Hearts on Fire

October 21

(Luke 24:32 NIV) ““They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?””

(Jeremiah 20:9 NIV) ““But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.””

(2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV) ““For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.””

When Cleopas and his friend recognized Jesus as Lord, they realized why their hearts had been burning within them. Jesus lights a fire in His people, and the wise disciple will tend it and feed it. You will be seen as strange if your heart burns for Jesus. You can be fired up about a political candidate or a sports team, but if your fire burns for the Lord, you will be seen as odd. So be it! What the church needs today are believers whose hearts burn within them. We need prophets whose hearts are on fire and who are weary of holding God’s word in, like a “fire shut up in their bones.” We need disciples who will allow the light of their fires to illumine the darkness of our world. We need Christians whose fire for Jesus cannot be extinguished by the wet blanket crowd of agnostics that surround them -- whose fire will burn down the gates of hell from the outside. Stoke the fire! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Spiritual Squinters

October 20

(Luke 24:31 NIV) “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him…”

(Luke 18:35-43 NIV) ““As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. {36} When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. {37} They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." {38} He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" {39} Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" {40} Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, {41} "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. {42} Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." {43} Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.””

(Ezekiel 12:2 NIV) “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.”

Yesterday we saw the sovereignty of God, but today let’s think about the free will of man. These two may appear to be incompatible, but they are really like two sides of the same coin. The Lord cures our blindness, but we must be willing to open our eyes. In His sovereignty, God gives us that choice. Jesus gives us sight and reveals Himself to us, but many do not want to see Him up close. Some prefer a fuzzy view of God. They become spiritual squinters. This allows them to keep God looking distant and indistinct. Clearly seeing Jesus changes us, and many of us don’t want to change. Open your eyes, Christian. Join the blind beggar in saying, “Lord I want to see.” Exercise your free will and gaze upon the face of Christ. Let His light fill you. Don’t be a willing partner in vision impairment. Don’t live your life as a spiritual squinter. Jesus is near. Open your eyes! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Then Their Eyes Were Opened

October 19

(Luke 24:15-16, 30-31 NIV) “As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; {16} but they were kept from recognizing him. -- {30} When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. {31} Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”

(Romans 9:14-21 NIV) ““What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! {15} For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." {16} It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. {17} For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." {18} Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. {19} One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" {20} But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" {21} Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?””

(2 Kings 6:15-17 NIV) ““When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. {16} "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." {17} And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.””

Scripture tells us that Cleopas and his friend were prevented from recognizing Jesus. Think about that. Jesus may be very near to us, but we may be blind to Him. This is a lesson in the sovereignty of God. We can dispute it, we can curse it, we can consign it to the trash heap of discarded doctrines, but we cannot deny its existence on the pages of God’s word. God is sovereign. He reveals Himself to those whom He chooses. God eventually opened the eyes of the two men so they could recognize him. But unless God opens our eyes, we will remain blind to His presence. It is by grace you have been saved. God, in His sovereignty, has granted us vision. “I once was blind, but now I see.” If you know Jesus today, it is because He revealed Himself to you. Praise Him for His goodness. Thank Him for His mercy and revelation. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Stay With Us

October 18

(Luke 24:28-29 NIV) ““As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. {29} But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.””

(John 15:4 NIV) “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

(Psalm 51:11 NIV) “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”

One mark of a true disciple is the desire to be with Jesus. The genuine follower of Christ will want to be in His presence. The men on the road to Emmaus did not want Jesus to leave. Like King David, they begged God to remain with them. Being in His presence was so sweet that they did not want it to end. We need Christians today who deeply desire more of Jesus, instead of taking His presence for granted. The Lord will know when we truly want Him with us. Our behavior will indicate our love. We’ll savor our times with Him. We won’t hide from him, or keep parts of our lives secret. We’ll quit making excuses for not praying. We’ll hardly be able to wait for Bible study. We’ll stop watching the clock during church. We’ll begin to enjoy God’s people more than worldly people. We’ll pray for His presence. God is looking for people who can’t get enough of Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

All the Scriptures

October 17

(Luke 24:25-27 NIV) ““He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! {26} Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" {27} And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.””

