There is Still Hope

N.T.#317 "There is Still Hope"

May 31, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 20

LET IT GLOW 

This was Joseph's private garden where Jesus' body was laid. After wrapping Jesus' body and placing spices there, he and Nic left. Luke tells us that Joseph, although a member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph had not agreed with the action of the counsel's verdict against Jesus. He was waiting for the kingdom of God. (23:51)

The next day and on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to Pilate. they told him that the deceiver once said He would rise from the dead after 3 days. They requested the sepulchre be made sure so no one could steal His body and say He arose. Guards sealed it with a stone and posted guards setting watch.

Are we watching for Jesus to come again in the rapture? He said He would come get us believers. Jesus did what He said He would do-rise from the dead on the third day, so He will come back for us. Are you ready?

LET IT GROW

How do we apply these last verses of chapter 27? Swindoll tells us:

1. When we come to the dead end of all hope, remember what happened right after Jesus died. Although the women cried, they knew where to go on Sunday to be an eyewitness of the resurrected body. God was working behind the scenes to bring about His purposes. Nothing of God dies. He is still there for us to count on, rely on, and trust in. An earthquake shook everything up. Then there was the 3 hours of darkness. Also, the dead believers rose from the grave. God was definitely working.
2. When you think you know someone who is too far gone to believe in Christ, remember the centurion. God can change hearts.
3. When people concoct a scheme to thwart the plan of God, remember the Resurrection. When God is ready and makes His move, it trumps all human actions. He can use a tornado to change hearts.    Keep praying, friend. Anything is possible with God.

LET IT GO 

Help us not scatter like the disciples, but to keep trusting Your ways.

Please change hearts, Jesus.

Stones Can Be Rolled Away

N.T. #318 "Stones Can Be Rolled Away"

June 3, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 21

LET IT GLOW 

We have studied so much in this chapter-Jesus' six trials, Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, The beatings and sufferings of Jesus, His crucifixion, forgiving the thief on the cross, His burial, the hatred of the Jewish religious leaders,  

There was only one entrance into the tomb hewn out of rock in the side of a hill. Did you know it was sealed with a cord across the stone covering the opening? The cord was sealed at each end with clay. This was a precaution so that Jesus' body remained inside. It would be known if anyone rolled the stone away. Also, guards were placed at the tomb's entrance. The Pharisees failed to understand that no rock, seal, guard, or army could pr3event the Son of God from rising from the grave.

For the LORD of Hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? Isaiah 14:27)

In the Hebrew language, disannul means to break up; scatter; make a breach.

Of course, no one can stop or break up God's will being accomplished. Not even the corrupt Pharisees.

Do you need Jesus to roll away any stone in your life that is blocking you from serving Him wholeheartedly? He can, friend! After all, He (angel of the Lord) rolled away the stone blocking the entrance into Jesus' tomb. (Matt. 28:2) 

The stone did not need to be rolled away to let Jesus out of the tomb, but to reveal that it was empty and He was gone already! (Falwell)

LET IT GROW 

Chapter 28 begins by telling us the time of the events taking place.

When: It was at the end of the Sabbath, the beginning of dawn on the first day of the week. Saturday 

             night to the Jews is our Sunday (Roman calendar). The Jewish day ended at sunset, then the

              new day began. 

Who: Mary Magdalen and the other Mary (either the wife of Cleopas or mother of James and 

            John),and the angel of the LORD

What & where: The women went to see the sepulchre where Jesus had been laid. An earthquake happened.

How: An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled back the stone from the 

          door, then sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as

           snow.

Don't you know this scared those women to death? They didn't run away, though.

Are you trusting Jesus in your situation? 

LET IT GO 

Lord, we have experienced Your hand of protection from tornadoes. Thank You!

We have seen how quickly everything can change. We trust You are in charge of it all.

Help us share Your grace and mercy with those around us today.

Thank You Jesus for giving Your life just for me!

Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness, my God-that is who You are!

In The Garden

N.T.#316 " In the Garden"

May 30, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 19

LET IT GLOW 

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear falling on my ear, The son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. Oh the joy we share as we tarry there, no other has ever know. "The Garden"

After Jesus' death on the cross, Joseph of Arimathaea (a Sanhedrin and believer), asked for permission to bury his Savior's body. (verse 58)  Pilate granted it. Nicodemus (a Pharisee and believer) helped Joseph prepare the body for burial, wrapping it in clean linens with spices. (verse 59 and John 19:39)

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. (verse 60)

John gives a more detail of this event in John 19:41-42: Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. 

In the Greek language, sepulchre is a grave, tomb.

It was a new tomb in which no body had been buried previously. This wwas so doubters could claim the bones to be Jesus.

