 |
-> Will you help us Open a World of Opportunity? |
 |
|
| Home > Articles > Two Minute Meditations > "This Is What I Told You ..." |
 |
 This Is What I Told You ...
by Phil Ware
Keep up with Phil on his blog! Most of us have seen enough public investigations to be familiar with the question phrased as a statement: "I want to know what you knew and when you knew it!" I don't know about you, but I have often wondered when Jesus knew He would go to the Cross and be raised from the dead. Did He know when He touched the leper? Did He know when He cast out the demons? Did He know when He turned the water to wine? Did He know when He journeyed to Jerusalem as a twelve year old boy? Did He know every time He heard Psalm 22 or Isaiah 53 read in the synagogue? While I can't be sure exactly what Jesus knew and when He chose to know it, I do know this: Jesus knew! The Lord knew death awaited Him in Jerusalem as He made His last journey there. He knew from the Scriptures — from the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. He knew it and had spoken about it from the earliest stages of His ministry:
While Jesus knew, His ragtag band of followers didn't get it. So after His resurrection, the Lord came to His closest followers and opened their minds so they could understand the Holy Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27; Luke 24:44-47). This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44). The Cross was no accident! Jesus' death was not some unexpected tragedy. Jesus' rejection by His people was not a surprise. Jesus knew this was His destiny. So take comfort in these LifeWORDS of Jesus, "This is what I told you while I was still with you ..." He knew what lay ahead of Him and He trusted that God would triumph over death and the devil through it. Jesus had warned them. Jesus was crucified. Jesus was raised. Now, Jesus was alive again and reminding them of the truth: "This is what I told you ..." So what difference do these words mean to us? How do these words matter to us today? Why are these LifeWORDS of Jesus special?
We may not know all that the future holds, but we do know the One who holds the future. He has demonstrated His love for us. We can trust His promises. He knew what would happen to Him from Scripture. He told us what would happen to Him from His own authority. He lived what God had asked Him to do with integrity. Now, Jesus ensures that the future holds great joy and ultimate reunion for us with Him! Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:13-19 TNIV, emphasis added). The following questions are for your personal reflection, for sharing in a small group of friends, or for use in a home gathering. I'd also love to hear from you on my blog and see what you think about this message and these questions: http://www.thephilfiles.com Why is it important that Jesus knew He would die to fulfill God's plan to redeem us? Why can you trust Jesus' promises above someone else's promises? Why didn't Jesus do something to stop His own suffering and death if He knew it was going to happen? Why do you think the followers of Jesus had to have their minds opened to understand the Scriptures about Jesus' death and resurrection? Do you find it hard to believe that you will be raised from the dead and united with Jesus and those who love Him? How can you encourage others who have doubts about our resurrection to be with Jesus?
Title: "This Is What I Told You ..." Author: Phil Ware Publication Date: June 25, 2009 |
 Heartlight only exists because of your support! Click above to visit a sponsor, or donate to join us in our ministry. 
Find More Books & Music:
|
|
 RSS Feeds | Advertising | Support Heartlight | Help | Contact Us
|
 HOME  TOP |
HEARTLIGHT® Magazine is produced by Heartlight, Inc. HEARTLIGHT is a registered service mark of Heartlight, Inc. PO Box 7044, Abilene, TX, USA 79608-7044. Copyright © 1996-2009. Heartlight is supported by Westover Hills Church, Southern Hills Church, and loving Christians from around the world. Scripture quotations are taken from the Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. Used by permission. All rights reserved. |