InArant

Matthew 27:40-42

40″Save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. 42″He saved others, he cannot save himself.”

Man’s way: Save yourself. show your power.
God’s way: Lay down your life. Show meek submission to the Father.

Your ways are good and wise! I have so much to learn about them. Fill me with your Spirit, that, contrary to my natural man-thinking, I walk and live submitted to the Father. AMEN!

Matthew 27:26 And having scourged Jesus, delivered to be crucified.

Wouldn’t crucifixion be enough? Why this cruel whipping? Why the crown of thorns? The spitting, the mocking, the striking? Never, in all of history was one so unworthy of such cruel treatment.

O! What love! This deep and terrible suffering reveals the extent of Gods effort to save mankind. It saves me to the uttermost.

My heart is moved with sorrow, yet filled with joy and wonder, as I ponder this scene. Remind me often, Lord Jesus.

Matthew 25: 32-46 32…and he will separate the sheep from the goats.

Jesus explains the difference of those who are his; the sheep, and those who are not; the goats.

I am struck by many insights in these words. I am his sheep. What are the sheep like? What makes them different from the goats?
Kindness and Compassion for others.
even for the least – for those who can do nothing in return.

Make me like that in an increasing measure, Jesus, my shepherd. AMEN

Matthew 26: 7-10 A woman..came..with..very expensive ointment, and poured it on his head..

This woman had greater love and insight than the disciples. This act of lavish love and sacrifice was an act of worship and expressed the value and inexpressible worth of this person, Jesus Christ.

Lavish worship and sacrifice to Jesus is never wasted. I worship you, Jesus. You are worthy. O, that my life be poured out for you!

Matthew 26:15 Judas…said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

The heart of Judas was set on personal gain, his own earthly wealth and selfish desire, so much so, that he betrayed his only hope, for money.

A stark reminder to me of the danger of greed and desire for selfish gain. It could turn my heart. Lord Jesus, you are my life, my security,-not money. Let me not ever forget that.

Matthew 26: 27-28 “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

His blood – poured out – that many – all who drink are forgiven. All and many. All the Israelites who applied the blood to the doorposts were saved from Gods wrath, and many firstborn were spared. Not so in Egypt. Death and sorrow everywhere. No protection. Only loss.

I drink of you, Lord Jesus. My soul, my life is covered by your blood, your forgiveness. I am reconciled to God. My heart rejoices with gratefulness and awe at what you have done. At the same time, I grieve for those without Jesus, and without hope. May I invite them to come, drink, and live! AMEN

 Dear blog readers,

Christ Community Church has a new website. Hopefully you will find www.cccomaha.org to be useful for all things up and coming at CCC. One of the necessary changes was to move this blog. To continue to receive updates, please subscribe using the following link:

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Thank you,

Greg Nunamaker
Web Manager
Christ Community Church

Matthew 23: 8-11 You are not to be called rabbi…call no man your father… Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Natural, earthly men like titles. The only deserving one for a name of honor is Christ Jesus, our Teacher. We are to serve. (v11)

Funny how even minor titles of recognition can be important to me-like President of a company, Elder, or whatever.

Lord I let it all go, and come before you with all I am, nothing of worth except what you have done in me. Today I want to serve you and others under your instruction and authority. AMEN

Matthew 22:45,46 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son? And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him anymore questions.

Jesus can ask questions that we can not answer, but he has the answer to every question.

Let me not think that the kindness and gentleness of Jesus makes him any less the authority. There was not one single question that he did not answer with profound wisdom. He still does, through His work and by His Spirit.

Lord Jesus, Wisdom of God, I worship you, and am in awe of all that you are! AMEN!

Matthew 22:37 And he (Jesus) said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

God first, God embraced, God adored, God obeyed, God esteemed, God pursued, God worshiped, and much more of all love means.

I love you Lord, You know I do. but my love is weak and pitiful, and unworthy of You. Stir in me, Lord. Grow in me. Make my love a growing flame that never goes out. AMEN