In times of physical weakness caused by disease or exhaustion, all our difficulties and disappointments are magnified beyond their true significance. Weariness and painfulness can distort our perspective so that what really is a matter of small consideration can loom large and threatening to us. It is true that our critics can be cruel and without conscience, and our enemies speak evil against us. Our adversaries appear to be delighted with our adversity and even hope against our recovery. Our foes can be fierce and, what is even worse, our friends can be unfaithful, even false. The experience of the Psalmist is quite universal as he declared: 7 All who hate me whisper together against me; against me they devise my hurt, saying, 8 "A wicked thing is poured out upon him, that when he lies down, he will not rise up again." 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me (Psalm 41:7-9).

The heart can be utterly discouraged and disconsolate if we pay attention only to people. While not unmindful of our circumstances, we are not to be occupied wholly with the horizontal; rather, we should have the upward, vertical look toward the Faithful One. Like the Psalmist, we are to call upon Him, and even include confession of our sin in that call as the Psalmist did, saying, But You, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up. That prayer will be answered because of God’s mercy and not because of any merit on our part. To the trusting heart comes the same assurance that the Psalmist knew after his plea for mercy: By this I know that You are pleased with me, because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.

They are many, but the Lord is merciful!

They are mighty, but the Lord is merciful!

His mercy endures forever!

Easter will be celebrated this month, Sunday, April 8th and it is a time of great rejoicing for all believers. The following article is a reprint from “Tool Box,” Spring 2006, a publication of Evantell. The author, Larry Moyer, presents not only the gospel but also how to share it with others simply. Easter provides all of us a great opportunity to share the good news with those around us. Perhaps this article will challenge us to faithfully share the gospel with someone/s this month or at anytime.

“Confused on Easter!”

It’s happened! Easter Sunday is approaching. You prayed for a door of opportunity and it has opened. You have a chance to tell your best friend the one message she needs most. Suddenly the question comes to your mind, “What exactly is that message?” At a Christian convention when 60 people were asked the question, “What is the gospel?” only one had a biblical answer. If the gospel message is not clear in your mind, it won’t be in your friend’s either.

Let’s first examine what the message is not.

It’s not about how to find happiness. Many non-Christians are the happiest they have ever been—so happy that they don’t see the need for Christ. On the other hand, it’s possible to be a Christian and be unhappy. Believers often become discouraged because of persecution or the agonizing hardships of life and can experience loneliness or even depression.

The gospel message is not about reconciling human relationships. God wants a man and a woman to experience marriage, not just a merger of two people who live under the same roof. But a husband and wife who have a solid marriage will still be separated from God forever if they are unbelievers. Furthermore, even couples who know Christ face marital struggles at times.

Nor does the message concern how God can help you out of your dilemma, whether it is a jail sentence or an unavoidable job loss. Circumstances before conversion don’t necessarily change after you come to Christ. A murderer may still face the executioner’s needle. A person who has lost a job may still incur debt.

The message is BIGGER. It is defined in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 and can be reduced to ten words, “Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.” That’s the gospel.

What characterizes that gospel?

First, it points to something Christ has done—not something He will do. It’s past, proven, done. The death and resurrection of Christ leaves a non-Christian without justifiable defense. If someone looks at the catastrophes of today and questions God’s love, he has to explain away the cross. If a lost person questions whether Christ was God, he has to explain away the resurrection. Moreover, an unbeliever may be disappointed with the actions of Christians today. But the message has nothing to do with what Christians are doing. It deals with what Christ has already done—His death and resurrection.

The clear message of the gospel also highlights the depth of Christ's love. He didn’t just die. He died for me. 1 Corinthians 15:3 says, “For my sins”. He didn’t die to show me how to live—giving instead of getting. He didn’t die to show me how to die, putting others first. His death was substitutionary. A sinless Savior took a sinner’s place. Had He not died, I would have to suffer my own punishment. Amazing love!

Next, the clear gospel message puts the emphasis where it needs to be – eternal life in heaven not temporal life on earth. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26) God is not offering earth with heaven thrown in. He’s offering heaven with earth thrown in. when I know Him, it doesn’t matter how, when or where I die. I am going to be in His presence forever. The span of our lives on earth is brief and uncertain. The length of life with Him is eternal. Even though the circumstances in my life today may be very difficult, as a believer I know He’ll be with me. But when I die, I’ll be with Him where pain and problems don’t exist.

One final thing characterizes the gospel message: the simplicity of response. How can you benefit from Christ's death and resurrection and receive eternal life? Trust in Christ, the One who did it all, as the only way to heaven. Jesus promised, “He who believes in Me has everlasting life.” (John 6:47) Eternal life is free.