(John 5:39-40 NIV) “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, {40} yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

(2 Timothy 3:14-17 NIV) “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, {15} and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The attitude of Christians toward the Old Testament varies widely. Some say it is no longer pertinent -- others say it carries the same weight as it did before Christ. But what is often overlooked is that the Old Testament was Christ’s Bible. When Jesus referred to the Scriptures, He was referring to our Old Testament. He spoke of them as God’s truth. He also used them to explain Himself and His mission. Jesus told Cleopas and his friend that if they understood the Law and the Prophets, they would know why the Messiah came, and why He had to die. Scripture itself does not bring eternal life, but it leads us to the One who does. God’s word, both the Old and New Testaments, points us to the Lord Jesus Christ. All Scripture comes from God, and is given to strengthen us, correct us, equip us, and save us. Dig in, and look for Christ in every word given to us by the Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Powerful in Word and Deed

October 16

(Luke 24:18-24 NIV) ““One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" {19} "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.””

(Acts 7:22 NIV) “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

(Colossians 3:17 NIV) “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

(James 2:22 NIV)  "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did."

Many Christians today want to be like Jesus. We buy WWJD bracelets. We attend seminars and buy books by the latest gurus and mega-church pastors. We are constantly searching for the right formula. But today, Cleopas gives us the formula for free. He declares that Jesus was a prophet, powerful in word and deed. And so if you really want to be like Jesus, work at becoming powerful in word and deed. Bulk up on God’s word, and then live it out before God and people. Speak the truth in love, and live the truth in love. Live and love as though Jesus lived in you. Pray to become powerful in speech and action. Speak and live in a way that Jesus could endorse. The size of our arena does not matter. When our speech and actions work together, our faith becomes complete, and we can grow powerful in word and deed. Be and do! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Downcast Faces

October 15

(Luke 24:17-24 NIV) ““He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. {18} One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" {19} "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. {20} The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; {21} but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. {22} In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning {23} but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. {24} Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.””

(John 16:16-22 NIV) ““In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me." {17} Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and' Because I am going to the Father'?" {18} They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying." {19} Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? {20} I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. {21} A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. {22} So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.””

Without the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christian has no cause for joy. Our salvation is found in His suffering atonement and His glorious victory over death. There are teachers today who say that it’s unhealthy to focus on the cross and the blood of Jesus. They contend that the love of Christ, along with His life’s teaching, should be sufficient for Christian joy. But the two men on the road to Emmaus knew better. They had walked with Jesus. They had experienced His love and teaching. But they had no joy. They walked with downcast faces. They had hoped… but now they had none. It was not until they met the risen Christ, and came to understand His death for the forgiveness of their sin, that they found cause for celebration. Jesus came to bleed and die for the salvation of sinners. Only when we know that, and know Him as risen, can we find healing for our downcast faces. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Walking With Jesus Unaware

October 14

(Luke 24:13-16 NIV) “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. {14} They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. {15} As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; {16} but they were kept from recognizing him.”

(John 20:24-31 NIV) ““Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. {25} So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." {26} A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" {27} Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." {28} Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" {29} Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." {30} Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.””

When we reach the other side and know fully, we will be surprised at how many times Jesus walked beside us, and we were unaware. There are seasons of life when we are kept from recognizing His presence. In His sovereignty, God takes us through valleys where the sun is hidden and the darkness seems strong. In those times, faith must carry us through. He walks with us, even when we are unaware. We may ask, “How will I know when Jesus is walking with me?” That is the wrong question. We should be asking, “How will Jesus know when I am walking with Him?” We must get the focus off of our desire for awareness, and onto the desires of the Lord. He does not live to please us -- we live to please Him. We walk with Him when we put His words into practice and follow Him… even when we cannot see Him. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Wonder of It All

October 13

(Luke 24:9-12 NIV) “When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. {10} It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. {11} But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. {12} Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”

(Luke 24:1-4 NIV) “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. {2} They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, {3} but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. {4} While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.”

(John 20:24-27 NIV) ““Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. {25} So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." {26} A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" {27} Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.””

