Sermon Central
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Good Friday Introduction Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 6, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: On Maundy Thursday night, Jesus was struggling with his beloved trainees, disciples and followers to make them understand their purpose of life on earth; and the importance of Advent of Jesus Christ to this world. But disciples not upto the mark.
Good Friday
“Events Leading to Crucifixion of Christ in Personal Life”
Introduction:
God is Good and His love endures forever. Today is Good Friday. Next 2-3 hours going to be a great time for us to sit at the feet of God, and be listening to the Meditation on the seven words of Jesus Christ. Last Good Friday, I was sharing the Historical events leading to Crucifixion. This year, let’s evaluate our relationship with Christ and his Crucifixion on a daily basis. The acts and deeds of disciples and followers of Jesus Christ will be compared with our actions and lives and we will recommit ourselves to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
CROSS OF CHRIST
The cross of Christ discloses the extreme condition of punishment for the Sin of the whole world. However today it stans as a symbol of God’s redeeming love (Romans 5:12-17), God’s saving grace (Philippians 2:5-11) and power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Cross is the only ground on which forgiveness is obtained (Romans 5:12). Cross of Christ is the justice of God (Romans 2:1). It reconciles man to God(2 Corinthians 5:11-21) and restores man to his original position as a crown of the creation.
Hebrews 6:4-6 says that if we don’t follow the basic Truth. If we don’t abide by the statutes of God we are crucifying Jesus Christ again and again on the cross. We are called to crucify our sinful nature with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24).
On Maundy Thursday night, Jesus was struggling with his beloved trainees, disciples and followers to make them understand their purpose of life on earth; and the importance of Advent of Jesus Christ to this world. Now the hour has come to complete that Mission but still, the disciples were living in their petty world of pleasures and desires.
Four things I would like to point out the problems of the Disciples that night. They are Desire for Power and Position; Disloyalty master; Denial of Peter; and Denounced by Mass. Let us look into those issues and compare with our individual lives, go for a personal retreat to crucify self and lead a worthy life.
1. The desire for power and position.
Disciples followed Jesus with a simple response to His lovely call. He called them to follow Him, to learn from Him and to live like Him(Luke 6:12 ff). Life of simplicity, the life of sufficiency and life of sacrifice whenever time demands (Mathew 4:19).
These simple fishermen were trained in the school of Jesus on Prayer(Luke 11:1-2), Fasting (Mathew 6:16-18), casting out demons and preaching the Kingdom of God (Mathew 10:1-4) and teaching how to behave in ministry (Mathew 10:5-42) and again he sent them two by two (Luke 10:1).
But, the disciples were fighting for power and arguing for position. They were seriously raising the issue of who will be the greatest among the disciples (Luke 9:46,47). Mark records the desire of sons of Zebedee, James and John, to be seated at Left and Right to Christ (Mark 10:37), then the ten became indignant to them because of their attitude (Mark 10:41). The last supper did not help them to repent rather continued on their fight.
The real repentance was found after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter became the leader of the Disciples(Acts 2:14), then James took over the Chairmanship of the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:6,12,13). Christians need to come back to CROSS.
Today the Christendom has last focus on the simplicity of Jesus Christ.
2. Disloyalty to Master
Judas Iscariot became a disloyal disciple. He decided to betray Jesus for economical gain. He wants to sell Christ. He was so disappointed because of the humility of Christ, meekness of Christ. Forgiving attitude and attires of poverty. He was so excited to follow Christ thinking of prosperity and popularity but after three and half years of life with Christ pushed him to backward, bulwark and bullying in life.
Bible records Satan entered into His heart (Luke 22:3). He sold Jesus Christ just for thirty silver coins (Mathew 26:15). He repented at the wrong place, at wrong time he confessed his sin to a wrong person. So his desire for money instead of giving him gaining experienced pushed him to self-accusation, so he hanged himself (Mathew 27:3-5). Many times loyalty is sold for disloyal gains of this world.
3. Denial of Peter
Peter a great enthusiastic and emotional disciple of Christ. He had the great revelation of SON of God, called a blessed person, given the authority of the Church and Heaven and Hell (Mathew 16:16-19). He was so confident on himself and his conviction, he thought that he had an unquestionable love and commitment to Christ.
But he denied, disowned Christ. The fear of death made him run for Life rather die for Christ. He followed Christ from a distance (Luke 23:54). He was not able to stand even before a servant girl. He denied thrice (Luke 23:58-60). Peter instead of denying his self he denied Jesus. We may be thinking that we are very strong in faith and commitment but a crucial test will prove who we are?
