Two blog posts in one to catch up...Matthew 27:27-44 & 45-56...and an exciting event for SCC


The exciting event is related to the screenshot of the east end of Grand Lake.  At this point we have a couple people who are going to get baptized on Sunday, August 9th.  I am praying for more to take this step of obedience and also public proclamation of Jesus as their Savior.  I am also praying it will be another bonding event of the attenders of SCC.  I do believe the family ties are getting stronger.

I will cover two passages here because last week was full of kids and grands.  Both Stephanie and I are recovering from full days of non stop activities.  Fishing, swimming, hiking, board games, an amusement park day, bike riding and so much more.  We are so thankful for those times when family can make it to Grand Lake.  I had the opportunity to make it to the summit of Mt. Ida again so one each summer I have been here.

The first passage deals with the all out mocking of Jesus from the Roman soldiers, the head wagging crowd, the merely religious leaders, and the thieves hanging on His right and left.  It seems that there is no one for Jesus at this point.  We also keep picking up minute details fulfilled that were foretold by the prophets.  Jesus garments were divided by the casting of lots.  The multiple fulfillments from Psalm 22 of the people waging their heads and also the words used by the chief priests are almost verbatim to the words recorded in the psalm.  

It seems everyone is getting their shot and taking down Jesus.  The soldiers set up a mock throne room and do what they would never do to Caesar.  The crowd picks up the false claims of the false witnesses of the trial and also recite the phrases of Satan at Jesus' temptations, "If You are the Son of God..." rather than the many words Jesus taught them.  The chief priests are still dictating how they will believe.  They are in control.  "We will believe if you come down from the cross."  Do one last feat and then we will bow.  The thieves revile Jesus which has a word picture of showing their teeth as they throw threats Jesus' way.

The second passage deals with Jesus on the cross and His 7 last phrases.  There is also 3 different responses from those observing all that is happening.  These 7 phrases could be considered Jesus' last words before His death.  These phrases need to be memorized because they lay out some foundational actions of those who follow in the footprints of Jesus.

(1) Father, forgive them... We are to forgive as Jesus forgives.
(2) Today...Paradise... We are to share with others the good news.
(3) Woman...son... We are to actively show compassion and fulfill responsibility.
(4) My God, My God... We are to know and use scripture in our present situations.
(5) I thirst... We are to suffer for Christ as He did for us.
(6) It is finished... We are to be about our Father's will.
(7) Into Your hands I commit... We are to fully surrender our lives to God.

The scripture address of Psalm 22, the opening lines found in statement 4, is amazing to me.  Jesus on the cross is giving Biblical instruction on where to go in the scriptures to understand what is happening at that very moment.  It seems most don't listen to the who line or know what He is referring to.  A huge plug to read and study God's word so the Holy Spirit can remind you of what you have already read.

Another word picture is the word "commit" in statement 7.  To commit is to surrender and to place yourself at the disposal of another like bring a plate of food to the table not for you but for someone else to consume.  Jesus placed Himself before Father God to be consumed as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  We are to place ourselves before Jesus as living sacrifices for His glory.

Then there are 3 responses to the events of the day.

(1) The centurion is convinced and needs to take a step of faith.
(2) The crowd is convicted and need to take a step of repentance.
(3) The comrades are confused and need to take a step of belief.

Maybe you fall into one of those categories.  Take the appropriate step.

Adam (both videos in order of these passages)







 

A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 40th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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