Luke 24:4-8 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ 8 Then they remembered his words.
 
WE all know of lightning’s startling brilliance. Regardless of how many times we have seen blazing white lightning bolt across the sky, we sense some fear of this uncontrollable power. We know we cannot stop it. Such is God’s power to do his will. He is sovereign to control all things in heaven and earth. We are not. That may be obvious to most of us; however, mankind’s tendency is to believe otherwise.
    Can you imagine, then, how the “two men” – angels (meaning messengers) form heaven – at Jesus’ tomb startled the women? When the women saw their clothes that gleamed like lightning their only response was to bow down with their faces to the ground. God’s glory and power stood before them. Who would not bow in fear and reverence? The is how Peter, James and John reacted at Jesus’ Transfiguration. Matthew 17:2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light…5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. When we recognize God’s blazing holiness bolt into our storm-afflicted lives, reverent worship and fear must be our response. In other words, we truly believe in God’s authority to judge us and to save us. We are at his mercy for our lives now and forever.
    That’s why we celebrate that God has made a way for us to stand before him in faithful peace. Remembering God is sovereign to offer Jesus unto death, as the angels urged the women, our fearful souls find a holy peace. As Jesus commanded, “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19), we are to remember how God has acted to turn the lightning bolt’s fearful light into the Savior’s light of salvation.
    The angels spoke to bring peace to the women’s hearts. God’s purpose was for them to leave the empty tomb, eager to find the risen Christ. Their mission was to tell the world Jesus had fulfilled his promise, “on the third day be raised again.” With that message they and all of Jesus disciples throughout history would come to know Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Faithful to believe God, they would be prepared to meet the risen Savior.
    Need peace? Go find Jesus.   
 
Prayer: May you, the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in you, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (from Romans 15:13) Amen.  

Luke 23:54-56 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
 
THE Preparation Day was the day before a Sabbath that occurred at festival such as Passover. Cooking food and other chores were to be done on Preparation Day, so only the most basic work would be done on the Sabbath. Even Jesus’ women disciples, deeply grieved and afraid, remained obedient to the law. They knew their work on Jesus’ body must wait. So they diligently learned where Jesus’ tomb was. This, too, is an essential fact when proving Jesus’ resurrection. Although they didn’t know it, God was using their faith to prepare them to be the first witnesses of Jesus’ risen body!
    There is another way God used Preparation Day to prepare the Jews for Jesus’ resurrection. Each Preparation Day before the Passover, Ezekiel 37:1-14 was to be read. This passage is known as “The Valley of Dry Bones”. The prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of the Spirit blowing life into dry bones, resurrecting the bones into living bodies. Here is a portion: Ezekiel 37:4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”...10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet – a vast army…14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”   
    For centuries God had been preparing his people for resurrection. Preparation Day had extended through the centuries by the mouths of prophets and finally through Jesus to tell the Jews of God’s new breath of life to come. The Passover was a constant reminder of God’s new life for the Jews out of Egypt. Preparation Day was a reminder to be ready for God’s next great deliverance.
    This deliverance would not be freedom from an earthly tyrant but from Satan’s tyranny over the soul. Dry faith would receive the Spirit’s breath. Souls would come alive in his life-giving power to declare the favor of God upon his people and the world.
    Remember, Jesus began his ministry with Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord Is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” The Father has prepared the Son to fulfill his favor upon his people. In Jesus’ resurrection, the Jews will have evidence the Lord’s preparations are complete.
 
Prayer: Thank you for preparing me to be your servant, Lord God. I pray my life is to prepare others. Amen.  

Luke 23:50-53 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.
 
THE gospel of Matthew describes Joseph as a rich man from Arimathea who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. (from Matthew 27:57) Luke says he was a member of the Council. This is the Sanhedrin, which was the great council of the nation, assembled in an apartment of the temple of Jerusalem, to determine the most important affairs both of church and state. Joseph had political and religious power. Mark says he was a “prominent member of the Council” (Mark 15:43) Joseph had power, wealth and prestige. His viewpoint mattered.
    He used his power and position for God. He voted, “No.” when it was popular to condemn, “Crucify him.” In faith, Joseph saw Jesus as evidence of God’s prophetic Word. Waiting for the kingdom of God, he believed in God’s future under God’s authority. His faith set him apart from the others.
    Set apart, Joseph acted into his wisdom and love for the Christ. First, Joseph gently wrapped Jesus’ body in a linen cloth. This would set Jesus’ body apart into a specific tomb. Arimathea was about 30 miles from Jerusalem, so it is unlikely this tomb was to be for Joseph or his family. This good man used his wealth to bury Jesus with dignity as a sacrificial love offering to the Lord. In addition, there would be a record of this set apart tomb’s location and the one buried. Proof of Jesus’ burial spot would be one way to prove Luke 24:6 “He is not here; he has risen!” The sovereign Lord used his faithful disciple Joseph to prepare for the Savior’s resurrection. God had set Joseph apart to give him wealth for the tomb, faith for his wisdom and love to motivate his actions.
    Are you set apart in Christ? What is your love response? Are you willing to dissent against ungodly laws, unjust condemnation and destructive thinking? The Bible’s narrative is a history of people God has set apart to do his good will on earth. Note how every person he called is directed to speak of God and to act for God. They are set apart to call families, tribes and nations into the physical and spiritual kingdom of God. You, too, as Jesus’ disciple have a responsibility to pursue the wealth of God’s righteousness, to speak in faith and to act in love.
    May I encourage you with Paul’s words to Philemon: “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 6-7)
    Set apart, Joseph spoke and acted as Jesus’ faithful, loving disciple. I pray we do, too.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Spirit, for setting me apart in Jesus’ resurrection. I pray for your wisdom to speak and do your love. Amen.

Luke 23:48-49 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
 
A few lessons ago, I mentioned that many in Jerusalem supported Jesus. Certainly not all cried, “Crucify him!” Surely, many called, “Stop this! He’s done so much good. He healed my daughter.” “Jesus raised my brother!” “He’s forgiven my sins and I have hope again.” “Release him!”
    But the Jews accused the Righteous King. The Romans crucified the Living Word. The faithless condemned the Forgiver. Jesus cried out from the cross. Darkness covered the city. What is left to do but to mournfully beat one’s breast, and wonder, “One week ago, the city was full of hope and promise. Now this. What has happened here?” In grief, the once-hopeful went home.
    Even darker than the sunless hours would be the hearts of Jesus’ faithful women followers. Except for John, it seems no other disciple witnessed Jesus’ execution.
    These faithful, redeemed women and his mother knew how his love had changed their lives. How exhilarating it had been to personally live into Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Oh joy it is to daily know an intimate fellowship with the Lord God Almighty. Everything it seemed had changed in just a few short hours. Anguished souls suffered with their Rabbi. What now? 
    What would you say to those who beat their breast, who lost hope that day? How would you comfort the good women in their sorrow and disbelief? Is there any way to fill the growing emptiness deep inside their hearts?
    Yes, you know how to do that, don’t you? You know the full story of Jesus Christ, crucified, dead and buried. How sweet the news that “On the third day he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.” (the Apostles Creed) How grand is it to expect, “And he shall come again to judge the living and the dead.” You fill the mournful void with the gospel truth to tell people the darkness was for only three hours. Jesus was dead for only three days. Now he reigns forever at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty!
    Knowing the Good News is knowing how real Isaiah’s words are for the Christian today, tomorrow and forever. Yes, how beautiful are your feet when you walk joyfully with your Lord to bring good news, knowing, “Our God reigns!”
    “How could it be, that you my King would die for me?” (“Amazing Love” by Chris Tomlin)
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus for dying for me, so I will live with you forever. How deep, Father, is your love that you would call even me, a sinner, “Child.” Gratefully, Holy Spirit, I worship you for your life in me. In Jesus’ resurrection power I rejoice! Amen.

Luke 23:46-47 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
 
JESUS’ last words as a man are a prayer from Psalms 31:1-5 “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.”
    I think there’s about an hour’s sermon here. But I’ll attempt, instead, to convey some of God’s gracious truth with a few words.
    One important understanding of Jesus’ prayer is to know this was prayed at the Jews’ evening offering. How good it is to close a day seeking deliverance from sin’s shame. For the Christian, saved in faith, this prayer is our humble confession daily of our need for God. Such confession will steadfastly draw us closer to God. If you have yet to declare faith in Christ, this prayer will serve to open your heart, soul and mind to increasingly understand you need God’s righteousness – his perfection – to be in his eternal sacred refuge.
    Yes, this prayer was a good prayer – a God-centered prayer – for the Jew before Christ. It is good for the Christian now. It can even be soul transforming for the unconfessed sinner. This prayer submits to God’s holiness and eternal protection. But why would the sinless Son of God pray, “Redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.”  Surely, the Redeemer has no need of redemption!
    Here are two reasons I believe Jesus prayed these words. First, remember he was on the cross for mankind’s sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Jesus prayed for the Father to remove sin’s condemnation from his human spirit. The physical Lamb of God prayed that the offering of his body and blood would be acceptable to the Father. He could not enter the LORD’s refuge with sin on his spirit. And thus, he will be forgiven of the world’s sins thrust upon him. Do you see how deep, high, wide and long is God’s love? He sent his Son to be sin, so the Son could redeem sin!  
    The second reason Jesus prayed this out loud is for this very moment – right now – when (I pray.) you are learning about it. We have seen that each step of Jesus’ tragic death is a lesson to lead us into deeper discipleship. Here is the last step. His final words even become another way he teaches us to pray. We must learn to pray in all circumstances, especially, “Into your hands I commit my spirit. Deliver me from evil.”
    The centurion said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” He spoke God’s truth. A righteous person knows of sin and humbly seeks God’s redemption even to his last breath.
 
