Pastor Doug Stevens
The Leadership Connection

John 19:28-30 Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

We cannot know the depth of suffering endured by Jesus on the cross.  We can only imagine —but our best effort to empathize falls far short.

We may know about the discomfort of deprivation, or have some personal experience of physical pain that became a protracted agony, or some memory of social rejection, or some recollection of betrayal, or some connection with a history of injustice — or even been victimized by a cruel conspiracy.  But the cross, this Cross, the Cross of Christ, was unlike any trauma any human has ever faced.

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Pastor Jim Shields
Sanctuary Ministries

John 13:34-35 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Living the Christian life is so simple. I walk in His mercy, it is new for me every morning. Every time I mess up (which is often, more often than you or I know) His unmerited favor falls from Heaven to find me. And peace, not temporary like the world gives, but a deep fundamental sense of His well being has been gifted me.

Yep, it is simple, tithe, show up at church, read the Bible, pray.

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Pastor Terry Reilly
Creekside Open Bible Church

Luke 22:44-45 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief.

The job is a hassle.  The kids aren’t “kidding right.”  Marriage is on a downward trajectory.  And financially, there is economic stress all around.  Life can be exhausting…no wonder that for so many, sleep is such a wonderful escape hatch. Exit stage right to a nice “garden spot” and find a Posturepedic mattress and pillow.  We even have a Bible verse for it right here!  Oh, I guess that isn’t the encouragement.  Jesus’ A-team experienced some emotional and physical times that taxed them to the max.  The disciples, while not insensitive to their Savior’s suffering, didn’t sense the seriousness of the mission so they slumbered. Funny thing, gracious and gentle Jesus asks them why they were sleeping and then challenges them again to pray.

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