Blog | Anchor Your Life | One Life at a Time

What Do You Do When You Fail A Friend?

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (NIV) Matthew 26:34-35, 26:74-75

What do you do when you fail a friend? You go to him or her to apologize, ask for forgiveness, and restore the relationship. But, what if for various reasons you can’t go to that friend? It leaves an incredible void in your soul when you are unable to make things right. I believe that that is how Peter felt after he had denied Christ 3 times.

Peter had confidently declared his allegiance to Jesus before He went to the cross. Yet, when the chips were down, Peter denied Him 3 times. His reaction, Peter wept bitterly. He knew he had failed the One that had been a Friend like no other. But, Jesus was dead. . .Peter saw no hope in ever being able to apologize to Him. Can you imagine the remorse that Peter lived with for 3 days as he relived his denial of Christ. But then, the impossible happened. . .Jesus arose from the dead! Peter responds to the news by running to Jesus’ tomb only to find it empty. Had he been hopeful that he could finally apologize to Jesus? Did he want to be reassured that Jesus hadn’t given up on him?

Jesus took the initiative to go to Peter. “He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve” (1 Corinthians 15:5). We can only surmise the gist of His conversation, but I believe that when Peter looked into his Savior’s eyes he saw forgiveness, mercy, grace and love. Later, the risen Lord appeared to Peter and gave him a special commission: “Tend My Lambs. . .shepherd My sheep. . .and tend My sheep” (John 21:1-17). Jesus re-established Peter’s role of leadership.

Peter became a transformed man. He quickly became the leader and spokesman for the early disciples. His name heads every list of the Twelve in the New Testament. His preaching in the early days of the church (Acts 1-10) shows his great ability. The first 11 chapters of Acts revolve around the activity of Peter. He was busy. . . Peter was the spokesman at Pentecost. . .he healed the lame man at the temple. . .he defied the Sanhedrin, refusing to be silent about Jesus. . .he presided over the grim task of dealing with Annanias and Sapphira. . .and he dealt with the deceit of Simon the magician. Peter was the one chosen to reach out to Cornelius, a Gentile, after God revealed to him that the gospel would be extended to Jew and Gentile alike. Peter played a key role at the Council of Jerusalem which decided in favor of granting church membership to Gentiles. Not bad for one who denied Christ.

Peter failed Jesus, but Jesus never failed Peter. Jesus prayed for Peter when he is weak and He prays for us. Jesus picked Peter up when he was down and He picks us up. Jesus forgave Peter when he failed and He forgives us. Jesus healed Peter’s painful memory of denial and He heals us. Jesus believed in Peter and He believes in us. Jesus died for Peter and died for us. Jesus loved Peter and loves us. Jesus is our faithful Friend who sticks closer to us than a brother.

Share|

Posted in Bible, Easter | Tagged Faithful, Rejection, Relationship with Christ | Leave a comment

The Stone And The Angel

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

The sun had set on that day, the day of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and darkness had fallen.

Joseph of Arimathea then approached Pilate with a strange request. He wanted the body of the One who had been crucified to give Him a proper burial.

What emotions surged through Pilate’s mind as he received that request from the wealthy Arimathean? Surprise that a wealthy man would desire the body of this lowly Galilean? But the plan of God was at work, permission was granted.

The body of Jesus was lovingly placed in that new tomb, the tomb that was to have been used for Joseph himself and the massive stone was rolled over the entrance. A Roman soldier guarded the entrance secured with the seal of imperial Rome. The awesome power of ruling Rome was in effect as the hours passed by.

Then on that first Easter morning the two Marys approached the sealed, guarded tomb. They were astonished to find not a closed tomb but an empty, yawning opening. The stone had been rolled away. But not merely rolled away, an angel was seated on the stone.

Not only was the power of Rome and the stone rolled away, but totally dominated. The seal of mighty Rome, that caused nations to tremble, was ignored when the messenger of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords rested upon the seal of the mightiest of earth’s conquering nations.

The prophet Isaiah was right. “The nations are like a drop in a bucket, they are regarded as the dust in the scales. . .before Him all the nation are as nothing, they are regarded by Him as worthless and less than nothing.” Isaiah 40: 15-17

That power from on high that set aside the authority of imperial Rome on that day rules now in our day, that power was not confined to that time, to that day. Today, could there be a “stone” in our lives that blocks our freedom, our joy, that we are helpless to move?

As we go to God in our weakness, remember His strength that was displayed on that glorious day when that stone was rolled away and Jesus Christ rose from the dead. God’s strength, His care was evidenced centuries ago, it is true now as Isaiah also said;

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV) Isaiah 40:28-31.

That rolled away stone on that blessed day, reminds us that no matter what the circumstance, no matter who or what the foe is, be it from without or within. Our God reigns.

We need to rest on that eternal truth. We need to rest on Him.

