Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” – Hebrews 10:4

The wage of sin is death. To sin is to rebel against the authority and rule of the sovereign, good, just, and wise Creator of the Universe. That’s a crime that brings death with it and justly so! Any sin is like that, not just “big ones”. To deal with sin that brings death, either the sinner must die or something innocent must die in his or her place. In your place…

For centuries, the Jewish people were commanded to sacrifice spotless, perfect, healthy animals to pay for their sins. However, that entire system of sacrifices was created to help them and us understand the terrible cost of our sin and the great price required to be forgiven. Those barnyard animals could never take away human sin! Instead, God used those sacrifices, given in faith, to prepare the world for the one true sacrifice that actually could take away sins. The sacrifice of His Son.

Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, was the sinless, perfect, spotless sacrifice necessary to pay the penalty for all our sins. He alone could stand in our place. He is a man Who understood all our temptations but never gave in to sin. He is God come in the flesh and therefore able to make the infinite sacrifice necessary to deal with all our sins – past, present, and future. Jesus was the true sacrifice all the earlier sacrifices pointed toward. It was His death and resurrection that gives us life when we trust in Him as Lord.

If you’re trying any other means or method to take away your sins, stop right now because it’s futile. The penalty is too huge for you to ever pay. And it’s already been paid. All you need to do is believe!

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.”
– Isaiah 42:1

With this verse, God begins to paint a glorious picture of His chosen Messiah. This is Jesus of Nazareth, the One in Whom God delights! His beloved, eternal Son. His humble and faithful servant. Fully God and fully human. Operating in the power of God’s Holy Spirit at all times.

Messiah has come not just for a select few, but to bring forth justice and healing for all nations. Jesus came not just to die for the sins of Israel, but to die for the sins of the world. He lived, loved, taught, suffered, died, and rose from death to redeem for Himself a new family made up of children of God draw from all tribes, tongues, and nations. Everyone who believes in Jesus Messiah is part of this beautiful family.

Jesus came to inaugurate the takeover of the world by God’s Kingdom which will inevitably overcome all the forces of Hell with which we’re so familiar. Jesus came to reverse the terrible effects of sin that brought death, evil, and injustice into the perfect world God created. Jesus died and rose from death. One day, He’ll return to complete the Kingdom and wipe away all evil and injustice.

This is the heart and will of God. Promised through Isaiah. Fulfilled in Jesus Christ. One day to be seen with our own eyes throughout the renewed heaven and earth. Come, Lord Jesus!

“Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.”
– Isaiah 40:10-11

What marvelous images and promises regarding God Almighty! He comes with might. He rules with sovereignty, wisdom, and power. He comes with justice. He punishes the guilty and rewards the righteous. God is mighty! He is triumphant! He rights wrongs and punishes the wrongdoers forever and ever. This promise makes us want to stand up and cheer. It makes us want to cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus!” as we long for this day to dawn here in this hurting, dark, and fallen world.

And yet, we immediately see God’s tenderness toward His people. Like the Great Good Shepherd that He is, God tends us, gathers us, holds us close to Him, and gently leads us. God is nurturing. He’s gentle and kind. He’s loving and tender. He cares for our pains and carries us in our weaknesses. This promise makes us want to cry great tears of joy and delight. Our Lord understands us! He loves us. He cares for us. He sustains us through every dark and painful season of our lives.

Both these images describe God. We are wise to remember them both, give thanks for both, and praise and worship God for both. Thank You, God that You are all-powerful! Thank You, God that You are a careful protector and nurturing God! Thank You, God for Your rule and reign! Thank You, God for Your loving comfort! Thank You, God for the justice You will mete out across the world. Thank You, God for Your gentleness in our pain and Your strength in our weakness. Thank You, God!!!

“Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.”
– Proverbs 25:12

Nobody really enjoys being told they’re on the wrong path. We don’t generally like to hear that we’re badly mistaken in our words or behaviors. Nonetheless, our most precious friends in the Lord will tell us exactly that when we are. Biblical reproof – the correction of wrong words or actions through the application of Scripture is quite rare in our culture.

When reproved, most of us naturally respond defensively (unless we respond offensively). When we do, we miss out on genuine treasure. Instead of defending ourselves or attacking our reprover if we actually listened to what he or she said and considered the possibility they were correct, we might learn something incredibly valuable! We might see something to which we had previously been blind. We might open a door in our heart to change and transformation.

How do you view the loving (if painful) correction of a brother or sister in Christ? As an attack? As an insult? As a waste of time? As a distraction? Or do you consider it a treasure worth listening to, meditating upon, and searching Scripture about? If your reprover is indeed wise, then what they say may be the most precious gift you’ve received for a long time.

Seek to become a person who listens for and to valid reproof. Seek out friends who will provide the loving and wise reproof we all need from time to time. Treat their words like the treasure they are and give thanks to God for using them to transform you.

“Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him.” – Luke 22:63

There are a lot of people in the world, including many Christians, who get very, very upset when they feel disrespected. They become indignant or even violent in demanding their rights or the respect they think they’re due. That’s a perfectly natural reaction. And yet…

This verse reveals our Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God being beaten and humiliated. Jesus didn’t become angry, indignant, demanding, or vengeful. He didn’t call down an army of angels on His behalf. He didn’t work a miracle to end His pain and shame. He quietly accepted that humiliation on our behalf. He quietly accepted that suffering and embarrassment so we wouldn’t have to, though we actually deserve it.

As Christians, we’re called, commanded, and expected to do the same. Exactly the same. In exactly the same way. There’s a greater strength required to do what Jesus did than to strut about crowing, complaining, posturing, and picking a fight because someone has treated us like trash. To act like Jesus when it goes against every fiber of your natural being requires the supernatural strength of the Holy Spirit at work within you. Work and pray to develop that Christ-like character that can absorb the scorn of the world with complete confidence rooted in God’s overflowing, unconditional love and acceptance of you as His child.