Author: Hank

Welcome to Hank’s Place – 282

With His last breath of Jesus said “It is finished.” John 19:30. Each Gospel account of the Passion of Jesus is somewhat different. Each writer has their own purpose in writing and each has their intended audience — so each writes from a slightly different perspective.

Matthew and Mark report that before Jesus was offered the wine vinegar on the Cross that He cried out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And then expired. Mt 27:46 and Mk 15:34.

Luke however has Jesus speaking after the three hours of darkness across the land, saying, “Father into Your hands I commit My spirit.” And after He said this He breathed His last. Luke 23:46.

Matthew and Mark tell us that Jesus shouted out His final words. It was a victory shout. The thief with Him on a cross entered paradise. The Roman centurion watching Jesus die on the Cross declared this man was the Son of God. Mt 27:84. And for us, eternal life was purchased! Sin, death, the devil: they were all defeated!

John on the other hand simply simply recorded Jesus saying “It is finished.” And with that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30. Not a loud cry as the others, but — ‘saying.’

What was finished? Certainly the Father’s work He had come to accomplish. All the sin of the world had been placed upon one person, God’s Son. The penalty had been fully paid. 

Now other disciples (like you and me) could get about our business of believing in Him, worshiping Him, receiving the extravagant riches of His grace and new mercies everyday — of living IN Christ Jesus, and letting the world know the Amazing Good News in word and DEED!

Today my friend, see Jesus upon that Cross – victoriously crying out IT IS FINISHED. TOTALLY FINISHED, not just kind of finished or mostly finished. Our past is forgiven – and present – and future. Our future is totally secure, we have been accepted eternally in the Beloved. Jesus keeps us, Jesus purified us, Jesus eternally intercedes for us – because it was Finished at Calvary — isn’t that enough for you — to COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place – 281

We’ve been learning more about our Great Salvation in JESUS! How? By using chapter titles from Michael Card’s “A Violent Grace” as a kind of launching pad for our thoughts.

Today, “He suffered thirst so I can drink living water.” John 19:28 On the Cross Jesus uttered, ”I am thirsty.” This was the fulfillment of the final prophecy about the Passion, a quote from Psalms 69:20-21. The soldiers soaked a sponge in wine vinegar and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. It was cheap soured wine that the soldiers often drank themselves while on duty to keep awake.

Jesus was thirsty. Do you recall the other time Jesus was thirsty? It’s in John 4. Early on in His ministry – at Jacob’s well in Samaria. Jesus had a conversation with a Samaritan woman, initiated by His asking her for a drink. Then He offers her living water to drink —even though Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans. And that water, in says in John 4:14, would become in her a ‘spring of water’ welling up to eternal life. 

Jesus was thirsty, and His thirst was both the means and the opportunity for that Samaritan woman to experience lifelong satisfaction and wholeness.

Jesus again spoke of thirst in John 7. Verses 37-38 declare, “If anyone is thirsty let them come to Me and drink, whoever believes in Me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” Pure life-giving water, in a never ending stream, quenching the most desperate thirst, free for whoever – believes. Jesus spoke this during the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles celebrated God’s provision of water from the rock in the wilderness, and Jesus wanted everyone to know that it had arrived. This time God had sent living water, but first the ROCK must be struck.

Back to the Cross. How could He who was the living water experience unquenchable thirst? It was truly a mysterious exchange indeed. And now by the power of the Holy Spirit a follower of Jesus need never again experience soul – thirsting. 

Dear believer, through you and through me Jesus still extends His offer to a very thirsty world, “come to Jesus and drink your fill.” Share this Good News with someone today. Help them drink — and COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place – 280

I’ve been sharing chapter titles from “A Violent Grace” by Michael Card. Why? Because each simple phrase presents to us a fresh facet of our Great Salvation through JESUS!

“He was nailed to the cross so I might escape judgment.” After an unbelievably horrible flogging by the Roman soldiers, it is now time for Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus has been abandoned by His supporters; only a few weeping women are left. Almost unbelievably, Jesus is required to carry His own cross. John 19:17. Jesus is so weak at this point that He falls. The Romans pick Simon of Cyrene (that’s in Africa) to carry the cross to the place of crucifixion.

Did you know that many Africans believe that because God picked an African to assist Jesus in His last moments, that He will again pick Africans to carry the word of salvation in these last days before His return? And why not?

Well, Jesus is crucified, hanging between heaven and earth. Suffering excruciating pain. The word “excruciating,” literally means “out of the cross.”

