The Message of the Cross: How Jesus is the Beating Heart of the Christian Faith

   “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”

~ 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

In this passage, the Apostle Paul is being brutality honest with the church in Corinth. He tells them outright that Christians should be “pitied more than anyone else in the world” if what he and the other Apostles were preaching was not true. And with good reason. At this time in history, Christians were being heavily persecuted by both the Roman Empire and the Jewish leaders. They were being dragged from their homes, tortured and publicly executed. Paul and the other Apostles were no exception.

“Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.”

~ 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

These were the founders of the church. All but one of them, the Apostle John, would be executed for their beliefs—Paul himself was beheaded in Rome, and John died in exile. To me, this is yet more proof of the Bible’s validity. The Apostles clearly believed what they had witnessed—and they had witnessed something; there is no other explanation for their actions. No one would be willing to suffer and die for something they’d made up. 

Most cult leaders are after fame, money, and pleasure. Not poverty, torture, and death. But in the first century, that was what it meant to be a Christian. If you accepted Christ, there was a very real possibility that you would be killed for it. Which is why Paul said what he did in 1 Corinthians  15:14-19.

Paul only had one message that he preached, no matter where he went, and it was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:8-10)

“Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 

“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 

“Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.” 

~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus is the beating heart of Christianity—not to mention the Head of the church. (Ephesians 5:23) Anything else is peripheral.

In short: If you don’t have Jesus right, then you don’t have anything right. So if anyone ever tries to derail you with a peripheral debate, turn the discussion around; always bring it back to Jesus, who he is, and what he did for us. Jesus is the center of everything we believe, and people have been trying to discredit him for the last 2000 years.

First they said he was not human. Now they say he was not God. Some even go so far as to claim that Jesus never existed—despite the testimony of thousands and the mountain of archaeological evidence to the contrary. And, of course, there are those who have said that Jesus did not rise from the dead. Since the day the church began, intellectuals, governments, and religious leaders have searched for Jesus’ body—desperate to prove us wrong. But they have yet to succeed.

Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. (1 Corinthians 3:11) He is the one thing no one can refute. So we must always bring everything—every spiritual issue, thought, and discussion—back to him.

“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.”

~ Colossians 2:12-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

B.I.B.L.E: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”

~ 1 Corinthians 13:12 

Reading this passage I was struck by the reality that the Bible isn’t forever. Don’t get me wrong; I am in no way trying to downplay the importance of the Bible. It is essential for discerning the truth from lies, and for showing us the way to be reconciled to our Creator through Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it is God’s Word, and God’s word lasts forever. (1 Peter 1:25)

But God’s word is so much more than a book. It is truth itself. The Gospel message, the Truth of Jesus Christ—The Word—which is the very foundation of the Bible, will last forever. But the Bible itself will not.

You see, the Bible is only applicable on this side of eternity. It is meant to lead us back to God. Like a message in a bottle, sent adrift on the currents of time itself. But once we are in Heaven, its purpose will have been fulfilled. We won’t need the Bible to tell us about God—we’ll be able to see Him face to face, with our own eyes! Plus, there won’t be any sin or suffering in Heaven, so the rest of the Bible is immediately nullified the moment we arrive.

Which brings us back to the beginning of this chapter.

According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:12, a time is coming when all of our theological debates, thoughts, and musings will no longer matter. Every gray area and mystery in the universe will be revealed, and we will “know everything completely.” 

Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?

The Bible is God’s Guidebook. It tells us how things began, how they went wrong, and how far we have fallen. It tells us how God came down from heaven and became one of us, in order to die for all of us, and how He rose from the dead so that we too, might have life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He told us everything we needed to know. No more. No less.

A pastor of mine put it this way: “Bible is an acronym. It stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.”

How true that is.

Once we shed this mortal coil and cross the veil of eternity, then we will “see everything with perfect clarity,” and all the things we wonder and hypothesize about—all the mysteries of God and the universe—will be revealed to us.

But until then, let’s follow the example of the believers in Acts 2:42, and devote ourselves to studying God’s Word. It is our guide after all. And the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

~ Psalm 119:105 

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”

~ Proverbs 9:10 

A Window in Time: Revelation 19:1-9

Revelation 19

New Living Translation (NLT) 

Songs of Victory in Heaven

19 After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting,

“Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

2 His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.”

3 And again their voices rang out:

“Praise the Lord! The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”

4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the Lord!”

