Rev.
Richie,
@ Household of David Online Church.
Preachin’…
THE
CHRISTIAN RESOLVE. 1Peter4:12-19.
...And the disciples were called Christians
first
in Antioch. Acts 11:26.
The Lord
Christ was tortured and murdered after the most gruesome and cruelest manner of
executions ever conceived in the history of man (next perhaps is the
guillotine?).
On the
cross, the subject’s hands and feet are pierced through with nails and nailed
to a plus (+) shaped construction of wood. The body fluids- blood and the lymph-
slowly drains out of the victims’ body until he dies of shock under the most
excruciating of pains coupled with dehydration and exhaustion. It’s under these
circumstances that the Lord died! Even his heart was ruptured! See the Gospel according to Saint John
19:34.
This form of
sentence is passed on the vilest form of criminals in the then Roman Empire…
and his offence?
He was accused of treason; “he called himself
the king of the Jews” thereby a challenge to Caesar’s authority.
And he was
executed with “highwaymen”- armed robbers of his days, one each on his sides…
even though he knew no sin. What a contradiction for the Sinless one!
The shame is
better imagined! Thinking along these lines, it hurts my imagination to see the
Lord murdered naked! HE’S GOT NO CLOTHES
ON! See Luke 23:34… and they parted
his raiment and cast lots.
In this
state of shame and helplessness, the rulers mocked him, “he saved others, let
him save himself, if he be Christ the chosen of God”. And the soldiers too,
offering him vinegar (a very bitter liquid), “if thou be the “king of the
Jews”, save thyself! Even one of the malefactors “railed” on him!
The anguish
of heart is greater than the pains on his hands and feet! And his head! – On
which a crown of thorns was rammed into!
After all
the celebration of the miracles that has lasted three and a half years, the
glorious triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the soberness of the blessed Holy
Communion and… the next day! … The cross! It hurts my fragile imagination! How
can a man of such glory of celebrations- a celebrity- end in such ignominy?
Lord have mercy. Amen.
The same
multitude that followed him all around on his trips round Palestine- the ever
present multitude! - shouting Hosanna! In celebration of his entry into
Jerusalem were still on hand to shout crucify him! The next day! What an
irony?!
… And
they were called Christians…
Being called
a “Christian” as the disciples were called in Antioch, is not to be associated
with anything glorious; but the shame of the execution on the cross: it was
meant to cause them shame and hurt and to do them spite… just like reminding
them (or us?) of the fact that our Lord died a common criminal. It
would interest you to know that the Lord’s rising from the dead on the third
day, is not a widely acknowledged fact among Jews unto this present day!
Read Matthew 27:62-66 and 28:11-15.
No wonder
Paul exclaimed, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ!”… Romans 1:16
If we would be
true disciples and be true to our convictions in our generation, we must not be
ashamed of the gospel we bear; even though we are labeled criminals, cultists,
impostors, when family and friends forsake or when we are labelled insane. Read
Acts 26:24-25.
1Peter 4:16,
19
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian,
let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Wherefore let them that suffer
according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well
doing as unto a faithful creator.
2Timothy 1:8
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord, nor of me (Paul) his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel
according to the power of God.
2Corinthians
4:17-18
For our light affliction which is but
for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory:
While we look not at the things which
are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen
are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
POINTS TO NOTE FOR ACTION.
1. Take a public stand for The Word of
God at all times. (Depending on the peculiarities of your country, this is
relatively easy in my country Nigeria, though you may not have to preach in
places and buses marked “NO PREACHING”). Wisdom is profitable to direct. AMEN.
2. Identify with people who share your
Christian beliefs and beliefs about the teachings of the Bible (and I dare say,
stay away from people who do not!)
3. Make a conscious effort to share your
beliefs with friends, acquaintances wherever opportunity avails you.
And the
peace that passes all understanding guide your heart and mind through Christ
Jesus. I LOVE YOU…
Shalom!
God’s Peace!
All scripture quotations
from the King James Version of the Bible. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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