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Jesus between the cross and the Grave

Jesus was hanging on the cross amidst agony caused by physical, spiritual and mental torture. The curse and shame brought out the human nature of pleading for justice and consequently, He cried, "Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabakhthani" (My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me?) and gave up his ghost.

The lifeless body was still hanging on the cross causing skepticism while Some assumed he was dead while the skeptics still expected miracles to happen and that Jesus would come down from the cross. So they were expecting Elijah to come to his rescue. Instead, nothing took place except that the dead body was still there nailed on to the cross as a symbol of curse.

My attention is drawn to this moment in the chain of events of crucifixion though many have thought there is no point in brooding over the dead body of Christ hanging on the cross as by then everything was finished and nothing significance comes out of it.

So they were waiting for the resurrection to occur to explode with streams of sermons.

It was obvious that the body must be pulled out of the cross and buried in a tomb in accordance with the Jewish customs as Jesus was a Jew. But then who would do it? Who was there to dare claiming the body of Christ in a totally anti-Jesus atmosphere?

Peter, John, James, Mathew, Mark, Luke and thus 12 of the disciples and why, brothers and sisters of Jesus (related by flesh)were not to be found. They all feared and besides they all lost their faith in the significance of the life of Jesus after witnessing the brutal murder of their savior.

Surprisingly, strange people surfaced braving to bury the body of Jesus honorably.

They were rich and respected among the Jews. They were honorable and influential with the rulers and with the Roman regime. They had been too, the disciples of Jesus Christ. Despite not having enjoyed the presence of Jesus like the 12 disciples had during the lifetime of Jesus, these followed Jesus in their hearts. They believed that Jesus was truly the son of God.

They were none but Joseph of Arimathaea, who went to Pilate- the Roman governor of Judea, and claimed the body of Jesus and the other- Nicodemus, a Teacher of law- who brought in spices and perfumes to perform the last rites to the body of Jesus. Pilate though astonished on hearing the news of the death of Christ commanded the body to be handed over to the claimer.

At the receiving of the body of Christ, Joseph wrapped it in a Linen cloth, the best choice to wrap the bruised and bloody body.

Both these took the body of Christ and buried in a specially cut sepulcher located in a beautiful garden.

Why would these men take so much care and pain to bury a body that was condemned and counted accursed both by Jews and the ruler of the land risking their own lives and future- that too when Jesus' own disciples and brothers fled forsaking their master for the fear of the Jews? The ones who cried, "Hosanna" did not have the audacity to bring down the body of Christ and bury it.

The only explanation is 'FAITH'.

The secret disciples - Joseph and Nicodemus- believed that Jesus was the son of God. This faith was so strong that they did not fear the Jews of retribution. God chooses unexpected ones to perform unexpected activities. Joseph and Nicodemus were chosen to do the burial of dead Jesus.

Among women too, there were some who were always following Jesus whether he was alive, tortured or dead. These did so out of love!

These were not bothered whether Jesus was the son of God or not, whether Jesus was worthy of condemnation or not, and whether Jesus was dead or alive, they yet followed him where ever he was dragged dead or alive in that day of great sacrifice.

They could do so because these women loved him.

Beloved, these few people who ministered Jesus even after his death and during the time between death and resurrection of Jesus. Because they believed in His proclamation as son of God while the women loved Him irrespective of His proclamations.

My friend, what is your faith condition today?

Are you running away from your master:

....Because you saw Him with the cross?

.......Because you saw your master hanging on the cross like a dead man unable to perform the things you wished in your life.

(I know, you hate the cross like the disciples of Jesus did. Instead, You always love to see your master on the white horse fighting and destroying the enemies like the disciples desired.)

Jesus alone...is fine and you will say ..halleluiah. praise the Lord!

But Jesus with the cross ......you don't even like to imagine such a state...!

You run away.....I mean you backslide...like the disciples did!..... not even bothering to bury the body of their beloved master. Some one, least expected, had to come and teach you how to follow Jesus and be grateful to Him.

Beloved, does not the word say, "If we suffer with Him, We will rule with Him."

Even in a secular world, One must attain the required training and qualification to do a job, much more so if you are to do a job of higher honor and responsibility.

But You do not want to endure temptations, bear with the trials, and they are very normal in your life, that even the secular people without Jesus undergo in the pursuit of worldly benefits. Instead, you want to rule with Jesus without attaining the qualifications to do so.

Yet Jesus sought after, Peter, John, James and the rest of disciples, because he loved them. On the 3rd day after having been resurrected, he appeared before his

Disciples and said, 'peace be unto you". They feared assuming to see a 'spirit'.

Nevertheless, these became the martyrs later to inherit the martyrs' crown in heaven.

The same Jesus is now coming to you dear friend, fully knowing that you are a disappointed man/woman. Yet Jesus is coming to you with the promise of higher call, a call of much honor embedded with the promise of eternal benefits.

You will wear this crown for long, long time eternally for ever.

So now decide, my friend, what crown are you going after?

The perishable or eternal?

I am sure you are wise to choose the eternal crown.

Now then, pray with me like Thomas cried, "My Lord, My God..";

Like Peter cried, "Lord you know me whether I love you or not ...more than these things..."

Then Jesus will tell you, "Follow me and Feed my sheep"...... "Do my Job". "Go preach to the nations this good news that the Kingdom of God is at hand.."

Shall we pray now?

'Heavenly father, we confess our backslidings because we did not see Jesus alive in those moments. We saw only, the world and believed that only what we saw was real. We let our surroundings blind our eyes of faith and so we could not see the power of eternity and live for it by resisting the temptations. Now we have fallen and garments are soaked with sin of shame and curse. Now we confess our backslidings and though our sins are red as scarlet, we pray that the Lord make them white as snow through the blood of Jesus Christ your son. Not only that, move our spirits to live only for you from now on and that we may be accounted as worthy servants during the period left for us to do so in this world.'

Amen.

Joshua Kamal

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It has been sometime since my last testimony/message. As some of you know, the Lord has been leading me into wilderness/desert. (Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness before His ministry so why should we be surprised when this same Holy Spirit leads us). He has shown me many things through the storms and tidal waves. Things He wished me to know, and no where but in the valley of death can we learn them. For dying to self, so that He may live more fully in us is His Hearts desire. Often when God opens a door for us, we think rose-petals and sweet perfume will greet us behind the door. But like the people that Moses led out of Egypt we find hardship, suffering, and hunger which we think we cannot bear. It was Moses faith in God's promise of the land of milk and honey that kept His Plan on the move. Many grumbled and wanted Egypt back, forgetting that there the suffering was much worse. They forshook the promise and in their spirits and heart, returned to Egypt although their bodies were still stumbling forth. Those that believed the promise inspite of the sand in their clothes, the heat that seared their skin, and the water that was scarce, were rewarded with the manifestation of His Promise. It is the same with us. No matter if the path He puts us on to go forth is full of broken rocks that cut our feet to shreds and our blood, the blood of our souls, spirits, or even bodies pours upon the ground...we must still believe His Promise. We will have the peace of Christ in our hearts just for the asking and the believing. "Be it done unto you according to your belief".Satan is trying to shake us.... to shake our very bones apart, individually, as communities and as countries. We must stand fast that God is working His Plan, for you and I, for us, for the world. His Kingdom is here... rising more now than ever in manifestation. People, churches, communities, and countries are being tested. DO YOU STILL BELIEVE?! Only on the stormy sea did the first disciples learn of the peace of Christ as He walked upon the water, and as He commanded it to be still. He is asking of us..... to command the hearts that are anxious to be still. His peace is at hand, not peace as the world knows or even how we imagine. It is in the wilderness or the desert, not the rose-garden that we learn and find His Peace. In the wilderness, the dark night of the soul.... we find increasing faith that OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE...... It is being crucified with Christ, giving up our flesh that we take on the cloak of the Lord, and He increases in us so that it is not we that live, but He that lives in us. As we walk as He walks, talk as He talks, and touch as He touched the lives of those that He puts in our paths.... He sprinkles the seed of lives into those that know not of Him. We are the planters, He the reaper. He has impressed on me so much that the time is NOW... to throw off fear of speaking His Name, going forth with His Gospel and standing tall for Him that I am moved over and over to pray for courage in this area no matter the cost. For He paid the highest price in carrying our sins upon Himself so that we may be saved. He has sent us out to be His Handmaidens and servants, as well as friend, sister or brother... to proclaim that His Father, Our Father is real, alive and loves us. It is by our giving up fear.... that the Holy Spirit has the freedom to act in us. What this board first started I was reminded of the series "The Last Day's" where a computer board was used to spread the Word of God to all nations, and all peoples. This is part of God's plan, as Jesus even said. That the gospel will be preached everywhere. And then... He will come to separate the chaff from the wheat. This board is an encouragement and I thank the Lord for our brother'sdetermination to birth God's plan through it and to follow through inspite of the enormous difficulties and danger. Soon (the Lord's timing of soon) we will not be able to speak of Jesus in the streets and by-ways. We will have to be hidden like those in our brothers country. But we will increase, as Jesus becomes more known through things such as this board. His Church, His Family .... by the Power of the Holy Spirit, covered by the blood of Christ, and by the Will of the Father will claim our inheritance..ever lasting life with HIM for eternity. Pray for souls.... pray. And remember and believe there will come a day when there are no more wars, no pain... only the joy of the everlasting fullness of God manifest in all His Glory for eternity. May He bless this board mightly, protect it from the enemy, perserve it for those yet to see....... and bring to all countries the blessing of reading it and opening ears to hear, and eyes to see. Sister Karen Kaliss, usa.

Eternal Sign editorial - By Mark Hanson, U.K

Prayer, the Word and Fellowship

Greetings brothers and sisters in the ever glorious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am hoping, as a co-worker in eternalsign ministries, that you have been bountifully blessed.

We are told not to go down that broad path that leads to destruction, but by the narrow path of Jesus’ Way. We are instructed to ‘Walk in the Spirit’.

Walking in the Spirit is how we must lead our lives, and this involves leading a prayerful life. But what does this mean? We can’t be on our knees 24/7!

Three aspects of walking in the Spirit come to my mind. Firstly, yes, we must pray to our God. We must Praise Him, Thank Him, confess our sins to Him, and also petition Him with our own requests and intercede for others. This can be done on our knees, whilst we are driving or catching a bus, wherever and whenever. When our thoughts turn to God rather than ourselves, we are praying.

Secondly, we must Read the Word. How can we know the mind of God, His Will, if we don’t partake in that which He has given us. We may pray as much as we like, but unless we seek God’s Face in His Word, our prayers will be lacking.

Thirdly, we must gather ourselves together to meet and to fellowship. Thus we may encourage one another, exhort one another, and correct one another.

Eternalsign ministries, of which I am blessed to be a part, offers everyone the chance to partake in these three aspects. You can receive the Bible daily in your email, you can pray on the PrayerWatch section, and you can fellowship at our PrayerWatch MSN community.

Please do take advantage of these offerings, to the Glory of God.

www.eternalsign.com

www.warhandoffaith.freeserve.co.uk

http://groups.msn.com/PrayerWatch

email to the following addresses:

kkstar@eternalsign.com

PrayerWatch@warhandoffaith.freeserve.co.uk

Requests@warhandoffaith.freeserve.co.uk

Mark Hanson

Pl.Note: While we thank our subscribers for sending materials to be published with the intent of doing God's ministry, Eternalsign.com is in no way assumes responsibility to the origine of the content, nor to the content itself.We do not own the responsibility to the intent of the aetciles.

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Dear Friends, I recently received this e-mail from the BARNABAS FUND. I felt it was an important reflection on the current conflict in Iraq, and wanted to pass it on to you. Sincerely, Terry -------------------------- CHRISTIANS FEAR REPRISALS AS IRAQ WAR DRAGS ON 28 March 2003 Vulnerable Christian minorities in Iraq and across the Islamic world are living with the fear of reprisals from Islamic extremists who associate them with the ‘Christian’ West. Hundreds of Christians died in such revenge attacks following the war in Afghanistan eighteen months ago. IRAQ In Iraq Christians are most vulnerable. Christian leaders fear it would only take one small spark – an aggressive anti-Christian sermon preached in a mosque, or an argument between a Christian and a Muslim neighbour – to trigger violent attacks on churches and Christian homes. To date thankfully no such incidents have occurred despite the pressures on the Iraqi people at the end of the first week of war. Many Christians have left Baghdad to return to their ancestral homelands in the north of Iraq until the war is over. Others have fled into Syria. “The churches, however, will stay open, regardless of what happens, to guarantee at any time shelter for all” according to Archbishop Jean Benjamin Sleiman. Christians in Baghdad have been sheltering in churches, finding support, encouragement and prayer at this most tense and dangerous time. One church has sustained broken windows and minor damage as a result of bombing. In the twelve years since the end of the first Gulf War the Christian population of Iraq dropped dramatically from 1.5 million to 700,000 as Christians fled the country under the combined pressures of Saddam Hussein’s regime, UN sanctions and hostility from their Muslim neighbours. Tension for Christians increased markedly during the war in Afghanistan when some were deliberately discriminatedagainst in the distribution of food rations, being derided as “Crusaders” and told to ask America for food instead. The situation has now become so bad that many Christians dare not openly wear crosses in public for fear that this would make them a target. A number of violent incidents have occurred in recent months including the brutal murder and decapitation of a Christian nun by a Muslim mob. As the war drags on Christians fear that they could become the victims further such violent attacks on a much larger scale. ISLAMIC WORLD For over a year Barnabas Fund has been expressing the concern of Christian leaders from all over the Islamic world that war in Iraq could lead to violent reprisals against their poor and vulnerable communities. “We had the Gulf War in the 1990s which caused many Iraqi Christians to leave or emigrate and now, God forbid, with another war in Iraq, we will put an end to the Christian presence throughout the Middle East” Bishop Riah Abu Al-Assal of Jerusalem recently warned. In neighbouring Jordan, Fouad, a national Christian interviewed by the BBC, spoke of how “They (the Muslims) look at us differently, they are suspicious of us.” Elsewhere, Christian leader Ceceil Chaudry warns that, “Attacks on Christians in Pakistan are one way the Muslim fanatics express their disapproval of American actions anywhere in the world.” The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is also voicing its concerns, warning of revenge attacks against Christians and Jews in the Islamic world. Many countries such as Indonesia and Pakistan have witnessed violent anti-war/anti-Western demonstrations, which have alarmed Christian communities. Eighteen months ago some 200 people were slaughtered and 16,000 left homeless when Muslim demonstrators taking part in an anti-US demonstration during the war in Afghanistan turned on local Christians in Kano, Nigeria, in October 2001. In Pakistan, there have been at least ten brutal attacks on Christian churches, hospitals, a school and a charity by Islamic extremists in which some forty men, women and children have been killed in the past eighteen months. Following the beginning of the war in Iraq, Pakistan’s government began to step up its already significant security measures for the vulnerable Christian community, providing extra armed guards for churches and other Christian buildings. In October 2001 when American planes began to bomb Afghanistan Christians all over the Islamic world began to suffer violent reprisals in a series of brutal incidents which far outweighed in size and significance the several outrageous attacks on Muslims which occurred in the West (http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/Archive/News%20Archive/News-081101.htm). In Indonesia four Christians were dragged from their cars and beaten by Muslim students, in Kenya two churches were burned down, and the words “God is Great” and “We condemn America” were carved into the charred remains. In Pakistan several Islamic religious leaders issued a fatwa in September 2001 stating that two Pakistani Christians would be killed for every Muslim who died during American strikes on Afghanistan. In one incident a 13-year-old Christian boy was beaten to death by five Muslim men who refused to pay for a meal they had brought from his stand, saying, “Take your payment from America.” On another occasion five Christian families were dragged from their homes and savagely beaten by Muslim mobs during anti-American protests. In the year and a half since the events of 11 September 2001 and the war in Afghanistan, and over a year after the prospect of a new war in Iraq was first raised, the world is now more polarised than ever. As the war progresses Christians in Iraq and other parts of the Islamic world face the prospect of more prejudice and aggression from conservative Muslim neighbours. Despite the fact that most Christian living in the Islamic world are themselves opposed to the war, and Church leaders have repeatedly declared their opposition, it is their churches, homes and families which face the prospect of bearing the brunt of extremist retaliation. PRAY Pray for protection for vulnerable Christians in Iraq and other countries in the Islamic world. Pray that no single attack will occur, and for good relations with Muslim neighbours. Pray for a swift end to the conflict in Iraq with a minimum loss of life on all sides. Pray for the grieving relatives of those who have died, both civilians and soldiers, and for healing and recovery for those who have been injured. BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE The Barnabas Fund’s e-mail news service provides our supporters with short urgent news briefs and prayer requests for suffering Christians around the world. Please do share these news items with your Christian friends and churches. All news items are available on our website in a more colourful user-friendly presentation format which you can access, print and pass on. If you are not already receiving these news briefs directly from the Barnabas Fund and would like to, please contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and details of the church you attend. The Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK, Tel 01672 564938, Fax 01672 565030, E-mail info@barnabasfund.org Web www.barnabasfund.org