1 Cor 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” Understanding Jesus’ work on the cross is at the very core of our belief in God. Without it, everything in the Bible would seem like foolishness to us. To understand Jesus’ work that day, we must first understand that He had to die to be resurrected, and He had to be resurrected for us to receive the benefits of His sacrifice, 1 Jn 4:9, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” So, what did He do in those final few hours He was suspended between heaven and e
Merriam-Webster defines temptation as: “the act of tempting or the state of being tempted especially to evil.” So, let us separate out the temptations that lead us to evil from those that lead us to good. When we so divide the many temptations of this world, we will see that God never tempts us to evil acts, Lk 11:4, “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Jesus taught us this prayer, not because God might lead us into temptation, but rather, so we can know He would never tempt us with evil. Jesus also prayed for us, Jn 17:15, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but
When we understand the depth of God’s love for us, Rom 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”we love Him, 1 Jn 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.” This love teaches us not to fear, 1 Jn 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” and the freedom this brings allows us to change our lives. His love confirms the hope He has promised us of an eternal life, which changes our perspective on everything in this life. Our future is already secure, so we are free to live this life helping Him, 2 Cor 5:15, 17, “And that he died for al
The Jews knew the Messiah was coming, Dan 9:25, “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.” But, they did not recognize Him, Jn 4:25-26, “The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” Jesus told them he would be resurrected, but they chose to misunderstand, Jn 2:19-21, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I wil