Lent devotion: 700 Years - Isaiah 53:11

Isaiah 53:11    After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 

I am constantly amazed at how much the descriptions of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 are perfectly matched with Christ’s suffering and execution. There’s about seven hundred years between the prophet’s writing and the crucifixion of Jesus. It’s more than just coincidental; it’s divinely predestined and appointed by God.

I like the sacred and spiritual lead up to Easter. It’s a whole lot more meaningful than the commercial chaos that we now call Christmas. Believers get time to focus on their Christian faith and when it is done properly and consistently, the season of Lent helps us to lean upon God in the midst of our own issues and crises, pressures and problems. It’s a wonderful way to draw nearer to God. It’s a special time to commit ourselves to His Suffering Servant, the Crucified Christ.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You suffered because You served God completely. Your agonizing death paid the absolute price of our sins. Because of Your obedience and sacrifice, we can be among the many that will be restored to God. Help us to draw nearer to You each day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is part of a Good Friday drawing that John is working on, which is based upon the Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6923675459_89c9fd470b_b.jpg

Easter Devotion: My 2010 Easter Window

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pain which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation hath procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia! 

Good Friday art: Bloody Sunset

Without Christ's death, there is no forgiveness...

A Feast of Easter

A video of Holy Week, as expressed through my contemporary Christian art.

Holy Week Devotions: Seven Last Words of Christ (2)

(For the next seven days, we’ll be posting daily devotions about Christ’s Last Words from the Cross. Some of our regular contributors – Sarah, Jody, Doug & John – will be writing them. If you have any comments, meditations, or prayers to add to each post, please put them in the comments section.)

Today, you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:39-43 NIV

Long before there were Itunes, mp3s, and CDs, only vinyl albums and LPs existed. My Dad had a great LP collection of some of the best singers and entertainers in the world. These included Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett.

He also had a terrific collection of original soundtracks of musical movies. One of my favorites was that of the musical ‘Kismet’, starring Howard Keel. The movie is set in ancient Baghdad and is all about a poetical con artist who uses his charisma to charm his way to the top. It’s a highly entertaining and very funny musical. Most of the music is ripped off from a classical Russian composer called Borodin.

For me, the best song in the movie is sung by Vic Damone, who plays the young Caliph. It’s called “Stranger in Paradise.” It’s one of the most beautiful love songs ever heard or seen in the movies. Borodin’s melody is wonderful. When my Dad died in 2002, the organist at the crematorium in Scotland played it as we left his memorial service. I couldn’t think of a more fitting tribute to my Dad, who sought to find God all of his life.

When Christ mercifully hears the thief’s prayer from the Cross, He is putting into action the Gospel of salvation in its most basic form. The thief cannot perform any good deeds, nor can he serve Jesus as both of them are painfully dying on their crosses. All that the thief can give Christ is that which Jesus has asked of many people throughout His ministry: his heartfelt faith. For Christ, this is all that is necessary to be with Him – a pure faith that is not a means of escaping punishment, but a way of surrendering completely to Christ and of allowing Him to save the sinner’s soul.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are all guilty of sin and steal moments from our lives that should belong to You alone. Help us to faithfully give You our hearts this Holy Week, and to gratefully experience the loving salvation that You graciously offer all of us. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John “Stushie” Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. He writes the daily devotional “Heaven’s Highway.”

Today's artwork is called "Two More Days."

Easter Screensaver: Psalm 36

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens.