Friday: Further Thought – Jesus in Jerusalem
The London newspaper headline read: “Woman dead in flat for three years: skeleton of Joyce found on sofa with telly still on” (“Joyce Carol Vincent: How could this young woman lie dead and undiscovered for almost three years?“). Dead for three years in a London apartment, and no one missed her? No one called to check on her? How could this have happened, especially in an era of almost limitless communication?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
When the story first broke, it made international news, though people in London were especially stunned. How could she have been dead for so long and no one knew about it? Yet, without the hope and promise of the gospel, and of the salvation that was so costly to provide for us, we are all doomed to the same oblivion as the poor London woman. But this situation is worse, because there will be no one to find us and even lament over our demise three years or even three billion years after the fact. The current scientific consensus is that sooner or later the entire cosmos will peter out and die in what has been called “The Cosmic Heat Death” or some happy appellation like that. What the Cross tells us, however, is that this view is wrong; instead of eternal oblivion we can have the promise of eternal life in a new heaven and a new earth. With such an incredibly wonderful prospect ever before us, how can we learn not to allow anyone or anything to stand in the way of our getting what we have been offered in Jesus?
Discussion Questions:
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The amazing grace of God,the human race deserving death but God justifies the unjust through the crucification of Jesus.By him we have the right to be called children of God
Wearing Christ's robe of righteousness does not mean that because He was righteous we don't have to be righteous.
It does mean that although Jesus' blood covers our past sins, His Spirit gives us victory over present selfishness and His Righteousness is seen in our actions. The Holy Spirit brings us the motivation of love to replace our selfishness as our basic motivation.
This is how our actions become the righteousness of Christ instead of our own righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10 refers to the Lords robe of righteousness. Isaiah 64:6 tells us why it is needed. Take no credit.
We have been born into sin, not by our own decision but by whom we inherited it. As unfortunate as this is God provided his only son Jesus that whosoever believeth in him, whosever will sacrifice this temporary life no matter the outcome for Gods service in bringing this truth to the forefront shall not perish but have eternal life.
The cross reminds us how Jesus died and live again... for us to hope that theres life after death awaits for us. It teaches us to remember how Jesus suffered just to set us free from sin. .. So we must be aware of the cost... to follow His Righteousness,
The cross reminds us how Jesus died and live again for us to hope that theres life after death awaits for us. It teaches us to remember how Jesus suffered just to set us free from sin.So we must be aware of the cost to follow His Righteousness,
Oh God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you...I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you. Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63. Staying connected to the Lord, putting His Word in our hearts. Asking for His wisdom. I don't want to be like a Pharisee who doesn't recognize Jesus nor do I want to be oblivious to His promptings in my life and miss opportunities to help others who He puts in our path to help. This life would become boring and hopeless long term for me without the Lord.
The parable of the wedding garment opens before us a lesson of the highest consequence. By the marriage is represented the union of humanity with divinity; the wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding. (COL 307.1)
Focusing on our eternal relationship with our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ protects us from being trapped by the sin of legalism and working our way to Heaven...Heaven is never a destination....the New Earth is our final destination.
Mark Marek
San Antonio, TX USA
Scenic Hills SDA Church
So the woman was dead for 3 years and no one knew, but more importantly, how long was she alive while no one knew? It would seem that her life was the tv and not real people. How many today are unknown like this lady? Did she choose this isolation or was it brought upon her by circumstances she chose not overcome?
With a slight restating the 1st question...
1. Why did it take something as intense and as dramatic as the death and the resurrection of the Son of God to conquer death in our behalf? What should this tell us about how central the Cross must be to all our hopes and to all that we believe?
Sin is much worse that we often believe it is. Without a perfect knowledge of God's character, government and purposes, we will be too accepting of sin in our own lives, and it will bring only death as an eternal reward. We will be judged by our deeds, which are depicted as a garment worn by us. How are we clothed today?
2. Dwell more on what it means to be covered in the righteousness of Jesus. How can a proper and balanced understanding of this important concept keep us from falling into either cheap grace or legalism, and why is it crucial that we avoid either extreme?
There is no cheap grace and legalism is a cover for any sin that is harbored. The garment is only received and worn by faith in Christ's life and death for our sin. Once we come to know Him we will become aware of the obvious need and working of this relationship of faith based on the promises, reproofs, corrections and instructions in righteousness from God. We will only fail to have this experience through lack of knowledge (by choice) or unbelief.
Just a small correction re Joyce's life: She was a relatively young woman of 38 and very beautiful, intelligent, accomplished and popular. She was very much involved with real people. It seems that before her life ended, she became involved with one toxic person, which caused her to seek refuge in a women's shelter. (You'll find this in the corrected link.)
While she was connected in social circles, it seems she was disconnected from her family and was probably not connected to any church.
But then I wonder how many of us follow up on people who were once in church with us but stopped coming? Could one of our own members die as Joyce died?
Of course, the intended point of the story is that while this woman's death seemed to be insignificant, since no one noticed, the death of Christ was and is of universal significance because it provided the way of salvation for all mankind.
Tragic at any age or situation. (thank you for the updated link Inge)
Also, my comment should read "...chose not to* overcome?"
It's sad when anyone comes to the place of feeling hopeless, accepting their circumstances as unchangeable. What we know is too good to keep quiet about it!
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I am ignorant of a link to someone's death, and from what little I have learned it was a tragic affair of sorts. Without seeming callous it is an example of a cruel, sinful world that we exist in. The headlines of every type of thoughtless behavior are nearly a daily occurrence. We have to ask ourselves , who rules this world? From other accounts it seems things are mixed up. Who do we accuse? The good guys or the bad guys?