A Magnolia's Heart Beats

He Must

It breaks my heart each year this day (throughtout the year, actually, but most importantly this day) to realize what agony Jesus endured on the Cross. The hope and assurance of His resurrection on the third day is always the bright light that brings such joy to my soul, but on this day I grieve.

"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again." ~ Mark 8:31 (NIV)

Jesus was not caught off guard by what happened to Him. In fact, He shared with those He was intimate with that He must do it.

The Greek word for must is dei. This verb means:

1) it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper
a) necessity lying in the nature of the case
b) necessity brought on by circumstances or by the conduct of others toward us.
c) necessity in reference to what is required to attain some end
d) a necessity of law and command, of duty, equity
e) necessity established by the counsel and decree of God, especially by that purpose of his which relates to the salvation of men by the intervention of Christ and which is disclosed in the Old Testament prophecies
1) concerning what Christ was destined finally to undergo, his sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension

This truly helps me understand why He Must.

Death On a Cross

Jesus was rejected by man and suffered much on the Cross, killed for the sins of man. Dead. The Greek word for killed is apokteinō. This verb leaves no doubt as to what happened after being tortured and agoninzing on the Cross for so long. It means:

1) to kill in any way whatever
a) to destroy, to allow to perish
2) metaph. to extinguish, abolish
a) to inflict mortal death
b) to deprive of spiritual life and procure eternal misery in hell

The Great Conquerer

But He did not stay dead. Just as He predicted that He would rise again, He did. The Greek word for rise is againanistēmi. Also a verb, it means:

1) to cause to rise up, raise up
a) raise up from laying down
b) to raise up from the dead
c) to raise up, cause to be born, to cause to appear, bring forward
2) to rise, stand up
a) of persons lying down, of persons lying on the ground
b) of persons seated
c) of those who leave a place to go elsewhere
1) of those who prepare themselves for a journey
d) of the dead
3) at arise, appear, stand forth
a) of kings prophets, priests, leaders of insurgents
b) of those about to enter into conversation or dispute with anyone, or to undertake some business, or attempt something against others
c) to rise up against any one

Doesn't it just thrill your soul to know that He conquered death and lived again?

Why?

He did it for us.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." ~ Romans 5:6-11 (NIV)

What Now?

What should our response be to His death, burial and resurrection? While surely we should grieve, we must believe.

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." ~ John 5:24 (NIV)

Are you unsure about where you will spend eternity when you die? If so, believe that Jesus died for you and accept Him as your Savior. You will know based on the Word of God that you'll spend eternity with Him in Heaven, not an eternity of separation in Hell. These are two very real places. One is great. The other, not. Eternity with God, eternal separation from God. Oh, the choice seems so easy to make! I plead with you to accept Him if you haven't.

Most of the people reading this have accepted Him. What should our response be to His death, burial and resurrection?

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." ~ Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You for providing me with the assurance that when I leave this world I will spend eternity with You in Heaven. Thank You for making salvation so personal to each of us as You were on the Cross, bearing our sins. Thank You for rising again! In the Matchless Name of our Savior and Lord...Amen.

E - Endeavor to keep His Word close in our hearts to keep us from stumbling. "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." ~ Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

A - Always tell others about Him. "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." ~ Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

S - Set our minds on eternal, not worldly gain. "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." ~ John 6:27 (NIV)

T - Thank Him for His salvation. "I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation." ~ Psalm 118:21 (NIV)

E - Eagerly anticipate eternity with Jesus. "Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." ~ Jude 1:21 (NIV)

R - Remember to honor Him in gratitude in all that we do. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." ~ Colossians 3:17 (NIV)