Good morning!
As I write this, it is Maundy Thursday. A special day if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. I am looking at a piece of scripture I wrote down a few weeks ago when I was in a spiritual battle over some personal sin in my life. This scripture reminded when I wrote it and now of the significance of what we as Christians celebrate during this Holy Week. These words Peter shared in his first letter -
The apostle Paul recognized Jesus as the "last Adam" providing us a comparison to the first Adam the source of mankind's sinful nature when Adam and Eve rebelled against their Creator by choosing what the serpent offered over what God offered. And Jesus, by His work alone, through God's mercy and grace undoes all the damage initiated by the first Adam.
I found a comparison similar to Paul's in a podcast I listened to and read this morning by John Stonestreet. I find this comparison valuable to being able to embrace the significance of what Jesus did for us 2000 years ago which gives us the Hope (Jesus and His work) we have. Here is that comparison - quoting from the podcast transcript:
"The parallels between Jesus and Adam are deep. The ways in which Jesus is like, and yet better than, Adam, are numerous.
There is much about this day (Maundy Thursday) as Jesus is prepared His apostles, but also Good Friday (yes it is good, despite Jesus flogging and crucifixion) because death is conquered and the curtain is ripped top to bottom giving us access again to a direct relationship with God. And then all doubt is removed for the apostles (and for us as believers) on Resurrection Sunday...for this is the foundation of our true Hope...
HE IS RISEN... HE IS RISEN INDEED!
I pray you have this Hope - if you don't I would love to share more with you. If you do have this Hope, I shout and Praise God for His steadfast love!
This brings me back to 1 Peter 2:24. In those few words, Peter conveys to us the immensity of what Jesus did for us...he conveys to me what Jesus did for me. And I sit stunned by this fact.
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we remember the full and complete work you have done that anchors and secures our salvation. By Your work alone Lord Jesus, our future has been anchor in, by and through You! Amen!
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Patrick
As I write this, it is Maundy Thursday. A special day if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. I am looking at a piece of scripture I wrote down a few weeks ago when I was in a spiritual battle over some personal sin in my life. This scripture reminded when I wrote it and now of the significance of what we as Christians celebrate during this Holy Week. These words Peter shared in his first letter -
- 1 Peter 2:24 - "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed."
The apostle Paul recognized Jesus as the "last Adam" providing us a comparison to the first Adam the source of mankind's sinful nature when Adam and Eve rebelled against their Creator by choosing what the serpent offered over what God offered. And Jesus, by His work alone, through God's mercy and grace undoes all the damage initiated by the first Adam.
I found a comparison similar to Paul's in a podcast I listened to and read this morning by John Stonestreet. I find this comparison valuable to being able to embrace the significance of what Jesus did for us 2000 years ago which gives us the Hope (Jesus and His work) we have. Here is that comparison - quoting from the podcast transcript:
"The parallels between Jesus and Adam are deep. The ways in which Jesus is like, and yet better than, Adam, are numerous.
- Though the one failed and brought death on all His descendants, Jesus was faithful and obedient, and brought life and restoration through His death and resurrection.
- The first Adam yielded to temptation in a garden. The Last Adam beat temptation in a garden.
- The first man, Adam, sought to become like God. The Last Adam was God who became a man.
- The first Adam was naked and received clothes. The Last Adam had clothes but was stripped.
- The first Adam tasted death from a tree. The Last Adam tasted death on a tree.
- The first Adam hid from the face of God, while the Last Adam begged God not to hide His face.
- The first Adam blamed his bride, while the Last Adam took the blame for His bride.
- The first Adam earned thorns. The Last Adam wore thorns.
- The first Adam gained a wife when God opened man’s side, but the Last Adam gained a wife when man opened God’s side.
- The first Adam brought a curse. The Last Adam became a curse.
- While the first Adam fell by listening when the Serpent said, “take and eat,” the Last Adam told His followers, “Take and eat, this is my body.”
There is much about this day (Maundy Thursday) as Jesus is prepared His apostles, but also Good Friday (yes it is good, despite Jesus flogging and crucifixion) because death is conquered and the curtain is ripped top to bottom giving us access again to a direct relationship with God. And then all doubt is removed for the apostles (and for us as believers) on Resurrection Sunday...for this is the foundation of our true Hope...
HE IS RISEN... HE IS RISEN INDEED!
I pray you have this Hope - if you don't I would love to share more with you. If you do have this Hope, I shout and Praise God for His steadfast love!
This brings me back to 1 Peter 2:24. In those few words, Peter conveys to us the immensity of what Jesus did for us...he conveys to me what Jesus did for me. And I sit stunned by this fact.
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we remember the full and complete work you have done that anchors and secures our salvation. By Your work alone Lord Jesus, our future has been anchor in, by and through You! Amen!
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Patrick
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