UI – Easter 2013 – Knowing Jesus (Isa)

Jesus separates mankind, each individual, from each other as to faith in God. An Eternal life is sought by all who accept God. Allah included. BUT the guarantee God provided came thru the incarnation of Jesus Christ. A simplified summary follows:

From Matthew

(Matthew 20:) “17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

All agree, Jew, Muslim, Christian, and historians agree this event, possibly the most significant event in all history, happened.

From Casting Crowns

Words from a popular song sung by a noted musical group. They are meaningful and succinct.

The Song: Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)

Lyrics:

” One day when Heaven was filled with His praises. One day when sin was as black as could be Jesus came forth to be born of a Virgin Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us

His glory revealed

Living He loved me, dying He saved me. And buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified freely forever

One day He’s coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain. One day they nailed Him to die on a tree. Suffering anguish, despised and rejected. Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree And took the nails for me

‘Cause living He loved me, dying He saved me, And buried He carried my sins far away, Rising He justified freely forever

One day He’s coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer, One day the stone rolled away from the door, Then He arose, over death He had conquered, Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore,

One day the trumpet will sound for his coming, One day the skies with his glories will shine; Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;

Glorious Saviour, this Jesus is mine! ”

Easter, celebrated this past Sunday, honored the Rising of The Lord. He died to Save everyone. Believe in Jesus as the way and the light to the eternal kingdom. His door is open to all who want to come-in.

Peace

We talk of peace, an objective of the rhetoric of every leader. But to have peace there is first conflict. For without an enemy how or why would there be a need for Peace. Forgiveness is the obstacle to overcome. Vengeance is the emotion that must be set aside, swallowed, along with pride.  What is the purpose to uphold a need to respond that only one side thrives on?  Why have others join a cause that has no end?  Somewhere, someone, some ulema, many leaders, a consensus builder, a strong objective yet humble person must coordinate the ultimate peace settlement. Only when humans can lay down their swords of hatred, their justification for revenge, and discover love is the only way will there ever be everlasting peace?

Love

(Luke 6:27) “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”

(1 Corinthians 13:) 4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Ephesians 5:) 1 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Know that to lay down the sword needs love. Hope and faith are needed too, but love, of the enemy, the adversary, mutual admiration and acceptance, is what God makes clear is what is expected to achieve a life with Him.

Jesus is Love personified.  Imitate Jesus in the life you lead.

Grace and PEACE.