Lessons from Job

The primary lesson of Job is what the book reveals about the nature of human evil. As we go through the many discourses of Job's "friends" we see them view wicked people in terms of murderers, thieves, rapists, fornicators, cruel tyrants, etc. - unjust, wretched people. "These" are the wicked, as Job's counselors see them. But as we begin to understand more clearly, the things they point out as wicked are really only the fruit of something deeper in human nature: they emerge from a deep-seated root of pride that expresses itself as independence and self-sufficiency: "I can run my own life; I've got what it takes; I don't need help from anybody." Jesus summarized it this way:

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Matthew 15:19)."

All evil comes from the root of pride (Isaiah 14:12-16), which is evil in its purest form. What we also learn from this book is that pride is expressed not only in terms of murder, thievery, and robbery, but also - as we see in Job's three friends - as bigotry, pompousness, self-righteous legalism, critical judgmental attitudes, condemnation of others, harsh, sarcastic words and vengeful, vindictive actions against someone else.

Human evil is not confined to the criminals of the land; it is present in every heart, without exception (Jeremiah 17:9). Pride is the root of all sin and it can express itself in many different ways.

The Nature of Faith

Job thought he was exercising faith when he obeyed God and did what was right when it was clearly in his best interests to do so. Many people today think they are exercising great faith when they simply believe God is there; when they live their lives day by day with the recognition that God is watching and is present in their affairs. They do right because they know that if they do not they will get into trouble. This is, of course, a form of faith, but it is a weak faith. They live at a level of serving God only when it is in their best interests to do so.

This is the very accusation that Satan hurled at God when Job was discussed.

"Job only serves you because you take care of him. Remove your hand of blessing and he'll curse you to your face (Cf. Job 1:9-11)."

Many are like that: the moment blessing ceases, or difficulty or trial comes along, they want to quit. (The lack of a persistent, enduring witness by visible leaders is one of the greatest discouragements among the Body.)

The kind of faith that makes the world sit up and take notice is revealed as we serve God when it is difficult to do so - when serving Him is the hardest thing we can do. This is what the Book of Job is all about. Remember Gethsemane. "Not my will, but thine be done."

This is what we see in Job. Though he trembles, though he falters, though he fails, the final thing he does is cling in helplessness to God. Job ultimately becomes an example of faith. Great faith is exercised when we feel we are being the least faithful! When we are so weak that we cannot do anything but cling. In that moment all heaven is looking and rejoicing at the greatness of our faith.

The Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount is the manifesto of our King and the platform of the Prince of Peace. And it's the Law! It goes vastly beyond the Law of Moses. It is the Ten Commandments amplified and expanded. It raises the Law to the nth degree. As the Law of the Kingdom, it is the highest ethical teaching in the Bible. It will be the Law of this world during the Millennium, and then it will find full fruition. Christ will reign on earth in person and will enforce every word of it. The Sermon on the Mount will finally prevail when He whose right it is to rule shall come.The Sermon on the Mount is the longest discourse recorded in Scripture and it was addressed to believers! (This would be a source of condemnation to the unsaved.)
Don't let the familiarity of this passage lure you into thinking that you have mastered it; it is tough ground and one of the most misunderstood portions of Scripture.

The Beatitudes

The word beatitude is not found in your Bible. It simply means "blessing" and comes from the Latin word for "blessed." Note that these verses deal with attitudes - what we think in our hearts, and our outlook on life. "Beatitudes" are the attitudes that ought to be in our lives if we are true Christians.

These first 16 verses of Matthew 5 describe the true Christian and deal with character. The rest of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7) deals with the conduct that grows out of character. Character always comes before conduct, because what we are determines what we do. There is a definite progression in these verses. They show how the person begins with his or her own sense of sin and finally becomes a child of God and the results that then follow:


* "Poor in spirit" (v. 3): This is our attitude toward ourselves, in which we feel our need and admit it.
* "Mourn" (v. 4): This is our attitude toward sin, a true sorrow for sin.
* "Meek" (v. 5): This is our attitude toward others; we are teachable; we do not defend ourselves when we are wrong.
* "Hunger and thirst" (v. 6): Here, our attitude toward God is expressed; we receive His righteousness by faith because we ask for it.
* "Merciful" (v. 7): We have a forgiving spirit and love others.
* "Pure in heart" (v. 8): We keep our lives and motives clean. Holiness is happiness to us - there are no substitutes.
* "Peacemakers" (v. 9): We should bring peace, between people and God, and between those who are at odds with each other.
* "Persecuted" (v. 10): All who live godly lives will suffer persecution.

