Third Day

“Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:7).

The Lord Jesus was judged upon a cross that was planted in His heart. He grew in statue and wisdom having searched the Scriptures and found favor with God and with men. The Scriptures and His life with sinful men proved the necessity of a Savior for their sinfulness and ignorance, while viewing the utter hopelessness of mankind without God’s intervention.

We are afraid of so much in this present evil world and fearful of the future ahead. We may not speak of this in sober words but inside there is great conflict that is hidden and controlled by a deafening low sound within the recesses of the soul. It’s there but we do nothing about it.

We will find God’s pardon at the cross and we will see God’s peace at the tomb where He no longer is dead. He arose again and now all sinful men may find peace when they kiss the Son. The peace with God and the peace of God only comes to those who view God through the prism of His grace.

Can we say, “The Son of man has been delivered into the hands of sinful men, and was crucified, and the third day He rose again?” If you can say that in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit then you have a peace that the world cannot give or take away. It is called God’s Peace which is none other than God’s Son the Lord Jesus.

“And they shall scourge him, and put him to death. And the third day he shall rise again” (Luke 18:33).

Three pronouns, one scourging, one death, and One to rise again. Who is this person? Who is Dr. Luke describing? Or better yet, Who is this who is describing himself?

It is none other than the Son of man. He came to save and to seek those who are lost. What does it mean to be lost? It means to understand that God loved you, satisfied His own righteousness by judging His own Son to death upon a rugged tree for you and for me. He went to the desk of Calvary and paid the bill for you with His own blood, the payment of sin which leads to death.

To be found means to know that God’s love (His Son) was given to die as you. His mercy will forgive you if you recognize that you are THE Sinner and ask Him. It is His mercy you and I need today. Are you willing to understand that Jesus was scourged in your place, put to death in your place, and rising again proving He died for all your sin and mine.

“How happy is the man who has put his trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:4).

If you have not met Satan face to face, it’s because you are running in the same direction. So many of us are asking for trouble, so why are we not happy when we get it? We are so smart about so many matters, we might have a smart head, but our brains run ahead of good sense.

Tragically, there are literally millions of people who know the NAME of Jesus Christ, but who know nothing of the LOVE and SAVING GRACE of Christ as Lord and Savior. Many people think of Christ as the Savior who takes instead of the Lord who Gave His life to give us our lives.

The Lord Jesus came to earth prepared to FORGIVE us for our sins and mistakes, asking only that we TRUST Him, BELIEVE into Him, and ASK for that forgiveness. Then He not only forgives, He FORGETS.

That’s the Jesus we should love. Can’t you sing? Surely we got a song in the heart! That song is a gift from God. We don’t earn it for He gave it. We get to sing THAT song to a world that is living in minor key. Use that song or it will be gone. Lots of people out there who need to hear the SONG of God. Happiness in the Lord overflows when we place our trust in the Lord.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

There are kids whose parents are spending big time money to send their children to college. I just saw on television about a man who has worked at night as a janitor at Boston college for the past eighteen years. Because of his employment at Boston College he has been able to send each of his kids to Boston College tuition free. But his children had to earn acceptance and keep the GPA up.

The Lord Jesus paid a big tuition for each of us to get eternal life. One man said, “I want to be spent for God to the very last cent before He carries me home.” God paid a big price for you and me. Are we truly living?

The Lord God is watching. We best study how we live and trust the rest of the folks we love to God Almighty. Too many kids go to school doped up, drunk on this world, unprepared, and waste their mama’s money. Oh may we not do so with God. Time is too precious. And His blood is too golden.

There is a mean devil and he hates God and he hates you. He will use us and disillusion us and trick us into thinking that this world is all there is. God sent His only Son into the world to buy us back for a purpose.

“And he said unto them, Go, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out demons, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall have finished” (Luke 13:82).

Herod had threatened to kill the Lord Jesus. The Pharisees wanted Him dead as well. What would the Lord Jesus do? Would He run? Would He hide? No, for He was under divine appointment. His Father and the Spirit of God was leading Him to Jerusalem.

Herod nor the Pharisees had any control over God’s anointed One. Our Lord was not afraid of any danger. He followed a divine timetable and nothing could harm Him until He gave Himself over into the hands of His enemies. He was on the Father’s schedule.

There are a lot of Herod’s running around today. A lot of Pharisees who do not have your best interest in mind. A fox was not held in high esteem by the Jews. A fox was known for its cunning ways and it was known to hunt at night. Holy sarcasm was used here to describe the enemies of God.

My friend there is a God and He has work for us today. We have today, we have tomorrow, and the third day if the Lord wills.

We have a work to do, a class to teach, people to reach, and others to minister God’s good hand. And we have a family to pray for, sons and daughters to love, and enemies to pour out God’s love upon. There is a world to reach, much money to give, prayers to pray, and God has it planned out for us. Let’s walk in the light while it is still day. Don’t fear the sound of Satan nor the breath of unbelievers.