The Cross

                                    THE CROSS                                                      

Eighth of nine devotions in Lenten Intense Series from Isaiah 53:1-12 

Matthew 16:21-27, John 19:17-22 

Matthew 16:24:  “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’” 

John 19:17:  “Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place called the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).”

 

            Ten year old Cassie always wears a necklace with a cross dangling from its chain.  When she found Kodie sitting all alone on a swing, Cassie sat down next to her (See Don’t Fear devotion).  Both girls noticed the cross necklaces they wore, but didn’t mention it aloud.

            So Cassie felt the presence of a kindred [alike] spirit BEFORE she tried to make friends with Kodie.

            The cross is central to believers.  It is a sign announcing to whom we belong: it broadcasts faith in God and His Son Jesus.  It is a symbol that unites all Christians throughout the world.  The cross is the heart of what Christians believe.

            1.  Gospel Message.  Jesus lived a perfect life.  Without sin, He showed people how to confront those who reject God’s truth.  Directly.  Softly.  Consistently.  His obedience shows believers that we’re not above obeying God’s command to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).  Sometimes we must get down and dirty to reach others right where they are.  Service.

            2.  Reconciliation to the Father.  The cross was torture for Jesus.  But only He was qualified to bear the Father’s judgment for people’s sins.  And so, Jesus suffered an agonizing death on our behalf.  Sacrifice.  Nothing else is needed for still-sinful people to come directly to a Holy Father who sees us as righteous—because of our faith in His Son.  

            3.  Instant access after death.  Believers-of-Jesus don’t have to wait   to be with God after death.  One thief who was crucified next to Jesus came to faith in Him that same day.  He pleaded in Luke 23:42, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

            Jesus answered him in verse 43, “I tell you the truth.  Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

             Salvation. 

 

            That’s intense!

Take Home Nugget

Isaiah 53:8:  “By oppression and judgment He was taken away.  And who can speak of His descendants?  For He was cut off from the land of the living, for the transgression of my people He was stricken.”  

Cassie attends Lenten services at her church.  She learned at this year’s Good Friday service that what happened at Calvary so long ago still saves people to eternal life who are tortured for their faith today.

Do you wear a cross?

Holy Father, help me to advance Your kingdom today, because Jesus gave so much for my salvation. Amen.

J.D. Griffith

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Shout!

SHOUT!                                                                

 

Seventh of nine devotions in Lenten Intense Series from Isaiah 53:1-12

Matthew 21:1-11 

Matthew 21:9:  “The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Ephesians 6:12:  “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

 

 

            Palm Sunday was Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  Riding on a young donkey, people laid down and waved palm branches, shouting at Him as He passed by.  Hosanna is a Hebrew expression that means “Save!”  This day began a week of Jesus’ passion. 

            He’d celebrate the Passover Feast with His disciples.  He’d lead them in the first Holy Communion, explaining that the bread is His body.  The wine is His blood.  Judas would betray Him.  Peter would disown Him.  He’d be tried and condemned to be crucified on a cross.

            Shout Hosanna! 

 

            The greater a believer’s impact for the kingdom of God, the more fiercely the devil attacks.  Ten year old Cassie wanted her eight year old cousin Shakira to befriend a classmate.  The “new girl” in third grade, named Kodie is from Uganda.  Kodie’s skin is very dark.  No one in third grade wanted anything to do with Kodie.

            In Death of Self devotion, Cassie had to shame Shakira and Violet to play with classmate Kodie.  At recess-ending bell, the four admitted having had great fun playing four square.  The devil failed to keep Kodie excluded.  This time.

            Shout for joy!

 

            Jesus understands Kodie’s pain.  Jesus understands how hard it can be to befriend someone who society outcasts.  Jesus understands every one of His believer’s anxiety.  He “gets” us.  He suffered much during His time on Earth. 

