Monday, March 29, 2021

D.L. Gardner: Trusting God in the Long Run

In a way, faith is sort of like politics, only for the long, and I mean the really long run. The week leading up to Resurrection Sunday is holy for Christians around the world. Be careful who you trust. 

Jesus’ life and ministry are well documented and well known in most of the world today. There are still pockets of people even in developed nations that have not heard the story or even the name Jesus. 


After three years of traveling across Israel with His disciples, Jesus turned to go to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. As He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey that Sunday, throngs of people celebrated Him as the coming Messiah. The religious rulers hated Him and were planning to kill Him. 


Throughout the week, Jesus taught the people in the Temple area. The religious leaders tried several times to trip Him up with trick questions and hypothetical examples. Inevitably He spoiled their tricks and turned the tables (one time literally) so the people could see how foolish the religious rulers really were. 


For whatever reason, Judas Iscariot decided to betray Jesus, and bargained with the Jewish leaders for 30 pieces of silver to deliver Him to them. They wanted to kill Him before the Passover. Jewish days begin and end at sunset (6:00 p.m.). The Jews would kill Passover lambs on Friday afternoon to begin celebrating the holiday at 6:00. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before. 


After His arrest, Jesus stood trial a number of times that night. Matthew 26:63-64 “But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, ‘I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” After finding Jesus guilty of blasphemy and deserving of death, the leaders brought Him to Pilate early the next morning.


Over the last five days, the tide of public opinion had turned against Jesus, and crowds of Jews asked Pilate to crucify Him, which Pilate reluctantly ordered. The time to vote had come, and the people had rejected Jesus as their Messiah. That afternoon as lambs were being slaughtered for the holiday, Jesus Himself died and was buried before sunset when the Sabbath day began. 


Early Sunday morning, the beginning of the Feast of First Fruits, Jesus arose from death. He had paid the price and conquered sin and death! Jesus’ disciples and followers were completely flabbergasted! How could Jesus be alive? Over the next 40 days, Jesus explained to them again Who He is, and what they should do. 


The middle verse in the Bible is Psalm 118:8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” The disciples and other believers learned this Truth in life-changing ways. Most of them were martyred for trusting Jesus to the end. 


Life passes quickly. Nearly 2,000 years ago Jesus gave a miraculous claim and promise. His followers and all who have trusted God are living for the long run and God’s glory.

 

 

Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

 


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Might be the only time I’ve completely agreed with Gardner. Thank you.

May the Almighty continue to share grace, mercy and blessings with those who believe and those in need.

Anonymous said...

DL,
Those in power urged eliminating Christ and Herod crucified HIM because they feared the threat his moral messages posed.They killed the messenger.

Judas betrayed Christ for money. Just as many humans sell their souls for money and to please those with power today.

Easter used to be a day of joy that He Is Risen. There is no fear in death for those who live His teachings.

The Sermon on the Mount and His actions in the Temple seem lost today.

My Bibles are old but don't they still make some of the newer ones with Jesus' words in red?


Anonymous said...

Daniel is a CINO

Anonymous said...

he needs to heed his own advice on his other commentaries.

people above money. that’s the Jesus way.

Anonymous said...

He left off the part where Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God. That, to me, is really the most important part of the Gospel.

Anonymous said...

God has forsaken the USA. This country has long been The Great Satan.

Inshallah, America will burn like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Anonymous said...

Some posters here are so filled with hate they cannot agree with a column of peace overcoming violence. Spewing venom becomes their overriding passion. Good column Gardner.

Anonymous said...

He can’t say anything bad about Biden, so he’s going to preach this week.

Anonymous said...

12:16 - You mean the same Biden who was refused Communion? That one? Please don't mention that grifter during Holy Week.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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