5 And from the throne came a voice that said,

“Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”

6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:

“Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. 8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

              I always found this verse to be pretty amazing. In this one moment, the Apostle John got a sneak-peek through the veil of time and space, to the final Victory Celebration of God and His Church. 2000 years ago, John saw us—all of us. Everyone who was, is, or ever will be in Christ, celebrating in heaven. Isn’t that something? We’re all in the Bible!

             God exists outside of time and space. So to Him, the past, present, and future are all one in the same. He wrote the book that is History—His Story. He knows every word of it from cover to cover. To God, we’re already there, celebrating with Him in Heaven.

Hebrews 12

New Living Translation (NLT)

God’s Discipline Proves His Love

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

             God is there at the finish line, cheering us on. He is waiting for us with open arms. Longing, as we are, for the day when He will say to us, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:21 (NLT)

This is Sparta: A Call to Arms for the Next Generation.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

“And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.”

~ Ephesians 6:10-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

According to the Bible, we are in a war. Not against people, but against Satan and the forces of darkness. The moment we declare our allegiance to God, the forces of evil in this world go on the offensive. And we are called to be ready. Unfortunately, it seems that few of us are prepared to fight for what we believe—especially the youth of this generation.

Take a look at how we have been bringing up future generations for the last fifty years. 

Generally speaking, children being raised in the church go to Sunday school every week, learn Bible stories, sing songs, and make crafts, which they then show to their adoring parents. This is all good for the very young, of course. But unfortunately it tends to go on far longer than it should. Some kids today stay in Sunday school until they are 11, 12, or even 13 years old. At which point they usually start attending youth group. But again, these groups are failing to prepare our children.

Often times, the kids in youth groups are not paying attention to the message and are more interested in the group's social aspects. They use youth group as a time to play games, hang out, and flirt with their peers; instead of using it as a time to grow in their knowledge of God’s word. Essentially they are drinking milk when they should be eating solid food. (1 Corinthians 3:2)

So where is the discipleship? The leadership? Where is the instruction in righteousness?

I would hope that the parents are taking it upon themselves to teach their children about God—this is their calling, after all. (Proverbs 22:6) But once the kids are out from under their parent’s roof, they’re on their own. And too often the faith of their parents never became their own.

They go into the world unprepared, both spiritually and intellectually. They walk straight into a spiritual war-zone where their faith is challenged at every turn. The world bombards them with the idea that sin is good and admirable, and tells them that the Bible is nothing more than a bunch of fairy tales and the outdated ideals of a few elitist individuals, hell-bent on manipulating the week-minded for personal gain. 

Prominent individuals and great minds tell them that Jesus was just a man, that God is dead, and that religion “breeds ignorance” and hinders “free thinking.” And so many young Christians fall away.

Now I think one possible reason for this is that we have inadvertently taught our children to believe whatever they're told without question. We mean well, of course. We teach them about God and the Bible. But we don't necessarily teach them to think critically for themselves or encourage them to ask hard questions. So when inexperienced young Christians head out on their own, they do exactly what we've taught them to: They believe whatever they're told without question. Only now, what they're being told is the exact opposite of everything they learned growing up.

The truth is, Satan knows that the church is always just one generation away from extinction. He knows that if the old die without passing the flame, then the church will die with them. So what better way is there to destroy the church than to destroy the next generation of Christians? And what better way to destroy the next generation of Christians, than to discredit the Bible? If Satan can eliminate God’s Word as a factor, then what little defense they had will be stripped away.
We are locked in battle with an enemy who is literally trying to disarm us. Yet, we continue to treat church as if it is a “Country Club for Christians” and send children off to war dressed in tin-foil armor, carrying cardboard shields and wooden swords, while Satan sits behind a machine gun waiting for a chance to pull the trigger.

So what do we do?

I say we take a stand, here and now.

