Follow Jesus 10.12.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we will complete our studies on the book of Matthew, please read Chapters 27-28 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online.

If the link does not work you can copy & paste this link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027-%2028&version=9

Today we will read about Judah repenting then hanging himself; Jesus being delivered to Pilate; Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection; and the Great Commission. Today's message focuses on the importance of taking up your cross and following Jesus. We must not bare our own crosses, Jesus died to take them away so we too must die to self and live Christlike.

Lying beneath the shadow of the cross was the garment that Jesus wore, while blood was flowing down from their crucified Savior's sides, arms, and feet, the Roman soldiers were gambling for the garment. These soldiers watched for hours and never realized that Jesus was dying to save them. "And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS." (Matthew 27:35-37). In the presence of the most awesome event in world history all they did was sit there and watch Him die, never moved by what they saw. It is beyond grasp how anyone can even read of how Jesus suffered and died to save them and not feel anything.

Bearing His cross did not begin when a wooden cross was laid up upon His shoulders as He walked up to Calvary, it started from His birth. When He carried the real cross of mankind's redemption, He chose daily to live against self will, the temptations of the flesh, and resist gaining His kingdom by wordly means in order to fulfill the prophices. He chose to lose His own life to save us from death by our own sins. It is so important that each day we need to take up our own crosses and follow Him. "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)

After three days, Jesus resurrected, "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. is countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (21:1-6). His resurrection gave His disciples the key to understanding that their King and His Kingdom were both eternal.

Jesus spoke with them of the Great Commission, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (20:18-20).

When we are baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit we are proclaiming the fulness of the Godhead. By publicly confess tot he world that God is our Heavenly Father. The phrase and of the Son is our witness to the world that Jesus is now Savior and Lord of our lives. By confessing that we accept Jesus into our lives the Holy Spirit becomes our indwelling Guide throughout life. This confirms the Trinity of the Godhead and proclaims One God expressed in Three Persons. The Lord has provided just one Book and His Holy Spirit to tell us how to live and what He expects us to do. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." (Philippians 3:13-15).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We recognize that our endurance and persistence are attitudes derived from a faith-filled life with You. Our endurance is realized by continuing this race though others may drop out making us feel like we run alone. Our persistence is marked by our determination to finish the race though struggles weigh us down and doubts cloud our vision of the finish line. Thank You for marking the race out for us by showing us the great examples of those who cheer us on as we participate in this Christian race. They finished their race on earth through their enduring faith, though they experienced opposition from sinful men. We endure hardships and struggles as discipline from You, our loving Father, that we may share in Your holiness. We look forward to the harvest of righteousness and peace that comes as a result of our persistence in this spiritual marathon. Strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees as we repent of the sin that entangles us. We lay aside everything that drags us down or tempts us to give up. In Jesus name......Amen.

Have a wonderful day and week!
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
aspiritualguide.net