Advertise on podcast: REFRESH

Today's podcast begins a new series - The Lord Has A Purpose. Listen as Amy hosts a special friend, Rebecca Buys Hansen. She is one who, even in the midst pain, give God full authority to use her...not in spite of, not apart from, but BECAUSE of her suffering.

The episode of the burial of Jesus brings to light the depth of emotions and turmoil of his followers. We have the security of reflecting on these events as they occurred more than 2,000 years ago. But, to understand fully the impact of the death of Jesus, we can consider how the people of the moment were impacted, how they responded, and how Jesus brought comfort, healing, and restitution.

The final hours of the life of Jesus, prior to His death on the cross is the antithesis of every dark situation humankind endures. We, as God's kids, even at the moment when we are faced with destruction death, have the assurance that there will be victory in the situation. In Jesus we have found freedom from the effects of sin and death. "…future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, Declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!"  Psalm 22:30-31

It is amazing that the act of humanity's perversion of “justice” through the death of Jesus brought about the greatest act of grace and mercy for those who believe. What was done in secret, what took place in the dark, was turned on its head to save humanity from sin and eternal suffering.

Judas' betrayal began in the form of greed, and grew to the ultimate betrayal, death.  This type of sin is all too common.  What may seem to be a sin beginning in greed has potential to set in motion devastating consequences. Jesus had a choice, he could have escaped if he chose to. He was at a crossroad. Yet, the actions of others, even those who loved Him, did not deter Him from doing the will of God set out before Him.

"And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people hung upon his words" (Luke 19:47,48).

Jesus was not concerned with Israel's relationship with Rome; rather, Israel's relationship with God. The noise of animals had replaced praise, and prayer replaced by greed. By entering the temple and turning the tables and driving out the money changers, Jesus portrayed forceful authority as a defender of the house of God and the value of humanity.

The gravity of Jesus’ actions is clear, that even facing death, He took time to care for the individual, from healing the sick to transforming the heart, to raising the dead.

For some reason – when a person is holy, or acts godly, or is a follower of Christ, it breeds hostility in this world. This hostility is the sin we fight against – and we need to be sure we keep perspective on what and who it is we stand for, and what and who we stand against.

Being a "peacemaker" does not mean that we avoid hardship in this world...It does mean we avoid hardship in our soul. A peacemaker strives to be what Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes - To be humble, repentant, meek, one who pursues righteousness, merciful, and pure in heart. The result then, is peace. Not as the world sees it, but as God sees it. The way Jesus hoped those in the First Century would understand.

Holiness is a word that needs to become popular once again! To be "pure in heart" is to strive to live a holy life. How do we do this? We make every effort to walk in right relationship with God as outlined by Jesus in the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes give us a roadmap for holiness and to be "pure in heart." What is the result? That we "shall see God." Wherever the will of God is done, there He is present. It is a "right now" presence and a future hope for the day we will see God, face to face. 

Mercy is not self seeking. We do not show mercy to someone so we will receive it back. We show mercy because it is right living and it is what God requires of us. We show mercy because God shows mercy to us each day. And God is wise in what He requires of us. Not showing mercy and holding on to wrongdoing often harms us much more than helps and interrupts the work we could be doing for the kingdom of God.