Do you ever feel all alone with your emotions, having no one to understand what you feel nor why you feel that way? In this series we examine the emotions Jesus Christ felt when He was on earth, limited to a time in history, a geographical place, and a human body that needed water, food and sleep. We will examine the emotions Jesus experienced in specific situations; and why His emotional experiences enable Him to understand everything you and I feel. He is our help in time of trouble.

Remember:

Your emotions are God-given, you are entitled to them.

Your emotions are personal. No one can tell you how you should feel.

Your emotions must be managed or they will control you.

You are not responsible for someone else’s emotions.

Definition

Forsaken =deserted; abandoned

Do you know what it feels like to be forsaken?

Have you ever had to stand alone, rejected by others?

Situation

Although both Matthew (26:56) and Mark (14:50) record that the disciples all forsook Jesus and fled the garden of Gethsemane, neither records how Jesus felt about that. However, they both record a time when Jesus did feel forsaken.

Matthew 27:⁴⁵ Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

⁴⁶And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

⁴⁷Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

⁴⁸And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

⁴⁹The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

⁵⁰Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

⁵¹And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

⁵²And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

⁵³And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

⁵⁴Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Mark 15:³³ And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

³⁴And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

³⁵And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

³⁶And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

³⁷And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

³⁸And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

³⁹And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Jesus felt forsaken by the Father. He was on the cross dying to pay the penalty for your sins and my sins. Justice we deserve was being served. Some theologians think the Father could not look on the sin Jesus bore in our place. Others think Jesus just felt separated from the Father. Either way, forsaken by God is a feeling you and I will never experience because He promises never to leave or forsake those who belong to Him. (Hebrews 13:5)

During His earthy ministry, Jesus gave His disciples these truths, evidencing His knowledge that He would never be alone from the Father.

John 16:²⁸I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

²⁹His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

³⁰Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

³¹Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

³²Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

What does it mean to you that Jesus has overcome the world?

Do you have peace in Jesus? Talk to Him about it. Jesus understands.

When you consider the emotion of Jesus, can you relate how He must have felt to what you feel in your situation?  Can you see how this experience of Jesus enables Him to fully understand how you feel?

Jesus is our great High Priest

Hebrews 4:¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Where is our great High Priest?  in Heaven, He passed to there

Who is our great High Priest? Jesus, the Son of God

What is special about our great High Priest?

He can be moved with the feeling of our infirmities

He was tempted like we are but did not sin!

Our High Priest sits on a throne of grace not judgement!

Our High Priest invites us to come boldly for grace and mercy

Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve

Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve

Isn’t Jesus a great High Priest?

Focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Challenge -Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will         accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Do you ever feel all alone with your emotions, having no one to understand what you feel nor why you feel that way? In this series we examine the emotions Jesus Christ felt when He was on earth, limited to a time in history, a geographical place, and a human body that needed water, food and sleep. We will examine the emotions Jesus experienced in specific situations; and why His emotional experiences enable Him to understand everything you and I feel. He is our help in time of trouble.

Remember:

Your emotions are God-given, you are entitled to them.

Your emotions are personal. No one can tell you how you should feel.

Your emotions must be managed or they will control you.

You are not responsible for someone else’s emotions.

Definition

Displeased – offended, annoyed, disapproval

What type of things annoy you most?

Do you take offense easily?

Do you disapprove more of people or things?

Situation

Jesus finishes giving the parable of the Pharisee and the publican

Luke 18:⁹ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Luke 18:¹⁵ And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

¹⁶But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

¹⁷Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Matthew’s record -Matthew 19:¹³ Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

¹⁴But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

¹⁵And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Mark’s record – Mark 10:¹³ And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

¹⁴But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

¹⁵Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

How old do you think the children were?

Matthew (little children); Mark (young children); Luke (infants); Jesus (little children)

Why do you think the disciples rebuked those who brought the children?

Sometimes do you feel small and unwanted?

Does it matter to you that even the little ones matter to Jesus?

Jesus is our great High Priest

Hebrews 4:¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Where is our great High Priest?  in Heaven, He passed to there

Who is our great High Priest? Jesus, the Son of God

What is special about our great High Priest?

He can be moved with the feeling of our infirmities

He was tempted like we are but did not sin!

Our High Priest sits on a throne of grace not judgement!

Our High Priest invites us to come boldly for grace and mercy

Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve

Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve

Isn’t Jesus a great High Priest?

When you consider the emotion of Jesus, can you relate how He must have felt to what you feel in your situation?  Can you see how this experience of Jesus enables Him to fully understand how you feel?

Focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Challenge -Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will        accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

In this series we examine the emotions Jesus Christ felt when He was on earth, limited to a time in history, a geographical place, and a human body that needed water, food and sleep. We will examine how He managed His emotions; and why His emotional experiences enable Him to understand everything you and I feel. He is our help in time of trouble.

Remember:

Your emotions are God-given, you are entitled to them.

Your emotions are personal. No one can tell you how you should feel.

Your emotions must be managed or they will control you.

You are not responsible for someone else’s emotions.

Do you feel constrained? Do you desire other circumstances? Are you eager to finish a task or duty? Longing to achieve a goal? Is there some wrong you are waiting to have righted? Some circumstance waiting for justice? Some situation waiting for God to resolve it? Some desire waiting for fulfillment? Jesus understands. He felt constrained.

Definition

Constrained – forced, compelled or obliged, bound

Situation

Luke 12: ⁴⁹I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

⁵⁰But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

The context is judgment

In the context of these verses, Jesus is talking about the coming judgment of the fallen creation. The flood destroyed all flesh except for the 8 folks saved in the ark and the creatures gathered in the ark. The coming judgment will not be by water because of the Noahic covenant.

Genesis 9:¹¹ And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

¹²And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

¹³I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

¹⁴And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

¹⁵And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

The judgment is coming and will be by fire. What does Jesus mean when He says the fire of judgment is already kindled? When you and I receive the gift of salvation, purchased for us by the death and resurrection of Jesus, He begins to refine us and make us more like Himself. The refiner’s fire melts off the dross so that only what is valuable remains.  The refiner must watch the precious gem in the fire until the gem reflects the refiner’s face. So Jesus intimately involves Himself in the lives and circumstances of those He redeemed; fashioning us to be more like Him. In this process Jesus prepares us to live eternally with Him but also provides evidence to the unsaved around us that judgment is coming.

What baptism is Jesus talking about?

Baptism is an act of transition with spiritual meaning. Jesus is not longing for water baptism. John already baptized Him. Jesus is not longing for baptism of the Holy Spirit. He was filled with the Spirit. Jesus is longing for the completion of God’s plan of salvation (made at least 4,000 years previously), the serpent’s head to be crushed, the sin debt of the rebellious creation to be fully paid, the righteous Father to be satisfied, death to be conquered and life given to saved ones, reconciliation to their Creator offered to the people and the return of Jesus to glory. The accomplishment requires His crucifixion and resurrection.

Let’s look more at the context. In this situation Jesus is talking about judgment, His second coming and the necessity to be ready for Him.

Luke 12: ³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

³⁸And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

³⁹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

⁴⁰Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

What is the significance of ‘loins girded and lights burning’?

Are you waiting for Jesus to come for you?

Blessed = happy, content, joyful

Peter asks a pertinent question

⁴¹Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

⁴²And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

⁴³Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

⁴⁴Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

⁴⁵But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

⁴⁶The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

⁴⁷And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

⁴⁸But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

This instruction is for everyone. Those who have heard the offer of free salvation and received it and those who have heard the offer and refused it and those who never heard. Everyone is responsible to Jesus, our Creator and Lord.

Jesus assigns each of His redeemed to specific tasks. You have assigned life roles such as parent, spouse, child, sibling, neighbor, coworker, colleague, citizen, church member. What are your life roles? How are you fulfilling each role?

Jesus talks about division of those who believe and those who do not believe in Him

⁵¹Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

⁵²For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

⁵³The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Do you find it difficult when close friends or family members do not choose to receive the gift of salvation?

Questions for Reflection

1) What about your circumstances seems like the Refiner’s fire?

2) Is there something you are waiting to be made right?

3) Can you see how this situation enables Jesus to understand your feelings?

Jesus is our great High Priest

Hebrews 4:¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Where is our great High Priest?  in Heaven, He passed to there

Who is our great High Priest? Jesus, the Son of God

What is special about our great High Priest?

He can be moved with the feeling of our infirmities

He was tempted like we are but did not sin!

Our High Priest sits on a throne of grace not judgement!

Our High Priest invites us to come boldly for grace and mercy

Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve

Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve

Isn’t Jesus a great High Priest?

Does it matter to you that Jesus understands what it feels like to be constrained?

When you consider the emotion of Jesus, can you relate how He must have felt to what you feel in your situation?  Can you see how this experience of Jesus enables Him to fully understand how you feel?

Do you know this song?

In His time – written by Burt Bacharach & Hal David

In His time, In His Time. He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord please show me every day As You’re teaching me Your way
That You do just what You say In Your time.

In Your time, In Your Time. You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord my life to You I bring. May each song I have to sing
Be to you a lovely thing In Your time.

When you consider the emotion of Jesus, can you relate how He must have felt to what you feel in your situation?  Can you see how this experience of Jesus enables Him to fully understand how you feel?

Focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Challenge -Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will         accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

In this series we examine the emotions Jesus Christ felt when He was on earth, limited to a time in history, a geographical place, and a human body that needed water, food and sleep. We will examine how He managed His emotions; and why His emotional experiences enable Him to understand everything you and I feel. He is our help in time of trouble.

Remember:

Your emotions are God-given, you are entitled to them.

Your emotions are personal. No one can tell you how you should feel.

Your emotions must be managed or they will control you.

You are not responsible for someone else’s emotions.

Definition

Bearing = the act of enduring or capacity to endure

Bearing with others

Are there difficult people in your life now? Is there someone who makes life complicated for you?

Is there someone who is difficult to get along with no matter how hard you try? Jesus knows exactly how you feel. Jesus understands.

Situation

In this situation, Jesus, Peter, James and John were on the mountain for the transfiguration of Jesus.

Luke 9:³⁷ And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

³⁸And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

³⁹And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

⁴⁰And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

⁴¹And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

⁴²And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

⁴³ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered everyone at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

⁴⁴Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

⁴⁵But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

What is the situation? The disciples could not cast out the unclean spirit

What upsets Jesus? The people have no faith and are perverse

(obstinate, contrary, rejecting what is right)

Why do you think Jesus talked about His crucifixion at this point?

How does the mighty power of God relate to the crucixion?

In Matthew’s account Jesus tells the disciples their unbelief prevented them from helping.

17:¹⁴ And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

¹⁵Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

¹⁶And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

¹⁷Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

¹⁸And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

¹⁹Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

²⁰And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

²¹Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

In Mark’s account the scribes are questioning the disciples.

9:¹⁴ And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

¹⁵And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

¹⁶And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

¹⁷And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

¹⁸And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

¹⁹He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

²⁰And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

²¹And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

²²And oft times it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

²³Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

²⁴And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

²⁵When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

²⁶And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

²⁷But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

²⁸And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

²⁹And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus is our great High Priest

Hebrews 4:¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Where is our great High Priest?  in Heaven, He passed to there

Who is our great High Priest? Jesus, the Son of God

What is special about our great High Priest?

He can be moved with the feeling of our infirmities

He was tempted like we are but did not sin!

Our High Priest sits on a throne of grace not judgement!

Our High Priest invites us to come boldly for grace and mercy

Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve

Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve

Isn’t Jesus a great High Priest?

What makes a person difficult for you to bear? Mannerisms? Loud talking? Vulgarity?

Does it matter to you that Jesus understands what it feels like to bear with difficult people?

Focus –Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Challenge

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will        accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

In this series we examine the emotions Jesus Christ felt when He was on earth, limited to a time in history, a geographical place, and a human body that needed water, food and sleep. We will examine how He managed His emotions; and why His emotional experiences enable Him to understand everything you and I feel. He is our help in time of trouble.

Remember:

Your emotions are God-given, you are entitled to them.

Your emotions are personal. No one can tell you how you should feel.

Your emotions must be managed or they will control you.

You are not responsible for someone else’s emotions.

Definition

Anger- a strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a wrong. This wrong can be real or imagined.

Anger Basics

• Anger is the emotional response to violated rights – real or imagined
• Anger is not a sin but rather a responsive signal of your surroundings
• Reaction to anger can be good or sinful
• Anger is normal and universal
• Anger is dangerous, makes negative behavior easy

Is it surprising to learn the gospels record only one occurrence when Jesus felt anger? The scriptures do not indicate He felt anger when He cleansed the temple; when they accused Him of blasphemy; when they beat Him; when they mocked Him; when they spit on Him, when He word the crown of thorns, when they crucified Him. Why do you think the Holy Spirit did nor direct the gospel writers to indicate He felt anger at those times?

Situation

Mark 3: ¹ And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

²And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

³And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

⁴And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

⁵And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

⁶And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Questions for reflection

Why was Jesus displeased?

Who had done wrong?

What was the wrong?

How do you think they each felt when Jesus looked at them with anger?

Is there some tradition or habit that causes you difficulty in accepting Jesus?

Is there some tradition or habit that causes you difficulty in accepting what Jesus is doing in your circumstances?

Notice that the anger of Jesus was coupled with grief. Is there another emotion that often accompanies your anger?

What triggers your anger most often? People? Frustration? Traffic? Finances? Out-of-control circumstances?

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He will never again look at you with anger because the penalty for your sin has been paid in full.

How does it feel to know Jesus will never be mad at you or angry with you?

When you consider the emotion of Jesus, can you relate how He must have felt to what you feel in your situation?  Can you see how this experience of Jesus enables Him to fully understand how you feel?

Do you know this song?

And can it be that I should gain-Charles Wesley, 1738

And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear, That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near, That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Jesus is our great High Priest

Hebrews 4:¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Where is our great High Priest?  in Heaven, He passed to there

Who is our great High Priest? Jesus, the Son of God

What is special about our great High Priest?

He can be moved with the feeling of our infirmities

He was tempted like we are but did not sin!

Our High Priest sits on a throne of grace not judgement!

Our High Priest invites us to come boldly for grace and mercy

Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve

Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve

Isn’t Jesus a great High Priest?

Focus

Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Encouragement

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will       accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

All four gospels give an account of angels at the tomb the morning of the resurrection of Jesus.

What did they look like?

What did they say?

Matthew 28:¹ first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

²And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

³His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

⁴And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

⁵And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

⁶He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

⁷And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

What was the appearance of the angel?

What did the angel tell the women?

What invitation did the angel give the women?

Mark 16:¹ And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

²And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

³And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

⁴And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

⁵And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

⁶And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

⁷But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

What was the appearance of the angel?

What did the angel tell the women?

What invitation did the angel give the women?

What instruction did the angel give the women?

Luke 24:¹ Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

²And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

³And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

⁴And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

⁵And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

⁶He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

⁷Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

How did the angels appear?

What question did the angels ask?

What message did the angels give?

John’s account focuses on Mary and includes Jesus

John 20: ¹The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

²Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

³Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

⁴So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

⁵And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

⁶Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

⁷And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

⁸Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

⁹For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

¹⁰Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

¹¹But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

¹²And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

¹³And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

 

How did the angels appear?

What question did the angels ask Mary?

¹⁴ And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

¹⁵Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

¹⁷Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

How did Mary respond to Jesus?

How will you respond to Jesus when you first see Him physically?

What are the angels – Hebrews 1:¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

⁴ Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

⁵ For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

⁶ And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

⁷ And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

⁸ But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

⁹ Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

¹⁰ And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

¹¹ They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

¹² And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

¹³ But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

The angels are to worship Jesus, God’s Son

The angels are created by God

The angels are spirits

The angels are His ministers

The angels are sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge -Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

 

The record according to Luke in chapter 24:³⁰ And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

³² And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

³³ And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

³⁴ Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

³⁵ And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

³⁶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

³⁷ But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

³⁸ And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

³⁹ Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

⁴⁰ And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

⁴¹ And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

⁴² And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

⁴³ And he took it, and did eat before them.

⁴⁴ And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

⁴⁵ Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

⁴⁶ And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

⁴⁷ And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

⁴⁸ And ye are witnesses of these things.

Evidence= Jesus has flesh. Jesus has bones. Jesus can eat. Jesus’ own words are either true or He is not God. According to Numbers 23:¹⁹ God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

How many witnesses to the physical resurrection of Jesus were there?

