Easter, which changes you!

Luke 24:13-35
March 31st 2024, Fifth Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Last week, we learned the Jewish and Roman trials that Jesus underwent, his crucifixion and death. Today, we will continue the study.

At early dawn on the first day of the week, two women went out to anoint the body of the Lord with spices and ointments, but it was not there. Then two men (angels) told them that he had risen. The women went to the disciples and told all these things to them.

Cleopas and another disciple were on their way to Emmaus. They had lost hope because of the Lord's death on the cross. Then the Lord came to them and taught them from the Scriptures. When they were about to have a meal together, they realized that it was Jesus. Let us learn three things: First, the Lord is still alive today, draws us near and walks with us. Second, He is still alive today, and faces us. Third, He is still alive today, and does change us.

They were changed from a state of hopelessness and returned to Jerusalem, being filled with hope. When we face the Lord, communicate with Him, and walk in the way he teaches us through His Word, He will change us too. Let us believe in the Lord, face Him, and rely on Him as we walk our lives!

<The Verse of the Bible>

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Luke 24:32 (English Standard Version)

Behold the man!

John 19:1~18
March 24th 2024, Fourth Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Jesus was put on trial by the Jews at midnight and was sentenced to death. Next, he was put on trial by the Romans, and the governor Pilate did everything he could in order to get him released, since he found no guilt in Jesus. He tried to convince the Jews to get him released by showing them Jesus cruelly beaten with a special Roman whip (which was made of short leather thongs with small metal pieces).　Then Pilate said, “Behold the man!” but the Jews cried out that Jesus should be crucified. Their voice was stronger, so that the death penalty was confirmed, and Jesus was crucified and died.

Let us learn from the two words told by Pilate during this trial:

The first one is “Where are you from?” This question means “Who are you?” This is also a question for us. I wonder who do we believe is Jesus, as we walk our lives? Depending on that perception, the way we walk will be different.

The second one is “Behold the man!” He was not just an ordinary human being. He was God who became flesh, suffered and died instead of us. It is important that we keep seeing Him.

We will learn about the resurrection of Jesus on the coming Holy Day. Let us always walk with our eyes on the Lord who became flesh, died and rose again for us!

<The Verse of the Bible>

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"

John 19: 5 (English Standard Version

Peter who denied the LORD

Mark 14:53-72
March 17, 2024, Third Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

When Jesus was arrested, his disciples ran away, but later Peter got worried and followed Jesus. Then, he denied the Lord three times. We would like to draw lessons from this passage.

First, we must walk close to the Lord, enlightened by the true light. Until then, Peter had been following the Lord and always walking close to Him. However, at this time, he was walking away from Him both physically and spiritually. We should always walk close to the Lord. Also, it is important to walk close to the Lord’s church.

Second, we must remember that great gaps begin with small gaps. Probably, Peter never thought that he would deny the Lord. However, he began to deny Him more and more strongly. We also need to be careful.

Third, we must remember the great and unchanging love of the Lord. Peter broke down and wept when he heard the rooster crowing for a second time. That might be because he felt he was pathetic, but also, I think it was because he came to realize that the Lord had known everything and still loved him.

Remember today’s lesson, always remember the love of the Lord, and walk close to Him!

<The Verse of the Bible>

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14: 72 (English Standard Version)

The time and the plan of God

Genesis 45: 1-11
March 10th 2024, the 2nd Holy day
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The Church Building Dedication Commemoration Service falls on today. Let us learn from the walk of Joseph who had consecutively experienced hardships.

Firstly, God sees over everything beyond times. Joseph had a strange dream, in which his brothers bowed down to him. He could not probably understand what it meant, but God was knowing while seeing over everything. Such God Himself walks with us.

Secondly, God has His own time and plan. Joseph had a chance to get out of the prison, but he was forced to stay there for two more years because the chief cupbearer forgot about him. But it turned out to be the time of God, and afterwards, Joseph came to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Let us be reminded that the time and the plan of God does exist.

Thirdly, God leads us in the best way. From a human perspective, Joseph’s experiences seemed to have had the worst consequences, but in effect, he and his family turned out to be fed even in a famine. We need to believe that God leads us to the best beyond our thoughts.

Let us not adhere to our own time and plan. Instead, let us walk faithfully, trusting God Almighty and committing ourselves to Him!

<The Verse of the Bible>

So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 45: 8 (English Standard Version)

The prayer in Gethsemane

Mark 14: 32-42
March 3rd 2024, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The 31st of this month is the day of Easter/Resurrection commemoration service. Before then, let us learn about the Passion of Jesus once again. Today, we learn from the passage where Jesus prayed in Gethsemane.

Firstly, the Lord was sorrowful and suffered to the point of dying on our behalf. It was because he knew the relationship with God the Father would be broken. That was to save us. We also suffer from time to time, but let us remember that the Lord suffered so much for our sake.

Secondly, the Lord obeyed the will of God the Father as he confided his heart in prayer. Though he honestly confessed his thoughts, he believed that the will of God the Father was the best. Let us do the same, pray and obey God’s will.

Thirdly is that, the Lord had already been a victor through prayer. After the prayer, Jesus went straight to the cross without any hesitation. He had already won the victory at the time of prayer.

There will surely be hardships in our lives, but following the role model of the Lord, let us also pray to God and let us be victorious!

<The Verse of the Bible>

And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Mark 14: 36 (English Standard Version)