Scripture

Pilate said…“I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

~Matthew 27:24-25, LSB

Quote

You will never convict yourself of sin. There is a defense mechanism in our fallen nature that will defend against any accusation.

~Martyn Lloyd Jones

The third verse of AT THE CROSS reads…Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! We can remove the was: there is no question, Jesus died for crimes that we have done. He died for our sin in more ways than one. Barabbas in a type of fallen humanity and Jesus took his place: we were guilty and deserved to die but Jesus intervened and died in our place. He died because of our sin, for our sin and to our sin. His death is the key to our victory. The longer I live, the bigger the atonement gets. Every time I think of the cross, I see my sinfulness and my guilt in Jesus death. I am a weak human being and I would have acted no differently than the disciples who ran for cover. I don’t like to think of myself as being cruel but there is no doubt about my sin or my guilt. There are only two kinds of people in the world and they are easy to recognize when they stand at the foot of the cross.

First of all, there are those who deny all guilt in connection to Jesus death. The wicked Sadducees who called for Jesus execution said, “His blood be on us and on our children!”. The Sanhedrin was made up of both Pharisees and Sadducees but the Sadducees controlled the priest hood and they orchestrated the arrest, the trial and the execution of Jesus. At the trial, they boldly told Pilate, “We will take full responsibility for Jesus death. Let His blood be on us.” Then in Acts 5:28, the same people said to the Apostles, “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” Now they are denying their guilt. On the day of the crucifixion they proudly assume responsibility and after the resurrection they vehemently deny any guilt in connection to the death of Christ. What a turn around. Hell will be filled with Sadducees because they will not confess their guilt in Jesus death.  I don’t believe anyone will go to heaven who does not confess their personal guilt in the death of Christ.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. {John 3:14} Robert Murray McCheyne said, “For every one look you take at yourself, take ten looks at Jesus.” John Newton said, “A single look at Jesus, and His wounds, will do you more good than poring over your wounds for a month.” I agree with John. Jesus said, “If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” {John 12:32} Look to Jesus, confess His innocence and your guilt, and live.

Extra

I want it understood that I am not complaining but we need a rain at 1120 Iron Man. I admit the plants in the garden needed some heat and they are getting it but now we have dust and a lot of it. This is two shower a day weather. Joe David, Noah and I went to see Bro. J. Harold Thompson yesterday, not to be confused with J. Harold Hayes, and he was in great spirits. The leg did not look as bad as I expected. I was pleasantly surprised. It did get a chunk of flesh but most of his calf is in tack. Their main concern right now is getting the wound clean and avoiding infection. Gregg and Traci got good news PTL. His numbers are better and Little Rock called and told them not to come. I think Gregg gets another month of R&R at the house. My sister Holly is doing much better. Her pet scan showed no cancer. Bro. Tim Keenum is retiring from the full time pastorate effective at the end of June I think. I am excited for Tim. He will love semi-retirement: I know I do. Tim served my home church for 28 years and they don’t realize it yet, but they will not find another pastor in this day and age that will visit the way he did. Joe David is a lot like him, they have a way of getting in and out of hospitals. Since covid, hospital visitation is a nightmare. Noah and I had to show our license yesterday but not Joe David, He doesn’t carry a billfold and leaves his license in the car. He just keeps talking to them till he gets them so confused that they shew him off but he gets in. He does basically the same thing to get you out of the parking deck. We have to get the government out of our lives: they are ruining everything.

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.