If we’re confused about the gospel on Easter (or any other day), it’s because we’ve made difficult what God intended to be simple. Christ died for us and arose. Trust in Him alone. Receive His gift of eternal life. As you recognize the clarity of the message, it ought to cause you to ask not only “Who can I tell?” but “How many can I tell?”

(Article by R. Larry Moyer, reprinted from “Tool Box,” Spring 2006, a publication of Evantell. Their website is www.evantell.org.)

1 O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. 2 Many are saying of my soul, "There is no deliverance for him in God." Selah. 3 But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head (Psalm 3:1-3).

Someone has observed that the New Testament is especially helpful for morning devotions and that the Psalms constitute a comforting pillow for one’s head at night. This 3rd Psalm contains something of that thought. In this Psalm, David is not ignorant of the stupendous difficulties that surround him. Objectively he observed: O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, ‘there is no deliverance for him in God.’

There is a basic difference in the reaction of a dog and a cat to sudden alarm. When a dog is startled by a loud noise behind him, he is inclined to flee at break neck speed without trying to ascertain the cause of the fear. But a cat, when startled will stop, turn around, survey carefully the situation and then leave or stay as the situation warrants.

Similarly, we are too much given to running away or worrying ourselves sick over adversities and calamities. We are to be realistic as to our situation, but we are to remember that God is above and beyond any circumstance. In dismay and difficulty we are to keep looking unto our Lord, with the result that we can run with patience the race of each day.

Like the Psalmist, we are to declare, But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. Then, as did the Psalmist, we should make our petition to God and with the assurance that He has heard, echo his testimony: I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me (v.5). After such committal to the Lord and the restful slumber which followed, David was refreshed in spirit and strengthened in body so that he could say, I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about (v.6) Believing prayer and physical rest make one fearless in the Lord.

This is the divine antidote for fearfulness. God and one believer make a majority in any problem or perplexity. God is the lifter up of our head because underneath are always the everlasting arms. As the Bible declares, God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6) and the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Look the situation over… be aware of the dangers… then say, but You, O Lord, are a shield about me!

~ Pastor John

~ Pastor John

Excerpt from the book, But God, by V. Raymond Edman (5^th in a series).

Job 23:8 "Behold, I go forward but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; 9 When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him. 10 "But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 "My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside (NASU).

We are finite. God is infinite. We do not know what a day will bring forth; He knows the end from the beginning. There are times when, like Job, we seek earnestly to know the way wherein we should walk and the thing that we should do. We turn to the right hand or to the left. We go forward a bit, and then backward; but all is uncertainty, even unreality. We face fear and frustration. We discover only darkness and dismay. We hear only the echo of our own call for guidance.

We begin to appreciate quite fully the experience of the prophet Jeremiah when he declared that it is not in man to know the way that he should take. We scan carefully that promise in the first chapter of James and reread it slowly and thoughtfully: 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:5-8). Then suddenly we become aware that we are indeed like the wave of the sea, surging upward for a brief moment or two, then sinking downward into the trough of despair. We need stability, strength, faith, faithfulness, confidence, and courage, and these we do not have.

But God knows the way that we take. It may be dark, but nothing is hidden to Him with whom light and darkness are both alike. It may be difficult, but He is never dismayed. It may be a long, never-ending way with no apparent turning, demanding a patient plodding onward, but He never grows weary. He takes the twenty-second mile with us, not the second only. The way may be lonely, but there is always the loveliness of His presence, whether discerned at the given moment or not.

Someday all the way will become meaningful. Life’s road itself may never have changed appreciably but we shall have been transformed inwardly by our walking onward by faith without sight. We shall have altered our attitude toward it because of God’s unfailing help. The darkness and the difficulties, the length of the way and the sense of human loneliness, the very hopelessness and helplessness which we experience will have transfigured by divine alchemy the base elements of self-confidence and self-assertiveness into the gold of God’s goodness and grace. When we are changed, life’s pathway itself becomes a matter of indifference, except that it continues to lead to the City of the Great King.

 You are groping in the darkness with no knowledge as to where to go or what to do? But God knows, so go onward in that confidence, because He guides through somber shadows into the golden glow of the sunrising.

“Grace Sufficient”

My grace is sufficient for you. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

So many burdened lives along the way!

My load seems lighter than the most I see,

And oft I wonder if I could be brave,

Patient and sweet if they were laid on me.

But God has never said that He would give

Another’s grace without another’s thorn;

What matter, since for every day of mine,

Sufficient grace for me comes with the morn?

And though the future brings some heavier cross

I need not cloud the present with my fears;

I know the grace that is enough today

Will be sufficient still through all the years.

                                                                                    Annie Johnson Flint

~ Pastor John

“But God Meant It Unto Good”

15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, " What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!" 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying, 17'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive (Genesis 50:15-20).

The startling truth declared in Romans 8:28, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,” was not a new revelation reserved for New Testament times. Its truth is written large throughout the Bible. Joseph’s experience is an outstanding Old Testament illustration thereof. He had been envied by his brothers to the point of hatred, so much so that they sold him into slavery. More dastardly treatment can hardly be imagined. When the day came that Joseph, no longer a slave in Egypt but prime minister of the land, could help his brothers, he was only too glad so to do. They were fearful that after their father’s death Joseph might change his helpfulness into hatred. Not so, Joseph sought to assure them, explaining that God meant all that had transpired to be for their good.

How can all things work together for good? The details taken separately may contain no good whatever, but together they are good. The late Dr. H. A. Ironside, pastor of Moody Church, was fond of telling the observation of an elderly cook at a Bible conference. She had said to the preachers, who were discussing Romans 8:28, ‘you all have expressed appreciation for the hot biscuits I make for you each morning. But consider— the flour itself does not taste good, nor does the baking powder, nor the shortening, nor the other ingredients; however, when I mix them all together and put them into the oven, they come out just right for biscuits. That is how I understand that God makes everything work together for good.’

Whatever may be the circumstances of yesterday or today, they can work together for good as long as our heart is right toward God and others. In time we can say like Joseph, ‘But God meant it unto good.’

~ Pastor John

Jewish Culture & Customs

“So, What Exactly Is That?”

~ by Steve Herzig

Meeting new people is a regular part of my job. Usually it takes just a short time before I find myself asking the inevitable question, “What do you do?” Sometimes (not often, I hope), the answer leaves me with a rather glazed look. Oh, I hear it all right. But my clueless stare into space is a dead giveaway; I don’t have the faintest idea what that particular occupation really is. Then I ask sheepishly, “So, what exactly is that?”

For many people outside the Jewish experience, such words as kohayn, chazzan, rabbi, rebbe, fav, tzaddik, shammas, and gabbai can produce a similar stare into space. Maybe some of you are familiar with the terms; but you still wonder, “What exactly is that?” Here are the answers to your question.

What Is a Kohayn?

A kohayn was a priest in the days of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. To understand the term requires a trip into the genealogy of Israel. Jacob, whose name later became Israel, had 12 sons. From them emerged the 12 tribes of Israel. The Levites are descendants of Jacob’s son Levin. The Bible describes them as servants around the Holy Temple. Aaron and Moses were Levites. God chose Aaron to perform special duties as the nation of Israel’s first high priest. Only his descendants are called kohanim (plural of kohayn).

When the second Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70, the sacrificial system ended. The genealogical records, which had been kept in the Temple, also were destroyed, making it impossible today to prove any Jewish person’s tribal origin. So the title of kohayn has been passed down orally from one generation to another. A father assumes he is a kohayn because his father told him so, as did his father before him, so on and so forth.

Recent studies in the new field of population research have made several interesting claims. Scientists say the &-chromosome passes virtually unchanged from father to son, Rabbi Yaakov Kleiman states: “The rare mutations—which are changes in the non-coding portion of its DNA—can serve as markers. Studies have shown a very high genetic affinity among present day Cohanim, indicating that they do have a common paternal ancestor estimated to have lived some 3,000 years ago.”

Although this research is still in the early stages, it is conceivable that, in the future, people will attempt to identify kohanim with a simple blood test. For those Jewish people awaiting the building of a third Temple, this research would be most welcome. Today, individuals thought to be kohanim carry the honor and responsibility of being the first to be summoned to read from the Torah in synagogue worship.

(Next month we will look at “Chazzan”)

“Thy Strength and My Day”

give me Thy strength for my day, Lord,

That wheresoe’er I go,

There shall no danger daunt me

And I shall fear no foe;

So shall no task o’ercome me,

So shall no trial fret,

So shall I walk unwearied

The path where my feet are set;

So shall I find no burden

Greater than I can bear,

So shall I have a courage

Equal to all my care;

So shall no grief o’erwhelm me,

So shall no wave o’erflow;

Give me Thy strength for my day, Lord,

Cover my weakness so.

Annie Johnson Flint

“BUT GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART”

1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart! 2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked…. 22 Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. 24 With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:1-3, 22-26).

The heart is usually tougher and stronger than the flesh, because the spirit within us can rise above the infirmities of the body. In Proverbs 18:14 is the concise declaration: The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but as for a broken spirit who can bear it? It is known that an athlete can continue to play in the excitement and thrill of the game even though he has suffered a broken bone. Despite multiple wounds, a soldier can continue resisting the onslaughts of the enemy. A frail girl can continue her life’s calling despite appalling handicaps. But a broken heart—who then can triumph?

For the Psalmist, both heart and flesh had failed. Bruised and bewildered by injustice and iniquity, he saw no prospect for the triumph of the right. He had observed the prosperity of the wicked, and therefore it seemed to him that indeed he had cleansed his heart in vain and washed his hands in innocence. He himself had been plagued and chastened every morning while the ungodly had more than heart could wish, and in their pride they boasted: ‘how doth God know? And is their knowledge in the most High?’

The Psalmist found no answer to his painful dilemma until with all humility he took his case to God—I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end (73:16, 17)/ When everything and everyone had failed him and injustice seemed to prevail, he found God to be his unfailing Helper: 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. 24 With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory (73:23-24). And he was satisfied: Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth (Psalm 73:25). Faith was the answer to bewilderment of heart and exhaustion of flesh.

The entire Psalm hinges on the single word but. Up to that point there seemed to be no real help for God’s troubled servant; but God proved Himself to be the strength of this heart and his portion forever. Then tears turned to triumph, bewilderment to blessings, and perplexity to praise.

Suppose the godless do make much gain and the impenitent are prosperous. Suppose we suffer loss because of godliness and integrity, so that poverty is our lot. God is our guide now and has prepared glory for us hereafter.

• Heart would faint—but God is our strength!
• Flesh would fail—but God is our portion forever!

 It can be found here on their website, http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4700741/k.1BFF/Challenges__to_Religious_Liberty.htm.

John also suggests this article for more support for our study of Micah this month:

http://bible.org/seriespage/chapter-iv-promise-land-israel.

Recently I’ve had a couple of people ask if there is any evidence apart from the Bible to substantiate the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. While I personally don’t need substantiation for the Bible from non-biblical sources, nevertheless, there are those who may and that’s ok. There is definitely substantial data that speaks of Jesus apart from the 66 books of the Bible. Always point skeptics and seekers to the Bible and the God of the Bible first and allow God the Holy Spirit to do His work in bringing someone to faith or to firmer faith. If the need arises for non-biblical evidence, rest assured that there is plenty. There are many books and articles that have been written and this one, written by Michael Gleghorn, is excellent and I’d like to share it with you in this monthly newsletter.

You can read this article from Michael's website by clicking here:  http://michaelgleghorn.com/artAncientEvidence.php

With this article you may think that I’ve gone from preaching/teaching, to meddling! I am sharing a few thoughts about that part of our human anatomy that all too often causes us big trouble, which is…? Wouldn’t it be great if our salvation brought about the total makeover of our mouth? Speaking of the mouth, consider the words of the wise man Solomon who wrote this in Ecclesiastes 10:12 (from various translations): The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself (KJV); The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up (NKJV); Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him (NASV); Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips (NIV); It is pleasant to listen to wise words, but the speech of fools brings them to ruin (New Living Translation); the words of a wise person are gracious. The talk of a fool self-destructs (The Message). The person in this passage, better known as “Mr./Mrs./Ms. Know It All” or “Chief Running Mouth,” is always running at the mouth and ends up swallowing his/her own mouth. Someone has said that ‘the thing most opened up by mistake is our mouths.’ Ouch!

Whenever I think about the mouth and/or the tongue, my mind immediately goes to James' familiar and convicting words in the 3rd chapter of James where the Word of God provides insight into the use and misuse of the tongue among believers, specifically in worship. James writes: 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh (James 3:3-12).

In his assessment of the tongue, James begins by comparing the tongue to two different devices designed for control; the bit that controls a horse and the rudder that guides a ship. (1) The horse is a rather large strong animal, which years ago roamed wild. Yet, the bit, a small part of the bridle, brings the horse into subjection. In like fashion, the human tongue may also yield to a thoughtful kind touch of the reins. (2) The rudder of a ship is not necessarily large in comparison to the vessel, yet its decisive motion turns around an entire ship. The captain/pilot turns the helm and the vessel changes course. So the course of a life can be changed by a few words.

But, having said that, let me point out that James' comparison is not so much a matter of control (as the tongue doesn’t control the body), but rather the impact that these rather small parts play (cf. v.5). We must not underestimate the power of our tongues. A tongue not under control always gets us into big trouble! With these two illustrations, James seems to be illustrating the inordinate power of the tongue, either for good or evil, so that we use our one tongue carefully.

But James doesn’t stop there as he next provides two additional vivid illustrations for his comparisons: (3) a forest fire (3:5b-6). When we fail to use our tongues carefully, we become spiritual arsonists, lighting fires that potentially hurt, harm and destroy. As if that isn’t bad enough, consider James' strong words that follow; is set on fire by hell. Hell translates the Greek word, Gehenna, referring to the Valley of Hinnon, which is just outside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem where pagan worshippers sacrificed their children. Historically, it became the place where trash was dumped and burned. Jesus used it many times to refer to a place of eternal torment. Is James comparing an evil tongue to something right from the pit of Hell? In his online notes, Dr. Tom Constable writes that “the tongue is the gate through which the evil influences can spread like fire to inflame all areas of life that we touch.” (4) James' final illustration is that of trained animals (3:7). But our tongues are impossible to tame by us. But God can! A young man known for his incessant talking once came to Socrates for speech lessons. “I will teach you,” said Socrates, “but I will have to charge you double my fee. First I have to teach you how to hold your tongue and then how to use it.”

As James now writes; one minute we’re speaking good positive words, the next, negative, harm-filled words (3:9-10). Right? James next reveals that the inconsistencies of our tongue problems lie with its source, which Jesus taught is the heart: For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart (Matthew 12:34). It’s true isn’t it, that the mouth is simply the ‘vent’ for what is in the heart? What if people could actually see what we were thinking? What if there was a direct open visual line between our thoughts and our mouths? Perhaps the place to start ‘taming the tongue’ lies in our hearts.

For our edification let me cite Paul's advice: Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).

The ancient philosopher, Zeno once said, “We have two ears and one mouth; therefore we should listen twice as much as we talk.” Good advice!

But more importantly, I am drawn to the words of the Psalmist David who wrote, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Pastor John

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" 4 Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 "But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ' He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you'" (Mark 16:1-7).

In a study done by the Barna Research Group, a rather frightening statistic was revealed. “In a recent survey, 35% of born-again Christians, over 1 in 3, answered that Jesus did not physically rise from the grave.” In American life today, the truths of the Word of God seem to be eroding faster than a muddy California hillside hit by a raging spring rainstorm. And with it, the house of faith in which we live seems like it could come crashing down.

But there have been skeptics throughout human history. Recall that in Jesus’ day there were two primary Jewish political and religious groups; the Pharisees and the Sadducees. During the time of Christ, the Sadducees held powerful positions in Israel, including that of the chief priest and the high priest as well as the majority of the 70 seats on the ruling council, the Sanhedrin. While the Sadducees placed emphasis on the Word of God, especially the Books of Moses, they were, however, big-time skeptics as far as the resurrection was concerned. The New Testament states that they denied any resurrection of the dead (read Matthew 22:23—On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection); Mark 12:18-27—Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection); & Acts 23:8—For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection). Jesus discussed this doctrine with them as well as did Paul. Often Paul preached to these skeptical Sadducees as well as to others who refused to believe and many who were searching for answers to the question of life after death. To the believers in Corinth, Paul wrote these words of hope and life: 12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

Rejoice in the Good News! Rejoice that the Lord Jesus Christ came to live, die and rise for us and that He is alive forevermore!

Max Lucado relates an amazing sight a friend of his saw at Disney World. He was visiting Cinderella’s castle and the place was filled with children and parents. All of a sudden, the room full of children rushed over to one side of the big hall. Someone had come in. It was Cinderella herself.

The young lady in the costume was perfect for the part—beautiful features, long flowing blonde hair, and a radiant smile. The kids all crowded around her, each one wanting to touch her, to somehow get her attention.

Over on the other side of the room, however, stood a small boy, maybe 6 or 7. It was hard to tell how old he was because his little body was so deformed. He just stood there, looking longingly toward the lovely princess. You could tell he wanted to go over and talk to her like all the other children, but he remained transfixed, holding tightly to the hand of his older brother.

It was fear that kept him there—fear of yet another rejection, of being mocked or rudely pushed aside. But above all the hubbub, Cinderella noticed the boy and began to walk toward him. Gently, but firmly, she extricated herself from the clutching hands of the other children and made her way across the room. She dropped to her knees in front of him and placed a kiss on his forehead.

Lucado likens this vignette to the story of God’s love for us. Instead of a princess of Disney, we have the Prince of Peace. Rather than a handicapped boy, we are the thief on the cross. Both received a gift, but Jesus gave so much more than Cinderella. What if she’d taken upon herself the little boy’s disfigurement and given him her beauty?

That’s what Jesus Christ did for us!

This Easter and every day, celebrate His life, death, and life!

Pastor John