Good Friday

Holy Thursday: Remember Christ's Sacrifice

Today is Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday. It is the day where Christians commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified.

What Does "Maundy" Mean?
Derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," Maundy refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice. [Quote from About.com:  Christianity.]

Tomorrow is Good Friday, which is the day we remember and commemorate when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross to save mankind from their sins. Upon confession and repentance of sin and belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives because of what he did for us on the cross of Calvary, we can be united to our Savior and ask for the Holy Spirit of God to indwell our hearts. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, helping us to read and study the Bible, do good works because we love God, and have the desire to please and serve him. The Holy Spirit helps us to discern good vs. evil.

I am currently reading a newly published book called The LORD is My Shepherd, Resting in the Peace and Power of Psalm 23, written by Robert J. Morgan. 

Chapter 7 is entitled, "His Presence in Life's Valleys."  The author examines the following portion of Psalm 23:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

The author discusses the times that he has stood on railroad platforms.  He mentioned being on such a platform as a train came by at the speed of ten or fifteen miles an hour.  The shadow which overcame him didn't hurt him.  One time, when an express train shadow roared by at one hundred miles per hour, the shadow of the train and air rushed by him like a windstorm.  Admittedly, the platform tremble and the roar was unnerving, yet he didn't suffer any injuries.  While traveling in Japan, he experienced the shadow of a bullet train, traveling at the high speed of three hundred miles per hour.   The author stated that it felt like "an intense five-second horizontal thunder and lightening storm that left him trembling a bit afterwards, but he didn't suffer any cuts, bruises or broken bones.

The author writes:

That's remarkable to think about.  A human being--even a child--can be hit head-on by a shadow going hundreds of miles an hour without suffering the slightest bruise.

Of course, it's another thing to be hit by the actual train.

Here's the point of the word shadow in Psalm 23:4.  The locomotive force of the wrath of a holy God hit Jesus Christ as He hung on Calvary's cross on Good Friday.  He collided with our sins.  The guilt of the ages bore down upon Him.  The sky turned dark; the earth quaked; the angels recoiled in horror.  The Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep and bore our death full force.

As a result, we're hit only by the shadow of death.  There is no such thing as real death for the Christian.  God's children never travel through Death Valley.  Jesus took that route in our place.  For us, there is only the valley of the shadow of death.  And since Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion, He's an excellent tour guide (or shepherd) for us when we're in any kind of valley throughout or at the end of our earthly lives.

Jesus said, "Because I live, you will live also"  (John 14:19).  He said, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though He may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25-26).

This wonderful truth turns our perspective upside down.  It makes all the difference.

Hat tips:

About.com: Christianity
David Jeremiah.org

Quote Reference:

The LORD is My Shepherd; Resting in the Peace and Power of Psalm 23 by Robert J. Morgan, 2013,  Howard Books, A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.  New York, NY 10020  pp. 118-119.


Previous posts:

Talk Wisdom: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Talk Wisdom: Good Friday posts

By His Stripes We Are Healed

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday. Later that day, I was discussing with a Christian friend (who had invited me back to Bible Study Fellowship) the fact that the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament contains many prophecies about Jesus Christ, the Messiah, which were all  fulfilled when Christ died on the cross for our sins.

Tomorrow is Good Friday.  It is the day that we solemnly bring back to mind Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross to save mankind from their sins.

Isaiah 53:4-12 (NKJV)

Isa 53:1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Isa 53:2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, [There is] no beauty that we should desire Him.

Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, [our] faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Isa 53:4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5 But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace [was] upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

Isa 53:9 And they [fn] made His grave with the wicked--But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor [was any] deceit in His mouth.

Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put [Him] to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see [His] seed, He shall prolong [His] days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

Isa 53:11 He shall see the labor of His soul, [fn] [and] be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

Isa 53:12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

There are literally weeks worth of Bible study contained in Chapter 53 of the book of Isaiah. The words are highly descriptive of the suffering that the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world endured for our sakes on that cross at Calvary. Sometimes a song, with just the right lyrics, can remind us of the victory of Jesus Christ that was achieved through the greatest act in the history of mankind!   There is no greater love!   Ultimately, without our Savior and Lord, we could not be forgiven for our sins and reconciled back unto Holy God.

Jesus bore the sins of all of mankind in his body. This sinless God-man was the only one worthy enough to pay the price of death for sin; saving us from the eternal death that we all deserved. Christ's sacrificial death on the cross enables those who confess and repent of their sin and subsequently ask Christ into their hearts to reign as Lord and Savior over their lives; the ability to live eternally with God forever in the Kingdom of Heaven.

