The Crucifixion - A Medical Perspective

Easter Obituaries

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God Bless

Saturday Spurgeon - The Stone Rolled Away

Closing remarks to the message -

The Stone Rolled Away

A Sermon
(No. 863)
DELIVERED ON LORD’S-DAY
MORNING,MARCH 28TH, 1869,BY
C. H. SPURGEON,
AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON.

Then the angel went on to say, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified." There was room for comfort here. They were seeking Jesus, though the world had crucified him. Though the many had turned aside and left him, they were clinging to him in loving loyalty. Now, is there any one here who can say, "Though I am unworthy to be a follower of Christ, and often think that he will reject me, yet there is one thing I am sure of—I would not be afraid of the fear of man for his sake.

My sins make me fear, but no man could do it. I would stand at his side if all the world were against him. I would count it my highest honour that the crucified One of the world should be the adored One of my heart. Let all the world cast him out, if he would but take me in, poor unworthy worm as I am, I would never be ashamed to own his blessed and gracious name"? Ah! then, do not fear, for if that is how you feel towards Christ, he will own you in the last great day.

If you are willing to own him now, " Fear not ye." I am sure I sometimes feel, when I am looking into my own heart, as if I had neither part nor lot in the matter, and could claim no interest in the Beloved at all; but, then, I do know this, I am not ashamed to be put to shame for him; and if I should be charged with being a fanatic and an enthusiast in his cause, I would count it the highest honour to plead guilty to so blessed an impeachment for his dear sake. If this be truly the language of our hearts, we may take courage. "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified."

Then he adds, "He is not here: for he is risen." Here is the instruction which the angel gives. After giving comfort, he gives instruction. Your great ground and reason for consolation, seeker, is that you do not seek a dead Christ, and you do not pray to a buried Saviour; he is really alive.

To-day he is as able to relieve you, if you go to your closet and pray to him, as he was to help the poor blind man when he was on earth. He is as willing to-day to accept and bless you as he was to bless the leper, or to heal the paralytic. Go to him then at once, poor seeker; go to him with holy confidence, for he is not here, he would be dead if he were—he is risen, living, and reigning, to answer your request.

The angel bade the holy women investigate the empty tomb, but, almost immediately after, he gave them a commission to perform on their Lord's behalf. Now, if any seeker here has been comforted by the thought that Christ lives to save, let him do as the angel said, let him go and tell to others of the good news that he has heard. It is the great means for propagating our holy faith, that all who have learned it should teach it. We have not some ministers set apart, to whom is reserved the sole right of teaching in the Christian church we have no belief in a clergy and a laity. Believers, ye are all God's cleros—all of you. As many of you as believe in Christ are God’s clergy, and bound to serve him according to your abilities.

Many members there are in the body, but every member has its office; and there is no member in the body of Christ which is to be idle, because forsooth, it cannot do what the Head can do. The foot has its place, and the hand its duty, as well as the tongue and the eye. O you who have learned of Jesus, keep not the blessed secret to yourselves. To-day, in some way or other, I pray you make known that Jesus Christ is risen. Pass the watchword round, as the ancient Christians did. On the first day of the week they said to one another, "The Lord is risen indeed"

If any ask you what you mean by it, you will then be able to tell them the whole of the gospel, for this is the essence of the gospel, that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures—died the substitute for us criminals, rose the representative of us pardoned sinners-died that our sins might die, and lives again that our souls may live.

Diligently invite others to come and trust Jesus. Tell them that there is life for the dead in a look at Jesus crucified; tell them that that look is a matter of the soul, it is a simple confidence; tell them that none ever did confide in Christ and were cast away; tell them what you have felt as the result of your trusting Jesus, and who can tell, many disciples will be added to his church, a risen Saviour will be glorified, and you will be comforted by what you have seen !

The Lord follow these feeble words with his own blessing, for Christ's sake. Amen.

Shoveling the snow back onto the drive.

This was Monday morning on March 23th.

Another snowy day here in Prince George, BC














Then on March 27th we start to see it all begin
to melt. Praise the Lord.













I have since Monday shoveling the snow back onto
the driveway from which I have shoveled off of
during this past winter.


Today, I just have a small mountain, so I felt
spiritual and placed three rugged crosses.








Lots of folks are walking by, they stop, look and talk about the three crosses.



btw, we live in the smaller part of the duplex.