It's interesting that there are eight beatitudes listed; the number eight in Scripture usually represents a new beginning. (The unwritten 9th Beatitude: "Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be broken.") The rest of the Sermon on the Mount shows the results of the new life in the believer:

Salt of the Earth

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. - Matthew 5:13

Salt was used as a preservative; it preserves materials from corruption. Salt also creates thirst and introduces flavor. Salt speaks of inward character that influences a decaying world. Our task is to keep our lives pure that we might ''salt'' this earth and hold back corruption so that the Gospel can get out.

Light of the World

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 5:14, 16

Light speaks of the outward testimony of good works that points to God. Our good works must accompany our dedicated lives as we let our lights shine.

The Higher Righteousness

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven... For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:19a, 20

What a blow to those of the Jewish faith who were trying to keep the law! He knew the extremes that the professional Law-keepers resorted to! What was to become of them? This is the key point of the passage. You cannot break the commandments and get away with it. But you cannot keep them in your own strength either. The only way you can keep them is to come to Jesus Christ for salvation, power, and strength.

The commandments are not a way of salvation but a means to show you the way to salvation - through the acceptance of the work of Jesus Christ.

Pharisaical Error

The scribes and Pharisees were not insincere: they tried to adhere to the keeping of the Law. Although misguided, they were zealous and sincere. Anyone that tries to reconcile himself to God by his works, his rules, or his legalism is Pharisaical. Is there any other way to heaven other than by Jesus Christ? If there is, Jesus' own prayers were not answered - in Gethsemane, Jesus pleaded with the Father three times for an alternative.

Which "Commandments"?

What are "these commandments" being referred to in Matthew 5:19? The ones we find in the remainder of Matthew 5 and continuing in Chapters 6 and 7. Jesus will emphasize "my words" (Cf. Mt 7:24-27). His call was to obedience (Jn 14:15, 21, 23; 1 Jn 5:3).

Does the Christian need to "keep the Law"? The fact of the matter is that the Law is still a standard: it reveals to me that I cannot measure up to God's standard. This drives me to the cross of Christ. The only way I can fulfill the Law is by accepting the only One who could fulfill it - Jesus Christ.

Jesus Fulfilled the Law

Jesus became our sacrifice and shed His own sinless blood on our behalf. He offered Himself once for all for the sins of all mankind (Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 26, 28, 10:10, 1 Peter 3:18). Everything was fulfilled just before Jesus’ death on the cross when He uttered His last words: "It is finished!" (John 19:30) tetelestai = "paid in full."

The second way He fulfilled the Law is that He taught and commanded what God’s will is under the New Covenant for those who would enter the Kingdom of God.

He gave us a new set of rules. Paul called those rules Christ’s Law. Some of those were the same as God gave in the Old Testament Law. Many were changed, but most of Old Testament Law was not included at all in Christ’s Law. "For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth (Rom 10:4)."New Testament believers are not under the Law; Jesus abolished the Law through His sacrifice on the cross.

The Purpose of the Law


* "Through the Law we become conscious of sin." (Rom 3:20)
* "The Law was added so that the trespass might increase." (Rom 5:20)
* "It was added because of transgressions until the Seed [the Lord Jesus Christ] to whom the promise referred had come." (Gal 3:19)
* "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith." (Gal 3:24)
* "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the Law." (Gal 3:25)

Paul was the writer who most discussed the question of the Old Testament Law and its applicability to the New Testament Christian. He was in a unique position to do so, having been a Pharisee who had been taught by Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), an esteemed teacher of the Law. The Law said, ''You shalt not kill [murder]'' (Ex 20:13); but Jesus said, ''Don’t be angry with others.'' Anger is like murder in the heart and it can lead to evil words and actual murder.And while actual adultery is far worse than inward lustful fantasies, the inner desires can quickly lead to this forbidden sin (Ex 20:14). We must deal ruthlessly with ourselves and not encourage the imagination to ''feed on'' these sins. The eyes and the hands (seeing and touching) must be kept under control.

