LENTEN DEVOTIONS
2004

To read the Lenten Devotion, just click on the DATE below.
An index is also provided.

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ” Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

When this passage states, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,” it refers to our death to the world and our sinful desires after we come to Christ. We are all sinners; and according to the law, the penalty for our sin is death. Jesus, who is fully man, yet fully God, was born under the law because he was born fully man. He lived a sinless life and, therefore, was not guilty and deserving of death; but he died anyway. He died in our place, so that we may live eternally with Him in Heaven. This quote by Martin Luther clarifies what it means to be crucified with Christ:

“Christ is Lord over the Law, because He was crucified unto the law. I also am lord over the Law, because by faith I am crucified with Christ.”

The next part of this passage says that “Christ lives in me.” When we live in Christ and He in us, our consciences are united with Christ through the Holy Spirit, because of our relationship with Him.

The second half of this verse is, “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” The Christian life is lived in the flesh; but we do not live by the flesh, we live by faith. This reminds me of another quote by Martin Luther, “His life in the flesh is not a life after the flesh.” As Christians, we are called to live in the world, but not of the world. We do not live by our own merits, but by faith in the works of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The final part of this verse is, “Who loved me and gave himself for me.” Jesus died on the cross for our sins out of obedience to the Father and because of His great love for us. Meditate on this, in the time proceeding Easter, that you may see how much Christ loves each and every one of us, SO MUCH, that He died for us! God Bless!

—Kathryn M. Lutz

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I remember my mother telling me that my grandma, her adoptive mother who had never given birth, told her that having a child was terrible. You “went into the jaws of death” to have a baby. Well, needless to say that when Mom and Dad married, Mom decided that she would contribute to the Rumbaugh family some other way. Since I am writing this, she obviously changed her mind. I am the youngest of four, so after my older siblings were born, the pain, though maybe not forgotten, was worth the reward of a healthy baby. If the suffering of child birth was not worth it, there would not be nearly so many people in this world.

Even though there really is no comparison, this makes me think of the sacrifice that Christ made for us. He was willing “for the joy set before Him” to undergo the most horrible torture and death to redeem us. He knew that there was only one way to successfully “deliver” mankind from sin and His love for us caused Him to die a death that was shameful according to Jewish law. After the resurrection, He then “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What greater joy could there be—for Jesus or for us—since we are joint heirs with Him.

—Becky Powell

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FROM MIRE TO HIGHER

“¹I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. ²He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. ³He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:1-3a (NIV)

These verses took on new meaning for me in February 1995, after several difficult years at my job. I came back from vacation in 1991 to find my job and the group reporting to me at a large local company eliminated as a cost-cutting measure. I believe God used a sympathetic Christian vice-president to keep me going on special projects until more permanent work developed. Eventually, despite his efforts, I had to accept a demotion and pay cut in order to keep a job.

God sustained us through all of that, which is another good story. Early in 1995, the company’s CEO stated in a newspaper article that the company was planning a retirement offer and hundreds of layoffs. I was the oldest person in my work group, and having seen what had happened in 1991, I was sure that I would be one of the ones to be cut—out of a job at age 49 with two children still in school.

Later that month, I went on a Walk to Emmaus retreat at one of the truly low points in my life. On the weekend, I finally gave everything to God, admitting that I could not do any more on my own. Two weeks later, the company made its early retirement offer. I was eligible for it, and it was so good that I could not afford not to take it. I left the company at the end of April and began working for Pastor Glen at College Hill Presbyterian Church in May.

The next several months were a time of healing for me, in a new job where I could use the gifts and talents I had developed in business—to help further God’s kingdom instead. I was eventually called back to my old company as a consultant for another five years, which were as good as the earlier years had been bad.

To borrow from Joel 2:25, I felt continually blessed by God and repaid for the years the locusts had eaten. The retirement offer nine years ago was the beginning of a new and exciting phase of life. Since then, I have learned to trust God more than ever before, to feel His love, and to marvel at how He will work in our lives if we will only let Him.

—Mike Detroy

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THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

“¹Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ²In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 (NIV)

When I was a little girl, I prayed furtively that God would let me into Heaven; but I was not sure how I was going to get there. In junior high, I met various Christians who helped me understand that, because Christ died on a cross, anyone can accept His gift of eternal salvation. Now that I have the security of salvation, I like to sit back and dream about the awesomeness of Heaven.

