Celebrate Easter Big -- Lent: Day 34

Scripture – Mark 10:42-45

JESUS statement at the end of the scripture is amazing to me:  “Even the SON of MAN did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (v. 45).”  We often talk about serving JESUS but JESUS says He did not come for that purpose.  He came to serve by sacrificing Himself in our place.

His ultimate act of service was intentional.  He came into this world for that purpose.  JESUS did not come to earth for other reasons and then get caught up in a plot that resulted in His death.

JESUS knowingly walks into the jaws of suffering and death (v. 33-34).  Everyone seemed to be so excited thinking something tremendously wonderful is about to happen.  But JESUS paints a very different picture.

JESUS is choosing to suffer.  He is choosing to die.  He is participating intentionally in His own execution for the purpose of giving His life as a ransom for many – to release us from bondage.  JESUS is paying what we cannot pay so that we might be set free.  JESUS is substituting Himself for us and at the cost of His life we receive freedom (v. 45).

The issue isn’t so much our sins; the issue is SIN . . . the Adamic nature . . . our sin nature.  JESUS did not see us as occasionally sinning, but as under the power of sin.  We are slaves of sin and we need to be ransomed from its power. Paul also speaks about this in Romans 7:15-25.  Also in Genesis 4:7 sin is personified . . . “sin is crouching at the door . . . .”

Paul speaks many times about the results of JESUS’ paying our ransom:  Romans 5:8 --“While we were yet sinners CHRIST died for us:” Romans 5:9—“We were justified by His blood;” Romans 5:10--“We were reconciled to GOD;” Galatians 5:1—we were given freedom; Romans 8:1—we are no longer condemned.

One of the great descriptions of the result of JESUS paying our ransom is seen in John 15.  We see in these versus that we become His disciples . . . we become JESUS’ friends.  I love that concept . . . “I am a friend of JESUS.”   WOW!  The greatest evidence of all that we are truly a friend is our willingness to die for our friend.  JESUS proved His point on Calvary!

I’m sitting at my table alone . . . it is very quiet . . . except for the sound of wind chimes . . . I don’t even hear the birds . . . it is an eerie silence . . . what is this strange feeling . . . ?

JESUS is Risen . . . !

Richard Holloman

Celebrate Easter Big -- Lent: Day 33

Scripture – Galatians 6:11-18

In v. 11 we see Paul wants his readers to understand the significance of what he is about to say (He’s typing in CAPS & BOLD print!).  Then in v. 12 Paul speaks boldly and with uncalculated risk.  Even in his day a segment of believers were striving to make a “good showing in the flesh” by “compelling others to be circumcised.  Many Christians do the same thing today as we take our focus off the cross of CHRIST and the demands of the authentic GOSPEL OF JESUS and put it on religious busyness and works.

Like Tommy Roe I can sing:  Dizzy, I'm so dizzy my head is spinning . . .Like a whirlpool it never ends!  As long as we are busy with our religious activity we don’t have to think about what JESUS is calling us to . . . a life of death, denial, and cross bearing. 

Here we are in the midst of the holiest season of all, approaching the most foundational spiritual and historical event in the entire history of the world and we are busy doing our normal religious activities unaware of the tragedy of this misplaced energy. 

And as we continue to busy ourselves with our everyday church activity we escape the “persecution of the cross.”  The cross is dark, bloody, messy, and calls for our death.  We don’t want to deal with such things.  But as we ignore the cross bearing we miss the glory, the power, and the celebratory grandeur of the resurrection . . . even the resurrection becomes mundane to us.

We have the advantage of knowing the outcome of Passion Week and we have opportunity to prepare ourselves to CELEBRATE EASTER BIG but we risk missing it.  Has the suffering of the cross, the bloodiness of the cross, the death, burial, and resurrection  become mundane to us?   Has Easter become just another holiday for us?

In v.13 Paul says these religious busybodies “do not even keep the Law themselves.”  They would rather focus on their church growth figures and evangelistic recruits so they can boast in the flesh of those they have conquered.

Then Paul brings us back to what is most important:  “May it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our LORD JESUS CHRIST (v. 14).”  None of the things that keep us so busy during this season matter.  The only thing that really matters is that we are “a new creation” in CHRIST JESUS (v. 15) and that is possible because of the true meaning of Easter:  GOD has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of GOD through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5).

CHURCH . . . STOP EVERYTHING AND FOCUS!   

JESUS IS Risen . . . !

Richard Holloman 

Celebrate Easter Big -- Lent: Day 32

Scripture:  Galatians 1:3-5

Wesley Hill has written a good book called, “Washed and Waiting.”  “Washed” is a reference to 1 Corinthians 6:11:  “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and by the Spirit of our GOD.  “Waiting” is a reference to Romans 8:23, 25:  “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies . . . . If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Many of the Lenten devotionals I have written have centered on the redemptive work of GOD in us through what JESUS accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection.  We have been “washed.”  But we are still residing in this fallen and broken world as aliens in a foreign land (1 Peter 2:11).  So we are “waiting” for the day when we will arrive to our eternal home.

The present age is an evil age because sin has such a grip on our lives and because Satan is allowed so much power.  Did you know unbelievers can have their minds blinded by “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4)?  That’s one reason why we must be very careful in judging others.  Believers can also be blinded and deceived by the Enemy.  That’s why a great percentage of believers can walk in pride and self-righteousness and not even be aware of it (1 John 2:11).

But the good news is that for those of us who are believers, the rescue has begun (Colossians 1:13).  We have “tasted the powers of the age to come” (Hebrews 6:5).  Paul said, “If anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I love Galatians 5:1:  “It was for freedom that CHRIST set us free (it is a completed act, it is an on-going process, and it will culminate in our new home) . . . .”

JESUS is Risen . . . !

Richard Holloman

Celebrate Easter Big – Lent:  Day 31     

Scripture:  Romans 8:1-4:

Paul begins chapter 8 with the word “Therefore” because in chapter 7 he was crying out, “Wretched man that I am!  Who will set me free from the body of this death?”  Then he answers himself in verse 25:  “Thanks be to GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD!

So here it is, the good news:  “Therefore,” because of what GOD accomplished through the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in CHRIST JESUS (Romans 8:1).”  In JESUS there is freedom from the power of sin.  We are not yet perfect and while living in this world it is not yet final freedom, but it is decisive and irrevocable freedom (v. 2).

We did not receive acquittal because our lives have changed.  Our lives are changing because we have been justified.  There isn’t anything left for us to do in order to earn acquittal.  GOD did it all (v. 3).

GOD didn’t simply criticize sin and call it condemnable.  Through the atoning work of JESUS in His suffering and dying body on the cross GOD executed a final sentence of condemnation on the sin of everyone who is in CHRIST.

JESUS never sinned.  Of all the people who have ever lived, JESUS is the only One who did not deserve to die.  JESUS is the only person who ever lived who did not deserve to suffer.  But He did and He did so in our place . . . instead of us.

JESUS was “delivered over because of our transgressions” (Romans 4:25); “CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3); JESUS “gave Himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:4).   

It was our sin that was being condemned and sentenced and punished completely and fully and finally and I will not be punished for it ever again.  And so we sing:

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that he died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul, I come to him,
He'll never cast me out.

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's name,
Salvation through his blood.

My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost he came to save;
For me his precious blood he shed,
For me his life he gave.

JESUS is Risen . . . !

Richard Holloman

Celebrate Easter Big -- Lent: Day 30

Scripture: John 1:19-34

                         

In this passage we see John the Baptist appearing as, “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the LORD (Isaiah 40:3-5).’”  John is declaring, “The One I am speaking of comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie (v. 25-27).”

But then in verse 29 we read the most important declaration made by John in this passage:  “Behold, the Lamb of GOD who takes away the sin of the world!”  No ordinary human being can “take away the sin of the world.”

In 1 John 3:5 John states:  “He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.”  The lambs offered in sacrifice to take away sin in the Old Testament had to be spotless and without blemish (Leviticus 4:32-35).  But we know that the blood of animals could not really take away sin (Hebrews 10:4).  That whole Old Testament system was pointing forward to what would happen someday in a final sacrifice for sin.  And John the Baptist is saying:  It’s happening now!  GOD is sending His own Lamb into the world to take away sin, once and for all.

What qualified JESUS for this humanly impossible act?  JESUS was not born of two humans.  He was the GOD-man because GOD ordained that the way the Word would become flesh would be through a virgin birth (Luke 1:30-35).  JESUS never inherited the “spiritual DNA” of the fallen man Adam.  He was conceived by HOLY SPIRIT.  And the unbelieving world says, “Yea!  Right!  Foolish gibberish!

The GOD-man would die like a lamb dies—slaughtered (Revelation 5:6, 9, 12; 13:8).  As a result the whole world would benefit from this; not just the Jews.  This GOD-man is the Jewish Messiah (John 1:41) but He is also the Savior for all who would believe . . . “to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).”

The message of Easter is this:  There is only one way to have sin taken away and to become right with GOD (John 14:6) . . . “for unless you believe that I Am He, you will die in your sins (JESUS—John 8:24).”