Religious Practice

In Matthew Chapter 5, the King speaks of the righteousness His subjects must possess. It must be a righteousness to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and that comes only through trust in Christ.

Matthew Chapter 6 deals with the external part of religion: the righteousness that the subjects of the kingdom are to practice. The internal motive, of course, is the important thing in what you do for God. Chapter 7 deals with judging others, prayer, and the "Golden Rule."

The Law of Christ

Jesus did not set aside the Law of Moses, He fulfilled it! He takes the Law of Moses, interprets it in the extreme, and in an absolute sense. And then He absolutely fulfills it! Remember that salvation does not accrue because of one's ability to fulfill Matthew 5, 6, and 7, but because Jesus did - and anyone can appropriate His achievement to one's own personal benefit by being born again.

When Bad Things Happen

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and themountains fall into the heart of the sea. -- Psalm 46:1-2

It has been described by the press as the worst incident of its kind in US history. While that description of the massacre last week on the Virginia Tech campus may be accurate, the distinction is hardly necessary. Regardless of its place in history, the brutal murder of 32 people has plunged this nation into a state of sadness and utter disbelief: How could someone do such a thing? Is there anything that could have been done to prevent it? What is happening to our society? Why is there so much evil in this world? If there really is a God, why do bad things happen to good people?

The Bible teaches that God created the whole universe. He created our world and everything in it, but the world he created was very different from the world we live in today. Genesis 1:31 says that "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." However when Adam and Eve disobeyed God everything changed, sin and death entered into the world.God created man with a free will - the ability to make choices. He could have made us like robots, preprogrammed to love and obey him. Instead he gave us a choice, because he wanted us to come to him willingly.

Mankind suffers because of its sin, and it is because of our sin that we are separated from God, who is perfect and holy. However there is hope. Our suffering need not be in vain.The Bible says that everyone has sinned, that the punishment for sin is death (both physical and spiritual), and that our sin separates us from God. Furthermore, there is nothing we can do to obtain the holiness (or perfection) necessary to enter into God's presence. Left to ourselves, without God's intervention, we are hopeless. However because God loves us, he has graciously given us a way out of our predicament. He provided us with a substitute, Jesus Christ, who was perfect and blameless, to take our place and bear the punishment for our sins. Because he died for us we can be forgiven. When we trust God and choose to follow him, our suffering is not in vain. The Bible says that God uses trails and obstacles to teach us and draw us closer to him.

Why Do Christians Have Trials?

It has been said that you can best discern a person's true character by observing them in times of trouble. It is easy to claim to be a faithful follower of Christ when things in our lives are going smoothly; it is often a very different story when the road gets rough. The Bible has a lot to say about trials and tribulations, and it is filled with example after example of God's faithfulness. So why do many Christians bolt at the first sign of trouble? If we really believe that God is good, why are we so quick to turn our backs on Him in anger and resentment when things don't go our way?

There are two major errors we can make regarding trials: The first mistake is the failure to anticipate trials. Jesus suffered trials. Jesus promised us trials (John 16:33). All the apostles suffered trials. Trials are an expected part of the Christian life. And, like all storms, preparation can be critical in successfully enduring them. A second mistake is to harbor a morbid fear of trials. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

The Apostle Paul certainly knew sufferings (2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Hebrews 11:32-40). And he regarded them as opportunities. There are many reasons why we face trials. Here are just a few:

*To glorify God (Daniel 3:16-18, 24-25)
*Discipline for known sin (Hebrews 12:5-11; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; 1 John 1:9)
*To prevent us from falling into sin (1 Peter 4:1-2)
*To keep us from pride. Paul was kept from pride by his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7- 10)

*To build faith (1 Peter 1:6-7)
*To cause growth (Romans 5:3-5)
*To teach obedience and discipline (Acts 9:15-16; Philippians 4:11-13)
*To equip us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
*To prove the reality of Christ in us (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)
*For testimony to the angels (Job 1:8; Ephesians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 1:12)

When faced with times of trouble remember that God loves you, He knows what is best for you, and He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Paul wrote to the church in Rome: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35, 38-39)."

Why I Believe?