What Holds Us Together

laminins are what hold us together....LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. What is quiet interesting is what they look like.

















Just google "laminins" or go to http://images.google.com/images?sour...q=laminin&um=1



Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!!
The 'glue' that holds us together....ALL of us....is in the shape of the cross. Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind.


Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.



Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very literal standpoint, we are held together...one cell to another....by the cross.


You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what laminin "glue" would look like long before Adam even breathed his first breath!!

From Dean West email.

Thank You, LORD Jesus. Take me home.

The Edge of Eternity

It was the darkest day in human history. A long stream of travelers flowed steadily into Jerusalem; some were carrying lambs. Many worshippers were absorbed in a vigorous discussion. Even the religious leaders seemed distracted from the Passover. The restless atmosphere was like the very edge of a storm!

A lonely man slumped low in his hopelessness and depression. All consciousness of time was lost as he stared emptily at the wall before him. Fighting despair, he wondered at the milling crowds. Was he so easily forgotten? Not one soul seemed to care whether he lived or died. His breath caught and his chest quivered as a gnawing fear continued to grow within him. He worked his sweaty palms together, wondering if he could bear such tension. Then startled by footsteps approaching, his heart skipped a beat! Fighting to gain composure, he vainly searched for an escape. “Is there anyone who can help me?” he wondered. Then the guard led him to an old rugged beam and motioning harshly he growled, “Pick it up!” His knees felt like water. Stooping low, his shaking hands reluctantly lifted the heavy timber. The death march had begun. Let’s listen as this fearful man unveils his account:

“People line the streets as far as the eye can see. I gaze at a sea of faces from every walk of life. It seems like this procession is marching towards the very edge of eternity! We labor hard toward Calvary’s mountain to begin our final assent.

Just when I’m really gasping for breath, I note that I’m walking upon a blood-sprinkled trail. At last we pause. Looking down, I stare at a fresh stain where a deeply wounded body must have fallen. Weary and dizzy, I raise my head to focus on the prisoner ahead. His appearance just chills me way to the bone! How can He even stand? For a moment my own misery is nearly forgotten as I marvel! Long thorns are forced into the scalp of the beaten frame. His features are not very clear. The face looks somehow familiar, but it is swollen and bruised beyond recognition. ‘So this is Barabbas the revolutionary and murderer,’ I reason. But no! A priest gloats, ‘This is Jesus, the lowly carpenter from Nazareth! Does He look like a King to you people? Well, He is going to die for His sin!’ Then some rough brutes grab a man from Cyrene and force him to bear the cross of the Nazarene. Heavily, we march on…climbing Golgotha! My face is drawn and tight. My stomach churns in terror! How unnerving! The place of execution is just above us!

Women are weeping. The Nazarene stops and I strain hard to listen. ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me,’ He says, ‘but weep for yourselves, and for your children . . .’ Then I hear an explosion of cursing from a third prisoner! Someone else boasts loudly how Barabbas is free. My breast burns as my anger boils into rage! Barabbas walking the streets? Why would these fools set him free? Why loose that murdering scoundrel instead of me? Well then, it seems to add up that this Jesus must bear even greater sin!

We’ve reached the summit of the place of ‘The Skull!’ A blinding frenzy consumes me! Recklessly, I strike out with all my strength and battle for my life! The soldiers knock me heavily to the ground. Their hard knees crush me mercilessly into the dirt. My blood nearly freezes in my veins as I turn and see the hammer! Terrified, I shriek out for mercy! Oh! Tears blind my eyes! I nearly faint as my limbs are being anchored to the wood! One at a time, spikes impale me and hold me fast! I groan and sigh in failure, nauseous as the pain shoots from my extremities. The agony is unbearable as I’m lifted from the earth! I might understand the death penalty, but not this dreaded crucifixion! Why this? My bones are slipping out of joint! Oh that the earth would swallow me alive!

The rejection is intolerable and the humiliation so appalling! I see menacing looks in the eyes of the crowd. Then looking toward the Nazarene, I pause as my heart is strangely stirred. I’ve never seen such eyes! How do they appear so kind? His sorrow seems to be for the others across the face of the hill rather than for Himself!

