Bible Study: Passion Week: Day # 2 Part 2

Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and ascension

Jesus' Burial:       Part 2

DAY 2:       Sharing More

 

When Jesus came out of that grave several days later, it was no hoax or fabricated story. In addition to all the people who saw Him die on the Cross, the following individuals and groups verified that His dead body was in the tomb before the stone was permanently sealed by an officer from the Roman court of law:

Joseph of Arimathea carefully laid Him inside the tomb.

Nicodemus provided the embalming solutions, assisted in embalming Him, and helped Joseph of Arimathea lay Him in His place in the tomb.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, lovingly examined His body and carefully contemplated every aspect of the burial site to ensure everything was done properly and respectfully.

Rome's official officer ordered the stone rolled back. Then he went into the tomb and examined the body of Jesus to verify that it was Jesus and that He was really dead. The chief priests and elders entered the tomb with Rome's official officer so they could look upon Jesus' dead body and put an end to their worries that He had somehow survived. Roman guards checked the contents of the tomb because they wanted to know for sure a body was there. They didn't want to be guarding an empty tomb that would later be used as a claim of resurrection, while they got blamed for the disappearance of Jesus' body. After all of these inspections were complete, Rome's official officer ordered the stone rolled back in its place. While the chief priests, elders, and Roman guards watched, he secured the site and sealed it shut with the seal of the governor of Rome. Regardless of all these efforts to secure the site and to keep Jesus inside the grave, it was impossible for death to hold Him. When preaching on the day of Pentecost, Peter proclaimed to the people of Jerusalem, "…Ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain [Jesus]: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it" (Acts 2:23,24).

Today the tomb in Jerusalem is empty because Jesus arose on the third day! Now He is seated on His throne at the right hand of the Father on High, where He ever lives to make intercession for you and for me (Hebrews 7:25). That means we never have to struggle alone. At any time of the day or night, we can come boldly before the throne of grace and ask for divine assistance (Hebrews 4:16).

There is no mountain in your life God cannot move. So make your requests known to Him, confidently expecting Him to move on your behalf. As you do, you will receive supernatural grace to help in time of need.

Think About It:

The purpose of the seal on Jesus' tomb was to authenticate that He was indeed dead and to secure the site. Pilate's soldiers, as well as the chief priests and elders, inspected Jesus' body to verify He was truly dead.

Notice the ignorance and arrogance that led men to believe they had controlled and contained the Son of God. Are there any areas of your life that you have kept sealed and secure in an attempt to prevent God from stirring you to change?

The religious leaders recalled that Jesus said He would rise from the dead. They heard the truth but did not comprehend its significance.

Think about all that Jesus declared about Himself during His walk on this earth, and consider all He has spoken to you personally. Do you truly believe Jesus? Have you taken the time to meditate on the significance of His words?

Jesus was the Father's promise of hope for mankind. When He died and was then buried, creation was shocked and His disciples were devastated. But God raised Jesus to new life. What seemed to be the end was actually only the beginning.

Flip through the pages of your own life's story. What promise from God to you seems now incapable of coming to pass? What hope or dream in your life have you buried? Consider the power of the One who raised Jesus from the dead. Then, like Jesus, commit yourself into the hands of the One who makes all things new. He is faithful. Will you trust Him?

1 John 3:16 (NKJV) states, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren…." What are some ways you can lay down your life for others?

Jesus paid the price for your salvation, for your liberation, for your physical healing, and for your complete restoration. When the price for your forgiveness was complete, Jesus bowed His head and died. God's justice had been fulfilled. The Old Covenant had ended, and the New Covenant had begun. It was the fulfillment of one and the beginning of another.

Think of the price Jesus paid and what His death accomplished for you. Doesn't it make you want to stop for a few minutes to thank Him for what He has done for you? Where would you be today if Jesus had not died on the Cross for you? Why don't you take a little time right now to express your heartfelt thanksgiving to Jesus for paying the debt you never could have paid!

 

Seven Last Sayings of Jesus:  # 3

John 19:26–27: "Woman, behold your son. Son Behold your mother."

