By His Stripes, I am healed!

Passage: Isaiah 53

Link: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%2053&version=NASB

Key Verses:

“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (vs. 5-6 – KJV)

Tears stream down my face as I watch the Son of God, my dear Savior and Lord hanging on that cross after breathing His last. The blood-thirsty crowd that had been screaming in excitement has fallen silent after the earthquake that assailed the earth. The only sound I hear is the desperate cry of Mary, Jesus’ mother, played by a friend in the last performance of the Atlanta Passion Play. Her desperate cry pierces my soul as I am transported to the day I understood what Christ had done for me. I have watched this scene several times, but the effect has not always been the same. The realization of its meaning has intensified through the years as I learn new facets of God’s grace. I’m amazed. I’m in awe. My soul is silent, my heart is crushed. The popular song becomes true before my eyes as I grasp to comprehend: “Amazing love, how could it be? That you my King would die for me?”

Easter is my soul’s favorite holiday.

Don’t get me wrong: I do love Christmas! The Savior is born. The Light of the world is come: Emanuel - God with us. Not to mention, since I have little children, the magic that surrounds our lives during the Christmas season. It is a joyful time, filled with gifts, good will and God’s presence for those who truly have the Reason for the season.

Then there is Easter. I don’t know about you, but my faith is renewed on Easter Sunday. The climax of all I believe is remembered. Death has been conquered, the devil’s work has no longer power over me, Christ is risen! I do realize, however, that for so many people in this world, Easter is just one day in the year (maybe out of two), where they actually go to church. Pastors around the world start reminding their congregation one month in advance: “be positioned early, park across the street, give up your seat. The church will be full”. I find it pretty sad: the very people who do not fully grasp the meaning of Easter are the first ones to rush to the pews on Easter morning. Worse yet, the majority of the people that celebrate Easter morning, still reject the Lamb that was slain as the sacrifice for their sins on Good Friday.

Therefore, my message today has two purposes. First – to provide enough evidence for those who still do not comprehend what the cross was all about. I pray you forward this devotional as an Easter gift to those in your life who need Jesus.

Second - if you are a born again Christian, to reignite the fire in your heart that you may enjoy the upcoming Easter Sunday in a new way. My purpose is to help remember and reinforce within you the Truth of the prophesized redeeming work of the cross.

Why did Jesus have to die?

Most everyone in the Eastern world has heard that Jesus is the prophesized Messiah. According to the Wikipedia, 76% of Americans identified themselves as Christians in 2008. However, when asked if they were born-again Christians, only about 41 % of the same population commits to the group. That means that about 35% of even religious, church-going “Christians” have never experienced salvation and true redemption. Unfortunately, much to the fault of their home church or denomination, these people may even go to church on a weekly basis, but many are not taught that Salvation is obtained only through the work of the cross, and that no good deeds can ever substitute Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. What many people don’t understand is that according to God’s Word, religion and church attendance will not get anyone to Heaven - that is what I plan to teach in this devotional.

First Things First

All productive arguments must start on a common ground. I suggest that for the sake of this matter, our common ground will be that the Bible is the Holy Book, written by chosen men and inspired by God Himself. We shall also agree that the Bible is infallible and that it is not contradictory. It is the true Word of God.

Sin and Death

With that being said, the Bible says in  Romans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

There is not one single righteous person in the world (Romans 3:10 and Psalm 14:1-3). Sin was rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden and, as it separated the first man and woman from fellowship with the Lord, so it does today to you and me. A perfect God cannot have a relationship with rebellious, fallen men, thus the separation. No one can deny that we are all born with a sinful nature. Just watch a three year old lie to you. These are not necessarily taught behaviors. We are all born with the curse of sin and death that came forth with the Fall. However, we are also born with an intense longing to be back in fellowship with our Maker. Someone said that there is a “hole” in man’s heart that is the exact size of God, and that we will try to fill that up with many things; possessions, people, good works, you name it, but until we surrender to God through His Son, all attempts to fill the hole are in vain. That statement was very true in my life. My “emptiness” only ended when I surrendered my life to Jesus.

God’s love

Romans 5:8,  "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"

The fall of men did not change God’s love. He still longed for the crown of His creation to be near Him, worship Him and walk beside Him. But because sin had come into the world, that relationship was severed. Thus God, from before the foundation of the world, crafted His perfect plan in an effort to reconcile  His children back to Him.