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less, and Salome

Matthew 28:¹ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

² And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

³ His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

⁴ And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

⁵ And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

⁶ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

⁷ And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

⁸ And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

⁹ And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

¹⁰ Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Mark adds Salome to the group of ladies in chapter 16:¹And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Two on the road to Emmaus-Luke 24;¹³ And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

¹⁴ And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

¹⁵ And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

¹⁶ But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

10 disciples without Thomas-John 20:¹⁹ Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

²⁰ And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

²³ Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

²⁴ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

11 disciples with Thomas-John 20:²⁶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

²⁷ Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

²⁸ And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

²⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

³⁰ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

³¹ But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Disciples at the Sea of Tiberius-John 21:¹ After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

² There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

11 disciples on the day of ascension according to Matthew 28:¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

¹⁷ And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen

Peter, 500 witnesses, James the Less, Paul -1 Corinthians 15:³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

⁷ After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

⁸ And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Evidence = more than 515 eye-witnesses to the physical resurrection of Jesus

What difference does it make that Jesus arose from the grave?

Paul’s record in 1 Corinthians 15:¹² Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

¹³ But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

¹⁵ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

¹⁶ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

²¹ For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

²³ But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

²⁴ Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

²⁵ For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

²⁶ The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Questions for Reflection

1) Does your life demonstrate the risen Lord’s presence?

2) How can you use God’s written word to refute the falsehoods regarding the resurrection?

3) What difference to you does the bodily resurrection of Jesus make?

Do you know this song? Because he Lives- Bill Gaither

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

And then one day, I’ll cross the river, I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will         accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

 

What information does history provide about crucifixion?

King Darius of Persia had 3000 Babylonians crucified in about 519 B.C.

Around 300 B.C., Alexander the Great had 2000 citizens of Tyre crucified after he conquered the city.

The Romans did not invent crucifixion but did perfect its cruelty.

Crucifixion as performed by the Romans included:

-flogging,

-the condemned carrying own cross to the place outside the city walls, led by a complete military  guard, headed by a centurion. A sign (titulus) which told what the condemned man was guilty of was sometimes carried by a soldier and sometimes put around the condemned man’s neck. Later this sign would be attached to the top of the cross

– the condemned given a drink of wine mixed with myrrh (gall). This was intended to be a mild narcotic that would deaden the pain. It is significant that Jesus refused this drink

– the condemned stripped of garments

– the condemned being thrown to the ground where outstretched hands were nailed to the crossbeam

– the condemned being hoisted up so that the crossbeam was attached to the upright beam.

– the condemned’s  feet were nailed, one on top of the other, to the upright beam with another iron spike. Jutting out from the upright beam was a small block or plank (sedile) which the crucified   would straddle, thus absorbing some of the weight of the body.

The crucified person could not exhale properly and this eventually would lead to painful muscle cramps. Furthermore, adequate exhaling required the crucified to lift his body by pushing up on the feet and rotating his elbows. This, of course, resulted in searing pain in both feet and hands. Lifting of the body to properly exhale would also painfully scrape the scourged back against the rough wooden cross, probably reopening wounds and causing more bleeding. On the cross every breath would be an agonizing affair and finally in combination with exhaustion would lead to asphyxia. Death by crucifixion at times came quickly, but sometimes didn’t come to the crucified for several days. There the crucified would hang, naked, the object of jeering and ridicule, insects landing in their mouth, eyes, and open wounds, and unable to remove them, exposed to the elements, unable to eat or drink. And this is the death that Jesus Christ died. All this our Savior did for you and for me, to save us from the penalty of our sins.

History indicates Jesus Christ chose to come to earth at the time in history when criminal execution was most barbaric, severe and cruel.

Questions for Reflection

1. I) Are you living an abundant life?

 

1. II) Is the life you are living worth His death on the cross and resurrection?

 

III) Will you allow Jesus Christ to give you the abundant life, for which He came to earth?

Colossians 3:¹If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

• For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory

1.  Have you been saved from the penalty and power of sin or does it still control you?

The Christian life is a growing process. Talk to Jesus about it.

John 8:³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

1. V) Do you believe Jesus Christ has delivered you from bondage to the fear of death?

How does that play out in your daily life?

1. VI) What does it mean to you to take up your cross?

VII) Is there an area in your life where someone or something is more important than Jesus Christ?

Matthew 11:²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Why Should He Love Me So- Robert Harkness
Love sent my Savior to die in my stead; Why should He love me so?
Meekly to Calvary’s cross He was led; Why should He love me so?

Nails pierced His hands and His feet for my sin; Why should He love me so?
He suffered sore my salvation to win; Why should He love me so?

O how He agonized there in my place; Why should He love me so?
Nothing withholding my sin to efface; Why should He love me so?

chorus

Why should He love me so? Why should He love me so?
Why should my Savior to Calvary go? Why should He love me so?

 

Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

The gospel books record two Roman centurions and their encounters with Jesus Christ.

What is a centurion?

A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army. Most centurions commanded groups of centuries of around 100 men but senior centurions commanded cohorts or took senior staff roles in their legion.

The first centurion’s encounter with Jesus was recorded by both Matthew and Luke.

Matthew 8: ⁵And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, ⁶And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. ⁷And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. ⁸The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. ⁹For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. ¹⁰When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ¹¹And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. ¹²But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ¹³And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

The first centurion addressed Jesus as ‘Lord’.

The first centurion had a need.

The first centurion trusted Jesus could cure.

The first centurion saw himself as unworthy.

The first centurion had faith in Jesus.

Luke 7: ¹Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. ²And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. ³And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. ⁴And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: ⁵For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. ⁶Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: ⁷Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. ⁸For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. ⁹When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him,I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ¹⁰And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Luke’s account documents Jews elders and friends coming to Jesus for the centurion.

What does that mean to you?

The second centurion had orders from Pilate, the Roman Governor, to crucify the man Jesus Christ. This encounter was recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Mark 15:³⁷ And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. ³⁸And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. ³⁹And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Luke 23: ⁴⁴And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. ⁴⁶And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. ⁴⁷Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

The second centurion saw the crucifixion and the aftermath.

The second centurion stood against the cross.

The second centurion glorified God, calling Jesus ‘a righteous man’.

The second centurion called Jesus ‘the Son of God’.

Two centurions encounter Jesus.

One sees his own need.

One sees Jesus with power to heal.

One sees Jesus as more worthy than he.

One sees Jesus as righteous and the Son of God.

What is your view of Jesus?

Have you encountered Jesus?

Our focus  Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed  and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will  accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

When combined the four gospel accounts about the crucifixion of Jesus give the complete record. The individual records are part of the whole as any eye- witness testimony would be.  One of the last statements of Jesus is recorded only by John.

John 19:²⁸ After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

²⁹ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

‘It is finished’ is the translation of the Greek accounting word ‘tetelestai’, which literally means “paid in full”. Nothing remains to be paid. The debt is satisfied.

What debt? The debt you and I owed to God, our Creator.

Romans 3:¹⁹ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

The reason for John’s record is given in chapter 20:²⁸And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

²⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

³⁰ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

³¹ But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

There remains nothing for you and me to pay. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He forgives all your sins (past, present and future) and marks your debt “PAID IN FULL” because He already paid it for you. He makes you free from the sin debt and the penalty of sin.

This is what Jesus says in John 8:³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

It is Finished-Bill & Gloria Gaither

There’s a line that is drawn through the ages-On that line stands an old rugged cross
On that cross, a battle is raging-For the gain of man’s soul or it’s loss
On one side, march the forces of evil-All the demons, all the devils of hell
On the other, the angels of glory-And they meet on Golgotha’s hill
The earth shakes with the force of the conflict-And the sun refuses to shine
For there hangs God’s son, in the balance -And then through the darkness He cries

Chorus

It is finished, the battle is over-It is finished, there’ll be no more war
It is finished, the end of the conflict -It is finished and Jesus is Lord

Yet in my heart, the battle was still raging Not all prisoners of war had come home
These were battlefields of my own making I didn’t know that the war had been won
Oh, but then I heard the King of the Ages had fought all the battles for me
And that victory was mine for the claiming And now praise His name, I am free.

 

Questions for Reflection

1) What difference does it make to you that Jesus took your place and paid your debt?

2) What are some ways you can thank Him?

3) How can you fully appropriate the benefits of your forgiveness and now your close relationship with God your Creator in your daily activities?

Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed   and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti