The Death of Jesus Christ

The cross was deliberately made cruel and gruesome so that any slave considering rebellion would pass by the crucified victim and think to himself, ‘However terrible my life is, rebellion is not worth it.’ But the Christians aren’t ashamed of the cross. In fact, they seem proud of it. Paul says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Why should this be?

He (Jesus) then began to teach them that the Son of Man (meaning himself) must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three day rise again. (Mark 8:31)

Jesus is saying not only that he will die, but that his death is necessary in some way. Jesus died in order to pay a ransom for many. He died to rescue rebels by paying the price to free them. Suddenly, the thought of celebrating the cross seems less strange. Because although the danger we are in is very real, the cross is our life boat. It is how Jesus rescues people.

And to under stand this fully, we need to read the account of the crucifixion in the Gospel of Mark which tells us three things about the cross: God was angry; Jesus was abandoned; and we can be accepted.

1. God was angry

To God-fearing Jews of the time, darkness in the daytime was a sign of God’s anger. Time and again in the Bible, light represents God’s presence and favour, while darkness tells us that God is acting in judgment.

At the sixth hour (12 noon) darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3 pm). (Mark 15:33)

Mark tells us that just when the sun should be burning brightest, at midday, darkness suddenly falls, and it lasted for three hours. Something supernatural is occurring, and the clear message is that God is angry. God’s anger is his controlled, personal hostility towards all that is wrong.

A God who is good is right to be angry about sin. Sin matters to God. So every wrong matters to God. And some times we might think: If God existed he’d do something about all this. Actually, he has done something about sin, about every wrong in this world. He did it on the cross.

As Jesus was dying on the cross, the darkness that came over the whole land tells us that God was acting in anger to punish sin.

2. Jesus was abandoned

There is no doubt that Jesus suffered great physical agony on the cross, but Mark 15:34 speaks of spiritual agony:
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’’ which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’’

On the cross, Jesus was abandoned by God and experienced what it means to be cut off from God, his loving father, for the first time in all eternity. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Previously, Jesus had addressed God as ‘Father’ or ‘Abba’. But not here. He is experiencing a horrific and terrible separation that he has never known. God is doing something he only ever does by way of punishment.

But Jesus had never rebelled against God. According to those who knew him, Jesus lived a sinless life. He had done nothing that deserved punishment. So why was he being punished? The answer is that he was being punished for our sin.

At this moment Jesus was experiencing God’s punishment. And it was our sin that made him feel separated from God. In those agonizing moments, Jesus was taking upon himself all the punishment that our sin deserves. The Bible tells us again and again that our rebellion against God deserves punishment, and punishment is exactly what Jesus endured on our behalf.

As Jesus died on the cross, he willingly died for me, as my substitute, in my place, taking the punishment I deserve. Jesus paid the price for sin so that we never have to.

3. We can be accepted

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Mark 15:37,38)

As soon as Jesus dies, we are transported to the interior of Jerusalem’s huge temple. We see an incredible thing. The temple curtain is 30 feet high and as thick as the span of a man’s hand. It is made from a single piece of material. Suddenly we here a thunderous ripping sound and the curtain fall to the ground in two pieces.

The curtain was actually a terrifying barrier to the ‘Holy of Holies,’ the heart of the temple where God was said to live. So holy was this place that only the High Priest could enter it once a year. Not just any person, and not even any priest, but only the High Priest, once he had performed an elaborate series of sacrifices, and ten only once a year. The whole system was designed to show that it was not an easy thing to come into the presence of God. It very clearly said that it is impossible for sinful people like you and me to walk into God’s presence.

Then suddenly, as Jesus dies, this curtain is ripped in two by God, from top to bottom. God is saying that the way is now open for us to enter his presence. The barriers are now down, and there is nothing to prevent us from enjoying a relationship with him.

How is this made possible? Because Jesus was willing to be abandoned. He has taken God’s anger on our behalf so that we can be accepted.

As God’s anger burns against the sin that Jesus took upon himself at the cross, it burns once and for all. Once the judgment fall, it can not fall again. We can be accepted by God because the punishment we deserve has fallen – once and for all – on Jesus. So we are saved from God’s anger because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

By Ronald Vinay Kumar

The humility of Christ

Philippians 2: 5 – 11

St. Paul wrote this one of the greatest passage on Lord Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us during lenten season that Lord Jesus Christ humbles Himself to pay the penalty of my sin and yours sins and offered Him for our redemption.

This passage is beautiful & wonderful story of Lord Jesus Christ’s humility, love, obedience, suffering, death and self denial for our sakes. In early Church Christian used to sing this hymn during Lord’s Supper. Human beings always wants to become rich and powerful. No one wants to become poor and weak. But the passage tells us that how Rich & Almighty God became poor & humble for us. “Jesus Christ who was rich yet for our sakes He became poor” 2corn. 8: 9.

(1) What He was (is)?

• Gen. 1:1; 14:22 Jn. 17:5 Creator
• Jn.1:1-3, 17; Col. 1:15-17 Image of invisible God, before the world.
• Is. 6:1-5: Rev. 5:11-12 Holy of Holies Lord, Glory of God
• Jn. 8:58 Greater than patriarchs

(2) What He became for us?

• He became the picture of true humanity. He left His throne in heaven and came down on the earth. Creator Himself became creation for us.
• He had no home on the earth. Lk. 9:58
• He became servant for us. Jn. 1:14; Mtth. 20:28; Heb. 2:17
• He became curse, shame, numbered with criminal for us. Is. 53.

Because of

1. His love. Jn. 15:15 (friends); Jn. 10:11, 15 shepherded
2. To satisfy God’s judgment. Rom. 3: 25-26
3. For our salvation. Heb. 9:12, 26-28; 10:10-14; 13;12; Col. 1:20-22

In contrast Adam & Eve committed sin. They wanted to become like God. Gen. 3:5

Satan or Lucifer wanted to make his throne above God. Is. 14: 12-15 (1st sin in the universe).

Friends, He was rich yet for our sakes became poor. 2Corn. 8:9

Than why or for what most people boast. Even in this world there are many educated, handsome, rich, talented etc. than us.

St. Paul says if you have to boast than boast on the Cross. Gal. 6:14; PS. 34; 2; 44;8: 1corn. 1:31

(3) He emptied Himself: -Vv. 7-8

a. Empty – Kenoun (Gk)
Pouring out from the container until it’s fully empty.

b. He took the form of human. He was (is) God and became human for us.
Lord Jesus Christ was morphe (form of God, divine nature), schema (form of)
fully God and fully human.

He gave His glory (shakina) and became like us.

He felt hunger (Mk. 11:12); thirst (Jn. 4:7); wept (Jn. 11:35); happy (Jn. 15:11);
tired (Lk. 8:23).

But He didn’t sin. Heb. 4:15

c. He became slave. Is. 53; Mtth. 20:28: Jn. 13:5 (washed disciple’s feet).
He did many miracles and healings to glorify His Father, not for own glory and
for the benefit for the others.

d. V. 8:- Obedient even to the death of a cross.
Death on a cross was cruel & painful punishment during Roman reign. It was
only for hard criminals & slaves.

Jew believes that person who dies on cross he/she is beyond God’s grace. Deut.
21:23; Gal. 3:13; Heb. 13:12-13; 1 Pet. 2:24

Nervous parts of His body was nailed (hands & feet), hanged on cross and had
full weight on nailed parts.

(4) Humble shall be exalted. V. 9

• God made Him Lord or Master – Kyrious (Gk.)
• God will exalt humbles. Mtth. 23:12; Lk. 14:11; 18:14
• Every nee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Amen, Hallelujah). Whether rich or poor, good or bad, small or great, righteous or evil, believers or atheist. Is. 45:23; Eph. 6:12.

Conclusion:-

Dear Friends, St. Paul reminds us through this beautiful passage that we should have the humility or attitude of Lord Jesus Christ who was God but for our sakes He became like us. Learn His love, obedience, self denial; sacrifice for others and for Father’s glory. Leave aside your personal issues, personal ambitious, prestige issues etc. and humble yourself. Than surely God will exalt you.

May God bless you.
Rev. Varinder Kumar

He cares for you...

Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you: He will never let the righteous fall... Psalms 55: 22

King David was in great distress when he wrote this psalm. This psalm is an earnest prayer for his relief, and an outcome of his problems, difficulties, sorrow, fear and great terror on account of his enemies and was grieved by the treachery of a friend. Probably the remembrance of his sin in the matter of Uriah added much fear to him. He prays to God that He would show His favour to him during this time. He was fully surrounded by his enemies. He had no other hope except on God who called him, chose him, anointed him and made him king over His people. He assures himself that God would appear for him against his enemies in due time. With that affirmation he was filled with renewed hope and confidence. That’s why he wrote, “Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you.”

He encourages us to trust in God in all the circumstances. In every trial let us call upon the Lord and He will save us. He will hear our prayers and He will never blame us for approaching Him again and again during times of fear, worries, struggles and problems etc. He will always welcome us. David had thought all were against him; but after prayer and trusting upon the Lord, he found there were many with him, more than he supposed; God raised his friends and faithful for his help and to stand with him. All the glory from his triumphs over enemies and situations, he gives to God. Even whenever we feel we are alone, hopeless, remember that it is He that rises up friends, and makes them faithful to us.

Friends, look to Christ who bore our sins, shame, curses, pain, suffering, sickness and disgrace on the cross. He dealt with our greatest problem of sin by offering His Life, then why will He not deal with our other smaller problems, worries and fears (Romans 8:32). Whatever we would ask Him or desires. He will give us. We must leave it to him to give it in His own way and time. We must commit our fear, worries, struggles and problems etc to the Lord; He will do what is best for us (Eph. 3:20). To cast our burdens upon God is to rest upon His providence and promise. And if we do so, He will carry us in the arms of his power. He will never allow us to be shaken by any fear, worries, struggles and problems etc.

May God bless you.
Rev. Varinder Kumar

Dead to sin, alive to God!

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Romans 6:11-12

Lenten season reminds us that Lord Jesus Christ suffered, crucified, died and rose again for our sins. He has released us from the slavery of sin & death. We are no more alive to sin but we are dead to sin and alive as a new creation in Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corn. 5:17).

He has redeemed us from our old sinful nature by shedding His Holy & Precious Blood on the Cross of Calvary. We are no longer slaves of sin and sin should not be our master. Like after the death slave he is frees from the slavery of his master. In the same way Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins to make us living to God. As Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead to leave this world (Jn.13:1) and He rose to live to God. We are also in and through the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ rose to live to God.

These verses show how we must behave in our new resurrection life. Our whole attitude to sin must change. Every part of the body can sin. With our eyes, we can look at wrong things. With our ears, we can listen to bad talk. With our mouth we can say things that can hurt other people. With our hands we can work in bad ways. With our feet we can go to places that we should avoid. We should not use ourselves as instruments of sin but in and through the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ we should do what God wants.

Friends, now choice is before us either to allow old sinful nature to master over us or continue to allow Lord Jesus Christ to be our Master and Saviour.

May God strengthen you through His grace and the power of His Holy Spirit to live for Him and to serve Him.
God bless you.

Yours in His service,
Rev. Varinder Kumar

Worship the Lord

In the book of prophet Daniel, in Ch. 3 we come across three young Jews. They present an exemplary behaviour and teach us that we, in all circumstances we should always trust and worship the Lord. We should never miss an opportunity to worship Him. They were very faithful to God even in the times of difficulties, extreme pain and troubles.

Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar commanded his people to worship his image that was made of gold. These three young men were in great trouble because they were very faithful to their living and almighty God and they knew it very well that worshiping other gods or giving priority to other gods is a great sin. Since they were under the bondage of Babylonian king, there was a great penalty for them; because saying 'no' to the king's command only meant death. However, they did make a choice of who's command to follow, because worshiping other gods meant committing a great sin against God Almighty.

Friends, finally they decided to say no to earthly king’s command and follow their kings of King’s command (Ex.20:3-4). The result: they were thrown into the midst of the fiery burning furnace, which was heated seven times more. Soon king Nebuchadnezzar saw there were four persons walking in the midst of that furnace instead of three. All were unhurt and unharmed, and he saw that the fourth person who was walking with them, who was none other but the Son of the God.

