The Simple Truth

Today, Pastor Dion continues in Luke 23 as you study the last hours before Jesus dies on the cross. He reminds you that when the cross comes rumbling into your life you have a choice to make. Like Simon, the thief on the cross, and the Centurian, will you admit that you don’t have it all together, that you’ve made so many mistakes, and ask God to forgive you? Or will you continue to try to make life work on your own terms, experiencing none of the freedom and joy that God offers?

Do you think it’s possible to love someone while stepping back to let them make choices that will cause them pain or suffering? God does this for you. He has given you the freedom to choose how you want to live and who you want to live for and will step back if you choose not to follow Him. As Pastor Dion teaches today, you can see this unfold with the Jewish leaders. Jesus spoke to them many times about their hypocrisy, pride, and mistreatment of others, but they refused to bend, so Jesus stopped talking.

Can you imagine willingly choosing to undergo tremendous suffering and torture in the place of someone who hated you, your greatest enemy? That is essentially what Jesus did for you. Today on the Simple Truth, Pastor Dion continues unpacking the last days before Jesus went to the cross. As you pick up in Luke 23, Jesus is being framed by the Jewish ruling body for crimes he didn’t commit. Jesus knows fully what is to come, the pain and humiliation he will have to endure but he presses on for your sake.

Imagine you are standing before a judge after being accused of a crime you didn’t commit. The judge, who thinks you are innocent, gives you the opportunity to go free. Of course, you would gratefully accept. But that is not what Jesus did. As Pastor Dion points out in today’s teaching, Jesus had several opportunities to stop what the Jewish leaders were doing to him. But Jesus knew that His death on the cross was the only way to redeem the people he loves, so he chose to stay and give up his life.

When you think back to the hardest thing you’ve ever done, what kept you from giving up? What made you keep going in the face of great difficulty? As you will hear today, Pastor Dion teaches that it was you that kept Jesus going as he prepared to face his death on the cross. Knowing that his sacrifice was the only way for you to have the chance to be right with God motivated Jesus to endure the suffering of his crucifixion. It was worth it to Him because He loves you and wants a relationship with you.

In this modern world, not many people use paper maps to get where they need to, but they still need something to give them direction. In today’s teaching, Pastor Dion implores you to follow God’s direction for your life. He has given you the Bible and the Holy Spirit for direction and inspiration, but you have to choose to listen so that you know God’s will. If you don’t share His vision, you will end up confused and insecure, which will lead to you making poor choices that can mire you in shame and guilt.

Predictable. It might not a word that you would choose to use to describe yourself. However, in today’s teaching from Luke chapter 22, Pastor Dion suggests that being predictable is actually a positive character trait that was modeled by Jesus. He teaches that Jesus was dependable, that people knew what to expect of him and knew what he stood for. Pastor Dion suggests that you should strive to live in the same way, with integrity and transparency, letting your values shape your life.

When life feels hard and overwhelming what do you do? Where do you go to find the resources you need to get through? Do you go to food? The distraction of entertainment? Alcohol? Self-help books? Today, as Pastor Dion continues in Luke, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, overwhelmed with what he knows is coming. But Jesus knew that he needed to run to God for help because He is the only real source of rescue. It’s only in God that you can find true help and hope.

Sometimes it feels like you just can’t catch a break. It’s one thing after the other and it’s all you can do to just keep going. Well, Jesus experienced this too. In the hours before he was arrested Jesus was overwhelmed with anguish and struggle. In today’s study of Luke 22, Pastor Dion reveals how Jesus was able to make it through that time of despair and temptation- He turned to His Father. Jesus prayed. He begged God for help and God gave Jesus what he needed: strength, hope, and encouragement.

It’s a common thing to cram before a big test or stay up late working to meet a deadline. As you will hear on today’s edition of The Simple Truth, Pastor Dion tells you that Jesus knew the deadline of his death was quickly approaching and he was doing all he could to prepare his disciples for the hardships they would face. Jesus knew they needed reformed hearts and restored lives to be able to endure it all. He called them to be ready for opposition from the Enemy and to humbly serve others.