SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, Good Friday is over. Jesus is dead, lies in a tomb, secured by a large stone at the opening, with Roman soldiers guarding it. Many of His followers are scattered near and far, having found to be missing in action at His crucifixion, especially the hitherto macho men. Others are locked up tight in their dwellings in Jerusalem, fearful, disheartened, and somewhat angry too, feeling that Jesus disloyally deserted them after they had faithfully followed Him for so long. But anyone who really knew, or knows Jesus, would not believe that for even one single moment. The truth my Friends, is that Jesus’ death was a victory, a victory of great proportions! In fact it was the greatest victory that’s ever been won in any battle since the beginning of time! His precious blood has been shed, meaning the hefty sacrificial price for our multitudinous and disgusting sins has been paid for, for all eternity. And all God’s people declared a loud, thankful: ‘Amen!’ Yes my brethren, Jesus had successfully borne the burden of our sins, like Atlas bearing the world on his shoulders, and had acquitted Himself most valiantly. And all God’s people cried out: ‘Oh thank you Jesus! You are the best!’ And He most certainly is my fellow believers! But unfortunately His task was no Sunday afternoon stroll in the park, for crucifixion is probably the worse form of death ever conjured up by mankind. And Jesus’ was exceptionally tortuous. But even as the lifeblood drained from His human from, He knew that He’d won, and found the strength to cry out: ‘It is finished:’ (John 19:30) He was there referring to the successful conclusion of His earthly task; a worthy triumph over Lucifer and the curse of sin. This brings to mind His prayers for His disciples in John 17, which the scholars call the real ‘Lord’s Prayer,’ for this was when Jesus actually prayed to the Father on the disciples’ behalf. What we consider the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ today, (Matt.6:9-13) is merely a basic plan that Jesus gave us on which to base our own prayers. But personally: ‘These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power (authority) over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.’ (John 17:1-4) Yes my people, as of Good Friday evening, our Lord and Saviour Jesus had accomplished the onerous, distasteful, but very necessary sacrificial task, so that we sinners could be reconciled to the Father. And all God’s people shouted: ‘Hallelujah! It is done! Salvation’s been achieved! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!’ With that done, there was nothing left for Jesus in this earthly realm, so He uttered our Bit: ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my Sprit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (breathed His last).’ Now I believe when Luke talks of Jesus crying with a loud voice, he is referring to John’s ‘It is finished,’ statement, because that’s the only way the two gospels could co-exist in perfect harmony, since Luke doesn’t actually mention, ‘It is finished,’ and John doesn’t record Jesus commending His Spirit to the Father, just he simply gave up the ghost after that. But anyway, isn’t it more than mere coincidence that the words Jesus uttered before dying are very similar to those of Bruh David’s in Psalm 31? ‘Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.’ (Ps.31:5) And Jesus was so potent and unpredictable that even in His last moments His power was undeniable. Hear Mark tell it: ‘And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain (torn in two) from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion which stood over against (opposite) him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.’ (Mark15:37-39) Ah mih Friends, if a Roman soldier could believe Jesus’ divinity, although it was only at the last moment, why couldn’t His people eh, and for that matter, why can’t we today? But take heart my people, for though yesterday was indeed a very rough day, and today we’re filled with doubt, fear and uncertainty, please hang in, for the Lord God Jehovah is still in control, and the best is yet to come. Much LOVE!…sacrificing one’s life for another…that’s the ultimate form of LOVE…