 |
|
| Volume 17 Number 5 May 2015 | Page 15 |
|
|
| Volume 17 Number 5 May 2015 | Page 15 |
Ernest S. Underwood
Wickedness – moral, ethical and religious – abounds. Ungodly men in special garb of miters, robes and gowns, though they are religious, defy God and His law. However, such men and women will not stand in that day when they will appear before their Maker. Solomon put it this way in Proverbs 12:7: “The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.” Notice that Solomon did not say, “The house of the religious shall stand.” Jesus forcefully stated: “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted,” and this is in the context of those who were worshiping according to men’s doctrines. Then, Paul rather bluntly stated, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption…” Thus, Solomon, Jesus and Paul are in complete agreement that the wicked will be overthrown while the righteous will stand.
What about you? Are you just religiously following the denominational doctrines, all of which have not been planted by the Father, or are you righteous according to God’s definition?
There They Crucified Him!
Mark N. Posey
These four words are found in Luke 23:33. How few words to explain such an incredible event! Consider their magnitude.
“There”
The place of Jesus’ crucifixion is called “Golgotha” in the Hebrew and “Calvary” in Latin. Both mean, “Skull.” Whether there were skulls lying around or the place resembled a skull, it was a terrible place of pain and execution. It was “outside” the city (Hebrews 13:12), which indicates that Jesus was like the scapegoat of Leviticus 16. He bore “our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).
“They”
This pronoun included more than just the soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross. It includes the Jewish leader, Jewish people, Pilate, Herod and all mankind. It includes you and me because His death was caused by our sins (Isaiah 53:5; Romans 3:23; 5:8).
“Crucified”
The Persians invented crucifixion, but the Romans perfected it. It was a horrible means of death. It caused incredible pain and prolonged agony. The Scripture is true – “Christ also suffered for us” (1 Peter 2:21).
“Him”
Jesus not only died for our sins, but He actually took our place. Reflecting on the cross should cause us to remember: “That should have been me! However, Jesus took my place" (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; 2 Corinthians 5:19). His death for us was sacrificial, suffering, saving, sufficient and substitutionary. In the words of Paul, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).