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Showing posts from May, 2017

Saul's Slippery Slope

Who doesn't love an “underdog story” where there's a nearly impossible challenge overcome by an unlikely hero? We often attribute such news to the example of David and Goliath. It is encouraging to read about a faithful and humble boy being anointed king and then defeating an enemy that was literally of gigantic proportions. In Sunday schools across America, there are numerous lessons taught on the call and courage of David. In light of this, we don't hear much about his predecessor. All that some Christians know is that Saul was an angry and jealous king who tried to have David killed multiple times. They don't realize that even Saul's back-story was one of lowliness. He came out of one of the most insignificant households in Israel (1 Samuel 9:21). His family was poor and his tribe small. True he was very tall and handsome, but in his own eyes, he was unnoticeable (1 Samuel 15:17). Though he was anointed king, he was not pridefully eager to accept the royal r

Calvary

On the cross Jesus bore our sins, so that we might be free from our sin. (Colossians 2:13-15) He experienced rejection that we might receive everlasting redemption. (John 1:11-12) He was abandoned by His followers that we might be adopted into His family. (Matthew 26:56) Jesus died suffering thirst that we might have “rivers of living waters” flowing through us. (John 7:38) His body was beaten, bloodied, and bruised that He might fashion one glorious body, His bride, the Church. (Romans 12:4, Philippians 3:21) He was despised by many that He might bring delight to all and be the desire of nations (Haggai 2:7). He was the persecuted, innocent lamb that He might be the perfect intercessor of the saints. (Hebrews 7:25) He was lifted up in agony, but would ultimately ascend into glory. (Philippians 2:8-9) On the cross, one of His first cries in utter pain was “Why hast thou forsaken me ?” but His final cry in ultimate power was, “It is