tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post754987758684694771..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: Worst day, everPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-27838635525193829122011-04-25T03:16:35.835-07:002011-04-25T03:16:35.835-07:00It's struck me odd, of late, how through the s...It's struck me odd, of late, how through the secularization of Easter, we have turned a time a great tragedy, suffering, death and resurrection, into an event we celebrate with bright summer dresses, bunting, ribbons and candy.<br /><br />One would think that if this were truly a Christian observance, it would be a much more somber occasion. True, we have great joy in the Resurrection, but we so readily gloss over the reasons that this sacrifice was required.<br /><br />Saturnalia and Ishtar have eclipsed our celebrations of the birth, death and resurrection of our Christ.Steve Bervenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02137453259611119361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-75204697730003617092011-04-24T09:41:47.794-07:002011-04-24T09:41:47.794-07:00I wrote elsewhere on the significance of the Passo...I wrote elsewhere on the significance of the Passover and the Exodus as examples of God's great redemptive work...but even they find their greatest expression in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ 1500 years later.<br /><br />I've tried reading the Hebrew Bible as if the New Testament was irrelevant to it—but then it seems incomplete and pointless. The Temple has been out of commission for almost 2000 years, so it has been impossible to properly keep the Mosaic Law; yet at the same time, all the Prophets wrote of a Messiah who is still believed to have not yet come, and whose coming is not even believed in by most people any more, except the most orthodox.<br /><br />And so in lieu of New Covenant fulfilment, we look instead for fulfilment in cultural traditions and various kinds of mysticism; keeping of the Law through dietary regulations and Sabbath observance; and reinterpretation of the substance of our religion through oral traditions.<br /><br />But where is the living, breathing heart of biblical faith: the prophetic, revealed religion that looked forward to fulfilment of God's great covenant promises in the Son of David and Passover Lamb, our great King and Redeemer?<br /><br />And the Good News is: He <i>has</i> come, and will come again in power and glory!Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-162604744400849822011-04-24T09:32:13.231-07:002011-04-24T09:32:13.231-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-18698537058752312752011-04-24T07:14:53.025-07:002011-04-24T07:14:53.025-07:00Ironic, BTW, isn't it? Only the truth of Chris...Ironic, BTW, isn't it? Only the truth of Christ rescues Judaism, yet the leaders still are on the wrong side of Deuteronomy 18:18-22.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-74602709231454270002011-04-24T07:07:32.322-07:002011-04-24T07:07:32.322-07:00If Saturday were the end, Stefan, then there'd...If Saturday were the end, Stefan, then there'd be no interest in the rest of the Bible except as a curiosity, as far as I'm concerned. Having no racial ties to Judaism, I'd have no interest in what (absent the NT) <a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2010/04/must-jew-by-definition-disbelieve-jesus.html" rel="nofollow">seems to me to be a failed religion</a>.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-78373001411707774292011-04-24T00:57:47.313-07:002011-04-24T00:57:47.313-07:00Good thoughts for this in-between day (as Rob poin...Good thoughts for this in-between day (as Rob pointed out).<br /><br />If Saturday was the end of it, there would certainly not have been any Christianity. Jesus' words would have been empty and meaningless and pointless—the words of a deluded madman who'd led a group of gullible followers astray, and nothing more.<br /><br />But then Sunday happened...and it was all true! In the raising of the Son from the grave, all the promises of God (both Father and Son) were authenticated, and the testimony of the witnesses passed on and preserved for posterity, so that all who hear may know and believe that Jesus is both Lord and Christ!Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-24452777156468441252011-04-23T21:16:19.211-07:002011-04-23T21:16:19.211-07:00Amen to that. My Saturday today hasn't been t...Amen to that. My Saturday today hasn't been too great. :/ <br /><br />And what a take on the worst day ever for the apostles. I thought you'd say (like most of us) that Friday would be the worst.<br /><br />But no matter. The BEST day will soon be here. :)Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289347868497438542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-23887603537587976322011-04-23T19:41:14.885-07:002011-04-23T19:41:14.885-07:00I have often wondered what was going through the d...I have often wondered what was going through the disciples' minds on Saturday, and how their short term memory prevented them from recalling the words of their Lord, "destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days." Praise God there was a joyous Sunday after this sorrowful Saturday!Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14534421623031122881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-33086823135615778602011-04-23T14:23:49.457-07:002011-04-23T14:23:49.457-07:00Wonderful thoughts on "worst days". I...Wonderful thoughts on "worst days". I'm so thankful for the disciples and their utter lameness. It reminds me that my own is, at least, <i>familiar</i> to Jesus. How good He is to remain faithful in the midst of our faithlessness.Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-24720671566044153572011-04-23T10:51:29.576-07:002011-04-23T10:51:29.576-07:00Well said, Dan.
Certainly easy to overlook this d...Well said, Dan.<br /><br />Certainly easy to overlook this <i>day between the lines</i>, from our post-Resurrection, no-longer-blind perspective.<br /><br />Thanks for the week-end bonus!<br /><br /><b>Up from the grave He arose; with a mighty triumph o'er His foes; <br />He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever, with His saints to reign. <br />He arose! He arose! <br />Hallelujah! Christ arose!</b><br /><br />Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday.NoLongerBlindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00442745304762344386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-28557738347044931812011-04-23T10:34:23.063-07:002011-04-23T10:34:23.063-07:00Amen and amen.
Thanks for posting this. It really...Amen and amen.<br /><br />Thanks for posting this. It really helped to remind me how to keep this day in perspective. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />michellemichellemabellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09837916152778154094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-63704465448029685752011-04-23T09:11:46.326-07:002011-04-23T09:11:46.326-07:00I wonder if John, who was at the Cross, thought ab...I wonder if John, who was at the Cross, thought about Jesus' words of rising from the dead? He seems different than the others. I'm sure Satan was doing his thing as well, to bring doubt, although he was crushed when Christ said, "It is Finished!" That was a holy heel on his ugly head.<br /><br />Have a blessed and joyous Easter in our Lord's grace and truth and love!donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-7489392745076842492011-04-23T08:52:58.187-07:002011-04-23T08:52:58.187-07:00This was fantastic Dan. Having just been blessed ...This was fantastic Dan. Having just been blessed by yesterday's Good Friday service and anticipating tomorrow's Easter service, I think there tends to be that intermediary timeframe on Saturday that is composed of little more than just heading to the grocery store to pick up those last few things for the wife for the big family dinner tomorrow, so I appreciate this meditation on what today would have meant for the disciples, as well as the anticipation that today is for the believer, looking forward to celebrating the resurrection both tomorrow and every day.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068196575763786944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-18652238876172059432011-04-23T07:06:09.792-07:002011-04-23T07:06:09.792-07:00Excellent perspective. Good stuff to be thinking a...Excellent perspective. Good stuff to be thinking about. Thanks Dan.Becky Schellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17770865501944518003noreply@blogger.com