daily java

Daily Java:

When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. (Luke 23:33)

Today is Good Friday, the day we mourn the passing of the physical body of the Son of God.

It is not the end, but really, merely the beginning.  If begins our life in Jesus, our participation in the Kingdom of God, our place at his table.

There was no way we could touch God. It would be like plugging our toasters into the high wire line. It would explode. The power and goodness of God is too great and we are too sinful.

So he sent his Son. He became human like we are, yet lived his life with no sin. He alone of all that have ever lived can touch God. And because he was human, he can also touch us. He is the bridge between us and God. We touch him, he touches God and through him, we touch God.

It is that power of being able to come into the throne room of God that Jesus brought us in his death.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 says: For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

There is no election to decide who will bring us to God. Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna – there are no other choices. It is either Jesus or nobody.

Acts 4:12 says There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Jesus alone is our Savior.
As he died on the cross, several things went through his mind. These are seen in the seven last words that he said. In them is all of the sorrow, sadness, humanity and triumph of his death.

Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).
I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:35-43).
Dear woman, here is your son. Here is your mother (John 19:26-27).
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Matthew 27:46).
I am thirsty (John 19:28).
It is finished (John 19:30).
Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands! (Luke 23:46)

That I can go to meet my God like he did.

the seven last words of Jesus

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS

Response: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23: 34
Jesus realized that they thought they were doing religion the normal way. They didn’t realize the enormity of what they were doing.

Redemption: I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23: 43
Jesus has the ability to transform a life in a heartbeat. There is no second work of grace. We become holy when Jesus makes us holy.

Responsibility: Dear woman, here is your son, … Here is your mother. John 19: 26-7
Even though he was dying, he still took time to care for his mother.

Rejection: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? – which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Mark 15: 34
God forsook Jesus because he was sin. He became sin, who knew no sin. God had to turn from him.

Reaction: I am thirsty. John 19: 28
In the midst of it all, Jesus was thirsty. Such an innocuous comment in the light of all the other things he said.

Result: It is finished. John 19:30
He had done what he came to do. The sacrifice that had been foreordained from before the foundation of the world was made.

Reliance: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. Luke 23:46
Even though he didn’t want to die, he knew that God was with him.