pharisees took another attempt to trap Jesus. Jesus was not surprised or without answer. Out of a trick question, intended to trap Jesus… Jesus provides a great summary of the foundation of all the law and the prophets for those of us who choose to follow Him.

 37And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbors as yourself.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Just in case the 10 commandments are too hard for us to remember, Jesus provides insight into what they are based on… love God and love each other. Surely Jesus had great wisdom and ability to simplify what others think to be complex. We should also pause here to realize that God’s commands are all still in effect. His law, which is to love God and love one another, has not been altered or abolished by Jesus’ death. Jesus never taught as such and actually taught the opposite with both words and His actions throughout His earthly ministry and when He came back to His disciples after His resurrection. To  learn more study our teaching , Understanding The Law – What Does It Mean Today?

After responding to the questions He was asked, Jesus then challenged the Pharisees and Sadducees with a question. They could not answer it and realized Jesus was much wiser than they… but they still refused to acknowledge Him as Messiah and God. Their minds were already made up and they were not seeking truth and understanding… instead they sought only to discredit Jesus.

The question Jesus asked them was actually quite important… and it was clear they did not understand it. Jesus was pointing out that the anticipated Messiah was not just a descendant of David, a secular king or prince. If so, how could David, as an ancestor, call him Lord. No, the Messiah was not only “Son of God” but “God in the flesh”. Hence, David called Him Lord. Jesus at once opened a door to show these men a deeper understanding of the Messiah and also revealed how little they truly understood. They rejected the opportunity and instead stopped the conversation. They were unwilling to become humble and seek the wisdom Jesus offered, but instead remained proud and plotted against Him.

God has answers for all the attempts people have to explain Him away or teach false doctrine… but we must seek them out in prayer and study of scripture and in the world around us. We must first come to a place where we do not reject God and His holy word as our starting point. Then as we genuinely seek answers they will be revealed to us as we follow where the evidence leads… it leads to God as revealed through Jesus Christ.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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