Groaning for Redemption

GROANING FOR REDEMPTION

Galatians 5:4-7

Galatians 5:4-5:  “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.  But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.”

            Having just completed Gethsemane devotion series before Easter, I’m sure that my faithful readers don’t depend on being justified by keeping God’s laws!  Believers depend on being justified by faith in Christ, under His grace covenant.  Justified means acceptable to God.  Our job as Believers is to believe and trust Him—whose faithfulness endures forever. 

             The opening Scripture talks about faith to believe, trusting that what is yet to come will surely come.  However, we who live through God’s Spirit know that faith in Jesus is Believer’s righteousness to the Father right now.  We embrace 2 Corinthians 5:21 that says, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”   

 

            Immediately after Adam brought sin into the world, all creation began longing for redemption.  In fact, Romans 8:22 uses these words:  “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” 

            The Bible’s Old Testament prophets foretold the coming Messiah.  His coming promised restoration and redemption.  For thousands of years the Israelites waited patiently, expectantly.  Then when Jesus arrived, they didn’t recognize Him as their long-awaited Messiah. 

            Jesus wasn’t what they wanted.  They thought that redemption meant freedom from Roman rule.  But God doesn’t usually fix short-term problems.     God sees the big picture.  His focus is inclusive for all peoples’ eternal redemption, not only for Old Testament Hebrews. 

            He allowed Alexander the Great to conquer the known world.  Greek became the language of his expanded empire.  Roads were built connecting nation to nation.  All this preparation took time.  Time that people rarely have the patience to wait through. 

            Jesus’ coming to Earth was perfect timing for God to introduce His truth throughout the world.  When Jesus’ disciples went out to preach His saving Gospel, baptizing them into His kingdom, travel was relatively safe.  They spread the Gospel outward from Jerusalem to England, Europe, Asia and Africa. 

            See the lesson linked below to learn why people still need to learn Jesus’ saving Gospel of redemption. 

   

Take Home Nugget

            Believers are eager for Jesus to return.  We’re ready for the end of this era.  Sin’s curse of corruption seeped into everything.  Nothing is pure anymore.  What was once great will never be great again.

            When Jesus returns, He will begin His millennial reign (Revelation 20:1-7).  He will finally redeem the world.  We will be awestruck at His encompassing redemption!  

Come, Lord Jesus.  Come soon!

Adapted from “Waiting for Redemption.”  Dr. Charles Stanley.  March 30, 2015. In Touch magazine. Georgia, USA.

J.D. Griffith

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Incremental Wonder

INCREMENTAL WONDER

Fourteenth of fourteen devotions in Gethsemane series

Matthew 16:24-25:  “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’”

            This Easter, why not celebrate the risen Savior with a sacrifice of your own?  We saw how Jesus was severely beaten, bloodied to almost beyond recognition.  He could barely walk up the hill to His own death. 

            He never wavered once.  His face had been resolutely set on going to Jerusalem—knowing that He’d soon be with the Father (Luke 9:51).  His disciples tried to get Him to avoid Jerusalem.  Every time they went there, something weird happened.

            But this time, it would be worse than anyone imagined.  Yet, Jesus fulfilled everything—every law of God—that was foretold in Scripture about Him.  Jesus was betrayed, arrested, denied, accused, tried and sentenced to death.  Death on a cross.  !!!

            He took all of our sins—past present and future—with Him.  He took our  curse with Him.  Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”  Whoever believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord are forgiven, free of the curse AND declared righteous! 

            Because He rose from the dead!

            HALLELUJAH! 

            Now it’s Believer’s turn.  Let’s show Him our love and gratitude. 

Take Home Nugget

            “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:26).  These words are hard to understand, and even harder to do!  What are You asking of me, Lord? 

            The awesome incremental wonder of changing me into Your likeness has me shell-shocked.

            May I feel the rough wood of the cross with each thought, word and action I take.  Help me to realize that You are with me, living in me.  May I follow Your Spirit to live my life by faith.  Lead me to do what You would do, since You’re right here with me.  Your Spirit lives inside me, transforming me incrementally to be like You. 

            A wonderful WOW!

            With every sinful thought, remind me of Your transforming wonder of living through me.  Stop my responding harshly to attacks, since You kept silent before false accusers. 

            Help me to stop thinking more of myself than I should.  Remind me that You emptied Yourself—taking on the role of a servant—finding Yourself in appearance as a man. 

            End my selfishness, since You gave all of Yourself for me.  Before death, You forgave Your executioners, gave paradise to a thief and a son to Your mother.

            You awe me, Jesus!

Incremental wonder: Your Spirit transforms me to be like You!  Help me to continue dying to myself every day.

Adapted from “The Death and Resurrection of the Self—A Prayer.”  Dr. Charles Stanley.  March 21-22, 2015. In Touch magazine. Georgia, USA.

J.D. Griffith

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Why Blood Sacrifice?

WHY BLOOD SACRIFICE?

Thirteenth of fourteen devotions in Gethsemane series

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.”

