Another Passion week and Good Friday has arrived. World over, Christians have been observing fast and maintaining a life that befits this time. They have brought changes to their lifestyle and made minor/major changes depending on each person’s capability to bring life to order. On Easter everyone engages in revelry and gluttony. People eat to their hearts full. Another group of people engages in liquor and other beverages. The next day everyone returns to their former lifestyle. Everything is automated around this of the year.
The Bible teaches us that 700 years before the birth of Jesus, this was written about His suffering: Isaiah 53:4-6, 4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
This was made true 2021 years ago.
Jesus prayed in Gethsemane like this, Luke 22:42, 44: 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
1 Peter 2:24-25, 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Revelation 5:6, 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, … This is how apostle John had the vision about Jesus. In the New Testament this is the Jesus we are introduced to, the lamb that took away the sins of the world. This salvation is not restricted to Christians only. He came to earth, bore the cross and sufferings for the transgressions of everyone, each child of God. There is no discrimination on the basis of color, caste or religion. This is true that all those who proclaim Him as their savior from their hearts and mouth will receive salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:19, 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Dear children of God, each one of us should question ourselves, is the word of God only meant for priests, pastors and evangelists to sermonize??? Or should it open our hearts and eyes and and make it a part of our lives by making each word an instruction to lead a pure life. There is no one who does not desire the heaven and redemption from sins. But is desire enough to get redemption?? The answer is no.
Luke 13:1-5, Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Here we can see that Jesus repeatedly says that there no redemption unless we repent from our sins.
Jude 1:9, 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
If this was the situation with Moses’ body, just think what will become of us. Death always follows us like a shadow. Repentance is possible only when we are alive. No one can imagine the pain and suffering, our Savior had to endured for forgiveness for our transgressions. He did for us to receive the kingdom of heaven. So just think if you and I repent would He not embrace us all to His heart.
Another Good Friday is near. Dear children of god will this pass by as another ritual or just another Friday???
Galatians 3:13, 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
Jesus will come again to gather those who await Him, both dead and alive.
Revelation 20:15, 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 22:10-13, 10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
All the priests and pastors repeatedly keep saying keep a watch on the changes of time around us. Each second that passes by is precious. Those who think it is trivial, I feel sorry form them.
Isaiah 55:6-7, 6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
Jesus was crucified along with two thieves on His either sides. Both were sentenced to same kind of crucifixion. One enjoyed mocking Jesus, the other repented for his sins. He received salvation. Luke 23: 42-43, 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
May no one have the experience of the other thief who lost his chance at redemption.
Micah 7:18-19, 18 Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
19 You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Jehovah Roi 