Redemption Calvary Podcast

When you see a Clydesdale horse being controlled by a tiny bit, it's easy to forget how much power the horse has. The horse has enough power to do whatever it wants to, but it willingly comes under its master's authority. The horse isn't weak or pitiful, it's submitted. Sometimes we can look at Jesus on the cross and incorrectly think he was weak or unable to defend himself. But as Pastor Cody reminds us today, Jesus wasn't weak or pitiful, he was submitted. He was confident in his choice to die for our sake.

Have you ever been completely cut off from communicating with others? Maybe your phone died unexpectedly, or your internet was down? While that might sound relaxing for a short period of time, it can also make you feel uneasy, especially if it goes on for days. Just like a dead phone separates you from others, your sin separates you from God. But Pastor Cody has an encouraging word for you today: Jesus' death grants you access to the Father. His death makes it possible for us to be restored to God.

A gift doesn't truly become yours until you receive it. It might have been purchased for you, have your name on the tag, and be sitting at your feet, but if you don't open it up and use it, it's not really yours. Today, Pastor Cody reminds us that the gift of salvation is given to everyone, but it's not yours until you receive it. It doesn't matter if your parents have opened their gift. It's not enough to just watch others receive it. You have to personally open the gift of salvation that God has given to you.

We've all heard it a million times: “Keep your eyes on the road!” But why is this simple truth so important? Because wherever we are looking is where we have a tendency to go. In our spiritual walk, it's so easy to get distracted from what really matters. When we start putting our focus on our good works: money given, mission trips taken, or verses memorized, we start to drift away from what really matters. Today, Pastor Cody reminds us that who Jesus is and what he did is the most important thing to focus on.

There are very few things in life that you only do once. Every month bills need to be paid, every week the house needs to be cleaned, and every day your teeth need to be brushed. Doing any of these things only once in your life won't be enough. But Jesus' work on the cross was not just enough for one lifetime: it was enough for every life that has ever been and ever will be. Today, Pastor Cody digs deep into what Jesus meant when he said “it is finished,” and how these truths apply to your life today.

Many people have a skewed vision of what the Christian walk truly looks like; they think that if they make one decision to accept Christ as their Savior, then all is good, and they can continue their life. What Pastor Cody reminds us of today though, is that the Christian walk is just that: a walk. It’s continuous. We make decisions every day and when you’re walking with Christ, it means you defer to Him before you make them. You don’t rely on your own wisdom because you know how lacking it is.

When you’re dealing with a lot in everyday life, it’s nice to treat yourself because you think you’ve earned it. Today though, Pastor Cody reminds us that, when we turn to sin, that’s not a treat. Sin will only make everything worse. Maybe not immediately, but the long-term consequences are never worth it. Sin may give you fleeting joy, but it never lasts and when it’s over, you’re still dealing with everything that got you there in the first place. Instead, look to Christ who offers incomprehensible peace.

We don’t always take responsibility for our actions; sometimes, we even convince ourselves that it was someone else’s fault, and our actions had nothing to do with it. Today, Pastor Cody reminds us, that Jesus didn’t go to the cross because of the mob, or because of the Jews or the Romans but rather, He went to the cross because of our sins. He wasn’t a victim of the cross, He’s our Savior. At any point, He could’ve saved Himself, but by doing so, He would’ve condemned us to the death we deserve.

We have a tendency to think that the sins we commit, aren’t that big of a deal. We forget that God the Son was nailed to a cross for those sins! Today, Pastor Cody reminds us that sin IS a big deal, it’s just that now, it’s already been paid for. We don’t experience God’s wrath and abandonment because Jesus already did. Don’t take your sins lightly; remember, every time you make a mess, Jesus hung in darkness in order that you might be loved and forgiven and a child of God Almighty.

We can handle most anything, so long as we have someone who has our back, someone to talk to, someone to go through the pain with us; as soon as we’re alone, we begin to lose hope. Today, Pastor Cody reminds us that, as Jesus was hanging on the cross, the worst thing that He went through, was being forsaken by God. It was only temporary! But it was necessary. In order for Christ to take our sins upon Himself, God needed to pour out His wrath upon His Son. And that was worse than the torture He endured.