            People disrespected Jesus and disbelieved His teaching.  They told lies about Him.  They demanded His death—by crucifixion!  Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged.  Flogging is a whipping using leather cords imbedded with metal shards.  Each lash shreds the skin.   

            Jesus knew how the very people He came to earth to save would treat Him.  And yet He came willingly.  He came to die, so that whoever believes in Him could live forever.   He came to gather believers into God’s family.  He came with love. 

            Shout your gratitude!

Take Home Nugget

Isaiah 53:10:  “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him [in spirit] and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life a guilt offering [mankind’s sin], for He will see his offspring [believers] and prolong His days [eternal life], and the Lord will prosper in His hand [blessings for obedience].”

 

 

            That’s intense!

Shout praise for resurrected back-to-life big brother Jesus!

J.D. Griffith

 

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Blood

BLOOD                                                                 

 

Sixth of nine devotions in Lenten Intense Series from Isaiah 53:1-12

Romans 3:21-26 

Romans 3:25:  “God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.  He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.”

 

            “Through faith in His blood” is the heart of Scripture.  Without Jesus’ shed blood and atoning death, no one could be forgiven.  No one could be declared righteous.  No one could come into God’s presence.  No one could live eternally.

            Ezekiel 18:4 says:  “For every living soul belongs to ME, the Father as well as the son—both alike belong to ME.  The soul who sins is the one who will die.” (Emphasis mine.)  God came up with how the price for sin—death—could be reversed.  He explained to Moses in Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

            A life must be given (animal) for a life to be spared (human).  God’s original covenant with His people demanded blood sacrifice—many thousands of animals died—for forgiveness of sins.  Jesus’s death ushered in God’s New Covenant.  No more sacrificing animals for forgiveness of people’s sins. 

            Jesus administered Holy Communion (His body and blood in the form of bread and wine) to His disciples for the first time at the Passover Feast of Unleavened Bread.  “Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is My body.’  Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.  This is My blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”  (Matthew 26:26-28).   

            That day is called Maundy Thursday today, the day before Good Friday, when Christ was crucified.  See the lesson linked below to learn who fled rather than believe and receive Jesus’ body and blood.  Today, believers receive Holy Communion all around the world.  

Isaiah 53:5: “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”  (Emphasis mine.)

 

            That’s intense!

Take Home Nugget

            “By His wounds,” or by faith in Jesus’ shed blood, believers are healed from sickness.  Kodie, Shakira’s third grade classmate from Uganda, is in the USA so that her mom could be treated by a specific doctor.  (See Don’t Fear devotion).  What Shakira didn’t know:  the doctor ALSO prescribed daily Holy Communion for her mom.     

     

Blood is life.  Jesus’ blood heals life.

J.D. Griffith

 

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Death Of Self

DEATH OF SELF

 

Fifth of nine devotions in Lenten Intense Series from Isaiah 53:1-12

Romans 6:8-11 

Romans 6:6:  “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin could be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”

 

            Ten year old Cassie bounced a ball to eight year old Kodie at recess.  (She had found her all alone before, and asked to be her friend in Don’t Fear devotion). “Hey Kodie, want to play four square?  Why don’t you take this ball to the game and wait for me?” 

            “Okay.” Kodie said, all smiles.

            Cassie found her eight year old cousin Shakira and third grade classmate, Violet, on the playground.  “Hey, let’s play four square!” she said.

            “Nooo,” Shakira protested.  “I don’t want to play that.”

            “Oh, but I insist.” Cassie stomped her feet.  “Let’s go!”  Walking around the building, Cassie hissed, “Why don’t you two play with Kodie?”

            Shakira defended herself, “She doesn’t like me.”

            “Did you try to be her friend?” Cassie pressed.

            “But her skin…so black!” Violet said, scrunching up her nose.

            Believers rarely acknowledge that their “self” dies the moment they accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives.  This is not accidental.  It’s deliberate.  Believers are destined for the cross.  (Learn more in in the lesson, linked below).  At the moment of salvation, our “selves” die.

            Immediately, we receive God’s Spirit and become a new creation to live as God’s kids.  (John 14:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17).  God’s supernatural gifts begin transforming believers into the likeness of His Son—fit for earthly service and eternal life. 

            Handing over our lives to God positions Him as Lord.  This frees us from what tethers us to the world—ties to “stuff.” 

             Before the recess-ending bell rang, all four kids could be heard and seen laughing and playing together.  “Let’s do this again on Monday!” Shakira promised as they ran back to class. 

Take Home Nugget

            Do we still resent people solely on the color of their skin? 

What was it about Jesus that caused people to choose Barabbas for release?  Then—when asked what to do with Jesus—why did the crowd cry out, “Crucify Him!”  (Matthew 27:20-23).

            Isaiah 53:4:  “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him a man stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.”

            Even God the Father approved of Jesus’ death sentence. 

           

            That’s intense!

            Jesus was the ONLY perfect sacrifice who could pay mankind’s sin debt.  Jesus died so that you and I might join God’s family and live with Him forever.

When will humans get that we’re in this world to be saved by God and live for Him by serving others?

J.D. Griffith

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Ageless Anchor

AGELESS ANCHOR

 

Fourth of nine devotions in Lenten Intense Series from Isaiah 53:1-12 

Hebrews 13:5-9 

Hebrews 13:8:  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

 

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 like a sheep before her shearers is silent, He did not open His mouth.”

 

            Sometimes, it’s best to shut up our mouths.  When others cannot “see” where you’re coming from, they’ll never understand your point.  They’ll never “hear” truth and change their minds.

            The chief priests and elders approached Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked.  “And who gave you this authority?” Jesus responded by asking a question:

            “I will also ask you one question.  If you answer Me, I will tell you on what authority I do these things.  John’s baptism—where did it come from?  Was it from heaven or from men?” 

              After debating, the chief priests and elders agreed that Jesus’ question was a trap.  Either answer would prompt Jesus to accuse them of unbelief.  (For John was thought to be the Lord’s prophet).  They finally answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

            Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”  (Matthew 21:23-27).  Jesus is our ageless anchor (Revelation 21:6).  He is constant.  He never moves away from God’s truth.

            But people change constantly.  We grow and learn every day.  Everything in our lives flow:  Relationships, jobs, finances and even man-made rules change.  So when we anchor ourselves on one of them…well, no wonder we lose our footing!

            The tighter we hold on to a moving foundation, the deeper we fall.  Friends, abilities and life positions all change.  Then when trials come, we’re lost.  Unless we anchor our belief and hopes on Christ, we’ll never have a firm grip on life.  Only Christ is an unchanging anchor yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Believing in God is the anchor that holds us fast, regardless how violent life’s storms.    

Take Home Nugget

            When God is silent, believers wonder why.  But, God won’t remain silent forever.  We align ourselves on the One who never moves.  God’s waiting for us to get His point.  It’s our move.  He’s waiting to hear confessed sin.  He’s waiting to forgive the one we postponed forgiving.  He’s waiting to respond to our cries for help.

            Check out the lesson below to learn when Jesus remained silent, and why.  When Jesus was being grilled behind closed doors, His disciples lost it.  Their leader, their Master, their ageless anchor was going to be crucified!

 

            That’s intense!

When life throws us curve balls that we swing at and miss, let’s grasp Jesus’ hand and refuse to let go.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO EVERYONE IN USA!

J.D. Griffith

 

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Don't Fear

 

DON’T FEAR

 

Third of nine devotions in Lenten Intense Series from Isaiah 53:1-12 

Matthew 14:22-34 

Matthew 14:28-33:  “‘Lord, if it’s You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’

“‘Come,’ He said.

“Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”

 

            Lent is often a difficult time in many people’s lives.  Pastors and priests agree that people suffer unexpected bad news during Lent.  It’s almost like God wants His children to feel pain during this season when His Son suffered so much. 

