The Groaning of the World

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For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. --Romans 8:22-23 Here’s an understatement—we live in a world in pain because of sin. There is plenty of evidence that as Romans 8:22 says “creation has been groaning.” Stress, violence, hatred, wars, disease, shootings, and tragedies are all over the news. In this morning's new cycle we get further news of a madman in a far away land successfully developing rockets whose sole purpose is our annihilation. So, is there any hope for a world like this? Even Christians groan according to our Scripture verse today! Why? You and I are still members of a fallen race, living in a fallen place! But today, maybe you’re not thinking about the hopelessness of the world. Maybe you’re wondering, “Is there any hope for me?” If you are suffering and hurting, God has a prescription for your pain. He has a medicine of hope! You and I may not have any hope in our world today. But we can find hope in the world to come. We have hope because of the promise that Jesus has given us. You and I have the hope of the redemption of our body and of living in God’s presence forever in joy and peace. You may not have any hope in our world today, but you can find hope in the world to come.

What Are You Worth?

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
John 19:1–19

The Romans refined their systems of punishment and execution with an eye toward inflicting maximum pain on the victims. The pinnacle of their work was death by crucifixion, which the historian Josephus called “the most wretched of deaths.” It was not uncommon for healthy prisoners to live for two or even three days on the cross in agonizing pain. The word excruciating that we use to describe awful pain literally means “from the cross.”
Many people struggle with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. But when we properly understand the meaning and purpose of the cross, we understand that we have incredible value. Jesus paid an amazing price for our redemption. The cost of the cross becomes even more astonishing when we reflect that it was part of God’s plan before He ever created the world. Revelation 13:8 refers to Jesus as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Others may hold us in contempt and think us of no value. (They did with Jesus.) We ourselves may struggle to believe that God loves us. But as long as the cross stands in history and memory, we have a vivid reminder of how God views us. God views us as worthy of making a supreme sacrifice. There is no limit to His love, and in the light of that love, we find a value that can never be taken away from us.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The cross is a powerful reminder of the depth and meaning of God’s love for us.