Trying to Grasp

John 19:30

When Jesus tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

The cry of victory is heard in the hour of defeat. Jesus knew his death meant redemption for us. The law was fulfilled, prophecy was accomplished, and God is reconciled to man. Awful yet glorious finish is what one commentary called it.

This act opened up the Kingdom of Heaven for all of us. Jesus was obedient unto his death for all of us.

The original word for finished was "teleo" which meant to bring to a close or to fulfill. The mention of he bowed his head is only found in John. John used the word "klinw" for bowed his head he wanted it very vivid for all of us to visualize. Jesus stated It is finished and he bowed his head and died. According to Luke the last words uttered from Jesus were from Psalms 31:5 "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit".

The last few days have been so difficult to read. We move between Matthew, Luke, Mark and John and read the story over and over with a few detail changes, but it is hard reading. I have had such a difficult time with the reading the last few days and sometimes I think it is because we like to focus on what is coming next. After reading this time I don't ever want to skip over what Jesus did for us. I believe it is easy for us to focus on after the cross, but because of the cross We live!

I don't think we ever grasp truly what Jesus did for us. I know I don't and for this I beg forgiveness.

Trying to grasp,

Debbie

Silence is golden

Matthew 27:12

But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.

 

The quiet. Imagine the quiet in the crowd all waiting for Jesus to defend himself and how does he reply? Silence.

What about us? When we are accused do we remain silent?

I imagine Our Savior quietly standing waiting to take on my sin.

Yes, He knows what is coming and he makes no reply.

All we hear are accusations and the crowd, nothing but quiet from Our Savior.

Standing waiting to receive the sentence of death for me and for you. Silence.

Next time I feel unjustly accused, I want to remember how Our Savior replied ~

SILENCE.

Reminded,

Debbie

 

Are we all in denial?

Matthew 26:75

Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he went away weeping bitterly.

The reading the last few days has been so difficult. I don't know, if it is because we know what is coming or the fact that the disciples walked with Jesus and still messed up. The pain that Peter must have felt knowing that he did exactly what Jesus told him he would do and the realization of how badly he failed and disappointed.

The word "deny" in the original text was aparnhsh, which means to deny, to affirm that one has no acquaintance with someone. How could this happen to the man that walked on water? The man that watched miracle after miracle?

Imagine the pain Peter felt the moment the words left his mouth! The word for weeping was "klaio" which means to weep in grief, weep for to mourn. Peter was in pain like the death of a loved one. He knew how badly he messed up and he was hurting so bad.

How often do we deny Jesus? Oh, maybe not in the exact way like Peter did, but what about the time that you feel the Spirit tell you no and you proceed anyway? What about the time that you turn your head to a wrong rather than speak the truth? Do I walk away feeling klaio? Do I mourn like I've lost a loved one? The absolute truth is no, I don't….I pray that in the future I will be diligent to the wrong that I committed… by remembering the other scripture from Matthew about taking the plank out of my own eye???

Loving Jesus,

Debbie

Are we sleeping on the job?

Today, we are in the garden. Yes, the Garden of Gethsemane. Today's picture is an ancient olive tree and I want you to picture Peter, James and John resting along that tree and place yourself right along them.

Jesus is very upset. He request that we wait here and keep watch over him. Jesus is described as crushed with grief, deeply troubled, distressed and his one request that we keep watch over him. What do we do? We don't totally understand, it's been a really long day. We are emotionally and physically tired, it's dark, it's quiet and we fall asleep on our job. It seemed simple enough, didn't it? Keep watch..

Jesus returns to find us all asleep. Imagine the pain of finding those he counted on to watch over him asleep on their job. Not only does Jesus know what is about to happen ~ his closest friends have fallen asleep. Betrayed and being denied are about to happen and Jesus is praying to His Father ~ Abba, Father everything is possible for you. Please take this cup from me. Yet all I want his for your will to be done…Still Jesus stays in God's will not his own.

Next you hear a crowd approaching and Jesus realizes what is about to happen. He steps forward and ask who are you looking for? Jesus the Nazarene and he replies I AM he…Jesus stepped forward and replied I AM HE…He once again stepped into God's will and where are the ones who accompanied him?

One book tells us the deserted him and ran away..another they deserted him and fled..How often do we desert Him and run? How often are we just like these disciples?

At the beginning, I requested that you place yourself at the base of that olive tree with those disciples because all too often we sleep, we desert and we run…and all Jesus says is Come to me all who are weary…Come follow me…Come in the difficult times come to me …

Thank you Father for loving me,

Debbie