Here Comes the Crucified King, Part 2 (Holy Week 2018, Black Saturday)

(Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 418 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 785 since Jan. 1, 2016)

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TEXT: Matthew 27:35-54

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

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On Saturday of Holy Week, Jesus was in the tomb, and His followers had to deal with His absence and the dramatic events of His death. This day is also known as Holy Saturday, Holy and Great Saturday, the Great Sabbath, Black Saturday, Joyous Saturday, or Easter Eve. On this day, Jesus’ body “rested” in the tomb, but many believe, based upon passages in First Peter 3-4 and Ephesians 4, that His spirit went down to Hell or “Hades” and preached to those Old Testament spirits imprisoned there, declaring the good news of His triumph over sin and death, and subsequently bringing those who believed to Paradise with Him.

However, during the process of His death, three seemingly minor events occurred that foreshadow the major consequences of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for believers and all people.

On yesterday, we talked about the Torn Veil. The tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death indicated that the barrier between God and man was no longer in place. Jesus had done what He came to do — make it possible for fellowship to be restored between sinful man and Holy God.

Second, notice the Open Graves. Verses 52-53 read, “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” This Good Friday event is not talked about much, but it is a vivid and compelling illustration of Jesus’ resurrection power. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” When He defeated death, He also freed Old Testament saints from death and many of them returned to life, foreshadowing that day in the future when “the dead in Christ” shall be raised to join the risen Savior and King in Heaven. We don’t have to wait to see if Jesus can raise us from the dead; He has already raised many others.

Third, notice the Roman Centurion’s shocking statement. Verse 54 reads, “When the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” No one lived like Jesus, and no one died like Jesus. His death was so unique that it moved a hardened Roman Centurion, who had likely put dozens of people to death by crucifixion, to testify that Jesus must have been “the Son of God.” One day, there will be universal acclamation that Jesus Christ is both Lord and God. Philippians 2:10-11 says, “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, whether you believe or not, you will say, “Surely, this is the Son of God. Surely, this is the Lord. Surely, this is God.”

Wise souls will admit even now that Jesus is the Son of God and will decide to make Him Lord and to follow Him from this day forward. I hope you will make that decision today so that you can experience fellowship with God now, resurrection in the future, and eternal life. That is why He came into the world and died on the Cross. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

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Here Comes the Crucified King, Part 1 (Holy Week 2018, Good Friday)

(Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 417 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 784 since Jan. 1, 2016)

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TEXT: Matthew 27:35-54

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

—-

Today, on Good Friday, we remember and celebrate the death of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important days in history, second-only to the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Allow me to recap the events of Holy Week leading up to the passage that we just read.

EVENTS OF HOLY WEEK

– On Sunday, two disciples borrow a colt and Jesus makes His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Here comes the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

– On Monday, Jesus cleanses the Temple. Here comes the compassionate judge.

– On Tuesday, Jesus curses the fig tree, teaches in the Temple again, and delivers the Olivet Discourse.

– On Wednesday, Judas agrees to betray Jesus.

– On Thursday, the upper room is prepared and Jesus and His disciples hold the Last Supper there. Afterwards, Judas leaves, and Jesus and the 11 disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prays regarding the upcoming crucifixion. Late that night, Jesus is arrested. Here come the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

– In the wee hours of Friday morning, Jesus is put on trial three times before Jewish officials. The disciples flee and Peter denies Jesus three times before the rooster crows. Judas tries to return the 30 pieces of silver, and then commits suicide. Then, Jesus is taken before Roman authorities, Pilate and Herod, where he stands trial three times. Jesus is scourged. Pilate, submitting to demands from the Jewish crowd whom the religious leaders have turned against Jesus, hands Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus carries His cross to Golgotha, where He commits His spirit unto the Father and gives up the ghost. He is later buried by Joseph and Nicodemus.

You know this story very well, and it is one that we never tire of hearing. Today, I want to speak to you from the shadow of the cross. During the hours that Jesus was lifted up from the earth, three things happened that are significant to us today. These seemingly minor events are not dealt with at length in Scripture — they are just mentioned in a matter of fact way — but they foreshadow the major consequences of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for believers and all people.

First, notice the Torn Veil. Verse 51 of our passage reads, “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” Now, some during that time might have attributed the tearing of the veil to the great earthquake that shook Jerusalem during that time. But, since Old Testament times, the veil between the Holy of Holies and the rest of the Temple — yea, the rest of the world — had stood as a literal and figurative symbol of the barrier between God and man. The tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death indicated that this barrier was no longer in place. Jesus had done what He came to do — make it possible for fellowship to be restored between sinful man and Holy God. Colossians 1:21 says, “Having made peace through the blood of his cross… you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” You and I are saved and are able to communicate with God freely because, by Jesus’ death, the veil, the barrier was torn down.

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John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Here Comes the Lamb of God Who Taketh Away the Sin of the World (Holy Week 2018, Thursday)

(Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 416 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 783 since Jan. 1, 2016)

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TEXT: John 12:1-11

1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,

5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

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John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Here Comes the Compassionate Judge, Part 2 (Holy Week 2018, Tuesday)

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TEXT: Luke 19:41-48

41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

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On Palm Sunday, we observed the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. But that was only the beginning of a climatic series of events ending in the Resurrection. On yesterday, we saw the Lord as the compassionate Judge who wept over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus’ words and actions in this passage after His arrival in the city reveal both God’s mercy and God’s wrath toward sinners.

First, we see the compassionate heart of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “When He beheld the city He wept over it.” The people in Jerusalem did not see anything to weep over because they were blinded to their own enmity with God. Jesus, as the Son of God and Redeemer of man, was easily able to look at Jerusalem and her inhabitants in relation to Himself. The temple stones were large and beautiful, but they were actually worthless because there was no welcome for Jesus in His “Father’s house.” In the condition of Jerusalem, Jesus saw the condition of every human heart — full of religious pretense and righteous tradition, but actually false, cruel, desolate, and deceived. So, “He wept over it.” And, as He looks into the hearts of men and women today, He sees the same sad thing.

Then, we see the words of judgment proclaimed by Jesus. Speaking to Jerusalem, Jesus says, “The days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Christ spoke of the destruction which would come upon Jerusalem at the hands of Rome about 40 years from that day. Likewise, our own souls face utter destruction if we reject the Saviour today as Jerusalem rejected Jesus at the end of that week.

Jesus is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to Him and live. However, even His tearful compassion does not prevent Him from speaking these words of warning and doom. And Jesus did not just speak words; He judged the false religion of the Jews that day. “He went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.” It is a fearful thing to fall, as an unbeliever, into the hands of the living God. Neither a nation nor an individual can ultimately prosper if they reject and resist the pleadings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who wept and died for humanity will judge the quick and the dead.

Finally, we see the influence of Jesus. During the week of His Passion, Christ “taught daily in the temple.” And “the chief priests sought to destroy Him, for all the people were attentive to hear Him.” To some, Christ was the specter of death, to others the sweet savor of life. Some hearts grew hard as they listened to Him, others grew soft and tender — just like the sun which melts wax but hardens clay. Everything depends on the attitude of the individual toward Jesus as to whether His influence will melt us unto salvation or harden us for judgment. The preaching of the Cross is either foolishness to us or it is the wisdom of God.

How will your heart respond to the Son of God? Will you melt like wax or harden like clay? I hope that your heart is tender to the calling of the Lord this day.

Will Thompson wrote:

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling—
Calling for you and for me;
Patiently Jesus is waiting and watching—
Watching for you and for me!

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing—
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, death-beds are coming—
Coming for you and for me!

Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised—
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon—
Pardon for you and for me!

Come home! come home!
Ye who are weary, come home!
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Come home by letting Jesus into your heart today. That is why He came into the world and died on the Cross. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

Here Comes the King of King and Lord of Lords! (Holy Week 2018, Palm Sunday — Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign, Day 412 since Jan. 20, 2017 / Day 779 since Jan. 1, 2016)

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MARK 11:1-10

1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

—-

The dark shadow of the Cross was already falling heavily across the path of the Lord Jesus. He was only four days away from the Crucifixion, but notice how calm the Lord is, how careful about every detail concerning His entry into the holy yet deceitful city! What lessons have we here—

First, notice The Lord’s Commission. “He sent forth two of His disciples, saying, Go your way into the village.” This simple commission, like the great one mentioned in Matthew 28 is a revelation of his character. These words reveal His Faith. “You shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat.” How could He know except by faith. He reckoned on the fulfillment of the prophetic Word. It was even the confession of His enemies that “He trusted in God” True, He was God, but we are to remember that He emptied Himself, and “took upon Him the form of a servant.”

Jesus’ words also reveal His Obedience. He tells his disciples, “Say you that the Lord has need of him.” He must needs enter Jerusalem riding on the foal of a donkey, because He knew that it was the will of His Father. It may be humbling to Him, but it was honoring to God and His Word, and perhaps His physical weakness intensifies this need. Blessed is that weakness that makes us more fit for the accomplishing of the Father’s will.

Jesus’ words also reveal His Assuring Confidence. “And immediately he will send him hither.” He encouraged His disciples to act on His Word, just as He Himself was acting on the Father’s Word. Believe and you shall see.

Now, notice the Result which Followed. His word was fulfilled, His will done, and His Coming was Honored. “Many spread their garments in the way” of Jesus. This is a small matter when we consider how the Lord stripped Himself for us. He who was rich, for our sakes became poor. Let us lay the garments of our glory in the dust and crown Him Lord of all.

Jesus’ Name was also Praised. The people cried, “Hosanna! blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.” Hosanna means, “Save, I beseech you.” Such prayer and praise go well together. Well may He be praised, for He has come, not to be ministered unto, “but to give His life a ransom for many.” In the Name of the Lord, Jesus came to finish the work the Father had given Him to do.

Finally, at the Triumphal Entry, Jesus’ Kingdom was Acknowledged. The people said, “Blessed be the kingdom of our father David.” “Blessed be the King that comes.” The kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The foundation was laid at Calvary. The characteristics of it are imparted to us through faith in His Name. As the King of Israel He was put to death, so just now His kingdom is not of this world. But, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.”

Has the humble, royal Savior had a triumphal entry into your heart and life as He had into Jerusalem? Or are you among those who once cried “Hosanna!” but are now gone with the crowd along the course of this world? Do you cry now, though inaudibly, “Away with Him, we will not have this Man to rule over us”? I hope not.

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Let Jesus into your heart today. That is why He came into the world and died on the cross. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at dw3@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.

The Power of the Resurrection Which Turns Sinners Into Believers

Powerful Life Lessons from the Aftermath of the Resurrection #8

PART A
http://gospellightminute.buzzsprout.com/3192/260492-the-power-of-the-resurrection-which-turns-sinners-into-believers-a.mp3

PART B

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Today, millions of people around the globe acknowledge and remember the life and death of the most incredible Man who ever walked on Earth — Jesus Christ. Yet, this man is remembered not just for what He did during His life, but for what He did after His death. Very simply, He rose from the dead. Without the resurrection, Jesus Christ very likely would have faded into the pages of history — chalked up as just another zealous Jew who failed in His attempt to upset the established religious order and overthrow Roman oppression.

Yet, the resurrection did happen. And today the luminous figure that is Jesus Christ reigns supreme as the most important, the most controversial, and the most beloved Person who ever lived. Carnegie Simpson said, “Instinctively we do not class Him with others. When one reads His name in a list beginning with Confucius and ending with Goethe we feel it is an offense less against orthodoxy than against decency. Jesus is not one of the group of the world’s great. Talk about Alexander the Great and Charles the Great and Napoleon the Great if you will…Jesus is apart. He is not the Great; He is the Only. He is simply Jesus….He confounds our canons of human nature.” You may not care for Christians and you may not like the church, but no one can deny the impact that Jesus Christ has on the world. His followers took a fledgling movement and caused it to explode into a worldwide phenomenon. It has endured through violent persecution, intellectual assault, and systematic attempts to stamp it out.

On this Easter Sunday, I want to talk about the root of the Christian message — the Gospel — and what it is that makes this message so powerful, so resilient, and so unstoppable.

The Power of the Resurrection and Those Who Rage Against Jesus and Believers

Powerful Life Lessons from the Aftermath of the Resurrection #7

TEXT: Acts 9:1-6

So far in this Easter Week series, we have talked about the power of the resurrection as it pertains to those who are already following Jesus Christ. But the power of the resurrection extends even to unbelievers — and not just to passive unbelievers but to those who hate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts chapter 9 introduces us to one of these haters of the Gospel — a man named Saul, more commonly known as Paul. He was a Jew dedicated to the persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ. As you might recall, after Jesus’ tomb was found to be empty, the Jewish authorities paid the Roman guards to say that the disciples had come and stolen Jesus’ body. They did not want the word to get out that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. They knew that if that got out among the people, the ‘Jesus movement’ of the first century would be back in full swing.

Of course, as we saw from Acts chapter 2, the disciples of Christ were boldly preaching in Jerusalem that Jesus had been raised from the dead, and so the Jewish leaders set about to stamp out all of those who followed Christ. This is where Saul comes in. Saul was a well-educated man who was evidently very favored by the religious authorities. He had been born in Tarsus, his father was a Pharisee, and he had been trained in tentmaking. We don’t know what Saul looked like, but an ancient source states that he was “a man of moderate stature, with crisp hair, crooked legs, blue eyes, large knit brows, and a long nose.”

The Jewish authorities were relying on Saul to help them eradicate the followers of the Way. We read that he was “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” The phrase “breathing out” puts us in mind of a dragon breathing out fire. That is how fierce Saul’s hatred for the church was. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest any Christians he found and bring them back to Jerusalem to be put on trial. And that is when he has his encounter with the resurrected Christ.

The Power of the Resurrection and the Breaking Down of Racial and Cultural Barriers Among Believers

Powerful Life Lessons from the Aftermath of the Resurrection #6

TEXT: Acts 2:1-11

No one can deny that the history of the world has been a history of division, hatred, prejudice, and animosity between nations, races, ethnicities, and social cultures. Even today, much of the conflict and tension in our world can be defined by the barriers that separate groups of people: Arabs vs. Jews, Sunni Muslims vs. Shiite Muslims, Hindus vs. Christians, Blacks vs. Whites, the wealthy upper class vs. the poor lower class, and the list goes on.

In Jesus’ day, there was plenty of division to go around as well: Jews vs. Gentiles; the religious, well-to-do upper class vs. the poor, barely-getting-by lower class; slave-owners vs. slaves; Pharisees vs. Sadducees; men vs. women; Rome-hating zealots vs. Rome-loving pacifiers. Just as in modern times, I am sure there were people in Jesus’ day who wondered why folks just couldn’t get along with each other. I am sure that for those people, the coming of Jesus Christ was a breath of fresh air. Jesus was a leader who associated with anybody who wanted to do the will of His Father in Heaven no matter what their status or position was in life. Jesus talked to, mingled with, and worked miracles for Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans, Greeks, Romans, military leaders, sinners, fishermen, tax collectors, the pious, the not-so-pious, the rich, and the poor.

After His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus bequeathed that legacy of breaking down barriers to His followers. They, like most sinful, prejudiced human beings, were much slower to accept people who were different from them. But, through the power of the Holy Spirit, they came around to it. As we live in a time when there is much discussion about diversity and racial reconciliation, what can we learn about the breaking down of barriers between people groups which came about in the aftermath of the resurrection?

The Power of the Resurrection and the Work of the Church

Powerful Life Lessons from the Aftermath of the Resurrection #5

TEXT: Acts 1:10-14

When the disciples gathered at the Mount of Olives for their last meeting with Jesus Christ on Earth, the Resurrection was already in the rearview mirror. It was already a past event. The greatest thing that had ever happened in history had already taken place. However, Jesus Christ had previously told the disciples of a second coming — of a return of the King — when He would finish fulfilling the work of the Messiah in the Earth. Surely as Jesus ascended into the clouds, the greatest question on the minds of the disciples was simply, “When is He coming back?”

As we look at the immediate aftermath of the Resurrection, we see the community of believers taking its baby steps as a church. What can we learn from their experience that applies to our Christian lives here and now?

The Power of the Resurrection and the Might Within Us

Powerful Life Lessons from the Aftermath of the Resurrection #4

TEXT: Acts 1:1-9

Throughout the Gospels, we see repeatedly that the disciples are very concerned about being left alone without Jesus Christ. Whenever Jesus talked about going to the cross to die, going back to Heaven to be with His Father, or said something that indicated He would not always be with them, the disciples got worried. They did not want Jesus to leave them. At one point, Peter took it upon himself to rebuke Jesus after He mentioned how He would have to go up to Jerusalem to be tried and put to death. Once, when Jesus was talking about going back to Heaven, Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” John 16 tells us that “sorrow filled” the disciples’ hearts as Jesus was telling them of how He had to go back to His Father. So, the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was the absolute worst thing that could happen for the confidence level and morale of Jesus’ disciples. The One they had spent three years of their life following and learning from was gone. Even after they got over their disbelief about the Resurrection and accepted that Jesus had really and truly risen from the dead, they likely began to worry about Jesus leaving them yet again. Certainly, Jesus’ seemingly newfound pension for appearing and disappearing unannounced did not ease their worries that He might one day vanish and never return.

So, with these thoughts in mind, we find the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ gathered at the Mount of Olives in Acts chapter 1. Luke alone informs us that this takes place 40 days after the Resurrection. During that time, Jesus had been ‘showing himself alive by many infallible proofs.’ Jesus made it His business to ensure that none of His disciples doubted that He had risen from the dead. The reason why is partly because He had a very important mission that He was about to commission them to carry out. That is why they all are gathered together at the Mount of Olives to meet with Jesus one last time before His ascension. During this meeting, Jesus informs them of a power — the Holy Spirit — who will come to live inside of them and enable them to carry out the mission that He is giving them. That same power lives inside of every believer today, and the power of the Holy Spirit came as a result of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and Jesus’ ascension.