Easter---Resurrection

HE COVERED IT ALL

FoTE QUOTE

“Life is like a stage where our story is being played out.

There are two sides to every story, the righteous - and the unrighteous -

and at one time or another, each of us has played both parts.

None is guiltless... no, not one. Thank GOD for Christ!"

 - Rev. R S Galizia

Worldview - noun

How one sees the world, and therefore, experiences everything in it

Everyone has one! A worldview, that is. But if you have a Christian worldview, then you have been re-born in your spirit, and you see people, places, and things through the spiritual eyes of Christ, as revealed in His written word, the Holy Bible.

If you do not, then you are still functioning from mere self and what is being taught to you by that liar and thief, Satan - named ‘the spirit of the world’ by Father GOD.

Meaning, you do not have the spiritual eyes of Christ through spiritual rebirth TO see what is truth, and what is not. It is dangerous, because it even prevents you from seeing yourself as you truly are!

BEHOLD.. THE LAMB OF GOD!

Greetings, Beloved!

Who do YOU say Jesus is?

Your whole life - and death - all your experiences, and your Eternity, all depend on your answer to that question!

HE COVERED IT ALL

We have all had our share

Of secrets and shame,

false guilt and blame.

Of betrayal and perfidy,

distress and tragedy.

Of sufferings and grievant,

anguish and bereavement.

We have all had our portion

Of irreplaceable losses

wrought from unpredictable causes.

Of brutal desolations, leaving

afflictions, and deprivations.

We have all had our dole

Of failures and disappointments

and bitter false judgments.

Of overwhelming human regret

for the endless promises, unmet.

We have all had our fill

Of having been left, undesired

and being tried by the fire -

Of it blazing too near

causing paralyzing fear.

We have all had our day

Of being horribly used

and deeply misconstrued.

Of knowing hate and ill-will

and our hearts never stilled.

We have all had our times

Of being woefully wronged

and the pain being prolonged.

Of being lied to, deceived

and our own truth, un-believed.

We have all had our seasons

Of cruelty and abuse

being chastised and accused,

Inflicted with pain

and angst that remains.

Yea, the burden of our toil

the hardship and the roil

Of our daily ingest

of what others confess;

Tho’ so little rings true

for me and for you.

And yet..

For all of this

From all peoples

For all the ages

In one condemning moment of time

All evil and injustice

Came slamming down to rest

Upon our Holy Saviour’s breast...

With ev’ry pound of the nail

He endured each human’s hell

Whether perpetrated, or received

That we might believe

The Lamb of GOD, The Lion of Judah

He bore it ALL!

Now is the time to be thankful

To Father GOD for rescuing us

From ourselves..

By giving us

His Only Son

as a propitiation

for our sins.

IN CHRIST ALONE

IS THE RECORD OF OUR PAST

OBLITERATED

AND OUR SIN-DEBT MARKED

“PAID IN FULL!”

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.

~Romans 5:8

Let us never forget: Jesus the Christ came as the Sacrificial Lamb of GOD,

to take away our sin, but in the end, He will return as the Lion of Judah!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reach For The Cross!

Lessons

JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY

The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way - a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." St. Mark 1:1-8

THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF CHRIST

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." At once the Spirit sent Him out into the desert, and He was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended Him. St. Mark 1:9 -13

JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY

Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity

to hand him over. St. Mark 14:1-10

THE LAST SUPPER

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body given for you.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. St. Mark 14:12-26

JESUS PREDICTS PETER'S DENIAL

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. St. Mark 14:27-31

GETHSEMANE

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” St. Mark 14:32-42

JESUS ARRESTED

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled.

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. St. Mark 14:43-51

JESUS BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him. St. Mark 14:52-65

PETER DISOWNS JESUS

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept bitterly. St. Mark 14:66-72

JESUS BEFORE PILATE

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Are you not going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

“Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

“What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.

“Crucify him!” they shouted.

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged,

and handed him over to be crucified. St. Mark 15:1-15

THE DEATH OF JESUS

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” St. Mark 14:15-39

JESUS HAS RISEN

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” St. Mark 16:1-7

*As recorded in the Gospels of Christ, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke & St. John, of the New Testament