Did Christ really sweat blood?

This week in preparation for Good Friday I took some time to read excerpts from Lee Strobel’s book, “The Case for Christ.” The book retraces Strobel’s (the former editor of the Chicago Tribune) journey from atheism to faith. As Good Friday approaches a medical perspective of Jesus’ death may help us better understand the suffering that Christ endured for sin. The following conversation took place between Lee Strobel and Alexander Metherell (a prominent medical examiner and physician who has done extensive research on the death of Christ).

Lee Strobel asked, “Could you paint a picture of what happened to Jesus?” Metherell cleared his
throat. “It began after the Last Supper,” he said. “Jesus went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives—specifically, to the Garden of Gethsemane. And there, if you remember,
he prayed all night. Now, during that process he was anticipating the coming events of the next day. Since he knew the amount of suffering he was going to have to endure, he was quite naturally experiencing a great deal of psychological stress.” Strobel raised
his hand. “Whoa—here’s where skeptics have a field day. The gospels tell us hebegan to sweat blood at this point. Now, isn’t that just overactive imaginations?” Unfazed, Metherell shook his head. “Not at all,” Metherell replied. “This is a known medical condition call hematidrosis. It not very common, but it is associated with a high degee of psychological stress. What
happens is that severe anxiety causes the release of chemicals that break down the capillaries in the sweet glands. As a result, there’s a small amount of bleeding into these glands, and the sweat comes out tinged with blood. [This condition] would set up the skin to be extremely fragile so that when Jesus was flogged by the Roman soldiers the next day, his skin would be very, very sensitive (The Case for Christ p. 260).

We all know something about the weight of sin. However, none of us understands it like Jesus
Christ. The “sinless One” would take humanity’s sin of the past, present and future and place it on himself. The Lamb of God would come to take away the sin of the world.

I am a grateful recipient of this tremendous sacrifice.

Stephen

Put aside the distractions?

Wouldn't you like to have a dollar for every distraction we face in this fast paced world? I am working hard this week leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday to set aside some of these distractions in order that I may focus more on the sacrifice that was paid for my sin. Maybe just maybe I will lay these distractions aside and choose to never pick them up again.

Just as a woman in Bethany anointed Jesus with her expensive perfume this week I want to anoint him with my thoughts of gratefulness.

Abiding!

Stephen

Are you Wise?

On this Monday leading up to Holy Week I have been reading and reflecting on Jesus, his teachings, and activity. In Luke 21 as Jesus teaches in the synagogues he states, “All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life” (21:17-18). I take great joy in knowing this truth and I take great sorrow in realizing that at the beginning of the next chapter Judas would betray Jesus ushering in the Passion of Christ. I have and continue to “gain life” through the arrest, death, burial and resurrection of my Lord. Jesus promises that even though my hair may turn gray not even a single hair of my head will perish (v. 17). I say, “Praise the name of the Lord!” It is my prayer that Christ would dominate me that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection. Thomas ‘A Kempis wrote, “[The person] is truly wise who looks upon all earthy things as folly that [they] may gain Christ.” Help us Lord to allow your Spirit to make us wise in your eyes.

Abiding!
Stephen

Take time to listen to this song by Phillips, Craig and Dean this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNClAJO2tnQ

Are you as wise as a 1st grader?

Recently, while I was on my living room couch my 7 year old Micah came up behind me and asked, “Dad why can’t I get baptized?” I smiled at him and asked, “Micah why would you like to get baptized?” He replied, “Because Jesus lives in my heart and everyone needs to know about it!” It was a euphoric moment for this father when his young son is demanding to be baptized, that others may know that the one true Living God dwells within him. In eight days I will have an opportunity to baptize my youngest son on Easter Sunday (April 8th). No doubt it will be one of the most memorable Easter Sundays of my entire life.

This morning I read in Matthew 11:25, “And Jesus prayed this prayer: ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves to be wise, and for revealing it to little children. Yes, Father, for it pleased you to do it this way!” (Living Bible, paraphrase) Yes, on April 8th the Father will be pleased as Micah proclaims that the Living God has been revealed to Him and his earthly father will be grateful that he serves a God that cares to reveal himself to 7 year olds.

Whether you are 7 or 77 there is still room in the tank for you on Easter Sunday. It could also be
the most memorable Easter Sunday of your life! If you will be in Lynchburg this Easter and you are interested in baptism you can contact the church office at 434.239.4943.

Sunday is coming!
Stephen

Does the way we live really matter?

Does the way we live and the decisions we make really matter? Recently I have been reading C.S. Lewis’ work entitled “The Screwtape Letters.” The book is a one sided correspondence between “Screwtape” (an undersecretary in the Devil’s hierarchy) and his nephew a junior tempter named “Wormwood” who is trying to recruit a young Christian man (who he calls the patient) to follow Satan. “Screwtape” writes to “Wormwood”….

“I note with grave displeasure that your patient has become a Christian. There is no need to despair; hundreds of these adult converts have been reclaimed after a brief sojourn in the Enemy’s camp and are now with us. All the habits of the patient, both mental and bodily, are still in our favour”(Lewis).

I share this portion of C.S. Lewis’ book because I think many people need to be awakened to the tricks of Satan and his plan to use sin to bring death and destruction. I don’t think that it is
healthy to be fixated on Satan. Why should we when we have been called to “fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12). However, I think that many people in our culture don’t even realize that Satan is waging a war against our souls and that he plans to use the “old habits of our life” against us.

As followers of Jesus Christ we have been called to be set apart for God’s glory. We don’t give our lives to God just to escape hell; we also give our lives to God so that we can truly live now. Satan desires to entice us with the temptations of this world knowing that sin brings death. However, God has come to fill us with His Holy Spirit which empowers us to live abundant
lives. I take great delight in knowing that “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those who hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Abiding in Him!
Stephen Willis

"Empty Me of Me"

Would you take a moment to make this prayer your prayer?

As new life is being seen may an awakening take place in my heart, mind and soul for more of You. As deer pant for water may I thirst for you Father God. eRveal yourself to me through your Word today. I want to know You and the power of your resurrection. “God you reign! Holy is the Lord the God of heaven. You reign forever more” which means for eternity. You have always reigned, you currently reign and your reign will never end. You are the overcoming God who is awesome and great. You overcome sin, death, and the grave and as a result you have brought life to me. I am an over comer who has overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of my testimony. I give you praise!!! I belong to you. No hardship or hunger, pain or depth of sorrow, not weakness or failure or broken dream can take me from your great love. Why? I belong to you forever and forever. Nothing can take me from your great love. I truly do belong to you so it is my prayer that once again today you would "empty me of me and fill me with you."

Stephen Willis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE_ACPRpE9k&feature=related

Check out this link from You Tube and make it an anthem of praise. The link is Chris Sligh's version of "Empty Me." Chris (former American Idol contestant) will be in concert at my brother's church in Charlottesville, Va on April 15th at 3 pm.

This morning my Android phone woke me up at the proper time (I use it instead of a conventional alarm clock), I jumped into a warm shower, put on my Sunday best, climbed into my truck and drove to our worship center on nice asphalt roads. I entered the sanctuary to make sure everything was in its right place. I noticed that all the chairs were uniformed, the temperture felt comfortable, the communion elements had been set in its proper place and all the instruments glistened under the stage lights that were increasing in strength (as they warmed up).

In comparison many people today are waking much earlier than I did in order that they can walk to worship. They didn't have the warm shower or fine clothes and the roads they walk are dusty and dry. Some meet in fear of being found out, others meet under trees, and others meet in abandoned warehouses that don't have the finer tools of worship.

It is my prayer today that we will all come with the right attitude for authentic worship. We have been given so much and we have so much to give thanks for today. Certainly all of our places of worship look much different. However, the technology, fancy instruments, good transportation, or temperture regulated facilities will never satisfy......let us come with grateful hearts realizing that it was the sacrifice of God's Son that makes all the difference in our lives.

Abiding in Him!
Stephen