WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE
LUKE 23:40-43
BUT THE OTHER ANSWERING REBUKED HIM, SAYING, DOST THOU NOT FEAR GOD, SEEING THAT THOU ART IN THE SAME CONDEMNATION
AND WE INDEED JUSTLY, FOR WE RECEIVE THE DUE REWARD OF OUR DEEDS, BUT THIS MAN HATH DONE NOTHING AMISS
AND HE SAID UNTO JESUS, LORD, REMEMBER ME WHEN THOU COMEST INTO THY KINGDOM
AND JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE
FOR THE NEXT LITTLE WHILE, LET ME BORROW YOUR PRAYERS AND YOUR IMAGINATIONS AS WE ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
IT IS CUSTOMARY THAT WHEN SOMEONE DIES VIOLENTLY, THE NEXT OF KIN IS NOTIFIED BY WAY OF A TELEPHONE CALL, A TELEGRAM, OR A VISIT FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
AN AUTOPSY IS PERFORMED AND A DEATH CERTIFICATE IS THEN CREATED AND IS FILED WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR THE BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS STATING THE CAUSE OF DEATH.
AND THAT’S WHY I FIND IT STRANGE THAT I HAVE BEEN HEARING RUMORS THAT MY BIG BROTHER ON MY FATHERS SIDE HAS DIED VIOLENTLY AND WAS BURIED AND NO ONE TOOK THE TIME TO NOTIFY ME SO I COULD GO AND PAY MY LAST RESPECTS.
WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
WHAT WAS THE DOCTORS NAME THAT DECLARED TO THE WORLD THAT HE HAD DIED?
WHO WROTE THE OBITUARY?
WHO DID THE EULOGY?
WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED BEING AS I AM A JOINT HEIR AND A BROTHER
IF THERE WAS SOME QUESTION AS TO THE VALIDITY OF MY CLAIM, THEY COULD HAVE GONE TO THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN AND LOOKED IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE OR IN THE SECTION CALLED THE WORD OF GOD AND LOOKED IN THE 8TH CHAPTER OF ROMANS AROUND THE 17TH VERSE OR LOOKED IN THE BOOK OF GALATIANS AROUND THE 3RD CHAPTER AND THE 26-29 VERSE AND THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND THESE WORDS
“THE SPIRIT ITSELF BEARS WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD. AND IF CHILDREN THEN HEIRS OF GOD, AND JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST…
AND IT GOES ON TO SAY FOR YE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. AND IF YE BE CHRIST’S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM’S SEED AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.”
SOMEBODY OUGHT TO TELL ME, WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
THE BIBLE TELLS ME THAT WE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
A PECULIAR PEOPLE
A HOLY NATION
HEAVEN’S AMBASSADORS AND WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.
AND BEING AS WE ARE OF ROYAL BLOOD, THERE ARE CERTAIN FORMALITIES THAT MUST BE ADHERED TO WHEN SOMEONE IN THE ROYAL FAMILY PASSES.
THERE IS A LOT OF FANFARE AND CEREMONIES INVOLVED. YOU SEE, WHEN THE PRESIDENT OR A DIGNITARY PASSES THEY ARE NOT RUSHED INTO THE GROUND. THEIR BODY LIES IN STATE FOR A FEW DAYS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN COME AND PAY THEIR FINAL RESPECTS AND TO MY KJNOWLEDGE NONE OF THIS HAS OCCURRED
SOMEBODY TELL ME, WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
I READ WHAT WAS LATER DESCRIBED AS HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, WHERE HE SAID IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS, IF IT WAS NOT SO, I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU.
HE WENT ON TO SAY, AND I’M PARAPHRASING NOW, I GOT TO LEAVE YOU FOR A LITTLE WHILE. BUT DON’T WORRY ABOUT ME BECAUSE I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, AND WHEN I COME AGAIN I WILL RECEIVE YOU UNTIL MYSELF THAT WHERE I AM THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO.
I DON’T KNOW CALVARY, MAYBE I’VE GOT THIS THING ALL WRONG, BUT THAT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE A DYING MAN TO ME. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE WHO’S ANTICIPATING A LONG AND PROSPEROUS LIFE.
IT SOUND LIKE SOMEBODY WHO’S GETTING READY TO LIVE A LIFE THAT’S FULL
I WENT TO SEE MY BIG BROTHER MATTTHEW AND HE GAVE ME PART OF THE STORY. HE SAID THE LAST TIME HE SAW HIM HE WAS STANDING ON A HILLSIDE AND LEAVING INSTRUCTION TO HIS DISCIPLES.
HE SAID GO YE THEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
AND THE NAME OF THE SON
AND IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY GHOST
TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU, AND LO I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN UNTO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.
WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
I STOPPED BY AND TALKED TO BROTHER MARK AND DOCTOR LUKE, BUT THEY GAVE ME THE SAME ACCOUNT AS BROTHER MATTHEW HAD.
THEY TOLD ME IF I REALLY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED I SHOULD TALK TO BROTHER JOHN BECAUSE HE WAS THERE. HE WAS AN EYE WITNESS TO THE WHOLE EVENT.
SO I WENT TO SEE MY LITTLE BRO. JOHN BECAUSE THIS WAS TOO IMPORTANT AND I HAD TO KNOW FOR MYSELF. THERE ARE SOME RUMORS THAT PEOPLE SPREAD AND YOU TAKE THEM AT FACE VALUE BUT THEN THERE ARE OTHERS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOURSELF.
JOHN TOLD ME THAT JESUS HAD GOTTEN INTO SOME TROUBLE DOWN IN JERUSALEM.
HE SAID AT FIRST THE PEOPLE WERE GLAD TO SEE ME BECAUSE THE RECORD STATES THEY LINED THE STREETS AND THREW CLOTHING AND OLVE BRANCHES IN HIS PATH AND SANG HOSANNA, HOSANNA GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST.
BUT THEN THE PASTORS AND THE DEACONS OF THE HOLIER THAN THOU HIGH AND LOW ORDER OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST.
THE NEW FIRST BAPTIST
THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE METHODIST
GREATER LUTHERAN
WAVERING PRESBYTERIANS
OLD EPISCIPALEAN
2ND EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF LATTER DAY SAINTS GOT UPSET WITH HIM BECAUSE HE DIDN’T JOIN IN THE CLICHE ACT LIKE ONE OF THE HOME BOYS.
I HOPE I DIDN’T LEAVE ANYBODY OUT.
YOU SEE, HE DIDN’T ACT LIKE THEY DID, HE PRACTICED WHAT HE PREACHED
HE DIDN’T DRESS LIKE THEY DID. HE WAS NOT MATERIALISTIC.
HE DIDN’T THINK LIKE THEY DID. HE SAID I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE, IF YOU’VE SEEN ME, YOU’VE SEEN THE FATHER
HE DIDN’T SOCALIZE WITH THE SAME CROWD THEY DID, HE SAID SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME AND FORBID THEM NOT FOR SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
HE DIDN’T HANG OUT WITH THE SAME CROWD THEY DID. THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC STANDING WAS OUT OF NO CONCERN TO HIM.
HE HUNG OUT WITH THE SINNERS,
THE LOW LIFES,
THE OUTCAST,
AND THE DOWN TRODDEN.
HE DIDN’T SAY ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER-BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID OF LOSING HIS POSITION IN THE CHURCH. (PAUSE)
AND SO THEY, I’M STILL TALKING ABOUT THOSE RELIGIOUS LEADERS, CONSPIRED WITH ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES TO KILL HIM.
YOU NOTICE, THEY DIDN’T GET SOMEONE FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT WENT INTO HIS INNER CIRCLE AND FOUND SOMEONE HE CONFIDED IN,
SOMEONE HE TRUSTED,
SOMEONE HE WAS CLOSE TOO.
WHEN ALL THE PLAYERS WERE IN PLACE, THEY HELD A MOCK TRIAL AND BROUGHT IN FALSE WITNESSES TO ACCUSE HIM.
I’M GOING TO PARAPHRASE FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW IF YOU DON’T MIND
THEY BROUGHT IN THE GROCERY MAN, AND HE SAID HE’S STEPPING ON MY BUSINESS.
ONE DAY ON A HILLSIDE, THE MULTITUDE GOT HUNGRY, AND HE TOOK 2 FISH AND 5 LOAVES OF BREAD AND FED 5000 MEN NOT COUNTING THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
THAT WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN SO BAD BUT, AFTER THEY HAD EATEN HIS DISCIPLES TOOK UP THE REMAINS WHICH ADDED UP TO 12 BASKETS. HE’S STEPPING ON MY BUSINESS.
THEN THE LIQUOR STORE OWNER CAME IN AND SAID A FRIEND OF MINE GOT MARRIED DOWN IN CANA OF GALILEE AND THIS FELLOW WAS THERE WITH HIS MOTHER.
SOMEHOW WE RAN OUT OF WINE, AND AS I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO RESTOCK IT, I HEARD HIM TELL THE SERVANTS TO FILL UP 2 WATER POTS TO THE RIM WITH WATER.
WHEN I GOT BACK I FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD TURNED THE WATER INTO WINE AND MY FRIEND SAID IT WAS SOME OF THE BEST WINE HE HAD EVER TASTED. HE STEPPING ON MY BUSINESS.
THEN THE UNDERTAKER CAME IN AND SAID PEOPLE WON’T STAY DEAD AROUND HIM. BUSINESS USED TO BE GOOD. ONE DAY WE HAD THIS YOUNG GIRL AND WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE CEMETARY.
HE WALKED UP TO THE PROCESSION AND TOOK HER BY THE HAND, AND SHE GOT UP AND WALKED BACK HOME.
TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I HAD TO REFUND THE MONEY. HE’S STEPPING ON MY BUSINESS
THEN THE PRIEST POLITICIAN STOOD UP AND SAID HE HAD DECLARED THAT HE WAS THE SON OF GOD. HE’S BEEN RUNNING AROUND HEALING THE SICK, FORGIVING SINS AND GIVING SIGHT TO THE BLIND
MANY OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEGUN TO BELIEVE IN HIM. WE CAN’T HAVE HIM RUNNING AROUND HERE MESSING THINGS UP WITH THAT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR STUFF.
SO THEY FOUND HIM GULLTY AND SENTENCED HIM TO DEATH.
THEY STRIPPED HIM OF HIS CLOTHES TO RIDICULE HIM
THEY BRAIDED A CROWN OF THORNS AND PLACED THEM ON HIS HEAD UNTIL THEY EMBEDDED THEMSELVES IN HIS FLESH
THEY BEAT HIM WITH A CAT OF NINE TAILS UNTIL THE FLESH ON HIS BACK LAY OPEN
THEY LAID HIM DOWN AND STRETCHED HIM WIDE ON AN OLD RUGGED CROSS
THEY NAILED SPIKES IN HIS HANDS
THEY NAILED SPIKES IN HIS FEET
THEY LIFTED HIM UP BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH AND AS I LOOKED AT HIM, WHAT HE HAD SAID TO US ONCE CAME BACK TO ME
HE SAID IF I BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, I’LL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME
THERE WERE TWO THIEVES CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, ONE ON HIS RIGHT AND THE OTHER ON HIS LEFT.
ONE OF THEM LOOKED AT JESUS AND SAID, LORD, I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT YOU
I’VE ALWAYS BEEN IN TROUBLE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER SINCE I’VE BEEN OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER
I’VE MADE NOTHING BUT A SHAMBLE OF MY LIFE
I’VE SPENT MORE TIME IN PRISON THAN I HAVE ON THE OUTSIDE
I HEARD WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT YOU BACK THERE IN THE COURTROOM AND I’VE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT YOU DON’T BELONG HERE
I BELIEVE THAT YOU’RE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE
AND I KNOW I’M NOT WORTHY OF YOUR GRACE OR MERCY BECAUSE OF THE LIFE I’VE LED
BUT IF YOU WOULD, WOULD YOU PLEASE, WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM, WOULD YOU REMEMBER ME.
AND YOU KNOW HOW JESUS WAS WHENEVER A SOUL REACHED OUT TO HIM
THIS TIME WAS NO DIFFERENT. HE TOLD DEATH TO HANG ON FOR A MINUTE BECAUSE HE HAD SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS TO TAKE CARE OF
SOMEBODY TELL ME, WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
JESUS LOOKED AT THE THIEF AND SAID TODAY
NOT TOMORROW
NOT NEXT WEEK
NOT NEXT MONTH
NOT NEXT YEAR, BUT TODAY, SHALL THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE
SOMEBODY TELL ME, WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE? (PAUSE)
WE’RE GOING HOME NOW
BROTHER JOHN WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT AFTER HE WAS DONE HE LOOKED UP TOWARDS HEAVEN, HUNG HIS HEAD IN THE LOCKS OF HIS SHOULDERS AND SAID IT IS FINISHED, INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT
SOMEBODY GOT THE WRONG IDEA ABOUT WHAT HE MEANT AND THEY BEGAN TO THROW A VICTORY PARTY.
NOBODY GOT UP AND CHECKED HIS PULSE
NOBODY CHECKED HIS HEARTBEAT
NOBODY CHECKED TO SEE IF HE WAS STILL BREATHING, THEY ASSUMED HE WAS DEAD
SOMEBODY TELL ME, WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
WHEN THEY TOOK HIM DOWN FROM THE CROSS, THEY LAID HIM IN A BORROWED TOMB
DEATH AND SIN GOT TOGETHER AND CALLED AN EMERGENCY MEETING
DEATH TOLD SIN THE BATTLE HAS BEEN FOUGHT AND THE VICTORY IS OURS
I’LL HOLD HIM RIGHT HERE AND YOU GO OUT AND DO YOUR THING
SIN WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON THE FIRST DAY AND DEATH SAID I’VE GOT EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL
SIN WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON THE SECOND DAY AND DEATH SAID I’VE GOT HIM RIGHT HERE. IT’S YOUR THANG, DO IT ANY WAY YOU WANT TO
SIN WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON THE THIRD DAY. THIS TIME DEATH MET HIM AT THE DOOR.
HE SAID SIT DOWN SIN; I NEED TO TALK TO YOU. ALL IS NOT WELL. I THINK WE HAVE A PROBLEM
I HAD HIM RIGHT HERE UNDER MY FOOT, BUT SOMETIMES EARLY THIS MORNING, I CAN’T TELL YOU WHAT TIME IT WAS
BUT I GOT DISTRACTED BY THE SOUND OF A STONE BEING MOVED.
I LOOKED UP FOR A SECOND AND WHEN I LOOKED BACK HE WAS GONE
SOMEBODY TELL ME, WHO SIGNED THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
I’VE LOOKED HIGH AND I’VE LOOKED LOW BUT HE’S NO PLACE TO BE FOUND
TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THESE TWO FELLOWS CAME BY AND SAID MY LEASE WAS UP AND I HAD TO VACATE THE PREMISES
OH DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING?
O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?
I STOPPED BY HERE THIS MORNING TO TELL YOU THAT HE LIVES BUT THE CHURCH IS ACTING LIKE HE’S DEAD
THE CHOIRS DON’T SING LIKE THEY USE TOO. THEY SAY PRECIOUS LORD IS NOT FOR THEIR GENERATION
THE USHERS DON’T USHER LIKE THEY USE TOO. THEY ACT LIKE THEY WOULD RATHER BE SOMEPLACE OTHER THAN THE HOUSE OF GOD
DEACONS DON’T PRAY LIKE THEY USE TOO. THEY ACT LIKE THEY’RE GOING TO MESS UP THOSE TWINS PANTS OF THEIRS…YOU KNOW, POLY AND ESTER.
PREACHERS DON’T PREACH LIKE THEY USE TOO. THEY’RE SCARED THEY MIGHT STEP ON SOMEBODY’S TOES AND LOSE THEIR POSITIONS SO THEY PREACH THEM FEEL GOOD SERMONS RATHER THAN THUS SAITH THE LORD.
BUT I’VE GOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT, I KNOW THAT HE LIVES BECAUSE WHEN I LONELY AND CAN’T FIND A FRIEND, HE WALKS WITH ME
WHEN MY FAMILY AND THAT INCLUDES YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON ME, HE TALKS WITH ME
WHEN I BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE I CAN’T MAKE IT BY MYSELF, HE PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND ME AND TELLS ME THAT I AM HIS OWN
HE PROMISED THAT HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE ME
HE PROMISED THAT HE WOULD NEVER FORSAKE ME
SOMEBODY TELL ME, WHO SIGNED...