Someone asked of me last week, "What are your core values?" with reference to my faith. I have been giving that a lot of thought of late. In the third century the answer to that question was the "Apostle's Creed". People like creeds generally. It allows one to put folks in a certain box and we become defined as Protestant or Catholic; Conservative or Liberal; [insert your own labels here]. The problem with labels is that they are man made. The older I get the more central the theme of the cross and Christ crucified becomes apparent to me. If I look back at what still keeps me faithful today amidst all relativities of history and culture, it is not a supposed inerrant Scripture but that living presence of Christ in the world and in my own life of which also the Scriptures speak in their time as being foundational. Those same Scriptures when written were blissfully ignorant that they would eventually be canonized, worshipped, and mistaken for the reality that moved the words.

Creation speaks of the Creator. It is God's handiwork that declares his presence. But, it does not reveal his personality. One might deduce that the principle that one must die to live from observing nature; but, it is only the revelation of God that explains to us that the creative force that was used by God to speak the world into existence was a personality, i.e. the "logos" of John 1:1 and v. 14.

Conscience speaks of the inward proof that God made us. Romans talks of the "natural law" that is written on the hearts of mankind. Even gentiles do what is right because of the image of God that is imprinted on each of us. Yet, conscience without revelation can never provide answers to the question of "Why am I here?"

The ultimate proof is the Spirit that God gives to those who call upon his name and who are born again. It is subjective and incapable of rational proof. But, it is the reason that I choose to believe that Jesus is Messiah.

THE MYSTERIES OF ZECHARIAH

Some call the book of Zechariah, "The Apocalypse of the Old Testament." Many feel that Zechariah is the most Messianic book of the Old Testament. Among its many precious passages we find the Messiah presented as the Branch who will remove iniquity; the Shepherd; the Stone; the Coming King; the Triumphal Entry on a donkey; One betrayed for 30 pieces of silver; His Crucifixion, and His Second Coming, "looking upon me whom they pierced." This most challenging little book is second only to Isaiah in its distinctiveness and importance as a Messianic prophet. Zechariah contains more Messianic prophecies than all of the other "Minor" prophets put together. The book focuses on the Day of YHWH, the return of Israel in unbelief, their passing through the Great Tribulation, and their deliverance by King Messiah. It also may hold the key to resolving the enigma of "Mystery Babylon" and its relation to literal Babylon in prophecy. The Prophet Zechariah was a Levite born in a priestly family in Babylon who returned to Jerusalem with almost 50,000 other Jewish exiles. He was probably a relatively young man at the beginning of his prophetic ministry. Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai the prophet, Zerubbabel the governor, and Joshua the high priest.

Historical Background

The fall of Jerusalem to the armies of Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC marked the finale of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, much as the earlier defeat at the hands of the Assyrians in 722 BC brought to an end the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Most of Jerusalem's inhabitants were deported to Babylon for a period of 70 years, as prophesied by the Prophet Jeremiah.

During this exile, the Prophet Daniel received the revelation that Gentile kingdoms would be dominant over Judah and Israel until God set up His kingdom on the earth under the rule of the Messiah. This period was referred to by Jesus Christ as "the times of the Gentiles."

When the Babylonian Empire fell to the Persian Empire (539 BC), Cyrus the Great decreed that the Jews could return to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple. However, only a small minority of about 50,000 Jews (including Haggai and Zechariah) returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest.

Levitical sacrifices were soon reinstituted on a rebuilt altar of burnt offering, and in the second year of their return the foundation of the Temple was laid. However, external oppression and internal depression halted the rebuilding of the Temple for about 16 more years of spiritual apathy until the rule of Persian King Darius Hystaspis (522-486 BC).

In the second regnal year of Darius (520 BC), God raised up Haggai the prophet to encourage the Jews in rebuilding. Haggai preached four sermons in four months and then disappeared from the scene. Two months after Haggai delivered his first sermon, Zechariah began his prophetic ministry, encouraging the people to spiritual renewal and motivating them to rebuild the Temple by revealing to them God's plans for Israel's future. With this prophetic encouragement the people completed the Temple reconstruction in 515 BC.

The dated portions of Zechariah's prophecy fall within the period of the rebuilding of the Temple. The undated prophecies of Zechariah 9-14 were probably written much later in his ministry. According to Jewish tradition, Zechariah was a member of the Great Synagogue, a council originated by Nehemiah and composed of 120 members. Ezra is said to have been the president of this council, which was later succeeded by the Sanhedrin.

An Enriching Adventure

Zechariah, in a sense, closes the Old Testament. Luke opens with the account of another priest named Zechariah ("Yahweh Remembers") and his wife Elisabeth ("His Oath"). An angelic visit ends 400 years of silence with the announcement of the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist. This astonishing book is full of surprises.

Spiritual Discussion and Spiritual Growth

Our “Spiritual Discussion” blogs have not generated much discussion. I have asked myself why and even wondered if it was worthwhile to continue to write. But then I got to thinking, maybe the problem is that I am focusing too much on the “discussion” and not enough on the “spiritual.” If I were to try harder to make my writing more spiritual, what would I have to do? As I pondered this question, I began to try to define, “spiritual.” How would you define this term? It is used in Galatians 6:1: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Who are the “spiritual” that are being called to restore those who have been caught in sin? Is the intended link for this term “spiritual” tied back to the fruit of the Spirit of Galatians 5:22-23? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” But how is one able to bear the fruit of the Spirit? And is this tied to the fact that we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit as heirs of God as mentioned earlier in the book, Galatians 3:26-4:7? But if all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, how do you distinguish between the “spiritual” from those who are not “spiritual”? Is the distinction found in the fact that some who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit do not bear the fruit of the Spirit? So, is bearing fruit of the Spirit through my effort, and not the work of the Holy Spirit? Then what is the Holy Spirit doing within me to make me “spiritual”?

Why I Love the Bible

The Internet is a fascinating way to expand one's world and understanding. Never before in the history of mankind has so much information become available to anyone who has the time to search and read. It is encouraging to me that people of various backgrounds can share their thoughts, hopes and experiences with literally millions of people worldwide. For those of us whose journey comes out of the restoration movement (whose motto was "Christians only; but, not the only Christians" )--it is a cause of celebration. Individuals are no longer captive to the thoughts and teachings of only those within their own geographic or approved circles of influence. There is a cross pollination effect that some would identify as the "spirit moving" within the church. For example, I came across the following article in the Harvard Divinity Bulletin which I found worthy of consideration:

http://www.hds.harvard.edu/news/bulletin_mag/articles/35-1_stendahl.html

In the end, it is about falling in love with the one who inspired the Bible. It is not about me. We learn to discover truth wherever we find it. And in the end, we find that truth is not a static law written in stone; but, a personality revealed in Jesus Christ that is written on our hearts.

Wednesday or Friday?

The observances of what is known as Good Friday and Easter Sunday have perpetuated the traditional chronology that the crucifixion took place on a Friday, and that the Lord's body was buried on that day at about 6:00 p.m., and that he rose from the dead early on the following Sunday morning. There are some, however, that feel this tradition is at variance with the scriptural record. One of the problems is reckoning "three days" between Friday evening and Sunday morning. Jesus' definitive statement is one of the problems:

"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40)."

The mention of nights, as well as the number of days, makes it hard to render this as simply an idiomatic rhetorical device rather than a statement of fact.

The Sabbaths

Nowhere in the Gospels does it assert that Christ was crucified on a Friday. In Mark 15:42, it refers to "...the day before the sabbath." This may be the root of the misunderstanding. The Jews had other sabbaths in addition to the weekly shabbat (Saturday). In addition to the weekly sabbaths, there were seven "high sabbaths" each year, and the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the 15th of Nisan, was one of them. Further, Matthew 28:1 should read, "At the end of the sabbaths," (which is plural in the Greek), implying there was a plurality of sabbaths that week. If Passover, the 14th of Nisan, fell earlier in the week, the 15th could have been any day prior to Saturday, the weekly Sabbath. "When the sabbaths were past" would, of course, be Sunday (actually, Saturday after sundown), in accordance to the Feast of First Fruits. (Some hold to a Thursday crucifixion on a similar basis.)

17th of Nisan

Jesus had declared that He would be in the grave three days, and yet was to be resurrected "on the morrow after the sabbath," on the day of the Feast of First Fruits. It is interesting that the authorities, anxious to get the body off the cross before sundown, unknowingly were fulfilling God's predetermined plan, "according to the Scriptures." Noah's flood ended on the 17th day of the 7th month. This month becomes the 1st month at the institution of the Passover. Our new beginning in Christ was on the anniversary of the Earth's "new beginning" under Noah! Israel's new beginning, the crossing of the Red Sea, is believed to have been on the 17th of Nisan. Also, in their flight after Passover, Israel retrieved the body of Joseph from his tomb. After Passover, Jesus was retrieved from another Joseph's tomb on this date.