He is hanging there alone — no followers, scorned and humiliated, awaiting the most miserable of deaths. But this is also a very unique time. “Now is the time for judgment on this world, now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all men to myself.” John 12:31- 32.

Paul in Gal 3:13 declares, “Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written ‘cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’”

Jesus is crucified between two thieves. Both thieves rail against him, but then one has a change of heart. “We are getting what we deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong.” “Remember me when you come into your kingdom,” he says to Jesus. Luke 23:40-41.

He speaks to Jesus on the cross without scorn or mockery. He is the first to address Jesus the way most of us do today. And with his words, that unnamed thief becomes the first to be drawn to the crucified Christ.

Today my friend, see Jesus upon that Cross – carrying our sin – being cursed for us – so we would would be granted eternal life. Call out to your Savior today — call out to Jesus — and COME ALIVE!

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Here’s a little, yet awesome revelation illustrating that life is all about – JESUS. In Mat 14 there is recorded a second storm at sea, with the disciples in a boat. Jesus appears, walking on the water. It’s likely you know the rest – about Peter and his walking on the water – for awhile. But did you notice in vs 33, after Peter and Jesus got into the boat, that it says, “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

In the 1st storm they wondered what sort of man this was who had authority over nature. This is the FIRST recorded instance that the disciples actually worshipped Jesus as God’s Son, Savior, Messiah. John records yet another miracle here. It’s in John 6:21, “So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and IMMEDIATELY the boat was at the land to which they were going.” IMMEDIATELY.

Can you connect the dots? “Worship Jesus — in the midst of your storm — see Him as Son of God, your SAVIOR — this is your destination in life.” Another way to see it, “Our goal in life, of everyone’s life, is to see Jesus as who He is, and worship Him. In doing so we will – have arrived!

I’ve been sharing chapter titles from “A Violent Grace” by Michael Card, but today’s thought though isn’t quite a chapter title. It is, “He was crowned with thorns, so we could be receive a robe of righteousness.” In Genesis 3, after the fall, God states the ground will no longer yield an effortless abundance, but thorns and thistles, and we will have to labor for a good harvest. At Calvary we see Jesus with that crown of thorns – thorns, the symbol of sin, being roughly thrust upon Him.

2 Cor 5:21 in the Amplified says, “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”

Today my friend, see Jesus wearing that crown of thorns – becoming king of sin – our sin – so we would be acceptable to God and placed in right relationship with Him – without regard to our performance, FOR ALL TIME. Shout for joy — and COME ALIVE!

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I’ve been sharing chapter titles from “A Violent Grace” by Michael Card. Our chapter title today is “He was condemned so the Truth could set me free.”

The King James version has Jesus saying, “Verily verily.” Modern translations Jesus says “I tell you the truth.” And He says “I tell you the truth” — 80 times.

Jesus came from the Father FULL of grace and truth. Jn 1:14. He tells Nicodemus the truth. Jn 3:3, 5, 11. He tells the people in the temple the truth. His new converts. The angry mob determined to kill him. His anxious disciples. To Pilate during His trial.

Jesus is only one source of true freedom. The Way, the Truth, the Life. Jn 14:6.

Speaking the truth can cause a lot of trouble when it collides with beliefs or behaviors that are wrong, but held by those in power. Jesus’ teachings, which were truth, turned the world upside down for a lot of people, even good people. Truth can upset comfort zones. Jesus frequently presented Himself as the truth. When Thomas asks how can we know the Way, Jesus says “I am the way.” Philip asks, show us the Father and Jesus says “if you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father.” Jesus declared HE is the truth. 

Much like today’s political witch hunts, getting at the truth was not what the people were interested in at Jesus’ trial. Jesus urged us to embrace the truth saying in Jn 8:31-32, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Yet Jesus was condemned for telling the truth. It cost Him His life.

Seems like Truth took a big hit at Calvary. Lost out. Even the apostles felt that way. 

But wait! Jesus declared: I am the Resurrection and the Life! Truth always wins in the end . The apostle John writes Jesus’ return in Revelation 19:11, “ And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.”

Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, has another name, “Faithful and TRUE.” TRUTH does WIN in the end my friend, so keep the faith — and COME ALIVE!

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I’ve been sharing chapter titles for Michael Card’s wonderful book, “A Violent Grace.” 

Our chapter title today is “He was wounded so I could be healed.” John records that Pilate handed Jesus over to be flogged. Matthew and Mark, to be crucified. Totally barbaric. The Romans had no limit to the number of strokes – people might died before they could be crucified; or died within hours, like Jesus.