Written by Neil Glass used with permission

Share|

Posted in Easter, Holidays, Spiritual Growth | Tagged Christ, Empty Tomb, Resurrection | Leave a comment

He Is Risen!

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (NIV) John 20:18

On Friday afternoon, around 3:00PM, Jesus died and was buried. Now, it is just after sunrise on Sunday. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bring spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. On their way to the tomb and they ask each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Little did they know, there had been a violent earthquake. An angel of the Lord had come down from heaven and rolled back the stone of the tomb.

When the women arrive at the tomb, they look up, they see that the stone had been rolled away. But when they enter the tomb, they do not find the body of Jesus. The angel says to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.’”

Mary Magdalene stands outside the tomb crying. “As she wept. . .she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. ‘Woman,’ he said, ‘why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher) (John 20:10-16).

Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead proves He is from God and that every claim He had made during His lifetime is true. The resurrection shows His uniqueness and authenticates His claims to be God. His resurrection identifies Christ as the one and only Savior of mankind. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that all men, all women, and all children can find forgiveness for their sins, experience peace with God, and live eternally with Him. Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?

When All Seems Lost

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb. . . they laid Jesus there. (NIV) John 19:40-42

After hanging on the cross for nearly 6 hours, Jesus bows His head and breathes His last breathe. As evening approaches, a rich man named Joseph, boldly goes to Pontius Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body. Joseph is a prominent member of the Jewish Supreme Court, who secretly has become a disciple of Jesus. Pilate orders Jesus’ body to be given to Joseph.

Joseph, accompanied by Nicodemus, takes down the body, wraps it in a clean linen cloth. Then he places it in a new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolls a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and goes away. Mary Magdalene and some other women had followed Joseph, see the tomb where Jesus’ body is laid. Friday evening comes to an end with not much to look forward to on Saturday. . .

That’s it – here’s a man who lived a good life, but died a criminal’s death. Jesus’ disciples were most likely trying to make new plans for their futures. Hope was gone, He had died on the cross. End of story. . . or so it seems. Little did they know what Sunday would bring! Jesus Christ back from the dead!

Are you in a waiting mode? waiting for circumstances to change? for health to be restored? for a spouse to begin a relationship with Christ? for a child to return to God? As you wait, where are your eyes? Are they on “Saturday’s” circumstances? or on “Sunday’s” hope?

The disciples were only seeing what the present moment brought. . . despair and disappointment. We know the rest of the story. . . that on Easter morn, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. . . once and for all defeating death and offering hope to all who believe in Him. If you feel like you’re experiencing “Saturday’s waiting mode”, look for Jesus and know without a doubt that in Him you have a glorious eternal future!

Learn more about a relationship with Jesus

Share|

Posted in Easter, Holidays, Spiritual Growth | Tagged Christ, cross, Passion Week | Leave a comment

Contrary to Common Sense

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (NIV) John 19:30

The soldiers arrested Jesus, bound Him and brought Him to the officials, to begin His first of six trials. Five times, Pontius Pilate and King Herod declare Christ innocent of the charges brought against Him. But, afraid of a riot breaking out and of being accused of disloyalty to Caesar. . .Pilate goes before the crowd, washes his hands and says “I am innocent of this man’s blood, it is your responsibility!” Pilate sentences Jesus to die by crucifixion.

Crucifixion was the Romans most severe form of execution – so severe, it was reserved for slaves and criminals. The punishment was invented to make death painful and lingering. The cross was not a symbol of faith, but a symbol of failure. . . not a sign of morality, but lawlessness. . . not a symbol of respect, but of unspeakable shame.

Jesus is nailed to the crossbar with 5″ iron spikes driven between the bones of his wrists. Then, 4 soldiers lift the crossbar up, dragging Jesus with it, to fix it onto the upright beam. Finally, Jesus’ feet are nailed in. Jesus responds by saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The sovereign, omnipotent, eternal God, did not threaten, did not condemn, didn’t even pronounce doom on His crucifiers. . .contrary to common sense He prayed for them.

Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion, is at a major intersection outside Jerusalem. Those who passed by stared at the condemned and “hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:39-40). . .Come down from the cross – HE WOULDN’T COME DOWN – all this is happening according to God’s pre-determined plan!

The One who is the Creator of life. . . the One who breathed life into those who are crucifying Him, gasped for air. It’s now 3PM – it has been dark since noon – Jesus says: “It is finished.” He’s even in control of His own death. From start to finish, Jesus death had been planned. . .His job is complete.

Contrary to common sense. . .what looked like tragedy, became triumph – while hell was rejoicing. . .God was waiting for His ultimate victory over sin and death. Jesus died that we may live. . .the cross cost us nothing. . .it cost God everything! Have you accepted Christ’s death on the cross as payment for your sins?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

Share|