Prayer Service in Malang, June 19, 2012 (Tuesday Evening)

Matthew 27:11-26 is about the second sprinkling of blood Jesus experiences as follows.
Matthew 27:15-22
27:15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.
27:16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
27:17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"
27:18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
27:19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him."
27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
27:21 The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!"
27:22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!"

The Jews faced two kings at that time as follows.
In facts, the Jews choose to release Jesus Barabbas because of the persuading of the chief priests and elders, so Jesus must be crucified. Jesus faces injustice and He must suffer and die.

It is a lesson for us that Christians who reject the sprinkling of blood or suffering together with Jesus will keep their flesh with the lusts, self-truth, and self-interest, so they are easily persuaded and falsely choose the teaching, shepherding, marriage partner, et cetera. Consequently, their future life is destroyed even there is forever perdition.

There is a question for us now, namely “What shall we do with Jesus who is called Christ and already willing to be crucified for us?”
The answer is we have to be willing also to suffer in our flesh together with the Lord and experience cross experience together with Him.

The facts found in it are as follows.
  1. Suffering in the flesh in order to stop sinning or repent and live in righteousness according to God’s will.
    1 Peter 4:1-2
    4:1. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
    4:2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

    Revelation 21:8
    21:8 "But the (1) cowardly, (2) unbelieving, (3) abominable, (4) murderers, (5) sexually immoral, (6) sorcerers, (7) idolaters, and all (8) liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

    We have to repent from these eight sins.

    1. Cowardly. It is especially fear about showing the truth.
    2. Unbelieving or doubting.
    3. Abominable or wickedness.
    4. Murderers or hatred.
    5. Sexually immoral, including false marriage.
    6. Sorcerers.
    7. Idolaters.
    8. Liars.

    We must repent from those eight sins until we do not lie, so we can live according to God’s will, namely in righteousness. It is as eight people who enter the ark of Noah, that they do not falsely choose although they must be mocked by many people.

    Proverbs 10:2
    10:2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.

    As a result, we can be saved from bodily death and spiritual one, referring to sins and the peak, and eternal one in hell.
    Salvation is more than anything in the world such as riches, good position in the office, intelligence, et cetera.

  2. Suffering in the flesh in order to labor and fight for our service and ministry to God until the end.
    Acts 20:24
    20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

    The end means we die or Jesus comes a second time.

    1 Corinthians 15:58

    15:58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

    All our great efforts or fight for doing physical activities in the world are vain because they only go to the tomb. The only great effort or fight which is not vain is activity in service and ministry to God.

    1 Timothy 4:8-10
    4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
    4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
    4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

    It happens because there is double promise of God in the service and ministry as follows.

    1. The assured guarantee of God to preserve our life in the world now until we have beautiful future one.
    2. The assured guarantee for eternal life in heaven.

    We serve and minister to God from now on in the world until we are in the throne of God forever.

    Revelation 22:3
    22:3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

  3. Suffering in the flesh without any sin.
    1 Peter 4:12-14
    4:12. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
    4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
    4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

    There is God’s glory (Shekinah Glory) or the Spirit of Glory behind the cross.

    The function of the Spirit of Glory is as follows.

    1. To give us extra strength to face anything, so we can be joyful facing the suffering.
    2. To change us from flesh men to spiritual ones. The life renewal begins from hard heart which is full of envy, evil, uncleanness and without any love. It is changed to become meek heart which is full of God’s love.

      The meek heart can be seen on our face or five senses as follows.
      • The ears are used only to hear the true teaching Word with obedience.
      • The eyes are only used to see God and His field.
      • The mouth is only used to confess sin, bear witness, and worship God.

      Proverbs 20:12
      20:12.The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both.

      If we have good ears and mouth, there will be God’s power to create all things and make impossible things possible.

      Isaiah 42:19
      42:19 Who is blind but My servant, Or deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is blind as he who is perfect, And blind as the LORD’S servant?

      There is power of God to employ our lifein the revival of building the perfect body of Christ.

      Mark 7:37

      7:37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

      If we have good ears and mouth, there will be God’s power to make all things goodeven perfect as He is. We do not stumble in words but we only worship God from now on in the world until we are on the clouds when Jesus comes a second time. Afterwards, we will be in God’s throne forever.
God blesses you.