MinTools Blog » Easter

Attitude Toward Those Who Do Us Wrong

MinTools — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:00:18 +0000

In ministry we will have people who let us down or disappoint us in some way. We might also experience betrayal, false accusations, or other hard-to-take acts against us. How do we react? What is our attitude toward them? How do we treat them?

As I was reading John 13:1-11 in some personal time with the Lord, I noticed bookends to a well-known story about Jesus.

We often get caught up in the act of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet and its lessons on servanthood. We might take note of Peter’s reaction and Jesus’ response. But, how often do we tie in verses 2 and 11, what I am calling the bookends to this story?

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. …

For he (Jesus) knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

I believe these verses are significantly placed in the context of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him but He washed His feet anyway. He humbled Himself in this act of service not only for those who would ultimately remain faithful and true to Him, some of whom would die as martyrs for Jesus, but also for the one who would betray Him.

I am reminded of Jesus’ teaching:

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Lk. 6:27-28)

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. (Lk. 6:32-33)

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Lk. 6:35-36)

Even while hanging on the cross, Jesus extended grace to His enemies, saying “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

Jesus, “for the joy set before him endured the cross.” “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb. 12:2-3)

Jesus knew there was a bigger picture and committed Himself to the Father to take care of Him which is why He could serve the one he knew would betray Him.

Aren’t you glad we don’t usually know in advance when someone will do us wrong? We would probably have an even greater struggle with our attitude toward them. Not Jesus! He still did good. He maintained perspective.

If you find maintaining perspective difficult, perhaps the 40 Day Challenge to Maintaining a Healthy Perspective will help. These are pillars of truth you need to cling to in order to maintain a good attitude toward those who do you wrong. (Feel free to copy the 40 Day Challenge page from the link above for your own use or to give to others who might be helped by it.)

Easter Points to the Power of God

MinTools — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:00:48 +0000

. . . Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

Death seemed to point to a weakness in Jesus’ claims to be more than a man. Being raised from the dead, however, took divine power. See 2 Corinthians 13:4. Consequently, Easter’s power confirms the identity of Jesus as the Son of God.

. . . who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 1:4)

If He had remained dead, He would be no greater than mankind. He would not have accomplished salvation. But, having power over death and the devil, Jesus proved Himself to be the promised One.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ” (Heb. 2:14-15)

Ephesians 1:19-20 speaks of “his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”

The Power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is available for us today.

Easter’s power assures us of our own resurrection. (1 Cor. 6:14)
Easter’s power gives us everything we need to be godly. (2 Pet. 1:3)
Easter’s power enables us to serve from a vantage point of strength, not weakness. (2 Cor. 13:4)
Easter’s power emboldens us to hold forth the Gospel. (Rom. 1:16)

Let’s be careful that we don’t think we can take something wrought by the power of God, and perpetuate it by human wisdom and effort.

. . . preach the gospel – not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:17-18)

Easter Points to the Grace of God

MinTools — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:00:09 +0000

. . . Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

God has always been a God of grace but Easter highlights that trait. –

“This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Tim. 1:9-10)

Grace cost Jesus His life but it is free to us. It is a gift. If grace was earned in any way, then it would no longer be grace. (Rom. 5:15; 11:6; Eph. 1:6; 2:8-9; Gal. 2:21)

Easter reminds us that “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). But, Easter grace not only saves us. It enables us to walk the walk, as seen in Colossians 2:6, NASB, — “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”

We receive grace upon grace, even after we are saved. Grace goes beyond the impartation of life because of Easter.

Easter Grace continues by blessing. (Jn. 1:16)
Easter Grace continues by giving. (2 Cor. 8:7-9)
Easter Grace continues by forgiving. (Eph. 1:7)
Easter Grace continues by empowering. (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 9:8; 12:9; 1 Pet. 4:10)
Easter Grace continues by encouraging. (2 Thess. 2:16)
Easter Grace continues by strengthening. (Heb. 13:9)
Easter Grace continues by teaching and motivating. (Titus 2:11-12)

These realities teach us that grace compliments, rather than cheapens truth. Jesus came full of both grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). We are not talking about licentiousness. (Rom. 6:1, 15) Grace reigns through righteousness. (Rom. 5:20-21) We are talking about looking to God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Easter grace is something we need to better understand so we grab hold of it more fully. May we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18).

Easter Points to the Love of God

MinTools — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:00:17 +0000

. . . Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

Easter defines love. – “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 Jn. 3:16). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son …” (Jn. 3:16)

Easter demonstrates God’s love. – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 Jn. 4:9-10) .

Easter epitomizes love – “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:13).

Easter enables us to love – “We love because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19). “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” (Eph. 5:2).

Here is what we can learn about love because of Easter:

Easter teaches us that love sacrifices for another.
Easter teaches us that love gives to others.
Easter teaches us that love wants the best for others.
Easter teaches us that love does not wait for someone else to take the first step.
Easter teaches us that love reaches out unconditionally, even to the seemingly unlovable.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:17-19)

Easter Points to the Holiness & Righteousness of God

MinTools — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:58:28 +0000

. . . Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

Easter reminds us that God is holy and righteous. At the root of God sending Jesus to die on the cross is His holiness. “The wages of sin is death”

(Rom. 6:23). Because of sin, not only did physical death become a reality but also eternal, spiritual death … separation from God.

Why? – Because He is a holy and righteous God who cannot stand in the presence of sin. Hebrews 12:14 says “without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

The sin problem must be taken care of in order for a holy and righteous God to enter into a relationship with people. That’s what happened at Easter.

Jesus died and took our sin upon Him so that we could be made pure. When God looks at those who have accepted His Son, He no longer sees their sin but rather Jesus’ blood which covers them.

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight.” (Col. 1:22)

“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10)

So, what does Easter teach us about holiness & righteousness?

Easter reinforces that keeping God’s laws cannot make us holy. “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin” (Rom. 3:20). As verse 27 says, “Where, then, is boasting?”
Easter reminds us that we are all in the same lost condition and all in the same need of a Savior. “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:22-23). To think we gain God’s favor over someone else because we are “better” than them is pure foolishness. Apart from Jesus, we would all get F’s on the test, even if someone seemed to do better than another.
Easter emphasizes that apart from a work of God in our lives to impute that holiness on us, we will always miss the mark. “There is no one righteous, not even one … This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:11-23). How absurd for us to think we can ever live up to the just demands of a holy God in and of ourselves.

When we trust in the work Jesus did on the cross, we stand righteous and holy in Him. We are thus called to “to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace” (2 Tim. 1:9). The state of our lives does not always match our standing. What will it take for us to be holy as He is holy? Perhaps Colossians 3:12 provides a clue:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Col. 3:12)

Notice the phrase “clothe yourselves.” The idea in these phrases is that we are putting on something that is not a natural part of us. The garmet of righteousness we put on is His. The key to being holy, then, begins with realizing our need for Him to work in and through us.

Easter Points to the Wisdom of God

MinTools — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:00:05 +0000

. . . Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

From creation to the cross, God’s wisdom is exhibited for all to see, leaving us without excuse. At the root of God sending Jesus to die on the cross is God’s wisdom. Easter displays God’s wisdom, contrasting it with the wisdom of the world.

“We preach Christ crucified … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:23-24, 30). … Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”
(Col. 2:3).

So, what does Easter teach us about wisdom?

Easter teaches us that wisdom involves preparation. Beginning at the fall of man in Genesis 3 we see God laying the groundwork for his plan of redemption through Jesus.
Easter reminds us that God not only uses wisdom in the preparation stages but also throughout the process. Redemption is not just the end result of God’s wisdom but is enveloped in His wisdom from start to finish. When God does something, He does it right. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Eph. 1:7-8).
Easter shows God’s wisdom in getting to the root of man’s problem and addressing that problem with the best solution. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).
Easter let’s us know that wisdom is needed in the application of grace. In redemption, the riches of God’s grace are “lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Eph. 1:8).

Yes, let’s think about wisdom at Easter. This same wisdom of God that brings us salvation is available to us in our everyday living if we will just take the time to learn from Him. Here are two articles about walking in this same wisdom:

Who Doesn’t Need Wisdom?

Walking in Wisdom Makes Sense

Easter points to the wisdom of God, giving us cause to worship Him. Romans 11 lets us know that the rejection of Jesus by the Jews of His day opened the door for the Gentiles to “receive mercy as a result of their disobedience.” What seemed like a closed door actually opened the door for His mercy to extend to even more people. Then begins the doxology: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Rom. 11:33)

Remember, if it wasn’t for the unsearchable wisdom of God, there wouldn’t even be an Easter.

Easter Story? – Ask “What If” Questions

MinTools — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:00:03 +0000

Did the events of Easter recorded in Scripture really happen? Rather than question the veracity of the Easter phenomenon, perhaps we would be better helped by asking “what if?” … what if it hadn’t happened that way?

In my personal time with the Lord I was reading through the Gospel of Matthew and came to the Garden of Gethsemane scene in Matthew 26:36-56. As I was studying the passage, I began to ask myself, “What if?” What if these events hadn’t happened?

What if Jesus had taken this a bit more casually?
What if Jesus had not followed the Father’s will?
What if the disciples had reacted differently?
What if Judas had changed his mind at the last minute?
What if Jesus had let the disciples fight with swords?

How different things would be if it hadn’t happened the way Scripture records it. As I thought through the implications of these “What If” questions, I became more energized and appreciative of all Jesus went through for me. I enjoyed this study so much, I had to pass it on to others and so you will now find the “What Ifs” from the Garden of Gethsemane Discussion Guides in the MinTools.com store.

As I continued on through Matthew, I kept asking the questions. Here are some more “what ifs”:

What if they had arrested Jesus publicly?
What if Peter had not denied Jesus?
What if Jesus had a fair trial?
What if Pilate had released Jesus instead of Barabbas?
What if Jesus had come down from the cross?
What if no phenomenon had occurred when Jesus breathed His last?
What if the women hadn’t watched Jesus’ death and burial?
What if Jesus hadn’t stayed in the grave for three days?
What if Jesus hadn’t risen at all?
What if Jesus hadn’t appeared to anyone after His resurrection, or perhaps to just the inner core of disciples?

Lord willing, perhaps these “what ifs” will be turned into future discussion guides. For now, I hope you take some time to think through these questions. Perhaps it will help encourage you to see that Easter had to happen the way Scripture tells the story or things would be quite different for you and I today.