BIBLE PASSAGE
Zechariah 3:4 “A Change of Clothes” (Chapter 51) GOSPEL CONNECTION Do any of you wonder why God told this story about changing the clothes of one of his priests? It’s definitely a picture of how God forgives our sins, but it’s even more than that. And the clue that there’s something more is a strange bit about a “Branch” (Zech. 3:8). What, or who, is the Branch? The Branch was the better, perfectly holy high priest who was coming. The prophet said that Joshua in his new, clean garments looked like this Branch. That promised, future, perfect high priest is called the “Branch” because he will come from King David’s family tree. He might look like just one branch on a tree with lots of branches, but he will do what no high priest has ever done before. He will “remove the sin of God’s people in a single day” (see Zech. 3:9). Can you guess who the Branch might be? Yes, it is Jesus, the Snake Crusher! When he died as a punishment for sin on the cross, that very moment, on that one day in history, all our sins—past, present, and future—were paid for. Totally forgiven! This priest took our stinky, filthy clothes and gave us his clean, perfect clothes.
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BIBLE PASSAGE
Jonah 2:9 and Matthew 12:39–40 “Big Fish, Bigger Mercy” (Chapter 50) GOSPEL CONNECTION Even though Jonah was the pouting prophet, Jesus used his story to point to his own death and resurrection. The scribes and Pharisees shouted at Jesus. “Show us a sign that you are the Messiah!” Jesus had already shown lots of signs. He had cleansed a leper, healed a paralyzed man, and given sight to the blind. He had even raised the dead to life! What kind of sign were they looking for? They wanted a supernatural sign—like water turning to blood. Jesus replied to them, “Only people with no faith want a special sign like that. I will only give you one sure sign that I am the Messiah. Just as Jonah was three days in the belly of the great fish, so will I be three days in a tomb”. What do you think he is talking about? Yes, he’s talking about his death—and resurrection. On Friday he died. That night (day one) and the whole day after (day two) his body was buried. Then, on day three, he rose from the grave! But Jesus didn’t choose the story of Jonah just because the number of days matched. He chose the story because it was all about God’s mercy for sinners who repent. Jesus’s death and resurrection are the signs that prove he is the Son whom God sent to save us from our sins and the punishment of death. Anyone who trusts in Jesus—disobedient prophets or wicked enemies—can be saved. BIBLE PASSAGE
Daniel 6 and Luke 1:32 “The Miraculous Catnap” (Chapter 46) GOSPEL CONNECTION Daniel had such courageous faith. He prayed to the Lord even though he knew he would be tossed into the lions’ den. And like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he had no guarantee from God that he would survive. He chose to worship God no matter what. He chose to worship God because he loved and trusted God with his life. In the book of Hebrews, some people with great faith are listed. “Through faith,” we are told, these heroes of faith “stopped the mouths of lions” and “quenched the power of fire” (Heb. 11:33–34). The author is writing about Daniel and his friends! Later in Hebrews, we are told that others, because of their faith, were mistreated, mocked, tortured, imprisoned, and killed. We also read that Jesus, who is called “the founder and perfecter of our faith, . . . endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2). If we are to keep the faith like Daniel, we need to follow Jesus, who trusted God even though it led to death. And just like God delivered Jesus by raising him from the dead, he will deliver us if we keep trusting him. BIBLE PASSAGE
Ezekiel 37:14 and Ephesians 2:5 “The Valley of Dry Bones” (Chapter 43) GOSPEL CONNECTION Why did God give Ezekiel this strange vision? It wasn’t to give him an idea for a scary skeleton costume to wear to a haunted house. But it was to give him a message for the house of Israel. The dry bones represented Israel, driven from the land because of their sin. But just as the dead bones came back to life, God was letting his people know that he would keep his promise. God promised, “I will give you a new heart. I will put my Spirit within you so you will obey my rules. I will take you home to the place I promised Abraham. I will make you one nation with one king—a king like David. I will save and cleanse you from your sins, and make with you a covenant that lasts forever. You will always be my people, and I will always be your God” (see Ezekiel 36:26–28; 37:21–26). As sure as the dead bones came to life, God would keep these promises. The vision also shows us how Jesus, the promised king like David, saves you and me. Like those dry bones, we are spiritually dead. But when God speaks his powerful word and sends his Holy Spirit, he breathes new life in us—just like he did for the bones! We were dead in our sins; God has made us alive with Christ. Through faith in Jesus, we are raised from death to life! BIBLE PASSAGE
Isaiah 6:3, 7:14 “What Isaiah Saw” (Chapter 41) GOSPEL CONNECTION How could Isaiah’s sins be forgiven? What was the vision of the burning coal supposed to represent? The rest of Isaiah fills in the picture. It speaks of a servant who would suffer so that our sins could be forgiven (Isaiah 53). It tells us that the sign of his coming would be a virgin (Mary!) conceiving and bearing a son who would be known as “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” And it says that this deliverer would sit on David’s throne and rule over a never-ending kingdom of peace (Isa. 9:7). Any guess who this could be? That’s right! Jesus! The sacrifice on the altar that allows our sins to be forgiven isn’t ultimately a piece of coal. It’s Jesus, who gave himself up so that we could be forgiven. |
What we Learned on Sunday? Insights, ideas and InspirationWritten by Pastor Chris Hudson Archives
May 2024
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