Key Passage: Matthew 27:45-56

Topic: Forgiveness/Unforgiveness

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. (Matthew 27:51, ESV)

In literature class, they often tell you that with a good piece of writing, every detail is important. The Bible is no different.

Today's passage of Scripture tells a very familiar story--the death of Jesus. But when we get to verse 51, an unusual detail is thrown in. "And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51, ESV).

The Temple was the center of the Jewish faith, having its origin in the Tabernacle during the time of Moses, about 1,500 years earlier.

Inside were two rooms: the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place. These rooms were separated by a heavy curtain. Only priests were allowed in the temple and only the high priest could ever enter the Most Holy Place, and that was only once a year to offer a sacrifice for the forgiveness of the sins of the people.

But with Jesus' death, the old way of being forgiven was done away with. Instead of yearly sacrifices by a high priest, Jesus' sacrifice provided forgiveness for all people for all time.

Under the old system, the people were shut out of the temple. But the curtain's been torn. God now invites everyone to come, just as they are, and accept forgiveness. It's no longer about religion, it's about a relationship.

Oh, the "top to bottom" comment about the curtain is important too. But maybe you can figure that out yourself.

Key Passage: Matthew 27:57-61

Topic: Jesus

And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. (Matthew 27:59-60, ESV)

Joseph was a wealthy man.

He used his money to buy a nice grave tucked away in a garden, so he could have an exceptional place to be buried. He was planning ahead for the future and may have taken great pride on getting a prime location for his final resting place.

But Joseph was also a follower of Jesus.

When Jesus died, He had no place to be buried. So, Joseph, at the risk of his own life, went before the governor and asked for the body of Jesus. Along with others, Joseph then prepared the crucified body for burial and laid it in his own tomb. Even though he'd paid good money for his spot, he gave it up for Jesus.

So, how are we doing at giving up what we have, even the most expensive things, for Jesus?

The picture painted for us in these verses in a good reminder of how we should view every one of our possessions--Jesus is worthy of them all.

Key Passage: Acts 3:1-11

Topic: Jesus; New Life

But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" (Acts 3:6, ESV).

Take a look at the lame man sitting outside the temple in today's story. He sat there hoping the good people going into prayer would have pity and give him money for food.

He sat beside the gate called the "beautiful gate," the very gate Jesus' followers Peter and John used in this passage to enter the temple.

Peter and John didn't have any money to give the poor fellow. But what they did have was even more "beautiful," more valuable than the shiny coins the beggar hoped he'd get.

Peter and John knew Jesus. And they could share the fact that Jesus was God's Son. So Peter said, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

The crippled beggar not only walked, he jumped! He began leaping and praising God. And he went into the temple.

All the people were shocked and amazed. They recognized the "shouter" as the unfortunate crippled man they'd walked by for perhaps many years. They knew him personally, and they knew he'd really been crippled. Now they could see and hear that God had done something beautiful in his life.

Have you shared what God did in your life? Have you told others the beautiful story of God's love?

Give the gift God gave you: the knowledge that Jesus is God's Son, that He lived and died and rose again. And that if you receive Him, your life will be filled with a beauty that only He can bring.

Key Passage: Acts 5:1-11

Topic: Speech/Words; Christian Living/Situational

But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:3-4 ESV).

Is lying really such a big deal? I mean, isn't it okay to sometimes bend the truth or say something that's not quite true?

The Bible says, "No way!"

This story in Acts 5 clearly shows how seriously God takes lying. Here's the story: A husband and wife sell a piece of land and bring the money to the leaders of the church but they keep some of the money in their own pockets.

The problem was they claimed to have given the whole amount. And as a result, both of them were struck down by God on the spot.

Doesn't that seem harsh? All they did was lie about some money.

The point is not what they lied about or even how much money they kept for themselves. The point is they lied. And according to Peter, even though they lied straight to his face, their lie was ultimately against God.

Solomon made the point clear, "There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers" (Proverbs 6:16-19, ESV).

Prayerfully ask God to control your tongue so that you speak only truth and not lies.

Key Passage: Acts 5:12-16

Topic: Evangelism; Obedience/Discipleship; Christian Living

And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women (Acts 5:14, ESV).

There's a lot of talk and studies these days on how to make our churches grow--more people, more buildings, more programs, more money to underwrite the work. And there are lots of good ideas and effective strategies discussed and developed.

But none of these reflect the strategy in place in Acts: opposition, suffering, even persecution. It's just not an attractive proposition according to our way of thinking.

Here in Acts 5 we read about a tremendous surge in people coming to faith in Christ and joining this new movement. But look at what happened first: godly, outspoken leaders like Peter and John were arrested and imprisoned; two church "members" were struck dead for not being truthful about their offerings; and the religious leaders were quick to criticize and ostracize these new Christ-followers.

As we read on in Acts, we'll see the opposition and the intensity of persecution increase. But we'll also see God growing His Church as it spreads from a small city like Jerusalem to eventually cover the greatest empire at that time and even reach our world today.

Why? Because God knows what makes us grow. He knows that a time of testing is like pruning branches to promote new life. That difficult times weed out the hangers-on, the curious, those looking for a quick fix or a feel-good experience. He knows that trouble reinforces what you believe--or don't believe--because you have to take a stand--you can't just play around at following Jesus.

In those troubled, frightening days, those who believed "were added to the Lord." Through faith in Jesus Christ, they found a new relationship with Him and with the rest of this organism called the Body of Christ--the Church. Talk about growth!

God still allows times of testing and trouble in our lives and in our churches today. The loss of a godly leader, failure or factions among believers, opposition from culture and governments--these seem like threats and often they are.

However, these factors also bring us together and help us sort out what we really believe. More importantly, they remind us to focus on Christ and to make Him known. That's the mission of the church and the purpose of the believer.