We need to teach our kids how to defend what they believe, logically and effectively. We need to reform our youth groups into training grounds—not just spiritually, but intellectually as well. We need to train up the next generation to be Warriors of Faith—Spiritual Spartans. They need to know how to use every tool at their disposal: The Bible, history, archaeology, philosophy, and science. We need to teach them how to think critically and encourage them to ask the hard questions. They are the church and they need to be able to discus difficult topics—not only among themselves, but among others also—comfortably and with authority. The last thing we need is for them to believe everything they're told without question. They need to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, checking all things against God's Word to see if what they're being told is true.

Satan isn’t stupid. He knows that if he can destroy the Bible’s credibility, he will effectively strip us of our armor and weapons. So we need to know how to use extra-biblical information to reinforce what the Bible teaches. If people won’t listen to the Bible, they may be persuaded to listen to the facts. Use the hard evidence of the Bible’s validity to crack their defenses, and then use God’s Word as the knockout punch.

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

~ Hebrews 4:12 New Living Translation (NLT)

We are at war.

  We've been trying to fight lions with lambs when what we really need are Spartans—a generation of trained warriors, well equipped and ready to fight for the Truth.

But we also have to teach them how to stand together.

When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians, the Roman Empire ruled over the entire known world. The armor he was describing in Ephesians 6 was that of a Roman Legionary.

The Romans did not fight alone. They fought as one. A solder on his own was nothing. But a legion of soldiers working together—fighting in tight formation—was unstoppable. That is what we need to be. We need to be trained and equipped as individuals. But we also need to surround ourselves with others. We need to have people to lock shields with. We need accountability.

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New Living Translation (NLT)

So it is up to us.

Youth leaders: Challenge your students to be more than they are and make provision for those who are ready and willing to learn to fight for their faith. Give them the choice to become “Spartans,” and encourage them to do so. Kids need to know the Bible and how to use it effectively in battle. But they also need to be able to think critically and defend their faith with logic and supporting evidence, should the need arise.

Pastors: Preach the truth and be ready to disciple the next generation. Make it your priority to be there for them. They need to be a part of the church now, not when they grow up.

Parents: Teach your children the ways of God and instruct them in everything to the best of your ability.

Children and Young adults: You are the church today. You are the next generation; the leaders of tomorrow. The enemy wants to destroy you, so you must be prepared. But be encouraged. Take up the full armor of God, and educate yourselves. Someday, you will have to take up the fight. You must always be ready to give a defense of the hope that is in you. (1 Peter 3:15)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Help one another. Teach the next generation the truth. Teach them to think critically and to use all of the tools God has given us. The evidence is plain to see. The Bible, archaeology, history, philosophy, and science all reveal God’s truth, for He has made it so. (Romans 1:19-20) But above all else, pray for each other, and hold one another accountable.

Today is the day we make our stand. Right here. Right now.

Satan wishes to disarm us so that he may stamp us out entirely, starting with our youth.

Satan and the forces of darkness say, “Lay down your weapons!”

I say, “Come and get them!”

What say you?

The Struggle for Unity in the Church.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me."

~ John 17:20-21 New Living Translation [Emphasis Added]

Hours before his Crucifixion, Jesus prayed for unity among his followers; then and forever. 

Unfortunately, unity in the church is probably one of the biggest problem areas of the Christian walk. All you have to do is look around to see dozens of different churches, each one doing things a slightly different way. Baptist Churches, Bible Churches, Non-Denominational, Assembly of God, Charismatic, Lutheran; the list goes on and on. And that’s what’s wonderful about the Body of Christ; we’re all different parts of the same body. We are each unique, yet united in Christ. It’s our differences that make us effective. This is what the Apostle Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.

Diversity is good; as long as the Gospel is preached, and the church’s doctrine is sound. But the truth is, many churches today are born out of the shattered remains of a once unified congregation. It doesn’t take much to cause a church split these days: a difference of opinion; taste in music, or clothing; which Bible translation is best; evolution verses creation; dating verse courtship, etc. And I know from first hand experience that anything that tears apart the Body of Christ leaves its scars. Mistrust, resentfulness, broken relationships, and feelings of betrayal are some of the more common wounds a church split can inflict. (1 Timothy 6:3-5) Not to mention pushing people away from God—which is perhaps the most grievous wound of all.

Is it any wonder then, that one of the biggest marks against the church is our hypocrisy, when we openly attack our brothers and sisters over such petty things?

“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 

~ 1 Corinthians 1:10 New Living Translation (NLT)                      

God takes unity in the church very seriously. We are the Body of Christ; we have to be united in Him. This doesn’t mean we need to do everything the exact same way. But we don’t need to attack each other for doing things differently. (Romans 14:13)

However, we must test all things against God’s word so that we will not be deceived into following false doctrines. (1 Thessalonians 5:21) The Bible is our guide—our plumb line. If any doctrine is not found in the Bible, then it is not from God, and is to be avoided at all costs.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

~ 2 Timothy 3:16 New Living Translation (NLT)

“Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”

~ 2 Timothy 1:13-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

Test everything against God’s word; that’s what it’s there for. Don’t just accept whatever you’re told with out question—even pastors can be wrong. You need to look into what you’re being taught and examine it for yourself; test everything that is said, and make sure you are not being misled. You need to “Be like the Bereans.” (Acts 17:11)

“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”

~ 2 Timothy 4:2-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.” 

“Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.”

~ Galatians 1:6-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

According to God, our response to people who stir up divisions within the church is to be swift and decisive. (Titus 3:10, Romans 16:17) God does not want a cancer to spread through His body (the church) and neither should we.

This is why it is so important for us to study God’s Word on our own. It helps prevent division and promotes unity and accountability within the Body of Christ. If the congregation is in the word, it keeps the pastor accountable. And if the pastor is in the word, he can spot the wolves among the sheep, and keep them from causing dissension in the church. Plus the sheep will be able to spot the wolves, too, and can keep themselves from being mislead through accountability with one another.

We’re a family—brothers and sisters in arms. We need to look out for each other, and help each other along. (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

So let us all strive for unity today. Let us remove this plank from our eye so we can help each other to grow in Christ—equipping one another to reach a world in desperate need of forgiveness. (Matthew 7:3-5)

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”

~ Philippians 2:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

(For other, similar blog posts, click the links below)

What is sound doctrine? 

Should christians simply unite around the gospel?

The Prayer of Jesus: The Heart of the Savior.

I still remember how incredibly mind-blowing and humbling it was for me when I realized that Jesus—the God of the universe—prayed for me 2000 years before I ever existed. Mere hours before his betrayal, Jesus was thinking of me, of you, and of all those who would come after. And he prayed for us. (John 17: 20-24) Knowing full-well the torment he was about to endure to save us. Dying for the sins of every person that had ever existed, and every sin of every person yet unborn. 

If you read a little further in John, you'll come across chapter 19, verses 33-37, which say that the Roman soldiers overseeing Jesus’ execution decided to see if he was really dead by stabbing him in the chest with a spear. When they pulled out the spear, blood and water gushed from the wound. This is very important because it means that there was a build up of fluid in Jesus’ pericardial sack.

Contrary to what many people think, death by crucifixion was not caused by blood loss; it was caused by asphyxiation. The strain on the arms and chest caused the victim to be able to inhale, but not exhale. In order to breath, they would have to push themselves up on their nail-pierced feet in order to exhale. Eventually the person would be too exhausted to push themselves up, so they would suffocate. (This is why they broke the legs of the two thieves next to Jesus to speed up their deaths before Passover. Without their legs they couldn't breathe. (John 19:31-32) However, the presence of fluid in his chest cavity is proves that Jesus had already died of asphyxiation by the time the order to break his legs had been given. This unique circumstance surrounding the death of Jesus fulfilled what was said in Psalm 34:20, while the rest of the crucifixion brings conclusion to the prophecies of  Isaiah 53:

    “For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!”
~Psalm 34:20 New Living Translation (NLT) 

“Who has believed our message?To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.

We have left God’s paths to follow our own.

Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

Unjustly condemned, he was led away.

No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.

He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. 

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death.

He was counted among the rebels. 

He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.”

~ Isaiah 53 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus knew what was going to happen to him, and the literally earth-shattering significance of his substitutionary death on our behalf. 

When Jesus died, there was a massive earthquake. The veil in the temple—which was several feet thick—was torn from top to bottom. And then there was the Darkness; recorded by several eyewitnesses in cities ranging from Jerusalem, to Athens, to Rome itself.

