Passion Week Reflections from Prof. Ken Bluemel
Saturday
One Day before Resurrection Sunday
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached [announced the victory of the Cross and the hope of Resurrection] to the spirits in prison.”
1 Peter 3:18-19
A series of post-Calvary events commenced with the death of Christ. Initially, as our Great High Priest, Christ presented His blood in heaven thus satisfying the righteous demands of the Father. He then descended into Hades declaring a full and final victory at the cross. In this declarative act all the righteous dead who throughout the ages had been awaiting the Messiah, could rejoice. The keys to death, hell and the grave had been taken from Satan; he had been defeated, judged and sentenced. [1] Christ was triumphant!
How can I say it any clearer? “WE WIN BECAUSE CHRIST WON.” Regardless of the daily skirmishes be they large or small, the ultimate outcome has been decided. In the final analysis, those who are Christ’s are already victorious. Let your mind dwell on those things. Set your affections on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of power and authority. Oh yes, we are seated with him!
Dear Victorious King, Thank you for victory. Thank you for the hope and peace provided by that overwhelming and triumphant conquest. Thank you that your righteousness is my righteousness and that I stand totally complete in you. Let me live with that perspective throughout this day.
Gripped by a sense of Your victory,
Be blessed today folks,
Pastor Ken
[1] Ephesians 4:8-10;Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:13-15; Revelation 1:18; Matthew 12:40; 1 Peter 3:18-19; Matthew 27:50-53; Colossians 3:1-3; Ephesians 2:6
Michelangelo's Pieta--St. Paul's, The Vatican, Rome, Italy, T. Colburn
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