AGAPE NUGGETS

PRAYING AS JESUS PRAYED

In Matthew 26: 36-41, we have the record of Jesus praying during the last phase of his ministry on earth to redeem mankind. It was the night of his arrest, which led to his mockery of a trial and his unjust crucifixion. All these were the perfect will of God the Father and the absolute submission by Jesus to his Father’s will. There was no alternative in the comprehensive redemptive plan of the Triune God!
To his disciples, Jesus said: Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak(verse 41).

He had taken the remaining 11 disciples(Judas Iscariot excluded), to the scene which was familiar to the group of 13; Garden of Gethsemane. There also, he selected 3 of them; Peter, John and James, to draw closer, as he agonized in prayer, face downwards, knowing that the hour of his great mission to the cross drew near. He withdrew a short distance away from the 3, in order to agonise in prayer before God. Jesus focused on his mission and prayed. That was his place and moment of victory. His natural human flesh struggled with his ready and willing spirit. It was very difficult for the sinless and holiest to be treated as the worst offender because of the impending death on the cross; a judgement reserved for the accursed!

Jesus prayed saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Having prayed thus, the victory was won. He was fully prepared to go to the cross! Matthew 26:42. An angel came from heaven to strengthen him. As Jesus agonized in prayer, he sweated a mixture of blood and water! Then he arose and went to his weary and sleepy disciples, arousing them. (Luke 22:43-46).

HALLELUJAH CHRIST IS RISEN!

We shall continually rejoice in his great love. The Holy Ghost who was responsible for the birth of Jesus, also took active part in raising him up from the grave! Glory be to God!

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:11.
May we continually experience the transforming power of the Resurrection of Christ. Amen. Rejoice in the LORD always. Shalom.

THE LOVE OF JESUS

The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 2 Corinthians 5:14 Christ as our substitute and representative died in our stead. When Christ was flogged at the whipping post, he took my punishment; and my diseases and weaknesses were laid upon him. He took our sins and guilt and broke the grip and power of sin over us. He destroyed the power of sin. He destroyed the power of Satan and death over us. He stood in our stead as substitute.

When Jesus died on the cross, I died! So did all true believers in Christ. We died to sin and all its woes. We died to the works of the flesh. Sin shall have no more grip or hold upon me and you. He hung on the cross carrying the sin of all mankind, right from Adam and Eve, including that of Mary his mother, till the last baby ever to be born in human history. What a great feat! Thanks be to God.

We have been set free. Sin has no more dominion over us. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is relatively quite easy for a person to suffer or even to die for a well behaved and kind person in the community. It is difficult to do so for a wicked and hardened criminal. But God demonstrated his love to us all in that while we were yet sinners; in the most despeakable and repulsive state, he sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for us.

(Romans 5: 6-8).

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved. (John 3:17).

Truly, Jesus Christ died over two thousand years ago for the sin of mankind. It was very necessary and inevitable that the anger of the Holy and just God be pacified. His eyes are too holy to behold sin. Therefore God took the bold initiative to effect reconciliation between himself, who was offended, and mankind, who are the offenders!

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that anyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:14-15).

Jesus Christ offered himself as the sacrifice. He was arrested and he went through series of unjust trials before the religious leaders of his days, king Herod and Pilate, the governor. He was assaulted, slapped, flogged and spat upon.

That was to fulfil the prophecy: Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Jesus was crucified on a rugged cross, where his blood was shed by piercings through his hands, feet and ribcage. Earlier on, his brow was severely bruised with a crown of thorns! His entire look was marred beyond recognition! Such was the treatment meted out to the Saviour of the world. Despite all the cruel treatment, Jesus did not complain, neither did he resist the maltreatment. “As a sheep is dumb before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.”

So did Jesus go all the way to die on the cross for my sins and those of the rest of mankind. Thanks be to God.

The conclusion of the message is that: Jesus died on the cross. His shed blood washes us clean from sin. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. The third day he arose from the grave and remains alive for evermore. “The taste of the pudding is in the eating.” Jesus Christ, who never sinned, became sin; died for you and me in our stead.

If you shall confess Jesus as Lord with your mouth, and shall believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

For with your heart you believe and are made righteous. And with your mouth you confess and you are saved.

The LORD makes good his promises to all those who come to him, even those who call upon him. Whether young or old, whether Jew or gentile, whether rich or poor. There is no discrimination. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:8-13).

Come to Jesus today. Call upon him now.

Tribute To The Duke

I remember in 1956 during the visit to Nigeria by Her Majesty The Queen. He was immaculately dressed and stood beside her as Consort. As a young boy in the Primary school, I watched with admiration from a distance at the Lafenwa Train Station in Abeokuta. There a Civic Reception was held for the august visitors. It was a brief stop over, enroute to Ibadan, the then capital city of Western Region.

From the memorable occasion at Abeokuta, a great interest was aroused in me. However, there came several other times of views from afar, brought nearer home by courtesy of the television services across the globe. There I could see a tall, handsome, well- dressed, stockily built and well-poised gentleman. His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

I could talk about several other occasions during which I watched the Duke. Talk of his graceful and confident walk, accompanying Her Majesty The Queen for the State Opening Ceremony of Parliament and the Speech from the Throne. Each annual event was indeed made unique and impeccably splendid by his visibly humble commitment and patriotism.

Scenes which I remember with admiration include the Flypast watched from the Balcony during the Annual Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen. He stood with the distinguished combined poise of the consort, father, grandfather and leader of the family.

Dear LORD, So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12. As the Queen leads the Royal Family, at this period of mourning, we join in condolences and prayers for grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Adieu Your Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

*#POINTED PRAYERS 1#*

This early morning; Even in the noontime; Still all day long, will I cry unto You, O LORD. You will hear me and answer me speedily.

Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth: unite my heart to fear your name. Amen.

Show me a token for good; that those who hate me may see it, and be ashamed; because you, LORD, has helped me, and comforted me. So I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Applying Psalms 88:11,17.