Double Jeopardy

DOUBLE JEOPARDY

Proverbs 19:12

“A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.”

            The recent parallel Bible series that carried us through Lent and the Easter celebration ended with Jesus ascension back to heaven.  One of the last things John 19:28 says Jesus said while hanging on the cross before He gave up His spirit was, “I am thirsty.”  What does Jesus being thirsty have to do with Double Jeopardy?  [JEP-ur-dee] means danger, risk, or trouble.

            The law of double jeopardy is that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime.  When Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46), Jesus took the totality of human sin onto Himself.  Holy Father took His wrath out on Jesus for our sin, and had to look away.  Jesus became humans’ “burnt offering” when He willingly sacrificed Himself to death on a cross to pay for our crime of sin. 

              Since Old Testament times, a burnt offering of sacrificed animals paid for people’s sins.  So when Jesus took human sin on Himself on the cross, He became the sacrificed Lamb of God (John 1:29), our burnt offering as payment for sin.  The Father accepted Jesus’ death as the final sacrifice for mankind’s sin. 

            Jesus’ death also bought humans gifts.

            Jesus paid for our crime of sin with His life.  As a burnt offering, Jesus felt thirsty hanging on that cross.  Jesus saying, “I am thirsty.” is our only hint that Jesus felt burnt- offering heat and parched throat.  This fulfilled Psalm 69:21 prophecy.  Instead of complaining, Jesus died.  After rising to life again after three days, instead of complaining, Jesus offers people forgiveness of sin.  Instead of complaining that people rejected His sacrifice, Jesus offers believers eternal life.     

            But the devil loves to remind us of sin.  1 Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, (pretending to be king, pretending to be God), looking for someone to devour (accuse).”  Tell the devil, “Double Jeopardy!” when he assures you that God could never save a sinner like you.  “Jesus already paid for confessed sin!  I cannot be tried for it again.  I am free!”

 

Take Home Nugget

            The second part of the opening Scripture is favor.  1 Corinthians 1:30 says, “It is because of him that we are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 

            When God looks at you, He sees a dearly beloved.  He looks at you with favor, not wrath. 

Jesus paid my death sentence, and I cannot be tried for my sins today. Hallelujah! 

                                                                                                                              J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Double Jeopardy

 

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Ascended Lord

ASCENDED LORD

Seventh of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Psalm 68:18, Luke 24:50-51

Psalm 68:18:  “When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious—that You, O Lord God, might dwell there.”

Luke 24:50-51:  “When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up to heaven.”

 

            Psalm 68:18 celebrates the hope of those awaiting our turn to ascend to God.  (Believers are captives in His train).  Jesus continues to receive faith and good works gifts from men.  He wants all people to be saved.  What a glorious day when we ascend to be with Jesus! 

            Only John records Jesus’ words, “It is finished.” spoken from the cross (John 19:30).  Then Jesus gave up his spirit, His work complete.  What did Jesus mean by this statement? 

            Jesus meant when He cried out “It is finished” was that every prophesy concerning Himself was fulfilled.  For John 19:28 says, “Later, knowing that all was now completed so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”  Even that was foretold in Psalm 69:21.

            I’m reminded that Jesus’ life was truly an open book.    

            What if we had to do everything some book predicted about our lives?  Especially because some things we would have to make happen so that the book would be true.   Jesus had to convince John the Baptist to do his part.  John said when Jesus came to be baptized, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”  (Matthew 3:14).

            Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”  Then John agreed to baptize the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  John wrote this so that we’d know that John the Baptist also was fulfilling prophesy too…from Isaiah 40:3, then John 1:29. 

            Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His Messianic ministry. 

            Jesus explains in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.”  And fulfill them Jesus did, before ascending to heaven.

Take Home Nugget

            Most people resist obeying orders.  That rebellious spirit isn’t hard to spot in ourselves.  Jesus was totally obedient to the Father’s command to fulfill everything the Bible’s Old Testament foretold about Him.  See the lesson linked below for more prophecy Jesus deliberately accomplished, before He ascended to the Father.

When I don’t want to,

Strengthen me to do.

Teach me to obey,

Even when I don’t get my way!

                                                                                                                              J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Ascended Lord

  

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New Covenant of Grace

            NEW COVENANT OF GRACE

Sixth of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 26:27-29

Jeremiah 31:31:  “The time is coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." 

Jeremiah 31:32:  “It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke My covenant though I was husband to them,’ declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 31:33:  “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord.  ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God and they will be My people.’”

 

Matthew 26:27:  “Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you.” 

Matthew 26:28:  “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  

 

HE IS RISEN!

            Jesus ushered in God’s New Covenant of grace that first Easter (Matthew 28:1-10, John 1:17).  Covenant is a promise God makes to His people that He’s sure to keep—even if they don’t.  It’s always people who break God’s covenant.  Jeremiah’s passage is the only time “new covenant” is mentioned in the Old Testament.  So, when did people think it would arrive?  They were clueless about Jesus.  

            When the Father talks about the “house of Israel”, He intends to include the house of Judah.  The two kingdoms were rejoined after two hundred hears of hostility.  See divided Israel here:

 

            The New covenant arrived through Jesus, and includes Christians!  “The time is coming” in the Old Testament means “the Messianic era”.  The Father always planned for His Son Jesus to redeem people from sin—offering believers eternal life.  The difference between the two covenants is law and grace. 

            God’s original covenant with Israel was His law, the Ten Commandments etched in stone.  (It was an external visible sign).  The law’s seriousness was sealed with the blood of sacrificed animals.  God’s law of the New Covenant is etched in people’s hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), and sealed with the blood of Jesus.  The invisible internal New Covenant fulfills what the old covenant purposed.    

Take Home Nugget

            “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:5).   “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14).

Thank You God, for Jesus and Your grace!

                                                                                                                              J.D. Griffith

 

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for New Covenant of Grace

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Criminals

            CRIMINALS

Fifth of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Isaiah 53:12, Matthew 27:38 & Luke 23:34

Isaiah 53:12:  “Therefore, I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.  For He bore the sins of many, and made intersession for the transgressors.”

Matthew 27:38:  “Two criminals were crucified with Him, one on His right, and one on His left.”

            Luke 23:34:  “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they’re doing.’”

 

            People considered Jesus a criminal when He was crucified (Luke 22:37).  Isn’t that fitting?  He hung out with sinners, was crucified next to, and intercedes for sinners even today!

 

            Sinners rarely think of themselves as criminals.  But believers in Christ were criminals before we accepted Jesus as Lord.  For Romans 6:23 says, “the wages of sin is death.”  We certainly were criminals—criminals who were dead, and headed for eternal death—as unforgiven and unsaved.

            Because Jesus bore the totality of human sin while hanging on the cross, the Father had to look away.  Even the Father treated His perfect Son as a criminal!  And yet, Jesus interceded for, or negotiated with the Father on sinners’ behalf, as He hung on the cross! 

Jesus conquered death when He rose to life on the third day.  The Father shows us in the opening Scripture that a conqueror receives and distributes the spoils of war after a victory.  Jesus’ victory over death not only blesses the many and mighty, but also the few and weak (Colossians 2:15).  He continues blessing redeemed sinners every day! (Hebrews 9:24).

            Jesus poured out His very life for us, so that we might have eternal life with Him in heaven (Romans 3:25).  Because Jesus was seen as, and punished as a criminal, He understands His brothers and sisters.  Believers can depend on His faithful intercession for us.  We don’t deserve that.  But neither did Jesus deserve what He had to endure on our behalf.  In exchange for our sin, Jesus makes believers the righteousness of God! (1 Corinthians 1:30). 

The guilty are rewarded as if we were innocent!  You and I are the true criminals.

 

 

Take Home Nugget

            Jesus still personally bears our physical and spiritual pain.  He sympathizes with our problems.  He heals our sicknesses.  He delivers us from trouble.  He restores wrecked lives.  All He asks is that you put your faith in Him.  He did this because He loves you.  Won’t you accept Him, so He can gift you forgiveness and salvation today?

Purchased by His precious blood, believers are monuments of Jesus’ grace. 

Now we can celebrate the good news of Good Friday!

                                                                                                                              J.D. Griffith

 

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Criminals

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Hands & Side Pierced

HANDS AND SIDE PIERCED

Fourth of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Zechariah 12:10, John 20:25-29

Zechariah 12:10:  “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.  They will look on me, the one they have pierced and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as a firstborn son.”

John 20:27:  “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see My hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into My side.  Stop doubting and believe.’”

 

            The lesson linked below shows why people began calling disbelieving friends   “Doubting Thomas”.  But something else happened in the house where the disciples had gathered.  The doors were locked, and Christ just suddenly appeared.  Those glorified bodies will truly be awesome, folks!

            I could talk a long time about Jesus’ powers.  But that’s not the message the Spirit wants me to write today.  The Scripture in John happened over the course of eight days.  The disciples, minus Thomas, had seen the risen Christ last Sabbath, and Jesus appeared the following Sabbath.  Eight days later.  Both times the disciples were gathered together in a religious setting when Jesus came to them.

            The doors were locked for a reason.  The disciples were scared.  They needed privacy for fellowship and worship.  They remained in Jerusalem after Jesus’ death and resurrection.  They found comfort and encouragement among fellow believers.  Jerusalem was probably electric. Wouldn’t you imagine the city was divided with mixtures of people debating the “Jesus Issue”?

            Again, the Spirit wants me to abandon this interesting subject…okay.  Jesus made special effort to “drop in” a second time when He knew Thomas would be present.  This puts Jesus in a category all by Himself.  He is deeply concerned with every detail of people’s individual faith.  Thomas mattered to Jesus.  Jesus wanted Thomas to   believe—his eternal destiny was at stake!

            That’s an example for Jesus’ followers.  We’re to care deeply about other’s belief in Jesus, too.  And we’re also to be sensitive about others’ beliefs.  Some faiths are strong, while others not-so-much.  Jesus didn’t embarrass Thomas.  Gently, He offered Himself as proof of His resurrection.  

            Romans 15:1-2 says, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not please ourselves.  Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”  If we are faithless, we are Christless (1 John 5:11-12).  Christless people are graceless, hopeless and joyless.

Take Home Nugget

            Notice that Thomas didn’t leave.  Nor did the other disciples force him to leave.  They continued to be devoted to one another.    

The world will know believers by our love.

                                                                                                                                             J.D. Griffith

 

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Hanks & Side Pierced

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Triumphal Donkey Ride

TRIUMPHAL DONKEY RIDE

Third of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-10

Zechariah 9:9:  “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See, our king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foul of a donkey.”

Matthew 21:8-9 “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  Those that went ahead of Him and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!   Hosanna in the highest!’”

 

            How do you think you’d act if you knew everything that will happen in your life?  Jesus as the Word of God (John 1:1), knows the Bible by heart.  Now imagine that Jesus knew what Zechariah prophesied centuries before the scene unfolded before His very eyes that is written in Matthew 21:8-9.  Jesus lived Déjà vu.    

            Déjà vu is French term that means “already seen”.  (Or like when something happens that we swear we've’ already lived before—but really haven’t).  These parallel Bible series devotions are all like that.  Every devotion shows a New Testament repeat of what’s already been written by different people in the Old Testament.  (Why it’s called a parallel Bible series). 

            How do you think Jesus felt when riding a donkey into Jerusalem the day we call Palm Sunday?  What do you think was the expression Jesus wore on His face?  The crowd was cheering for Him, singing and waving palm branches—even spreading them on the ground where the donkey walked.  Was Jesus smiling?  Was He waving at the crowd? 

             I think He was.  People struggled for centuries trying to understand God.  So, Jesus laid aside His glory in heaven so He could come to earth as a human being.  He was and will always be God.  Yet, He lived the life of a human being because He loves us so much.

            We “see” the love of God on Jesus’ face when He chose and taught His disciples.  We “hear” how Jesus spoke to His disciples and many others.  We try to copy Jesus’ having lived a sinless life.  Those action words are in italics because if we use our imagination, we’re with Jesus as we read the New Testament.

Take Home Nugget

            There’s a reason for repeating what the prophets said and Jesus living in the New Testament.  Again, it’s for God’s love for us.  We’re living in the New Covenant of grace that Jesus ushered in by His death on the cross (Luke 22:20). 

Jesus’ triumphal ride so long ago was so that we can live triumphantly in His grace today.

J.D. Griffith

 

Clickhere for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Triumphal Donkey Ride

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Passover Lamb

PASSOVER LAMB

Second of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29

Isaiah 53:7:  “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, He did not open His mouth.”

John 1:29:  “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”

 

            Does this title seem curious to you?  What’s Passover?  Check out the lesson linked below to learn more about Passover.  Passover was the major event for God rescuing his people out of Egypt.  Blood is always involved in people’s redemption.  In Passover, the blood of a lamb was put on top and sides of a house’s doorframe in order for the people to remain safe inside.

            Only lambs without a defect were acceptable sacrifices.  1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 

            Jesus was chosen before the creation of the world for the purpose of redeeming people from sin (1 Peter 1:20).  Jesus is what John the Baptist said, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).  Jesus kept silent when given an opportunity to defend Himself from His accusers (Matthew 27:13)—parallel to what the opening scripture Isaiah 53:7 says.         

            “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if had been slain, standing in the center of the throne…(Revelation 5:6a) shows Christ as the mighty conqueror.  Jesus as Lamb of God is a victorious military leader bearing the marks of His slaughter, came to power through His death. 

            Not only as a Lamb, but Revelation 5:5 says that Jesus, “the lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 

            Believers of Jesus are also referred to in the books of 1 Corinthians and Revelation.

Take Home Nugget                                                     

            Revelation 14:14 says, “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure.  They follow the Lamb wherever He goes.  They were purchased from among men and offered as a first fruits to God and the Lamb.  No lie was found in their mouths; they were blameless.” 

            1 Corinthians 1:8 shows us:  “He [Jesus] will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Meek as a Lamb, Christ is our Lion defender.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Passover Lamb

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Friends Fled

FRIENDS FLED

First of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Psalm 88:18, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31, 56, Luke 23:49

Psalm 88:18:  “You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.”

Zechariah 13:7:  “‘Awake, O sword, my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

Matthew 26:31:  “Then Jesus told them, ‘this very night you will all fall away on account of Me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’”

Luke 23:49:  “But all those who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.”

 

            This first devotion in Passion for Redemption will peer closely into Jesus’ last week of His earthly life.   Beaten Bloody devotion showed that Jesus was severely whipped at the flogging Pilate ordered.   Roman flogging intended to hasten criminals’ death at their crucifixion.  Jesus was flogged after His arrest, when many of His disciples fled.

            No one knows the heart of a friend.  We grow close to people at work and at play.  We think we’re tight, but that’s not always right.  We learn the truth about people when being tested. 

            At one job, I listened to fellow employees gripe about our low wages.  I had worked for a different company that paid more than what I currently received.  In order to improve the quality of our lives, I called an “all hands on deck” meeting, notifying management as well as employees.  My fellow employees got nervous.  “What’s this about?” they asked me.

            “I’m going to ask for higher wages!” I told them.  Everyone seated around a circular meeting table, I pled my case.  There are problems I had as a single mother to make ends meet, I explained.  Management listened intently.  When called on to give their opinions, not one coworker spoke up in agreement with me!

            My coworkers were still there in person, but truly, they had all fled!

            Peter had denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75).  “When Judas who had betrayed Him saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse, and returned the thirty pieces of silver coins to the chief priests and elders. (Matthew 26:3).   Both disciples knew Jesus had predicted their falling away.

            When the going gets tough, who needs friends who flee? 

Take Home Nugget

            After the meeting ended, the president called me into his office.  “Call me, if you ever need a job!” he said in confidence.

            What do you think about that?

            Check out the lesson linked below to see when Jesus’ disciples fled.

Standing up for principles sometimes means standing up for others, even when they flee.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Friends Fled

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