Running Into Jesus

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Running Into Jesus

9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

Matthew 28:1-4

When you chose to seek Christ and do His will, you will never know what blessings Jesus will have just around the corner for you. Mary Magdalene and Mary had gone to perform the death ceremony with Jesus body. Instead they found and empty tomb and a relaxed angel sitting on the stone door. They were then told that Jesus was alive and to go and tell the disciples. Without hesitation, they ran away to accomplish their mission but Jesus wasn’t done with them just yet.

Even before going to heaven, as we’ll learn in the next few verses, Jesus decided to stay back on earth for just a little bit, waiting just like the angel did at the tomb. Why did he wait? The risen Lord and King of the universe waiting for two women. Let that sink in for just a second. Even before seeing his own heavenly Father, whom he had been separated from with death, Jesus’ love for humanity and these two women kept him on earth. He waiting to just give them a word of encouragement.

“Rejoice!” That is what Jesus said. It’s not that they needed it. They had believed the empty tomb and the angel. No. I believe Jesus appeared to them because he knew they simply desired it in their hearts. They longed to see his face alive as they had only days before seen it lifeless and dead.

For a second time, they are told to tell the disciples but this time it is Jesus himself. What a blessing that must have been for them. These two women weren’t just in the background in Jesus’ life. He cared for them just as much as his twelve apostles. They all had a role to play in the salvation of the world. Their voices would be just as important. It was actually their voices that allowed the disciples to know the good news.

What miracle and blessing does God have in store for you today? If your heart and mind and seeking him, I’m sure you will find out.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

Shaking with Fear

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Shaking with Fear

1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

Matthew 28:1-4

The reaction to humans when they experience a moment with God or angels is always interesting. Fear seems to grip a human when something heavenly appears in its glory. It doesn’t matter whether they are a believer or non-believer. Many times the Bible says that people fall to the ground, face down. Here the guards became like dead men, unable to move or run away. These were the type of guards that could face death and armies, but here all that courage is drained away. When holy men experience something like this, there is not much difference.

Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look at God before the burning bush. Isaiah said he was undone as he stood in the temple before God. Before God, it doesn’t matter how good you may be, your sins bring you to your knees.

The angel in this story on the other hand seems very relaxed. Even as the earth shakes, the angel simple rolled back a massive stone and then simple sat on it waiting. There was no fear with the angel. Even though he was in evil territory, a place where the Devil reigned, he was not perturbed. He knew who was in the tomb. He knew he was alive. He knew he was on the winning side.

And then there’s us. How will we react when we come face to face with God? For most, if not all of us, this will probably only happen in the Second Coming. We will look up and see God and all his angels up in the sky. If you have not been faithful or true to your belief, you will scream in terror and plead for death as the reality of God will be above you and the judgement of God will be in your heart.

If you have been faithful and true to your faith, it will be completely different. You will stand in awe at the sight and as God transforms you in the blink of an eye, all fear and worry will melt away from you. You will be filled with immense love and joy. You will become like that angel sitting on the stone knowing that you were on the right and winning side.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

Day of Preparation

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Day of Preparation

62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Matthew 27:62-64

This small paragraph is a very interesting section in Jesus crucifixion story. It begins with something of an irony. The paragraph specifically mentions that it was the Preparation Day. This meant it was Friday, a day to prepare oneself for the Sabbath. This usually entailed, bathing, cleaning the house, preparing food for the next day and also your heart for the Sabbath. When you look at the religious leaders however, all they are preparing is to foil God’s plans through Jesus. How far they had walked away from God. Even dead, they feared the power of Jesus. They had seen the miracles and heard the messages. Deep down they knew he was who he was saying. That didn’t keep them from trying to stop Jesus and God.

The other really interesting part in this paragraph is that it clearly shows they knew what Jesus was trying to say while still alive. Jesus was killed for claiming to want to destroy the Temple. That was the main argument used against his in his trial. Yet here we are clearly shown that they knew that Jesus was talking about himself and his body when he spoke about the Temple. They understood the message even while many of the non-educated masses did not. This shows that they rejected Jesus, not through ignorance, but with full knowledge of the truth. They simply didn’t like the truth that Jesus was offering.

How weak these men of power seem. They fear the disciples, who at this point are already hiding themselves. Their insecurity is clearly seen by there desperate attempt to control the situation. Everything that Satan gives is false. His power is false. His security is false. His joy is false. These leaders chose what was false instead of what was real.

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Matthew 27:65-66

Pilate with his own false power agrees with the leaders and sends guard. They surround the tomb. They place a heavy rock at the entrance and seal it. They do everything a human can. It isn’t enough when put up in front of God. Friday is setting and dark but Sunday is coming…

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

Joseph’s Tomb

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Joseph’s Tomb

57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.

Matthew 27:57-58

Joseph was a rich man. He was also a disciple. He was the man that asked for the dead body of Jesus. It was in his tomb that Jesus’s body was laid. It was his tomb that they put the large rock and placed guards. It was his tomb that was opened by angels and Jesus walked out alive. You would think that a man connected to such an important part of Jesus life would be well known. He is written in all four gospels but this is the only place where his story is told. He was the disciple, some say a secret one, who gave up his new grave for the Messiah.

I believe that the Bible puts it this way because Joseph represents all those who accept Jesus. We all give up our eternal graves to him so that we don’t have to use them. Joseph’s small story is the gospel in miniature form. Jesus died to take our place in the grave.

59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

Matthew 27:59-61

The text says that after doing so much Joseph simply departed. He like all the other believers believed that this was the end of Jesus’ story. He was to be king but now he was dead. The end. How wrong Joseph and the others ended up being. The true mission of Christ and the purpose of the disciples was only now just beginning.

Sometimes we also believe something is done. Without knowing the full story we sometimes give up on something and walk away like Joseph. But let us remember that Jesus is master of the impossible. Where we believe something is done, Jesus is only beginning. Let us always keep that in mind.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

This was the Son of God

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This was the Son of God

54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Matthew 27:54

The Romans are always portrayed as the bad guys in the New Testament. The soldiers were a terror to God’s people and were the ones to put the nails in Jesus’ hands and feet. And yet here in this verse, one centurion was able to see what so many Jews couldn’t. As the man saw Jesus die and the earth react with such impact, he recognized the divinity of Jesus. He is one of the few to call Jesus the Son of God in those days.

We can never prejudge anyone. The one we may think could never understand the truth may turn out to be the only person who does.

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

1 Corinthians 1:27-28

Only God knows the heart of people. Only he knows who will be open to the truth and who won’t be. When we avoid or bypass people, we put ourselves in the place of God. We must give everyone a chance to know the truth. What they do with that knowledge is between them and God.

55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Matthew 27:55-56

It’s also interesting to see that those who did believe were also there, though afar. Yet it never says that any of them ever said ‘He was the Son of God’. Isn’t that interesting? Sometimes we miss or take for granted that we know what is going on. Had their hearts been open as the centurion, perhaps they too would have spoken the truth. Let us look at our own lives and not take anything for granted. Let us not be blinded when a truth is before us.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

Raised from the Dead

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Raised from the Dead

52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Matthew 27:52-53

Verses 52 and 53 are some of the most controversial and questioned parts of the crucifixion story. The questions are obvious. Who exactly resurrected? What it some of the famous men of the past- David, Abraham, Daniel or Esther? Or what is people who had recently died who the people of Israel would recognize? What happened to them when they walked into the city? Did they just go on living their normal lives or were they also taken to heaven as Jesus was?

One would assume that it was no one exceptionally famous as they would have been mentioned by name. So the common thought is that they recently deceased people, which many would recognize and see as a true miracle.

In the end, the actual people are not as important as the event itself. What happened here was a glimpse as to why Jesus dying was necessary. We can have life again because of his sacrifice. He not only can forgive sins but give life to whom he chooses. Paul talks about the importance of this as well.

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

1 Corinthians 15:12-14

We must all understand and believe in the reality of the resurrection. If you don’t truly believe in that, you don’t truly believe in God’s greatest gift for us. But Paul gives us the true answer just a few verses later.

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have [d]fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23

What Jesus is promising us is real. Make sure your faith in that is sure.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

A Cry and a Veil

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A Cry and a Veil

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Matthew 27:50-51

The story of the cross is a story of anguish. It doesn’t try and hide the fact that Jesus suffered from beginning to end. It also makes it clear that Jesus was always in control. He could have saved himself. He could have stopped the pain. He could have given up. He didn’t.

Jesus gave up his spirit with a loud cry. He went as far as his earthly body could take him. He didn’t cut any corners. He followed his mission until the bitter end. He gave up his spirit willingly for all those yelling and cursing at him. He gave it up for the soldiers who nailed his hands and feet to the wood. He gave it up to the Pharisees and priests who cursed him. He gave it up from Adam until the last person born on this earth. He gave it up for you and me.

The world would never be the same after that moment and the earth physically showed us that. The earth quaked and rocks were split. Graves were opened but we’ll talk about that next week. The veil in the temple of God was ripped in two. The author makes sure to let us know that it was ripped from the top down- from heaven to earth. The veil that separated God from man was no longer needed now that the blood of Jesus was poured out. The veil that kept us separated from our creator was now gone. We could now see him more clearly through the life and sacrifice of his son.

12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Because we are still here in this sinful world, we still don’t have a perfect view or vision. There is still much to learn and see about God but what a giant leap the cross was for us. For those willing to see, you can clearly see the love, patience and purpose of God. For those willing to gaze at the cross, you can see what God desires and offers to you.

We still might see dimly, but what is visible is enough for your salvation. Will you take the time to truly see what God was trying to show you of himself on that cross?

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

Elijah’s Return

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Elijah’s Return

47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. 49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”

Matthew 27:47-49

It’s understandable why the people thought he was calling Elijah. Jesus had just finished saying ‘Eli, Eli…’ But Elijah was all the way back in the Old Testament. Why would they wonder if Elijah could come and save him? It’s actually a very important part of Judaism.

Every Passover, Jews open their doors and put an extra cup of wine at the table. The hope is that one day Elijah will come in and partake with them. Elijah’s return in seen as a sign of the Messiah’s return. It all comes from this scripture:

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 6 And he will turn, The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

Malachi 4:5-6

Remember that the Bible says that Elijah never died but was taken up to heaven alive. That with Malachi created the idea that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah. That is also why John the Baptist is called Elijah by Jesus.

11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Matthew 11:11-14

Unfortunately all those waiting would never see Elijah come. They had missed the signs of what the Bible was really saying. Elijah came through John and the Messiah had come through Jesus but here they were watching their Messiah die on a cross without knowing it. May we not copy the same errors in our day. May we study and know what God is showing us.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto

Forsaken by God?

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Forsaken by God?

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46

This has always been the one single verse in the Bible that truly shocks and strikes me deeply in my heart. We know that Jesus didn’t play or act. We know that when he spoke, the words he used were the true thoughts and feelings or his heart. Jesus never lied. So when he yells out, questioning why his Heavenly Father had forsaken him, that was truly what Jesus was thinking and feeling.

In that moment, he neither felt God nor did he understand God’s actions or lack of actions in his life. How low did our creator get in this word of sin to have him reach this point? How much pain and agony was he in to yell out such words?
After doing everything right, Joseph found himself in a pit, then as a slave and finally in jail. After doing everything right, Daniel saw his country destroyed, found himself a slave to Babylon and finally in the lion’s den. After doing everything right, Paul found himself constantly running away, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry, thirsty and finally imprisoned by Rome.

Although we will never know, thankfully so, the depths or pain that Jesus was in, we all do have our moments on our own spiritual crosses. We will all pass through painful moments when it feels like we are all alone- but we are not.

Joseph was never alone in that prison. Daniel was not alone with the lions. Paul was never alone in all his journeys. God was with them in that darkness just as he was with Jesus. And Jesus is with you too.

20 …and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:20

God bless
Pr Steven Couto

Darkness

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Darkness

45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.

Matthew 27:45

This, for me, is the most difficult time of Jesus’ mission while here on earth. Jesus was with the Father and Spirit before anything was produced. Before anything was created, even before emptiness- before space itself or even time existed, the triune godhead existed without anything else existing. They were one in their existence. That unity continued when time and space began. When the universe and matter and energy were created by the voice of God, that divine unity continued. Even though they now could also have distinctive physical forms separate from each other in this newly created space, they were still of one mind and purpose. Their thoughts and voices, lived within their distinct beings.

Even when the fateful moment occurred that Jesus’ heavenly and godly form was transformed into a human group of cells that multiplied and grew into a baby and finally into a man, the spiritual connection with his Father continued. Whether preaching, healing, walking or laughing, the Father was there. All of Jesus’ miracles were done through his connection to the Spirit and God. One of the universal standards of God is the unity and connection that exists between them. That has always been and always will be- except for this one dark day…

For one day, and specifically for a few dark hours, God was not united and together. For a few dark hours, the universe and God himself was changed. Starting at Gethsemane and culminating to its horrendous peak at the hours of darkness, Jesus was left separated from his Father and from the Spirit. The ever present voice and presence of God was not in Jesus’ mind. For the first time in all of existence, Jesus felt completely alone and in the dark. Amazingly enough, it was at this moment that Jesus truly understood what it really meant to be a sinful human being. It was in these dark hours that Jesus’ heart was ever changed to give even more mercy and understanding to us fallen human beings. He knew how hard and painful it was to feel alone and lost. I believe that in these hours, Jesus became even more determined to free us from this horrible reality.

In truth, just like our existence, Jesus was not truly alone. According to all our senses, the darkness being a physical representation of what Jesus heart was feeling, it seemed and felt that Jesus was alone. He could neither feel, nor hear, nor sense the presence of his Father. How many times do we find ourselves in a similar situation?

But the reality was that God was right there. He was right behind that darkness focused and faithfully believing in his Son. He knew what Jesus was made of. He knew that Jesus would be victorious. He knew that his death would be the greatest victory of all of existence. But he also knew that Jesus had to do it seemingly alone. But he was with Jesus just as he is with us.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto