Tag Archives: Easter

Jesus Is Risen Part 1

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Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. Luke 24:1-2

Right now it seems the world is at a standstill, sports are cancelled, concerts are cancelled, even some jobs are now cancelled, however one thing that will never be cancelled is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On that Sunday morning, when the women went to the tomb to pay their respects to Jesus body, they made an earth shattering discovery, the stone was rolled away!

When they made this discovery, they then tried to process what this meant. Was Jesus body stolen? No Jesus rose from the dead defeating sin and death forever! This has changed human history forever as know we have the living hope of Christ because of what he did for us!

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? Luke 24:3-5

When the woman discovered the tomb empty, their worst fears set in. Did they steal the body of Jesus? But suddenly it says , two angels stood before them and asked them an interesting question. Why do you seek the living among the dead? Even in todays world , we seem to always be looking for answers with the dead, but we worship a God of the living and the resurrection is proof of that!

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luke 24:6-7

Some of the greatest words were spoken here “Jesus Is Risen”, Regardless of what is going on in your life, including this Pandemic, Jesus is Risen! He has already defeated sin and death, you don’t have to live in fear any longer

Another thing to notice here is the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ was no accident, Jesus fortold this to his disciples before these events ever happened but they just didn’t understand the revelation at that time.

Take heart knowing Jesus has overcome the world, Jesus has overcome the grave! Because of this we are delivered from sin and death through Christ ! Amen!

Holy Week- Maundy Thursday-Lords Supper

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While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” Mark 14:22

The Last Supper, The Lords Supper, or Communion, whatever you want to call it was a sacred event that declared the coming of the New Covenant! Why was Jesus and his disciples having a feast? Because it was Passover and Jesus is the Passover Lamb, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover as the Lamb of God

Jesus said to “Do this in remembrance of Me” taking communion is a sacred time when we reflect on Christ and what he has done for us. As the Apostle Paul says we should “Examine ourselves” (1 Corinthians 11:28)  meaning to reflect on our relations with Christ

As Jesus broke the bread he said this is symbolic of his body broken on the cross for our sins. His body he laid out for us as a atoning sacrifice for our sins not his!

And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Mark 14:23-24

The wine was symbolic for his blood shed on the cross to cover us of our sins. This is the blood of the Lamb that allowed death to Passover us. Jesus said his blood is a New Covenant which is for many! God and Man has become reconciled

When you take communion, do it in remembrance of Christ and what he has done for You! Examine yourself and get right with God, repent any sin in your life and rejoice in the Lord Amen!

Holy Week-Wednesday- The Anointing

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Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. John 12:1-3

Jesus came back to the town of Bethany , the same place where He raised Lazarus from the dead. Martha and Mary decided to throw a feast for Jesus, obviously in honor of who He is and what He did for their family. 

What happened next, was actually prophetic and Mary probably didn’t even realize it. Mary took a pound of ointment (perfume) and used it to wash Jesus’ feet. Not only did she wash his feet, but she used her own hair to clean them. The love and sacrifice she demonstrated to Jesus , was pure genuine faith

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. John 12:4-6

Now to ruin this beautiful moment was Judas Iscariot, as we know he is the one who sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus has called Judas “The Son of Perdition” (John 17:12) and it was better he was never born (Matthew 26:24) 

Judas made it seem he cared about providing money to the poor, when He was stealing all the disciples money for the treasury. This demonstrated the true heart of Judas, He was a fraud, pretending to be a disciple. We see this alot today in modern day Christianity, alot of wolves in sheeps clothing

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. John 12:7-8

Jesus rebuked Judas in front of everyone, this must have been a real embarrassment for Judas. During this time period and culture, women were looked down upon compared to men. So for Jesus to stick up for Mary over Judas was probably a shot to Judas ego

Secondly Jesus reveals a prophecy, that Mary was anointing him for his death. I think it’s very fitting this happened right before Passover, as Jesus is our Passover Lamb. This moment revealed multiple things and was remembered forever as Jesus said it would be

We need to examine ourselves and make sure we are not becoming a Judas, don’t be a fake disciple of Christ, all our deeds are filthy rags compared to Christ, remain humble in Jesus name Amen!

Holy Week- Tuesday -The Fig Tree

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He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening. Mark 11:14

As we continue our “Quest To The Cross” our next stop is “The Fig Tree” Here Jesus was hungry , looking for something fruitful, and found a barren tree that produced no fruit. He immediately rebuked the tree and commanded that it will never produce fruit again,  the tree withered and died immediately.

A few things we can observe from this, first notice again this is not the watered down Jesus that is portrayed by most. The power that Christ posses , even when he speaks, the tree withers and dies immediately. Just as when demons listen to his commands or he calm the waves of the sea. Jesus has full authority on Heaven and Earth.

Second “The Fig Tree” is symbolic to our spiritual lives. As Jesus said “Good trees produce good fruit , bad trees produce bad fruit, by our fruit we will be recognized (Matthew 7) So will Jesus say to us Good work faithful servant or depart from me you worker of lawlessness?

And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Mark 11:22

As the disciples noticed “The Fig Tree” withered Jesus said to them “Have faith in God” We can take this multiple ways, as they were amazed at Jesus power and authority over Heaven and Earth. Jesus instructed them faith can move mountains!

Do we have the faith to continue to be a fruitful disciple or will we wither away from lack of faith? Put your faith in God in Jesus name Amen!

Holy Week- Monday-Cleansing The Temple

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And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS ‘? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” Mark 11:17

One of the most overlooked events , I believe ,is the cleansing of The Temple. Now this wasn’t a one time event, as Jesus cleansed the Temple at the beginning of his ministry (John 2) and he also cleansed it at the ending of his ministry (Mark 11). What was the significance? What was Jesus trying to teach us here?

First you need to understand what the Temple was and its purpose. The Temple was the only place on Earth where Gods presence existed at this time. If you wanted to worship God, you needed to come to the Temple. The Temple was the only place where the atonement of your sins could take place. If you wanted to make atonement for your sins, you needed to come to the Temple. The Temple was where the High Priests lived, you couldn’t receive atonement or come into the presence of God without the High Priest.

Jesus fulfilled all of this at the cross. The Temple was a foreshadow of Christ to come! Jesus said he would Destroy this Temple in 3 days and then raise it Up (John 2:19) He was talking about himself, his death and resurrection! Jesus fulfilled The Temple, Jesus is our atoning sacrifice, Jesus is our High Priest!

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19

Jesus was cleansing the physical Temple from sin as an example to cleanse our temples from sin. The Temple of God in Israel had become corrupted, they used it more like a marketplace to make money than a house of worship, does this sound familiar with our Churches today? Jesus was making a statement, we need to worship God in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24)

When you become Born Again, your body is now the Temple of God, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you! God does not tolerate sin in the Lords House as he doesn’t tolerate sin in your body! Cleanse your temple! Amen!

Palm Sunday

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Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus entering Jerusalem as our King fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah. Notice Jesus decided to ride a donkey instead of a horse, this was to show his humility and he is the “Prince of Peace”, many Jews were hoping for Jesus to wage war against Rome but God had a different plan.

During his arrival, everyone laid down palm branches, what did this symbolize? The palm branch in Roman culture symbolized victory. However the Palm branch was symbolic in Egyptian culture to symbolize eternal life. Both meanings are very fitting for Palm Sunday

(Matthew 21:9) “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest”

Hosanna means “Please deliver us” or “I beg you to save”. Everyone was desperately waiting for coming of our Messiah; Jesus fulfilled the promise and prophesies. This is part of what makes Palm Sunday so special and spiritual.

(Psalm 118:26) “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

This is the Psalm the people sang while Jesus entered Jerusalem, everyone knew Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah promised from the Old Testament scriptures.

So this Palm Sunday remember Jesus is coming again soon, lets rejoice and sing in anticipation of our Messiahs return in Jesus name Amen

Mark 8- The Passion of The Christ

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And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. Mark 8:31-33

The hour is coming for Christ to go to the cross and pay the penalty for our sins and give us eternal life. Jesus prophesied about his death and resurrection multiple times throughout his ministry. Still the disciples often didn’t understand what Jesus was saying to them. They didn’t understand the Christ was also the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world

Peter didn’t understand this either, and actually rebuked Jesus! Imagine that rebuking The Lord, Jesus in turn called Peter Satan and told him to get out of his way. What was going on here? Peter didn’t understand God’s plan for salvation, so instead of him trusting in The Lord, he devised his own plan, does that sound familiar? Often we don’t understand the ways of The Lord so we make our own way. 

But its important to understand that Jesus is the only one who could deliver us from our sin, nobody else could go to that cross and pay the debt for our transgressions. This is the gospel message

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:34-37

Jesus has some heavy lessons here for us, if you really want to be a Christian “Deny yourself, Carry your cross, and follow Jesus” How many Christians are really doing this? When modern day Christianity seems to be more “Self-Centered” than “Christ-Centered” its time to repent and turn to The Lord, carry your cross meaning suffer and endure, and have faith in Jesus Christ

Many people want to be rich and famous, what does that profit you when your soul is going to Hell? The pleasures and traps of this world are temporary and won’t bring you salvation, only Christ can give you salvation, follow him with all your heart, mind, and soul

Is there anything worth selling your soul for? Temporarily you might think so, but eternity is a long time to be wrong, Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again for you! Amen!

Through The Wilderness

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As we are now officially in the “Lent Season” heading towards Easter, it’s time to reflect upon what is Lent? And how does it pertain to us? So what is Lent season? It’s 40 days before Easter, it’s a time to reflect and prepare for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Typically Lent is symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the Wilderness. (Matthew 4)

Now while Jesus was in the wilderness, he not only fasted but he was tempted by Satan to fall into Sin. Notice how Jesus responded to each temptation, he said “It Is Written” meaning God had already declared and promised Satan’s defeat. Through Christ we already have victory over sin and death.  Also notice the power of the Word of God, as Jesus used it each time to fight off Satan

Think about the Israelites, when Moses led them from the slavery of Egypt, they wandered through the wilderness for 40 years, (Exodus 14) Again we see that symbolic number of 40, which in the Bible means a “period of testing” Just as Moses delivered the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt, Jesus delivered us from the slavery of Sin and Death (Romans 6:20)

Maybe you’re “Going Through The Wilderness” today? We live in difficult times and many people are struggling mentally and physically. Just remember this, after the Wilderness comes the Cross and then the Empty Tomb. Meaning Jesus has already given us victory because of what he has accomplished, as Jesus declared on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) You have victory because of Jesus Christ!

So as you’re going through this Lent season, maybe you’re in the Wilderness, remember God is with you and the victory is already yours in Jesus Name Amen!

John 20- The Resurrection Part 2

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But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. John 20:11-13

As we continue to take a look at the Resurrection Story here in the gospel of John, we see Mary Magdalene stayed behind because she was mourning the loss of Jesus. Now this showed alot of faith because The Tomb was a very dangerous place right now,  it was under watch by the Roman Empire, if they found her they probably would have thrown her in prison or maybe executed her

But her love for Christ was greater than the love for this world! Now she was crying also because she thought the body of Christ had been stolen, again showing the disciples didn’t fully understand the prophecy that Christ will be Risen, even though Jesus told them this multiple times throughout his ministry

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. John 20: 14-16

Now this event is one of the great mysteries of The Bible, Mary was having a conversation with Jesus yet didn’t recognize him, why? Well first thought is Jesus is in his “Resurrected Body” a body that is perfect and immortal, just imagine some day you will also have a Resurrected Body, so glorious many wont recognize you!

However Mary does recognize Jesus by his words, as Jesus stated in John 10 “My Sheep know my voice” even though Mary didnt physically recognize Jesus , she knew him by his words, shows you how powerful words can be!

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. John 20: 17-18

Jesus’ statement here is used alot by “Anti-Trinitarians” who try to refute his Deity. Jesus declares his Father is his God and our God. Now the argument is “If Jesus is God then why did he call The Father God”? Well I think those who use this argument don’t really understand the doctrine of the Trinity, The Father, Son , and Holy Spirit are all separate yet they share one essence. So for Jesus to call the Father God is correct, just as we would call The Father God or the Son God or the Holy Spirit God. 

Mary goes to hug Jesus , however he states “Don’t touch me I have not yet ascended to my Father” As we know Jesus spent 40 days here on Earth after the Resurrection until he ascended back to his Father. He instructed her, to go tell all the disciples! As we know from Paul’s testimony in 1 Corinthians 15, over 500 people would witness the Resurrected Jesus before his ascension Amen!