If Christ had not gone through with his mission on earth over 2,000 years ago, He would have entered back into heaven alone.

I think that Chris Tomlin's song, "I Will Rise" tells us the message of the gospel in a way that hits right at the heart of the matter. The pain and suffering of physically dying on this earth will be met with the joy of the resurrection to life when Christ returns for his own. Listen carefully to the lyrics of Tomlin's song and be blessed!


 

Chris Tomlin:  "I Will Rise" lyrics:

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[x2]

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

It's All For Him

Today is Good Friday. In previous years, I have written posts that have discussed
 What Was So Good About It?,
 Utter Darkness (or so they thought),
 Calvary,
 Good Friday and

 The Power of Christs' Cross.


Once again, I have found an intriguing devotional in the December-January-February 2003-04 "Our Daily Bread" booklet that gives us a glimpse of God's own interpretation of history. 

I love this phrase, "Jesus is the final and complete explanation of everything."

When we study the Bible and think about that phrase, we come to realize that "It's All For Him."

 I would like to share it with readers today.

~Christine

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It's All For Him

Read: Colossians 1:13-20

All things were created through Him and for Him. - Colossians 1:16

It's a little phrase of just two words at the end of Colossians 1:16 - "for Him." Yet that little phrase gives God's own interpretation of history. In those two words He affirms that Jesus is the final and complete explanation of everything.

All that has happened and ever will happen is moving through time toward that climactic hour when every tongue will confess the lordship of Jesus Christ. Every knee, whether in grateful adoration or under compulsion, will then bow to Him (Philippians 2:10-11).

British historian H.A.L. Fisher apparently did not share that view. He sadly confessed, "Men wiser and more learned than I have discovered in history a plot, a rhythm, a predetermined pattern. These harmonies are concealed from me. I can see only one emergency following upon another as wave follows upon wave...nothing but the play of the contingent and the unforeseeable." [Note from Christine: Isn't that an utterly sad way to think and live??]

What about you? Are you overwhelmed by what seems to be the aimless sequence of events? If so, look once more at Jesus--His life, death, resurrection, and promised return. Your troubled heart will be filled with hope and confidence as you realize that there's meaning and purpose for everything in the world--when you live "for Him." - Vernon Grounds

One life to live for Christ my Lord,
One life to do my part,'One life in which to give my all
With fervency of heart. - Brandt

Christ showed His love by dying for us; we show our love by living for Him.

Hat tip:

December-January-February 2003-04 "Our Daily Bread" booklet; Thursday, Dec. 6, 2003.

*******
As we fast, pray, and attend our Good Friday services around the nation remember this awesome portion of Scripture:

Jhn 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

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More Good Friday blog posts:

Thinking Christian: Death Defeated

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What Was So Good About It?

Yesterday, I attended the 12 noon Good Friday service at my former church. It is good to be in the house of the Lord to commemorate His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus did what he did for the forgiveness of our sins - the sins we ALL commit and would ultimately die with; staining our souls forever. If not for Christ's greatest act in all of Creation, we would not have any way to be reconciled back unto God.

The pastor asked the question, "What is so good about Good Friday?" After viewing a portion of the movie, The Passion of the Christ where we saw Jesus beaten so severely by the Roman soldiers, and forced to carry that heavy cross to Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull") while the soldiers continued to whip Jesus during the terrible journey; that question has to come into every mind that witnessed such a horrid event.

In previous posts on Good Friday, (see Calvary, Good Friday and The Power of Christ's Cross, I discussed many aspects surrounding the Cross at Calvary and why people who do not yet know Christ, still seek him today:

On a KLOVE radio show back in 2007, the host said, "people fall into two camps; those who know Jesus Christ and those who want to know Him."

Wow. Simple but profound. Even those who won't admit it, still want to know Him. Why? Because to know Him is to know God. Jesus was God in the flesh. That is why it is said in the Bible, "they shall call him Immanuel." "Immanuel" means "God with us."

Some people question why Christ had to endure what he did:

Why was Jesus tortured, maimed, spit upon, beard torn, whipped beyond recognition, stabbed in the side, nailed to a cross, humiliated unto death? Because that is exactly what evil does. God allowed those forces of evil to do what they did in order to send us a message so strong that we couldn't possibly miss it.

The enemy of our souls has the goal of devouring us in our sin. He prowls around like a roaring lion, bringing along with him evil, sin and death. That very thing was conquered by Christ at the cross. Because he was the "sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world," he accomplished what no ordinary man could ever do. He kept the Law while on earth, then paid the penalty for our sin so that we would not suffer an eternity without him! He was bodily resurrected to life on that first Easter morning approximately 2,000 years ago, and that event changed the world forever.

