Our church has just finished a 3-part series on the Old Testament book of Jonah. And I just taught an adult Sunday school class on the last part of the book. Surprisingly, for such a short book, there is a lot of stuff you can get into.
While reading the biblical account of Jonah and studying other commentaries about it, I was struck by a very basic truth. That Jonah was an historical account to be believed by all Christians. It isn’t an allegory or parable or fairy tale.
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” (Romans 8; 18 – 23)
This morning we lost one of our cats. Just as I was getting ready for work, my wife called me to come outside. A car had been going too fast and hit our cat, Scout, trying to cross the street. He died within moments after stumbling back into our yard.
We had Scout for about a year or two. He was born in our garage during the summer. We didn’t even know that he and his other 4 siblings were alive for about 3 weeks after the fact. Misty, the mother, had hidden them way down under a big wooden work bench at the back of the garage. It was only after going into the garage one day to find something that I saw this little fuzz ball staring up at me from behind a pile of junk. And then, one by one, all the others began peering out at me from all different areas!
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:12)
The only way this world makes sense is because of eternity. Because God is using everything we go through down here to prepare us for everlasting life with Him in Heaven.
Whatever we have lacked here, we will have in Heaven. Whatever we need to make us happy we will experience there. I am hoping to see all those I have loved in Heaven. Family, friends and so many others that I have prayed for during my life.
I am crucified with Christ . . . (Galatians 2:20)
Many wonder what Jesus meant when He said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) There are countless sermons out there on this topic. And most have nothing to do with the truth of the matter. When we hear a sermon about the cross of Christ, we should be lifted up high above the clouds. But most who hear these words walk away loaded down with heavier burdens than when they first sat down in the pew.
First of all, crucifixion is not a self-inflicted act. We do not crucify ourselves. It is a form of execution of the most brutal and final sort. It is applied by officers of the law upon criminals condemned under the law. Specifically under Roman Law during the time of Christ.
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