JESUS is Risen . . . !

Richard Holloman

Celebrate Easter Big -- Lent: Day 29

Scripture:  Romans 5:12-21

Today we will continue looking at Paul’s teaching on justification (just-as-if-I-have-never-sinned).  Paul is contrasting our death “in Adam” with our life “in CHRIST.”  Adam’s sin (Original Sin) brought separation from GOD and death to all the descendants of Adam, which is all of us.  JESUS death, burial, and resurrection purchased our redemption which brought reconciliation between GOD and all of us who are “in CHRIST.”

Redemption is not automatic for everyone.  It is reserved only for those who believe the GOSPEL OF CHRIST and who receive the offer of grace from GOD (v. 17).

The Law of GOD was given to clearly show us the impossibility of our capacity to make ourselves justified or righteous before a holy GOD (Galatians 3:10-29).  Throughout this passage Paul contrasts the work of Adam and CHRIST—between their deeds and the consequences of those deeds.

Because of The Fall (Original Sin) all of us have been born with a sin-nature.  The part of us that connects us with GOD and with our eternal existence—our spirit—died.  We are all descendants of our father Adam and we have inherited Adam’s “spiritual DNA.” 

But the good news of the GOSPEL OF CHRIST is that our old sin-nature was crucified with JESUS and was buried with JESUS (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6).  But we who are “in CHRIST” have been born again or born of the Spirit (John 3).  Therefore, we were also “in CHRIST” when He was resurrected and our spirit was restored to life (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6).  Because of this redemptive work of JESUS, those of us who believe in Him are no longer descendants of Adam but we are now descendants of JESUS and we have inherited JESUS’ “spiritual DNA” (Romans 6).

 

The true measure that shows we have inherited the “spiritual DNA” of JESUS in seen in the fruit we bear (Galatians 5:16-26).  This is not the same as works or behavior.  Spiritual fruit is “vine life” and “branch life (John 15:1-17).  It is not the duty of the branch to try its hardest to produce fruit.  Branches simply abide in the vine, and the fruit-bearing takes place as a normal process. 

This is the work of HOLY SPIRIT “life-ing” out the life of JESUS within us and through us.  It is not our work.  Our work is to abide . . . to rest . . . in the completed redemptive work of JESUS.  This is the story of Easter!

JESUS is Risen . . . !

Richard Holloman

Celebrate Easter Big -- Lent: Day 28

Scripture:  Romans 5:1-11

In our corporate worship service this past Sunday at Restoration Church, Nashville, TN, one of our children read through Romans 5.  Oh the sweetness and innocence of the Father’s little children.  The scripture read by this dear little daughter of Our Heavenly Father pierced the very fiber of my being.  Then, this morning during our staff meeting our pastor, not aware of the reading Sunday since he was serving in the nursery (isn’t that cool!), read from the very same passage!  I sensed this is confirmation that the LORD would have me write a couple of Lenten devotionals from this scripture.  Today we will look at vv. 1-11 and tomorrow vv. 12-21.

 

In this passage Paul is dealing with the doctrine of justification.  But don’t get lost in the theological terminology. 

Think of the term “justification” like this . . . “just-as-if-I-have-never-sinned!”  If you are a follower of JESUS and you believe the GOSPEL OF JESUS with your heart this is how GOD the FATHER receives you and this is how He sees you!  You are not a “sinner saved by grace.”  You are a justified righteous son/daughter of GOD who happens to deal with sinful temptations while living in this foreign and broken world.  There is a very big different in those statements.

Now we have “peace with GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST (V. 1).  Before our redemption we were enemies of GOD and we were at war with GOD.  That conflict has been resolved once and for all!

Verse 2 describes the confidence that we now have that all of GOD’s purposes will be accomplished through the completed redemptive work of JESUS.  Then in the following versus Paul describes suffering that we may go through and how the LORD even works through those things to complete His redemptive plans for each of us in CHRIST JESUS.

Paul also shows the extent of GOD’s love for us in the fact that JESUS died for us when there was nothing that evoked that love.  Then, if that wasn’t enough to get us caught up into wild reckless worship Paul speaks about the absolute assurance that His redemptive work is a complete done deal:  “we shall be saved from the wrath of GOD . . . we were reconciled to GOD through the death of His Son” (vv. 9-10).  Then, again in v. 10:  “having been reconciled (it has already happened in JESUS), we shall be saved by His life” . . . because JESUS has been resurrected!

Our redemption is secured for all of eternity because it was accomplished by the sinless, perfect, holy Son of GOD.  It is not dependent upon your or me!  PRAISE GOD!

JESUS is Risen . . . !

Richard Holloman