Why would Jesus endure all of this for us? The Bible tells us, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Put another way through a popular Christian song that plays on the radio (speaking of Jesus' sacrifice), "You would rather die, than to ever live without me."

As I watched the scourging of Jesus, once again, in church yesterday, I was reminded of the fact that what happened and what we witnessed was exactly "what evil does."

Scripture tells us that for a time, God the Father turned His back from His beloved Son as he hung on the cross with our sins laid upon him. It was the only time that Jesus did not call God "his Father" - he yelled out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Forsake means: "to quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert" and "to give up or renounce."

God cannot look upon sin. He is Holy and Righteous, so at the moment of humanity's sins being laid upon our Savior, Jesus Christ, God the Father forsake his son.

But look at the second part of the meaning of the word "forsake." It says, "to give up or renounce." Christ's body was given up for our sakes, his blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. His body was terribly bruised, beaten, and bloodied because that is what evil does. The horror of that event is relived each time we see any depiction of the crucifixion. It was a terrible and horrendous way to die.

Look at it this way. Our sins were nailed to the cross. They were buried in the grave. Only Jesus, risen in holiness and righteousness came out of that tomb!

In another scene from The Passion of the Christ, we see Jesus' earthly mother - Mary - rushing to pick up and comfort her son when he had fallen down as a young child. The scene shifts to the current day, where Mary witnesses her son falling under the heavy weight of the cross on his way to being crucified. She runs towards him, wanting to comfort him once again as she did when he was a child. However, Jesus says to her, "Mother, I am making all things new." After he said those very words, he finds the strength to stand up with that heavy burden of a cross and continue on the journey to death. What a powerful moment! It was as if he was saying, 'I'm doing this for you - and for all mankind.'

He was.

That is exactly why he did this.

It is exactly why he WILLINGLY went to the cross - for our sakes.

We know from Scripture that Jesus could have called down legions of angels from heaven to relieve him from that cross. People who witnessed the crucifixion even mocked Jesus, challenging him to prove that he is the Son of God by coming down from the cross!

Mat 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

But if he did that, then we would not have had our sins forgiven. There would be no salvation for mankind, no means of reconciliation between sinful, evil men and Holy, Righteous God. Jesus would have re-entered heaven alone.

Why would Jesus endure all of this for us? The Bible tells us, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Put another way through a popular Christian song that plays on the radio (speaking of Jesus' sacrifice), "You would rather die, than to ever live without me."

THAT is what is so good about Good Friday.

Recall what Jesus said about "this temple" (he meant his body):

Jhn 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Mat 26:61 And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

He is ABLE! Jesus was, is, and forever will be ABLE to accomplish what no man or angel in heaven could have EVER achieved!

Christ's resurrection from the dead was the greatest event in human history! When Christ arose, he had a new, resurrected body (to show us what our new bodies will be like when resurrected for the Millennium), but with the markings of the scars of the crucifixion (recall, the risen Christ told doubting Thomas to put his hand in his side - where the Roman soldier's spear pierced him after Jesus was dead on the cross) to remind all of heaven who he is and what he has done for the salvation of men.

Recall that the disciple John was the only one who stayed with Jesus at the cross. He was later sent to the island of Patmos, where he was brought "into the spirit" and saw visions of what will occur at the culmination of human history.

Revelation 5 (NLT) helps explain to us why Christ is worthy to break the seals of the scroll in the end times:

Rev 5:1 And I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.


Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: "Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and unroll it?"


Rev 5:3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.


Rev 5:4 Then I wept because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll and read it.


Rev 5:5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, [fn] has conquered. He is worthy to open the scroll and break its seven seals."


Rev 5:6 I looked and I saw a Lamb that had been killed but was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits [fn] of God that are sent out into every part of the earth.


Rev 5:7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.


Rev 5:8 And as he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense--the prayers of God's people!


Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song with these words: "You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.


Rev 5:10 And you have caused them to become God's Kingdom and his priests. And they will reign [fn] on the earth."


Rev 5:11 Then I looked again, and I heard the singing of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and the living beings and the elders.


Rev 5:12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: "The Lamb is worthy--the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing."


Rev 5:13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They also sang: "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever."


Rev 5:14 And the four living beings said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped God and the Lamb.

NLT Footnotes:
(5:5) Greek the root of David.
(5:6) See note on 4:5.
(5:10) Some manuscripts read they are reigning.

Utter Darkness (or so they thought)

Utter Darkness (or so they thought)

It couldn’t have been any worse for the remaining 11 disciples and the women closest to Jesus of Nazareth. As they watched, their Hope was torn apart, then hung on a post in humiliation to die, and “darkness came over the whole land.”

We can’t imagine the depth of their bewilderment. The darkness over the land couldn’t compare to the darkness of their souls. Three years of walking with Him had given them excitement for the installation of a new kingdom on earth! But it was all for naught, or so they thought.

That was the human perspective, but this is the real story:
It was that ugly three-letter word – sin. Sin is what the holy God could not look upon, but He longed to fellowship with us. All of humanity had been paralyzed by sin, and our human efforts to abide by the law had proven futile, time after time.

In the greatest act of mercy, the Father offered up His perfect sacrifice on our behalf. At that moment in time, once for all, the Son took on the sin of all mankind. The curtain that separated us from the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom. The righteous God who could not look upon sin made a way for us to come to Him, and by the blood of the Lamb those who believe are made righteous, and can enter into His courts!

But that was just Friday. Wait for Sunday!
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. . .” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. Matt. 28:5-7a, 8

California Family Council celebrates the risen Savior! Happy Easter!

Hat Tip:

California Family Council

Calvary

Yesterday evening, I glanced through the menu of cable T.V. channels searching for any movies about Jesus Christ. I found one. It was a mini-series called "Jesus" on TBN. Since I have the video of this series, I didn't record it.

I don't know about you, but it seems to me that with each passing year, there are less and less movie presentations on T.V. of portraying Jesus' life, death, and resurrection during the holy days.

I can recall seeing dozens of Jesus movies and Bible epics on T.V. at Easter time during my teen years. Everything from "Ben Hur" to the "Ten Commandments" to "King of Kings" was broadcast between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. On Good Friday, there were usually several different movies shown commemorating Christ's crucifixion.

What has happened?

Why do the networks refuse to show these important films anymore?

Late this morning, I watched Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." This was the fourth time I had viewed the movie, but the first time that I watched it alone. Each time I see it, the message of the cross hits me like a ton of bricks.

It is a movie that I cannot get through without crying. The grief felt by me for my sin which Jesus died for is often to much to bear. I find myself wanting to fast-forward through the scourging and crucifixion scenes - but I do not allow myself to do that.

The term "passion" originally meant "suffering." Today, it is often used as a romantic term related to sexual attraction or activity. But the "passion" of Jesus Christ was the suffering he endured for all of mankind's sins on the cross.

In the beginning of the movie, we find Jesus in the Garden praying to the Father. We also see Satan (appearing in the form of an androgenous being) trying to convince Jesus that taking on the sins of the world is too much for one person to bear. It can't be done.

Isn't that just like Satan? Claiming that the God-Man Jesus can't do the work that God the Father sent him to do. Satan tries the same thing with believers. Recall how he asked to sift Simon Peter "like wheat."

What a great scene it was in the movie to see Satan in his pit screaming and tearing his hair off because Jesus accomplished the goal of redemption for mankind. All of that suffering brought glory to the Father and salvation for all those who believe in Jesus. What a moment!

One of the most touching scenes was when Jesus' mother Mary reached him when he had fallen down while carrying the cross. There was a flashback in the movie to a time in Jesus' childhood where he had fallen and Mary ran to pick him up and to cuddle him and ease the pain. In this instance, there was nothing that she could do but briefly touch his face, look into his eyes, and hear her son say, "Mother, I make all things new."

What a powerful, powerful moment. This time, Jesus was SAVING HER -and all of us from the ravages of sin, evil and death!

As we remember your death at the cross, Jesus, let me say THANK YOU MY LORD AND SAVIOR! There is no greater love than for a man to lay his life down for his friends. Jesus did that. And, he rose again on the third day. He willingly went to the cross, and had the power to take up his life again. The horrible suffering and sorrow of that day turned to rejoicing on that first Resurrection Sunday - just as Jesus had previously told us it would:

John 16:20-22

Jhn 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.


Jhn 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.


Jhn 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Previous posts:

The Christ of the Passion

"When our depravity meets His divinity, it's a great collision."

Good Friday

The Power of Christ's Cross

The brutality of Jesus' crucifixion was captured in the film, "The Passion of the Christ." Why was Jesus tortured, maimed, spit upon, beard torn, whipped beyond recognition, stabbed in the side, nailed to a cross, humiliated unto death? Because that is exactly what evil does. God allowed those forces of evil to do what they did in order to send us a message so strong that we couldn't possibly miss it.

The enemy of our souls has the goal of devouring us in our sin. He prowls around like a roaring lion, bringing along with him evil, sin and death. That very thing was conquered by Christ at the cross. Because he was the "sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world," he accomplished what no ordinary man could ever do. He kept the Law while on earth, then paid the penalty for our sin so that we would not suffer an eternity without him! He was bodily resurrected to life on that first Easter morning approximately 2,000 years ago, and that event changed the world forever.


Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

At Calvary's cross, we stand at the crossroads to heaven and hell.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. Christians around the world are observing THE most solemn day on the Christian calendar.

In David Jeremiah's newsletter today, he described what some other countries call this day:

Recommended Reading
Luke 23:26-34


Today is Karfreitag, a German word meaning "Friday of Lamentation." In English we call it Good Friday, but other languages usually refer to it as Holy Friday. In Armenia it's called High Friday, and the Russians refer to it as Passion Friday. In China, it's known as the Day of Christ's Suffering.

In Bermuda, kites will be flown today, all of them using wooden frames in the shape of a cross. As the kites soar into the sky, they symbolize the crucified one who has now ascended into heaven. In England, hot cross buns will be served, and the BBC will introduce its morning newscast with a verse from Isaac Watts' hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."

Some previous Good Friday posts:

The Power of Christ's Cross

Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

When Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ movie came out in 2004, I created a "before" and "after" survey for people to fill out. It was completely voluntary. I had a fairly good response (considering that it was conducted at my infrequently visited former message board). Now that I have been blogging for three years, I thought that I would post it here for anyone who might like to share their opinions/reactions to that movie.

If you haven't seen the movie, then fill out the first survey, rent and watch the movie, then come back and fill out the second survey.

Even if you have already seen the movie, you can still participate. Perhaps the impact of the movie upon you was so strong that you will instantly be able to recall your thoughts and feelings upon viewing it. If not, then rent it and watch it again.

You can copy and paste the survey(s) into the comment section, and then mark your responses to the questions. You can check only one answer, or as many as you think apply. Feel free to use your screen name, or, you may also post your answers anonymously.

God bless you during this Holy Weekend,

Christine

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First Survey (can fill out before viewing movie)


Age: ____


( ) Male
( ) Female

Ethnicity: (Optional)
( ) Caucasian/White
( ) African-American/Black
( ) Hispanic
( ) Asian
( ) Bi-racial
( ) Other
( ) N/A (no answer)

(1.) I currently consider myself as a(n):
( ) atheist (denies/dis-believes existence of God)
( ) agnostic (existence of God is unknown and unknowable)
( ) member of a non-Christian religion ______________ (fill in blank)
( ) Christian (any denomination) _______________(fill in blank)
( ) Born-again Christian
( ) not sure
( ) other ______________________ (fill in blank)

(2.) My current personal views about the Person of Jesus Christ are:
( ) He was a mythical person
( ) He was a historical person who once lived on the earth
( ) He was a good prophet but not the Son of God
( ) He was, and is, the Son of God
( ) He is my Lord and Savior, the eternal Son of God
( ) Not sure what I believe about Him
( ) other ____________________

(3.) My current personal views about the Bible are:
( ) It is all a myth
( ) It is just a book written by several men who claimed to be
prophets
( ) It is a good book with a mixture of truth and error
( ) It is allegory (representation of spiritual, moral meanings
through the actions of fictional characters that serve as
symbols)
( ) It is the Word of God because other people have told me this
( ) It is the Word of God, contains absolute truth, and is Gods'
eternal message to mankind
( ) other ________________________

(4.) Have you ever read and/or studied the Bible?
( ) No
( ) Never motivated to read it
( ) Parts of it (Read _____ / Studied _____ )
( ) Only the New Testament (Read _____ / Studied ______)
( ) Both the Old and New Testament (Read _____ /Studied _____ )
( ) Read it cover to cover (Read ____ / Studied ____ )
( ) other ___________________________

(5.) What is your religious background?
( ) Do not have a religious background
( ) Brought up in a non-Christian faith
( ) Brought up in Christian faith but left it for another religion
( ) Brought up in a Christian faith but now agnostic/atheist
( ) Brought up as a Christian and still am a Christian
( ) Born-again Christian as a child or, became one as an adult
( ) Other _____________________ (please specify)

(6.) What do you currently believe about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?
( ) It didn't happen; it's a myth
( ) I don't know what the crucifixion is
( ) It is a historical fact
( ) I have heard that he died for the sins of mankind but don't
personally believe this
( ) He died for the sins of mankind
( ) His sacrificial death on the cross was to cover the sins of mankind and to bridge the gap between Holy God and sinful man.
( ) other ______________________