Prayer: Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen. 
 

Luke 23:44-45 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
 
RECENTLY, we experienced about 93% of a solar eclipse. The sun’s light was less, but there was still ample light from the sun. We needed no artificial light to see. In the eclipse, we knew the sun was still shining. Even those who experienced the total eclipse could still see a ring of the sun’s light. Darkness came and left quickly. No one said, “The sun stopped shining.”
    But at Jesus’ death, Luke records that for three hours “the sun stopped shining”. Because the Passover happened near the time of the full moon, it was not possible for an eclipse to occur that day. Instead, the one who said, “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3) and commanded Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt –  darkness that can be felt.” (Exodus 10:21) demonstrated his sovereign hand was on this day.
    This darkness is a sign of God’s judgment on the earth. And we rejoice that the darkness also pointed to God’s future promise to draw his people to himself. See this in God’s promise to Abram (soon to be renamed Abraham): Genesis 15:12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. Then in the darkness God came to affirm his promise to Abram: Genesis 15:17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces (of cut animals). God walked into the darkness he had set. With fire amid the sacrificed animals, the Lord assured Abram his descendants would see the light of God’s promise. Genesis 15:5 “Look up at the heavens and count the stars — if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
    In Jesus’ death, God’s judgment passed over the Son and over the Jews. Then God’s light began to shine when “the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” This curtain covered the Holy of Holies. Only a priest properly prepared through God’s worship laws could enter this temple’s inner sanctuary. He was the one who would speak for the Jews on the Day of Atonement to atone for the people’s sins. As Jesus’ died, the Day of Atonement has come to all the world. The Lamb has been slain. The darkness had come. Now Jesus is the great High Priest. He is the fiery, blazing Light of the World. He opens the way for all mankind to be a spiritual child of Abraham – a child of God.
    There is often some level of darkness in our lives, isn’t there? Sometimes our trouble can overwhelm us, and we wonder if God is keeping his covenant promise to guard and to guide our lives. But know in Jesus his light is always ablaze with his promise: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  Keep your eyes to the Lord as did Abraham and Jesus in their darkest hours. He will come and light your way to him.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for bringing me out of the darkness and into your light. Amen.

Luke 23:38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 
PILATE had ordered this sign to be hung. His intent was to mock the Jews and to warn against anyone who sought to overthrow Rome’s rule in Judea. But the sign to mock and warn has become an eternal sign pointing to the kingdom of God.  
    Yes, Jesus is the prophesied King of the Jews. He fulfilled God’s plan to take the gospel first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. The King humbly came to the Jews in Bethlehem to the glorious praise of the angels: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) He is the One of whom the Wise Men inquired: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2) John the Baptist pointed to Jesus to declare, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:2) Jesus repeatedly taught kingdom truth with such teachings as, “Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:19b) Through Jesus’ resurrection, “King of the Jews” proclaims the kingdom promise fulfilled: Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
    In his zeal, the Father submitted the Son to the cross, so the Son would be the eternal King of the Jews. He now reigns as the King of the Kingdom: Revelation 11:15b “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” One day all the world knows that Jesus Christ is King of Kings.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the King of Kings and he Lord of Lords. Hallelujah! From the cross you ascended to reign forever. Amen.
 
 

Luke 23:35-37 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
 
THE rulers sneered, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” Once again, they proved how persistently the unfaithful deny Jesus.
    Often they had urged Jesus with unbelieving hearts, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” (Matthew 12:39) They wanted no sign but only a trap to remove him. Yet, Jesus repeatedly demonstrated God’s power to the rulers. But with blind eyes and cold hearts, they denied his power. Worse, they even credited Satan as the source of Jesus’ power! God’s glory was personally in their midst. But all they could see was the image of their own darkness.
    Jesus, though, had promised them he would deliver to them a sign from the cross. Following one of the Pharisees’ demands, he replied in Matthew 12:39 “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” This is Jesus promise he will rise again. Jonah was three days in the fish as good as dead. Then the Lord restored him to his prophetic ministry to Ninevah. Jesus was three days in the grave. The Holy Spirit then raised him to continue God’s ministry on earth. Forgiveness came to Ninevah, who repented under Jonah’s prophecy. Forgiveness comes to sinners who repent in response to Jesus’ teachings. Jesus’ most powerful signs of all is that he did not come down from the cross physically to reject the cross. But he stayed there to die, so you and I will have the Resurrection sign to show to the world. Surely is the Son of God.  Resurrection, forgiveness and life are all the signs we need!
    So, it happened. In three days, the sneering rulers would, indeed, hear of Jesus’ resurrection sign. The resurrection stories would swirl throughout Jerusalem and eyewitness evidence would grow. Indeed, Jesus came down from the cross and showed them signs: Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.” 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
    Acts 5, too, records how the apostles preached the gospel, healed the sick and baptized those saved in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. In the Spirit’s power, they faithfully showed to the Jews the signs that Christ is the Son of God. The rulers could not stop the signs shouting, “Jesus is Lord!”
    Need some hope? Need some joy? Need some faith? See the sign.
     
