There was another cross?!?

On Thursday, Jesus had his last meal, was betrayed by one of his disciples, sought refuge in prayer with God in a garden, and then Jesus was bound and arrested.

On Friday morning, Jesus has accused by religious leaders for be a blasphemer and a public nuisance and taken before the governor for a trial. Then his countrymen let a known murder go free and choose death and crucifixion for Jesus. Jesus was then mocked, beaten, spat on, and bruised. Roman guards smashed a crown of thorns into his head and put purple clothing on him to mock him as being a king. They then forced to pick up his cross and walk to Golgotha on the outskirts of the city. From there he was pierced three times. He struggled to breath and grew thirsty. Jesus took up his cross and bore the world's sin on it. There two other crosses that day that the criminals on them. They were to Jesus' left and to this right.

Yet there was another cross.

Wait, there wasn't four cross? But I thought there were only three?!?

Today, that fourth cross is yours and mine. It's the cross where our old self was crucified. "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin!"(Romans 6:6)

Jesus tells us in Luke 9:23-26:

 “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels."

Each of us have a cross to bear. Are we willing to pick up it, lose your selfish desires, let go of our life, and give it over to Jesus?

If we do believe in Jesus our lives will change dramatically. The old life will be gone and the new one is here. We will find forgiveness! We will find life! We will find purpose!

Hang up the old life you lived on the cross. Go start your new life now and live for Christ!

Why would Jesus be tempted?

 

Is it because Satan thought Jesus was weak?

To test Jesus?

To trick Jesus into sinning?

Let’s look at Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 23:35-43.

 

When reading Matthew 4:1-11, we find that Jesus was empowered and led by the Holy Spirit. God’s will was for Jesus to go into the wilderness. In the wilderness Jesus fasted for 40 days to prepare for his ministry.  In Luke’s version of this story, Luke states that Jesus was hungry, oh man I would have been too... 40 days!

 

Then something strange happens. The devil comes to tempt Jesus 3 times.  At Quake tonight, Josh and Courtney will be sharing from Matthew 4:1-11 on Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. It’s a familiar, yet interesting story. Come tonight and find out what it is all about!!!

 

Also, Jesus is tempted in Luke 23:35-43, while he is on the cross by those crucifying him mocked him and told him to save himself (v 35-38). Jesus had the power and ability to save himself, yet gave himself up as an sacrifice for mankind. Even one of the criminals on a cross next to Jesus hurled insults at him (v29). Jesus died a shocking and horrific death, so we might be saved from our sin and restored into right relationship with God. At any time, Jesus could have changed this, but he insisted on doing the Father’s will.

 

Was Jesus weak? No. Jesus had the power and authority no one else on earth ever had. See Matthew 28:18. He healed, drove out demons, calmed raging seas, resurrected people, lived a perfect life, and was raised from the dead.

 

Did he pass the test? What do you think? Reread Matthew 4:1-11.  

 

Was he tricked into sinning? No, he defeated temptation. God gives the power and way of any temptation. See 1stCorinthians 10:13 and James 1:12-18.

Grace and peace to you today,

Mark