The resurrection is a wonder greater than any of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. It is so wondrous that it can be difficult to believe. The women who saw the empty tomb wondered what it meant. Peter went to see, and also walked away wondering. Wonder is a positive term, but it’s only about a half inch from doubt, which is almost always toxic. Even though Jesus had told them He would rise again, the disciples doubted the women’s story. They considered it nonsense. Thomas’s response quickly skidded past wonder and into the pit of doubt. It took a special visit from the risen Christ to heal him. When you think of the resurrection, does it produce wonder, or doubt? Christian agnostics abound today in our polluted atmosphere of biblical skepticism. Wondrous stories are written off as myth because they seem like nonsense. Don’t go there! Believe the wonder. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Then They Remembered

October 12

(Luke 24:5-8 NIV) ““In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? {6} He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: {7} 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" {8} Then they remembered his words.””

(John 2:22 NIV) “After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.”

Jesus spoke many words to his followers while He lived among them. We have only a few of them recorded in the New Testament. But, like us, His disciples often forgot what He said. Many times it did not make sense, or it was just too hard a teaching for minds not yet filled with the Spirit of God. The women went to the tomb to anoint a dead man because they forgot that Jesus said He would rise again on the third day. They had been surprised by His crucifixion because they forgot that He told them it was coming. Memory is a great gift, but many times it fails us. Worse yet, we are often very subjective and selective about what we file away in our memories. Whatever the case, until the angels reminded them, these women had forgotten that Christ had clearly spoken of His resurrection. What have you forgotten that Jesus has clearly told you? What will it take to jog your memory? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

He Has Risen

October 11

(Luke 24:1-6a NIV) ““On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. {2} They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, {3} but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. {4} While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. {5} In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? {6} He is not here; he has risen!””

(Acts 2:29-36 NIV) ““Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. {30} But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. {31} Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. {32} God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. {33} Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. {34} For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand {35} until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."' {36} "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.””

The empty tomb is one of the greatest miracles ever performed by God. Christ’s resurrection from the dead gives hope to billions of people, and it is the heartbeat of Christianity. If the women lied or were somehow deceived, the foundation for faith crumbles, and we who believe are fools. When the Spirit bears witness, and the resurrection of Jesus becomes truth in our hearts, we join the women in bowing down with our faces to the ground. A God so powerful as to command angels and bring the dead back to life, cannot be approached flippantly. The stone has been rolled away. The tomb is empty. Jesus is not there. He is no longer confined by Earth and flesh. He has risen, and we waste our time looking for the living among the dead. Give up the search for “life” in the stuff of this world. Look for life in Christ. Jesus is Lord and He lives! We serve a risen Savior. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Decent Burial

October 10

(Luke 23:50-56 NIV) “Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, {51} who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. {52} Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. {53} Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. {54} It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. {55} The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. {56} Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”

(Matthew 27:57-61 NIV) “As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. {58} Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. {59} Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, {60} and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. {61} Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.”

(John 19:38-39 NIV) “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. {39} He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.”

After Christ’s death, two men stepped forward to claim His body. Joseph and Nicodemus were wealthy members of the ruling council that sentenced Jesus to death. They had both become “secret” disciples, because they feared their religious colleagues. But their hearts had been changed. That’s conversion. Now they both came out in a very public way, providing a compassionate service to our Savior. They could not prevent Christ’s death, but at least they could give Him a decent burial. We learn a couple of things here. First, wealthy people can be followers of Jesus. It’s not about our net worth -- it’s about our hearts. We also learn that one can only be a clandestine follower of Jesus for so long. At some point, circumstances will demand that we go public with our faith. Where are you in that? How about going public today? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Believe and Confess

October 9

(Luke 23:47-49 NIV) ““The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." {48} When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. {49} But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.””

(Mark 15:39-41 NIV) ““And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" {40} Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. {41} In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.””

(Romans 10:9-13 NIV) ““… if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

(1 Timothy 1:15 NIV) “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.”

