June 20, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:45-53 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ (Psalm 22:1) In this passage we see Jesus receiving the curse of sin (Genesis 2:17), even though He does not deserve it. As the fullness of God in human form, emptied of His divine powers, He genuinely experiences this rejection from God. These are…
‘In the same way’ as Jesus
June 19, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:38-44 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Matthew sees the religious leaders as no better than the robbers; he intentionally frames their actions between references to the robbers (27:38,44). ‘In the same way…’ they mock and taunt Jesus. They shame and belittle His faith in God, little realizing that they are revealing the bankruptcy of their own faith….
Do I want to know Jesus like this?
June 18, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:32-37 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION I want to be a servant of Jesus, my King, but do I want to join Him if it means helping Him carry His cross? Jesus called His disciples to join him in cross-carrying (Matthew 16:24). For Simon this was literal, and tradition says it was for Peter too, but what about…
Could I be like this?
June 17, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:27-31 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION I have a huge sensitivity to suffering. I cannot imagine myself participating in something like this, shaming someone, spitting on them, beating them. What happens to a person to make them capable of this, and could it happen to me? Is there something of nature, and something of nurture in it?…
The weight of sin
June 16, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 38 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION My guilt has become too much for me. It is a load too heavy to carry. (Psalm 38:4) David is in a bad place: physically, mentally, emotionally and socially tormented. He traces the cause to his immoral choices, his doing something that he knows is wrong. A picture that comes to mind…
1 Samuel 1-7
June 14-15, 2013 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 1-7 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
I am response-able!
June 13, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:20-26 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Who is responsible for Jesus’ death: Pilate refuses to take responsibility; the religious leaders accept responsibility. In one sense Pilate and the Jewish leaders are responsible for Jesus’ death, but more importantly we all are. Each one of us faces the death penalty because we are responsible for our sinful choices….
Not Guilty!?
June 12, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:11-19 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION “He is not guilty!” – I may be innocent of some crimes, even of many crimes, but I am not innocent of all crimes. To some extent, I am guilty, no matter how good or moral I have tried to be. If I were to compare myself to Jesus or Barabbas,…
Religion that dishonors God
June 11, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:6-10 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION The Jewish leaders are concerned about maintaining the honor of the temple! The irony is that this was their money, used to pay off Judas to betray Jesus to death. What about the blood on their heads and hands, would this not dishonor the temple? How is it that religious leaders…
It’s killing me!
June 10, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:1-5 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION ”He felt deep shame and sadness for what he had done.” My experience is that this is how one feels after doing something foolish, immoral. Someone once told me that the Devil speaks in two voices: he entices with sweetness and accuses with shame. In the midst of temptation, the desired…