I Love Being an American!

The USS New York - 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center towers were used in the construction of this brand new warship.

Jesus - The New Testament

Matthew 26:38, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Jesus is the New Testament insomuch that He is the fulfillment of the Old.  He fulfilled the Law when we never could.  He was sinless when we were sinful.  He paid the penalty of death for sin so we wouldn't have to.

Do You Mockingly Crown Jesus?

John 19 is arguably the most sobering chapter in all of the Bible. A couple months ago, I read this chapter to the church while leading the Lord's Table. This portion of Scripture is a powerful reminder of God's love and judgment. I've been reading the book of John for my personal devotions that last several weeks. The Lord challenged me with a new thought as I read chapter 19 again the other day.

Verses 2 and 5 describe the items Christ's antagonizers put on Him. The first item was the crown of thorns. The other was the purple robe. Both of these items were specifically designed to mock His "kingship." As I read those verses, I got to thinking: Do we mockingly crown Jesus Christ?

I believe this is something that lost and saved people are capable of. Lost people do it more overtly. Saved people who aren't walking in the Spirit do it more subtly. Lost people openly blaspheme the name of Jesus. Carnal Christians say that Jesus is Lord, but don't truly live like it.

As I read the first part of John 19 a few times over, I began to see some distinct characteristics of one who mockingly crowns Jesus Christ.

People who mockingly crown Jesus...

• cause Him pain. (vs. 1)
• worship falsely and cheaply. (vs. 2)
• think less of Him than He really is. (vs. 5)
• are Pharisaical. (vs. 6-7)
• lack real faith and confidence. (vs. 8-9)
• think they're in charge. (vs. 10)

If one or more of these characteristics describes you, you might need to take inventory as to whether or not Jesus is truly the Lord of your life.