Outside the Jerusalem wall, just in the northwest direction, was the hill called Mt. Calvary or Golgotha, where Jesus and the thieves were crucified. Below, at the bottom of the hill is a lovely garden with trees and flowers, as well as birds singing. Walk with me in the garden of your mind as I describe how it was to visit such a beautiful place. An empty tomb is there, one in which is believed to be the place where Jesus was buried. Tourists are able to walk inside. Duck your head, for it is a low entrance. It is quiet as they contemplate the scene so long ago. A table-like rectangular stone is there in the middle. (A small round stone lay outside, as an example of what would have been used to cover the tomb, only larger.) It would have been humanly impossible for such a large stone to be rolled back by one person from the inside. Yet, Jesus, in His supernatural form was able to do so. (Roman soldiers placed the large stone over the entrance so no one could steal Jesus' body and claim He was risen.)

You know what, there is no dead body or bones lying in the tomb to view. Jesus said He would rise after three days, and He did!

Dear one, so you believe Jesus is more than just a mere man? Do you believe He is the Son of God? Have you trusted Him to be your Savior yet?

LET IT GROW 

Don't leave the scene without thinking about verse 61: And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 

Only the two Mary's watched the burial and no disciples were present. John noted that later Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. (20:15)

That is how the women knew where to go in order to anoint Jesus' body with spices on that Sunday. And after the Sabbath, a proper and permanent burial would have been appropriate. What a shock to discover the stone rolled away and no body of Jesus' was present.

Do we a women spend time at the feet of Jesus, praying, worshiping, and adoring our Savior. Or do we read a short devotional and go on our way throughout the day not contemplating what we read? Guilty here!

LET IT GO 

Honoring Jesus

N.T.#315 "Honoring Jesus"

May 29, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 18

LET IT GLOW 

When the centurion and those watching, saw those things that were done when Jesus died, they feared greatly. Wouldn't you? They were saying, Truly, this is the Son of God." (verse 54)

The women who were there are mentioned in verse 56-Mary, Jesus' mother, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James (the disciple) and Joses, and Salome, the mother of James and John. Did you ever wonder why Jesus had them mentioned here? Perhaps it meant a lot to have their support during His death.

Then Joseph of Arimathaea went to Pilate, boldly begged for the body of Jesus. This was a rich man and a prominent member of the Sanhedrin (national religious Jewish council). He did this secretly for fear of the Jews. He lived nearly 20 miles away. Wealthy people in those days often selected their tombs while they were still living. Joseph had become a believer in Jesus. It was a personal risk for him to ask for Jesus' body in order to bury it. Joseph was described by Luke as being a good and just man. (23:50) Pilate granted permission.

John 18:39 tells us Nicodemus helped Joseph, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. Together they wrapped the body in linen clothes with spices as was a Jewish custom. They had to hurry, for after sundown, the Sabbath began, and no such work would be permissible of Jews. These two guys wanted to honor Jesus with a proper burial. Are we honoring Jesus in what we do?

I did not realize or just forgot that it was the two men who stepped up and did what was needed. Where were the disciples? They were unprepared for sure. The women may have been willing, but did they have the supplies needed?

Are we prepared to meet the needs of others when Jesus send us?

LET IT GROW 

I write this the day after the tornado struck northwest Arkansas where I live. You have probably heard about it by the time you read this. My cousin lives about 5 miles from us and had a bad hit. Giant trees were uprooted in his yard and along the road. We took food and helped pick up some of the debris that afternoon. Crews of helpful men were repairing the roof of his house, sawing up trees and digging up rooted stumps away. My cousin and his wife were in a daze as they worked. It took a lifetime to have such a beautiful farm and it was a mess in only minutes. My family of cousins jumped in to help Sunday. (Our area was without electricity so we had no church service as other churches were closed, too.) We tried to support them, listening. They will make it. Jesus is their Lord. It is only things.

A major street downtown Rogers was devastated, with businesses demolished. Schools are closed for the summer now due to damage. It was 12 hours before our power was back on. What is amazing is to watch people showing love to their neighbors, helping. but that is what we do in our area. Like Joseph and Nicodemus, we pitch in to meet needs. 

LET IT GO 

Fill us with You love, Lord Jesus, so we can show it to others.

After all, you denied Yourself, suffered and died for us to have eternal life in heaven.

Help us to deny ourself, take up our cross, and follow You.

Following Jesus From Afar or Near?

N.T.#314 "Following Jesus From Afar or Near?"

May 28, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 17

LET IT GLOW 

Seems to be days Jesus is so near to us and days He is far away. Recon it is us that has moved, not Him? How do we follow Jesus-from afar or near?

After witnessing three hours of darkness, an earthquake, rocks splitting, and dead saints rising from tombs, all this had an effect on the centurion. Fear, confession of sin and faith, which ever it was, the Roman official in charge of the soldiers who crucified Christ spoke up. 

Truly this was the Son of God. (verse 54b)

Pagans in Jerusalem saw the life of Christ and His character even when faced with death. What a contrast with the mocking religious leaders of the Jews. 

Gentiles believed Jesus was exactly who He'd claimed to be. (Tony Evans) 

Do you and your family believe Jesus is the Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, and Son of the Living God?

LET IT GROW 

Who else was observing the happenings surrounding Jesus' death? 

• Many women were there beholding afar off. (verse 55) Those women came from Galilee to take care of Him.
• Mary Magdalene was among the group. (She may have been the one whom Jesus cast 7 devils out of in Magdala, Galilee.
• Mary, the mother of James and Joses was there. She was the wife of Cleopas. (John 19:25)
• The mother of Zebedee's children was Salome attended. (Mark 15:40)

How close do we follow Jesus? Is it from afar? Is it only on Sunday's at worship time? Or is it daily?

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8)

LET IT GO

Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, Jesus.

Bless ;all who come to study Your Word today.

The Day Things Were Shaken Up

N.T.#313 "The Day Things Were Shaken Up"

May 27, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 6

LET IT GLOW 

Has there been a day that shook up your world? We probably have all had at least one. Probably the sudden deaths of loved ones would be included. Even a phone call can do it or test results. Mom called me on the morning of January 27, 1987 to tell me Dad had passed away. My life was changed forever. However, Jesus is the Rock that held me together through it all.

During the time of the celebration of the Passover, Jesus died on the cross as The Passover Lamb that takes away our sins when we believe in Him as our Savior. One day we will all die and our soul will live eternally. Where will you spend it-heaven or hell?

The two thieves who hung on both sides of Jesus started down the same road that day but chose different paths. One chose to believe Jesus to be God's Son and the Savior, while the other scoffed Him.

 Can you imagine hanging on the cross for 3 hours of darkness? Jesus was bearing all the sins of mankind during that time. When it was finished and Jesus endured it all without sinning, He yielded His Spirit to God. 

That is when things occurred spectacularly:

• The  vail of the Temple was torn from top to bottom. this vail separated the Holy of Holies with the rest of the Temple. Behind it stood the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy seat. once a year the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of the lamb on the Mercy Seat for the sins of the nation of Israel. Now we have access to our High Priest Jesus, who is our blood sacrifice for our sins, and sits at the right hand of God interceding for us.
• The earth did quake. (verse 51) We don't know how far from Jerusalem that the earth quaked. God shook up things didn't He? The Jewish Law was fulfilled. Now we come to God by faith, not by good works. 
• The rocks rent. Hearts as hard as rocks, were broken in pieces; stony hearts were taken away and hearts of flesh given. (What a powerful earthquake to split the rocks.) Certainly, Jesus rocked the city.
• Graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. Tombs were often caves in hillsides. Now that was the unusual!

Matthew is the only Gospel that mentions the earthquake, much less the resurrections. Those which arose were probably recently dead, not ancient ancestors who would not be recognized. Aren't we curious as to what happened afterwards? They went into Jerusalem, according to verse 53. What a sign of Jesus' resurrection power!

LET IT GROW 

Friend, do you believe in the resurrection power of God? One day we will all be caught up with Jesus in the clouds to live with Him forever. Even the saints dead will join us. What a day! Are you ready?

Dear one, is there anything that can shake your faith from you? I pray not. Cling to Jesus.

LET IT GO 

I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.

Here I am to worship, bow down, and say that Your are my God.

You are altogether lovely, worthy, wonderful to me!

How wonderful you are to me, Jesus!

Hope of Eternal Life

N.T.#312 "Hope of Eternal Life"

May 24, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 15

LET IT GLOW 

What were some of the sayings of Jesus while hanging on the cross?

*Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) Jesus was praying for those who put Him on the cross. I think that includes the Jewish leaders and Roman leaders and soldiers, as well as you and me, whose sins put Jesus on the cross.

*Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.(Luke 23:43) That is what Jesus told the thief hanging on the cross beside Him. That man had declared they were guilt, but Jesus had done nothing to deserve dying on a cross, declared the thief.

*Father, into Thy hands I comment My Spirit: and having said this, He gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46) 

*It is finished! (John 19:30)

This came from Psalm 31:5, Into Thy hands I commit My Spirit; Thou hast ransomed Me, O LORD, God of truth. 

Jesus' redemptive work was finished. When Jesus breathed His last breath, at that moment, the atonement for the fallen, sinful, depraved humanity was accomplished. Jesus didn't die for His own sins, because He had not committed any, but for those that caused His death, those who lived then and now and in the future-us. What a sacrificial love!

LET IT GROW 

And, behold, the vail of the temple was rent in twain from top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)

This was the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. (Exodus 26:31) This symbolizes the permanent opening of God's presence to man and man's direct access to God through the atoning death of Christ. (Falwell)

It is a historical fact that Jesus of Nazareth suffered, was crucified, and died. It satisified the demands of the Father,

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18)

Had He not done this, we would all perish in our countless sins. We would die in our sins and never know the joy of forgiveness or eternal life. That would be utter and absolute hopelessness. (Swindoll)

Yet Jesus gives us hope of eternal life, joy today, peace with God! Have you found it, friend? Do you walk and talk with Jesus?

LET IT GO

Jesus, thank You for setting me free from the punishment of my sins!

Thank You for loving me and giving me salvation.

What a cost it is-Your death on a cross, shedding YOur blood for me, a sinner.