The Thief On the Right

At The Cross (Matthew 27: 34-

The Cross is a place of salvation. It is meant to be a place of reflection on ones relationship with God. What is the
cross to me? What are my actions at the cross?

Before the cross:

 Jesus was betrayed by Judas (mtt.26:47-56)

 He was at the mercy of a godless “Christian” called Caiaphas (Mtt.26:57) who determined his freedom.
 Jesus was denied by Peter (Mtt.26:69-72)
 He was judged by the unbeliever (Pilate and Herod) (Mtt.27:1-end)

At The Cross:

He was given bitterness instead of joy (v.34)

Does my life bring joy or bitterness to the Lord? A thirsty soul needs water (water of life) and not vinegar.
Vinegar is slightly acidic water. It is almost water but not the same. Is my life almost what God wanted or
exactly what God wanted. Though vinegar could bring little relief to a thirsty soul but gall (bitterness) was
added. Jesus rejected this. It is better to lack than to have bitterness.

Lot was casted for his garment

Are you casting lot for God's will or you hear directly from God.

The Apostles casted lot for the replacement of Judas Iscariot and it chose the wrong person. What is the
possibility that your lot will not give a wrong choice? It is better to hear from the mouth of the master.

Jesus cloth was taken away from him and the soldiers were not bothered about his half-nakedness. Do our
actions bring shame (nakedness) to the name of the Lord?
Things to do in the name of the Lord
Matthew 25:35-36. “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger
and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came
to me”

 Feeding the hungry. Giving provision or helping the hungry to get provision.
 Quenching thirst of others. Helping them to achieve their godly desires. Comforting those under stress.
 Helping the strangers.
 Taking care of the sick. Visiting them and praying for them
 Visiting the prisoners and comforting them in their agony.
 LIVING A RIGHTEOUS LIFE
Jesus Wept
“Victory through Christ, we are victors and not victims”. In order not to be a victim, we must be at right
standing with God (Psalm 24:3-6). Jesus wept because the victor has become the victim.

Text: John 11-28-35

 Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus (Jn.11:3)

 He heard of his sickness (v.2)
 Jesus said that the sickness will not lead unto death but for God’s glory. (v.4)
 Jesus deliberately stayed extra 2 days for the sickness to mature (v.5). Why? Because he loved Lazarus.
 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you
may believe. But let us go to him.” (vs.14-15)

Why does he weep then?

Definitely, not because of Lazarus death.

He wept because:

 The disciples were not sure of Jesus security (v.7-8). They were not aware that no man can hurt a righteous
person except God allows it (or the person out of foolishness allowed it, Job.1:10)
 The disciple lacks some spiritual understanding of Jesus words (v.11-13)
 A disciple will prefer to die with Lazarus instead of raising him from the dead (v.16). He did not understand
that a child of God must never commit suicide.
 Martha and Mary allowed people to gather to sorrow with them because of their sorrow (vs.18-19). They
were unable to encourage themselves like David who lost the whole family at Ziglag.
 Martha confesses that there is nothing Jesus cannot do but that he may not be able to raise the dead (vs.21-
25).
 Mary was the gateway to the salvation of the whole family but she was the one that was so much grieved.
Martha went to meet Jesus, but she remained weeping (v.20). She must have been going to the grave to
weep (v.31).

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his
spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus
wept.

 He was moved in the spirit about a child of God’s sorrow.

 Greatly troubled about our faith and reactions to situation. Job’s reaction was totally different to that of
Mary (Job.1:20-22)
 He was surprised about our giving up on God. The sister’s joy and strength (Lazarus) was already laid in the
tomb. The one talent was buried.
Blessed Is The One Found Doing The Right Thing

“Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” Mtt.24:36-51

The state of a man at the time of inspection is very important.

The end of a thing is better than the beginning.

If the righteous turns from his righteousness, all his righteous acts will not be remembered.

When the wicked turns completely to do right, his past evil is overshadowed by the good turn of events.
There is still Some Righteousness On The Earth

John.11:9-10 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not
stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is
not in him.”

When a man decides to walk in the light, in righteousness, he will discover the light of this world.

There is still some light in this world. There are still some righteousness; some justification and some fear of God.

It can only be discovered when we decide to walk in the light.

Elijah thought he was the only one left serving God but he discovered there were some 600 other prophets that
refused to compromise their stands in God.

The NIGHT is a mixture of light and darkness. A compromise between righteousness and gross darkness.

Anyone that walks in compromise state is bound to stumble.

There will be no light in him as long as he walks in darkness.

It is not a matter of walking or moving forward, it must be done right. In total light and not in darkness.

You are the light of the world. A light that refuse to shine because of gross darkness, will also remain in the dark.
When a light shines it may trigger other lights to shine. As more and more light shines, the night could be turn to the
day.

Job, Noah and Abraham were perfect examples of light in the dark world.