The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and the shadow of death, on them a light has dawned. - Matt. 4:16
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
"O death where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
- 1 Cor. 15:54b-55
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. - Rev. 21:4
7 comments:
Matt:
What fitting passages of
scriptures for this day of
resurrection, praise the
Lord he has indeed risen.
Jacob M. Aho
Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Happy Easter, Brother Matthew!
SP
Thanks Jacob and SP for the Easter wishes, happy Easter to you both also.
S.P.,
Sorry about not answering you on my last post but I guess I couldn't think of anything good to say really. What do I think of Pontius Pilate? I guess I would hope I think of him whatever is written in Scripture and of course the creed, "crucified under Pontius Pilate." He is an interesting character though. I've always found the verse in John where he asked "what is truth," to Jesus to be a very interesting line. But I'm probably guilty of always imagining that Pilate was some kind of modern despairing agnostic which is most likely not close to the truth.
Since you asked me, I'll ask you... What do you think of Pilate?
Matt,
What did I say about apologizing on your own blog?
Anyway, I was hoping my query wouldn't boomerang but I suppose I need to play fair. I also do not have a good answer (which was why I was hoping you did). You mentioned that you hope you think of Pilate whatever is written in scripture. But that is difficult as even the gospels all disagree a little. I mean, Luke and John can't even agree whether Barabbas was a murderer or just a robber. But I digress.
I think more than anything, Pilate was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is clear that he didn't want to be involved in this. His fear is stated in the gospels--Matthew even notes that his wife was afraid and warned him to shun involvement.
You mentioned the Creed where it states "Crucified under Pontius Pilate". Well, was there really any way that The Lamb was not going to be sacrificed? In order for the atonement and sacrifice of the The Lamb to be complete, Christ was going to have to be executed. Someone had to be the governor at the time that this occured and Pilate drew the unlucky card. If he hadn't been in office, the Creed would have some other name in there--wouldn't it?
Or, maybe, Pilate could have chosen (who knows if this would have even been possible) to smuggle Jesus out of the country, deal with the rioting, and Jesus would have lived to teach His gospel of peace to other peoples for several more decades and die of natural causes...
Happy Tuesday!
SP
Wow, SP, I never knew that being a robber precluded one from also being a murderer or vice versa. ;-)
Hope you're having a good first week of the Easter season.
Hi Matt,
I usually don't post on blogs but I have to tell you this. After years of neglecting a promise made to God to become a medical missionary I am now studying for the MCAT (at 37) and having a hard time with determination as the future ssems so uncertain.
A perfectionist like you (smile) I have a hard time giving up control and with my decision to go to med school and finally putting God first..I feel as if I have no control as I have no inclination as to the direction in which I'm headed.
Long story short... I was studying for the MCAT and got a little discouraged so I googled 'medical school faith'(cause that's all that will pull me through) and came across your blog and the post "Surviving med school with faith intact." When I saw that you were at Loma Linda it brought tears to my eyes because I'm a SDA and that's where I'm thinking of attending. It's like God sent me a little bit of practical love (smile). I'm posting my comment here because the comment capabilities for that post was disabled.
God Bless you Matt for sharing your story...I will be following your blog and keeping you in prayer. Who knows...maybe one day we'll meet on the mission field. Please keep me in prayer.
Someone who desires to be a woman after God's own heart :)
Hey Anonymous,
I'm glad my blog could be an encouragement. I don't envy your position of having to study for the MCAT but it's definitely doable with a certain amount of discipline. I used a Kaplan book and a set of flash cards for about three months of daily studying and was very happy with my score. You should also have a good chance here at Loma Linda as you are both SDA and interested in missions. I think Loma Linda is a great place and I'm certainly very thankful for it even as a non-Adventist.
Also, as a word of encouragement I have a number of classmates who are in their later 30's who are married and have children who have done well in med school.
May God bless you in your studies!
Matt
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