A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Friday, April 19,
2019
"Good Friday"
"A Consideration Of
Three Crosses"
Message
summary: This
Good Friday let us,
through faith with
thankful hearts,
accept God's only
solution for our sin
problem. Let us
faithfully live for
the One who died for
us.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals--one on His right, the other on His left" (Luke 23:33).
"The man in
the middle just keeps on
giving His love away"
Wayne Watson
One of the
blessings we have often
seen as we travel,
particularly in the
southern states, are
three crosses up on top
of a hill or mountain
that can be seen from
the highway as a witness
to the landowners'
faith. Normally
Christians use a single
cross as a symbol of
their faith but the
three crosses also have
rich symbolism as a
reminder of the three
crosses on Mount
Calvary.
Jesus, crucified on the middle cross, vicariously dying for the sins of all mankind. Two criminals, representative of the human race, hung on crosses on each side of Him. These three crosses each represent:
Today is a day of decision. For many it will be a reaffirmation of a decision to follow Christ previously made. This evening at our Good Friday service we will remember and worship our Redeemer.
Jesus, crucified on the middle cross, vicariously dying for the sins of all mankind. Two criminals, representative of the human race, hung on crosses on each side of Him. These three crosses each represent:
1) The
cross of rejection.
One criminal
represents the masses
that to the very end
rebel against God and
reject His plan of
redemption. But rarely
is such sneering so
openly expressed, and
this by a dying man as
he hurled insults at
Christ. This unnamed
criminal is merely
expressing the
viewpoint of so many
who reject God's only
remedy for our sin
problem. This
criminal died in
sin.
2) The cross of repentance. The other criminal represents those who repent of their sins and place their faith in God's redemptive plan. He came to realize that he and the other lawbreaker deserved the death penalty and was quite frank when he spoke: "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41). His faith is humbly expressed in these words: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Our Lord's word to this criminal, one of His seven recorded last sayings, brought eternal hope to the repentant criminal as well as spiritual hope to millions throughout the centuries, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." This criminal died to sin.
3) The cross of redemption. On the middle cross Christ died once for all time for all people. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7). "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19,20). Peter, a witness to these things, stated, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust" (1 Peter 3:18a). Our Saviour died for sin.
2) The cross of repentance. The other criminal represents those who repent of their sins and place their faith in God's redemptive plan. He came to realize that he and the other lawbreaker deserved the death penalty and was quite frank when he spoke: "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41). His faith is humbly expressed in these words: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Our Lord's word to this criminal, one of His seven recorded last sayings, brought eternal hope to the repentant criminal as well as spiritual hope to millions throughout the centuries, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." This criminal died to sin.
3) The cross of redemption. On the middle cross Christ died once for all time for all people. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7). "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19,20). Peter, a witness to these things, stated, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust" (1 Peter 3:18a). Our Saviour died for sin.
Today is a day of decision. For many it will be a reaffirmation of a decision to follow Christ previously made. This evening at our Good Friday service we will remember and worship our Redeemer.
But for others
this can be the day you
move from rejection to
repentance and place
your faith in the Great
Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
The cross of redemption
was singularly
accomplished by Jesus
Christ. Are you living
your life in rejection
of Christ or in
repentance? Let us, like
the repentant criminal,
acknowledge that "we
are punished justly,
for we are getting
what our deeds
deserve. But this man
has done nothing
wrong" (Luke
23:41).
This Good Friday let us, through faith with thankful hearts, accept God's only solution for our sin problem. Let us faithfully live for the One who died for us.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, thank
You for the
record in
Scripture that
makes us more
than just
curious
bystanders
during the
crucifixion of
Your precious
Son. Jesus'
recorded
conversation
with the
repentant
criminal helps
us to see how
immediate
redemption for
all humanity was
being provided
through His
death on the
cross.
Thoughtful
reflecting on
this day brings
about grief and
sadness as we
recall the
rejection, pain,
and suffering
Christ
underwent. In
Luke 22:53 Jesus
spoke to those
who seized Him
in the garden as
a time when
darkness reigns.
Though He was
speaking
figuratively in
the garden the
next afternoon
literal darkness
fell upon the
earth as He
breathed His
final breath.
Surely all hope
dissipated for
those who stood
by our Lord as
He hung on the
cross. But I'm
so glad we don't
have to wait for
the rest of the
story to unfold
since we know,
through
Scripture, the
final outcome
and the way of
salvation Christ
made possible
for us. Thank
you, Father,
that You loved
the world so
much that You
gave Your one
and only Son to
die for our
sins, that
whoever calls
upon the name of
the Lord shall
be saved. We
call upon the
Lord Jesus to
save us, cleanse
us from our
sins, and to
indwell our
hearts. Amen.
This Good Friday let us, through faith with thankful hearts, accept God's only solution for our sin problem. Let us faithfully live for the One who died for us.
And can it
be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should'st die for me?
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should'st die for me?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, thank
You for the
record in
Scripture that
makes us more
than just
curious
bystanders
during the
crucifixion of
Your precious
Son. Jesus'
recorded
conversation
with the
repentant
criminal helps
us to see how
immediate
redemption for
all humanity was
being provided
through His
death on the
cross.
Thoughtful
reflecting on
this day brings
about grief and
sadness as we
recall the
rejection, pain,
and suffering
Christ
underwent. In
Luke 22:53 Jesus
spoke to those
who seized Him
in the garden as
a time when
darkness reigns.
Though He was
speaking
figuratively in
the garden the
next afternoon
literal darkness
fell upon the
earth as He
breathed His
final breath.
Surely all hope
dissipated for
those who stood
by our Lord as
He hung on the
cross. But I'm
so glad we don't
have to wait for
the rest of the
story to unfold
since we know,
through
Scripture, the
final outcome
and the way of
salvation Christ
made possible
for us. Thank
you, Father,
that You loved
the world so
much that You
gave Your one
and only Son to
die for our
sins, that
whoever calls
upon the name of
the Lord shall
be saved. We
call upon the
Lord Jesus to
save us, cleanse
us from our
sins, and to
indwell our
hearts. Amen.
For
many years we
have
appreciated
the solid
ministry of
Robert J.
Morgan, a
pastor in the
Nashville area
and writer of
many books.
Several years
ago we
attended the
church he
serves and
visited with
him for a few
minutes after
the service.
Brooksyne
became a
Facebook
"friend" and
he uses
Facebook for
ministry with
thoughtful
quotes and
enriching
materials.
Yesterday we
were both
blessed by
this powerful
perspective
concerning the
news du jour.
We
always enjoy
sharing photos
of sights we see
along the way.
Yesterday we
visited six
different
company
locations and
drove through
rural Lancaster
County.
Along
322 we saw a
flock of sheep
and lambs right
up next to the
highway. Looks
like the one
young lamb was
up to his neck
in hay. Not sure
what drew him to
bury his head
but he stayed
like that for
the entire photo
shoot of about
five minutes.
Two
horses pulled
this cart on the
road south of
New Holland.
This
movable chicken
coop is on a
farm wagon
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
Today
we share a selection of songs on
the Cross in a variety of
different styles.
"I Should Have Been
Crucified" Video
Whisnants
"The
Man In The Middle"
Video
The Cupps
"At The Foot of The Cross" Video Kathryn Scott
"Love Held Him To The Cross" Video Harvesters Quartet
"It Is Finished" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"The Old Rugged Cross" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"At The Foot of The Cross" Video Kathryn Scott
"Love Held Him To The Cross" Video Harvesters Quartet
"It Is Finished" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"The Old Rugged Cross" Video Gaither Vocal Band
"I
Believe in a Hill Called Mount
Calvary" Video
Gaither Vocal Band
(This week is known by
many as Passion Week or Holy Week
which covers the events in
Christ's life from the Triumphal
Entry to His resurrection. We will
leave the following materials up
throughout the week.)
Major
Events of the Passion
Week
The four gospels cover the life of Christ, a period of about 33 years. Most of this material deals with the 3˝ year period of His ministry. However an astounding 30 of the 89 accumulative chapters in the gospels deal with the period from Christ's triumphal entry through His resurrection and post-resurrection appearances. Mathematically this means that approximately 33% of the written material in the gospels deals with a mere .05% period of His life! In the providence of God we have a much greater proportion of material dealing with God's greatest act of mercy in providing our redemption.
Here's an interesting chart from a Study Bible that may be helpful as you study the Bible this week. It sure helps me to have a sense of when the events took place and is inspiring to read these Scriptures in the daily sequence leading up to Easter.
Sunday
- Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19
- Jesus Clears the Temple: Matthew 21:12,13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45,46
- Jesus' authority challenged in the temple: Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8
- Jesus teaches stories and confronts the Jewish leaders: Matthew 21:28-23:36; Mark 12:1-40; Luke 20:9-47
- Greeks ask to see Jesus: John 12:20-26
- The Olivet Discourse: Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-38
- Judas agrees to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10,11; Luke 22:3-6
- The Last Supper: Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20
- Jesus speaks to the disciples in the upper room: John 13-17
- Jesus struggles in Garden of Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1
- Jesus is betrayed and arrested: Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12
- Jesus is tried by Jewish and Roman authorities and disowned by Peter: Matthew 26:57-27:2, 11-31; Mark 14:53-15:20; Luke 22:54-23:25; John 18:13-19:16
- Jesus is crucified and buried: Matthew 27:31-56; Mark 15:20-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30
- The glorious resurrection: Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18
(This material is developed from
an outline in the Life
Application Bible)
"It's
Still The Cross!"
(A selection of
Scripture verses focusing
on the Cross
for personal, family or
congregational reading.)
Worship leader: Here they crucified Him, and with Him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:18
Congregation: This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. Acts 2:23
Worship leader: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Congregation: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
Worship leader: By abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Ephesians 2:15-17
Congregation: He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:7-9
Worship leader: For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19,20
Congregation: When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13,14
All: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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