Thoughts on Christ's sacrifice and how it should mirror our own journey as pilgrims on the earth ( 1 Peter 2:11).
The Lord along with at least 2 Apostles lived with an understanding of their time of death approaching (Paul after being warned what would come to pass in Jerusalem; and Peter after Christ's questioning his love for Him). There was always care to the disciples in the case of Christ; and the church in regard to Paul's ministry in particular but certainly Peter and others as well which superceded their own sufferings. This takes Spirit filled living of course; as well as loving our enemies ( Matt. 5:44). Jesus showed the ultimate example of concern at the cross (See John 19:26-27) when John brought Mary into his home (indicating; of course that Joseph had passed away by this point along with his absence in this passage).
Our natural inclination would be to react as Matthew 16:22 as Peter did to the thought of Christ going to the cross if we are honest. Good Friday is only good to us if we go beyond some ritual commemorating suffering without understanding His substitutionary death results in our atonement and ultimately commenced in victory at the Resurrection. This is how ugly our sins were and of course it demonstrates how we were yet sinners and Christ died for us; His enemies ( Romans 5:8). Christ; of course chose to do the Father's will; He was in one sense the victim of circumstances; but these were predestined to bring us to glory. The Father in Isaiah 53:10 was pleased to crush His Son; we cannot comprehend this as to the Godhead; or as to how great His love is for us.
Therefore let us commit our whole lives to patiently serving God; and believing that He is a rewarder of those who do good and diligently serve Him. ( Heb. 11:6). May we minister to the Body as we are all adopted sons; and no longer of this world. Isaiah 53:11 shows how Christ will enjoy the result of His suffering; Psalm 91:16 may apply to our future as well.
The Lord along with at least 2 Apostles lived with an understanding of their time of death approaching (Paul after being warned what would come to pass in Jerusalem; and Peter after Christ's questioning his love for Him). There was always care to the disciples in the case of Christ; and the church in regard to Paul's ministry in particular but certainly Peter and others as well which superceded their own sufferings. This takes Spirit filled living of course; as well as loving our enemies ( Matt. 5:44). Jesus showed the ultimate example of concern at the cross (See John 19:26-27) when John brought Mary into his home (indicating; of course that Joseph had passed away by this point along with his absence in this passage).
Our natural inclination would be to react as Matthew 16:22 as Peter did to the thought of Christ going to the cross if we are honest. Good Friday is only good to us if we go beyond some ritual commemorating suffering without understanding His substitutionary death results in our atonement and ultimately commenced in victory at the Resurrection. This is how ugly our sins were and of course it demonstrates how we were yet sinners and Christ died for us; His enemies ( Romans 5:8). Christ; of course chose to do the Father's will; He was in one sense the victim of circumstances; but these were predestined to bring us to glory. The Father in Isaiah 53:10 was pleased to crush His Son; we cannot comprehend this as to the Godhead; or as to how great His love is for us.
Therefore let us commit our whole lives to patiently serving God; and believing that He is a rewarder of those who do good and diligently serve Him. ( Heb. 11:6). May we minister to the Body as we are all adopted sons; and no longer of this world. Isaiah 53:11 shows how Christ will enjoy the result of His suffering; Psalm 91:16 may apply to our future as well.
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