 

This Third Word from the Cross also reveals the relationship of Jesus with his disciple John, the one who had been closest to him. It didn't require a long explanation for John to know what was meant. We read that from that hour John took Mary into his own home. The question might be raised, "But why was not Mary committed into the care of one of her other children?" The answer is probably because they as yet hadn't received him by a living faith. John was ready and acted without hesitation. It has been said that this Word from the Cross is the least theological, but practical application of the gospel must never be separated from its message. It is only as theory is translated into practice that relationship with Christ becomes a living reality. This Word tells us that there's love for you in the cross, and it's a love which having been received, is to be shared with others.

 

Day 2                   QUESTIONS:

 

1. What was the Jewish feast which was being celebrated the week Christ was crucified?

2. When Jesus entered Jerusalem during what is known as His Triumphal Entry, what animal was He riding on?

3. Why is the Sunday before the resurrection called Palm Sunday?

4. Which disciple cut off the ear of the high priest's servant in an attempt to protect Jesus from being taken as a prisoner?

5. What was the name of the high priest's servant who had his ear cut off by the disciple and subsequently reattached by Jesus?

6. How many times did Peter deny Christ after the abandoned the Lord?

7.  How many pieces of silver did Judas trade the life of Jesus for?

8. How did Judas identify Jesus to the soldiers?

9. In repentance Judas returned the money to the priests that he was given as the price of betrayal of the Lord and then did what?

10. The priests took the money that Judas had returned to them and did what with it?

11. Who was surprisingly released before Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to death?

 

Multiple Choices:

1). Where did they lay Jesus to rest after his death?

          A) On a hill

          B) In a tomb

          C) In a garden

          D) In His mother's house

2). The word Sphragidzo means

          A) Respect the corpse

          B) The sealing of tombs

          C) Authority to bury

          D) Place on a hill

3). When the price for your forgiveness was complete, Jesus bowed His head and

 

          A) Prayed

          B) Wept

          C) Died

          D) Look upon the people

Bible Study: Passion Week: Day # 2

Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and ascension

Jesus' Burial:       Part 1

DAY 2:

 

(Excerpt from the book Paid in Full.)

 

John's Gospel tells us that near the crucifixion site was a garden. The Greek word for "garden" is kepos, and it refers to any garden with trees and spices. It can also be translated as an orchard. The same word is used in  John 18:1 to describe the Garden of Gethsemane, which was an olive tree orchard.

All four Gospels suggest that this tomb was near the place where Jesus was crucified, but John 19:42 says, "…The sepulchre was nigh at hand." The word "nigh" is the Greek word aggus, meaning nearby. Most crucifixions were performed along a roadside. Evidently this garden was located in an orchard-like place, just down the road from where Jesus was crucified.

John 19:41 tells us that in the garden was "…a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid." The word "new" is the Greek word kainos, meaning fresh or unused. This doesn't necessarily mean that the tomb had recently been made but that it was a tomb that had never been used — thus, the reason John writes, "…Wherein was never man yet laid."

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record that this tomb belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, suggesting that it was the tomb he had prepared for his own burial. The fact that it was a tomb "hewn out in the rock" (Matthew 27:60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53) confirms the personal wealth of Joseph of Arimathea. Only royalty or wealthy individuals could afford to have their tombs carved out of a wall of stone or in the side of a mountain. Poorer men were buried in simple graves.

The word "hewn" in Matthew, Mark, and Luke comes from the Greek word laxeuo, meaning not only to cut out, but to polish. It implies that it was a special tomb, a highly developed tomb, a refined tomb, or a tomb that was splendid and expensive. Isaiah 53:9 had prophesied that the Messiah would be buried in a rich man's tomb, and the word laxeuo strongly suggests that this was indeed the expensive tomb of a very rich man.

John 19:42 says, "There laid they Jesus…." The word "laid" comes from the word tithimi, which means to set, to lay, to place, to deposit, or to set in place. As used here, it portrays the careful and thoughtful placing of Jesus' body in its resting place inside the tomb. Luke 23:55 tells us that after Jesus' body was placed in the tomb, the women who came with Him from Galilee "…beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid." The word "beheld" in Greek is theaomai, from which we get the word theater. The word theaomai means to gaze upon, to fully see, or to look at intently. This is very important, for it proves the women inspected the tomb, gazing upon the dead body of Jesus to see that it had been honorably laid in place.

Mark 15:47 identifies these women as Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses and says that these women "…beheld where he was laid" at the tomb. The imperfect tense is used in Mark's account, alerting us to the fact that these women took their time in making sure Jesus was properly laid there. It could be translated, "they carefully contemplated where he was laid." If Jesus had still been alive, those who buried Him would have known it, for they spent substantial time preparing His body for burial. Then after His dead body was deposited into the tomb, they lingered there, checking once again to see that the body was treated with the greatest love and attention.

Once they were certain everything was done correctly, Joseph of Arimathea "…rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed" (Matthew 27:60; Mark 15:46). It was rare to find a stone entrance to a Jewish tomb in biblical times; most Jewish tombs had doors with certain types of hinges. A large stone rolled before the tomb would be much more difficult to move, making the burial site more permanent.

However, the chief priests and Pharisees weren't so sure that the site was secure. Fearing that Jesus' disciples would come to steal the body and claim that Jesus had been resurrected, the Jewish leaders came to Pilate and said, "…Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first" (Matthew 27:63,64).

When the chief priests and Pharisees asked that "…the sepulchre be made sure…," the Greek word sphragidzo is used. This word described a legal seal that was placed on documents, letters, possessions, or, in this case, a tomb. Its purpose was to authenticate that the sealed item had been properly inspected before sealing and that all the contents were in order. Aslong as the seal remained unbroken, it guaranteed that the contents inside were safe and sound. In this case, the word sphragidzo is used to signify the sealing of the tomb. In all probability, it was a string that was stretched across the stone at the entrance of the tomb, which was then sealed on both sides by Pilate's legal authorities.

Before sealing the tomb, however, these authorities were first required to inspect the inside of the tomb to see that the body of Jesus was in its place. After guaranteeing that the corpse was where it was supposed to be, they rolled the stone back in place and then sealed it with the official seal of the governor of Rome.

After hearing the suspicions of the chief priests and Pharisees, "Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can" (Matthew 27:65). The word "watch" is the Greek word coustodia, from which we get the word custodian. This was a group of four Roman soldiers whose shift changed every three hours. The changing shifts assured that the tomb would be guarded 24 hours a day by soldiers who were awake, attentive, and fully alert. When Pilate said, "Ye have a watch…," a better rendering would be, "Here — I'm giving you a set of soldiers; take them and guard the tomb."

Matthew 27:66 says, "So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." Wasting no time, the chief priests and elders hastened to the tomb with their government-issued soldiers and the special officers assigned to inspect the tomb before placing Pilate's seal upon it. After a full inspection had been made, the stone was put back in place, and the soldiers stood guard to protect the tomb from anyone who would attempt to touch it or remove its contents. Every three hours, new guards arrived to replace the old ones. These armed soldiers guarded the entrance to Jesus' tomb so firmly that no one would have been able to come near it.

The purpose of the seal was to authenticate that Jesus was dead; therefore, we can know that His body was thoroughly inspected again for proof of death. There is no doubt that Jesus was dead, for He was examined again and again, even as He lay in the tomb. Some critics have claimed that only Jesus' own disciples inspected His body and that they could have lied about His being dead. However, an officer from Pilate's court also examined the body of Jesus. We can also be fairly certain that the chief priests and elders who accompanied the soldiers to the burial site demanded the right to view His dead body as well so they could verify that He was truly dead.

 

Continue on next post:

 

Seven Last Sayings of Jesus:  # 2 Luke 23:43: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."

 

This word from the cross teaches some wonderful truths. It illustrates that the way of salvation is wondrously simple. The devil has blinded the eyes of men and women to thinking that it is hard to be saved, difficult to come to Christ and to become a Christian. But this clearly isn't true. The man was saved simply by asking the Lord to save him. In the words of his request, there's the implication that he felt and confessed his need of salvation; he believed the Lord could and would save him and he committed himself to the Lord and trusted him to save him (Romans 10:13).

Bible Study: Passion Week: Day 1

Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and ascension 

Day # 1    (Jesus' Death)

 

(6 Things Christ Accomplished by His Death)

 

Here's a very brief summary of the six core things Christ accomplished in his death.

 

1. Expiation:

Expiation means the removal of our sin and guilt. Christ's death removes — expiates — our sin and guilt. The guilt of our sin was taken away from us and placed on Christ, who discharged it by his death.

Thus, in John 1:29, John the Baptist calls Jesus "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Jesus takes away, that is, expiates, our sins. Likewise, Isaiah 53:6 says, "The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him," and Hebrews 9:26 says "He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself."

