December 24, 2019: SOAP #3673:  John 19-21

Scripture:  John (NIV) 19:18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
John (NIV) 20:1  Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. …8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

Observation:  The darkest moment in the history of the earth when created man rose up to kill their creator, God the Son!   The greatest moment in the history of the earth when God the Son finished the defeat of sin and death by rising from the dead!  The first recorded in John 19 and the second in John 20.  And they are separated by only three days!

Application:  It may appear that our defeat is total.  Our future seems hopeless.  It is over.  It is the end.  Of what use is hope when the end is so final!

The only hope available through the world’s economy is hope that might last until death.  But there is a HOPE that reaches past the grave!   It is a hope that being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!!! (2Corinthians 5:8) That does not even take three days!!!

God’s hope reaches beyond the seeming finality of failure.  Failure only sets us free to start again!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, indeed you are the God of hope (Romans15:13).  Thank you for hope that reaches beyond the grave.  Thank you for hope that reaches beyond my failure.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!