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The Empty Tomb |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/31/2010 4:54 AM
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After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Early on Sunday morning just after sunrise, they were making their way to the tomb where the men had buried Jesus. They asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
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Cry of Forgiveness |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/30/2010 4:59 AM
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Jesus’ first cry from the cross was, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24). He was laying down His divine authority and identifying with our humanity because of His great love for you, me, and all mankind. The Son of God was being sacrificed as the Lamb of God.
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Tetelestai! |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/29/2010 1:52 PM
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Crucifixion was actually a slow death by asphyxiation. They suffocated until they died. A crucified man had to push his feet against a block of wood to raise his body up to draw in breath. Then, he released his weight until he hung by his wrists. This up-and-down movement must have been agonizing torture for Jesus because of the wounds on His back.
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They Could Not |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/26/2010 7:55 AM
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At this point in history, evil thought that it had won the ultimate battle. Satan had seen Jesus, the darling of heaven, come to earth and bear witness to the Truth of God and His love. He had witnessed love personified as Jesus went throughout the towns and villages healing people and spreading the gospel of love.
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Via Dolorosa |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/25/2010 8:36 AM
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The Roman guard lead the condemned through the city because the Romans displayed the prisoners to be executed as deterrents to others from committing crimes. So Jesus dragged a cross through the cobblestone streets of Jerusalem to the place of His execution. Via Dolorosa means the “way of suffering” and it is marked out in Jerusalem today.
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A Wardrobe Change |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/24/2010 12:20 PM
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Spring is such an amazing time of year - trees budding new leaves, flowers bursting forth new blooms, and grass renewing itself. Even my children seem to have grown and been renewed. It is so amazing to me how much Nathan and Grace change from year to year, including their height and feet growth.
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A Cowardly Ruler |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/23/2010 5:55 AM
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The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead. They could not kill Jesus so they dragged Him to the Roman ruler Pilate. Luke 23:2 says of the leaders “And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.’ ”
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They Fell Down |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/22/2010 10:59 AM
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Jesus had been praying all night long in the Garden of Gethsemane. He poured out His anguished heart to His Father. When Judas led the detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees to Jesus, He knew all that was going to happen to Him. He went out and asked them who they wanted.
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Jesus’ Arrest |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/19/2010 6:38 AM
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The silvery moon shone into the darkness of night. A shepherd’s whistle from far away could be heard. A slight breeze made the leaves of the trees rustle. Even though Jesus had tried to waken the disciples three times, they did not respond in obedience nor in compassion to His grief. Their heavy eye lids shut again and plunged our Lord into the greatest depth of loneliness that He experienced as the Son of Man.
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Feet Washers |
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Devotions and Christ Compels Updates
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By sfmitchell on
3/18/2010 12:26 PM
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It was just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus did something for the disciples that likely burned in their memories for the rest of their days. Through all of the time that they had spent with Him, the disciples still pictured Jesus as a mortal king, who had come to save them from their Roman government oppression.
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