The extra-biblical historian Sextus Julius Africanus (c. 160-240 AD) recorded the events following the Crucifixion as such:

"On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the 263 third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. For the Hebrews celebrate the passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the passion of our Savior fails on the day before the passover [see Phlegon]; but an eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun. And it cannot happen at any other time but in the interval between the first day of the new moon and the last of the old, that is, at their junction: how then should an eclipse be supposed to happen when the moon is almost diametrically opposite the sun?" 

~ Julius Africanus, Chronography, 18.1

The earth itself shook when Jesus died. To everyone there, it must have seemed like the end of the world.

“The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, ‘This man truly was the Son of God!’”

~ Matthew 27:54 New Living Translation (NLT)  

In that moment, it was undeniable who Jesus was. He was God. And he died of a broken heart; his soul crushed by the weight of our sins.

But still, he prayed “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 )

Jesus loved us all. And even though he was God, and knew everything that was going to happen to him, he still prayed for us.   

The Prayer of Jesus

“After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. Guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

~ John 17 New Living Translation (NLT)

                That, my friends, is love.

          

What is Truth?

Lies are the deadliest weapon in Satan's arsenal. They’re like a disease. Once you learn something, whether it is true or not, it cannot be un-learned. Ideas fester and grow. Slowly twisting your mind until you are completely deceived and don't remember the truth you once believed. A well-placed word can bring down an empire; start a cult, or genocide. ...

Yes, information by itself can be deadly. Even more so when the spreading of information is carefully monitored and controlled. If you twist the truth to your own ends, there's nothing anyone can do to stop you. Unless they know the truth.

But in this day and age, "what is truth?" Truth is whatever you want it to be. So if truth is relative, then there is no foundation—nothing to test the lies against. No point of contrast. No point of reference. And no way to know for certain whether or not you yourself have been deceived.

That's why it is so important to test all things against God's Word. Don't just believe what you're told. Be like the Bereans. Check, and re-check to make sure it's true, so that you won't be mislead. 

Acts 17:11

New Living Translation (NLT

"11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, 

and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to 

see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth."

John 17:17
New Living Translation (NLT)

"17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth."

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22New Living Translation (NLT)

"19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything    
that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil."

John 14:6
New Living Translation (NLT)

“6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except 
through me.”

2 Peter 3: 15-18 
New Living Translation (NLT)

“15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.17 I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.”

The Six Ambitions of Man's Deceitful Heart.

Here’s something to think about: The driving factors behind nearly every human ambition can be broken down into three categories: Pleasure, Power, and Wealth. 

Observe.

A) Pleasure, Power, Wealth.

* People use PLEASURE to gain POWER over others and to gain access to their WEALTH (house, money, food, insurance, etc.) 

B) Pleasure, Wealth, Power.

* People use PLEASURE to gain WEALTH and POWER. 

(*variation of both A and C)

C) Power, Pleasure, Wealth.

* People use POWER (or fame) to gain PLEASURE in order to gain WEALTH.

D) Power, Wealth, Pleasure.

*  People use POWER (or fame) to gain WEALTH, to buy PLEASURE. 

E) Wealth, Power, Pleasure.

* People use their WEALTH to buy both POWER and PLEASURE. 

(*A variation of D)

F) Wealth, Pleasure, Power.

* People use WEALTH to buy PlEASURE and POWER. 

(*A variation of both D and E.)

So it can be deduced then, that nearly every decision we make as human beings has at least one of these ulterior motives behind it. Even the best of us is manipulative, cunning, and deceptive at heart.

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” 

~ Jeremiah 17: 9-10 New Living Translation (NLT)

This is truly discouraging because, as I pointed out, we all are guilty of using at least one of the “Pleasure, Power, Wealth agendas” at least once in our lifetimes. And since God knows everything ... there's really nothing we can say for ourselves.

Fortunately though, there's a way out.  

 “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”

~ Romans 5:6-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

And because of this we are at last free of our nature. We can fight it. We can rise above it. We are no longer slaves to the hidden ambitions of pleasure, power and wealth. (Romans 6:20-24) There is freedom in Christ. And I for one would rather be free than a slave to the self-destructive, self-deceiving agendas lurking in my own heart and mind. 

What about you?