2. Propitiation:

Whereas expiation refers to the removal of our sins, propitiation refers to the removal of God's wrath.

By dying in our place for our sins, Christ removed the wrath of God that we justly deserved. In fact, it goes even further: a propitiation is not simply a sacrifice that removes wrath, but a sacrifice that removes wrath and turns it into favor. (Note: a propitiation does not turn wrath into love — God already loved us fully, which is the reason he sent Christ to die; it turns his wrath into favor so that his love may realize its purpose of doing good to us every day, in all things, forever, without sacrificing his justice and holiness.)

Several passages speak of Christ's death as a propitiation for our sins. Romans 3:25-26 says that God "displayed [Christ] publicly as a propitiation in his blood through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because in the forbearance of God he passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration of his righteousness at the present time, that he might be just and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus."

Likewise, Hebrews 2:17 says that Christ made "propitiation for the sins of the people" and 1 John 4:10 says "in this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

3. Reconciliation:

Whereas expiation refers to the removal of our sins, and propitiation refers to the removal of God's wrath, reconciliation refers to the removal of our alienation from God.

Because of our sins, we were alienated — separated — from God. Christ's death removed this alienation and thus reconciled us to God. We see this, for example, in Romans 5:10-11: "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."

4. Redemption:

Our sins had put us in captivity from which we need to be delivered. The price that is paid to deliver someone from captivity is called a "ransom." To say that Christ's death accomplished redemption for us means that it accomplished deliverance from our captivity through the payment of a price.

There are three things we had to be released from: the curse of the law, the guilt of sin, and the power of sin. Christ redeemed us from each of these.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13-14).

Christ redeemed us from the guilt of our sin. We are "justified as a gift by his grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).

Christ redeemed us from the power of sin: "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Note that we are not simply redeemed from the guilt of sin; to be redeemed from the power of sin means that our slavery to sin is broken. We are now free to live to righteousness. Our redemption from the power of sin is thus the basis of our ability to live holy lives: "You have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your bodies" (1 Corinthians 6:20).

5. Defeat of the Powers of Darkness:

Christ's death was a defeat of the power of Satan. "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" (Colossians 3:15). Satan's only weapon that can ultimately hurt people is unforgiven sin. Christ took this weapon away from him for all who would believe, defeating him and all the powers of darkness in his death by, as the verse right before this says, "having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross" (Colossians 2:13-14).

6. And he did All of This By Dying As Our Substitute:

The reality of substitution is at the heart of the atonement. Christ accomplished all of the above benefits for us by dying in our place — that is, by dying instead of us. We deserved to die, and he took our sin upon him and paid the penalty himself.

This is what it means that Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) and gave himself for us (Galatians 2:20). As Isaiah says, "he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities . . . the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him" (Isaiah 53:5-6).

You see the reality of substitution underlying all of the benefits discussed above, as the means by which Christ accomplished them. For example, substitution is the means by which we were ransomed: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). Christ's death was a ransom for us — that is, instead of us. Likewise, Paul writes that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13).

Substitution is the means by which we were reconciled: "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). It is the means of expiation: "He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21) and "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24). And by dying in our place, taking the penalty for our sins upon himself, Christ's death is also the means of propitiation.

 

To close: Two implications. First, this is very humbling.

Second, "Greater love has no one than this, than he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

 

Seven Last Sayings of Jesus: #1

 

Luke 23:34: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do"

 

Summary: The Seven Words of Jesus from the Cross are a wonderful commentary in his own words of Forgiveness, Salvation, Love, Atonement, Suffering, Victory and Security.

Forgiveness has always been the hallmark of Christianity, following the great example of its founder. The first Christian martyr, Stephen, showed this spirit when he was being stoned to death, "Lord," he prayed, "do not hold this sin against them." Non-Christians may have in their hearts the unforgiving spirit, but Christians know better; we are Christ's men and women, and we must forgive as He forgave.

 

Day 1:         QUESTIONS:

1. How many years did Jesus live before he was crucified?
2. How long did Jesus live on the earth?
3. Name the six core things Christ accomplished in his death.

 

Multiple Choice:

1. What did they do to Jesus before he was put to death? (a) They whipped him. (b) They worshiped him. (c) Gave him some food.
2. What was put on Jesus' head? (a) A crown of gold. (b) A crown of thorns. (c) A crown of jewels.
3. Who did Jesus ask to take care of Mary, his mother? (a) John (b) Peter (c) Joseph
4. How many hours did it take for Jesus to die on the cross? (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3
5. Where was Jesus crucified? 
          The Mount of Olives
          Golgotha
          Jerusalem
          The Hinnom Valley
6. What did they offer Jesus to drink as he was crucified?
          stagnant water
          grape juice
          communion wine
          vinegar mixed with gall
7.  When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Which prophet prophesied that this would happen?
          Isaiah
          King David
          Jeremiah
          Daniel
   

Bible Study: Passion Week: Introduction:

This Passion Week we will celebrate what Jesus did for us by remembering His sacrifice through our study the next ten days. Each day will have a short study on our Savior's death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. During this short study we will have questions, a prayer, and praises to God and Jesus.

 

Passion Week is a time to honor God for what His Son Jesus did for us on the cross.  Passion Week (also known as Holy Week) is the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday). Also included within Passion Week are Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Passion Week is so named because of the passion with which Jesus willingly went to the cross in order to pay for the sins of His people. Passion Week is described in Matthew chapters 21-27; Mark chapters 11-15; Luke chapters 19-23; and John chapters 12-19. Passion Week begins with the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday on the back of a colt as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9.

Passion Week contained several memorable events. Jesus cleansed the Temple for the second time (Luke 19:45-46), then disputed with the Pharisees regarding His authority. Then He gave His Olivet Discourse on the end times and taught many things, including the signs of His second coming. Jesus ate His Last Supper with His disciples in the upper room (Luke 22:7-38), then went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray as He waited for His hour to come. It was here that Jesus, having been betrayed by Judas, was arrested and taken to several sham trials before the chief priests, Pontius Pilate, and Herod (Luke 22:54-23:25).

Following the trials, Jesus was scourged at the hands of the Roman soldiers, then was forced to carry His own instrument of execution (the Cross) through the streets of Jerusalem along what is known as the Via Dolorosa (way of sorrows). Jesus was then crucified at Golgotha on the day before the Sabbath, was buried and remained in the tomb until Sunday, the day after the Sabbath, and then gloriously resurrected.

It is referred to as Passion Week because in that time, Jesus Christ truly revealed His passion for us in the suffering He willingly went through on our behalf. What should our attitude be during Passion Week? We should be passionate in our worship of Jesus and in our proclamation of His Gospel! As He suffered for us, so should we be willing to suffer for the cause of following Him and proclaiming the message of His death and resurrection. As we study these short stages of Passion Week, we will also reminded of the last seven sayings Jesus spoke on the cross before He died for us.

 

A prayer:

 

I am so grateful, Lord, because You have made a way for me and my family to have eternal life through Your sacrifice. I pray a prayer of gratefulness to You, my Lord and Savior. Studying this has been a blessing to me, and has open my eyes to what Jesus really did for me, personally. This is so true! On my own, I am totally unworthy of salvation, and nothing I do or say can change that. I am a sinner saved by grace. Yet, despite my disobedience and stubbornness, You value me, Lord. You believe I am worth saving, and You will go to any length, even to death on a cross, to show me Your everlasting love. You wash away my sins. You make me holy. You stand before the throne of Your Father and claim me as Your own, exempt from sin and judgement. Because of Your sacrifice, I am made worthy. Thank You, my Savior. I love You, Lord. I worship You, Lord.  I Corinthians 6:11 says, "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God I am born-again today." AMEN.

 

Below are the seven last sayings of Jesus on the cross. We are not doing the seven last sayings this year, but each days of Passion Week we will reflect on each one as we focus on each stage of Jesus' last days, which was His death, burial, resurrection, and His ascension. We will do this in the ten days of Passion Week. 

 

Luke 23:34: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do"

Luke 23:43: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."

John 19:26–27: "Woman, behold your son. Son Behold your mother."

Matthew 27:46: "My God, My God, have you forsaken me?"

John 19:28:  "I thirst."

John 19:29-30: "It is finished."

