Luke 9:23

As Jesus spoke these words, everybody knew what Jesus meant. In the Roman world, before a man died on a cross, he had to carry his cross (or at least the horizontal beam of the cross) to the place of execution.

i. When the Romans crucified a criminal, they didnt just hang them on a cross. They first hung a cross on him.

ii. Carrying a cross always led to death on a cross. No one carried a cross for fun. The first hearers of Jesus didnt need an explanation of the cross; they knew it was an unrelenting instrument of torture, death, and humiliation. If someone took up his cross, he never came back. It was a one-way journey.

iii. In the real-life crosses of the Roman world, no one took them up (suggesting a voluntary action). Instead, crosses were impressed upon people, quite apart from their willingness. Here Jesus said that those who follow Him must voluntarily take up their cross.

iv. This isnt to suggest that we can choose our way to die a living death as followers of Jesus; but as the unchosen circumstances come into life, we choose to bear them as a way to daily die for Jesus glory.

Denying yourself means to live as an others-centered person. Jesus was the only person to do this perfectly, but we are to follow in His steps.

Immediately after telling his disciples of his coming suffering and death, Jesus told them they had to be prepared for similar treatment. The disciples of Jesus are those who have given their lives to Jesus, and they will be obedient to their master even if it leads to hardship, persecution and death. 

They will no longer rule their own lives, but will deny themselves personal desires in order to please Jesus. In sacrificing the life that puts self first, they will find the only true life. 

On the other hand those who live for themselves may gain what they want in the present world, but they will lose the only life of lasting value, eternal life ( Matthew 16:24-27).

Sources : David Guzik

Bridgeway Bible commentary

Jesus appears to his followers.

Today's gospel was Luke 24 v36 - 48. 

Jesus Appears to His Followers

36 While the two men were saying these things to the other followers, Jesus himself came and stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 This surprised the followers. They were afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 But Jesus said, “Why are you troubled? Why do you doubt what you see? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me. Touch me. You can see that I have a living body; a ghost does not have a body like this.” 40 After Jesus told them this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 The followers were amazed and very, very happy to see that Jesus was alive. They still could not believe what they saw. He said to them, “Do you have any food here?” 42 They gave him a piece of cooked fish. 43 While the followers watched, he took the fish and ate it. 44 Jesus said to them, “Remember when I was with you before? I said that everything written about me must happen—everything written in the Law of Moses, the books of the prophets, and the Psalms.” 45 Then Jesus helped the followers understand these Scriptures about him.46 Jesus said to them, “It is written that the Messiah would be killed and rise from death on the third day. 47-48 You saw these things happen—you are witnesses. You must go and tell people that they must change and turn to God, which will bring them his forgiveness. You must start from Jerusalem and tell this message in my name to the people of all nations. 49 Remember that I will send you the one my Father promised. Stay in the city until you are given that power from heaven.”

The two men to whom Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus have rejoined the ten. What are the evidence that Jesus-Christ resurrected as in a court of law? First there are witnesses, Jesus appeared to Mary-Magdalene, the disciples, the disciples and doubtful Thomas. 

Witnessess matter a lot in a court of law. Secondly the material evidence. Thirdly the forensic evidence.

The material evidence. It's Easter Sunday evening; picture Cleopas and his friend who have dashed back to talk to the disciples.  

Let's think for a moment what the disciples have been through. First the betrayal of Judas, Jesus arrested and flogged, then put on the cross and mocked! Then the report comes of an empty tomb! They are still dismayed! What a rollercoaster of emotion and feelings. They must have been exhausted. Jesus is appearing from nowhere, he starts questioning them very gently. It's me, here are the scars. He is different, he has a resurrection body, transformed. What staggers the disciples is that He is standing there. Really? He should not be walking round. There is the evidence of the cross, his wounds are still there. This is the evidence that he has been raised from the dead. He eats. Another evidence of the resurrection. 

The forensic evidence. We have the Turin Shroud even though there has been a controversy is still an evidence.

Jesus, the saviour of the world gives us a special message. Not only He has fulfilled what Moses, the prophets and the psalmists had said but if you repent and confess your sins, put things right with God, He will forgive you. Jesus says to them that they are witness, and this include you too. 

Have a blessed week in Jesus name.

SJA

Sending LOVE to you all from messy church :)

A daffodil in the making

Let's share bread!

Daffodil done!

This messy church took place last thursday at 3:45  in Weston Village Hall. Bring your children and have lots of fun. 

Necklaces, bracelets or key rings!