(7.) What do you currently believe about the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
( ) It didn't happen; it is a myth
( ) I don't know what the Resurrection really is
( ) It can be explained away
( ) It is a historical fact
( ) The historical evidence proves that Christ rose from the
dead and is the living Son of God
( ) Biblical and historical evidence proves that Christ rose
from the dead and is the living Son of God
( ) other _______________________

(8.) What are you more likely to believe about the crucifixion,
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
( ) It didn't happen
( ) It may have happened but I don't know why
( ) It may be a fact of history but I don't believe in the reasons
why he died and rose again
( ) It may be a fact of history but it only matters to Christians
( ) The biblical account of this may be true but it doesn't matter
to me
( ) It was the ultimate act of love to save mankind from an
eternity separated from God
( ) other _________________________

(9.) What do you think was the reason WHY Jesus Christ died and
rose from the dead?
( ) It didn't happen
( ) It may have happened but I don't know why
( ) Haven't given this much thought
( ) It is only important to Christians
( ) I don't know why but would like to know
( ) It's about forgiveness of sin. Christ took my sins as his own through his death, and his rising from death showed that I will spend eternity with him.
( ) other _____________________


(10.) What do you currently believe (or know) about biblical prophecy - the ability for prophets from the Old Testament to accurately predict events that actually happened in the New Testament?
( ) I do not know anything about this
( ) It doesn't matter to me
( ) I have heard of this but could not cite any examples
( ) I am familiar with the prophecies about the Messiah
( ) I have studied the Bible and know about the prophecies about Jesus Christ
( ) I have studied the Bible, know and believe the prophecies written about Jesus Christ
( ) other _______________________

(11.) From what you have read or know about biblical prophecy, who (meaning, which person) do you think the prophecies regarding the Messiah in the Old Testament point to?
( ) I do not know
( ) It doesn't matter to me
( ) The Messiah has not yet come so couldn't answer this
( ) Someone other than Jesus Christ
( ) The prophecies point towards Jesus Christ but I don't personally believe in Him
( ) The prophecies accurately pointed to Jesus Christ and most were fulfilled by him during his earthly ministry, including his crucifixion, death, and resurrection
( ) other _________________________

(12.) Do you believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will happen some time in the future?
( ) I do not know
( ) I do not care
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) The Bible claims this will happen but I do not personally believe this.
( ) The Bible contains the absolute truth on this matter and it says that this is inevitable and I believe it to be true.
( ) other _________________________

(13.) What do you think happens after you die?
( ) Nothing - it is the end of existence
( ) Reincarnation
( ) The body dies but the soul lives on in eternity somewhere
( ) The body dies but the soul immediately lives on in eternity in one of two places, heaven (with God) or hell (separated from God) with the promise of a future bodily resurrection upon Christ's return
( ) I go to heaven because I was a good person here
( ) I do not know
( ) other _______________________

(14.) When/where did you first hear about Mel Gibsons' movie, "The Passion of the Christ?"
( ) This survey is how I first heard of it
( ) From the media, TV, newspapers, internet
( ) Someone told me about it
( ) At my church
( ) In the movie theater coming attractions
( ) other _______________________

(15.) Were you planning on seeing this movie before you were asked to participate in this survey?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Had not decided yet
( ) Only going to see it because of survey request
( ) I like to see all of Mel Gibsons' movies
( ) other ________________________

YOUR Additional Comments:


*******

Second Survey:

AGE: ____

Male: ____
Female: ____

(1.) I currently consider myself as a(n):

( ) atheist (denies/dis-believes existence of God)
( ) agnostic (existence of God is unknown and unknowable)
( ) member of a non-Christian religion ______________ (fill in blank)
( ) Christian (any denomination) _______________(fill in blank)
( ) Born-again Christian
( ) not sure
( ) other ______________________ (fill in blank)

(2.) After viewing the movie, "The Passion of the Christ," has your view changed about the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

( ) Yes
( ) No

Please explain: _______________________

(3.) From what you saw, heard and read via the subtitles, did the movie clearly show to you the reason WHY Jesus Christ suffered, died and rose from the dead?

( ) Yes
( ) No
( ) Other _____________________
Please explain: _______________________

(4.) Do you understand WHY Jesus had to die?

( ) Yes
( ) No
( ) Other ______________________
Please explain: ______________________

(5.) Was Jesus a victim or did he die voluntarily? If voluntarily, why would he do such a thing? What was accomplished by his death?

Please explain: _________________________




(6.) What do you think is the main message of "The Passion of the Christ."

Please explain: ___________________________


(7.) Did you understand the meaning and purpose of every scene that you saw? If no, state what you did not understand.

Please explain: ___________________________

(8.) Can you share the general reaction of the audience at the end of the movie?

Please explain: _____________________________


(9.) What type of audience was it?

( ) Secular audience
( ) My church provided private screenings of the movie and I attended one of the showings.
( ) Mixed audience
( ) Did not observe this
( ) Could not tell what type of audience I was in
( ) Other _____________________________


(10.) Did a pastor from a neighborhood church speak either before or after the screening you attended?

( ) Yes
( ) No
( ) Did not stay for this
( ) Not sure
( ) Other __________________________


(11.) Do you have an interest in finding out more information about Jesus Christ and the Word of God as a result of seeing this movie?

( ) Yes
( ) No
( ) Not sure
( ) Might consider this
( ) Other ______________________


(12.) Were you moved spiritually to consider the purpose of Jesus' death for you? If so, how?

Please explain: ________________________


(13.) Would you consider reading any articles that share additional information about Jesus Christ and what this movie could not show?

( ) Yes
( ) No
( ) Other _____________________

(14.) Do you have any additional questions that you would like answered?

( ) Yes
( ) No
( ) Other __________________________

Please list any questions: ________________________________

(15.) Would you like a link to a discussion forum where you can post comments/ questions/ reactions/ feelings about the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" with others who have participated in the surveys?

( ) Yes
( ) No
( ) Other __________________________

Your additional comments:

The Power of Christ's Cross

It is Good Friday. I plan to share an additional post after I attend the 12 noon Good Friday service at my neighborhood church today.

Sometimes I wonder what the Lord would have me write about on this day. The obvious, of course, is about Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. He took our place, took on our sins, was beaten, spat upon, nailed to a cross, stabbed in the side and left there, for 3 long, [correction: it was 6 ] excruciating hours, to die.

The brutality of Jesus' crucifixion was captured in the film, "The Passion of the Christ." Why was Jesus tortured, maimed, spit upon, beard torn, whipped beyond recognition, stabbed in the side, nailed to a cross, humiliated unto death? Because that is exactly what evil does. God allowed those forces of evil to do what they did in order to send us a message so strong that we couldn't possibly miss it.

The enemy of our souls has the goal of devouring us in our sin. He prowls around like a roaring lion, bringing along with him evil, sin and death. That very thing was conquered by Christ at the cross. Because he was the "sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world," he accomplished what no ordinary man could ever do. He kept the Law while on earth, then paid the penalty for our sin so that we would not suffer an eternity without him! He was bodily resurrected to life on that first Easter morning approximately 2,000 years ago, and that event changed the world forever.

Why would Jesus endure all of this for us? The Bible tells us, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Put another way through a popular Christian song that plays on the radio (speaking of Jesus' sacrifice), "You would rather die, than to ever live without me."

Powerful!

I heard a quip on K-Love radio yesterday. The man said, "people fall into two camps; those who know Jesus Christ and those who want to know Him."

Wow. Simple but profound. Even those who won't admit it, still want to know Him. Why? Because to know Him is to know God. Jesus was God in the flesh. That is why it is said in the Bible, "they shall call him Immanuel." "Immanuel" means "God with us."

When I typed "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, Lord" into google, 1,450,000 websites popped up. The Christian "fish" symbol called an "Ichthys" describes and represents who Jesus is.

Remember when John Lennon said he, and the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus Christ?" Type in "John Lennon" and 3,970,000 sites popped up. Was he correct that he is more popular than Jesus?

Nope.

Type in "Jesus Christ" and 32,300,000 sites pop up!

Type in "The Beatles" and 39,200,000 sites pop up. Maybe John was correct?

What does this prove?

Probably nothing.

But I do have a small point. The point is that people are seeking him, more than ever before, from all corners of the world, today.

Does the world need Jesus?

Absolutely.

We could post links all day that would show how the love of Christ needs to be shared so that the Holy Spirit of God can enter into the minds, hearts, souls, and spirits of truly desperate people out there.

This is why I think that President Bush is correct when he says that the hearts, minds and souls of the Islamic world must be permeated with the hope of freedom and liberty in order to stop the hate and jihad against the West.

People in the U.S. are so spoiled!! We live in comfort and safety for the most part, every day. It is not so in the Islamic world.

The left is correct when they say, "we can't keep killing all of them." I would agree. That is why the introduction of freedom and liberty to their people is so essential in this struggle! There are those who are too far gone and will never abandon their suicide/homicide jihadist mindset and goals. Thus, they will have to be killed.

Just like in the '40's when the kamikazi pilots from Japan had no regard for life (including their own), and happily carried out their suicidal/homicidal missions, the Islamic jihadists of today will fight to the death. Their goal is to take as many "infidels" with them as possible. They value death by jihad more than they value life itself. The brainwashing is so complete, that it's a "kill or be killed" scenario for our nation.

Recently, there has been news of the desire for some Democrats (not all, of course) to end the phrase, "Global War on Terror." The arguments against using such terminology range from the belief that it is "inaccurate" (and not believable) all the way to the usual mantra of "intolerance." Well, I visited a site from my blogroll today that I have not clicked on for several months. Go there and see all of the attacks that have been done, just in this new year of 2007 by Islamic Terrorists who are carrying out their deadly deeds under the banner of Jihad.

Those who would believe that there is no "global war on terror" truly have their heads in the sand.

It's as real, and even more deadly, than Communism and Nazi Fascism of the past!

It is today's battle between good and evil.

To not recognize the warning signs and attacks that are happening directly in front of our eyes each day would be ludicrous...to say the least.

Yet, there are people in our country today who don't think that the U.S.A. should fight against this growing threat. The "party of appeasement" Secular Progressives think that if we just "leave them alone, they will leave us alone" and we will have peace in the world. That is fantasy, idiotic and infantile; to say the least! Of course, people are entitled to their own opinion(s) just like I am entitled to mine. But I feel sorry for people who can't see this global battle against Islamic terrorism and fascism for what it truly is. EVIL.

When you visit The Religion of Peace website, be sure to click over and see this page at the Dr. Homa Darabi Foundation.

When Nancy Pelosi visited Syria, the left accused the right of "overreaction." But when you go here and see how horribly women are treated in the religious Muslim world, you may understand why seeing Pelosi, a Secular Progressive Liberal, Feminist, Woman's rights advocate, being forced to wear a head scarf while visiting there was so understandably upsetting and demeaning. You may disagree with me on this and that's O.K. It is only my opinion, of course. But I saw her entire visit as a sign of submission to the entire Islamic world...at least they will try and portray it as such. We will see the reactions over the next several weeks. But I really think that her visit sent a sign of weakness, not strength, from the U.S. in particular, and the West in general.

It may appear that I drifted away from my original post. In actuality, I didn't. I wanted to point out that our current "culture of death" was known, all along, of course, by God. The Bible predicts that we will one day reach the point where we will be on the brink of totally annihilating ourselves. At the point where the anti-Christ will be revealed and he sets himself up to be God in the re-built temple in Jerusalem, the ultimate battle of Armageddon will be fought. Just when it appears that the anti-Christ might gain total victory, Jesus Christ will return to save the day.

When Jesus died on the cross at Calvary, he conquered the eternal effects of sin and death. He told us that he will one day return. He also told us that "in this world you will have trouble...but take heart! For I have overcome the world." He accomplished this through his death for our sin and his resurrection to life! Before his ascension back to the Father he told us, "I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen." - Matthew 28:20

This is the hope that surpasses all understanding! No matter what happens to believers here on this earth, we have the eternal promise of God that because of what Jesus accomplished at the cross and through the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling each believer, we are his forever and "no one can snatch us out of his hands!"

That's the true hope of salvation and why we call this day "Good Friday." What the enemy of our souls meant for evil, God transformed into Good. He continues to do this in each of our lives every day.

My wonderful friend in Israel, Susan Smith, often asks in her newsletters, "Do you believe?"

We all need to ask ourselves that question. I would add, "Do you see Him working in your own life?" It is a marvelous thing! If you don't see him in your life, please go here, find out why not and make the necessary decision of your lifetime!!

The world usually has the attitude of, "I'll believe it when I see it." God's Word instructs us to 'believe, then you will see.' That is what faith is all about. It certainly matters in Whom you place your trust and faith.

Jesus asks each of us, "Who do you say that I am?"

What's your answer?

*******
Update: 10:59 a.m. PT

It will be time to leave for the Good Friday service soon. I thought I would check Technorati to see what others have posted about this most profound weekend in the history of the world.

Some links are wonderful and I will add them as I come across them. But I just found one link that truly made me sad! She doesn't know what she's missing!!!


So, it's Good Friday, huh?

[Update 4/11/09 - Apparently the post at the above link has been deleted. Perhaps the author discovered the link to this blog, read the TRUTH about Jesus Christ and had a change of heart? Hope so.]