Jesus, an innocent man. 1 Peter 2:24 says it well, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. Were healed. 

Virus? You were healed. Cancer? You were healed. Head cold? Hangnail? Healed. I urge you dear friend, to look beyond the doctor or medical report or the symptoms – However real they may be at the moment, but look beyond – and see Jesus on the Cross. With His back brutally laid open – those cords likely tore around the front of His body as well. Horrific torture, endured for our healing. See Jesus. Then confess your healing. Declare it IS yours. And you shall have it. Keep seeing the price ALREADY paid in FULL.

The pain Jesus endured was the prelude to the outpouring of God’s favor. By enduring the violence in that circle of hate, Jesus accomplished a costly exchange. With each blow, he carried away our grief and our brokenness and brought back for us, for that howling mob, for every person since, the treasures of grace. Healing through wounding; wholeness through brokenness. That is the way of the cross, the way of Jesus. It is the method of an upside down kingdom, whose king dies for his subjects.

“He endured mockery so I could know dignity and joy.” Jesus guards made fun of him. Herod and his men ridiculed him. The Roman centurions who flogged him jeered at him. Jesus endured their scorning for OUR sake. The religious leaders scorned him in theological fashion. The crowds of passersby shook their heads and hurled insults at him. And this was the Passover so Jerusalem was packed with people. Many passersby.

Yet Hebrews 12:2 declares, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame.

See Jesus bearing your shame my friend – and COME ALIVE!

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I’ve been sharing chapter titles from Michael Card’s wonderful book, “A Violent Grace.” 

Our chapter title today is, “He stood trial alone so I might have an advocate.” After Jesus’ arrest He faces a hastily convened council of Jewish leaders.

His religious enemies want to hear Jesus claim to be the Messiah and the Son of God for that claim was heresy, punishable by death. Well, He said it my friend, it was true, and in a moment those Jews brought Jesus before Ponticus Pilate, the Roman governor.

Pilate had no interest in Jewish laws – they knew that, so they tell Pilate, “We found this man subverting our nation and stating that He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be a king. Well that’s hardly any different from most of the Jews who hated their Roman oppressors!

So in all these proceedings we have the enemies of Jesus making their accusations, but where was the council for the defense? There was none. In those days the sole responsibility for fairness in a trial fell to the magistrate – who in this case was Pilate. Scripture records that Pilate 3 times declared he found no fault in Jesus and desired to set Him free.

Pilate knew Jesus was not guilty. He knew it was out of envy that they handed Jesus over to him. Matthew 27:18. 

BUT — Pilate’s political position was very tenuous at this time. His concern had nothing to do with governing justly, or fairness, or truth — and everything to do with using his position to stay in power. Sound familiar?

Someone shouted, “If you let this man go you are “no friend of Caesar.”” “A friend of Caesar” was a formal title for a Roman governor. Whoever shouted this knew that Pilate was standing on a slippery political slope. When Pilate heard this he abandoned his defense of Jesus and readily handed over a man – he knew to be innocent – to the murderous mob.

So Jesus had no legal counsel and stood alone before His enemies. For us. And now today He is in our Father’s presence as OUR eternal advocate. 1 John 2:1. Because of Jesus we never will stand alone before our accusers. There is Jesus, always standing alongside. Not to protest our innocence, but to offer Himself as the One who has already stood trial for our sins.

Share this perfect defense with a needy believer today friend. Help them COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place

I’ve been sharing chapter titles for Michael Card’s wonderful book, “A Violent Grace.”

“Jesus was born to die, so we could be born again to new life.”
“Jesus suffered temptation, so we could experience victory.”
“Jesus was betrayed, so we might know His Faithfulness.”

For today, “He was arrested and bound, so I could be rescued from bondage.”
It was a torch illuminated nightmare. John uses the Greek technical term “spera,” in Jn 18:3, which indicated 1/10 of a legion. That’s 600 men.

In the soldiers faces, you would see serious attention, discipline, brutality, prejudice, and perhaps hatred. And then there were the faces of the priests and Pharisees and temple guards, all fellow Jews — who in the name of God wanted Jesus dead.

In the garden the one who measured the oceans in the hollow of his hands, Isaiah 40:12, chooses to be powerless and have His hands bound. The one who has 12 legions of angels at His command, Matt 26:53, chooses to go with His captors.

He refuses to cling to power – or protest His innocence. Instead, He takes OUR guilt, and purchases OUR innocence.

