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Thoughts Archived > Are You Waiting For The Kingdom Of God?


22 Dec 2013

 

                                  

 

December 22, 2013

Are You Waiting For The Kingdom of God? 

Luke 23: 44 - 56

 

Luke

By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o' clock.  The light from the sun was gone.  And suddenly, the thick veil hanging in the Temple was torn apart.  Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!"  And with those words he breathed his last.

When the captain of the Roman soldiers handling the executions saw what had happened, he praised God and said, "Surely this man was innocent."  And when the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw all that had happened, they went home in deep sorrow."  But Jesus' friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph.  He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders.  He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he had been waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.  He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.  Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock.  That was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation for the Sabbath.

As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where they placed his body.  Then they went home and prepared spiced and ointments to embalm him.  But by the time they were finished it was the Sabbath, so they rested all that day as required by the law.  

 

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 Thoughts....

 

If I were to include the references from Matthew, would it give you a clearer understanding about Jesus' innocence?  Read the first paragraph above, then read Matthew 27:51b-53:  'The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened.  The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead after Jesus' resurrection.  They left the cemetery, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.'     

Could 'the bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead after Jesus' resurrection' translate into 'they died to themselves and their old life and were raised to a new life through forgiveness of sins and spiritually saved after Jesus' resurrection'?  Could 'they left the cemetery' apply to the world of spiritually dead people who surround them?  Could 'went into the holy city of Jerusalem' correlate to 'going to church', and 'appeared to many people' be an analogy for 'going forth to preach the Gospel'?       

Matthew goes on to report in verse 54:  'The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened.  They said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!" 

Now read again paragraph 2 above. 

It's rather eye opening to me to see all the events outlined thus.  It goes way beyond a one act play.  The power behind the words?  God, not drama.  And what does God wish to convey to us in this passage?  Despite all the drama of the one act play, if you will, the power is in the following 2 statements:

"Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!"  

"Truly, this was the Son of God!"

Have you said, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!"?  When we say, 'God, forgive me.", we declare that we are seeking forgiveness and willing to let go of the past.  But when we say, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!", we do so at water baptism, as we bow down and are raised to a new life in Christ, washed anew.  Whether symbolically or actually, when we seek baptism by water and also baptism by Holy Spirit, we entrust our spirit into God's hands.  We bow down and let go to a loving, caring, uplifting God who seeks to walk with us, guide us, and carry us as we go.

Do you KNOW Jesus?  Can you also say, as the Roman officer and other soldiers said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!"        

Later in paragraph two above it states that the crowd watched but 'went home in deep sorrow'.  You do not have to have regrets, feel sorrow, or guilt.  Today, you can accept Jesus Christ as your Savior....and....make him Lord of your life.  If you live your life as a Christian, you will no longer be flogging him with your sins, because you will be choosing to live your life in accordance with what is outlined in the New Testament.  Your actions will be based on what Scripture says, not the worlds' way of living.  And you will be free indeed.

When we are baptized in water, there is usually a crowd present to witness, and give testimony to, as well as to be future support for, the person being baptized.  Crowds watched as Jesus died to his old life.  Just like in water baptism.  In todays lesson we learn from Scripture 'But Jesus' friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.'  Why do you suppose they stood at a distance?  Were they, like all Christians, set apart from the world?  Yes.  They did not to stand in the midst of the crowds mourning in sorrow.  They, like those who witness baptism, were there for and with Jesus.  They KNEW who Jesus was....the Son of God, the Messiah, Redeemer, Prince of Peace!  They KNEW one day they WOULD be with him in paradise.  Will you?   

Moving on....

Many have wondered if Joseph of Arimathea was indeed Jesus' father.  Little is said about him after Jesus' birth other than when Jesus got 'lost' and was found in the Temple by his parents.  And we learn Jesus was a carpenter like his father.  But we do not even know if his father at that time was Joseph, technically speaking.  Is it possible that Joseph of Arimathea was indeed Jesus' 'long lost father', or that he wasn't 'lost', but had needed to relocate for work?  Just because Luke and others knew Jesus, didn't mean they would necessarily know his father.  How many parents do you know of acquaintances you have?  And even if you knew them in your youth, all appearances change over time.  And if you knew the father, would you presume that that person's son could become a renegade healer....let alone the Messiah?  And does it matter whether Jesus was actually Joseph's son or that of another?  Or whether he was a stranger, or whether it was his father who retrieved his body? 

Understand that God is God.  Jesus is Jesus....regardless of who's who in his genealogy....besides God, of course.  And God is Heavenly Father to all of us.  However, Jesus is Deity....is Lord and giver of NEW, never ending, life!  Oh, and Joseph traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem.  Why couldn't he have traveled from Arimathea to Jerusalem?  Just thinking.....   Bottom line....God is still, and always will be, God the Father.  And Jesus is still, and always will be, Messiah....Savior to all.

Another bottom line....you need to know who your HEAVENLY Father is....God.  And who your Savior is....or can be, if you choose to accept him....Jesus.  And Holy Spirit awaits your call to be your Comforter, Guide and Teacher....if you don't know him already. 

The important thing to remember about Joseph of Arimathea right now was his purpose.  'He had been waiting for the Kingdom of God.'  Don't we all....shouldn't we all....wait for the Kingdom of God?  We don't have to wait any longer!  We've been taught the Kingdom of God was ushered in when Jesus died and arose to heaven.  According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God had arrived when he was healing people!  In Luke 11:20, Jesus said, "But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you."  What was he doing right then?  Casting out demons to heal people!  He clearly stated that the Kingdom of God had arrived!  When did this happen?  At Jesus' birth?  Jesus was given another new life which came to fulfillment in the Kingdom of God when he passed over....after he shed his blood.  (Passover....there are a lot of phrases that imply or relate to other things in Scripture.).  See Luke 22:16 and Mark 14:23-25, Matthew 26:26-29.  By the way, the bread of the Passover was symbolic for his body, and the wine symbolized his shed blood.

Another important thing to remember today is the following reference from todays lesson verse 53:  'Then he [Joseph] took the body [Jesus' body] down from the cross and wrapped it in a long linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock.'  Think about this....Jesus' birth.  

Let's read again [if you've been following with us through the study of Luke] Luke 2:1-7,  'At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home.  He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her first child, a son.  She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn." 

Do you see the correlation between Jesus' death and birth?  Upon Jesus' birth, and death, he was wrapped in strips of cloth.  Upon his birth, he was laid in a manger made of wood, as was the cross upon which he died made from wood.  He was laid in a tomb carved out of rock upon his death.  The manger was in a cave....carved out of rock.  Both were shelters from the storms of life.

Then we learn from todays Scripture that, Joseph, removing Jesus' body and laying him in the tomb, was 'done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation for the Sabbath'.  Ladies and gentlemen, 'preparation for the Sabbath' are the key words here.  Why do we have the Sabbath?  To honor God.  How do we 'prepare' to honor God?  Honor his Son, receive him as Savior, and make him Lord of our life.  How do we honor them both?  Obey them....living your life as outlined in the New Testament as a Christian.  Love them.  Worship and adore them.  Listen to them....read about them and what they have to say.  And go forth telling others about them. 

Scripture continues today to say that the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where they placed Jesus' body.  Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to embalm him.  What is the analogy here?  First of all, you need to understand where Jesus body is now.  NOW it is in heaven, and it is not just his body, but his Spirit, too.  He LIVES!  What could be the analogy for spices and ointments?  Fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit?  That would be my guess.  Will you embalm Jesus with those?  NO!  You will be raising him to new heights of glory with God, by not only receiving all Holy Spirit, and they, have to give you, but, in using them to further the Kingdom of God, you will bring them a peace that passes all understanding....a peace like unto death, that can be experienced in a new life with Christ, Father God, and Holy Spirit!  Living in the Holy Spirit will not only give you an abundant life, it will give you the promise of fulfillment....a guarantee of a 'pass over' from this world into the next....heaven.  You want to immerse them with the fruits and gifts, not embalm them with spices and ointments. 

The same is true with all others in your life.  Be fruitful in interacting with others, and a give a gift to others from within from the storehouse Holy Spirit gives you.  What is your attitude toward others?  Are you insulated, or do you open yourself up and share who you are with others?  More importantly, do you share the Kingdom of God with others....telling others about God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and all they have to offer? 

The last sentence in todays lesson reads:  'But by the time they were finished it was the Sabbath, so they rested all that day as required by the law.  Two things here.  ONE....don't let it be too late for you.  Recall I keep saying that 'YOUR end time may come before THE end times.'  You can be too late for this wedding.  You do not want to be....trust me on this.  And if you don't want to trust me, read about all those who didn't accept God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Read about those who betrayed them once they had turned to them.  They got burned up (see John 15).  It's all recorded as documented history in the Bible.

SECOND....you are under a new law, IF [big IF] you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  And, quite frankly, the old law didn't tell the folks to rest so much as it told them GOD rested on the Sabbath day.   The new law is the NEW TESTAMENT.  Under the NEW law/testament, Jesus didn't rest, nor should we.  He even spoke on that issue very clearly reminding/rebuking those who were opposed to working on the Sabbath.  In Luke 14:1-6 Jesus addressed the issue.  Another reference is Matthew 12:1-14.  There are others.  Never should we rest in working for the Lord.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit are on duty for us, to see us through....24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.  We should give them the same love, devotion, respect, obeying them and laying down our lives to them at least as much as we expect them to lay down their lives for us.  And you know what....?  We ARE called to lay down our lives for them.  It is how Jesus defined true love....when we lay our lives down for another.  And who best should receive our love and friendship?  Most assuredly....the man who gave us life, the man who gave up his life for us, the man who lives our lives with us.....God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

So, as you are thinking about Christmas, sans the commercialism, consider the analogy between Jesus birth and death and what both mean to us at this time.....every day, every moment, 'every breath we take'.  Like Santa Claus....they'll be watching you....for the naughty or nice. 

It is my hope that you enjoy a very Merry Christmas with the one for whom it began as an honor...Jesus  May your Christmas, and new year, be filled with all good things, and may your path be brightly lit on your journey with and for the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.  Listen closely....obey....and love the Trinity dearly....and all good things will be yours.           

 

 

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 Let Us Pray

 

Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.  Have mercy on us.  Lord God, Lamb of God, please take away my sins as I live in the world, grant me your mercy and your peace.  Holy Spirit, lead me onward in such a way so that I may bring glory to God in the highest.  Often times I look around and wonder where you are.  I hear and say the words 'Merry Christmas', but I don't feel them anymore in my heart.  I know you are in me, with me, surrounding me, uplifting me....carrying me.  Yet I do not feel the depth of emotion I used to feel when I would say those words in the past.  So much sorrow in my life, Lord.  So little time to devote as much worship of you as I used to.  So many downtrodden moments have added up pushing you into depths within I find hard to reach.  I want to breathe you in and feel you radiating life through me.  I want to express the joy of who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, yet I feel I fall short of giving you glory, of feeling the praise so due you.  I say the words, but you are not there.  I receive the words, yet are you in me?  Have I lost you or just me?  I pray you will grant me the peace that passes all understanding in life.  Yet first, I feel I must have a better balance in my life.  And that is wrong because Scripture says I am to praise you in...IN....all things.  That means ' in the midst of ' all things, not necessarily 'for' all things.  So Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I come to you anew.  I understand your birth and death, the preparation for your birth and death.  I wish to receive all you have to give me to be best able to honor you and share you with the world.  I pray what I have to give you is worthy enough for you to want to receive from me.  Christina Rosetti once wrote:  'What can I give him, poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd, I'd give him a lamb.  If I were a wise man, I would do my part.  But what I can I give...my heart.'  A shepherd pointed the way to you, the Lamb of God.  The wise men gave gifts to you at birth.  All I can give you, poor as I am, is my heart.  And in giving you my heart, I bow down my life to you and beg you to find it worthy of receiving, while you, Holy Spirit earnestly attempt to help me, so that I may indeed be found to be fruitful enough to be granted the prize of the high calling of God....heaven's gate, God's arms....upon my journeys end.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, let this Christmas be a thankful, blessed reminder, and an embrace, for all you have done for me....giving me life, giving me a new life, and, guiding me/leading me onward with my load.  And thank you again for carrying me when those burdens become too great.  I am grateful to and for you and I love you.  Thank you.  Always.  Amen.

 

  

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

 

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

 

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

 

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

 

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    One last thing....

 

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!   

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Bible Authors and Minister