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As a High School senior I read the New Testament for the first time. As I did I found myself drawn to Jesus – admiring him. He pulled me with his compassion, his power, wisdom, determination, perseverance and love. 

He was the magnet. I was the steel. 

I fell in love with my Savior, my Lord Jesus Christ.

I’d like to stimulate our awareness of our Lord Jesus’ attractive character, to be more spiritually alert to his magnetic pull, and yield ourselves to his holy Spirit as he draws us deep into divine intimacy.

Jesus said in John 12:32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 

John adds in verse 33, “He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.”

When Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up…”  the crowd knew what he was saying and they questioned, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

During Joseph’s days in the Egyptian prison the chief baker shared a dream with Joseph. The interpretation he gave said, “Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”

Jesus mention of being lifted up was understood by the crowd to mean, to be lifted up in death on a cross.

How eternally grateful we are that our Lord Jesus Christ became a curse for us, that he bore our sins and sicknesses. 

Our condemnation gone! Our guilt gone! Our shame gone! 

Carried away and covered by his crimson blood! 

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Rom 4:25).

That lifting up draws us. How rare that a man would die for another. Jesus said, “There is no greater love than this – that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Our Lord was lifted up on a cross. That lifted up intercession had never been seen before. Those who understand and feel the weight of this gesture, this transaction, are drawn like steel to this Great magnet.

Jeremiah 31:3 tells us,

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. 

The cross was a one time event but from eternity his love has been reaching out to us, pulling us from the far side of eternity to himself. 

He lassoed our hearts and drew us. 

He locked onto us with his heavenly tractor beam and pulled. 

Jesus was lifted up on the cross. That draws! When the glorious goodness of Jesus is magnified today in testimony, teaching and song men and women, boy and girls are draw by his magnet personality.

When we testify to others how we are drawn to the Lord Jesus by his ocean deep love, his compassionate rescue, dynamic power, Solomonic wisdom, his fearfully wonderful kingdom plan, and our assurance in the face of death, others are caught in that holy gravity.

THE DESIRABLE ONE

 

HAGGAI 2:6 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

Some think of this passage speaking of monetary wealth coming to Jerusalem, but one can’t help but think that Jesus Himself is the great pearl and the great hidden treasure!

Jesus our Lord is coming. Although many don’t know it yet, Jesus is the fulfillment of every desire. The nations may not realize it but Jesus alone can, and will, answer every desire of the yielded human heart!

Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.  (Psalm 73:25-6)

You are the most excellent of men

[You are fairer, more beautiful, more handsome than the children of men]
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.  (Psalm 45:2)

This a poetic, messianic declaration of Jesus’ beauty, excellence and perfect character!

THE BEAUTIFUL ONE

How many of you have come to realize this? How many have had experiences with his holy Spirit which reinforce this?

Rick Joiner shares an encounter he had with the Lord in a vision.

The Lord was not what we might consider to be of a strikingly handsome appearance, but was rather ordinary. Even so, the grace with which He moved and spoke made Him the most attractive person I had ever seen. He was beyond human definition in dignity and nobility. No painting that has sought to capture what He looked like could ever do it, but somehow most of them do resemble Him. I began to think of how He was everything that the Father loves and esteems. He truly is full of grace and truth, to the point that it seemed that nothing but grace and truth should ever matter.

We realize why David said in Psalm 27:4, 

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

MY EXPERIENCE OF BEING DRAWN BY THE LORD

Do you remember Jeremiah 31:3?

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love. With loving kindness I have drawn you.” 

As a young Christian years ago I had a powerful experience of God’s drawing. I share this in my book, Riverfront Property: Connecting at the River of Life. 

I was part of the choir and came to church, not knowing

practice was canceled. I saw a light on in the fellowship

area but found it vacant. I walked through the dark hall

to the sanctuary’s double doors and cracked one open.

There was no light except for what came from the street

outside. 

I thought, “Maybe I should go in and pray“,

at the same time I thought, “I have a lot of homework

to do.” In that moment of indecision I was gripped at

my chest as if an invisible hand grabbed a fistful of my

shirt. I was literally pulled into the sanctuary about a

dozen feet! 

I stood in the dark room totally astonished.

I laid my left hand on a pew and then received anoth-

er surprise. How do I put it into words? I felt a power

like electricity or surging water going through my body.

Had I not been holding the pew I might have fallen. I

felt holy awe!

My greatest “spiritual experience” up to that time was a

sense of joy as I sang praise songs at the local Christian

coffee house. This was off the grid, out of any paradigm

or speculation about spiritual things! I stood still and

silent. 

After a few minutes I felt drawn to one of the

wooden lecterns up front. I walked to it and placed my

hands on either side. Again, suddenly, unexpectedly

this electric-water feeling came over me, and again if

I had not been holding on I might have fallen. There

were no words but I felt I was beginning to perceive His

voice.

 

I shared this experience about myself, but it is important for you to know that God is drawing you, and has been drawing you from the beginning of eternity. This is a staggeringly, wonderful reality!

 

If a woman was asked to marry a man she had never met what would she like to know about him. I’m thinking, everything.

WHAT ARE THE ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES OF OUR PRINCE CHARMING? What would Yenta the matchmaker say about this potential Bridegroom?

How about handsome – I don’t know if Jesus would ever make the front page of a fashion magazine but somehow he is the most gracious, attractive person you could ever meet. He is the fairest of 10,000.

He is virtuous – His character is spotless and stellar.

Consider his strength – stronger than Samson. He draws the universe.

Compassion – He’s a man not afraid to cry, but doesn’t stop there – He takes thing is hand. 

He’s a rescuer – He saves from marauding, demonic spirits. He is the ultimate, chain-breaking hero!

By the way he’s good with children – in fact children love to be around him!

O yes, did I mention he’s wealthy. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and more.

He is the most joyful person you could meet, although he is very intentional he is carefree and easy.

He is faithful to His family and friends. He is faithful to His promises.

He really is Prince Charming. He charms you with His grace and charms away your fears.

He is a story writer and movie Producer. He is creating a wide-screen melodramatic, action, comedy, superhero, documentary, true to life – adventure story. And each of us have a role written in the script.

He’s good on a horse. He rides a white charger and the armies of heaven follow him.

Let’s see, Have you ever heard of the wisdom of Solomon? Yes? He’s wiser than that!

We might add that he is an exceptionally great story teller. He captivates everyone.