How do you picture paradise? Some people live under the misconception that Heaven is just a boring place for boring people to go sit on clouds all day and play harps. This is the way I used to think until I read a really good book called In Light Of Eternity (by Randy Alcorn). I never knew that the Bible specifically describes Heaven in such detail.

If Heaven was going to be a boring place, Jesus would not have emphasized that He was going to prepare many rooms. He knows that we all have our individual tastes, comforts, gifts, and personalities. Be excited! He has been spending your entire lifetime and more in Heaven making sure that you personally will be “wowed” by His love for the rest of eternity! Imagine the impossible. Flying! Walking through walls! Contentment! Peace! An endless buffet of desserts! Socializing and celebrating 24/7! Perfect worship! All of the wonderful things God has given us to enjoy here on Earth are just tiny glimpses of what Heaven will be like. When your day gets hectic, it is just one more reminder of why God wants us to maintain an eternal focus.

Some devotions have a challenge for the day, so here is mine. Be excited today with the joy of Christ; it will be written all over your face. See how many people ask you about your joy, and then tell them the good news!

—Lindsey Hilty

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A RICH MAN

Matthew 19:23-26.

“. . . it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24 (NIV)

I am that rich man, in almost every way. In the depression years of the ’30s, scholarships got me into college. By some miracle, I got a job with GE in 1935. My 41-year career with them was always on the cutting edge of technological developments, including television, radar, radar jamming, semi-conductor “chips,” and the Apollo space program. I was blessed with a wonderful wife, who gave me three wonderful children, and eleven grandchildren.

What was my relationship with God during this period? Was I a “Christian?” At a head level, yes. By parental teaching and scientific analysis, there had to be a God. During those years, I was dutifully “church active.”

But what about at the heart level? There was an unidentifiable longing in me for a personal relationship with Him, which was not being filled. Remember, I was a rich man in almost all senses of the word! Besides, God was much too busy caring for the poor, the weak, the ailing, and the down-trodden to take time for me. How much did Christ devote to helping the “rich?” Read the scriptures, e.g. the beatitudes.

Then came March 2, 1972,

“. . . but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

We had a lay renewal weekend with out-of-town leaders at our church. On that night, one of them led me before the altar for prayer. With her prayer, I had a vision of Christ seated on a chair above us. He rose from the chair and came down and laid His hands on me. No longer was He way up there just taking care of the down-trodden. He really cared about me!

In the days and months that followed, we heard of the Spirit’s moving in College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati. That led us to move here to be with this family and to embark on the Teleios healing ministry with Christ at our side.

Just to remind me, in the woods where we built, near the top of a tall slender tree, is a hole just the shape of the eye of a needle!

Christ is always there, ready and waiting for your knock.

—Jim Keister

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WHAT ABOUT MY STONE?

“. . . and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’” Matthew 4:7 (NIV)

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb” Matthew 24:2 (NIV)

The crucifixion is over. Jesus was buried, and a large stone was placed over the entrance. That stone was a hindrance for the women wanting access to Jesus. How would they deal with such a stone?

The stone represented a problem far too big for them to solve. It was not of their doing and appeared to be immovable, but God provided (Matthew 28).

Are you struggling with what seems to be an immovable stone? You have prayed about it, pushed on it, or grunted and groaned with concern over it. You may have researched and studied it or resolved to just endure it. Perhaps you even feel mad at God over it. Your stone may be an illness, a relationship, a habit, fear, loneliness, a frustrated attitude, guilt, unforgiveness, or a financial problem. The list is endless. Do you feel it is hopeless and you are ready to give up?

Something happened that quickly changed the women’s focus. God provided, and the stone was rolled away. He also provided a message. His message to the women is the same to us. “Do not be afraid.” Remember, God has resources to handle your stone (Matthew 28:2, Ephesians 3:20). God will fulfill His promises and His purpose for your stone (Matthew 27:63, Jeremiah 29:11). God will meet you at your point of need (Matthew 28:9).

Lines from two choruses come to mind as I think about struggling with our stones:

• God will make a way,
  Where there seems to be no way
  He works in ways we cannot see
  He will make a way for me
  
  

• Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?
  Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?
  God specializes in things thought impossible
  and He can do what no other power can do.
  
