FROM SHAME TO GLORY

APRIL. 2020

We take to heart the sadness of these coming days, as Jesus treads His painful way to the Cross, yet He went out, “bearing the Cross for Himself” (John 19:17 (RV). Death by crucifixion was a favoured form of execution by the Romans for the lowest of criminals. It was an excruciating, slow, painful way to die! This was the path, pre-ordained by the Father, for Him to take, for our salvation. It gives deliverance from the penalty and power of sin and reconciliation to become the redeemed children of God, for all who believe and trust in Him.

Jesus, the Son of God and the sinless Son of Man, “He, himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we might die to sins, and live to righteousness; by His wounds, you have been healed.” (1Peter 2:24).

During the three hours of darkness which hung over the land, as He bore the sins of Mankind, cutting Him off from the Presence of the Father, He cried out in anguish, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me”?

When the darkness lifted - He knew then His sacrifice had been accepted, And He cried out in a loud voice,

“IT IS FINISHED.” (John 19:30)

As our Creeds state - “He was Crucified, Dead and. Buried” - On the third day (Sunday) His friends first to the tomb, found the stone rolled away from the entrance and the tomb EMPTY. The linen cloths that had bound Him and the head cloth, were lying undisturbed, just as if He had risen up out of them.

 

Confused and full of wonder, the women, with Peter and John rushed back to break the news to the rest of the disciples. Was it true, had Jesus risen from the dead?

This was confirmed when Jesus appeared to them in the Upper Room that evening, though the doors were locked for fear of the Jews, then He revealed Himself to them. They were OVERJOYED! (John 20:20b)

A miracle! By HIs death and resurrection, He has destroyed the fear of death giving us hearts full of JOY as we look to Him to lead us in this present life and through death to the life of the world to come.

 

“He, Who gave for us His life, Who for us endured the strife,

Is our Paschal Lamb today, We too sing for JOY, and say

ALLELUIA ! “ Rev. M. Weisse 1531.