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People suffer. Christians suffer. Christ suffered for us in His body. Because He did, those who follow, walk in a new life. Peter writes, “arm yourselves with the same mind.” Sin has been dealt with. Therefore, since Christ suffered to free us from sin, consider how it affects our actions, purpose, and priorities.

Don’t go with the flow,

Praise the Lord!

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Actions

How does it affect actions? Peter writes, “He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” Instead of living to fulfill the cravings of the flesh, live for the will of God. Think of all the time spent wasted doing whatever felt good, the things that came to mind no matter the consequence. In fact with this new life, our friends will wonder what is wrong with us because we don’t want to do those things any longer. They will speak evil of us because of it. Don’t worry though because they have to answer to God.

Purpose

We have received a purpose. Life has taken on new meaning. Everything is coming to a close. Therefore, It is important to be serious and watchful in our prayers, to love one another and be hospitable without complaining. We need to use the gift God has given us and to do everything to glorify God.

Priorities

Our priorities are now to glorify God. Remember that when we are made fun of or criticized because of the name of Jesus, it means that the Spirit of God, the Spirit of glory is resting on us. We need not be ashamed or try to prevent it, but rather glorify God in it. We commit our souls to Him by doing good deeds. Remember the faithfulness of our loving Father, our Creator. We can trust Him even in these difficult situations.

Therefore, since Christ suffered to free us from sin, consider how it affects our actions, purpose, and priorities.

After Peter identifies himself, addresses the pilgrims, and bestows a blessing of grace and peace, he enters into worship. Have you ever wondered at the phrase “Bless God?” I have. When I read it in the Psalms or heard a preacher say it, I was puzzled. How do you bless an infinite being? And here it is again. Peter begins “Blessed be the God.” Peter worships God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ our living hope.

Worship God the Father

Worshipping God the Father was a big part of how Jesus lived. His entire life was an act of worship to God the Father. He honored His Father’s house. He spoke of His Father’s kingdom, not His own. He acknowledges that He was sent from God as a gift to the world because of God’s love for it. Jesus knew who He was and His role, but He always worshipped God as the Father. Peter reminds his readers to worship God the Father.

Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Peter writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” His abundant mercy provided us with a Savior. Now we have a relationship with the Great and Merciful Creator and His Son who offered Himself as a ransom for many.

Our Living Hope

God has brought us to life again. He did it by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We don’t have a flimsy I hope so but a solid, living hope attached to a resurrected living Savior and ministered to us daily by His precious Spirit. Peter begins “Blessed be the God.” Peter worships God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ our living hope.

Bless God. We have reason for worship today.

After seeing inside the tomb, that it was empty, Peter and John went on their way to their own homes. Mary, however, remained. The things not understood, that left her weeping outside of the tomb, would soon not matter. Mary Magdalene sees not through her eyes, filled with tears, but rather through her ears when the voice of Jesus calls her name. In John 20, the apostle John writes how Mary encounters angels, sees the risen Jesus, and tells the news.

Encounters Angels

With tears falling, Mary looks into the tomb. There she sees two angels dressed in white sitting, one at the place his head was and another at the place where His feet had been. They ask her “Why are you weeping? She tells them Jesus has been taken away and she doesn’t know where He has been taken.

Sees the Risen Lord

Then she turned around. In front of her stood the risen Lord. There was no revelation of Jesus. She thought He was the gardener. This gardener was asking her not only why she was weeping but also whom she was seeking? Again she uttered the concern of her heart. Then in that instant, the lamb heard the voice of the Shepherd call her name, “Mary.” She recognized His voice. It was the voice of He who had delivered her from seven demons. Mary answered and called Him, teacher. She must have tried to hug him for He stopped her by giving her a directive. “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and to your Father, and to My God and your God.”

Tells the News

Following the instruction of the teacher, Mary went and found the disciples just as Jesus had told her. Then she tells them about seeing Jesus and the things He had told her. Mary, a woman, weeping at the empty tomb becomes the first witness to the risen Lord. She went from weeping to joy in the blink of an eye. In John 20, the apostle John writes how Mary encountered angels, saw the risen Jesus, and told the news.

After the staring, gawking crowd had left to prepare for the celebration of Passover, there was still unfinished business. God already worked it out and revealed to Isaiah that though He died with the wicked, He would be with the rich in His death. A man named Joseph and a man named Nicodemus cared for the lifeless body of Jesus of Nazareth.

Joseph of Arimathea

The scriptures tell us Joseph was a rich man. He came from Arimathea which was a city of Jews. We also learn that he was a prominent council member who was waiting for the Kingdom of God. Luke tells us he was a good and just man who had not consented to the counsel or the deed. He was also a secret disciple. The Jews had much power over who could attend the synagogue. He understood the synagogue as a place of worship, and did not want to be put out. He overcame his fear. Mark writes that he took courage and asked Pilate.

Nicodemus

Nicodemus was also a secret disciple. We read about him in John 3, the man who came to Jesus by night. Matthew, Mark and Luke do not mention Nicodemus but John does. He writes that this man brought about 100 pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes. John states how these two men took the body of Jesus.

The Lifeless Body of Jesus

Pilate was surprised when he heard Jesus was already dead. Once confirmed, he gave the body to Joseph. Joseph and Nicodemus took such care of the lifeless body of Jesus. As Jewish men they knew the rituals of Jewish burial and the importance of its burial because of preparation day. I imagine them tenderly binding it with strips of linen along with the spices, carefully laying His body in a new tomb then placing the stone in front of it. It wasn’t the disciples, it was two men away from the crowd, with hearts open to God, while the women looked on.

A man named Joseph and a man named Nicodemus cared for the lifeless body of Jesus of Nazareth.

The events of the crucifixion of Jesus were written in eternity. There were entered there by the Word of God, through His prophets. It stands a monument, yet much more beyond our frail understanding. The location of His crucifixion, the manner of His death, and the handling of His garments were among the details foretold by the prophets and Jesus Himself.

Location

The location of His death was prepared for in the book of Numbers. Golgotha became the destination as Jesus took up His cross. He knew that according to the law, anything cursed was sent outside the camp, away from the people. Golgotha was beyond the city gates. Jesus knew He was taking on the curse for all mankind. The writer of Hebrews clarifies, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might set apart the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”

Manner of His Death

The manner of His death was prophesied by both King David and Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah writes that He was despised and rejected of men. This man carried our sorrows and bore our griefs. It was for our transgression, and our sins that He died. Isaiah further writes, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Indeed Jesus, was nailed to the cross, the Son of God between two thieves. Jesus also predicted His betrayal, condemnation, crucifixion and resurrection. Matthew records, “Behold we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. and the third day He will rise again.”

Handling of Garments

Even the handling of His garments was foretold. In Psalm 22, the words of King David give a vivid picture of the crucifixion of Jesus. He predicted many details. These details included the seemingly unimportant matter of what happened to His clothes. “They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots,” he wrote.

God used prophecy as a means of adding validity to events when they happened. The location of His crucifixion, the manner of His death, and the handling of His garments were among the details foretold by the prophets and Jesus Himself.