God’s chosen people, Israel, was repeatedly told by prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, David, Zechariah and lastly by Malachi of the coming of the Messiah. His birth was prophesized in details, likewise with His trial, death and resurrection. On the chapter 53 of Isaiah, the prophet foretold the suffering and substitutionary sacrifice of Messiah 750 years before His birth! The amount of prophesy that was fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Christ is overwhelming! The likelihood of one single man fulfilling all prophesies fulfilled in Jesus is simply impossible.

Jesus – the unblemished Lamb of God

“We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all” Isaiah 53:6

During the times of the Old Testament in order for God’s people to maintain fellowship with Him, they had to sacrifice a perfect male Lamb at Passover as a sacrifice to pay for their sins. On the day God’s people celebrated God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies (where God’s presence dwelt) to present a sacrifice for the people’s sins. The animal presented as the sacrifice had to be an undefiled, perfect Lamb, without blemish. The ceremony was elaborate and the details were to be carefully followed. The blood could not be wasted and had to be sprinkled about the altar. The blood of the perfect, undefiled animal was accepted in lieu of sinners’ blood.

The problem of the sacrificial system was that it was limited. The sacrifice had to be repeated, as sin broke the fellowship between God and man time and again. A perfect sacrifice was needed - one that would, once and for all, satisfy the wrath of God and unify creation back with the Creator. Jesus was the prophesized perfect Lamb. He lived a sinless life, and willingly went to the cross to reconcile man with the Father.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” V.5  

Pride

What keeps men and women from accepting Christ’s redemptive sacrifice? Unfortunately, for the most part, pride is the culprit. The same pride that caused God’s own people to demand His death. The Pharisees had the first opportunity to welcome the “Lord of Heaven”.  They had the knowledge of Scripture first hand! They knew all ancient revelation, but failed to accept it as He came. He challenged their self-righteousness and called for holiness instead of mere outward expressions of faith, and so they rejected Him.

Does that sound familiar? Just like in Jesus’ time, today, men and women applaud the outward expressions of religion and “goodness” and reject the holy and truly spiritual expression of God’s love: His death on the cross for our sins.

It is indeed sad to see how man’s fabric has not changed since Jesus hung on the cross. People can argue for hours against the amazing revelation and perfect harmony in Bible prophesy, only because they will not give in to the truth of their condition as sinners. Many will go from one religion to another, change churches, in an attempt to justify their sinful behavior and discard the truth of who they really are before a Holy God.

He could have called one thousand angels

Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?" Mat 26:52-54

Jesus was not wounded because of His position that questioned the Pharisees’ true motives, neither did He succumb to the Romans because His disciples disserted Him. It is not true to say that the pride of the Jew, the scorn of the Greek and the power of the Roman crucified Him. He gave Himself - willingly. He knew why He had come. He came TO DIE. That was the ultimate reason He lived. But not only did He die, He resurrected from the dead, just as He said that He would (Matthew 16:21), thus defeating death forever. “Oh, death, where is your victory? Oh, death, where is your sting?” 1 Co 15:55. Not only did He resurrect, He promised to resurrect those of us who put their trust in Him: ”Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”. John 11:25

Can you do it on your own?

How good can you be? For how long?

You can’t ever measure up to the goodness of God. Your sins made you an enemy of God and there is nothing you can do, no matter how hard you try, to save yourself. But the Great Judge has accepted the bail that Jesus paid for you. If you take it, He will set you free. Forever. He will write your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life and he will never let you go: “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:28. Salvation is a free and eternal gift. If it were not so, God made a terrible mistake giving His Son up to die for you. If you could earn your own Salvation, Jesus’ sacrifice was then a major mistake. We know that this is not possible, since we have agreed that the Bible is the true and infallible Word of God.

Therefore, my friend,  Salvation is yours to take, but God will not force you. He is knocking at your heart’s door. I bet this is not the first time. He will not enter it as a thief, without being invited. You must accept Him and open the door. Jesus has the gift of eternal life in His nailed scarred hands and He is handing it to you today. But you must extend your hand and take it – a gift is not a gift unless you receive it.

Is it that simple? Really?

Really!

Romans 10:13 says “whoever will call on the name of the Lord  will be saved!"

I have given you enough information to make it clear why Jesus’ death and resurrection were the orchestrated work of redemption of a Father who longs to be reunited with you. He came for the whole world, but the world rejected Him. The question is, will you reject Him? Again? Or will you make this Easter a New Beginning, just as it was for the disciples who saw the resurrected Lord on that first Easter morning. I pray you accept Christ as your Savior today and that on Easter Sunday, when you go to church this year, you will joyfully and victoriously join the throng that sings: Halleluiah, Jesus is alive! Death has lost its victory, and the grave has been denied! Jesus lives forever, Halleluiah, Jesus is alive!”

How do I do it?

Romans 10:9,10  "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting  in salvation."

It is as simple as that. You have to pray a prayer that acknowledges that Jesus is indeed Lord, that you believe that God raised Him from the dead, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, accept His sacrifice for you, asking Him to save you. My prayer is that today is the day when you will surrender. Come to Christ. He is knocking!

Revelation 3:20a "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..."

Prayer:  “Lord, I do believe that Jesus died on that cross to pay my sin debt in full. I do believe that He rose from the dead and is alive today. I ask You, Lord to save me and forgive my sins, not based on anything I’ve done, but because of what Christ did for me on the cross. I trust You will guide me and teach me Your ways. I surrender my all to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”

PS: If you prayed this prayer, will you email me and let me know? I will send you some information that will help you and guide you as you start your new life with Christ.

"Nosce Te Ipsum"

Passage: Psalm 139

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139&version=AMP

Key Verses:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)

"Nosce Te Ipsum"  - Know Thyself!

The famous quote has been attributed originally to the philosopher Socrates; however it has been widely used by famous philosophers and common gents alike, in an effort to describe the climax of man’s quest in life: if you know yourself, you shall know your ways; you shall conquer your fears and overcome any challenges. Ultimately, if you know yourself, you shall not fail. The Suda, a 10^th century encyclopedia of Greek knowledge quotes: “the proverb is applied to those whose boasts exceed what they are, and that "know thyself" is a warning to pay no attention to the opinion of the multitude.”¹

In plain English, don’t worry about anyone else’s feeling, much less to what God has to say, just concentrate in learning who you really are, the influence of your past in your present, the way you normally operate. That shall shape your behavior, the way you relate to others and ultimately, your future!

We should give the philosopher due merit for attaining, in part, the essence of an important aspect of life. Indeed we are to know ourselves and learn from our past mistakes. We should know what ticks us off, what makes us joyful. We should know what we believe and act on it, thus making our walk match our talk. The problem of isolating this concept as the epiphany of self-knowledge is two-fold: one - it is a pretty self-centered universe, one that concentrates all efforts into knowing and analyzing one’s own motives, disregarding God and the people that are part of our lives. But the second problem is even deeper and it is revealed at the end of Psalm 139:

Can we really know ourselves?

According to King David, whom the Bible says “was a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22), we cannot. So much is true that on Psalm 139, after describing in one of the most amazing passages of the Old Testament, the vastness of God’s omniscience, he pleads with his Creator: “Search me, O God, and know my heart”.  In other words, “examine me, oh Lord, and see if I don’t know my feelings as they really are”.

The truth of the matter is that we have the habit of lessening the guilt of our sins. We all do. We are not good judges of our own character. We often excuse ourselves those duties and commandments that are not totally agreeable with our life style. In result, the measurement we have of ourselves and view of our character is often not true.  We don’t judge ourselves as others see us or as God sees us. Thus, there may be within our hearts and increasing in power, some habit, some feeling or thought, that, if not subdued, may become master over our lives. Moreover, there could be a strong craving within us that, if not stopped, will overcome us and ultimately destroy us. Most of the lustful sins that lead to destruction of individuals, families and even ministries, start with a small, simple thought or habit that is not stopped before it becomes unmanageable: “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1:15 (NASB). Like a snow ball, what starts with a tiny flake that falls from an unsuspected tree, these sins become bigger and bigger, and ultimately destroy everything in their path

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (Jeremiah 17:9)

I started praying David’s prayer in Psalms 139:23-24 on a frequent basis about three years ago, when I caught myself in mid-sentence as I was talking to someone about a hurtful situation. I realized, as I was describing something that had happened years before, that I still held anger in my heart against the person who hurt me. The realization of that startled me! I really and honestly thought that I had dealt with the hurt, forgiven the person and moved on. The Holy Spirit showed me right then that I was wrong. I had “moved on” as far as my outward appearance was when I was around that person, but in my heart, I held a grudge. And the grudge was holding me captive. I then understood David’s prayer. This prayer is an honest assertion of how easily our hearts can fool us back into the life that Christ delivered us from. Thus, “Search me, oh God and know my heart…” has become a frequent prayer for me. 

Be Prepared for the Answer

The truths in Psalm 139 are a good test of our spiritual condition.  How do we feel regarding the fact that God knows our every thought, that he is “intimately acquainted with all our ways” (vs 3-4). Are we prepared to hear the truth of our heart’s condition? Because if I can plainly describe what comes next, mainly if you have never prayed this prayer before, here it is: NOT FUN. Many times God will reveal to you habits and thoughts that have become what I like to call “pet sins”. These are the wonderfully sweet little habits and or thoughts, which seem so harmless and are so ingrained in our thought-pattern and daily behaviors, that we never give them a second-thought. He will reveal those deep hurts that go all the way back to our childhood and that were never truly dealt with. He will reveal the times that we gossip, so “innocently”, when in all truth we’re slandering our neighbor. He will make us aware of the programs we need not watch on TV, of the websites we need not ever visit. He will clearly reveal those things that are a small snow flake off the tree, but that can ultimately become the giant snow ball that destroys our lives.

Man’s ways

“And see if there be any hurtful way in me” (v24 -a)

This prayer recognizes that man’s ways are in him before he is in them! Sin starts way before it materializes into action, and therefore this most insightful and courageous prayer asks of God, who reads our innermost thoughts and desires, to reveal the things that can ultimately harm us right where they start – in our hearts (emotions). David here recognizes that there are hurtful ways all around him: behind him (past sins), beside him (in the lives of others), before him (seeking to attract him). But as long as they were not “in” him, they would not harm him. Likewise with us, we live in a fallen world. But so long as we don’t allow the world’s ways to be in us, we can live in the world and make a difference in it. Whenever we blend with the world, we lose our chance to make an impact for Christ. A ship is in the water and there it shall sail all the way to its destiny. But if the water is in the ship, it will surely sink.

The Ultimate Objective of this Prayer

“And lead me in the everlasting way.” (V. 24-b)

There is a way that is “more excellent”. Although to many people it sounds like a way of restrictive living, where the Don’ts exceed the Do’s and where all joy and laughter have been taken away, that is absolutely not true. God’s ways are pure, excellent and bring peace and contentment that are found nowhere else. The everlasting way is the only place where the children of God find themselves truly joyful; because it is there that they are under their Master’s loving care and guidance. It is a place where we look at Christ’s face and find His mercy and love, acceptance and grace; but it is also where Christ’s light so shines around us that it reshapes us to become more and more like Him. 

The Everlasting Way is indeed a perfect description for the way marked by God’s presence. All other ways take you on a journey that may even last a long time, but they are invariably cut short in the end.  All joy, goodness and strength can be found nowhere else. And because none of us “naturally and willfully” walk in this way, we must ask and trust God to lead us there. And lead us He will, if we only have the courage to ask Him.

Prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.  In Jesus’ Awesome and Powerful Name, Amen!

¹ 'Know the value of Thyself' rightly, in "Know Thyself." Suda On Line. Tr. Catherine Roth. 13 Aug 2002. 15 Feb 2011 <http://www.stoa.org/sol-entries/gamma/334>.

Jesus' Most Honored Guests

Passage: Luke 14:7-11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2014:7-11&version=NASB

Key Verse:

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."  (V. 11 – NASB)

I am watching my sweet friend sing her heart out to Jesus, watched by thousands of people in the congregation. Weeks later, when the service is broadcasted to the world, she may be seen by millions of people around the globe. I am watching her and I’m smiling. I know her well - she is not there to be seen. As self-conscious as she is, this I know – she is there for one single reason - she loves Jesus and because she does, He has given her the privilege to use her amazing gift for His glory, and to bless our hearts.

Go back twenty centuries and we have the spotlight on people who were sharing a meal with Jesus. In the beginning of chapter 14, we realize that Jesus was at a Pharisee’s house for a meal. There were certainly several of the host’s Pharisee friends present and they were all watching the Lord.  They tested Him time and again on matters of the Law, hoping that He would fail. Then the dinner table is set and the spotlight quickly changes from the Lord to those who were eager to be in the limelight. My colorful imagination pictures these ostentatiously meek men, dressed perfectly in their robes of finest white or purple fabric, doing their very best to disguise their true motives as they hurry to pick the most prominent places at the table. I can see Jesus, the heart-Reader, shaking His head as He starts telling the parable of the wedding feast. 

Veiled Pride

As Jesus reads the guests’ hearts and motives, He affirms God’s viewpoint regarding pride: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor. (…)”, He says on verse eight. Jesus here condemns immodest self-assertion. His message is clear and is repeated throughout the Scriptures: do not exalt yourself, take the lower places, serve and give unselfishly. He indeed proclaimed this message all the way to Calvary.

Pride is certainly a hot button with God. The word “pride” is found over 50 times in Scriptures, one of which is very well known to believers - Proverbs 6:16:

“These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], (…)” Amplified Bible – emphasis added.

Although pride is on top of the list of things that God hates, that much is also true even to us, humans. As sinful as we may be; believers and unbelievers alike despise arrogance. We clap at the end of the movie when the underdog wins! We feel contempt when the arrogant rise to power. We too hate pride. Self-assertion often goes too far for its own ends and it is dishonored, whether the arrogant falls before our eyes or not.

A Dangerous Enemy

Pride is not just ugly; its roots reveal a much dangerous enemy of man's soul. It was because of pride alone that Lucifer fell from God's grace and became the enemy of God and His creation (Isaiah 14:12-15). Because of pride God's own people let the voice of the prophets fall in deaf ears as they shouted at their Messiah: "Crucify Him!”. Pride keeps men from fully surrendering to God and be saved. But pride also can keep God's people from fulfilling God’s work and enjoying true fellowship with Him.

“But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.” v. 10 (NASB)

Pride Killer – Recognizing the Source of All Talents and Gifts

As we serve God, we must remember to continually surrender and be humble before Him. We must constantly acknowledge that our gifts and the opportunities we are given to use them come from the Father and that He promises us reward in due season:

“So don't be proud. Put yourselves under God's mighty hand. Then he will honor you at the right time.” 1 Peter 5:6 (NIRV)

 We shall not occupy our minds with the fact that our serving brings no recompense. Neither should we allow our minds to wander as the disciples’ did in Mark 9, when they were arguing amongst themselves to decide who the greatest was. Jesus’ reply was solemn: "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Mark 9:35.

An Audience of One

It is indeed easy to forget that our talents and gifts belong to the One who disperses them. If that is a challenge to you, if you feel like the world does not recognize what you do and does not reward you justly, remember: you are working for an audience of One: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 (NLT).

Truth be told, we are polluted with the world's math, where the words of the day are "networking"' and “self-marketing”. If you know the right people and you promote yourself well, you should do just fine. In Kingdom's math, however, the equation is flipped to the other side. You should know One person, and you should use your gifts and talents to promote Him, not you. Humbly serve Him! The promotion is sure and the dividends are many, even though some of God's richest people die unknown to this world and materially poor.

His promises regarding our recompense are set in stone, although our treasures are many times unseen. Indeed, we shall only enjoy some of them when we enter His glory (Matthew 6:20). As you are called to serve, work humbly and diligently at whatever you were called to do, whether it is teaching, singing, caring for children, cleaning or cooking. Work and perform as if only your Jesus were watching. And if you happen to stand in the spotlight and receive the applause of the world's audience, or if you are called to sit at His table as His most honored guest, may you never forget: He who put you there, must be the One to receive the glory and praise.

Dear Father, I pray that you forgive me for the times I forget that all my gifts and talents come from you. I pray that you help me become more and more humble and that I don’t ever question if I am not rewarded on this earth for the work I perform for You. Remind me, Abba Father, that the talents and gifts that You gave me are to be used that the world may see You and glorify You, not me. I trust your Word that says that you reward those who faithfully serve You. I thank you for the opportunity to be used in Your kingdom. Teach my heart and mind to understand that being chosen to serve You is indeed a great reward in itself. In Jesus’ name, Amen!