God Is Dead

TITLE: God Is Dead
DATE:  November 8, 2019
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Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: Luke 23:27 -1 -   ESV  - And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

During the Civil War's bombardment of Vicksburg in 1863, the residents of the town were forced underground. Everyone took refuge in cellars and caves.

One Vicksburg family, who had the fitting name of "Lords", found themselves huddling in a dugout cave, as mortar shells blasted craters all around. Their terrified four-year-old daughter began to sob. Her mother comforted her by saying, "Don't cry, my darling, God will protect us."

The fearful reply of the child touches our hearts: "But Mama, I'm so afraid God's killed, too!'

• As Jesus slowly carried His cross along the Way of Sorrows, He had survived beatings, illegal trials, whippings and spit.
• He had endured betrayal by one friend, denial by another, accusations by His church and monarch, and the desertion of justice.

Should we cry for Him? And His pitiful condition?

Satan would say that we should indeed pity Him.  The Father of Lies says 'Look at that sorry sight, Jesus has been defeated."

Should we feel sorry for Jesus?

Our Lord, in spite of His pain, says, Do not weep for  me.”.' Jesus knew, in spite of all appearances, the things which were happening to Him were all part of the heavenly Father’s plan of salvation...they needed to be completed before He successfully could announce, “It is finished.”

Even now, He was fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies made about His life and His death

His death was not a defeat. No, it was His victory over the Father of Lies; it was His conquest of death and grave which changes our world.

No longer did the evil forces of the universe have the final say. Because of Jesus' blood-bought victory forgiveness and eternal life are bestowed upon all who are brought to faith in the risen Redeemer.

So then, is there any person who deserves our tears?

There is such an individual. We should feel sorry for those who do not know the Savior and Lord.

 THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I know there will be tears in my life. But I give thanks they need never be shed for You or for me. Because Your work is done, I know where I will he spending eternity. For this I give thanks in Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html