  

The stone that the builders rejected wants to be the cornerstone of our lives. Our Cornerstone has every means at His disposal to handle any stone we face. He may remove the stone or choose to give us stone-bearing grace. Either way, He is faithful; and He is Sovereign. Allow Him time and opportunity to work His will. May our stones lead us to a deeper intimacy with the resurrected Lord Jesus (Philippians 3:10).

—Sherry Smith

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COMFORT AND COMPASSION

“³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ⁵For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” II Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)

Caring for obstetric patients is a wonderful occupation. Having a baby is such a joyous occasion. It is a privilege to be able to share in this precious moment with families. However, it is incredibly difficult when things do not go as they should.

One marvelous Christian patient, I will call her Joy, will always stand out in my memory. During her pregnancy, testing made it clear that her baby had an abnormality that would not allow him to live outside the womb. He was fine as long as his mother was carrying him inside; but as soon as he was born, he was going to expire due to medical problems incompatible with life. Joy discovered this midway through the pregnancy and carried her baby to term, knowing that this would be the entire extent of his life. She never gave a thought to bringing the pregnancy to an early end. She had months to grieve and become accustomed to the reality of her son’s short life.

By the time she came to the hospital to deliver the baby, she was well prepared for what was to come. The nurses, though, had no time to prepare for this birth and early death. They are all very empathetic and could not hide their sorrow for this unfathomable loss. We all had tears in our eyes as we went about the familiar routines of caring for the delivering patient. To our amazement, Joy began to comfort us in our sorrow. Reminiscent of Jesus on the cross, on the worst day of her life, she was able to find concern in her heart for others. May we try to follow her example all the days of our lives.

—Harley Grim, M.D.

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AN EASTER GIFT?

“¹⁹Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.” Mark 15:19-20 (NIV)

Of all the verses of Easter, why in the world would anyone want to write a devotional about this passage? However, our whole existence of being a Christian is this one act by Jesus through the hand of God.

To explain, let me take you back (some would say WAY back) in time to my youthful days in the Nazarene Church. It was in that atmosphere of fundamental teaching that I learned many life lessons about who God and Jesus was and is—how He loved me and wanted me to give my heart and soul to Him. That was the easy part for me. I had such wonderful Sunday School teachers who made the Bible stories come to life each week, and I looked forward to knowing more. Life was good, and Easter was approaching.

The excitement in the church was evident in the classrooms and sanctuary. I looked forward to seeing a special movie about Jesus and His life during this time, but the joy of the season turned into something entirely different when I saw what was being done to Him. Friends, and even His disciples, were denying even knowing Him— the unfair trial, the mocking, the ridicule, the beatings! How could God allow this to happen to His Son? At my first opportunity, I asked that same question of my teacher. She gently explained that Jesus had been born to die for us and how the blood of the sinless one had to be shed to spare us. That is how a Holy God who loved us so much paved a way to be with Him in Heaven. At times, I honestly wish there was another way and continue to shed tears of anguish when I recall that Jesus carried the cross to die for me. Then I see beyond the tears and pain to behold God’s ultimate gift to each of us. My prayer is that you and I continue to have the courage to accept this gift of grace as we examine our hearts this Lenten season.

—Judy Dirksen

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DON’T BE AFRAID . . . BELIEVE

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43.

“³⁵While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ they said. ‘Why bother the teacher any more?’ ³⁶Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” Mark 5:35-36 (NIV)

We become conscious of fear whenever a circumstance appears that presents a threat we might not be able to handle. For each of us the point at which fear begins to “creep in” is different. If the circumstance is serious, it can quickly permeate our life like dye spreading through a piece of cloth. It spiritually colors our waking moments and becomes a constant preoccupation until resolved. In this way, we can relate to the plight of Jairus. He was in a desperate position. We are not sure how he heard about Jesus, but he must have known Jesus was approachable and had compassion on those who were suffering. He expressed faith in the power of Christ, pleading that He come and lay His hands on his dying daughter and heal her.

Jesus begins to go with him, and there is a delay as a woman suffering from a hemorrhage is healed. Some men from the house of Jairus appear and inform him his daughter is dead. Can you imagine the thoughts that went through Jairus’ head? It must have sounded like a heavy door slamming shut, cutting off and destroying any hope for his daughter. All reason would confirm his fear of this outcome. Sickness and disease could be turned back, but death was final. As soon as those words were spoken, Jesus spoke out saying, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jesus understood the human heart and the impact of a bad report. He spoke these words as if to say, “Don’t give in to the spirit of fear; trust me; have faith.” His words pushed back the flooding tide of fear and were sufficient to encourage Jairus, and they continued on to his house. Jesus, in fact, restored his daughter’s life. All who witnessed this miracle must have been amazed. Simple words were spoken such that even the spirit of death had to release its hold in the presence of the Holy One. Think about the words of Christ, compelling faith, displacing fear, and bringing life and light to death and darkness.

—Bob Burgher

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PASSING THE BATON

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” II Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

As time quickly passes by, so does the opportunity to pass on the principles of love and faith. I must make a conscious effort to pass onto my grandchildren that which my grandparents passed onto me.

My childhood was spent on a large farm with huge oak trees, a creek, a long lane, willows beside the creek, seven siblings, two parents, and a grandfather filled with the Holy Spirit. He was short in stature; and as we grew up, we passed him in height. Still, he had our love and respect.

Grandpa read the Psalms repeatedly to us as we sat on the floor around him. Each Sunday, we had to sing from the Psalter or a hymn book with the Psalms written to music that was primarily in whole notes. They had many verses, and he had us sing slowly so the meaning of the words would be remembered. I did not really enjoy that as a young person; but today if I need to recall a Psalm, I would do better by singing it than reciting it. He also taught us how to pray. He would pray in English so that we would understand it. Then he would pray in Dutch, as that was his native tongue. He could best express his thoughts to God in a way that he felt good. (Maybe he thought that God was Dutch.)

We gave our hearts to God at a young age and married Christians. The world did creep into some of our lives, but I believe that in all our hearts we knew who God is because it was passed onto us by Grandpa.

You might ask where my parents were during those years. They were good Christian parents who were with us most of the time. However, with 400 acres to farm and eight children to raise, they were kept busy much of the time.

Do we still pass on our values to our grandchildren? Yes, for three hours on Tuesdays it is grandparents’ day—spent with the children who are home schooled. Their mother gets a break, and we enjoy the children. One grandson and his mom live with us. So, he gets the whole load often.

God is good and has blessed us for many years. Indeed, it is in our walk with God that we have learned that interceding for children and grandchildren is a privilege that God gives us whereby the prayer of faith changes lives and the world.

—Lorraine Loomans

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THE COST OF RADICAL LOVE

I John 3:16-18.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” I John 3:17 (NIV)

The best example of love is found in Christ dying on the cross for us. It is this example John gives, then states we should do the same and be ready to lay down our lives for others. He gives us an example in verse 17—giving up our “material possessions” for those in need. When I first studied this, my heart proudly announced I was okay in this area. After all, I spent the last several years working in the inner- city of Cincinnati and am constantly giving away things to those less fortunate than me.

However, a deeper look in the Scriptures reveals a truth so intense that I still shudder at what the ramifications must mean in my life.

The phrase “material possessions” literally reads “the life of the world,” connoting the very sustenance of life that keeps us alive every day. The NIV rendering of “material possessions” does not capture the full meaning intended. The text points to the essential needs of a person to live. John was not talking about giving out of the abundance of your possessions. He was not speaking about giving away a few shirts to Goodwill, nor was he speaking about sending a $100 check to an inner-city mission. He was speaking about giving away the things actually enabling you to live, the basics and essentials of life itself.

John logically moves from verse 16 to 17, because giving up the essentials of life would cause someone to lay their life down for a brother or sister. Startling? It should be. In our culture today, we are always trying to be “good” Christians by giving to the poor and working at a soup kitchen now and then. Scripture speaks plainly—true love is laying a life down for another, which means giving up the essentials you need to live. When was the last time you chose to give up something which would cause someone to keep living, yet may result in your own life ceasing? Christ did.

Now do not get me wrong, I am not saying we should all go out and give away our houses, food, water, etc.; but the text is clear. Verse 18 demands for love to be carried out “with action and in truth.” Is it not time we quit merely listening to the Word and instead begin obeying it (James 1:22)? Check your “love-life.” Does it align with love as John describes it in his first epistle, 3:16-18?