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the sign of Life everlasting you have given to us. Amen.

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
 
THE Old Testament prophets sometimes called for God’s vengeance against their persecutors. The much-maligned prophet Jeremiah, for example, called out to God “You understand, O Lord; remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering – do not take me away; think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.” (Jeremiah 15:15) “Father, forgive them.” was far from his heart. It was common, too, for people executed under God’s law to confess, “May my death atone for all my sins.” They sought forgiveness for their own sins that had condemned them.
    But the sinless, suffering Savior neither prayed God’s vengeance on the Jews; nor, did the perfect Lamb of God have reason to confess. Instead, he displayed God’s high, wide, deep and long love when he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” How great is the father’s love that even before we know of our sin and understand our Savior, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)   
    No, they do not know. The unknowing Jewish authorities were without mercy for the Merciful Savior. Heart-hardened Roman soldiers gambled for his clothes. John describes the robe as a seamless, woven garment, which was the only thing of value Jesus possessed as a man. How pitiful it is for one to profit from another’s death. How greedy we are to gamble for things that do not belong to us. How true it is in our world that so many of us don’t know what we are doing when we crucify God’s grace for personal gain. Pursuing material measures of wealth will keep us from grasping Jesus’ wondrous, rich forgiveness.
    Yes, we are born the same as those before Jesus that day. None of us know of our sins, the Father’s justice and the Son’s salvation until the Holy Spirit mercifully reveals the gospel to us. How grand and glorious it is, then, to now know, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17) Remember, Jesus’ death is not to condemn the guilty. It is, instead, a sacrifice to forgive the guilty who confess their sins. John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
    In the Bible God has given to mankind the true knowledge of God and man’s need for God. We do know what we’re doing when we deny Christ and the gospel teachings. No longer do we have an excuse. Instead, we have “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6) In Jesus’ forgiveness, the cross, then, graciously becomes mankind’s means to follow the Way into eternal life.
    Know what you are doing. Follow Jesus.
     
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your submissive, loving purpose to atone for my sin. I pray, Holy Spirit, you will teach me to know what I am doing. Amen.  
   

Luke 23:32-34, 39-43 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left…39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
 
JESUS is crucified between two criminals. Still, Jesus graciously loves and forgives to his last human breath. One criminal rejects Jesus. One criminal repents. In faith, the confessing criminal knows of God’s judgment, and he knows Christ is Lord to save him from judgment. With God’s deep love, Jesus forgives: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
    Here is love spoken and grace given in their simplest forms. The man became the world’s first Christian saved in Jesus’ New Covenant of grace. He witnessed the body broken for him and the blood shed for him.
    Then he becomes the first Christian evangelist! With God’s love, he faithfully rebukes the unrepentant criminal and defends Jesus, “Don’t you fear God?” The church should be so loving to the sinner and faithful to the Lord to tell the good news.
    Why does one refuse Jesus and the other repent? This is God at work to save those he has chosen. 1 Peter 1:1b-2 To Christ’s elect, strangers in the world, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood. The word “foreknowledge” is much, much more than God looking into the future to see who would choose Christ. God does not wait to see what will happen. He determines what will happen.
     “Knowing” in the Hebrew meaning is not a mind knowledge. But it means to have a deep, intimate love. Teacher Dr. Stephen Lawson says, “Foreknowledge means that before time began, God drew a circle around your name to single you out, and he chose to love you. And he set his heart upon you with blazing, burning love and affection.” Further, “foreknowledge” is to understand God has chosen to love his own with a deep, intimae love of mind, emotions and physical intimacy. This is the love Jesus has demonstrated to us – even to physically die on a cross. This is the love God commands to love God and to love others.
    Knowing God knows his own, we have hope for the world. Many people are yet to confess Christ because God knows them. Rejoice and be glad to be his disciples. Be God’s minister to tell of God’s justice and God’s knowing love to save.
 
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for your eternal love for me. I pray I am faithful to tell the gospel message whenever I can. Amen.