I want to say Happy Easter to everyone. It is such a beautiful day on today. I am thankful that God has let me see another day here on this earth. I am thankful that Jesus is no longer in the grave. I am thankful that He was raised just as He said. This is a very special day! I hope you all are enjoying your Easter Sunday. I delivered two messages this morning, but for some odd reason my computer went off as I was recording and the very last part of my message did not make it, but the important thing is that the main part made it. I can always go back and re-record it, but it will not be the same as the first recording, so whatever God tells me to do about it, I will, but if He doesn’t tell me to bother it, I won’t; He knows best. We Have Everything in Christ is my Easter message, and my Sunday morning message is When You Are Losing Hope. I am waiting for that message to be reviewed, and when it is, it will be posted to Spotify. I will share it in my post when it is ready just as I did the first one. They both contain some of my archived shows. I wanted to share some of those just in case you all may have wanted to listen to some of them, and I have posted some on Twitter today as well, and Facebook. When You Are Losing Hope is now on Spotify. Well, I am going to enjoy the rest of my day. Until next time, God bless, stay safe, and thank you for joining me on my journey with Food for the Soul.

I pray God will bless you all on today and everyday. I hope you will enjoy the message. Stay safe. Happy Easter everyone!

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.28.6.KJV

Check out “Character of God” on Spark Bible.

Be equipped to make the most of your Bible study time with discounted commentaries! See some of this week’s best-sellers below: Preaching the Word Commentary For years, Crossway’s Preaching the Word Commentary Series has helped pastors, preachers, and anyone who teaches God’s Word to better interpret and apply the message of the Bible. Under the careful editorial oversight of experienced pastor and best-selling author R. Kent Hughes, this series is known for its commitment to biblical authority, its pastoral tone and focus, and its overall accessibility. This set features contributions from a host of respected Bible teachers—offering readers a well-rounded and multipurpose resource for preaching, teaching, and personal study. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (ACCS) does what very few of today’s students of the Bible could do for themselves. With the aid of computer technology, the vast array of writings from the church fathers—including much that is available only in the ancient languages—have been combed for their comment on Scripture. From these results, scholars with a deep knowledge of the fathers and a heart for the church have hand-selected material for each volume, shaping, annotating and introducing it to today’s readers. Each portion of commentary has been chosen for its salient insight, its rhetorical power and its faithful representation of the consensual exegesis of the early church. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture is an ecumenical project, promoting a vital link of communication between the varied Christian traditions of today and their common ancient ancestors in the faith. On this shared ground, we listen as leading pastoral theologians of seven centuries gather around the text of Scripture and offer their best theological, spiritual and pastoral insights. The Preacher’s Commentary Series General editor Lloyd J. Ogilvie brings together a team of skilled and exceptional communicators to blend sound scholarship with life-related illustrations. This resource contains the entire Preacher’s Commentary 35 Vols. The design for the Preacher’s Commentary gives the reader an overall outline of each book of the Bible. Following the introduction, which reveals the author’s approach and salient background on the book, each chapter of the commentary provides the Scripture to be exposited. The New King James Bible has been chosen for the Preacher’s Commentary because it combines the beauty of language, underlying Hebrew and Greek textual basis, and thought-flow of the 1611 King James Version, while replacing obsolete verb forms and other archaisms with their everyday contemporary counterparts for greater readability. Thru the Bible Commentary Thru the Bible Commentary (5 Vols.) is an excellent choice if you need an in-depth Bible commentary explained in a thorough and simple way. Dr. McGee modeled his style of teaching after Dr. Harry Ironside of Dallas Seminary, who taught his students to “Put the cookies on the bottom shelf so the kiddies can get them.” Dr. McGee teaches the Bible in a way that is easy to understand and apply to life, regardless of age or background. Save on Commentaries! Preaching the Word Commentary (41 Vols.) Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (29 Vols.) The Preacher’s Commentary Series (35 Vols.) Thru the Bible Commentary (5 Vols.)

