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"Aha"
February 9, 2003
I
was reading Mark's account of our Lord's death when a single word
grabbed my attention. It was the first word that he heard after he had
been secured to the cross. “And
it was the third hour when they crucified Him. And those passing by
blasphemed Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Aha! You who are
going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save
Yourself, and come down from the cross! In the same way the chief
priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among
themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let
this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that
we may see and believe!" And those who were crucified with Him
reviled Him” (Mk. 15:25,29-32, ).
Of interest, the first word Jesus heard was not a word of
symphathy or support. It was an interjection of surprise, designed to
season the mockery of his enemies: "Aha!"
According to Mark, out of ignorance (Acts 3:17), they
blasphemed, mocked and reviled our Savior.
(1) They laughed at his MIGHT: "You
who destroy the temple and build it again in three days, save Yourself."
(2) They laughed at his MISSION and MESSAGE: "He saved others; Himself He cannot save."
(3) They laughed at his MESSIAHSHIP: "Let
the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross."
Jesus' response? Three days later, he rose
from the dead and his empty tomb silently... victoriously shouted,
"Aha!" The results? Redemption. Forgiveness. Hope!
(Doug Post)
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What is Prayer
Phil Hardy
POSITIVELY:
1)
Prayer
is expressing in words our sincere desires to God (Rom.10:1).
2)
It
is more than meditation and attitude, it is expressing our needs
(1Jn.3:22).
3)
Revelation
is God talking to man, prayer is man talking to God.
4)
The
elements of prayer consist of praise (Matt. 6:9), thanksgiving
(Eph.5:20), confession (Jas. 5:16), petition, supplication, and
intercession (Matt. 7:7-11).
NEGATIVELY:
1) Prayer is NOT a means of informing God
and scolding man (Acts 15:18; Luke 18:9-14).
2) It’s NOT a means of fulfilling our own selfishness (Jas.4:1-4).
3) It is NOT a fire escape to only be used in a disaster (Prov.
2:24-33).
4) It is NOT a means of getting out of doing what God requires (Matt.
7:21).
5) It is NOT an ultimatum issued to God.
6) It is NOT an memorized speech.
(THE
AMBASSADOR, Lexington, TN)
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