Passover To Liberation

Easter is not about bunnies and colored eggs. Easter means passover and celebrates the liberation of the Hebrew people from the bondage of Egypt, about the year 1250 BC. It was during the Passover celebration in Jerusalem two millennia ago, that the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, happens. Therefore, Easter has nothing to do with bunnies and colored eggs, or anything else that distorts the true meaning of Easter. We are in the Easter of resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that celebrates our spiritual liberation from the bondage of the kingdom of darkness.

He Is Risen!

VICTORY DAY! Our Lord defeated death and the kingdom of darkness. Today is our biggest festival and celebration.: Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” Matthew 28:1-10 NLT He Is Risen!

A Light That Shines Forever

The light from the sun was gone and the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. And who was the light of the world, was extinguished for a brief moment, and then shine forever as King.: By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent. ” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.  But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching. Luke 23:44-49 NLT

Crucified

Crucified for our sake, to forgive us and redeem us. Thank you Lord.: As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’  People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’  For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? ” Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:26-43 NLT

The Trial

The trial of Jesus:Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.” So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.” Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!” Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!” “Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time. Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.) Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.” Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.” But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. Luke 23:1-25 NLT

The Son of Man

The Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.: At daybreak all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council,  and they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?” But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me.  And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer.  But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand. ” They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?” And he replied, “You say that I am.” “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.” Luke 22:66-71 NLT

Dan Stevers - The Fifth Cup

The Last Night

The last night. A night like this, Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives, was betrayed and arrested, abandoned and denied by his friends. And what are we doing tonight?: Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”  Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.” But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me?  Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.” But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”  And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and said, “Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at him. Luke 22:39-65 NLT

Today: Holy Thursday

Let us remember what happened a day like today "Holy Thursday": Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him. He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters,  say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’  He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.”  They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there. When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.  Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.  For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves.  For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.  For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.”  The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’  But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.  Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. “You have stayed with me in my time of trial.  And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right  to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied. “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!  For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.” “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said. Luke 22:7-38 NLT

Power For Living

As we travel through life, adversity strengthens us and makes us grow. If we didn't had to fight, our strengths and capabilities would never develop. Speaking about the adversity of a person, Jesus said it was not a punishment for his sins or mistakes, but for all to see the power of God in him. Face your adversity asking for the guidance and teachings of the Lord, in prayer, and with faith, so that the power of God can be seen in you.

Temple Marketplace

Jesus told us not to use the Temple of God as a marketplace. Are we obeying?: When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.  He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” Mark 11:15-17 NLT

We seek to have more and ended up with less

We seek to have more and ended up with less: We have more knowledge, information, technology, wealth, possessions, pleasure, health and beauty. However, we ended up with less quality time with our loved ones, less communication, less love and less peace. Jesus said: And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? Our main problem is that every day we seek to have more, but every day we seek God less. Be sure to seek God and have what is important and significant.

Jesus' Triunphant Entry

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the L ord ! Hail to the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him. Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!” John 12:12-19 NLT

Jesus' Triunphant Entry

As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’” The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the L ord ! Praise God in highest heaven!” The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:1-11 NLT

What is to be done?

What is to be done?: The most exemplary people and whose success is really momentous, are those who do what has to be done. Such people, do whatever is necessary to do, whether it is popular or not. They do not do it for fame, power or money, but because that is what is needed. And that's what it really means to love your neighbor, as Jesus commanded us. Because, to do what is necessary, requires a lot of love and humility.

Perseverance Triumphs

What do you do when you do not succeed or when you lose what you build with a lot of effort? Do you stop? Do you give up? Do you abandon the task? No way. You start again and continue, over and over again, until you achieve success. As much as life hits you, you wear and tear on the daily struggle, see your trust betrayed and your goals unreached: Do not give in ever! Say a prayer, put your hope and trust in God and attacks again. No matter what happens, do not be discouraged, keep going. True faith and trust in God, will provide you with the perseverance you need to succeed.

Do You Want To Be A Diamond?

Do you want to be a diamond?: The name diamond comes from the Greek and means "the invincible" for the hardness of the mineral. However, the diamond before being "the invincible", was coal. The diamond is carbon crystallized in the depth of earth, at very high pressure and very high temperatures. They were adverse circumstances which transformed something soft, without beauty and of low value in an object that is the hardest, most beautiful and  of the highest value. Are you surrounded by adverse circumstances? Want to be coal or diamond? Remember that God made diamond and He wants to perfect you, overcoming adverse circumstances. God loves you and perfects and strengthens you through the difficulties. Trust God in spite of everything!

The Power Of Believing

If you want power, believe so you can see it: faith, constancy and perseverance are the key to achieving seemingly impossible goals and achieve what others can not do. Just believe and trust in God, because in Him all things are possible.

The Power Of A Crowd

It is not always right to do what people request, even if they represent a mayority.: So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. Mark 15:15 NLT

How to define the XXI century Christianity?

How to define the XXI century Christianity?: Many groups separated by forms and traditions, believing each to be the only true representative of Christ, but acting outside the teachings and example of Jesus.

How Important Is To Know What We Were Born For

How important is to know what we were born for : Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” John 18:37 NLT

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Are You Passing Through Or Are You Planning To Stay?

Are you passing through or are you planning to stay ? Some of us live as if we were to stay here permanently. Perhaps we have forgotten that we are just passing through ! How many material goods do we need for our short stay on this earth?

Preaching Jesus

The best way to get people to know Jesus, is not talking, or preaching, or giving courses, or evangelizing, or raising churches, but loving people. We need to love without getting tired and pour out the love of Jesus in everyone we can. We need to preach less and love more, and following the example of Jesus, we should love the sinners, the outcast, and the lost.

No Time For Love

No time for love: If achieving your personal, financial and professional goals , take all your time and you end up with no quality time for your loved ones ... Think about it! Don't focus only on the goal, you should also enjoy the trip, while you reach your goals. Warning: If you do not even have time to talk to God ... Stop! God will give you principles and values ​​that will give your life the balance you need to achieve success with purpose.

You're An Original, Not A Copy.

You're an original, not a copy and you are making a mistake if you are trying to "become" the person you admire most. You should not try to be different from what you are. God created you as you are and wants to use as you are. Do not let the darkness of the world, turn off the light that God has put in you.

Born Again

What can we expect to happen when we allow Jesus into our lives?: The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

We Are Invited

Following Jesus is a very difficult test, but following Him brings great rewards.: You have stayed with me in my time of trial.  And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right  to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:28-30 NLT

How To Be A Friend Of The People

Did you know that if you become an important leader, you must serve with humility?: Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’  But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.  Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:25-27 NLT

Strength & Courage

If you feel discouraged or afraid, remember what our Father tells you.: This is my command: Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT