April 19
Josh 19:1-20:9 | PS 88:1-18 | Prov 13:12-14 | Luke 19:28-48
For many, they are finished with their obligatory twice yearly church attendance: Christmas and Easter. Many are going because they always go, or for tradition's sake, or because they are strong-armed by one of their loved ones. They get nothing out of it, because they expect nothing from it. In their minds they get their sticker for going while completely disregarding every aspect about it. They care less if there is a pride flag hanging from the entrance, though this is utterly godless from a Scriptural standpoint. They fail to notice the large godless thermometer hanging outside the church showing the progress of the latest fund-drive. Even if the pastor/priest recites mindless words, they care less since they come not really paying much attention to the words anyway. They don't move one degree closer to God because they go not expecting to be moved. Of course this is a generalization, for there are those who are truly seeking. Notice Jesus' response in Luke 19:45-46, "Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”" Jesus was well aware that the people were blinded often because the place of worship itself was corrupt and fallen from the way to find Him.
Jesus, our King, was in their midst, and the vast majority failed to see Him for who He is. Jesus said in Luke 19:42, “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes." He availed Himself to all, in His sacrifice He paid for all of their sins, therein lies our peace, our only really living hope, but the majority failed to see then and fail to see now. Many will miss their opportunity due to willful ignorance, due to pride, due to the busyness of life, etc., but Jesus clarifies their position in 19:44, "...because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation." Please look for Jesus in His Word, the Bible. Others might lead you to it, churches might help you serve Him, but realize religion can fail you, but a true bonafide relationship through His Son, Jesus Christ, through His Word, will never fail you, as we read in Luke 19:47-48, "After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said."
Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday form the foundation of our hope. They are not secular, traditional holidays. They have been largely perverted from their true meaning with the introduction of one pagan tradition after another. Bunnies, eggs, recipes, etc. have nothing to do with our Savior's sacrifice for us on Good Friday, the perfect Man, the sinless Lamb, which alone was able to pay the price for our sins. It was accomplished when He cried out from the cross, "It is finished" in John 19:30. Having freed us from the bondage of sin, He conquered death when He rose from the grave that Resurrection Sunday, revealing His deity for all the world. For those of us who do get it, may we make it real to those around us who do not understand. May we not trivialize another holiday season. So great is this event that it is hard to take it all in and understand the depth of the love of Jesus. But all He did, He indeed did for love for us. Praise Him! Exalt Him!
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: