The halfbaked Bard

Joseph of Arimethea had chosen Jesus but was secretly following Him. We never come across him elsewhere in the gospels apart from the time of burial of Jesus. But at that point, he decided to go public. This is the time I should stand up for Jesus to give Him a decent burial-  and that is how the prophecies came true. Being a silent follower of Jesus is good. Yes it is between you and God. But openly proclaiming that you belong to Jesus is a different level. It is a higher way of obedience.  In your workplace do people know that they cannot mess around you? In your college / school, do people  approach you to pray for them? Do people fool around you? Do they hush their conversation when you enter the room? Would your presence make no difference? Do people want to gossip about others to you? The basic question is - Do others know you are a Christian? Do others know you are a child of God?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinf...

Jesus released His Spirit Matt:27: 50 It is not the way man die - you can't release your spirit and die. This was willful release of His spirit when it was complete. When the time was done for Him to bear the sin of the entire world. When the punishment was fully borne. When the wrath of God was fully satisfied. When the righteous God's justice was maintained. At that time; when the time was complete; Jesus willfully released His Spirit. An infinite, eternal God, creator of everything did this willfully so that you and I could be redeemed. It was at this exact time that the curtain was torn, that gave access to the Holy of Holies for the general man. Now you can approach God. Your sins are forgiven. This earth shattering experience, if it is personal for you, your life would be changed too, like the Roman officer and the other soldiers who confessed - this man truly was the son of God. He did this for you dear one. He bore your sins to the full. He said it is finish...

Matt:27:32-44 What was in Jesus' mind when He was on the cross? Save yourself - they said looking at Him. He could have. But He didn't. Why? He was thinking of saving you. So He chose to stay. But He can't save Himself - they said. He could have. He could. But He didn't. He was mindful of you. His mind was full of you. Let God rescue Him if He wants Him - they said. The Father wanted the Son. But the Son knew the heart of the Father. Who yearns to. Who wants to have you. In order to have you back, He chose to be there. He was not there helplessly on the cross, but willfully. Thinking of you. Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=jesus+christ+cross

I am often amazed by Jesus' silence on the cross. For all the accusations and false testimonies, how could he keep quiet.  There was no " I never said that" or " "for whom am I doing this, why should I go through this for them" or "why don't you understand". Why can't I keep quiet when falsely accused or pointed fingers at? Why should I justify? Will that bring about a change in the situation? Will they stop accusing? Why do you want to defend? More or less because of the pride. To protect our own self. By defending ourself we think our tarnished image would be protected.  Learning from Jesus' example is a difficult thing to do. Let the accusers say whatever. As long as you are a child of God. As long as you are loved by Him. As long as you are His beloved. Be secure in His love. Image credit: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/pictures-of-jesus-nails-feet-6723253?lang=eng

A Rondeau Prime Pilate, you were not innocent of this man's blood. Think of all your sins you have kept under the hood Sins you've done, sins you've said, sins you've thought Even the ones you did on that throne. Bard, you are not innocent of this man's blood You can't say you were not there when they crucified Him It was for your sin too that He suffered Even the ones, as you place yourself on that throne. Yes; He alone was innocent; yet He shed His blood  Absolute pure blood; Holy God personified; incarnate That was the law; blood the blameless lamb He was on that throne; yet He chose to be trampled. Image credit: https://ssnet.org/blog/sunday-do-not-add-or-take-away/

I don't know this man Matt:26:70,72,74 Oh! How cruel of Peter. After walking with Jesus day in and day out. After witnessing His miracles with his own eyes. After experiences that made him proclaim that He is the Son of God. Now Peter confesses - I don't know Him, for the fear of his life. Yes how often have I deserted my Lord for my own comforts? At least Peter denied Him for the fear of death. My case is not that - so that I would not be pulled out of my couch. How lowly? How silly of Peter -  when he said, curse be upon me, if I am lying. Did he not know he was lying? Did he not know that God was watching? Did he not know that the Son of God was looking even now? Sin makes  you blind and deaf. Wanting to continue in that rut makes you blinder and deafer and dumber. All will know that you are lying except yourself. You are trying to fool yourself by defending. Do not harden your heart when the Spirit prompts you. Repent when He tells you that you were wrong. Pete...