Tag: cross

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Thoughts From the Cross

Christ on the crossHave you ever wondered what went through Jesus’ mind as He hung on the cross?  The gospel accounts tell us about the scorn of the soldiers, the hatred of the Jews, the fear of the apostles and the sorrow of Mary; but little is said of the mental state of Jesus Himself.

Fortunately, almost a full millennium before the death of Christ, David penned the soul stirring words of Psalm 22.  This powerful psalm eloquently relates Jesus’ perspective as He bled and died for humanity’s sin.  David writes, almost as if he were standing at the foot of the cross peering into the mind of the Savior.  His words give us a glimpse into Heaven’s point of view, and helps us to grasp the intense anguish of our Savior as He hung upon Calvary’s tree.

The Cry of the Savior (Psalm 22:1-5)

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  What a cry was made by our Lord and Savior.  One can only imagine the loneliness that Christ felt on Execution Hill.  The Lord made Him a sin offering, placing the whole of man’s sin upon His shoulders.  The weight of that sin must have been unbearable as Jesus knows that He had been ‘made to be sin’ for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) and that the eyes of God Almighty were too pure to even look upon Him (Habakkuk 1:13).  Yet despite His solitude, Jesus still gave reverence to His Father, “Yet, You are holy, O You are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.”  Psalm 22:3

The Rejection of the Savior (Psalm 22:6-13)

Can you imagine One who left behind the splendor of Heaven for our benefit, being treated with less respect than a worm?  Jesus, “…came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.”  John 1:22.  The Jews desecrated his dignity and sentenced Him to a death normally reserved for the lowest of the low.  David records, “But I am a worm and not a man; reproach of men and despised by the people…” (Psalm 22:6).  Jesus truly was ‘a man of sorrows’ (Isaiah 53:3)  He was hated, scorned, mocked, spat upon, beaten, rejected and ultimately crucified on behalf of the very men and women who despised Him…and some still do today.

The Crucifixion of the Savior (Psalm 22:14-18)

It is difficult to surmise a form of punishment more cruel and humiliating than crucifixion.  Though undeserving, our Savior suffered this torturous death at the hands of Roman soldiers.  As His body hung there, weakened from the beating just hours earlier, those who hated Jesus looked upon Him with a sadistic satisfaction.  They are described as dogs that enclosed Him and pierced Him; “For dogs have surrounded Me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet.” (vs. 16)  They laughed and mocked at Him, inflicting pain to the best of their limited abilities.  The spotless Lamb of God endured this for you and me.

The Deliverance of the Savior (Psalm 22:19-21)

In His hour of darkness, the Messiah found consolation and hope in His Father, our Lord. “But You, O Lord, be not far off, O Lord my help, hasten to my assistance.”  Psalm 22:19.  The Hebrew writer reveals that Christ offered up both prayers and supplications to the Lord (Hebrews 5:7).  Truly, to whom may we turn in times of extreme need?  Christ did not forsake His Father, neither did He despise Him during His hour of trail.  Rather, Christ called out to Him and placed His confidence in Him.  We, too, find our deliverance through Christ in God the Father.

Thanks to Terry Harmon (the former minister of the Flagler church of Christ in Flagler, Colorado) for once again sharing some thoughts about our Savior and His death on the cross.  Would that we come to better understand the cry of the Savior, His rejection and crucifixion on the cross so we can learn of the deliverance we have in Him.

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I Don’t Want to Experience That Again…Jan. 27th

The sermon title on Sunday morning (Jan. 27th) at Waterview church of Christ is entitled…“I Don’t Want to Experience That Again”.  Any thoughts on what Robert might have in mind?  Take a minute and look through the songs selection and maybe you can pull together the theme.  As the scripture says, “I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”

 

Sunday morning, January 27, 2013

Robert Oglesby has been the pulpit preacher at Waterview church of Christ since February, 1963.  You’re reading it correctly, Waterview is on the threshold of celebrating 50 years with him as our preacher.  May this congregation of God’s people continue to be strong in the Kingdom of God.  The following is a listing of our order of worship, and all song numbers are from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Awesome God” – 38

Our opening song on Sunday morning could be classified as a contemporary song (properly referred to as a ‘hymn’).  Do we truly realize the fact our God is awesome?  Not like your favorite movie or some famous person…only God should hold the title “Awesome”.

“We Praise Thee, O God” – 2

What reasons can you list as to why YOU praise God?  This old hymn, written during the time of our countries Civil War, provides 4 strong examples of why we should be praising God.  Look at the verses (all five)…is it really 4 reasons we praise God, or actually is there just one?

“In Christ Alone” – no book

Another contemporary song that has captured the hearts (and voices) of young and old alike.  As the song is sung, a story is woven that draws the Christian heart closer to God.  Where do you find your strength…your hope.  We sing with a sincere heart, “In Christ Alone”.  But don’t forget each verse and the power you’ll find as you sing the reassurance, “…til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”

“In Memory of the Savior’s Love” – to the tune of “Majestic Sweetness”

Two songs with the same meter…8.6.8.6 (also referred to as Common Meter or CM).  Read the words on page 335, but add the music from page 530.  This is a great way to refresh the message of the song by adding the notes from another.  Keep things fresh and avoid stagnation of the mind.  Singing by rote is a good way to learn, but a poor way to worship (in my opinion).

