|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||||||||||||
As I mentioned in the Sunday evening service on February 22, "The world is and will be talking about Christ in the public arena." The media is in an uproar over the controversial movie that depicts the last twelve hours of Jesus' life. It is a hot topic of discussion not only in Christian circles but also among people in the secular world. Radio talk shows, television newscasts, local and regional newspapers, national magazines, and internet chat rooms are platforms used by those who oppose the viewing of the movie by Mel Gibson. They are sharing their concerns that the representation of Christ's suffering and death will ignite another round of anti-semitic feelings around the world. At the same time, there are many others who are speaking up to show their support of Mel Gibson's version of the suffering of Christ. I have not had the privilege to view the movie as of this writing but by the time you read this article many of us will have experienced this emotional and heart rending account of our Lord's agonizing death. It is said to be the most graphic, horrific and visually accurate representation of what Jesus went through to pay for our sins. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus himself stated that he came "to give His life a ransom for many." He was speaking of his suffering and death. And Peter underscores the truth of Christ's atoning death when he says, "In his own body, he brought your sins to the cross" (1 Peter 2:24). The one primary teaching of Paul was his assertion that Jesus died as a ransom for human sin. We believe that Jesus' suffering and death freed us from Satan's hold. Christ paid the ultimate, supreme price to redeem you and me. He was the only one that met the requirements (righteous enough) to take our place. His suffering and death provided the possibility for the sincere, hungry, repentant seeker to connect to God. Apart from the suffering, death and resurrection, there is no hope for anyone to be restored to God. We would be lost in our sin, forever doomed. But thank God for Christ's passion (suffering) and voluntary death! We now have hope and we can offer hope and life to all who will put their faith in Christ and His atoning death. In today's world, there are those who say, "The Bible cannot be trusted," that "it is problematic, not faithful to the historical facts" and we "shouldn't believe what the Bible actually says." They are planting seeds of doubt in an attempt to discredit the suffering and death of Christ. When confronted by the numerous Old Testament prophecies that are fulfilled in Christ, they insinuate that Jesus and his followers " engineered " events and circumstances to appear as if Old Testament scriptures had been fulfilled. How can anyone believe that nonsense when you take into account the Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering and death of Christ. • Rejection by Jews and Gentiles: Ps 2:1; 22:12; 41:5; 56:5; 69:8; 118:22,23; Is 6:9,10; 8:14; 29:13; 53:1; 65:2. • Persecution: Ps 22:6; 35:7,12; 56:5; 71:10; 109:2; Is 49:7; 53:3. • Triumphal entry into Jerusalem : Ps 8:2; 118:25,26; Zech. 9:9 • Betrayal by own friend: Ps 41:9; 55:13; Zech. 13:6
It is statistically impossible for one person to manipulate events and successfully fulfill all these prophecies. The Bible can be trusted! Jesus is the Messiah who came to earth to suffer and die for our sins. He did redeem the lost (you and me) and provided access to the Father for those who would believe and accept his loving, gracious provision. Allow me to give you some quotes from some respected spiritual leaders:
"After watching 'The Passion of the Christ,' I feel as if I have actually been there. I was moved to tears. I doubt if there has ever been a more graphic and moving presentation of Jesus' death and resurrection." -Billy Graham "It is deeply moving, powerful, and disturbing. A film that must be seen." -James Dobson
"Who killed Jesus? I did. And you did. We're the ones who sent Jesus to the cross loaded down with our sins." -Chuck Colson
Mel Gibson realized it wasn't the Jews or the Romans who nailed Jesus to the cross. It was his sins that nailed Jesus to the cross. In the movie, the hand that nailed Jesus to the cross was Mel Gibson's own hand.
"This was not simply a movie; it was an encounter unlike anything I have ever experienced. 'The Passion' evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my children. Frankly, I will never be the same. It should be seen by as many people as possible. I intend to do everything I can to make sure that is the case. I am passionate about 'The Passion'." -Paul Harvey.
Let us all pray that God will use this dramatic presentation of His son's suffering and death to ignite spiritual hunger in our dark and needy world.
Special Note: In the Jan./Feb. issue of the Forerunner I included an article promoting "Forty Days of Purpose" in the spring. Due to scheduling conflicts, we will be pushing this all-church event back to the latter part of September. Please mark your calendars and we'll keep you posted on these events.
" And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18
The point of my thoughts here is the coming Easter. Easter, along with Christmas, is one of the two greatest events that the church of Jesus Christ celebrates. Easter is a celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior of the world. We are planning a great time of musical celebration here at Bethel . The choir is working on a wonderful musical entitled, "The Resurrection and the Life." This collection of mostly new songs includes a look at John the Baptist as he is the voice of one declaring that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The healing of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the issue of blood is told through the beautiful and familiar song, "Shout to the Lord." Songs that tell of the triumphal entry, the last supper, the denial of Peter, and the cross, express these events with a new and fresh approach. The Easter story is culminated with the powerful song, "Jesus Is Alive." You won't want to miss this wonderful experience. Plan to be here Sunday, April 11 th in the morning service, and bring someone with you.
|
|||||||||||
Copyright © Bethel Christian Life Center, All Rights Reserved Comments on this website may be sent to the Bethel Webmaster (765) 463-0956 • praise@bethel-life.org |
It's not about a bunny.. This is the time of year when we celebrate Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and raising from the dead. You may wonder why we would celebrate someone dying but Jesus was not just anyone, he is THE ONE. He was the only person that was worthy to take our place and die for our sins. In order for us to go to heaven and live with Jesus forever, someone had to die and that someone was Jesus. Aren't you glad the story didn't end with death? We've learned that on the third day of his death he rose from the dead and returned to his Father in heaven. There, he is preparing a place for us. It's always fun to find Easter eggs and eat candy but we always need to remember why we celebrate. While we celebrate, we need to spread the good news of what Jesus has done for everyone. 
With the effect of the movie, "The Passion of the Christ," there has been a dramatic increase in awareness of what Jesus did for us on the cross of Calvary . Many of the articles in review of the movie describe it as a depiction of the last hours of Jesus on the earth. But that is not correct. Death could not hold Him in the grave. He arose and was seen of His disciples and many others, even as much as five hundred at one time (1 Cor. 15:6). Jesus walked the earth for 40 days after his resurrection before returning to His rightful place on the throne of heaven. So the hours of Jesus' passion were not His last hours on earth. In fact, I believe not long from now, He will once again stand upon the earth as the King of kings, reigning over His kingdom on earth during the Millenium.