Sunday, March 9, 2008
Dear folks,
We are entering the traditional season of the great suffering of our Lord. March 16 is Palm Sunday and the 23rd is Easter. It is of great profit to reflect on the suffering endured by Jesus in order to bring us salvation. I want us as a church this week to read carefully Matthew 26: 36-46 describing the agony of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. It is helpful to read the entire chapter so the garden experience can be seen in proper perspective. This chapter looks at the tender anointing for burial, betrayal, cowardice, agony, mob violence, and the carrying out of God’s purposes even through the folly of sin.
Understanding Philippians 2:1-11 is crucial as the suffering of Jesus clearly shows His human nature; how could God be helped by angels? In what way did Jesus shrink away from the Cross, what was so terrible as to cause Him to sweat blood? The doctrine of the two Natures of Christ, human and divine, must be understood so as to appreciate what is happening. Please reflect as well on Ephesians 2:1-10 which describes our helpless condition only healed by the death of the Son of God.
The more we understand the sacrifice of Jesus as seen in Isaiah 53 the more we will want to yield to Christ and give the same grace to others as he has given to us. Dr. Newton Sunday talked about the need to soften the ground before the seed of the Gospel is planted so likewise we must show kindness to others before we earn the right to talk about the things of the Lord. Psalms 22 and 69 are key passages to consider as we try to understand the great suffering the Lord endured for our salvation.
We will observe the Lord’s Supper this Sunday as we obey His command to remember the Lord’s death until He comes.
See you Sunday,