Isaiah 53:3:  “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”

 

Jesus’ disciples were afraid after Jesus was arrested.  Matthew 26:56 says, “All the disciples deserted Him and fled.”

Ten year old Cassie sat on the swing next to the new girl at recess.  Her skin was very black.  Cassie had never seen an African-American’s skin so dark.  So she wanted to meet her.  “Hi!” Cassie said, smiling.

The girl asked, “Are you talking to me?”

Cassie said, “Yes!  You’re new here.  I never saw you before.  What’s your name?  What grade are you in?”

The girl shook her head, and scoffed.  “No one talks to me!”

Cassie said, “Don’t mind them.  You’re just different.  But I’d like to be your friend …if you want.”

The girl looked directly into Cassie’s eyes.  She said, “I would like to be your friend.  My name is Kodie.  I’m in third grade.”

Cassie said, “My cousin Shakira is in your class, Kodie.  Did you just arrive in this country?”

“Yes,” Kodie explained, “we arrived Monday from Uganda.  My mom is very sick.  A good friend in our church there said we should take her to his uncle, a surgeon in the USA.”

“Oh,” Cassie said, wrinkling her brow.  “I’m very sorry about your mom.”

“My sister and brother are still in Uganda.  We may not be able to bring them here.” 

Take Home Nugget

            Whenever we our whine about our troubles, we see that others’ are worse.  Then, we’re grateful for our own trouble. 

How weird is that?   

            When people see no path to victory, we get scared.  Peter began sinking, sure that he’d drown.  His first reaction was fear.  His next reaction is what we can learn:  He cried out for Jesus’ help.

            “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’”

 

            That’s intense!

When doubting our own sufficiency, we fear failure.  But we should NEVER doubt God’s sovereignty.

J.D. Griffith

 

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Closing Door

 

CLOSING DOOR

Second of nine devotions in Lenten Intense Series from Isaiah 53:1-12

2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2

2 Corinthians 6:2:  “For He says, ‘In the time of My favor, I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’”

Apostle Paul continues, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 

 

            Each disciple immediately dropped everything and followed Jesus when He called (Matthew 4:18-22).  No one hesitated.  Jesus understood that when people hesitate, they never follow through with promises made.  See Luke 9:57-60:

 

            “As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever You go.’ 

            “Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.’  He said to another man, ‘Follow Me.’”

            “But the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’

            “Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’”

            These passages sound cruel.  Believers expect a teaching moment when Jesus speaks harshly.  You see, the man’s father was not yet dead.  He may not have died for years.  Jesus meant that the spiritually dead could bury the physically dead.  But those who are spiritually alive should be busy proclaiming the kingdom of God. 

            Kingdom work is urgent.     

            Doors open and close.  People dash onto open train cars and duck into elevators before doors close.  We grab available opportunities before they’re gone.    

            One day the door of mercy will close.  Slammed shut—without another chance to enter in—is more precise.                     

            Why do people risk not accepting Jesus’ offer of salvation today?

            Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  “The iniquity of us all” includes Israel’s rejection of their Messiah, who they WILL acknowledge one day. 

            Holy God the Father cannot stand in sin’s presence, so Christ suffered   alone for OUR sins on the cross.  Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”  He died, rose from the grave and is alive today.  Jesus says, “I am the door.  Whoever enters through Me will be saved.”  (Matthew 27:46, 50, 57-60, 28:5-6, John 10:9).

            Jesus proclaims that the day of salvation is TODAY!

  

            That’s intense!

Take Home Nugget

            Jesus announces in Matthew 25:34, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.”  Everyone who believes in Christ will rejoice at these words of eternal life …that begins right now! 

            But those who reject Christ will be sent away to eternal punishment, verse 46.

There’s no better day than today

To come into God’s family.

J.D. Griffith

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