Becoming a Christian is fairly simple. Believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you will be saved. It’s being a disciple that can prove to be difficult. This was the challenge of the Roman Centurion who oversaw Christ’s crucifixion. As he stood near the cross, he heard Christ offering forgiveness and mercy to soldiers and thieves alike -- and as he watched Jesus take His last breath, the Centurion’s heart was changed. He realized what the women standing nearby had known for months: that this man was the righteous Son of God. He believed in his heart, and confessed with his mouth. In so doing, he joined the crucified thief in becoming a man of faith, ready for Paradise. If thieves and men who crucified Christ can be saved, so can you. Believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth. He is Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Ultimate Sacrifice

October 8

(Luke 23:46 NIV) ““Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.””

(Matthew 27:50 NIV) “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”

(Romans 5:6-9 NIV) “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. {7} Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. {8} But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. {9} Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!”

(1 Corinthians 15:3 NIV) “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”

(Hebrews 2:14 NIV) “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil”

(1 Peter 3:18 NIV) “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

After around six hours on the cross, Jesus died. Luke, the physician, says, “He breathed His last.” Matthew says, “He gave up His spirit.” Let that soak in. God incarnate, the Word become flesh, the Creator of the universe… died. It is such a difficult concept that many cannot accept it. But it is an essential, foundational truth of Christianity. Our faith and salvation depend upon Christ’s death. He died for us. He died for our sins. He died to destroy the power of the devil. He died to conquer death. He died to bring us to God. In love, God gave the life of His Son to save us from the eternal penalty for our sins. Yes, Jesus was a good teacher, and He came to establish a community called the church. But His main purpose in coming was to save sinners. That’s you and me. Believe, and receive His gift. Accept His sacrifice. Believe, and be saved. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

The Torn Curtain

October 7

(Luke 23:44-45 NIV) “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, {45} for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.”

(Exodus 26:33 NIV) “Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”

(Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV) “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, {20} by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, {21} and since we have a great priest over the house of God, {22} let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. {23} Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

For a short time, as Jesus hung dying on the cross, darkness appeared to triumph over light. As Christ took upon Himself the sins of the world, the darkness grew bolder, and in a last ditch effort to defeat the light, it asserted itself over nature. Satan may have even claimed victory for a brief moment, as Christ took His last breath. But in that same moment, defeat came when the curtain in the Temple was torn in two. The barrier that separated God’s holy presence from humanity was torn asunder. The dividing wall between God and His people was no more. The sacrifice was complete. The Lamb of God had been slain for the sins of the world. God’s Spirit would no longer dwell behind a curtain in a temple made by human hands. He would now live in the hearts of those covered by the blood of the Lamb. They would be His dwelling place and His temple. Hallelujah! The curtain is gone! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

The Man in the Middle

October 6

(Luke 23:39-43 NIV) ““One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" {40} But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? {41} We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." {42} Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." {43} Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.””

(2 Corinthians 5:8-10 NIV) “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. {9} So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. {10} For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Two thieves were crucified along with Jesus -- one on His left, the other on His right. One died in sin, and faced the grimmest of reapers -- the other died with God’s assurance of Paradise. The difference between the two was their attitude toward the man in the middle. One cursed Jesus, and told Him that if He was really the Christ, He would save them and Himself. The second man rebuked the first, saying that they deserved punishment for their sin, but that Jesus was innocent. Then he uttered a short, but profound salvation prayer, acknowledging Jesus as Lord, and asking for God’s mercy. He asked the right person. The man in the middle just happened to be the Son of God, and Christ assured the repentant thief that they would soon be together in Paradise. Jesus is still the man in the middle -- the man between us and hell. And the wise still appeal to Him for mercy. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

If You Are

October 5

(Luke 23:35-38 NIV) ““The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." {36} The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar {37} and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." {38} There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.””

(Matthew 4:3-7 NIV) ““The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." {4} Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" {5} Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. {6} "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" {7} Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.””

(Hebrews 12:2 NIV) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Everyone has their own perspective. The disciples saw the cross as a defeat. The writer of Hebrews saw the cross as a gateway to eternal joy and to the very throne of God. Satan saw the cross as one last opportunity for temptation, hoping Christ would abandon His mission of mercy. The sneering, mocking people were Satan’s tools. They taunted Jesus: “Show off your power. If you are God, prove it by coming down from the cross.” Satan had used the same line at the beginning of Christ’s ministry -- “if you are”. It was the same temptation: grab earthly power, instead of seeking God’s glory. But Jesus did not waiver. An eternal God does not think in terms of “if”. The great “I Am” does not deal in possibilities. Christ did not come to batter His enemies into submission, but to die for their sins. The cross was not a mistake or a defeat -- it was Christ’s original mission. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

By Grace

October 4

(Luke 22:34 NIV) ““Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.””

(Colossians 1:19-23 NIV) “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, {20} and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. {21} Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. {22} But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- {23} if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.”

(Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9 NIV) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. {8} For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The first words from Jesus after He was brutally crucified were in the form of a short prayer. He prayed that His Father would forgive those who nailed him to the cross. They did not deserve mercy. They had mocked, spit on, beat, and crucified the sinless Lamb of God. They did not deserve forgiveness -- and neither do we. But that is Christ’s prayer - then and now. We all drive nails into the hands and feet of our Lord in some way. All of us sin and fall short of God’s glory -- ALL of us. There are none innocent. No one is sinless. Every sin, whether we think of it as big or small, is a spike driven through the flesh of Christ and into the blood-stained wood of the cross. Jesus took every one of those nails and yet prayed, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” That’s grace -- unsolicited, undeserved, unearned mercy. “Because of His great love for us…” Praise Him! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Cross

October 3

(Luke 23:32-33 NIV) ““Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. {33} When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left.

(Psalms 22:16 NIV) “Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.”

(Galatians 2:20 NIV) “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Crucifixion is extremely painful and brings a slow, torturous death. This was the death suffered by our Jesus. Christians love to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. It is the most important event in human history. It literally changed the world. We love our Easter Sunday. But before Sunday, came Friday -- before the resurrection, came a crucifixion. To get to the resurrection, Jesus had to go through the cross -- and so must we. Many Christians today would prefer to skip the cross. They would rather go directly to the resurrection. But without the cross, there is no resurrection. Without the cross, there is no forgiveness of sin. Without the cross, there is no eternal salvation. We must die to ourselves, before we can be born again. We must accept our crucifixion, before Christ can live in us. All roads to the resurrection lead to the cross of Christ. We cannot skip the cross. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

When the Tree Dries Up

October 2

(Luke 23:27-31 NIV) ““A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. {28} Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. {29} For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' {30} Then "'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' {31} For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?””

(Mark 4:4-6 NIV) “As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. {5} Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. {6} But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 NIV) “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. {8} And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. {9} The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, {10} and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. {11} For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie {12} and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

Women wept and wailed as they followed Jesus to Golgotha. But Christ said, “Don’t cry for me -- instead, weep for your children. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. If people do this when God’s Son is here and the tree is green… they will do worse things when He’s gone and the tree dries up.” Christ’s words to the women became a reality. Israel's hollow religion would soon come crashing down on both the guilty and the innocent. The three crosses on the hill that day were only a sampling of the judgment to come. When the Roman Army crushed a rebellion in Israel some years later, thousands of crosses lined the roads to Jerusalem. There was no mercy to be found. Infants were killed along with women and children, and God’s people were turned into wanderers and orphans for almost two thousand years. When the tree dries up, there is no longer any shade to be found. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Divine Interruptions

October 1    

(Luke 23:26 NIV) “As they led Jesus away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”

(Mark 15:21 NIV) “A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.”

Divine interruptions are not always pleasant, but they always serve God’s purpose. Simon of Cyrene was minding his own business when a Roman soldier ordered him to carry the cross of Christ. Jesus had been weakened by a severe beating and was unable to carry its weight. Simon was likely perturbed that his life had been interrupted. He had to be anxious about the welfare of his two sons. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time… or was he? As believers, we will need to do some unscheduled, tough ministry at times. It may be unpleasant -- even painful. This may come as a shock, but being comfortable and being a Christian are not always compatible. We are called by God to hurt along with others… to share their pain… to carry their cross… even though we may have other plans. And when those divine interruptions come, we are in the right place at the right time. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day