—Michael Lyons

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ARE WE NOTHING MORE THAN A NOISY CLANGING BELL?

“1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” I Corinthians 13:1-4 (NIV)

Thirty-one years ago when I was planning my wedding service, I enthusiastically chose I Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter, to be the focal point of my wedding. I thought it would be a romantic idea to take verses from the Bible that referred to love and incorporate them into the service. Over the years, I have come to realize that this teaching is much deeper and has a very serious meaning.

As I envision visitors attending ECC for the first time, I hope they see the love we have and not just the knowledge that we have obtained. I hope they see the love we have and not just the programs we offer. I hope they see the love we have and not just what we have achieved. As we prepare to open our doors on Struble Road, please join me as I attempt to truly welcome and love our visitors. May the love of Christ fill us all as we reach out to not only the local community, but to all who enter our new church home.

—Joyce Troescher

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GOD HAS SAVED US

“¹For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. ²They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³They all ate the same spiritual food ⁴and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” I Corinthians 10:1-4 (NIV)

Pasch in Hebrew means “passage.” Life is beset by trials, challenges, and changes through which we must pass. Often, this is a decision. Do I go it alone, draw upon higher power, or give up? Bible heroes usually chose, after various levels of resistance, to be led by Holy Scriptures, prayer, and God initiatives (prompting) in their lives. One hero, who proved a prominent figure in the salvation history of the Jewish people, was Moses. Moses symbolized a type of Jesus. He led his people on a passage, marked by on-going crises of faith, while following God’s direction to their promised land. Every time the people allowed doubt and fear to weaken their trust in God, Moses had to get them back on the path with God. God’s strength and power prevailed. He protected their safe crossing of the Red Sea in escaping the Egyptian army. Their passage to gain freedom by trusting in the Lord was a foreshadowing of the moment, when Jesus, trusting God’s plan for his life, passed through death to the final Resurrection Victory.

Think of the passages in your own life—past, present, or future. Some passages we face demand courage, involve risk, ask sacrifice, or require you to honor others above self. We pass from child to youth, youth to adult, single to married to family, school to work, civilian to military, work to retired, active to inactive, health to illness, life to death, to name a few.

People do not naturally arrive at true meaning in life, since our rebellious nature darkens our understanding. We build walls obscuring truth on many levels. We easily get off track in blind pursuit of the quest of the moment. Where does our time go? Sports, mall excursions, movies, and games get our time.

Life fades away like cool morning mist above a lake. Slow down. Consider the rolled away stone. Our Lord is not there. He is alive! How much of our time does He get? Accepting the blessing of faith is an initial step out of truth-blinding darkness. We must stay in the Light to make our process of conversion real. Endure to the end, and learn the Lord is with you as He opens life’s final door.

—Ron Douglas

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THAT THEY MAY BE ONE

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV)

It seems that the primary evidence of the true church of Jesus Christ is its commitment to love. Jesus shared the command to love shortly after Judas left the supper to betray Him. Later, in John 17:11, Jesus prayed that we would be one, as He and the Father are one. Psalm 133 reminds us how beautiful it is when the brethren dwell together in unity.

Recently, I was privileged to hear a recorded sermon by Martin Luther King, Jr. He spoke so eloquently about the need for unity and love among believers. I wondered how our world would be changed if the Body of Christ would unite in love. I wondered if all-white and all-black churches would become a thing of the past. How would our city be changed if Christians treated other Christians as the people they are in God’s eyes? Could legalized abortion and racial hatred become part of the past as we reconciled and worked with other believers? For example, the white believer’s focus is often the pro-life movement, while the black believer’s focus is more often reconciliation. How powerful our combined witness would be if we could truly work together, instead of separated in our preferred activities. If we could truly unite, the nation might be awakened once again by the love of God as they see the way His children love one another.

Lent provides us an opportunity to consider a new commitment and consecration to our Lord. It may mean doing something new to promote love and unity among believers. When we honor a brother or sister, we honor Christ. Nursing home ministry has been a way for our family to learn to love people very different from ourselves, while promoting unity in the body of Christ. There are many other ways the Lord can lead us out of our safety zone to promote an active love for other believers. It is okay to start small—the important thing is to remain consistent. As we contemplate what was accomplished for us through redemption, may we prayerfully consider what Jesus may now be asking us to do.

—Joe Stenger

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Holy Week

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RESURRECTION POWER

“I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” John 8:51 (NIV)

This verse may strike the modern ear as strange. What does keeping Christ’s word have to do with the resurrection? Do we not attain everlasting life by inviting Jesus Christ into our hearts and having a personal relationship with him? While these vague and undefined slogans of contemporary evangelicalism may sound nice, they are not used in Scripture.

However, if one understands “inviting Christ into our hearts” to mean “believe what Christ said about Himself and take it to heart,” the phrase takes on a more biblical meaning. If “personal relationship” with Christ means to believe that God is living and personal, that He speaks to us through the Scriptures, and that we can respond to Him in prayer, then the phrase gains scriptural warrant. Unfortunately, what most people mean by such phrases is some emotional feeling of warmth and closeness. Emotions are always a response to what we believe, whether right or wrong. Unless such emotions are a response to the objective truth of Scripture, the emotion itself is dangerous, as Christians parents are wont to warn their teenage children concerning love and sexual purity.

The Apostle John often refers to the word of Christ. When “word” (logos) is used, it does not mean merely one word. Logos means the teachings, the argument, and if I may be permitted, the doctrine and theology of Jesus Christ. To paraphrase John 8:51, Christ is saying that whoever guards His teaching, His doctrine, and His theology shall never see death. Again in John 6:63, He says,“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (NIV) Believing the teachings of Christ is receiving eternal life. That is why the Protestant doctrine of justification is through faith alone in the imputed (credited) righteousness of Christ, for faith (pistis) is belief, not works.

The Gospel is the good news, the propositions concerning the living and dying of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago on behalf of His people. As we remember the Passover sacrifice of Christ, may God grant faith to His elect who have yet to receive the truth, so that believing they might receive eternal life. To those of us who have already passed from death unto life, may we be reminded of the Gospel and draw strength from the knowledge that our eternal destiny depends not on our own unprofitable works, but on the perfect work of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

—Michael Yang, M.D.

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JESUS’ EXAMPLE OF LIFTING the LORD . . .
LIVING the WORD . . . LOVING the PEOPLE

“⁴Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

“¹⁰Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:10 (NIV)

Lent, the forty days of penitence and prayer in preparation for Easter parallels the forty days Christ spent in the desert before His passion. These forty days and the short time up to Easter show us how Jesus worshiped the Father, used and lived out the Word, and ultimately loved God’s people. His words and actions are thus the model for ECC’s vision of LIFTING the LORD . . . LIVING the WORD . . . LOVING the PEOPLE.

After God’s Spirit descended like a dove upon Jesus, It led Him into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The devil came to Him and said “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus replied by living the word. He answered the devil, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The devil tried again. He took Jesus to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple,

“⁶If you are the Son of God,” he [the devil] said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” ⁷Jesus answered him again by living the word, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:6-7 (NIV)

A third time the devil tempted Jesus by taking Him to a very high mountain, showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendors, and offering ownership of all if Jesus would bow down and worship him. In answering, Jesus lifted the Lord with His Words, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:10 (NIV)

Shortly after these events, Jesus showed His love for people by His death on the cross, providing a way for us to be in a right relationship with God and have eternal life.

—Sharon Schatz

LIFTING the LORD

LIVING the WORD

LOVING the PEOPLE

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HE IS NOT HERE

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” Matthew 28:6a (NIV)

In 1994, my husband and I were invited by friends from Wales to participate in a tour to Israel. It would include the Christian Feast of Tabernacles, where thousands of Christians from the nations of the world come up to Jerusalem to celebrate at the same time as the ancient Jewish Feast of Tabernacles or Booths (Sukkot) and to “comfort My people” as God says in His Word. The trip would also involve much sightseeing in the very land where Jesus and the saints of the Bible walked, and where the actual events of the Bible took place.

The Feast Celebration seemed to carry us to Heaven with the beauty of the music and the powerful Presence of God in the worship times. The touring was interspersed with the events of the Feast as the schedule allowed. Everywhere we were astounded at the vitality and “flowering” of this land which had occurred since God began re-gathering His people in the territory as He had promised them He would do. (See Isaiah 11:11-12; Isaiah 43:5-6; Isaiah 45:2-6; Isaiah 49:22-23; Isaiah 62; Jeremiah 16:14-16; Jeremiah 23:7-8; Ezekiel 36:8, 24-28; Amos 9:13-15.)

Some of the historic sites were very much as they had been described in scripture. Others were overlaid with man’s trappings to such an extent that one might wonder if there was a shrine built if a patriarch sneezed or an apostle stubbed his toe at that place. However, at every turn, the imprint of God and the historic reality of His Word became more clear.

When our little group visited the Garden Tomb outside the walls of the Old City, a guide explained the origins of this site and why some believe it is where our Lord was placed after He was crucified. In a secluded area, we had a very precious time of prayer and shared communion together. Then we solemnly approached the tomb. “HE IS NOT HERE” was inscribed at the entrance.

Suddenly—overwhelming JOY!

The Word of the Lord is TRUE and it is TRUTH! EVERYTHING HE PROMISED has been, or will be, fulfilled. I can count on it! Forever! HALLELUJAH!

—Diane Mugrage

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. . . IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

“¹⁹And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ ²⁰In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” Luke 22:19-20 (NIV)

On the night before Jesus was crucified, He gathered for a Passover meal with His disciples. For three years, He had traveled with these men. They had sat under His teaching; they had ministered alongside Him. Tonight, He would share one last meal with them. He knew it would be His last.

It was often said of Jesus that He ate with sinners. Tonight, He would dine with Peter who would deny Him three times that very evening (Luke 22:55-62). Around the table sits Thomas, who will need to touch Jesus’ wounds before he believes in the resurrection (John 20:25); the “Sons of Thunder,” James and John, who earlier in the week fought with the other disciples over who would be “first” in the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:37); Matthew the tax collector . . . the profession that Scripture often equates with the word “sinner” (Luke 15:1). Finally, close enough to touch (Luke 22:21) was the hand of Judas Iscariot . . . the man who would betray Christ. (Luke 22:47-48). In short, Jesus sat down for dinner with “sinners” . . . sinners like us.

As Jesus broke the bread and raised the cup, He instituted the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. He invited His disciples to come to His table. He invites us to come to His table.

The bread and wine symbolize the breaking of Christ’s body and the pouring out of His blood for our sin. When we partake of the supper, we remember Jesus and His saving work on the cross. “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. ” I Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)

John Calvin said, “His flesh [is] the food of my soul, His blood its drink.” The Lord’s Supper gives spiritual nourishment and refreshment to our souls. As we individually reach out and take the cup for ourselves, our action proclaims, “I am taking the benefits of Christ’s death to myself.”

Finally, as we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we give a clear sign of our unity with each other . . . “for we all partake of the one loaf” (I Corinthians 10:17).

This evening, as we share the Lord’s Supper, together, let us recall ALL that He has done to accomplish our salvation. “Do this in remembrance of me.”

—Eddie Lutz

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THE CHALLENGE OF DEATH

“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” Luke 23:46 (NIV)

Death is a very difficult subject about which to talk. When my daughter, Kate, was four years old, she asked, “Daddy, why do people die?” I tried to answer it simply so as not to frighten her by saying, “Normally people die because they grow old. But when they die, they go to be with God in Heaven.” With her little voice, she declared, “Daddy, I do not want you to die.” I replied that I was not planning on dying anytime soon. She then said, “Daddy, I do not want to die.” I was caught off guard by her statement and mumbled something to the effect that she would not have to worry about it for a long time. That seemed to satisfy her.

Her questions brought home how awful the thought of death can be. The truth is, no one knows with certainty the day and time of their death.

When confronted with death, it is critical to remember that we have a spirit that will never die. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” We believe that following death, the spirits (or souls) of believers are ushered into the glorious presence of God and await the reunion of their souls with new tangible bodies at the final resurrection. Indeed, Paul asserts, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,” Philippians 1:23 (NIV) For me, it is a truly comforting thought that not only will I meet with Jesus, but I will have the chance to fellowship with the saints of the Bible and other heroes of the faith.