The Jericho Journey

Another problem with a Friday crucifixion is John 12:1: "Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany..." (from Jericho). If the Friday view can be accepted, then six days earlier was the weekly shabbat, and on this day such a journey was legally out of the question for any devout Jew.

Summary

As for the Friday or Wednesday issue, there are many good scholars on each side of this controversy. I personally have become rather cynical toward any tradition that is not supported by Scripture. Good Friday is the "traditional" view. The Wednesday crucifixion is known as the "reconstructed view." This article is intended to stimulate study and constructive conversation during this season. However the important thing is that the tomb was empty. The authorities made sure that this was indisputable. Indeed, He is risen! That is why we celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus throughout the year as opposed to just one Sunday.

The Hope of all the World

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment - Hebrews 9:27

Mohammed, Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha), Confucius, and Jesus Christ: To many, these names are all of equal value; they represent great teachers who spoke words of wisdom and enlightenment. They are the leaders of major religions, and their words and ideas live to this day, each having won the loyalty of millions and even billions of followers. All four of these men died and were buried. However, three still lie in the grave.

This coming Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the Passover he was slaughtered as our spotless Passover lamb. As in Egypt, his blood was placed over us to protect us and shield us from the judgment of God. Then, Christ conquered sin - and death itself - by rising again.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. - Matthew 28:5,6

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1Corinthians 15:55-57

Resurrection Sunday should be a day of greatest rejoicing. Christ Jesus lives today! We have a living Lord, a living Savior, a living Hope. He has broken the power of death and sin over our lives! Through him, each of us can escape God's wrath and live forever. This is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without Christ's resurrection, we have nothing.

However, Christ did rise, and appeared not to a few, but to over five hundred people, including Paul - as one born late (1Cor 15:8). Billions of people through the centuries have had their lives changed by the living power of Jesus Christ, and to this day, his resurrection power heals and restores and gives new life. We are witnesses to that life-giving power here at the McKnight Road Church of Christ. How do we know Christ lives? We've watched him change our lives and the lives of people around us! We've watched him heal and restore over and over! Praise God - he will continue to do so until his return!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you... -1 Peter 1:3,4

We encourage you to make the most of the Passover feast, and of this coming Resurrection Sunday, to truly celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and the hope we have in him. Clap your hands, all ye people. Shout unto God with a voice of triumph!

The Wedding

Several have asked about the wedding, it was great! I have also had several questions about what it felt like to give your daughter away in marriage. For those of you who don’t know what happened, our daughter, Alisha, and Darren Free were married last week at Sunny Hills Church of Christ in Fullerton, California, where I preached for over twelve years before moving to work with the McKnight Road Church in St. Louis. It was a privilege to officiate the service with the father of the groom, Dr. John Free, one of the Elders in the church. I walked Alisha down the aisle as her father and John asked, “Who presents Alisha as the bride?” I think he was trying to make it easier for me to not have to answer to, “Who gives away this young woman in marriage?” My answer, that Vicki and I had rehearsed together, was, “Her mother and I do, with our blessing, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” After giving this answer, I kissed her cheek and joined their hands and took my position with John on the stage to co-officiate the wedding.

When it came my turn to speak to Darren, I tried to give him a little scare by telling him that I had prepared a different longer poetic version of an answer to his dad’s question which I now wanted to read. Of course, I had to pause and let him think about it before I read the following poem I had written for the occasion:

Giving Away the Bride

I looked forward, with some reservation,

To the day of her glorious celebration.

When she in her beauty, all dressed in white

Before God, family and friends comes into sight

We would walk down that carpeted aisle

And I would have tears to go with a big smile,

And say, “Her mother and I do.”

Yet there is in this dream, hesitation,

At that moment of her long anticipation.

For this will now end Poppy’s prayerful wait

For the Christlike man God brings as her lifelong mate

As dad, the Heavenly Father to help her know

And in example her future husband show,

And say, “May God to him guide you.”

Passing your hand off to his loving care,

I will, with your mother, be persistent to share,

In the life that with God we helped to build,

And with loving prayer for you our hearts will be filled.

Now, he is the strong man by your side,

Pointing to God, and in whom you will confide

And say, “God make one from the two.”

David Bearden