O yes, He’s funny and clever, terribly serious, humble and very bold!

Did I mention He is a  miracle worker?

Well, he is the Prince, the Son of the King. You would be marrying into royalty destined to rule all the nations.

Only eternity can begin to reveal how worthy, holy, glorious and loving our Bridegroom is!

YIELDING TO THE PULL

Do you feel the pull of The Magnet??

This disarming personality draws us simply by being himself, with no forced labor. His warmth, charm, genuineness, and confidence are attractive. There is an unstrained beauty in his listening, authenticity, and sensitivity. We are pulled to his innocence, creativity, his whit, his vision and commitment to his values and vision.  

Each of us might create a list of the qualities we find in this Heavenly Magnet.

WORTHY IS THE LAMB!!!

When we are awake all of this leads us into rapturous worship before the One who sits on the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 5 paints a picture of a monumental, uncountable multitude adoring and honoring with an intensity of delight which makes this world’s pleasures look piddly.

 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the    earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

 To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
  be praise and honor and glory and power,
  for ever and ever! (Rev 5: 13).

DO THESE TRUTHS MOVE YOU AS THEY MOVE ME? 

No wonder we must yield to him and adore him in prayer!

Our dearest, precious heavenly Father. Our Interceding, sacrificial Lamb. Most Holy Spirit, we yield to your pull. Draw us closer and closer into oneness with you!

Make us more aware of your attractiveness that we may pursue you with greater desire and determination.

Reveal your beauty, your holiness, your grandness, your nearness, your power, your truth, wisdom, your endless love.

Let those who have never tasted and seen that you are good come to know you.

As a piece of steel is magnetized by bushing up against a magnet, let us bear in our beings your magnetism for the sake of others.

Show us how to create opportunities sharing testimonies of your irresistible attractiveness.

Pour out the holy Spirit on our lives filling us with revelation of your goodness. Grant us the tools and weapons of your kingdom and show us how to put them to good use.

The world is looking for those they recognize who have been with the Lord Jesus.

Show us how to join in relationship so with one heart, mind, and actions worthy of you, we may present you to the nations.

You said, “Ask of me and I will give the nations to you as your inheritance.” We now ask that our glorious Lord Jesus would receive the nations, and you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth be honored far above all!

We are are yours! In the Spirit of Jesus our Lord.

My friend, I encourage you to drink deep from the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. As you do may you fall in love, deeper and deeper, with the Great Magnet, Jesus Christ our Lord!

Steve Johnson

Landing Strip Enterprises

A song for the message. DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU – Bill Groeller Vineyard song

 

 

 

 

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When my parents were getting on in years, they offered to give up personal possessions to clear their house before their time came. I had little desire to have any of their belongings. There were two exceptions. One was a dark, plaster bust of a newborn which my Dad, a pediatrician, was given as he retired. The other was his black doctor’s bag.

Since my wife Pam was a mother-baby nurse with the heart of a midwife, I felt the sculpture of the infant would be meaningful to her as well as me. Dad held who knows how many babies. He followed many from birth to their teen years. Although I enjoy the head of the child, the doctor’s bag is more significant to me.

Dad was very busy in his private practice in his early years. There were a number of occasions when I was able to tag along with him on a home visit. I would sit in the car while he went into the house.

His black bag contained things like syringes, tongue depressors, an ENT flashlight, a stethoscope, sutures, and medicines. The bag was packed with the tools of the doctor of the 1950’s. As a kid, I could not appreciate what he did for others, but I knew he was being helpful. I felt Dad was both an important and kind man. I knew others felt that way about him, and this made me proud.

Mom and Dad met at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He was an intern, and she was a head nurse. Medicine was a big part of both of their lives, and that black bag was a piece of it.

Dad carried the bag into many homes, to the relief of many families. He had a good bedside manner as well as a professional grasp of the science of the day. He was loved by his patients.

He was a lifelong student of medicine and respected by his peers. He was known as a doctor who could diagnose a medical condition even if it had only occurred a dozen times in United States history. He was a good doc.

I was amazed at Dad’s wealth of medical knowledge; just ask a question and out would pour a medical lecture. Dad was more to me than a doctor. I respected him as a man of compassion, education, good humor, and dependability. He was security, joy, steadiness, reliability, perspective, wisdom, silliness that sometimes embarrassed me, and a faithful husband and father.

The black bag tells a story of a good man who once squeezed its handles and carried it home to home. That old bag has heard the fears of parents, the croup of an infant, the distress of a child with meningitis, the crying of a child with a broken arm.

Worried parents would find solutions and comfort from the man who carried that black bag. Now, most of the parents, and many of the thousands of children he cared for, have aged out of this life.

When Pam and I pass, the felt significance of the bag will likely be lost to future generations. The bag and its few contents may be sold at a garage sale, dumped in the trash, or perhaps end up in a museum where modern people laugh at the antiquated notions of medicine of former years.

I have good reason to hope Dad is now in the good company of One called The Great Physician. His black bag is left behind as a testament, at least to me, of a life of consequence.

Steven C Johnson

LandingStripEnterprises.Com  

 

 

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Before we had counselors, we had friends

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, 

So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend” (Proverbs 27:9).

Forty years ago, when I asked a college student what their major was, I was alarmed when I heard, “Psychology” or “Counseling.” Too often, I saw the student had a troubled life, and they needed help. They wanted to get their lives together. They may have wanted to help others as well. I knew many schools would harm rather than help. If they gained a degree, they would become a danger to themselves and to others. I’ve seen terrible damage come out of godless advice and witchcraft counseling.

Yes, I’ve met and read wonderful, helpful counselors, and I’m grateful for every one of them. But I feel many are poor at best, ruinous at worst. My experience has been validated too many times. Beware! There are horror stories with contractors, auto mechanics, and with counselors. 

You may have suffered from a batch of bad advice. I’d like to save others from the peril of destructive counsel.

I have benefited from the counsel of hundreds of people. Most did not have certificates or diplomas. Hats off to them with the greatest respect. Many I would count as friends. You see, before we had counselors, we had friends. In a vacuum of friends, some pay counselors as replacements.

My cynicism for professional counselors comes from witnessing the wreckage caused by many. Some of this is personally painful. I am pulling for a restoration of sage wisdom to guide many into godly perspective, sanity, clarity, and common sense so others may lead whole and abundant lives.

Predating the professionals

Proverbs 27:9 says, “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.” Again, before we had counselors, we had friends. With the loss of friends comes the multiplication of counselors.

Counseling in Scripture is a contrast to today’s counseling. Biblical counseling is so practical and helpful! 

A king gets counseling before going to war. 

A man gets counsel for building a house.

Administrators get counsel for exercising government.

A man gets counsel from his friend for the best farming methods.

THE DANGERS PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS POSE

The money motive.

Pity the professional counselor who helps someone too quickly. They cut off their predictable stream of income. The shrewd counselor says, “We’re getting somewhere, but you had better come back next week, the week after, and the year after so we can really get to the bottom of things.” Counseling sessions become interminable until the client is financially exhausted and no better off. 

Assigning blame to others.

Many will pay a professional to tell them their problems are because of others. Rarely will a counselor say, “You need to grow up and take responsibility.” They may fudge on the truth to flatter you rather than confront you. They may be too insecure to suffer rejection themselves.

One-sided counseling.

How often have I heard of someone with a personal conflict going to a counselor without the person they think of as “The problem.” What is the counselor to do if the spouse, parent, friend, or boss is not present? One-sided counseling is the norm. The Bible teaches, “The first to present their case seems justified until another comes and examines them.” How is a genuinely interested counselor to counsel when hearing only one side of a story? 

I persuaded a woman I had counseled to bring in her husband. When he came, I did not see the horns she had referenced. She shared a number of her husband’s shortcomings while her husband quietly listened. I asked her in his presence, “Why don’t you just leave him? Wouldn’t that be the easiest solution?”

She backtracked because her marriage also had comforts and security. The husband appreciated the forthright questions and the opportunity to share his perspectives. He shared a story of rescuing her life in a farming accident and caring for her in recovery. He was more invested in the relationship than she first made out.

Toying with speculations and lies

We know a young man who for a long time was estranged from his parents. After being delivered from his counselor, he said, “I believed a lie.”

A very straight-arrow friend lost his relationship with his sister. Her counselor helped her “recover” “lost memories” of this man abusing her. The only problem was the memory was dead wrong. It was the pop-psychology fad we now debunk called “false memory syndrome.” It ruined many relationships.

Entrancing problems

So many have melded their problems with their identity – cultivating problems, nursing, and rehearsing.  Pity the distressed soul who has a counselor who will only agree with their victimhood. So many would do better to invest in a Life Coach helping them to clarify their vision, set goals,  and work out a new life plan.

Missing the obvious by probing the “deep”

Counseling today is often focused on the deep, inner psychological mysteries. Too often, this approach is void of common sense. It magnifies complexity rather than simplicity. It may be legitimate to attempt to fathom the deep waters, but it is not always profitable when practical solutions are available.

Emotion focus

I have often said, “Tell me your thoughts, and I will tell you your emotions.” Many counselors attempt to alter emotions rather than the world-views, perspectives, and thoughts which create them. God’s words stand strong. “As a man thinks, so is he within himself” (Prov 23:7).

“Un-godly” counsel 

The majority of mental health clinicians have no linkage with God. They lean on frail, human understanding. Their insight comes only from the small planet Earthlings live on. They forget or have never learned.

 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
 neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.

 As the heavens are higher than the earth,
 so are my ways higher than your ways
 and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Our Creator is referenced as “The only wise God” in Romans 16:27. True Solomonic wisdom is birthed by God, not by man’s cleverness. 

Counsel apart from God is un-godly. It will prove worthless at best and poisonous at worst. Real power, wisdom, and love for deliverance, healing, forgiveness, and transformation come from the Almighty.

God substitutes 

Counseling practitioners often become God substitutes. They are worshipped both with adoration and scorn. Pride accepts worship for its diplomas and cleverness. If we don’t have the real God, we must have substitutes. Psychologists and psychiatrists are sometimes venerated as demigods.

The witchdoctor’s prescription

A person may confide they are living with confusion, fear, and depression. The doctor prescribes a magic potion when the obvious answer may be – live a healthy life, eat right, get your sleep, get some friends, forgive them, or get a job. 

1 Timothy 4:1 tells us, 

But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach.

These seductive teachings are found in some church buildings and psychiatric offices. Be on guard against demonic enticements. 

Daniel and his three godly friends outgunned the wisemen of the day ten to one. 

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom (Dan 1:20).

GREAT PRESCRIPTIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The good news is the Bible, and the “Counselor,” the Holy Spirit, have answers for our mental distress, our relationship problems, and everyday decisions.

The Apostle Paul gives us a great prescription for gaining mental health and enjoying God’s peaceful presence.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Phil 4:8-9).

I’ve done enough counseling to feel the weight of responsibility every counselor must feel. Any of us who provide counsel will be judged according to the helpfulness or damage we create.

Isaiah prophesied of One called “Wonderful Counselor.” Jesus modestly but factually said, “One greater than Solomon is here.” 

Friend, if you are in need of life advice today, I encourage you to seek it first from the One who is called in Scripture, “Wisdom.” Seek it also from those who have sought for and received wisdom ahead of you and have a treasury of heavenly perspective grounded in Holy Spirit experience. Bless and heed those who are counselors in deed, and avoid the others!

SEEK FIRST THE COUNSEL OF GOD IN PRAYER AND LISTENING

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

SEARCH HIS WORDS FOR ANSWERS

Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.  Psalms 119:24

FIND WISE FRIENDS. 

Remember, Proverbs 27:9 says, “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.” If you don’t have friends, it is time to come out of isolation and intentionally build friendships. Find them among those who have immersed themselves in the Word and Spirit. Some of these may become mentors.

YES, THERE ARE GREAT PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS 

There are still truly great professional counselors out there. Seek out good referrals. You may seek out those who have a specialty in the area you are wrestling with. For example, most marriage issues are related to financial struggles. Starting with a financial counselor in this case is common sense.

LIVE A TRUTHFUL LIFE!

“Research shows that over 90% of clients admit they have lied to or withheld important information from their therapist at some point.”

Don’t expect good results from any counselor, a friend of a professional, if you lie, embellish, minimize, or leave out the truth. 

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart (Psalm 51:6).

Our Father wants you to know your identity and live out your purpose in our great Kingdom story. May the Living Source of wisdom, through Christ our Lord, guide you to wonderful answers and solutions as you ask, seek, and knock!

Steven C Johnson

LandingStripEnterprises.Com

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On May 6th of 1972 I drove a stake in the ground. I called Jesus Christ my Lord. I took hold of the promise, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9).

At the moment there were no rockets red glare or bombs bursting in air. Those came later! But there was a distinct peace and bedrock solidity which I had been craving. It was the beginning of so many stories I might share of God’s goodness! Here are few snippets of testimonies for your encouragement and the Glory of God!

Steven C Johnson

Landing Strip Enterprises

Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 shared a powerful testimony. 

“It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.”

There are thousands of pieces to our testimonies. I’d like to share a few snippets of God’s goodness in my life.

Let’s start this way. When I was 8 years old, my grandfather died. There was an open casket. Grampa looked bad, really bad. Death was icky. I didn’t like it. I feared death, and beside, what was on the other side?

I attended church, but didn’t understand how the Gospel worked. I thought the way to heaven was by being good.

I knew just enough Bible to get confused. I remember Jesus saying, “You must be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” I was not perfect. If I tried and tried, I could never be perfect. How could I stand before the holy God? When I died, what would happen next?

I remember hearing Jesus was sweet and kind. But I could never make the connection with Jesus. I could buy into the thought that Jesus died for sins and rose to save, but I could not make the connection for myself. It was like the motor was running, but there was no transmission to get power to the wheels.

My Senior year in High School my friend Mike told me, “Jesus is coming back!” This was not a message I heard at church. Those were show-stopping words. That meant he was real. I would have to stand before Him and give an account of my life.

“Jesus is coming back” was trembly, scary, but also intriguing and invigorating.

The church we attended had taken a bad turn. The pastor did not believe the Bible. He did not believe Jesus rose from the dead. 

His view of Easter was invigorating walks on hillsides covered in wildflowers and breathing fresh mountain air. God have mercy on the man. I could not find Jesus in church.

There were also the philosophies of the day saying things like, “There is no absolute truth” and “Nothing can be known for sure.” I lived craving for certainty.

But these were the days of the Jesus Revolution. Spiritual interest was high among young people. 

I had to do a book report in English class. I had never read the New Testament. As I read, I began falling in love with Jesus Christ. I was taken with His wisdom and humility, His compassion and power, His courage and sensitivity, His love, and His fire!

I wanted to know Him but was not sure how. I did not know how to make the connection, how to be saved.

I went to a conference and heard the words of Romans 10: 9;

“If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

That truth became my anchor. I knew enough of the story of Jesus to know it had to be true. I was certainly willing to confess Jesus before my friends and others. I believed God raised Jesus from the dead. 

God would never lie. He said if I confessed devotion to Jesus as Lord and believed in God’s resurrection power, I would be saved. I would have everlasting life. I had God’s iron-clad promise!

There were no rockets red glare or bombs bursting in air, but there was a peace.

I began reading the Bible voraciously. Lights were coming on!

I began praying. I would sense His presence and see His answers.

I sought relationships with other believers in a Christian coffee house and with Campus Crusade for Christ.

The knowledge of Jesus, and His good news, was pulling me out of my fears and introversion. I became a witness on my college campus.

I looked in the mirror and saw a different person.

I had the opportunity for advanced studies. Including experiences studying in Israel.

I’ve only been a Christian for 54 years. I am a newbie. My walk with Him has sometimes been pretty herky-jerky, but God has been my steady light, my guide, my fortress, my redeemer, and my friend.

Jesus changed me, and He is still at it! I’ve got much to learn and grow in, but I have eternity to do it in thanks to the Resurrection and the Life!

Jesus said the hungry will be satisfied. I desire to be perpetually hungry so I may be perpetually satisfied! Every day I long to see His face more clearly, hear His voice, and know the fullness of His presence.

There have been moments when:

I have been crushed by His glory

I have been broken with His compassion

I have been invigorated by His power

Trembled before His Majesty

Transported by experiences of His ocean-deep, heaven-high love.

I am not worthy, but He has shown me His face!

I have felt the power of His Holy Spirit!

I am staggered when I think of His kindness revealed even when I have come up short. 

He has revealed Himself through dreams and visions.

He has used someone with so many shortcomings to deliver encouragement to others!

There have been plenty of bumps and bruises along the way. Following Christ is harder and more wonderful than I could have imagined.  He has been unfairly kind.

Together with Pam, my girlfriend and best friend of 46 years, we’ve had the privilege of being in pastoral ministry in many churches and have so many life experiences. We’ve been enriched with children and grandchildren.

What a privilege to know Him. What joy to see others come to Him and find freedom!

Jesus is coming back very, very soon. This terribly wonderful truth should awaken us all!

That fearful, introvert kid has found a love, power, courage, and purpose he could never have imagined – Because of a Savior who came and ministered, modeled, died, rose, ascended, and is now preparing for His panoramic return.

I own everything to a Lamb who died and a mighty One who broke the power of death!

He’s coming again, soon! We must make the most of our days!

Steve Johnson

Landing Strip Enterprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus is the great liberator of women. Women are recognized, honored, and protected by Jesus. They are Jesus’ support crew. Jesus is the liberator of women. I believe, ever more, he brought freedom and purpose to men! 

Today’s churches are mostly composed of women. Jesus’ early followers were mostly men. There are reasons for this. One of them is the message of Jesus has been modified to paint Jesus as a soft and gentle, compassionate, but powerless person. Jesus’ manly bravery and costly heroic mission are rarely portrayed.

Contrasts the Biblical portrait of the Man with purpose and backbone, the prophet with cutting, caustic insight, the demon-busting liberator, the visionary contending for a disruptive, radically renewed earth, transforming our planet with the download of the Heaven’s substance.

Jesus led the most striking men’s group the world has known. Young men in their late teens and early twenties gravitated to him like young warriors to a great general. They were like David’s discontents and debtors who were transformed into mighty men.

Simeon prophesied of infant Jesus; “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34-35). This was vividly realized. Religious and political leaders crashed and burned because of Jesus. Fishermen, tax collectors, and former assassins became mighty cultural leaders, flipping the tables!

WHAT WAS JESUS’ MEN’S MINISTRY LIKE?

Jesus came as a B-24 liberator bomber. His words and actions were explosive!

He was more joyful, carefree, broken-hearted, and deadly serious than any man they had known. His words were harsher and more tender than any ever spoken. Jesus was both Lion and Lamb. He was not confined to one role. No one could be more hard-hitting than the Lord, and no one could be more tender. 

IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE KINGDOM COMING TO EARTH

Jesus was confrontative with liars and play actors who manipulated  and enslaved others! He challenged everyone’s thinking. He brought Heaven’s perspectives, challenging scrambled, worldly thinking.

Jesus would expose sin and scathingly preach, “Unless you repent, you will all perish.” “Unless you believe I am He, you will die in your sins.” This won him lots of enemies and death threats. Jesus said to his brothers, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its deeds are evil” (John 7:7).

He spoke comfortingly, “Fear not, little flock; it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” He told them not to waste their energy on worrying because their Father loved them and would provide for them. He kissed and blessed the babies, not for the photo-op but because he really loved them.

Jesus could fully love the sinner while fully rejecting their sin. He could do this because he was willing to die for them.

His words were more Solomonic than Solomon! “The common people heard him gladly.” Those sent to arrest him had to say, “No man has ever spoken the way this man does!”

Jesus’ compassion is proverbial. Those in Jesus’ Men’s Group had never seen such genuine expressions of loving care. His was not a flimsy, sentimental love but manifest in powerful expressions— feeding multitudes, quieting storms, healing every bodily ailment! Jesus is so exceptionally different! 

Jesus was not just a dreamer but an architect and master builder. His men’s group acted out the pieces to the plan. 

Concentric circles of men followed him. The thousands on the edges had respect and interest. The hundreds closer to the center had great admiration and desire to learn.

Jesus would fish out of that crowd those he wanted close to him, those he would train and empower to upend the world. He knew what he was looking for when it came to finding the raw materials to shape a man. Sometimes those materials were very raw.

They would burn miles of shoe leather, sleep on the roadside, and endure scandal and threats. This was different than the bowling team or model train club.

He would purge them from both pride and insecurity. He would tame their rivalries and uncover concealed sin.

He revealed things never known before. He uncovered secrets hidden in the Scriptures. He even showed them the future, leading them into all kinds of liberating truth! Jesus knew who He was and showed men what they could become. He forged His men’s group into Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers.

THE DISCIPLINED ONES

Those who Jesus admitted into his circle were called “disciplined ones.” The disciplines were rigorous! But their coach was not the fat, overweight type calling from the sidelines. He embodied the disciplines He sought to impart!

Jesus’ powers of discipline were grained through love. Like a lover laboring to make every effort to impress and win a woman. Like a Son who dearly loves his father and does all he can to please him!

Christ’s Mission was called the Kingdom of God. The disciples didn’t quite know what it was about, although they sensed it was very, very big! Jesus would tell story after story to help them get it. They knew somehow there was going to be a great shaking and a huge penetration of the earth. Somehow God himself was going to come, take charge, and get His will and plan done for our entire globe.

Some clubs and groups have no expectations. Not Jesus’ men’s group. The signup requirements were stiff. He would tolerate no slackers. Unless you deny yourself and pick up your cross, you can’t be in my movement; you can’t be with Me. There were rigorous expectations, but the great prize, the pearl of great value, was to possess fellowship with Christ Himself!

CONSIDER THE DISCIPLINES IN JESUS’ MEN’S GROUP

Elite athletes and soldiers undergo discipline. What disciplines did Jesus’ young men have to embrace to be part of His Mission?

Jesus wasn’t a professor, Doctor So and So. He didn’t have His disciplined ones sitting in a classroom pondering deep truths. Jesus was a Rabbi, a teacher, but hardly like the ordinary teachers. 

His teachings packed a punch! They delighted and enraged. They divided people like a sword. Some said, “He’s a good man.” Others, “No, on the contrary, he leads the people astray.”

His disciplines were practical and action-oriented, 

Like leaving friends and family and familiar things, giving up lesser activities and ambitions for the privilege of being Jesus’ companion and part of His colossal vision.

Leg exercises. Capernaum was Jesus’ home base in North Galilee. Jerusalem was 79 miles away. They made the trek many times. 

A trip to Sidon was 50 miles, two light days of 25 miles. 

Nazareth would be an easy 20-mile hike, except for the hilly terrain.

They were sent in pairs to various towns as forerunners before Jesus. They trumpeted the same message John formerly proclaimed, “Get ready, get your head in the game, straighten out your behavior because God is coming to take charge! Jesus of Nazareth is coming to your town!”

They submitted to the discipline of obedience. Go there! Preach this! Get a donkey for me to ride. Prepare the Passover meal. Love one another!

There were hazing exercises, but not from inside Jesus’ group. They all came from outside, from snarly people who wanted them dead.

There was the discipline of trusting God with their needs. On one homework assignment, Jesus said, “Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no extra sandals, and greet no one on the road“ (Luke 10:4). They were to trust God for provision.

How about the discipline of casting out demons and healing diseases?

Every time a demon was ejected, a healing was effected, or an obedience was made to God, the Kingdom of Heaven was prevailing. Yeshua said, “If I cast out demons by the finger of God, know the Kingdom of God has come to you!” Jesus was ruthless with demons in order to show compassion to harassed captives.

There was the discipline of receiving rebuke. Jesus’ approach was not quite like a Marine drill sergeant, but He could give harsh rebukes!  They had to be humble to accept His corrections.

When some of them failed to cast out a demon, Jesus rebuked them.

When Peter said, “ No way, Lord. You’re not going to a cross. There was rebuke.

When James and John thought it was a good idea to call down fire on a city which did not receive them, they got rebuked.

But still, they knew they were loved. In fact, they reached levels of friendship they could never have imagined.

Consider the disciplines! Jesus, in essence, said:

Let Me show you the face of your heavenly Father!

Let’s let you feel what it is like to be loved!

Let’s confront the things in your life which hang you up.

Let’s expose your religious bigotry and racial pride. 

Let’s give you courage and teach you to confront evil.

Let’s teach you to stand your ground before death threats.

Let’s teach you how to work with those different than you.

Let’s teach you how to pray and see miracles!

Let’s teach you to even love your enemies.

LOVE WAS THE GREATEST DISCIPLINE! It was the greatest command. Jesus taught them to love one another when personalities grated and they could not see eye to eye. In spite of differences, they grew to love and mesh with one another! 

I’m certain they were staggered to get Jesus’ final exam— “A new commandment I give to you. Love one another as I have loved you!” They had to think, “How in the world are we going to do that? No one in the world has loved the way You do!” But Jesus would give them power to love, to forgive, rebuke, and comfort by His Spirit!

GAINING THE PRIZE

Relationship with Jesus Himself was the prize – to be in companionship with Him and part of this Kingdom of God Mystery!

Those men would go through Jesus’ wash and rinse cycle many times before they were ready to be His ambassadors. He modeled for them, equipped them, and empowered them to replicate His life and message.

Many in Jesus’ circles bagged out, rang the bell, and were gone. Those who stuck it out experienced disruptive love, wisdom, power, and vision. Jesus was packing spiritual heat!

The disciples were abhorred by Jesus’ crucifixion, astonished by his resurrection, and flabbergasted by his ascension to heaven. They then waited and received the Holy Spirit, power from on high. The more they experienced of God, the more they changed, making them powerful change agents!

They preached and shared everything Jesus did and taught. They raised up other disciplined ones.

MEN RECEIVE IDENTITY AND PURPOSE IN JESUS’ MEN’S GROUP!

Fishermen become fishers for men!

Tax collectors gather heavenly treasure!

Builders in stone and wood become edifiers of people!

The whole men’s group adopted Jesus’ values, His seek and save orientation, and the mission to prepare others for this great, mysterious Kingdom. 

I’ve known guys in Jesus’ men’s group. They have been mentors! 

Don taught me to testify.

David taught me to weep.

Frank taught me to laugh when confronting evil.

Jeff taught me to think deeply and thoroughly. 

Ed taught me to pray tenaciously.

John taught me to wait on the Spirit.

Mike taught me to expect God’s voice.

Harold taught me to make a bold impact.

Geoff taught me to be creative.

Steve – to always remind others of Jesus’ cross.

How much poorer would I be if I had not known guys in Jesus’ men’s group!!! Charlie Kirk was in Jesus’ Men’s group. I suspect you are as well.

Millions are living absolutely horrid stories, without hope and without God in the world. How can their crushing grief be measured? Jesus came to seek and save the lost, those trapped in darkness.

The oppressed and hopeless need those who have been with Jesus, men able to bring liberation for captives, men teaching The Way to eternal life, communicating both the sober warnings of accountability, and the glorious hope of, “Get ready, the Kingdom of Heaven is crashing down on us!” 

There are still men today willing to pay prices to get into Jesus’ men’s group, even willing to go so far as to die for Him. I look for fellowship with men like that, men seasoned and equipped to meet the overwhelming challenges of our day, because they have spent time with Jesus.

Steven C. Johnson

Landing Strip Enterprises

 

Pam Johnson

LISTEN TO THIS BLOG HERE!

 

My wife and I went into a jewelry shop in a mall. We were looking for birthday earrings for Pam. I noted the shop keeper was gazing at his computer screen paying little attention to his customers. But when we told him we were looking for blue lapis earrings he immediately got up and showed us what he had in the shop. After a few minutes we pick out a pair.

We paid for the ear rings and started to walk out. I paused. Pam asked, “What is it?” I answered, “I think I need to share Jesus with that man. She took the package, said she would pray, and I went back in.

I saw he was focused on his screen and asked, “What are you watching?” He told me about his movie.

Noting the man’s accent I asked, “Where are you from?” He answered, “From Turkey.” I told him I had climbed Mount Ararat back in 1984. He was interested and we talked a bit about Turkey. He was from Istanbul and had been a banker.

“Why did you move to America?” He told me he had tried several business in Turkey but doing business in the States is far easier. I told him it looked like he was being successful because it took a bit of an investment to rent a shop in an active mall. He mentioned his university education.

“What did you study?” 

“Business.” 

Islam is popular in Turkey. “Are you Muslim?”

“No. My family is religious but I’m an atheist. 80% of people in universities are atheists.” 

“Really? 80%?”

I smiled feeling a love for the guy. “You’re not an atheist.” 

I held a bottle in my hand. “Do you know what is in this bottle?” He replied, “No.”

I pointed to a woman outside the shop. “Do you know what kind of dish soap that woman uses?” Again he answered, “No.” I told him, “You cannot be an atheist.”

You don’t know what is under her kitchen sink. How can you be certain that God is not under her sink?

He said, “I get what you are saying.”

“In order to be an atheist you must know all things. Only God can be an atheist because he knows all things.” The man was listening. I felt we had a good connection. 

I told him, “I think we could talk a long time together. The most you could be is an agnostic.

“What is that?” 

“The word means, “Without knowledge.” It means you have not learned enough to have an opinion. 

He replied, “I see what you mean. You are right. It would be more accurate to call myself an agnostic.”

“Have you ever heard the word, ‘apologetics?’”

“No.”

“It sounds like the world apology, but it comes from the Greek, ‘apologia.’” It means an argument to defend a position. For example, “I have three witness to say, I was with them when the murder happened.”

“I am a Christian. There are arguments for God. We use the word, ‘creatures.’ When we use that world we are presupposing there is a Creator. You and I are creatures. We have a Creator.”

We chatted a bit. I felt I had given the man enough to digest. I wrapped our conversation by saying, “I’m very pleased to meet you. I want to share these words with you.” I took his hand and said slowly and deliberately, “God bless you!”

I was just a bit surprised as he immediately responded. “God bless you!”

I told him, “I challenge you to say these words, “Jesus, if you are real, show yourself to me.”

With little hesitation he said, “Jesus, if you are real, show yourself to me.”  

It was not said with passion or longing, but it was said with openness.

My prayer is that little bit of open-heartedness will find a grand answer from the Savior. 

My Friend, Let your light shine!

This is Steve Johnson with LandingStripEnterprises.Com

 

See our new Youtube Channel –RevelationConnections.Vision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LISTEN TO ‘I LOVE THE WAY JESUS DIED” HERE.

 

We have been busy working up an exciting new website at RevelationConnections.Vision and a new Youtube channel to go with it! 

LISTEN TO AN EXAMPLE HERE!

“VISIONS: GETTING IN TOUCH

WITH YOUR “DAY DREAMS”

 

Steven C Johnson

LandingStripEnterprises.Com

AND

RevelationConnections.Vision

 

 

 

I love the way Jesus died! 

The more I think of the way Jesus died the more I love Him!

Don’t you love the way Jesus died!

I love Jesus’ courage, resolve and willing-hearted devotion!

I love His composure, authoritative command and endurance!

I love His yieldedness, and steadfast faith!

I love the way Jesus died! 

His submission to His Father. 

His determination to overcome the powers of darkness. 

He goes for the prize when others think it shameful embarrassment. 

I love how Jesus stuck it out to the end rather than bailing. You see Jesus could have avoided the cross. He could have taken off the weekend and gone down to Elate to snorkel in the beautiful Red Sea.

On the cross He could have said, I’ve had enough! He could have lost temper with the mockers and come down with fury. He might have called the angels to bring down fire.

Jesus could have dismounted from the cross like an Olympic gymnast! He did not cave in to the temptation, for the sake of the mission. 

He was focused on a great task.

Jesus died perfectly! He died well! He gave us a model for dying well.

I love his determination to obey His Father; I love His endurance and follow-through, to the finish. 

Most of all I love Him for this greatest expression of love!

If your image Jesus on the cross as some frail, withering weakling you need to get the story right! He was in charge! He died, not with a whimper but with triumph shout! 

I want you to see the cross as Jesus’ command and control center.

Here is a piece of Matthew’s account.

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰ and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” ⁴¹ 

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 

⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The gawking, mocking crowd, the religious leaders and the one thief all said, “Save yourself!” They knew if they were on a cross and had the power to save their skin they would do it.

Be they did not understand that Jesus did not come to save Himself. He was on a supernatural rescue mission – to save them! 

They were unaware they were all in a holy vortex and intersection of Messianic prophesies established before the creation, being fulfilled before their blind eyes! Matthew continues,

⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,  lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).^[d]

⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. 

The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

We know from the other gospels that Jesus shout contained two phases. “It is finished!” and “Father into Your hands I commit my spirit!”

Samson used an unusual weapon, the jawbone of a donkey. Jesus takes up the cross, His weapon of choice! 

We are talking about the most powerful, pivotal moment in history and its vast implications. 

So powerful that it disarmed the powers of hell.

So pivotal that it becomes the greatest before and after story ever told. Even our calendars say, “Before Christ, and Anno Domini (the year of our Lord)

Our theme is The Power of the Cross and Jesus the perfect Savior. He is the model for us to imitate, so we may die well.

THERE IS POWER IN THE CROSS EVENT

1 Corinthians 1:17-18  For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

The world thinks it ridiculous – absurd — foolish that a man dying on a cross would bring us any lasting benefit. In fact, they are right. Just any man, tortured and dying on a cross would do nothing of lasting value for us. The power is not in the cross, or a man on a cross, but in the magnificent person of the Son of God.

The benefits flow from the person of Christ – covering sin, transacting forgiveness, rest from striving, peace, freedom from condemnation. A powerful reality!

There is no such thing as a one-sided coin. 

Here is perspective. Today we focus on our Lord’s ministry at the cross, but we know very well, we make take just as much time, and more, to consider the greatest escape artist in all creation. His name is Resurrection and the Life!

The other side of the coin is the resurrection. The scriptures talk more of the power of the resurrection than the power of the cross

Romans 1:4  Christ, “was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead”

1 Corinthians 6:14

By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

2 Corinthians 13:4

For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. 

1 Corinthians 15:43

[The mortal body], “is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power

The two sides of the coin are seen in Romans 4:25; “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

You see the cross doesn’t make sense without the resurrection, and the resurrection without the cross.

If we preach the cross without the resurrection we tend to degrade into religious strivings, morbid introspection and even manmade attempts at suffering to refine ourselves. We miss the supernatural energizing vitality of the risen One! 

If we consider only the resurrection we end in an empty triumphalism, without appreciation for the great price paid for our redemption. We fail to see the need for serious commitment. We fail to take our own crosses to follow the Lamb.

So, we preach both the cross and the resurrection in union.

In 1 Corinthians 1:17 Paul’s gospel message includes the cross. He preached, “not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”

But in Acts 17:18  “Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.”

Having this perspective, let’s look at this one side of the coin, the amazing, appalling, wonderful death of Jesus, what it means to us and how we may respond to Him. Let’s rethink the cross!

We conjure up images, sometimes based on religious art, trying to put pictures to the story line.

Jesus is painted with a loincloth but the scandal was that the soldiers were rolling dice for his underwear.

Artists depict Jesus carrying a heavy cross of wood with squared off dimensional lumber. Actually, this would not have been the case. 

Studying archaeology and history we know that wood was precious in Jesus day, it was not wasted.

There were no saw mills to square off timbers so they were typically left round to retain wood density and save the labor of sawing.

Straight, unplaned sycamore fig branches or uniform trunks like pine were laid for roof rafters.

So for economy of timber Jesus cross was most likely made from the spindliest wood adequate to bear a man’s weight, and for economy of labor the members were lashed together. You might picture the cross keeling to one side, bowing under Jesus’ weight.

The Romans ended up crucifying thousands in Palestine looking for any wobbly piece of wood to do the job. 

The practice of crucifixion in antiquity was brought to life as never before when the heel bones of a young man named Yehohanan [Jonathan]were found in a Jerusalem tomb, pierced by an iron nail. 

Some traditions talk of the stations of the cross. For example, they create the story to have three episodes where Jesus falls under the weight of the cross. They insert a moment when a woman named Veronica wipes Jesus face. There are no references in the scripture of Jesus falling or of Veronica.

We talk of climbing Calvary’s hill but scripture gives no reference to a hill. 

No one was there with video. We desire to illustrate the words with pictures.

  The scriptures warn us not to add to or subtract from the word of God. I don’t think we deliberately do it, but we fall into Idolatry, making God look like and talk like us. 

We paste on a loincloth because we are ashamed of our nakedness

We add a couple falls to the ground because we need more humiliation and drama

We add a hill because there ought to be some landscape design

And we add squared off lumber because that’s what we would build with.

But the worst thing we can do is take away. We have taken away Jesus shout!

We have muffled and silenced Jesus with our own imagination. We think, “If I was on the cross I would be a pitiful, whimpering mess. I wouldn’t be shouting. So, we paint the Lord Jesus in our image.    We need to repent

Jesus had told His disciples, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”   John 10: 17-18 

Jesus was all business at the cross, all authoritative resolve, all endurance, all conquering effort! 

The soldiers were not in charge, Jesus was! The nails did not hold Him. It was divine purpose and love.

Have you ever seen a man die shouting? Jesus died that way! It was the shout of a warrior celebrating His victory. Not, “I’m finished” but “It is finished!” It was a shout of accomplishment, of triumph of exultation. “Father, I’m now coming home to You!”

The Centurion marveled with trembling. He had seen victims of execution beg for mercy and shout curses but he had never seen someone die with a shout, let alone with earthquake and darkness.

We need to let Jesus have His shout back!

Not only so, we need to get our own shout! 

When Jesus asks us to take up our own cross and deny ourselves we need to stop going into the mopey, poor, pitiful me mode. We need to go into shout for the victory, and for the glory! We die shouting as we give up time, energy, wealth, friends, and ambitions – as we testify and serve others.

I remember the day Pam and I were to testify in court about our daughter’s abduction. I was very sick. I did not know if I could make it to court. I remember leaning over the bathroom sink and vomiting. 

But as I did my heart was full of devotion to God. Between contractions and upheavals, I would say, “God, I am your man.” “I yield myself to you.” “Be glorified in this trial!” 

As I was retching my toenails I was also glorifying God for his goodness, for his blessings and control over our lives.”

I believe it was one of those moments where God enabled me to die well, even with strong confession.

Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His godly one. When we die daily our Father sees it as a precious sacrifice.

Some of us don’t like a lot of shouting. It grates on our ears. We see it as culturally inappropriate. But Jesus shouted and we need to get our shout back, the shouts of overcomers, those who endure the painful challenges and come through victorious. Dying well, dying like our Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s a good day to die!

I will never diminish the sufferings of Christ.

The scriptures tell of a man of sorrows

They say he was so beaten that His face was not recognizable

The Psalm tells how the Messiah felt all his joints out of place

He felt terrible thirst

The inner Psychological pain must have been the worst – Feeling betrayed, misunderstood and abandoned. Pain tends toward confusion and disorientation.

Jesus refused to take the Myrrh, which would have acted somewhat as a analgesic to cover the pain. He faced the pain rather that hiding from it. I think he wanted to concentrate on the business at hand.

In terms of what His death looked like I see Gibson’s depiction of the death of William Wallace as more representative of Christ’s death than that of the character in The Passion of the Cross. Wallace, like Jesus, died with a shout, proclaiming “Freedom!”

From start to finish I see Jesus as the man with authority and integrity, in full moral control on the cross. Although humble with God, Jesus is the one in command.

The Catholic tradition has emphasized the gore of the cross. 

It is vital to remember we are not saved by the magnitude of Jesus’ sufferings but by the magnificence of His Royal Person!

When a lamb was slaughter at the temple for a sacrifice it was not received as a covering for sin because it was brutally killed, but because it was pure. Its blood was pure.

Jesus pain was excruciating but Jesus saved us, not by His pains. To exaggerate a bit, the King could have saved us with a paper cut, but He was willing to bear so much more for the sake of great gain, for the sake of great joy!

In fact, Jesus stayed with the cross for many reasons, but one of the most compelling reasons for sticking out the cross was joy! Not the joy of suffering but the anticipation that the suffering would end in joyful satisfaction for Himself and Billions of others!

Heb 12: 2  Let us look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy  that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Isaiah says, “He will be satisfied with the travail of His soul.”

Someone may tell us, “Did you hear that Jack died?” We respond with shock. “I just talked to Jack last week. How did he die?” And the answer comes, 

It was a car accident

Food poisoning

He was gunned down

A meteor pulverized his home

We always want an explanation. How did they die?

Jesus’ death was exceptional

Here is the biggest celebrity of the nation

A man recognized for His closeness to God and exceptional character

A man that stood up boldly to His detractors, who cast out demons and healed diseases

A man who spoke with more grace and wisdom than anyone!

A man who predicted his own death on a number of occasions

He captured hearts of thousands

Condemned to death on trumped up charges

Little things like earthquakes and the sky going dark happened that day.

The veil in the temple torn. 

Jesus did not curse the soldiers or religious leaders. He did not whine or fall to self-pity. He did not beg for mercy, things other victims do– for Jesus is not a victim. 

Jesus set His face like flint to go to Jerusalem, knowing what was ahead.  He made the final buy-in in the olive grove the night before.

From start to finished it is Jesus in charge at the cross. Now watch Him!

We listen carefully to the last words someone says before they die

The priest intercedes on behalf of the guilty. “God Almighty receive this sacrifice and forgive their sins.” So our High priest also says, “Receive this sacrifice and forgive their sins.”

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34. … 

The good Shepherd lays down His life communicating security and a future to the thief

Today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43. … 

The Sensitive son cares for his mother and the directive leader delegates responsibility

Behold your son: behold your mother. … 

Quoting the Messianic scriptures Jesus feels separation for Himself – so we may be brought near!

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? … 

The man of endurance acknowledges His humanity. The One who generously provides living water says,

I thirst. … 

Jesus doesn’t die saying, “I’m wasted, I’m done for” but rather shouts in success, accomplishment, relief, satisfaction 

It is finished. AND

 “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Immediately he dies, completing His great project, He breaks the tape, completing His race, crossing the line with a kick. 

No wonder the Centurion was astonished!  Jesus died well! I would like my last words to be “Mission Accomplished!” and die like my Lord!

Satan saw the cross like a great chess match. Ever-so-clever the Devil thinks a dozen moves ahead. 

He kills God’s prophets, priests, the wise and godly – Decimation of God’s rooks and castles, his bishops and knights, God’s people are pawns for the taking. 

He has outwitted God. God is cornered.  And now for the gruesome finish – Remove the light of the world, and all will be darkness! And he does…. NOT!!!!!!!!!!

He did not know the secret hidden wisdom, the “foolishness of God.” The Father’s plan all along was to glorify Himself by taking seeming tragedy – and so bring us salvation, and consume darkness with light!

Paul said, “we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.   1 Cor 2:7-9

Satan’s presumptuous blood-thirst has brought him into God’s trap of checkmate! 

He blundered into killing Jesus, the greatest backfire of the ages!

THE BENEFITS FLOW AS THE FULL WORTH OF BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN PROCLAIM  –Assurance, Peace, Comfort, Rest, relationship with God, eternal life!

OUR RESPONSE TO THE CROSS – GRATITUDE, ADMIRATION, WONDER

If denying myself and carrying a cross wins me an opportunity to be with Jesus, it is a small price to pay!

Let’s give Jesus His shout back.  And as we pick up our crosses, let us take up our shout, and die well! 

Steven C Johnson

LandingStripEnterprises.Com

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