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Articles by Betty Hassler

The Greatest Mystery Ever: What the Cross Tells Us about Their Relationship

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I love a good mystery. My favorite mystery writer is Mary Higgins Clark, and I’ve managed to collect all but a few of her entire works. But the greatest mystery ever told is why God chose to redeem mankind through Christ’s death on the cross. This week we’ll explore the mystery of the cross – foolishness to the unsaved but the power of God to those who claim Him as Lord and Savior (I Cor. 1:18).

 

What the Cross Tells Us about Their Relationship

 He entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 

1 Peter 2:23

IMG_3399Some people don’t care for the book, The Shack. Personally, I find the author’s depiction of the relationship between God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit amazing. The godhead practically fall all over each other praising each other. It’s like an “un-vicious” cycle.

And how true to Scripture. God said of Jesus, “This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him” (2 Pet. 1:17, HCSB). Jesus said of His Father, “By myself I can do nothing; for I seek not to please myself, but him who sent me” (Jn. 5:30). And the work of the Holy Spirit is to draw all of us to Christ (Jn. 14:26)!

So how did this mutual admiration society wind up with one of its members on a cruel cross?

When I was a preschooler, I loved to climb to a high place and jump into the arms of my father. He successfully caught me so many times that I would have willingly jumped to him from the roof of our house if only I could have gotten up there. But one fateful day, he missed. Mom called to him from another room, and he got distracted. I landed flat belly and still have a scar under my chin to prove it.

God is the only trustworthy Father. We know this because Jesus trusted Him with His life! You see, Jesus knew the plan. He knew that God would raise Him from the dead and that at the end of time, Jesus would receive all authority in heaven and in earth. (See Eph. 1:20-22 and Phil. 2:10-11.)

It’s one thing to know that in theory but quite another to act on it in reality. In the garden, Jesus prayed for another alternative, some other way for God to achieve His victory over sin, death, and hell. But when the time came, Jesus trusted.

What is your trust quotient with Father God? What are you holding back or holding on to? Jump into His arms today. He’ll catch you.

Trusting God, who never fails,

Betty

The Greatest Mystery Ever: What the Cross Tells Us about Jesus

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I love a good mystery. My favorite mystery writer is Mary Higgins Clark, and I’ve managed to collect all but a few of her entire works. But the greatest mystery ever told is why God chose to redeem mankind through Christ’s death on the cross. This week we’ll explore the mystery of the cross – foolishness to the unsaved but the power of God to those who claim Him as Lord and Savior (I Cor. 1:18).

 

What the Cross Tells Us about Jesus

For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many. 

Mark 10:44, HCSB

IMG_3397Jesus said the words in today’s Dose verse. He knew he came to earth to die. But first, he would show us what God is like. After all, He and God were One! The picture Jesus painted of God was that of a servant. Healing, teaching, comforting, washing feet, even correcting – I like those images.

In truth, I don’t like the image of Jesus dying on the cross. I would rather see the one of Him emerging from the tomb on Easter Sunday morning. But Jesus as servant is also Jesus as suffering servant. He came to die, so that we might live.

What does the cross tell us about Jesus? First, Jesus’ motive was love. If God is love, and Jesus is God, then Jesus is love, as well. His most significant act of love was His death on the cross—not for His benefit but for ours. Paul said,

“Walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”

Eph. 5:1-2

Second, Jesus had a choice. He could have called 10,000 angels to rescue Him from that tree, but instead He chose death. That’s why His death is called a sacrifice and not a murder or a killing. Jesus gave all He had voluntarily! Third, He was obedient to His Father (Phil. 2:8). Jesus left heaven, giving up His royalty and equality with God, to humble Himself as a mere human. In the garden, He prayed, “Not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39).

Fourth, Jesus was leaving us an example. Peter said we are to walk in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21). That’s great, right? I’d love to visit the Holy Land and walk where Jesus walked. Unfortunately, that’s not what Peter meant. Peter said Jesus’ example was as a suffering servant. That means we will suffer for our faith, also. “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called” (I Pet. 2:20-21).

Following Christ’s example means being a living sacrifice, pleasing to God in all things. If we are not willing to make that commitment, then we are not followers of Jesus. Have you asked Him to be more than your Savior, the One who paid the ransom for your sins? Let Him be your Lord—master of everything.

Following Christ, who followed His Father,

Betty

The Greatest Mystery Ever: What the Cross Tells Us about God

Posted on: by: Comments: Leave a comment

I love a good mystery. My favorite mystery writer is Mary Higgins Clark, and I’ve managed to collect all but a few of her entire works. But the greatest mystery ever told is why God chose to redeem mankind through Christ’s death on the cross. This week we’ll explore the mystery of the cross – foolishness to the unsaved but the power of God to those who claim Him as Lord and Savior (I Cor. 1:18).

 

What the Cross Tells Us about God

 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 

1 Cor. 1:25

Version 2Recently my pastor challenged each of his Wednesday night Bible study class members to present his or her interpretation of the meaning of the cross. For example, did we agree with the penal substitution theory, or the ransom theory, or the victory theory—to name a few.

In case some of you are rolling your eyes right now, let me encourage you to read on. How you feel about the cross is the most important decision you’ll ever make. In fact, it’s a matter of life and death! Your opinion on this topic makes the difference for every daily decision, every thought, every action. It determines how you live your life.

So I took up his challenge. In the process of formulating my answer, I had to deal with the five issues represented by the Daily Dose titles for this week. So let’s jump in. What does Jesus dying on the cross tell us about God the Father? First, it tells us God loves us so much He was willing to sacrifice His only Son to save us from the penalty of sin (John 3:16-18). Why does He love us that much? Because we are His children, made in His image. Read 1 John 3:1. Yes, right now!

Second, it tells us God had a plan. When His original intention for fellowship with mankind was marred by the sin of Adam and Eve, He set His plan in motion. You see, our sin wasn’t a surprise that caught God off guard. He’d anticipated it from the foundation of the world (1 Cor. 2:7). Paul said our salvation was given to us in Christ Jesus “before time began” (1 Tim. 1:9).

Third, it tells us God’s plan worked. “For all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23) but “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are adopted “sons” and restored us into full fellowship with Him (Gal. 4:4-7).

God’s plan was so foolish, it was wise! It was wiser than all of mankind’s wisdom. If you share God’s plan with a relative, co-worker, or friend, and if that person says it all sounds silly, then she is just being a foolish human!  (See 1 Cor. 1:18.) Don’t let her attitude stop you. Once the Spirit grabs hold of her, He will reveal God’s truth—the truth of His love.

Loving God, who first loved us,

Betty