Mark 14:3-- Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume. She broke the jar and poured the perfume over his head.
This is the touching story of how Jesus was anointed before His crucifixion. But there’s one thing about this passage that stood out to me as I read it again. Jesus was not anointed with ointment until the expensive jar was broken! In the the same way, we must be broken before the Lord so that His anointing can be poured out upon us to touch others!
We should never be ashamed to be broken. God will not deny a broken heart and a contrite spirit! When we humble ourselves in His sight and place our pride on the altar of sacrifice, it is then that God’s anointing will be greatest upon us. It will pour out of us like the ointment from that box — and we will be used greatly for His kingdom!
Let’s ask the Lord to break us where we need to be broken this week so that we might be anointed completely to do the great things He’s called us to do! It reminds me of the song that has the lyrics in it "broken and beautiful"....
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
He's the Resurrection, and the Life
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
I read an article where there were at least 27 people banking on life after death. They’re all members of the Alcor Life Extension Institute, where their bodies are frozen in liquid nitrogen. They’re waiting for science to solve the problem of death. One Alcor member says he plans to try it because, ‘I like living and I don’t want to die.’ Unfortunately for him, the company Chief Executive says, ‘We don’t even know if it will work.’ Good news! It doesn’t matter! Jesus has already overcome death! He rose from the grave with a glorious new body, and all who are faithful to Him will do the same! Christ, and Christ alone, is the only sure thing when it comes to eternal life. Here's our good news: Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies, and then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:52-55). There’s no record of Jesus ever preaching a funeral sermon. Know why? Because He’s the Resurrection, and the Life. (John 11:25). He broke up every funeral He ever attended! Death couldn’t exist where He was. When the dead heard His voice they sprang to life! And they will again! No wonder the song writer writes: Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate!!!
Hope you all had a great Easter celebration and are charged up knowing we have a God who has power over sin & death!!!
I read an article where there were at least 27 people banking on life after death. They’re all members of the Alcor Life Extension Institute, where their bodies are frozen in liquid nitrogen. They’re waiting for science to solve the problem of death. One Alcor member says he plans to try it because, ‘I like living and I don’t want to die.’ Unfortunately for him, the company Chief Executive says, ‘We don’t even know if it will work.’ Good news! It doesn’t matter! Jesus has already overcome death! He rose from the grave with a glorious new body, and all who are faithful to Him will do the same! Christ, and Christ alone, is the only sure thing when it comes to eternal life. Here's our good news: Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies, and then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:52-55). There’s no record of Jesus ever preaching a funeral sermon. Know why? Because He’s the Resurrection, and the Life. (John 11:25). He broke up every funeral He ever attended! Death couldn’t exist where He was. When the dead heard His voice they sprang to life! And they will again! No wonder the song writer writes: Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate!!!
Hope you all had a great Easter celebration and are charged up knowing we have a God who has power over sin & death!!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
We have Victory!
At our church on Sunday mornings, we have been looking at the 7 last statements that Jesus made on the cross. One of the ones that we looked at yesterday is found in John 19:30. I would like to share with you my thoughts on this powerful verse.
In John 19:30, we find one of the last phrases that Jesus used just before he died on the cross. He uttered three words: “It is finished.”
I am sure that the crowd around him had different emotions hearing those words. Think about the soldiers. They were probably clapping their hands as if to say, “finally, this man is dying. We can go home to our families.” They would have been ecstatic to hear Jesus utter those words.
How about the Pharisees that were standing nearby? They were probably thinking that they had won the battle and had accomplished what they wanted to keep their religious views "sacred".
And then there is Mary....as a mother what do you think those words meant to her. More than likely, her thought was that Jesus was saying that his life was over, it is finished.
We don't know much about Joseph as he is not mentioned being at the crucifixion, or if he was even still alive at this point. And you are probably wondering why do I even bring him up. But if Joseph would have been there to listen to these 3 words of Jesus, I think they would have taken on a different meaning. Joseph, being a carpenter, would have understood what Jesus was really saying. You see, when a carpenter had a project going, was making something, he would take the utmost care and time to get it exactly right. He would work and work and keep perfecting the piece he was making. When his project was done, he would hold it up and look at it and say "it is finished", meaning, I have finally accomplished what I started out doing. So for a son of a carpenter to say "it is finished", Jesus was really saying, "I have accomplished what I came here for". He became the ultimate sacrifice for us and his ministry on earth was complete. He had brought us back into a right relationship with God. His purpose on earth was complete.....
Thru these 3 little words, we have victory. We have been reunited with God and sin had no more hold over us. Satan had been defeated and Jesus had given us victory.
It is finished equals VICTORY. Let's celebrate that this Friday!
In John 19:30, we find one of the last phrases that Jesus used just before he died on the cross. He uttered three words: “It is finished.”
I am sure that the crowd around him had different emotions hearing those words. Think about the soldiers. They were probably clapping their hands as if to say, “finally, this man is dying. We can go home to our families.” They would have been ecstatic to hear Jesus utter those words.
How about the Pharisees that were standing nearby? They were probably thinking that they had won the battle and had accomplished what they wanted to keep their religious views "sacred".
And then there is Mary....as a mother what do you think those words meant to her. More than likely, her thought was that Jesus was saying that his life was over, it is finished.
We don't know much about Joseph as he is not mentioned being at the crucifixion, or if he was even still alive at this point. And you are probably wondering why do I even bring him up. But if Joseph would have been there to listen to these 3 words of Jesus, I think they would have taken on a different meaning. Joseph, being a carpenter, would have understood what Jesus was really saying. You see, when a carpenter had a project going, was making something, he would take the utmost care and time to get it exactly right. He would work and work and keep perfecting the piece he was making. When his project was done, he would hold it up and look at it and say "it is finished", meaning, I have finally accomplished what I started out doing. So for a son of a carpenter to say "it is finished", Jesus was really saying, "I have accomplished what I came here for". He became the ultimate sacrifice for us and his ministry on earth was complete. He had brought us back into a right relationship with God. His purpose on earth was complete.....
Thru these 3 little words, we have victory. We have been reunited with God and sin had no more hold over us. Satan had been defeated and Jesus had given us victory.
It is finished equals VICTORY. Let's celebrate that this Friday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