Luke 23:46:  "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

 

This is our study Outline:

Day 1…………………. His Death

Day 2…………………. His Burial-Part 1

Day 2…………………. His Burial-Part 2

Day 3…………………. His Resurrection

Day 4…………………. His Ascension

Day 5…………………. Answer Questions

Day 6…………………. Answer Questions

Day 7…………………. Answer Questions

Day 8…………………..Answer Questions

Day 9…………………..Praises

Day 10…………………Prayers

 

We will start on Sunday April 9^th through Saturday April 15^th and ending on Easter Sunday April 16^th.

Next Bible Study:

 

We have scheduled another bible study, which will be coming soon. I would like to do for Passion Week a study on Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. This will only be for ten days during Passion Week. Then a regular bible study on Ezra and Nehemiah "Building God's Temple". This study reveals the heavy prophetic flavor contained within the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.  I just want to add to this study some background history before the rebuilding of the Temple. And to say, that we will look at this naturally and spiritually. I pray that everyone have a blessed Passion Week.

 

May The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. AMEN.

Bible Study: “God’s Love” Conclusion:

My conclusion will be to answer this question "Why does God love us?" This short question is among the most profound questions ever asked. And no human would ever be able to answer it sufficiently. One thing is certain, however. God does not love us because we are lovable or because we deserve His love. If anything, the opposite is true. The state of mankind since the fall is one of rebellion and disobedience. Jeremiah 17:9 describes man's inner condition: "The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. Who can know it?" Our innermost beings are so corrupted by sin that even we don't realize the extent to which sin has tainted us. In our natural state, we do not seek God; we do not love God; we do not desire God. Romans 3:10-12 clearly presents the state of the natural, unregenerate person: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." How then is it possible for a holy, righteous, and perfect God to love such creatures? To understand this we must understand something of the nature and character of God.

First John 4:8 and 16 tell us that "God is love." Never was a more important declaration made than this—God is love. This is a profound statement. God doesn't just love; He is love. His nature and essence are love. Love permeates His very being and infuses all His other attributes, even His wrath and anger. Because God's very nature is love, He must demonstrate love, just as He must demonstrate all His attributes because doing so glorifies Him. Glorifying God is the highest, the best, and the most noble of all acts, so, naturally, glorifying Himself is what He must do, because He is the highest and the best, and He deserves all glory.

Since it is God's essential nature to love, He demonstrates His love by lavishing it on undeserving people who are in rebellion against Him. God's love is not a sappy, sentimental, romantic feeling. Rather, it is agape love, the love of self-sacrifice. He demonstrates this sacrificial love by sending His Son to the cross to pay the pen alty for our sin (1 John 4:10), by drawing us to Himself (John 6:44), by forgiving us of our rebellion against Him, and by sending His Holy Spirit to dwell within us, thereby enabling us to love as He loves. He did this in spite of the fact that we did not deserve it. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

God's love is personal. He knows each of us individually and loves us personally. His is a mighty love that has no beginning and no end. It is this experiencing of God's love that distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. Why does God love us? It is because of who He is; "God is love."

 

I have really enjoyed this study. I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to show more love toward God and whosoever. I am so glad that the Mighty God, Creator of all mankind loves me. And, I am so glad that God has revealed this too me, and I can respond back to Him in love, and to others as He commanded. Remember God loves you no matter what. See you in the next study!

 

Please join us in our next study, which will be a short study on Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Then we will study "Ezra and Nehemiah Building God's Temple" by Gerald Flurry and Dennis Leap.

 

If you have time, remember to do the self-study in Week # 8.

OUR WEEKLY STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. Give a brief statement of who Saul was before he became Apostle Paul.
   
   Before his conversion, Paul, then known as Saul, was a "zealous" Pharisee who "intensely persecuted" the followers of Jesus.  Paul's post-conversion correspondence to various churches reveal even more about his background. In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul describes himself as a Hebrew, an Israelite, and a descendant of Abraham (2 Corinthians 11:22). In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul says he was a Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5).
2. Why did God called each one of us?
   
   I believe God called us to share His love with all, and teach all to love as Jesus loved us. He called us to come to Him so we can have eternal life too.
3. Can you actually say God is with you no matter what?
   
   I love it when it gets personal! Yes, I can. He has proven to me that He loves me and as Jeremiah says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)
   
   Quiz:

True or False?

Jesus taught that we must forgive those persons who have sinned against us, or else our own sins will not be forgiven by God.

 True