Jesus Crucified? It Only Means Something If It Goes Beyond the Head!

Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors." And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!" --- Mark 15:25-30

Today is a very special day in the lives of a limited number of persons in this world of confusion, conflict, and fear. I say “limited number” because for the majority it holds no significance and Good Friday is just a combination of two words, stirring no emotions nor memories in which life has been dramatically impacted and transformed!

Earlier this AM in my daily journal I noted some things about Good Friday and why my life is different because of what happened in the city of Jerusalem a little over 2,000 years ago.

I knew about God and Jesus dying on a cross at a very early age due to having been brought up in the church by my God fearing parents. I learned a lot of facts about the Christian faith in worship services, Sunday School, and Bible School. Those items were stored in the memory bank of my brain, but that was as far as it went for a few years.

The teen years and early 20’s were what could be appropriately called the “rebel years” – graduation from high school, a year of college, some time in employment, and three years in the U. S. Marine Corps. It was the experience of a “prodigal” in a far country – but I could still tell you there is a God, that His Son was crucified on a cross and came back from the dead three days later! But it didn’t mean a thing to me in terms of my way of life.

But the day came when God in mercy began to deal with me about my way of life and opened my eyes to the fact that I was guilty of countless sins. My final destiny because of this was a horrible Hell. But God did not stop at that point leaving me suspended with a sense of hopelessness and condemned – He went on to show me that when Jesus was crucified on that Roman cross He took all my sins upon Himself, satisfied the demands of God’s justice, and paid the penalty of those sins in full so that I could be totally forgiven!

I received Jesus as my Savior and my Lord – my life was transformed and I experienced peace with God for the first time and had the positive assurance of possessing eternal life! The knowledge of Jesus’ crucifixion moved from my head to my heart, and my life was miraculously impacted by that. It’s never been the same since that day many years ago.

Today, Good Friday, will not pass by without those few who follow Jesus Christ remembering and again giving thanks that He was willing to leave the splendor, purity, and serenity of Heaven, come into this sin-saturated world, and ultimately be nailed to a Roman cross on behalf of each member of the human race.

The tragedy is that the vast majority of the members of the human race living in the world today do not realize that nor do they in the least bit appreciate it!

How about you? Has the reality of Jesus’ crucifixion moved beyond some facts in the head to the heart and life is radically different and most hopeful because of that experience?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. --- 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Questions About a Very Distinctive Group of Heaven’s Citizens!

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" --- The Revelation 6:9, 10

There are a lot of them – all we can say is that there are millions upon millions already there and the number keeps expanding hour by hour!

Who are they? Didn’t you know, or have you never thought about them? These are the ones who were put to death before they were born. Actually they come from many nations around the world, including one which makes the hypocritical claim that all persons should have “the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!”

What’s that? You object not just to the picture above but also to that quote from the book of The Revelation? Why?

But rest assured – you can be comforted in knowing that the little one above who was the victim of a very deliberate violent act does not look like that now with its head in a "pickle" jar of formaldehyde. We can only let our imagination soar to the highest heights as we attempt to picture what he or she looks like at the present time in the very presence of our Lord Jesus Christ!

And what about the statement mentioning the plea for vengeance? In context, the appeal comes from a rather large number who have been put to death for their faith in Jesus Christ. They are assured that eventually vengeance on their behalf will definitely take place.

However, might that great number whose innocent blood was shed before birth also be seeking that vengeance on their behalf likewise be carried out? God does mention the abomination of the “shedding of innocent blood” more than once in the Scriptures and the fact that He responds to such practices in a way that is far from being pleasant!

Another question or two about this matter – what will go through the minds of certain persons who observe this unique group of heavenly citizens as they view them from across a very wide chasm?

First, a history lesson – a rich man died and a beggar by the name of Lazarus who had laid outside the entrance gate of the rich man died at about the same time. In eternity the rich man ended up in the torment of Hell, but could see across a wide chasm and observed Lazarus comforted in the bosom of Abraham. Lazarus was now totally free of all limitations and afflictions of his former earthly life. Complete details and conversation are given in Luke 16.

Now, fast forward in time – what do you suppose will go through the mind of that unrepentant “doctor” who deliberately caused the deaths of a number of those little ones before they were born when he sees them in their perfect bodies in the presence of Jesus Christ?

Likewise, what will go through the mind of that unrepentant “mother” when she looks across that vast chasm and sees that one she chose to have mutilated and murdered, but now is in a glorified body? Or in some cases, some of these “mothers” may see more than one, since it is a matter of record that some females have chosen to have three or even four pregnancies violently “terminated!”

But hold on for a moment – there’s more to this very unpleasant saga – what do you suppose will go through the minds of those unrepentant judges who gaze across the chasm and see that huge number who were prematurely ushered into heaven because of one of the most idiotic and insane decisions ever to take place in a court room – namely, to “legalize” the mass destruction of unborn children!

But we are a nation in a state of tragic denial – even those of us who claim to be “pro-life” aren’t really convinced that there are consequences to decades of the “shedding of innocent blood.”

It may be that if we consider some questions of a different kind and attempt to picture some images in our minds we may just conclude that it is a very serious matter after all, and has a direct bearing on how well a nation fares in regard to its future destiny. We may even be moved to sound a trumpet warning that God always responds to a culture that has made the deadly choice of exterminating a large number of its future citizens!

"Moreover you took your sons and your daughters, whom you bore to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your acts of harlotry a small matter, that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to pass through the fire?" --- Ezekiel 16:20, 21

Learning from Mr. & Mrs. Goose!

Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be only your own, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths.
--- Proverbs 5:15-21

At this time of year I see them every morning on my morning walk. I changed my schedule a bit. I roll out between 4:30 and 5 AM -- I sleep in a while now that I am "retired" -- before retiring from the United Methodist ministry I got up at 4 AM each morning.

I have my devotional time -- the Bible reading part of the devotion time takes me through the whole Bible once and the New Testament a second time in a year plus the other trips I take, especially time spent with the Old Testament prophets. And as mentioned in yesterday's post -- it's a great experience since the World's Greatest Theologian is always present to tutor and guide in these sessions!

I used to leave the house at about 6 AM for my walk. As you know, it's a bit dark at that hour at certain times of the year. So I have changed to leaving the house at about 7 AM, but I'm still up by 5 AM -- I just continue in prayer mode on my walk.

Anyway, during my walk I hear them coming -- their honking tells me they are on the way -- a pair of Canada geese. Often they fly very close overhead and barely clear the tree tops at times.

I submit that we can learn a thing or two from this pair.

• This species mates for life -- no "revolving door" for them in the matter of changing partners as is so common in United States' culture and the way we humans relate to one another with our adopted philosophy that "sex is fun with anyone (or more than one anyone at the same time) anywhere and at any time -- just name when and where!"
  
  
• They are committed to family -- both Mr. & Mrs. Goose are involved. We have seen some of those families at Duman Lake Park near where we live. I recall one occasion of a gander standing with head and neck extended as he kept looking about while the female and the young 'uns were eating at the breast works of the dam. He conveyed something by his very appearance -- "Don't bother me or my family or there will be big trouble!" That's the kind of commitment that has pretty much disappeared in our republic as family break down continues unabated!
  
  
• They know where they are going -- I'm not sure where Mr. & Mrs. Goose are headed -- but each morning they are coming from the same place and are headed toward the same place -- which is more than can be said for most humans. The main problem is that the majority have bought into a false system of values -- the idea is that if we accumulate enough material goods, including lots and lots of money, and pursue a myriad of pleasures we will gain happiness and fulfillment, or will we? Consequently we're not sure where we are going as we compete in the "rat race" of life! One fellow who thought he had arrived and had it all put together was bluntly told, "You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?" Ah, for verification on that take a look at Luke 12 in the New Testament.
  

Yes, Virginia, things such as fidelity, commitment and knowing one's destination are still things that make for a very profitable and satisfying life experience! Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Goose, as you fly overhead for reminding me of this each morning!

And now a PS: This piece, as many of my rantings and ravings in this blog tend to be, was in the "incubator" for a while. Today, 08-04-02, as I took my walk the honking was extremely loud and it was obvious that more than 2 were involved -- and then I saw them again coming from the same direction and flying low as usual -- but there were about a dozen! Mr. & Mrs. Goose had some friends with them on the flight this AM! Hey, there's a lesson there too -- Christians, having been born again by a miracle work of the Holy Spirit, are the only people on the face of this planet who are absolutely sure of their destination -- ought we not be at the business of inviting others to travel along with us? Jesus has made it possible for all to travel to that sure and certain destination known as Heaven, has He not? Thanks again, Mr. & Mrs. Goose, for conveying another great lesson for us humans as we trod this sod called earth!

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." --- Jesus in John 14:1-3

Lying Does Pay Off!

They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. --- 2 Peter 2:13a,14

Lying thrives in a culture such as ours. It is a practice involving persons of all ages -- from the very young who are just getting started in school to those in the sunset years who already have one foot in the grave and the other one is getting to be very shaky!

Lying happens due to a variety of motives:

• to avoid acceptance of the truth and the accountability that goes along with acceptance of the truth
  
• to avoid taking responsibility for bad decisions made and actions following those decisions
  
• to assassinate a person's character
  
• to seek revenge against a person for some alleged "wrong" done by that person
  
• to increase one's financial holdings
  
• to gain a prominent and powerful position for oneself
  

Lying always does immeasurable damage wherever it takes place.

It is strictly prohibited by God as listed in the code of the 10 commandments. The statement is simple, requiring no further explanation: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16)

One area where the greatest devastation takes place is within that group of persons professing to be Christian in faith and followers of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

We are not as free to be "liberal" in our interpretations of the Scriptures as we would like to think! For instance:

• God has revealed that there was an Adam and there was an Eve -- our first "parents" and through whom the human race had its origin. But there are those (pastors, professors, church leaders, theologians, and laity) who say there never were such persons in existence -- God says He made them. But certain humans lie and say that Adam and Eve never really existed! That's more than a tad of a slap in God's face, wouldn't you say?
  
  
• God says the world got so wicked at one point that He destroyed all living things, human and animal, except for those on board an ark. The "spot & blemish" bunch (identified previously) scattered among professing Christians lie and say the event reported as a universal flood judgment never really happened!
  
  
• God has revealed that He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and at one point opened up that vast body of water known as the Red Sea, making the crossing possible for them. And then God permitted the waters to return to their natural condition, drowning the Egyptian military in the process as it zealously pursued the Israelites. The "spot & blemish" crowd lies and says it never happened!
  
  
• God has explicitly revealed the boundaries of how we humans are to experience our sexuality. That experience is limited to a male and female who have entered into the covenant of marriage. All other types of sexual activity which are mentioned in God's revelation are forbidden and labeled as sin or in some cases, worse than that, as being abominations! But the "spot & blemish" crowd lies and says that some forms of sexual behavior are good, and even preferable -- and worse, they claim that God gives His approval to such so that even in the church which professes to be Christian, just about any kind of sexual shenanigans are acceptable! God has yet to make His response to this updated standard of morality!
  
  
• God has revealed that with a love which defies human understanding He gave His Son, Jesus, to be a substitutionary sacrifice for all the sins committed by all the members of the human race. Further, that Jesus is the only way of salvation and entrance into God's Heaven. Christianity, unfortunately, is plagued by the "spot & blemish" crowd which says that there are other ways to get to Heaven through the many other faiths which presently exist in today's world, and we who are Christian should not be so dogmatic upon insisting that Jesus is exclusively the way to salvation and ultimately to Heaven!
  
  
• God has said there is a Hell and a lot of people are going to end up in that place. The "spot & blemish" crowd lies and says that there is no Hell! With unregenerate and warped minds they try to reason that God could never be a "God of love" if even one human ended up in Hell!
  
  
• God says there is a Devil on the loose along with a host of demons in league with him. The "spot & blemish" crowd lies and says there is no Devil and there are no demons!
  
  
• God says there will be a series of devastating judgments visited upon this earth in the future. The "spot & blemish" crowd lies and says there will be no such events because -- now by this time you can guess it -- yes, that's what they say -- "God is a God of love and compassion -- why He would never bring those terrible things associated with judgement upon anyone!"
  

So what we have at times is a major conflict -- with God saying one thing and the "spot & blemish" crowd within the ranks of Christianity saying the opposite -- God says He did it and they say He didn't, etc!

It comes down to this -- who is to be believed? Always keep in mind that lying does pay off, and if you go along with the lie/s, the future will not be pleasant. God has the last word on that matter, not the "spot & blemish" crowd -----

And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." --- Revelation 21:6-8

Special Notice for Those Sharing Millions of Dollars!

This is for that huge number of persons who send me emails offering to share a few million dollars with me for a small favor on my part.

Since there are so many of you who have access to someone's estate or an inheritance which nobody is claiming and this involves a lot of emailing to find someone willing to enter into a partnership with you, I have designed a form which will expedite the proceedings. Also, the grammar will be reasonably correct since I have a better command of the English language than you who still have a serious problem with the language -- the proper use of nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and sentence structure can be a real pain, can it not? So feel free to copy and paste the form and insert the names and other vital information as suggested and then delete the suggestions. Once you get your millions with the help of some U.S. citizen, maybe you could send me a few thousand dollars for use of the form! Let's just say I work on a commission basis in this sort of thing. I thank you in advance for your most generous response.

Standard Form for Sharing Millions of U. S. Dollars

Dearly Beloved (this is the most recent and very affectionate salutation to use):

I am (insert your name) from Nigeria (or insert some other African country). The late Mr. (insert name of deceased) was forced to flee when rebels took over the government. He was able to hide (insert any number) millions of U. S. dollars in an extra large piggy bank in the left corner of the third cemetery (or insert other location) on the road going south out of (insert name of town).

I have recovered this money but need to have it transferred to your country. I have complete faith that you will be willing to have these funds transferred to your personal bank account. I ask that you divide these funds as follows: you take (insert percentage, but no higher than 30%) and the balance will be mine. The generous amount which you receive will be compensation for entering into this partnership.

Please provide me with the following information: your name, postal address, phone number, and bank account number.

Also, please keep this matter very confidential. As soon as I receive the requested information from you, I will immediately begin the process for the transfer of the funds to your account. You will receive processing papers which will give further instructions as to what you must do to complete the transfer.

In closing I want to inform you that I am a born again Christian and have been diagnosed with cancer. My doctor informs me that I only have a few months to live. So your prompt attention to this matter is extremely important for the benefit of the both of us.

Sincerely,
(insert name)
(insert email address and phone number)


If I had all those millions of dollars which have been offered to me these past few years I would have a fortune that would compete with big name millionaires!

Sadly there have been people who have taken the "bait" and gotten badly burned financially in these scams that just keep going like the Energizer Bunny!

This type of scam takes many forms but it has only been in recent months that they have been weaving the "born again Christian" and the terminal cancer scenario into the offers for you and me to become millionaires.

As for me, I will continue to pass up these offers on the basis that I'm in line to receive some things that make the millions of dollars offered in this world look like putrid garbage by way of comparison! Read it for youself......

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." --- Jesus in John 14:1-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. --- 1 Peter 1:3-5

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. --- Romans 8:16-18

Looking forward to seeing you there -- in fact, I put together an invitation which you are welcome to examine -- it's at Meet Me in Heaven!

An Email Which Really Made My Day!

I receive a lot of emails. The volume has increased over the years since the establishment of my web site, Circuit Rider's Range, back in 1998.

Due to the content of the Range, there are some very negative emails which come my way from time to time -- the kind which I cannot and will not quote to you due to language used. Sometimes I almost feel bad that I have caused some people's blood pressure to reach the mortal danger level -- note that I said, "almost!"

But there have been the supportive and encouraging kind as well. With Bob's permission, I am printing his email here as I received it:

Hey Clayton----Just a note to say, because I have so much idle time on my hands, I have been exploring your web site everyday and sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Have read many of the articles and find them very interesting. There is one place in there where you ask the question, Will you meet me in Heaven? I can, with absolute
certainty say, that I will meet you in Heaven someday. Because of a very precious Mother who led me to the Cross of Calvary, I was able to settle that account with the Lord many years ago. Mother told me many times, beware, because Satan is still active upon this earth and will constantly be reminding you of your past. She always told me to be like that old mule dad had. We didn't need a line on him, but he had to have blinders on to keep him from being tempted from going to the right or left when we plowed corn. He could only see straight ahead. We have to be the same way, and keep our eyes and mind focused straight ahead on Jesus. She said, being a christian will not be easy, but knowing that the Precious Blood of Jesus has washed away your sins and they will be remembered no more. Never look back and let Satan tempt you. And believe me, he tries very hard. Past and present !!! I have been through many trials in my life, as you already know, but God has always sustained me. And for that, I give Him all the Praise and Glory. And thank Him every day. I just wanted to share this with you. Sometimes these winter days get pretty long. And yes, I will meet you in Heaven some day. As a matter I'm looking forward to it. And if for some reason I would leave this old earth before you, just remember, I'll be watching and waiting for you, and hope you will do the same for me. We have been good friends for nearly 35 years and been through more things than you could shake a stick at. Sometimes when I'm just setting here thinking, I start to laugh. If someone seen me they would think I was loosing my marbles. Well, keep up the good work and the faith. God's speed to you.

Take care, old friend,
Bob

The question to which my friend refers about meeting in heaven is discussed in detail at Meet Me in Heaven!

Another related subject is discussed at Reminders When Mansion Shopping! This one is important from the stand point of getting distracted (and maybe a bit envious) when we see the elaborate mansions people of wealth and influence have accumulated and lavished upon themselves over time.

Strange, is it not, that a majority of persons in our republic when making plans for the future limit those plans in terms of a few days, weeks, months, years, or to the point of retirement, but do not make any serious plans for that moment of crossing the great divide from time into eternity! The average rate of death is still one per person!

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." --- Spoken by Jesus Christ in John 14:1-3

Jesus' Bones? Can't Be -- I Was Just in Conversation with Him This Morning!

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. -- 2 Peter 2:1,2

Seems like just about everyone is jumping in and splashing around -- some major networks such as Fox News and NBC are really caught up in the excitement as they wallow in the cesspool of unbelief. But then that is to be expected in chaotic times such as these!

The alleged discovery of burial boxes containing the bones of Jesus and His son caused people on the NBC Today show to speculate that this could be the biggest story of a lifetime -- ah, one could alter that by saying it would compete with one of the biggest lies of a lifetime!

But as noted in the headline above, those can't be the bones of Jesus -- He and I were in conversation earlier this morning -- only when the other person to whom you are talking is alive is the conversation two way -- you can try to talk to a dead man, but there is no response, whether it's a dead body or bones in a box supposedly centuries old!

Yes, the Christian experience and absolute knowledge that Jesus Christ is alive is basically a faith experience and limited to just a few persons in comparison to the 6 billion plus population on this planet.

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." -- John 17:1-3

So when something like the boxes of bones is discovered with claims they are Jesus' bones and that of the son He had with Mary Magdalene, mass media people will be so excited and push it with throttle wide open, having fallen for a big lie!

When you have made your personal acquaintaince with Jesus such stirrings in the mass media cesspool as we are now witnessing is simply a reminder of how the majority of people have been deceived.

Why such high profile publicity on this? Actually it's a simple thing -- for century after century there have been efforts to claim Jesus was never resurrected from the dead -- whether flat out denial, or the intentional teaching of such in seminaries where future ministers are trained, or the mess of "discovering" boxes of bones in the 20th or 21st Century! If you have a dead Christ, then you don't have to worry about ever facing Him, having Him scrutinize your life on earth, and then render a judgment upon you which determines what your eternal destiny is going to be -- a trouble-free paradise in heaven or indescribable torment in hell, which the human mind cannot possibly grasp!

But as the very famous Gomer Pyle was fond of saying, "Surprise, surpise, surprise!" That is what it will be for the vast majority of the members of the human race when life here in this world reaches its conclusion and one by one, each gives a personal accounting to the Creator of this universe and ultimate Judge of all, Jesus Christ!

So play with your little boxes of bones and have your big publicity fling about it -- it's sort of like a meteor in the sky -- for a while you see a big flash of light and then it is extinguished and all that is left is dust -- lots and lots of dust!

In the meantime a few of us will continue to be in conversation with Jesus, expressing among other things our appreciation for what He has done for us by way of His personal sacrifice on the cross, for the inner peace and confidence He provides 24 hours a day, for His presence with us each day, and for the rock solid hope He gives us for time and eternity!