Finally Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has delivered His servants who trusted in Him”. This changed the king's word, and he yielded their bodies, so that they might "neither serve nor worship any other god, except their own God."

We must praise God that we are not under the bondage of anyone and do not have any command from worldly authorities. So lets worship God even in the time of pressures, difficulties, troubles and uncertainties. If we give time and place that belongs to God then we would always experience with us the presence of the Son of God.

Not everyday, but just count how many Sundays in the month of February did we not worship the Lord?

Yours in His service,
Rev. Varinder Kumar

Repent or Perish

Reading: Luke 13: 1-9
(Sermon preached on March 1, 2009. Rev. Varinder Kumar)

Our God is persistent lover. It is His holy will that no one should perish but all must repent and turn away from their wicked ways. That’s why He sent His prophets, judges, servants and John the Baptist and finally He Himself came down from heaven to earth. He offered His life for our redemption. The Lenten season reminds us when we were still sinners, Lord Jesus Christ died for us and He paid the penalty of our sins. Traditionally, Lenten season is seen as the time of repentance, abstinence, prayer & fasting, seeking faith, studying Word of God, examining ourselves and remembering His suffering and death. Our today’s portion of meditation is related to Lenten season. “Repent or Perish”. In the reading, we see a small parable Lord Jesus Christ spoke with very deep meaning.

Vv. 1-5. Some people told Lord Jesus Christ that Pilate had killed some Galileans when they were sacrificing in the Temple. (Lord Jesus Christ belongs to same region). Lord Jesus Christ added one more example in V.4, that of 18 people who died when tower of Siloam fell upon them. Lord Jesus Christ told them that one day every one has to die. Everyone is mortal. Answers to How? When? Where? are unknown. Therefore, before one dies, s/he must repent before it will be too late, yes, we must repent.

He spoke this parable.

• We are planted by God: - A fig tree was planted by man. This fig tree had an advantage over other fig trees as it was planted in a vineyard, in better soil, had special care, belonged to owner, purchased, paid money to caretaker & for fertilizer. The inference we draw here is that a. God is owner of the vineyard. He is our creator (Jn. 15:1, Is. 51: 1-2). b. Human beings are trees. He has planted us, chosen us to bear fruit of righteousness (Ps. 1, Ps. 37:35, Jn. 15:16). He has purchased us by paying the price of the blood of Lord Jesus Christ. He has planted us with the blood of Lord Jesus Christ. He has given the water of His Holy Spirit and fertilized us with His Word.
  

• God is bearing with us:-Three times owner came and found no fruit. He wasn’t hasty nor greedy, neither did he expect too much. He waited for three years and found none. Through this, Lord Jesus Christ is telling us that God has chosen you, given you special care, special privilege, special advantage than other people. He became human for us. He completed His three years ministry on this earth but people didn’t repent and not show fruit. He expects that we must bear the fruit bearing with repentance. (Luke 3: 8) “
  

• His patience has an limits:- Owner said “V. 7b. Cut it down…..” But Gardner intercedes on behalf of the tree that “V. 8. Lord, let it alone this year also……” a. Lord Jesus Christ is our interceder Rom.8:34. He is interceding to Father for us. We must also intercede for others. b. Fig tree was only wasting time, money, energy and space of the owner. Like a parasite it was taking but in return giving nothing to owner. It was sure that after three years fig tree bears fruit, if not in 1st year or 2nd year but third year was sure.
  

Dear friends, we are planted by God, purchased by the blood of Lord Jesus Christ, watered by His Holy spirit, fertilized by His Holy Word to bear fruit. If we only take from God or always place demands before Him and in return give nothing to Him than we are parasite. He expects that we must bear fruit.

Conclusion: -
Friends, if we are bearing fruits for Him than praise God, But If we are not than this the waking call for us. We are not sure when He will come to judge us.
Because His word says “Cut it down” Jn. 15:2; Math. 3:8, 10; Ps. 1:4-5; Rev. 22:2