            What a bloody mess!  Old Testament people sacrificed thousands of animals in atoning for their sins.  (See lesson linked below).  Then Jesus came.  Only a select few knew why He came to earth.  (Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna are mentioned in Luke 2:21-39).

            Let’s follow Jesus’ beloved disciple John to Golgotha [GOL-gotha-a].  (The skull).

            I screeched seeing Jesus!  What a bloody mess!  Carrying a cross, Jesus’ back was a patchwork of skin tatters and bone.  Every bloody step buckled His knees. 

            Soldiers forced a man to carry the cross.  Following Jesus up the hill, I panicked trying to think of some way to help. 

            Soldiers lay the cross on the ground, then made Jesus lay down on top.  Raising His arms to the crossbar, they nailed His hands in place.  A large nail secured His feet, crossed at the ankles, to the foot rest.

            I sighed.  

            The cross was raised using rope pulleys.  Soldiers aimed the bottom toward a hole dug in the ground.  THUNK!  “Uh!” I heard Jesus gasp.  Jesus was now slumped upright.  He tried pushing His feet to straighten up using the foot rest, but couldn’t.  He labored at every breath.

            Women wept.  I wept too, wringing my hands.  All I could do was watch Jesus’ face.    

            Scanning His eyes to see who were present, Jesus spoke to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son.”  Then Jesus looked at me and said, “Here is your mother.” 

            I looked toward Mary and opened my arms.  Walking to each other, we collapsed in a shaky embrace.  Tears flowed freely. 

            Then Jesus spoke again, “I am thirsty.”  Soldiers soaked a sponge in   vinegar, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  The next thig Jesus said was His last, “It is finished.”

            (John 19:16-30).   

Take Home Nugget

            We can imagine John, Mary and the other women weeping together before John took Mary home.  Jesus even took care of His mother before His dying breath. 

            Now we understand the opening Scripture.  Without Jesus being a bloody mess, we’d still be hell-bound—forever separated from God.  Jesus finished the job that He was sent to earth to do.

            His Believers are horrified at what our forgiveness cost Him, and moved to tears.  

            That day is called “Good Friday.”  His blood washed away the sins of the world.  Now you and I can sing praises to the last Lamb to be sacrificed for forgiveness of sins (Revelation 5:9-19).  

Thank You Jesus for purchasing me with Your own blood.

Adapted from “The Necessity of Blood Sacrifice.”  Dr. Charles Stanley.  March 31, 2015. In Touch magazine. Georgia, USA.

J.D. Griffith

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Essential Ministry of God's Spirit

ESSENTIAL MINISTRY OF GOD’S SPIRIT

Twelfth of fourteen devotions in Gethsemane series

Galatians 5:16:  “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

           

            “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to the 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 covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  (Matthew 26:26-28).

             

            God’s indwelling Spirit—or the Holy Spirit—is how Christians believe that the bread, or wafer eaten at Holy Communion, represents Jesus’ body.  And also how we believe that the wine, or grape juice represents Jesus’ blood.  How these earthly “ridiculous notions” Believers-in-Christ trust as true is called faith.

            Without God’s Spirit, Believers couldn’t believe these “ridiculous notions.”  His ministry is essential for Believer’s faith.   Faith is what sets Believers apart from the world.  That’s the Holy Spirit’s work, called sanctification [sank-tif-i-KA-shon]. 

            Did you catch what Jesus said about His blood being covenant blood?  The covenant that God made with Abraham, passed onto his son Isaac then to his son Jacob in Genesis is made new through Christ.  Jesus ushered in a new covenant of grace. 

            God’s promise, or covenant of grace guarantees provision, protection and forgiveness of sins for whomever believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord.  The old covenant was people-obedience dependent.  The grace covenant is Christ’s-finished-work-on-the cross dependent.  Our part is to believe.  That’s where God’s Spirit ministry of faith is essential. 

            The Father sees Believers as Christ-righteous, pure and blameless.  Believers who cooperate with God’s Spirit live the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10.  He steers us away from danger and into truth.  (John 16:7-8).  Jesus warns us that there will be trouble in the world (John 16:33).  “But take heart” He says.  “I have overcome the world!”

            Believers’ awesome privilege is to form a relationship with the Creator of the universe!   See the lesson-linked below to learn why God’s Spirit is essential for faith. 

Take Home Nugget

            When people’s lives run smoothly, they get in trouble when they take the credit.  They forget God-dependency.  Self-reliance isn’t God’s way for Believers to live. 

            God provided His Spirit so that Believers could live godly lives in His strength.  He is our power.  He is our wisdom when we allow Him to live through us. 

            When we listen to God’s Spirit, we find joy, fulfillment and great satisfaction doing exactly what we were created to do (Ephesians 2:10).     

Thank You Father, for providing me Your Spirit.  He is as essential to my life as is the air I breathe!

Adapted from “The Holy Spirit—An Absolute” and “The Work of the Holy Spirit.”  Dr. Charles Stanley.  March 26-27, 2015. In Touch magazine. Georgia, USA.

J.D. Griffith

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What Does Palm Sunday Have to do with Me?

WHAT DOES PALM SUNDAY HAVE TO DO WITH ME?  

Eleventh of fourteen devotions in Gethsemane series

Philippians 2:3-13

Philippians 2:3-5:  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”  (See lesson linked below).

            Answering the Title question: I’m taught to follow Jesus to the cross by…dying to self and becoming alive in Christ.  I’m taught to redeem people in the world through loving service. 

            This Gethsemane Lenten trip is challenging.  Let’s pretend that we’re Jesus’ disciple back in A.D. 33.  Walking towards Jerusalem, Jesus says, “As you know, the Passover is two days away.  But do you know that the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified?”  (Matthew 26:2).

            “That’s not funny, Jesus.  Stop playing, Man!”

            “Let’s pop in to visit Simon for a bit.”

            “Okay.” 

            “Jesus!   I’m so glad that you stopped!  Please come inside and I’ll prepare dinner for you all.”  Simon said. 

            “Thanks, Simon.  We’re famished after walking all this way!”

            “Jesus!”  Simon’s sister screeched.  “Hang on!”  She disappeared and quickly returned.  Cracking open a jar, she poured the contents over Jesus’ head.  The scent filled the whole house.  Jesus lay his head back and closed His eyes.

            “Well, that is great, Miss.  But why waste your perfume?” I asked.  “It could fetch a lot of money…money that could help the poor!”

            Jesus sat up straight.  Looking into my eyes, He said, “Did you forget that I’m going to be crucified soon? This lovely lady is sacrificing her expensive perfume, preparing My body for burial.  Stop criticizing her.  Poor people are all around, but you won’t have Me around much longer.  Besides, she will be exalted in preaching the gospel around the world!”  Jesus smiled and winked at her.  (Matthew 26:5-13).

            She giggled, blushing.

 

            Leaving Simon’s house, Jesus said, “Go to the village ahead.  Untie the first donkey you see, and bring Me her and her colt.  Tell her owner that ‘The Lord needs them.’  He shouldn’t have a problem.” 

            “Okay.”

            Entering Jerusalem was hectic.  Jesus sat on my coat spread over the colt’s back as we pressed into the crowd.  Suddenly we were recognized.  The crowd went crazy!  Palm branches lined the path.  A chant broke out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!”  (Matthew 21:1-10).

           

Take Home Nugget

            I was embarrassed being treated like a rock star.  Remembering Jesus’ command to love and serve, I understood that He wants people to be saved.

 

Gethsemane can be fun, Lord. Thanks for the trip!

Adapted from “Our Humble King.” Fil Anderson.  March 28-29, 2015. In Touch magazine. Georgia, USA.

J.D. Griffith

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Support or Attack?

SUPPORT OR ATTACK?  

Tenth of fourteen devotions in Gethsemane series

2 Timothy 4:9-16

2 Timothy 4:18:  “The Lord will rescue me from every attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” 

            Timothy was like a son to Apostle Paul.  Tagging along watching Paul establish new churches, Timothy learning the value of friends.  Silas partnered with Paul with new church start-ups in Asia.  Barnabas encouraged Paul in his ministry.  But others failed Paul when times got tough (2 Timothy 1:15).   

            People are weird.  Who can figure what makes people tick?  As we struggle with problems in life, some friends stick to us as close as glue.  Others aren’t sure how to react to hardship.  Selfish people flee—hoping they’re not asked for anything. 

            This teaches us the importance of reaching out to people during crises.  Sticking to friends as close as glue costs energy and a lot of time.  First, we pray about the situation, asking God how we can help.  Then we provide whatever assistance is required.  Sometimes all people need is emotional support.

            But if physical or financial support is needed, we’re in for the long haul.  Has anyone ever asked you for spiritual guidance?   Yes you can!  Pray with them.  Stand beside them.  Encourage them. 

           

            Never abandon people who’re in need!  Check out the lesson linked below for two who were utterly abandoned. 

            In 2 Timothy1:15, Paul writes, “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.”  !!!  Oh wow.  If that has ever happened to you, you will likely never desert a friend who needs help.

            Some people are too proud to ask for help.  “I got this,” they say.  And you can see plainly that they’re in over their heads.  Again, stand by closely after offering your assistance.  Unless they do ask, never butt into a situation where you’re not welcome.  (You may know exactly what they need).  Even God won’t butt into someone’s life who doesn’t first approach Him.  (God knows for sure what’s needed)!

            No one appreciates a know-it-all.            

           

Take Home Nugget

            When people let us down, do like when Jesus prayed from the cross—and now Paul—ask the Father to forgive them.  2 Timothy 4:16 says, “At my defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.  May it not be held against them.” 

            Why not?  How can anyone survive under attack or being abandoned?  Paul continues in verse 17, “But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength, so that the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”

            Spreading the Gospel is the bottom line, after all. 

                                            

Thank You Lord, for stretching me during my time in Gethsemane this Lenten season. 

Adapted from “When Others Fail Us.” Dr. Charles Stanley.  March 23, 2015. In Touch magazine. Georgia, USA.

J.D. Griffith

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