“Freely, Freely” – 635

What do you think it means to ‘freely give?’  As Christians we have been give so much…more than we could ever repay.  So with the gifts we so richly enjoy, do we think about how freely we are at giving back.  With this song being sung before we pass of the collection plate one would certainly assume we’re talking in monetary terms.  But what about your life?  Do you give not only money, but your actions, and your thoughts, and your words to God?

“My Only Hope is You” – no book

Another contemporary song (hymn) speaking toward the only One who can give us hope in this dark world.  Sin and despair are all around, and to many this life seems to be a hopeless journey.  But God’s people know that from early in the morning and until late at night we have hope…in Jesus!

“A New Creature” – 619

Penned by T.O. Chisholm and musically supported by L.O. Sanderson (members of the Lord’s church) this song clearly explains the new life we can have in Christ.  “Buried with Christ (baptism)…I am dead to the world.”  So examine your life and see if indeed “…Christ lives in me.”

“God Is Calling the Prodigal” -no book

An old invitation song that we no longer find in the hymnal “Song of Faith & Praise”.  But just because an editor doesn’t include a song that is Biblical and scriptural doesn’t mean we toss it out of our repertoire.  We all have wandered away (some intentionally others haphazardly), and all the while God is calling us to return; “…weary prodigal come!”

“The Way of the Cross Leads Home” -616

As we close our worship service on Sunday morning we’ll sing to remind each other and encourage those who are lost to ‘bid farewell’ to the world and seek your home with God.  The way home is easy; follow the cross.

So what’s uncomfortable about all this?  What would you not want to ‘experience again?’  See you Sunday morning!

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He Could Have…But He Didn’t

Undoubtedly you have sung this song as you prepared your mind for communion.  The song that begins… “They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed.  They lead Him through the streets in shame.  They spat upon the Savior, so pure and free from sin; they said, ‘Crucify Him,’ He’s to blame.”

The author, Ray Overholt, wrote this song in 1959, and he found his inspiration in the scriptures, Matthew 26:52, 53.  As the soldier’s came in to arrest Christ in the garden He spoke to His disciples and said, ‘Put your sword back into its place…’.  As you read the text you will see that one of the disciples was willing to stand up and fight for the Master.  Peter wasn’t going down without fighting, and in his resolve, he attempted to take off the head of the slave of the high priest.  But the life of the slave, Malchus, was spared (and perhaps changed) as Peter was only able to cut off his ear.  But Jesus is true to form and after telling Peter to put away his sword gives this admonition; “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”

For just a minute think about what Jesus said, “…He (God) will at once put at My (Jesus) disposal more than twelve legions of angels…”.  Did you pick up on that number; twelve legions of angels!  How many angels are we actually talking about?  By definition, a Roman legion would total 6,000 troops.  So consider the math within Christ’s statement; twelve legions is 12 x 6,000.  It doesn’t take much to realize Christ was saying to His disciples (you have to know the Roman soldiers were listening too) that He had an army that totaled MORE than 72,000 troops.  Perhaps a more fitting title for this song (instead of Ten Thousand Angels) would have been, Seventy-two Thousand Angels.  Christ had at His command a Holy army that could have obliterated mankind.  It’s clear to me that the chorus of this song rings true; “…to destroy the world and set Him free.”

But as we consider the vastness of this angelic army, let’s look at an Old Testament account concerning God’s ‘angels in battle.’  In II Samuel chapter 24:1-17, David calls for a census of God’s people.  After the ‘count is taken’, which doesn’t please God, David feels remorse and repents saying;  “I have sinned greatly in what I have done.  But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”  God gives David a choice in his punishment (an interesting study in and of itself) and David chooses three days of pestilence.  The anger of the Lord was demonstrated when He sent a pestilence (an angel) to destroy 70,000 men from among the people; ‘from Dan to Beersheba’.  Did you follow that account?  If ONE angel could destroy 70,000 men; how many men would have fallen if Christ had called “12 legions” of angels?  Some historians estimated that the combined eastern and western Roman Empire during AD 300-400 include no more than 50–60 million people.  (In case you didn’t receive your degree in Mathematics…the fatality number, had Christ called 12 legions of angels, would have been over 5 Billion!)

We must never forget the basis behind this historical account in Matthew 26.  Christ could have walked away from Golgotha’s hill.  He didn’t need a man wielding a sword cutting slaves up one ear at a time.  Christ, the King of Kings, could have saved Himself the insult of soldier’s slapping Him and spitting in His face.  He could have called in the reserves and laid waste to millions, even billions, of human life with His mighty, angelic army. Why didn’t He?  What kept Him from taking mankind out?  To me, the answer is found in the chorus of the song Ten Thousand Angels.  Sing it again and remember why; “…but He died alone, for you and me.”

He Could Have Called THOUSANDS of angels…He could have, but He didn’t.