For our purposes today, I will be going back to the Biblical account and I'll probably put a slant on things in a way that most of you have never thought about, but then again, maybe you have. At any rate, here's the gist. Did you know that you were a part of the greatest story ever told? Well, yes, you are, if you are a Christian, that is. Did you ever think about that?
Here it is in a nutshell:
- Christ was born as GOD's SON.
- HE selected people (disciples) to be workers in the carrying out of the plan for building up the church that would be established as a new covenant. (testament)
- HE died on the cross.
- HE got up from the grave with all power in HIS hand.
- HE went back to glory but left his disciples with the promise that HE would be back to get HIS people. (the disciples and all people who believed in HIM through their words, which means you and me [again, as stated before, if you are a Christian])
We begin our blog today when JESUS is already on the cross. We talked yesterday about how HE was beaten and mistreated, and we find that though HE is on the cross, HE still has that great love for man. How do I know this? Easy, look at verse 34 below.
32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (bold print not present in the original - just done for emphasis)
Even as they were putting HIM to death, CHRIST was praying for mankind, asking HIS FATHER to forgive mankind. You know that is some kind of love!
And when we read verse 35 of Luke chapter 23 we see that even the rulers were sneering at Jesus saying that though HE saved that HE must not have been so powerful because HE could not even save HIMSELF.
35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
And you know that people will do whatever they see the leaders do, so because the leaders mocked HIM so did the soldiers.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews. (Done in jest, but one day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess. Philippians 2:10-11 and Psalm 46)
Jesus was even being discussed by the criminals who were being put to death along with him.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Now, what came to your mind when you looked at verses 40 & 41 above? When I read those verses it made me think that God always has someone to speak up for us. One criminal said to the other one that the sentence they received was just because of the things that they had done. Then he fussed at the other one and said that JESUS had done nothing wrong!
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Those words that JESUS said to the condemned man are remembered, even now. We learned those words as little children, and we still know them today. Yes, Verse 43 above is full of promise, and such a promise it was! You know how you would feel if Jesus, in the flesh, said those words to you. You know how grand it would make you feel! Well, HE, through the words of HIS disciples, did say those words to you. JESUS prayed for everyone who believed in HIM through HIS disciples' words, and the words that we read in the Bible are the disciples' words. And yes, we are going to be in that number that HE calls up to the clouds to carry back to Heaven with HIM! Remember how you felt when you took your first airplane ride or rode an escalator at the mall for the first time? Well, that does not even compare to a ride on the clouds with JESUS! Wow, that is mind-boggling, isn’t it? Mmm, hmm!
Summation
JESUS came, died, and went back to glory and HE is coming back again to gather us, HIS own. Hallelujah, what a SAVIOR! And then the greatest story ever told will be complete.
Be safe.
Walking by faith,
Alma L. Stepping On Carr-Jones
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