If you have seen the movie “The Passion of the Christ”, you more than likely remember the horrific scene of Jesus brutally beaten by the guards before His crucifixion. In fact, the overview of the entire movie is about His last few hours on Earth. If we truly MEDITATE on His Word and actually READ The Bible, we find that in the Gospels, there is only 1 verse in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, so a total of 4 verses, that speak of Jesus being beaten (not to be confused with scourged) by the Guards, however we are made to believe that He was beaten nearly beyond recognition. It is throughout the Bible from the Old Testament through the New Testament, that a Blood Sacrifice is required. So why the emphasis on the beating? THAT is what sells movie tickets! “Hollywierd” knows how to get emotional responses from an audience. Remember the people crying at the Crucifixion scene? I am not saying that it would not have brought tears and sorrow, but old Mel did NOT bring out the Joy Unspeakable that was purchased by the Blood of Jesus! It is the Blood of Jesus that makes us clean and pure. It is the Blood of Jesus that washes away all our sin. It is the Blood of Jesus that gains us entrance to Heaven. Jesus was not murdered. He willingly GAVE His life as a ransom for many. Are you one of the many? Have you received Jesus as your Lord AND Savior? Does the Blood of Jesus mean everything to you? It should. For “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” Hebrews 9:22

Forgiveness is possible, but only by trusting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

 

True Hope

According to 1 Peter 1:3&4,“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you”.I believe in a Living Hope, and as a result of actually knowing Jesus Christ, you are able to have true HOPE, that will never fade away if you place your trust in Him. I recently wrote this for our newsletter for the Hope & Health Ministry at our Church, Lighthouse Christian Fellowship. I believe it is of utmost importance to know that Jesus brings health to your very soul and He is The Hope that everyone is looking for but many reject or deny because they don’t want to be religious. I was recently interviewed by Jeremiah O’Hagan of the Stanwood News about my perspective on Hope in light of the times we live in. He asked me how much hope was being sucked out of me by the current events in our country. I told him “None, none whatsoever!” I meant that and I still do! If you do not want to lose hope, then stop hoping in “things, people, movements, religions, governments and yourself”, the list goes on and on and EVERY one of them with disappoint you and eventually leave you completely bankrupt! However, if you truly put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you will not be disappointed, (Romans 10:11) He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No man can come to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)