Good Friday- the Death on the Cross

 

Good Friday devotion 4/2/21

Good Friday is the day we remember Jesus’ trial and death on the cross.  He was accused falsely and loudly; mocked; tortured; and crucified because He rightfully would not back away from His claim to be both God and King. 
Why do we call it “good?”  It is good for us that His sacrifice is made.  All the sacrifices made in the Old Testament point to His real and ultimate sacrifice and atonement for us. 
His blood shed for us is the blood of the sacrifice for our sins.  That is why He tells us to remember His blood shed when He instituted communion. 
The word “Good” in Old English is “Gott” and some say Good and God are synonymns in old English.  So we say “goodbye” which in Old English was “God Be with Ye.”  So “Good Friday” was “God Friday.” It is God’s day to bring human beings to Himself.  It is the fulfillment of so many prophecies (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22, 69; Gen. 2).  But it is the day the Lamb of God (Jesus- our ultimate Passover Lamb) takes away the sins of the world. 

 

Here are the seven sayings of Jesus no the cross.  Last words people say are important, and these words are important to us. 

·        1.1 1. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
         This indicates that the people were (and we are) blind to their own sin.  But it also indicates Jesus intercedes for sinners like us. 

·        1.2 2. Today you will be with me in paradise.
          Jesus said this to thief on the cross who asked to be remembered.  Paradise is not a different place but a synonym for heaven.  In that sense, we see salvation can come without a baptism or any good works at all- for the thief could not be baptized or have time to do good. 

·        1.3 3. Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!
        Jesus said this to Mary and to his disciple John son of Zebedee.  It shows His concern for His family, His mother, and others. 

·        1.4 4. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

·               This is a quote from Psalm 22:1.  It shows the alienation and separation (what some call hell) He was going through for our sake.  It shows Jesus went through spiritual agony as well as physical agony. 

·        1.5 5. I thirst.
        The Maker of water thirsts!  This is the irony.  But this shows He really suffered and was human- for angels and spirits do not thirst. 

·        1.6 6. It is finished. (prophecies, suffering, atonement, law fulfilled)
        Jesus finished His work.  This is a great goal.  It was not just that His earthly life was finished.  The prophecies were fulfilled.  The suffering was done.  The atonement was made, and the law was fulfilled. 

·        1.7 7. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
       This shows great trust and peace.  He committed His spirit to God who would raise Him up.  Jesus shows us how to die. 

Stories in the Dark- Lenten Devotional- Full PDF

 Full PDF of "Stories in the Dark"- Lenten Devotional 2021 Full

Click the link above for a PDF of 44 Devotionals for 2021 written by the staff and some new elders and deacons of LMPC (Lake Murray Presbyterian Church, Chapin, SC).  

Lenten Devotional- "Stories in the Dark"

 

LENT AT LMPC

2021

STORIES IN THE DARK

 

By New Elders, Deacons, and Staff of LMPC
[Based mostly on Book II of the Psalms]

My memory is full of stories in the dark…

When I was camping as a Boy Scout around the camp fire…

When my parents would read me a bed-time story-
      Or when I have read my children/grandchildren such stories.

Bible stories read at night to help me sleep well…
      Except when they were stories of giants or wrath or bad people. 

Those stories in the dark shaped me to trust in the Light. 

We hope these stories might make you remember-
“Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” 

(Pastor Ben)

 

So this is dedicated to all those who risk their time and energy to pass their story and the stories of God on to the next generation.   The teachers, SS and Bible teachers, ministers, parents
who tell the tale…

[Many Passages in this devotional are base on the Second Book of Psalms 42-72]

 

Many thanks to Lizzie Shepard for the wonderful hand- tailored drawings for this Lenten Devotional.
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2/17- Ash Wednesday-  (Outside Service with Drive Through Imposition of Ashes- 6:00)
“Forgive Us” Mt. 6:12; Pastor Blaine Hill (Associate Pastor LMPC)
“…As we have  forgive our debtors…” Matthew 6:12

 Lent is a season of the church year when we trust God enough to look at our sins and to repent. Because life is complicated and messy, reflection upon ourselves and our need for God’s mercy may cause us to recall times when people have sinned against us. Recalling people’s sin against us, even if we were at fault too, is painful. That reflection and hurt can so easily become bitterness and resentment. Thankfully, Jesus provides us relief from resentment. When we follow Jesus and choose to forgive, he sets us free from bitterness. Rather than resenting someone’s failure to pay the debt their sin incurred, we recall that we have forgiven that debt. Is the Lord prompting you to release someone’ debt and calling you to leave behind bitterness?

 

Prayer:  Lord, too often I am quick to blame and slow to forgive.  Turn that around for me that I may forgive those who have injured me and instead let me sew love where there is hatred. 

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2/18- “My Soul Thirsts for God”  Psalm 42:1-4; Pastor Ben
Most of my devotions will be on the second book of the Psalms (42-72) during Lent.

Psalm 42: 1-4
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 
My soul thirsts for God for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food  day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with he multitude leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 
Why are you downcast O my soul, why so disturbed with me? 
Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Thoughts: I am thirsty for God in this desert of a time.  I can sympathize with the Psalmist.  There have been times in my life where my tears are my food, which makes me even more dehydrated for God’s living water. 
I remember the days when there were multitudes in church.  I used to go with them, and there was joy. 
But now the church is only a quarter full, and many who could do not come back and do not care to listen in online. 
I am truly thirsty for the time when the church was full of people singing together, praying together, in focus on God.  He has hope in God.  One day we will praise Him again.  I do not give up on that hope. 
I refuse to believe that church will not strive again.  In some ways the Psalmist was downcast (depressed) because he could not go to church.  I have seen some come back for the first time and there is real joy and excitement about even being in our beautiful sanctuary again.  But then the excitement goes away and they disappear back into isolation.  Isolation may bring us peace but it rarely brings us encouragement and joy.  We are meant to love one another.  That does not simply mean getting teaching, but it means being with people to whom we can love and receive love.  Love is the answer to our downcast souls.  One day… love not fear will reign again. 

[“My Soul Thirsts for God”  Psalm 42:1-4]

Prayer: Lord, here this Psalm as my prayer.  I am thirsty for you and I am sad that I cannot fully worship with your people.  Restore us again, O Lord. 

New Year's Resolutions and Planning

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."  (Proverbs 16:3) 

"In their heart, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

Thoughts: These two verses remind us that our great plans need to be submitted to the greatest architect.  He will take our plans- if our heart is set on Him- and will make them work and fine tune them.  He will test them like gold and silver are tested- burning away the selfish parts and leaving the eternally-valued parts.  

50% of Americans make resolutions, only 10% are still keeping them at the end of the month.  

But this does not mean it is impossible, nor does it mean we shouldn't even try.  
If you plan nothing- you will surely end up with nothing.  
But if you purpose something- you will at least think about where you are going and may end up accomplishing something by God's grace.  It is indeed God's grace that helps us and gives us strength to do what we ought to do- molding us and re-shaping us along the way.  

I have always liked the verse in Luke 2:52- "Jesus grew in wisdom, and stature, in favor with God and man."  Look to grow similarly- in your mind, in your body, spiritually and socially. 

Grow in wisdom- Make plans not to coast even if you have your degrees.  Love to learn.  But remember to learn in ways that honor God.  Do not learn how to do evil- or even more about evil.  What books will you read, or podcasts will you hear.  What will decide not to read, hear or look at this year?  I would suggest not allowing yourself to be sucked into fearful thinking.  Could you learn a language or a new skill this year?  With apps and youtube many things are available to us- where ought you to go? 
Grow in stature- How can you improve your diet or become healthier physically.  Your physical health affects your mental and spiritual health as well.  What foods will you avoid (eg. sugar, fat), what foods will you allow yourselves to indulge in.  How, when, and where will you eat? (Covid time may alter some of your normal patterns at least the first part of 2021).   
Grow in favor with God-  Plan what you will pray about daily.  I usually update my prayer list the first day of January.  Plan what you will read in the Bible.  There are many good books, but there is a Great book that has proven itself through the ages- and through which the Holy Spirit speaks.  Plan how you will encourage others and have others encourage you- how will you have fellowship with others in this Covid time to especially not be all by yourself.  God has given us tools like phones, Facetime, livestreamed worship for those who have to be isolated or quarantined.  How can you reach out to others? How can you help/serve other people.  Life is not just about taking in stuff.  But how can you witness for Christ during this time (maybe sharing a post?).  How can you help the needy (bring cans for We care to the office).  
How can you grow socially? What barriers with others can you break down?  Get other points of view than your own so you are not just mirroring yourself.  Think about political, racial barriers that could be broken down in the name of the love of Christ.  Again, if you are isolated or quarantined- don't just sit there and coast but write others, email others, message others, call others.  Maybe even surprise an old friend and renew an old relationship?  What new group could you challenge yourself to be a part of?  How can you grow socially at work?  How can you love others in the name of Christ?  

Pray about where God would have you to go (this doesn't have to be a 30 minute prayer). Write these down so you can look back at them in a month or the beginning of each quarter March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 31.  

Prayer: Lord, you have given me life and time.  Whatever I do, may I glorify you in it.  May I enjoy you in the coming year.  May I find my joy and peace in you as I seek to do your will.  Lead and shape me in 2021.  In Jesus name and for His sake.  Amen.