If someone asked where are you taking Him, the soldiers would reply, to the authorities to make sure He gets the punishment He deserves. But Jesus would say He was going into captivity, to make certain you and I would be set free.

If the Son has set you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:33, 36. Now we are set free from sin – and self – and every kind of human bondage — the kind of slavery that so enchains our being that the price of freedom had to be Jesus tied up like a common thief and led away under arrest.

Remember Gal 5:1? “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” There are many yokes of slavery today. The yoke of dead religion is one. Bondage to fear is another. Fear of death, of sickness, of a virus. Of unemployment. Of a crashed economy. A ruined nation? MANY fears, and the news media is NOT helping us.

Fear NOT my friend. God will see you through, and He will see America through as well. Today, see Jesus arrested and in chains – for OUR freedom – and COME ALIVE!

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Last message I began sharing chapter titles for Michael Card’s wonderful book, “A Violent Grace.” 

I began: “Jesus was born to die, so we could be born again to new life.” Jesus violent, horrible death was purposed before Creation – so we could receive eternal life.

Here’s another: “Jesus suffered temptation, so we could experience victory.” 

His ministry began with 40 days of temptation in the wilderness by the devil himself. In His full course of ministry Jesus faced temptation daily in one form or another. Tempted in every way as we are, but not succumbing. 

It ended in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus’ earthly body desired anything but death upon a cross. He agonized to the point of sweating blood. Yet Jesus spoke “Not my will but yours be done, Father.” He was willing to lose it all — so that we could win all. What a great love He has for you, my friend. Never doubt that.

Now victory is ours — through and in Christ Jesus! And He freely gives us the fruits of His victory.

In that Garden “Jesus was betrayed, so we might know His Faithfulness!” His betrayer sealed that deal — with a kiss. What deceit! Jesus’ disciples deserted Him. His staunchest supporter, at least the loudest, Peter, denied even knowing Him — and did so with curses & oaths. Mk 14:71.

Judas, a man Jesus trusted (that’s Ps 41:9), after walking with Jesus for years, seeing the demonstrations of power and healing and the power of repentance, and mercy, and grace — refused to let his heart be touched and changed. Yet somehow it remained unchanged. Afterward Judas turned to despair – and then to death.

Peter, such a passionate supporter, denied Jesus’ 3 times. But instead of death, chose life. Peter’s life, his restoration and not rejection, is proof that because of Jesus’ undying loyalty to us, we have the power today to become His faithful friends, disciples, servants, and joyful ministers of His limitless grace. By His grace, not our strength, or ability.

Doesn’t that fill your heart with a fresh hope, my dear friend? No matter how wimpy your Christian life feels, there is nevertheless that mighty power of God within you, (it’s the Holy Spirit) that will bring you the victory — not because you have it all together, but because of Jesus Christ, who faithfully keeps YOU together.

 Share this good news today, and — COME  ALIVE!

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We have just celebrated Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

No matter what our situation or circumstance, this FACT, with its promise of eternal life for ANYONE who believes, gives cause for great rejoicing! And I trust that you found ways to rejoice Sunday, dear Christian.

The death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus meant an end to a Covenant, from God, that was CONDITIONAL upon OUR PERFORMANCE. IF we would do thus and such, God would bless us in various ways. However, if we tripped up, wandered away, bad things would happen. Daily life was fraught with worries about one’s performance.

No matter how good that performance, in the end it was sin that won: we deserved death and punishment. The righteous were held in Paradise. It wasn’t hell, but it wasn’t heaven and it wasn’t with our Lord. 

Then came our Savior! At Calvary He took our place, and with His blood ushered in a New Covenant. Yes, that should have been us on the cross, but Jesus took our place. Jesus took the punishment for our sins, for sin MUST be punished. The debt had to be paid in full – and – it – was! 

And what about that list of accusations against us, ALL of which were true? They were nailed to that cross. Think of this: double jeopardy. Being tried again for the same crimes. What Jesus paid for, you and I cannot be charged with a second time. No double jeopardy. Ever. Eternally! Those sins of ours? FOREVER under the BLOOD!

The Cross proves we are loved beyond our wildest imagines. So much so that we were died for! The Cross, with all its horror, is also our source of limitless grace.

Michael Card has written a fascinating little book entitled “A Violent Grace.” I’ll be sharing some chapter titles with you to think about and rejoice over. Here’s the first one: “Jesus was born to die, so we could be born again to new life.” 

Think about it: Jesus left His kingdom to enter our lives for a time — so we could forever live in His!”

Share this kingdom truth with others today, friend; help them — COME ALIVE!

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