Moreover, we are comforted that, upon death, the strong and merciful arms of God reach out as a Father to a beloved child, to bring us safely into the Celestial City. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Jesus does not say, “To the grave, or to the soulless abyss do I commit my spirit.” No, Jesus manifests a supreme confidence of being received by the loving arms of God the Father, and so should we.

We, as Christians, who place our trust in the atoning death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and who believe the promise that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins,” I John 1:8-10 (NIV), have no reason to fear death. Death will come to all, but we are comforted with sure and certain hope that our Heavenly Father will tenderly receive us and grant eternal life to everyone who believes in His name.

—Rich Lanning

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JESUS’ PASSION BEGAN IN GETHSEMENE

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:44 (NIV)

Jesus’ physical passion began in Gethsemene! I can appreciate all the more what Jesus did for me when I understand the horrendous emotional, physical, and spiritual suffering that He went through for me. Only Luke, the physician, reported Jesus’ first suffering—that of hematidrosis—when He sweat blood! Though it is very rare, under serious emotional stress, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can rupture, mixing blood with sweat. With the approaching unbearable task facing Jesus, He was in great emotional agony and in deep fervent prayer. He was chilling and so weak that God sent an angel to be with Jesus to strengthen Him.

Jesus’ first physical trauma was inflicted when a soldier spat on Jesus and struck Him across the face. Dehydrated and sleepless, Jesus was led to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, who, like Pilate, could find no fault in Jesus and returned Him to Pilate, who sentenced Jesus to scourging. Stripped of His robe, His back was first bruised, then lacerated, and finally macerated with profuse bleeding when the Roman legionnaire struck Him with a flagrum of leather thongs interspersed with sharp sheep bones and balls of lead. After the limit of 39 lashes prescribed by Jewish law, and Jesus near death, He was untied and allowed to slump to the ground, bleeding, in circulatory collapse and hypovolemic shock. The soldiers threw Jesus’ robe back on Him, and it stuck to His bleeding wounds. They placed a crown of thorns on His highly vascular scalp and smashed it down. He bled from that.

The death sentence by crucifixion was proclaimed by Pilate in response to the continued taunts by the mob. While weak, bleeding, and dehydrated, Jesus was forced to start along the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha, carrying the heavy patibulum of the cross tied across His bleeding shoulders. The crucifixion was the final and most brutal phase of Jesus’ physical passion. With huge iron nails driven through the carpal bones of His wrists (hands), and the tarsal bones of His ankles (feet), excruciating pains shot up His arms and legs as He struggled to breathe. With deepening asphyxiation, finally a crushing pain in His chest occurred when cardiac tampanade set in to pour serum into His pericardial sac (the “water” that extruded with blood when the soldier’s spear pierced His side). Jesus’ mission of atonement had been completed, and He emitted a tortured but satisfying whisper, “It is finished.” His work after eighteen hours of torture was completed.

Thank you, Jesus, for going through your physical passion for me.

—William J. Gerhardt, M.D.

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I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!

“Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.” John 20:18 (NIV)

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the epicenter of Christianity. The Resurrection is the faith requirement through which one becomes a disciple. It is so central to the Christian faith that Paul taught it was impossible to become a Christian without believing it. “. . . because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)

The Resurrection stands for this truth: death, which could not hold Jesus in the grave, will also not hold those who believe in Him.

The Resurrection, said Paul, was symbolized by baptism. “⁴We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Romans 6:4-6 (NIV)

When a believer goes into the water, baptism is a reenactment of Christ being laid in the ground. When the baptism is over—the believer leaves the water. This is a symbol that Christ rose from the grave.

Jesus is alive! His Resurrection provides our ultimate hope. The ultimate fear of humankind is death. The Easter celebration is the exaltation of what Jesus was able to achieve by walking out of the tomb—“O death where is your sting?” I Corinthians 15:55b (NIV). The Easter story is also the ultimate message of hope for you and me.

Among popular contemporary singers and composers, at least one talent seems to have taken the theological implications of his verses seriously. Michael Card offers us this verse from his song, Love Crucified Arose, as to the importance of the Resurrection:

Love crucified arose.

The risen One in splendor;

Jehovah’s soul Defender;

Has won the victory.

Love crucified arose.

And the grave became a place of hope,

For the heart that sin and sorrow broke

Is beating once again.

Soli Deo Glory

—Glen Francis

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