Jesus – The Masters Plan

(3-27-05)

1Corinthians 11:23-26, 15:3-8

 

In 11:2 Paul says: “I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.” Notice why Paul is giving them praise, first for remembering him and second for holding to those things he taught them. I agree with Paul that it is good to be remembered and even better to have what you taught still being lived out in the lives of the student.

          The Apostles where men who were sent to proclaim what they were taught about and from Jesus. Even though Paul did not walk and talk with Jesus while Jesus was in the flesh, he did learn from Jesus directly after Jesus was lifted up in Glory. The things that Paul was taught from Jesus’ own lips he in turn passed on to the world, even to you and I. Paul taught these things by what he preached, what he lived and by what he wrote.

          Paul later in verse 23 says: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…” Thank you Paul for knowing that I too needed to be taught these great and mighty truths from Jesus, even though I am 2000 years removed from the events you speak of, for those events impact me and you just as strongly as they did those who heard Paul preach these truths in the flesh.

          Easter Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave is being celebrated all over the world and the fact of the risen Lord and Savior is still credible to all who The Almighty calls to believe. Jesus is Risen, Jesus is Living, Jesus is Ruling and Jesus is once again coming only this time in judgment against wickedness and unbelief.

          Notice in Paul’s words to the Corinthian church what the Lord Jesus told him: Jesus, on the night that He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said: “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Paul goes on to say – For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 

          We still eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord and He is still coming. Thank you Paul; may your labor for Jesus and the coming glory of His presence be always remembered and practiced by the faithful.

          Jesus is still laboring today, as are all the heavenly hosts, to bring all things under the subjection and will of the Father. We are called by Jesus to walk under His Lordship and in that calling, invited into the labor for the redemption of the world. That redemption is accomplished by crossing over from rebellion to obedience, by crossing over from death to life, from darkness to light. All the world, young and old alike are in need of this redemption.

          Jesus’ death on the cross, His shed blood paid the price for the sins of the whole world, past, present, and future. Jesus’ resurrection from the grave is God’s demonstration of His power showing us what He will do for all who accept His invitation to escape the coming wrath of His judgment against the godlessness and wickedness and sinfulness of the human race.

          I proclaim to you what Paul so long ago proclaimed to a lost and dying world: Jesus died for your sins and was brought back to life for your hope. Jesus is coming!