Disciples follow Jesus into the grave
– and find life on the other side
The women arrive at the grave and follow in at a beckoning of angels. Peter follows in after the testimony of the women. John follows behind Peter. They all find the same thing: Life after death. They find Jesus alive after His death. They find hopes and dreams alive after His resurrection appearances. They find new life in Christ as Savior from sin and Lord of life. When we go through baptism, we follow Jesus into death, buried with him and rising to new life –
Romans 6:3-4
Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Following Jesus as We Come 'n Go
John 6:68
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.”
Pondering Point
To appreciate these words, it helps to know their context. Jesus has just finished sharing some hard teachings, evidenced by the fact that many followers left after hearing them. Asking if the twelve disciples are bailing too, Jesus hears the above words from Peter. Yes, Jesus teaches some hard truths, truths many find offensive. But as Peter rightly notes, where else can we go? Jesus is the one who has the keys to the kingdom – to life – to God Himself.
Prayer for the Day
Jesus, may I never reject You or Your teachings simply because they make me uncomfortable or conflict with my personal views. Rather let me submit and learn from You. Help me practice what I now pray. Amen.
TV (and its sibling film) consume the lion's share of our so-called free time. For the average American, that is over 5 hours a day, or 35 hours a week.... and lest you think my crusade is just against time wasted, remember, what we give our attention to is the person we become, for good or evil. As my parents used to tell me, garbage in, garbage out. Every... single... thing that we let into our minds will have an effect on our souls.
~ J.M. Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, pp. 232, 233
Studying the Book of Hebrews
For further contemplation during Holy Week, we offer the opportunity to join us meditating on sections from the New Testament letter to the Hebrews.
Today’s part is Hebrews 10:19-39
Hebrews 10:19-39
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
38 And,
“But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.