While the gospel ought to always be at the forefront of our minds, I do not deny there being something special about this time of year. The Passion Week presents us with the opportunity to look closely at the cross of Christ and to share salvation’s good news with loved ones. Hearing about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is brand new for many people. But, how does the person who’s been a Christian for years or decades keep the gospel fresh? This is one of my challenges as a Christian. So, what do I do? I look outside the gospel narratives and look at the rest of Scripture. Letting Timothy and Paul lead us to the cross Since all the Bible is about Jesus, we should see things that either point forward (Old Testament) or back (Acts and beyond) to the work of Christ. Today I’d like to walk you through a quick time of study I had this morning reading a seemingly random Bible passage and how that pointed me back to the cross and helped me meditate on Christ this Passion Week. My morning started with a reading in the first couple of chapters in 1 Timothy. As I read, one verse stood out more than others: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15) Yes, Jesus came to save sinners, and Paul assures us that this statement is trustworthy and worthy of acceptance. Like Paul, I can identify with these words and I lean on the truthfulness of why Christ came. After meditating on that verse and its surrounding context, the ESV cross references pointed me to Romans 4:25, which is where my study became fun. “But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:23-25) In this context Paul is talking about Abraham and how he was justified through faith. Paul makes it clear that Abraham was declared righteous before his circumcision or any other act he performed, such as obeying the call to sacrifice Isaac. Paul then brings this forward and applies it to Christians and our justification. He shows how justification is applied through our faith in Jesus’ atoning work. The cross is now clearly in view and how it benefits my life. Some support with study Bibles At this point, a few Study Bibles provide further edification as they elaborate on the Romans passage. 4:25: Both the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are necessary for forgiveness of sins and justification. Raised for our justification. When God the Father raised Christ from the dead, it was a demonstration that he accepted Christ’s suffering and death as full payment for sin, and that the Father’s favor, no longer his wrath against sin, was directed toward Christ, and through Christ toward those who believe. Since Paul sees Christians as united with Christ in his death and resurrection (6:6, 8–11; Eph. 2:6; Col. 2:12; 3:1), God’s approval of Christ at the resurrection results in God’s approval also of all who are united to Christ, and in this way results in their “justification.” (ESV Study Bible) 4:25 The proof of justification by faith alone in Abraham’s case leads Paul back to the foundation of justification in the work of Christ (3:24-26). Christ’s death and resurrection are two indivisible but distinguishable aspects of His one saving work. In His death, Christ bore the legal penalty for our guilt. In raising Jesus from the dead, the Father vindicated Jesus, nullifying the sentence of death, and declaring Him to be righteous. This vindication grounds our justification through our union with Christ. (Reformation Study Bible ESV or NKJV) Both of these notes drive home great points concerning the correlation between Jesus’ work on the cross and our justification. Without his death our sins are not forgiven; and, without his resurrection there is no proof that God accepted his sacrifice. Like Abraham, we only receive this through faith. In response to reading these notes all I could think was, “Ah, thank you Lord for the cross! Without your death and resurrection I am hopeless!” One last thought… But, there was one more note in the HCSB Study Bible that cross referenced one last passage in Acts, which led me to a moment of true thankfulness and hope. 4:25: Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses as promised in Is 52:13–53:12. Who delivered up Jesus? Was it Judas? Pilate? The Jewish Sanhedrin? Satan? Certainly all these were causal agents in the crucifixion of Christ, but ultimately it was the sovereign God who brought it to pass in order to fulfill His plan of redemption (Ac 4:27- 28). The Father delivered Jesus up for our trespasses, and raised Him so that His righteous Servant would justify many people (Is 53:11). (HCSB Study Bible) Jesus’ death on the cross was not an accident. God planned it long ago and had a hand in all of it. After being released from prison, Peter and John prayed to God and recognized that he was at work the entire time, even working through wicked men. Personally, realizing the bigger picture of the Passion Week is a huge comfort to me. Yes, wicked men sentenced Jesus to death, but it was all part of God’s plan. Jesus died for our sins. He rose again, showing God’s acceptance of his sacrifice. We are justified because of our faith in the work of the cross. But, God had his plan in place before Adam even sinned. What an awesome God we serve! It all points to the cross I love how God can work and point us to the gospel as we read his Word. It may be Passion Week, but that’s not where I’m reading; yet, God still points me to his Son’s work on the cross and my soul is lifted because of it!

