My Daily Journal:
What is your line in the sand?
Let’s start by looking at Matthew 27:41-43, “41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
The chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders are the ones speaking in these verses. In their words they communicate their “burden of proof”, their line in the sand. “let him come down from the cross and WE WILL BELIEVE IN HIM.”
So now, on Sunday morning, the sunrise after passover, these same chief priests, teachers and elders receive unbiased third party testimony that Jesus has, in fact, just crossed their line in the sand. He has met their request and come down from the cross. So, they believe, right?
I think this is important for us, as we talk with others, to keep in mind. Accepting Christ and believing in Him is not about “proof”, it is about accepting the gift. The proof is there, but how often do people today continue to draw one line after another in their own hearts. I would believe if.. But like the leaders of that time, those conditional statements, those promises of belief, are just lies. They aren’t lines to be crossed, they are walls built up to keep the truth out.
If you want proof, it is amply abundant. There is no other way of explaining why, 2000 years later, millions accept this as fact other than the truth that it is. Jesus walked this earth, suffered, died, and rose again. What more proof could there possibly be?
If you want joy and salvation and eternity and peace and love, it is even simpler than that. Let the walls you’ve built up crumble down and accept the gift of the sacrifice that Jesus has made. The price is paid in full because God so loved you.
My Answers:
9.
a.
M28:9 spoke, 9 they clasped His feet, presented himself, Acts 1:3 gave many convincing proofs, appeared over 40 days, A1:4 Ate with them , 1 C15:5 appeared to 12, 6 500 more most still alive
b.
It is the pivotal point of Christianity. If Christ isn’t risen, then He did not fulfill scripture, He is not in Heaven, He is not coming
10.
John: lay down life of own accord, only to take it up. “I have authority”
Acts2: Not abandoned to realm of death – body decay
Acts17:given proof of appointed judge by raising him from the dead
1Cor:the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, mortal with immortal, defeat death
Eph1:hope, riches of glory, power – to raise from the dead
1Ths: don’t grieve the dead – God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him
Heb: High priest in heaven – intercessor to God on our behalf, one time sacrifice
1Pete: new birth into living hope through resurrection – never perish, spoil or fade
The Notes are Good 