A group is gathering at the center cross. The religious leaders exclaim, ‘He saved others; himself he cannot save! If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him.’ I join in while mocking and cursing Him vehemently! We challenge this Jesus to perform a miracle and to set us free. Why He must be a liar; yet the sign above Him does read, ‘THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ Well then Jesus must be a lunatic; yet He is silent! He is not intimidated by the threats. Will He cry out for vengeance? He is naked and suspended high as they gamble for his clothes at His feet. Will He call upon angels? I’m shocked as He looks towards Heaven as I have never heard such compassion! A lump forms in my throat as I hear His cry! It sounds like a sob drawn from the depths of His soul, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ How admirable! What incredible honor! It seems somehow that the just is interceding for the unjust! Surely, I’m a guilty sinner; but could it be that this Jesus is truely the Lord?

Jesus speaks again. Tenderly He bids farewell to His weeping mother! Then He entrusts her to a caring friend. Absorbed in my self-pity, I’ve been numb for a long time toward the needs of others. What compassion as Jesus is touched by their grief!

We criminals have different views of the One hanging between us. We both see His torn body -- the dried blood, the brightly flowing rivers and the swelling pools beneath the God-Man’s cross! We see His flesh as the skin was viciously whipped to shreds, much as a victim mauled by lions! Suddenly a new pain sears and burns within my breast! It comes straight from Heaven bringing a keen awareness! Jesus is the Messiah! I recognize Him now; Jesus is Christ the Lord!

The man on the far cross mocks, challenging the Lord to save Himself and then us! His only concern is for his own hide! I force myself higher upon the nails impaling my limbs. Breathing deeply, I rebuke him with all my might! I cry, ‘We must fear God! Our guilt deserves condemnation but Jesus has done nothing wrong!’

I have nothing to offer God now to satisfy Him; no good works, no baptism, no lamb, and no reputation! How is it that God saves sinners? What was it the priests were saying to Jesus? -- ‘. . . then we will believe!’ Ah! That’s it! My body trembles with a new excitement as a ray of hope rushes into my soul! I feel so deeply I can hardly speak. I choke haltingly, ‘Lord, remember me when thou comest to thy kingdom!’ The King will have a kingdom! He will live again! Oh, for God’s mercy! Tears flow freely down my face and I cry as I have never cried, hearing Jesus respond, ‘Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise!’ Amazing grace! How can it be? Hallelujah! I've been forgiven! What a Saviour!

My skin tingles as the peace of God overpowers my fear! Even here I know a joy in living and feel the grace to die! Imagine! Jesus came to die so I can live! He is categorized with the depraved and hardened criminals! He is classified with cursed sinners and numbered with the wicked! As my substitute He is bearing my sin to set me free! Known criminals, revolutionaries, and murderers are executed upon this mountain. Yet the One who walked earth’s shores, who never did a dastardly deed and never committed a sin, identified with me! ‘Thank You, Lord Jesus! Who am I that You are mindful of me? Thank You God, thank You! Lord Jesus, I will praise You forever!’ As I turn to further express my gratitude, I hear Him speak, ‘I thirst!’ Could it be that the One who made the rivers and seas agonizes without a drop to cool His tongue? It’s as if the vengeance of Almighty God is upon His Son!

Suddenly the earth is veiled in darkness! The suffering Son of God is hidden from the malicious eyes of His tormentors. Chaos breaks out across the hill as people call to each other from the darkness. Then I hear the lonely orphaned cry of the only-begotten Son of God! ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ A horrible thought grips my heart; Jesus’ fellowship with the Father is broken as never before! His sacrifice for my sin is the reason that He is suffering alone!

A new horror steals into my soul! I’m so scared! I feel as if the battle of the ages is taking place all around me, right here! It seems that all of the forces of hell have gathered to converge upon Mount Calvary! My heart breaks as the beloved Jesus courageously battles alone. The holy One is bearing all of my iniquity! I plead and pray, ‘Let Jesus prevail!’ No gladiator ever fought so bravely. The destiny of the world hangs in the balance! Then as Satan takes his final blow I hear the cry of the Champion, ‘It is finished! Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!’ As the darkness lifts, my heart is so utterly broken! What a wretched sight! It defies my words to express it! What have we done? Beside me hangs the limp and tortured form of the greatest Man who ever lived! And for the first time in my life I have discovered unconditional love!

All of a sudden an eruption of movement rocks the ground! The earth quakes, heaves and rolls! Great stones are dashed to pieces! People are scrambling for safety! Who will escape the wrath of God by fleeing to Jesus Christ for mercy! Surely God is satisfied with the work of His Son!

I hardly noticed him approaching! An awe-stricken soldier is looking up from the foot of the middle cross. I’m encouraged as he speaks thoughtfully, ‘Certainly this was a righteous man!’ I hang in awful pain, but I’m grateful while overlooking the panorama of Jerusalem. This has been a most pivotal day! I wonder, will the masses ever identify Who is the real Passover Lamb? Who will tell them how the Lamb of God bore our sin on this Golgotha altar?

I agonize as a fever builds in my brow. I think I see that one who hammered the nails. Then I hear the other thief pleading, ‘Please! Not my legs!’ followed by a sickening thud, the howl of pain and breaking bone. A soldier spears Jesus in the heart, but He was already gone! I’m so amazed and humbled as blood and water flow from the broken heart of the Lamb of God!

‘Oh, Lord! It has been such a long day for me! Now I know that You are available for every trusting soul! Thank You for meeting this poor old sinner in my hour of despair! Death was approaching but You showed me that it was not too late! Rejection was breaking my heart but You made me acceptable before God! I was overwhelmed with loneliness but You embraced me as a friend! I hated You but You loved me to Yourself! Sin brings death but You gave me eternal life!’” There is a loud crunch and his breath catches. He gasps, “‘You have set me free, Lord Jesus, You have suffered alone so I will never have to suffer again! How I need You so much! My whole destiny is in Your precious and battered hands! It's hard to . . . breath. It won't be long . . . and all of the trauma will be over . . . ! I’m coming . . . to Paradise . . . ! Home! – to You, Lord Jesus! Ah! Take me home!”’

And as is true for each of us who dies in the Lord, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!” Ps. 116:15.

– C B 9/97

Poem - THREE CROSSES ON CALVARY

Matthew 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Mark 15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

Luke 23:32 & 33 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Luke 23:39 - 43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Three crosses stood on Calv’ry’s hill

Surrounded by a mob,

Two crosses bore two dying thieves

And one the Lamb of God.

Two crosses bore two dying thieves

Who justly suffered shame,

The one cross bore God’s sacrifice,

The Lamb for sinners slain.

One thief received the dying Lamb,

Repented of his sin,

The other one refused to hear,

And would not enter in.

By Benj. F. Dotson, D.D., Litt. D.

Pastor-Poet-Bible Teacher-Evangelist

1949

He Crushed The Serpent's Head

Deputy Sheriff Bob Alexander is fast with his gun. His dog, Flash, lives up to his name. But despite these two facts both man and dog were hospitalized when they tangled with a rattler.

They came upon the snake suddenly. The dog bit the snake. The snake then sank its fangs into the dog. Just as the snake was about to strike again, the deputy shot. The head of the rattler flew off with jaws gaping and fangs extended and bit the deputy on the hand. Both man and dog received medical attention.

Satan, the Serpent, is also deadly. But there is no danger that his head will fly off and bite the “born again child of God”. Satan was not shot. His head was crushed on Golgotha’s hill (Genesis 3:15). The highest pinnacle of satanic power and authority was brought down – crushed by Christ at Calvary! The Lord Jesus Christ has taken the bite out of the old Serpent for you. Ten thousand hallelujahs!!

This snake was killed just outside of Fritch, Texas. My children used to play 'hide and seek" there at night. Jeff

A JOURNEY TO THE CROSS

On the way to Resurrection Sunday, there has to be the day Christ died. Let me urge you to spend some time pondering the cross. - Charlie

A JOURNEY TO THE CROSS

And the cost of saving me

What an honor to study 1 Peter 1:18-19 – and then to shed some tears! Words can never express the value of our Savior’s “precious blood”. We can identify with Paul in Eph. 3:17-19, having an ambition to comprehend, while the immensity is past knowledge. Christians may pause to question, I do, a bit fearfully that perhaps we are not grasping what it meant to God for Christ to take our place. Measuring this mortality against the incalculable work of the Savior - it’s hard to grasp. I penned my struggle:

TODAY, I journeyed in my thinking to the scene of the cross…

Somehow, it seems the crowd parts to stare as I make my way to the feet of the Savior. Death is often bloody, ghastly, shocking, but I was not prepared for the trauma that sweeps me now. These are the feet that carried my Lord down the sandy shores of Galilee. Reaching high, I touch the greatest Man who ever lived. My hands stop just above an incredulous reality - the punctured wounds, impaled right through Him! I cringe as every nerve is electrified in horror. Grasping His ankles, His hairs touch my palms. I think His flesh is quivering. Jesus groans! Time seems reluctant to move, like the sun stopped in the sky. I see it in His features, through the loss of blood and pain shooting from every direction, intensive shock seizes His body!

I lean against the cross, trying to understand. Do I really sense the infinite redemptive power present upon this hill? What a revolting sight! That labored breath is drawn from the One I love. JESUS! And I cannot help You! May God deliver His pitiful child from being so dull! – “Scary God! – As this is the spot! - This is the day! - This is the sacrifice! - And my future is right now being weighed in the eternal balance of destiny!”

Then the Son of God lowers His gaze from Jerusalem and the crowd on the hill. He looks down, deep and long - right into my eyes. I tremble! I’m amazed! I’m speechless! Wide-eyed, I stare back in awe! The powers of darkness must be attacking Him, but He is looking at me! The searing pain throbbing and convulsing across the face of the crucified is intensely evident. And I cry to see His awful sense of loneliness and loss. Never! Not an instant from eternity has the Son been separated from the Father’s fellowship. Carrying my sin so appalls the Holy One. “God, I’m appalled too!” He shudders again and again! The Just for the unjust! Holiness bearing sin! I know this old sinner rates nothing, and certainly not His agony - upon agony - upon agony. Whatever His thoughts through what seems like an eternity of torture, it is nearly hidden by a distinct expression as His eyes clear. He sees me . . . and I see love! Love and compassion! Even now? And why care, I wonder, why at any time ever? How can this be?

I lower my red-stained hands slowly and stare, gawking in wonder at the fresh blood! What can wash away all my guilt, my very filthiness and sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Incredulously, I shiver, beginning to grow weak and faint! Tears fill my eyes, blurring my vision, flowing like the rivers of spring down my cheeks! Pain pulls violently at my breast! “God, maybe through this trip to the cross, it will help me to increase my gratitude to Jesus Christ and the holy Trinity.” Lonely and forsaken! - Tortured and soon to die! - Why would He intervene for me in this way? Nausea sweeps me! How vile the stench of human depravity and how evil this scene in its willful brutality. I’m terribly sick to my stomach and sick in my soul. “Oh, help Lord! No, I deserve no help, but I’m nearly drowning as the smell of death is overwhelming and all around us!” Pondering sadly… “I hate this sin! It's my fault! This is definitely vitally serious to see the blood of the Eternal, Almighty God that darkens my hand!” As I bow, beneath the cross, blood falls as rain across my shoulders. I whimper with my face on a stone. Alone with Jesus, and yet I feel the presence of a billion souls. I whisper – and was it the moan of the wind, or can it be that the souls of all the ages are speaking with me? “I take full responsibility. I’m responsible for this torturous altar, for the awful sacrifice of the Lamb of God!”

As the sun veils the scene, I’m being drawn away. The crucifixion begins to fade in the distance as I'm pulled back into the 21st century! Ah, I’m so upset! Why didn't I gently lay hold of His feet and cry out my thanks and praise? The vivid scene was almost like a silhouette focused against the panorama of the whole world of sin! But His sacrifice shook me beyond words! Shame fills my soul, but praise is warming my heart! Gratitude rises and cascades to cry afresh from my lips! How could the precious Lord Jesus Christ endure bearing my sin on that dreadful day, through those terrible and torturous hours - suspended high in nakedness, cruelty and pain?

I can’t stand as I slip to the ground, but here is where I belong on my knees as the posture fits. "Thank you, Lord Jesus! I've been silent for way too long! I know I need You moment by moment as the total focus of my life! I love You! Help me! I want to live for You!” How through my life on earth can I guard this moment, to forever marvel at the day when You died in my place! Without You and what You did, I would surely have suffered forever! I had no hope... but the very Son of God climbed Golgotha to enter the place of judgment, to face the omnipotent wrath of God for all of my sin! Jesus, You took my place!

False religion does not like it and the devil doesn’t like it much either, but here’s the real theme of our pulpit: “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2)

Enemies of the cross, come to Jesus! Let’s put our pride where it belongs. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Gal. 6:14)

Our religious pedigrees and accomplishments are nothing. It’s all about the blood as my way to the Heaven of God.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Won’t you take your trip to the cross today and surrender to God? “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Rom. 5:8-9)

Charlie Carle

charliecarles@yahoo.com