Today's Photograph . . . . One Of The Largest Attended Elk Hunting Seminars In Arizona (NPS)
Good Friday . . .
Bible Study Verses
Matthew 27:38-44
Two rebels against Rome were crucified with him. One was on his right and one was on his left. Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads and said, "So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days? Then save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders made fun of him. "He saved others," they said. "But he can't save himself! He's the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross! Then we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if He wants him. He's the one who said, 'I am the Son of God.'" In the same way the rebels who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him.
Matthew 27:54
The Roman commander and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened. They were terrified. They exclaimed, "He was surely the Son of God!" (NIV)
Thoughts
Every July the Desert Christian Archers club in Phoenix, Arizona sponsors an elk hunting seminar where a local guide comes in and graciously shares what he has learned over the years about hunting elk. It's my understanding that the event has become the largest attended elk hunting seminar in Arizona.
It always intrigues me to listen to people state why, or why not, they will be attending the seminar. Some attend any event like this. They are looking at all the vendors' exhibits, having a hot dog, enjoying the presentation, and generally having a great evening with like-minded people. Others are there to learn. Some are beginners and don't have much knowledge about elk and elk hunting, others, experienced elk hunters, accept that they don't know everything there is to know about elk and always walk away having learned something new that will help them in their quest to take one of these magnificent animals. The other group, those that don't attend, usually make it clear that they are better elk hunters than the speaker and couldn't possibly learn anything at the seminar because they already know it all. Many will scoff at the attendees and the speaker as being people that shouldn't be in the woods at all, let alone hunting elk. Some will tell me exactly how to hunt elk and make it clear that I will never kill an elk unless I do it the way they tell me to.
Hmmm . . . I think I'll go to the seminar, you see, I'm one of those that know that I will learn something, even if it's just that I'm accidentally doing something right!
(Cliff S)
Action Point
Three of the four gospels record this scene, where the observers of the crucifixion, which included the religious leaders, mocked Jesus as He hung on the Cross. It intrigues me that the religious leaders didn't recognize what was happening right before their eyes because they were all students of the scriptures, especially the book of Isaiah and the prophecy in Isaiah 53 regarding a coming Messiah. But, they seem to be like the group of elk hunters that "knew it all." They had this all figured out. So, they mocked Jesus and demanded that He miraculously come down from the cross. Some even went so far as to demand that God rescue Jesus, then, they said, they would believe in Him.
You see, what was really going on here is the story of mankind and its relationship with God. Most of mankind demands that God reach out to them the way that they dictate. They demand that they get to make the rules regarding how they will relate to God. That's not how God works. The creation doesn't make demands of the Creator. The most interesting part of this story to me is that God did exactly what they asked Him to do, He rescued Jesus from death, He just did it His way three days later. And the religious leaders didn't get it because of their own pride and blindness.
Now, fast forward a few hours at the scene of the crucifixion. When Jesus died, the Roman Centurion that was there overseeing the crucifixion saw all that had happened, and he got it. The Centurion stated plainly that, "Surely he was the Son of God!" Again, this statement made by the Centurion is recorded in three of the four Gospels, so I think it might be important and maybe we should pay attention to and learn from it.
So, which of the three groups are you in? Is this all new to you and you want to learn about Jesus' death and resurrection and His gift of salvation? If so, read the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and learn what Jesus did for you. If you need help understanding what you've read, go to a local Bible teaching church and get help. If you're a Christian, read the Gospels again and let God show you things you haven't seen before in His word. If you're the know it all and are demanding that God meet you on your terms, after reading the Gospels I have this to say, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Hunting seminars can be a good source of information regarding the animal you are hunting. Go with an open mind and learn what has worked for the speaker(s) and apply what they share with your style of hunting.