Skip to main content

310. At His Death

Leviticus 17:11; Zechariah 12:10-14; Amos 8:7-12; Mark 15:39-41; Matthew 27:52-56; Luke 2:30-32 & 23:47-49; John 19:31-37; Hebrews 9:22
Key Verse: "These things happened so that the scriptures would be fulfilled."
John 19:36A

We can see that, even in His death, prophecy is being fulfilled. His sacrifice was perfect. Now, in His death, He remains in control. "For the life of a creature is in His blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for you on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." (Lev. 17:11) "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (Heb. 9:22) This is a law that He Himself established and a payment that He Himself required, but also paid on our behalf through the shedding of His own blood that caused His death.

Amos foretold the sun turning dark in the middle of the day, (8:9) and the earth quake. (8:8) He speaks of the mourning and lament when the people see what they have done. They have all participated in the death of an innocent man. They shouted "crucify." They encouraged the mocking. They couldn't just blame this on their leaders. They, and we, willingly participated in this injustice and there is no escaping the guilt and regret for what we have done. "The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: "I will never forget anything they have done." (Amos 8:7) Yet, though He doesn't forget, He chooses to forgive! Isn’t that amazing?

"They will look on Me, the One they have pierced, and they'll mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child." (Zech. 12:10) He was pierced by the soldier, (John 19:35), but none of His bones were broken. (John 19:34) This also fulfilled the requirement of the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb.

Then, there was the prophecy spoken by old Simeon when Jesus was an infant. "My eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel." (Luke 2:30-32) "The centurion," (a Gentile), "seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." (Luke 23:47) Or, as Mark quotes him, "Surely this man was the Son of God." (Mark 15:39B) That statement wasn't made by a Jew who should have known. No, they were too blinded by hatred to see. A Gentile, a Roman soldier who had probably seen many die by crucifixion and other means, was so amazed at the dignity with which Jesus conducted Himself, the grace, the control, this Gentile knew the difference and recognized Jesus for who He is.

God had a plan, and nothing would stop it. God's plan will march on. In that, we have confidence.

Hymn: "Wounded For Me" 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

204. Come Like a Child

Psalm 127 , Matthew 19:13-15 , Luke 18:15-17 , Mark 10:13-16 Key Verse: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 The attitude of the disciples isn't much different than the attitude of many people, even Christians, today. Instead of seeing children as a blessing from the Lord, too many regard them as a burden to bear that gets in the way of our own selfish happiness. Family size is determined by what we think we can afford rather than openness to God's blessing, trusting God to provide. Satan hates children. Children represent innocence. The sooner he can corrupt and or damage a child, the happier he is. This is why Jesus warned in Matthew 18:6: "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drown in the depths of the sea." To corrupt or damage ...
Post a Comment
Read more

174. Pleading for the Fig Tree

Proverbs 27:18 , Luke 13:6-9 Key Verse: He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Proverbs 27:18 We have here three main characters: a master, who acquired the tree in hopes of eventually enjoying its fruit, a servant, who looks to the tree to reflect his care and attention, and lastly, the tree itself. The master has the right to expect his investment to pay off. The servant, who has obviously put much effort into the tree, would also like to see fruit. The servant's interest is not only to show his own talent in gardening, but because he wants to please his master. Both the servant and the master are dependent upon the tree to do what it was designed to do. Their little parable is an interesting way for Jesus to finish off His exhortation to, "repent or perish."  God is the Master. He had a purpose for you before you were even born. ( Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:16 ) He planted you on this earth to ful...
Post a Comment
Read more