Easter
Well, here it is easter 2005. I've been thinking a lot about Jesus' attitude toward the cross. One of my favorite verses is Heb 12:2, talking about Jesus enduring the cross and despising the shame of it because of the joy set before him. What was the joy that he anticipated?
It had to be, in part, the glory that was ahead. Both the glory he would bring to the Father, and the glory restored to him, and surely amplified by his gift of death.
But he was also anticipating being one with his people. He would be one with us by sending his Spirit to live in us. Then he would be able to empower us, live in us, sanctify us, do miracles through us. Didn't he say that we would do greater works than he did because he was going to the Father? That only makes sense if we see that he will do the works through us. Well, I'm impressed that Jesus was willing to endure the shame of the cross so that he would be able to live in us and be in us. It's like it takes what he was able to do on the earth and muliply in multifold by living through us.
Wouldn't it make sense, then, that one of Satan's highest goals will be to keep us from abiding in the vine and being filled with the Spirit???
posted by Kyle | 11:38 PM
4 Comments:
Hi Kyle,
Good article, I think if we focus in on what the Lord is thinking we will always find the spirit and life of Scripture, and the Holy Spirit will meet us there.
By the way, did you really mean to open a discussion on Satan's goals to keep us from abiding in Jesus?
Hope you had a Happy Resurrection Day. Have you told your church about your blog site yet?
Thanks for dropping in, Loren. I suspect you have grown in wisdom, somehow, to have landed such a lovely wife!!!
Do I tread on dangerous territory to mention Satan's goals? I will say that he would do well for his agenda if he keeps us thinking about a multitude of things (even morality, learning the bible, etc.) rather than knowing and loving God (which will depend on someone studying the bible, and will certainly affect our morals). Resurrection day at the Athens Vineyard had us focusing on Heb 12:2 - Jesus endured the cross for the JOY set before him. According to John's record, Jesus spent his last hours talking about (at least) 2 things: the glory of God, and how he was going to be in us and us in him (which brings further glory to God!). Gotta stay in him . . .
By the way, I haven't made a big deal at the church about the blogsite. I plan on emailing the link regularly to the church, using the blog as a kind of newsletter.
Hi Kyle,
Amen Kyle! If we know Him, we'll naturally do those things that please Him, like fruit that grows naturally on a good tree. The Bible is a perfect tool (but only a tool,) to help us develop this relationship.
What I meant, is that Christians obcess over the devil in 'spiritual warfare', and essentially they assume a defensive posture when they do this. He also becomes their focus. If, instead, they would focus on Jesus, it would put them on the offensive. And of course, that would be the best defense too: 'I will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Me.'
I'd love to come visit your church sometime, sounds like God loves your congregation very much because He has given them an excellent pastor.
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