The day after Jesus’ crucifixion (the Saturday before Easter) is one of those interesting, yet unrecorded days in biblical history. If you look at the Gospels, they each give about one verse to what was going on in the world of the Jews: they were “resting.” Whether it was due to traditional obligation or genuine obedience, the majority of people took this day off because of the Sabbath law. SCRIPTURE “Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed His last. At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split…Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for Him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.” (Matthew 27:50-51;55-56, NIV) “Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the Sabbath, especially because that Sabbath was a day of great solemnity…After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed His body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where He was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:31; 38-42, NRSV) “On the Sabbath, they all rested according to the commandment. But on the first day of the week at early dawn, [the women] came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.” (Luke 23:56-24:1, NRSV) Saturday was one of complete silence There seems to be no movement; no advancement; no hope. But what screams out for our full attention are the teachable truths found in the moments before the Sabbath began. You see, Good Friday – though being the day of Jesus’ death – is also known in Jewish tradition as the “Day of Preparation.” This was important because it was the last day for the Jews to collect their needed supplies before taking the next day off. Think of the day before a big ice/snow storm. Everyone is running around town, stocking up their pantries, and buying what needs to be bought. Rightly so, people are focused on only one thing: prepping for the next day. The world keeps moving So even though Jesus just died, the Jewish tradition demanded for the world to keep moving. This is why the Jews wanted to rush the removal of Jesus’ body. They had things to do and people to see. And they definitely did not want His body on display during the Lord’s Day. But all while everyone – even the Lord’s disciples – carried on with their “needed” prep, two very unexpected people were boldly making other preparations. “Unexpected” in that they were once closet believers. Yet in all four of the gospels (which is a huge deal), the authors make sure to give credit to Joseph and Nicodemus for their care of Jesus’ body. We know Nicodemus from his secret (and interesting) conversation with Jesus in John 3. But all that we know about Joseph is that he was a timid and fearful follower of Jesus who cared more about remaining safe from the Jew‘s disapproval than being a bold disciple. But here, both their silence and their fear seem to vanish. We see Joseph approaching Pilate to boldly ask for Jesus’ body. Being a man of stature and influence, he was able to quickly receive this request. But think about this: If it wasn’t for Joseph, the Lord’s body would have been treated like that of a murderer – just thrown into a pile of corpses. But instead, Joseph is seen delicately removing Jesus from His cross, cleaning off His bloody body, prepping it for burial, and carrying Him to a nearby tomb – a tomb that Matthew states is Joseph’s own property. He takes his day of preparation and boldly focuses it on his Lord. But he is not alone. Nicodemus also decides to make his adoration for Jesus known by bringing expensive spices to aide in the burial process. And together, they wrap the body in linen clothes, according to Jewish tradition. This is such a beautiful – yet messy – picture. Here are two random men, doing the difficult work that would normally take many skilled hands. But no one else was present to help. Yet it was because of their preparations – and bold obedience – that the Lord’s body was also ready for the day of rest. The silence of Saturday – though seemingly despairing – was given a ray of hope because of the complete change in heart that these men expressed. So then, what was it that changed in the lives of these two? What brought them into such boldness? What enabled them to overcome their fears? Their doubts? Their selfish concerns? Honestly, I think that it is found in what Matthew records: “Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom…” (27:50-51). At the exact moment of His death – at the assumed “triumph” of evil – something severe happens: the veil in the temple was torn. For years, the old covenant reigned In this system, a priest would go beyond the veil to make the sacrifice in the presence of the Lord (the ark of the covenant). Before Christ’s death, no one but a priest could do this job. The separation of God and man was visibly seen when looking at the veil: man as fallen and God as perfect. But in an instance, Christ – being the ultimate priest and sacrifice – died, and the dividing wall was torn. This means that before Jesus’ resurrection ever took place, there were already hints of His victory. His sacrifice took the separating and isolating power of sin and destroyed it. Where sin intimidates mankind, shames them in isolation, and binds them with fear, Jesus’ work on the cross began an ultimate reversal. And we see this new freedom already at work in two men who were once known by their fear and isolation. Jesus’ death gave them courage and boldness – not of themselves – but because sin (and sin’s effects) were torn. Before glory was ever vividly displayed in the resurrection, Jesus was already working gloriously in the unseen. Peace at work The Saturday before Easter teaches us that peace was already at work even though “victory” was not yet fully expressed. It reminds us that even in the silence, God is powerfully at work. And it calls us to live with this same level of boldness and obedience despite our inability to see what victory will soon come. We all find ourselves in days like Saturday. Where life seems mundane and Jesus seems far. Where failure feels defining and hope appears obsolete. It is in these moments that we must realize that the separating power of sin has been demolished; that Jesus has already given us hints of what will soon become reality. He has already given us a foretaste of glory. Sunday will come; victory will soon be experienced. PRAYER Lord, thank you for Saturday. Thank you for the reminder that regardless of what I feel and what the world around me expresses – You are here. Thank you for already being at work; for giving me glimpses of Your glory. I pray that I can live with boldness today. Give me eyes to see what preparation You are calling me to make. And with courage, I step forward. Amen. This post, capturing the importance of the Saturday before Easter, was written by the team at DeclareGlory.com.

Fully God and fully man. For over 30 years Jesus lived as a man. Yet, in the few years leading up to his death on a cross, it became clear that he was no ordinary man. What man could do these type of things? End a storm with his words Multiply food Heal those who couldn’t walk, see, or talk Walk on water Raise the dead His miracles were always clues that this Jesus was more than a man. Sinless Another astonishing clue to his divinity was that he was sinless. Tempted? Yes. But he had never given into that temptation. Sinless?! That fact alone seems to be impossible when we consider the world around us. From the beginning of time, until that moment on the cross, no one successfully lived a sinless life. And like some sort of science fiction movie, when Jesus breathed his last breath as man, something unseen shattered. The power of the unseen was so great that the physical world manifested it by sudden darkness and trembling. At that moment, the sacrifice made by a sinless man would forever change destiny. The proof of this change? Our celebration says it all. Jesus followers initially had no idea what we know and celebrate today. Jesus had actually won! Three days later they would find this out when the man they thought dead would appear. And, in so doing, he confirmed that he was no ordinary man. He is God who came near (Immanuel) to change the course of history. And it’s His Story that we celebrate today. So when we say “He is Risen” it’s not just a statement of a past event. It is a declaration of a current reality. “He is Risen” Means: We are forgiven Belonging to Jesus we are not bound by sin Our today is part of our eternity with the creator God Our identity is secure as his sons and daughters Then, after the cross and resurrection, Jesus says to his followers: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”—Matthew 19-20 He is Risen!