The Road to Easter #9-Reconciled to call God, Father

 Matthew 27:45-46

Jesus' cry to God, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

The cry of Jesus tells us that sin indeed causes separation from God. He felt forsaken and abandoned by his Father because at that moment, he carried the sins of all.

Jesus, bearing our sins on the cross, he provided us the way to be reconciled with God the Father so that we can address Him as Father. Jesus, who addressed God as Father, on the cross was not legally permitted to address God as such because of the separation. That's why he said, "My , my God my God, why have you forsaken me so that we can now have the right to say Abba Father, Abba Father, why have you so accepted us; for we, have assumed the position of sonship. Hallelujah!

Word of Grace-The road to Easter #8

Luke 23:32-43

Today, as we journey through to Calvary, we contemplate the conversation that ensued on the cross. Two criminals who were crucified alongside Jesus; one had faith in Christ even on his last moment while the other disbelieved Christ and wanted further proof of Jesus being the son of God even at the point of his death.

Brethren, believers are expected to remain faithful in Christ even unto death. The faith of the repented thief got him saved at the point of death. This tells us that salvation is only found in Christ, and as such, having acknowledged the son of God, even so, are we saved now, and we will surely be saved on the last day. Shalom.

Word of Grace-The road to Easter #7

Matthew 27:27-31

Jesus was taken by the Soldiers of the governor into the Praetorium, where they stripped him, put a scarlet robe on him, and a crown of thorns on his head. They then mocked him, 'Hail the King of the Jews! They spat on him and hit him with a staff. They took off the robe and put his clothes back on him, and then led him away to be crucified.

As we journey through, let powder on how the soldiers subjected Jesus to mockery and humiliation. They may be guilt, but have we also thought of how guilty we are of mocking and mistreating others in other areas?  In spite of the ordeal, Jesus said Father forgive them. May we ask for grace to treat others with love and respect. Shalom.

Word of Grace-The road to Easter #6

1 Pet 2:24, Rom 3:22-26

"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross made it possible for us to die to sin and live for righteousness. Hallelujah!.

Brethren, as we reflect along the way to Easter let our joy be found in knowing this: *the ability to do right, ability to be right and the ability to live right comes as a result of believing that Christ died in our stead, for this reason, we who believe in him by faith have assumed his position of being right with the Father. Hallelujah!

Word of Grace-The road to Easter #5

Matt 27:50-51, Heb 4:16

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up the spirit. Instantly, the curtain of the temple was torn apart as the  earth shook, and the rocks split."

Now, the torn down of the curtain meant no more veil. It also meant that access to God the Father was no longer limited only to the High Priests, but now accessible to all who believe and have a relationship with Jesus. Hallelujah!

 Brethren, as we ponder over the death and resurrection of Jesus, may our joy be found in knowing that we have access to the Father and for that matter urged to come with confidence into his presence to receive mercy and  grace. Hallelujah!

Word of Grace-The road to Easter #4

John 19:28-30

Knowing that everything had been finished and that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I thirst' They soaked a sponge in a jar of vinegar and put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

Jesus knew that everything had been finished and that his sacrifice on the cross was complete. Now he fulfilled the Scriptures and so gave up his spirit as he willingly laid down his life for us.

Brethren, as we observe unto Easter, let  be in the know that it was our cross that he bore so we could leave in the freedom he died for. Shalom.

Word of Grace-The road to Easter #3

Luke 23:32-34

Two other criminals were also led out with him to be killed at the place called the Skull. There, Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

 At point of intense pain and suffering, Jesus showed mercy and compassion by asking for forgiveness for those who were crucifying him.

Brethren, as we ride on to Easter, may we also be able to show mercy and forgiveness to those who wrong us in any way, for the ability to forgive means no bitterness hidden in our hearts. Shalom!