Post by Zac Loh on Mar 6, 2009 8:30:52 GMT -5
Some people would like to live forever - in this world condition and system. Perhaps they're having a good life. But Paul had realized that this world is intrinsically corrupted and already degrading like landslide waiting to happen. Thus, the whole creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God in the Rapture (Romans 8:19-25).
Paul made a clarion call, an emphatic, "O Lord, come!" (1 Corinthians 16:22) JESUS WILL RETURN. What makes Him come sooner is the speed of the gospel being propagated throughout the earth (Matthew 24:14). For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).
As for me, there is no point, it rings hollow, when "to be like Jesus" is separated from our desire "to be with Jesus". For to Paul, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21-23).
We, who are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, are also to be glorified in the coming Rapture (Romans 8:29-30 cr. Romans 8:21).
Helping The Lord!
Matthew 27:32 & 27:57-60
Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. (Matthew 27:32)
The soldiers wanted to get the job done quickly so that they could go off early. So they look for an able-bodied man who could do the job of carrying Jesus’ cross.
Simon of Cyrene turned-up at an opportune time.
Whether Simon came at the right time, or at the wrong time, will depend on one’s belief and perspective.
If you have the heart of God, and you are Simon, then you came at the right time. If you don’t care at all, then you will feel very unlucky to be at the wrong time, at the wrong place.
Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony in present-day Libya.
So, Simon came from afar.
Jesus needs able-bodied men to spread the message of the cross throughout the world – whether as an itinerant preacher, or a full-time missionary, or a tentmaker – whether you travel on business, or on short-term mission trips.
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15a)
Paul advised Timothy to take care of his body (1 Timothy 5:23). We need to care for our body so that we are able to carry the message of the cross …across the land, to the far reaches of the world. You know traveling can be exhausting; you need to be fit and healthy.
If you are not traveling, and you are rich, then it is good to finance others so that they can be sent. I personally know of rich Christians who support traveling ministers. Traveling cost money.
Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. (Matthew 27:57-60)
Arimathea was a city in Judea.
So, Joseph of Arimathea was not too far off from Jerusalem. That’s why he had located his tomb in Jerusalem so that his family or near relatives could take care of it, after he passed from this earth. But he sacrificed his tomb for Jesus.
And Jesus was resurrected in Joseph’s tomb.
The cross and the resurrection: this is the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Paul made a clarion call, an emphatic, "O Lord, come!" (1 Corinthians 16:22) JESUS WILL RETURN. What makes Him come sooner is the speed of the gospel being propagated throughout the earth (Matthew 24:14). For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).
As for me, there is no point, it rings hollow, when "to be like Jesus" is separated from our desire "to be with Jesus". For to Paul, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21-23).
We, who are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, are also to be glorified in the coming Rapture (Romans 8:29-30 cr. Romans 8:21).
Helping The Lord!
Matthew 27:32 & 27:57-60
Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. (Matthew 27:32)
The soldiers wanted to get the job done quickly so that they could go off early. So they look for an able-bodied man who could do the job of carrying Jesus’ cross.
Simon of Cyrene turned-up at an opportune time.
Whether Simon came at the right time, or at the wrong time, will depend on one’s belief and perspective.
If you have the heart of God, and you are Simon, then you came at the right time. If you don’t care at all, then you will feel very unlucky to be at the wrong time, at the wrong place.
Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony in present-day Libya.
So, Simon came from afar.
Jesus needs able-bodied men to spread the message of the cross throughout the world – whether as an itinerant preacher, or a full-time missionary, or a tentmaker – whether you travel on business, or on short-term mission trips.
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15a)
Paul advised Timothy to take care of his body (1 Timothy 5:23). We need to care for our body so that we are able to carry the message of the cross …across the land, to the far reaches of the world. You know traveling can be exhausting; you need to be fit and healthy.
If you are not traveling, and you are rich, then it is good to finance others so that they can be sent. I personally know of rich Christians who support traveling ministers. Traveling cost money.
Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. (Matthew 27:57-60)
Arimathea was a city in Judea.
So, Joseph of Arimathea was not too far off from Jerusalem. That’s why he had located his tomb in Jerusalem so that his family or near relatives could take care of it, after he passed from this earth. But he sacrificed his tomb for Jesus.
And Jesus was resurrected in Joseph’s tomb.
The cross and the resurrection: this is the gospel of Jesus Christ!