Turning from the twinkling light of the tree in the corner of the room, and turning eyes on the leather bound Bible in hand, it is a silent night. In the brightness of His coming upon a midnight hour, He is to live and die for mankind! Born to change things on earth toward God, it is on a hilltop far away He will die with few surrounding Him with tears in eyes.
In the echoes of faith, it was Jesus who prayed for Jerusalem.
For the Righteous Cause: Jesus came…and these were His last
words:
THE 1st
WORD:
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Luke
23:34……
1. He came to earth, to live as a man,
and died between two criminals.
2. Hanging by the strength of nails, he
sees the soldiers who mocked and scourged Him.
3. Tortured and visible in His mind
Caiaphas & the high priests of the Sanhedrin…have sentenced Him to die.
With blood running over his eyes, He sees John with His mother Mary.
4. His apostles and friends deserted Him.
Peter denied Him 3 times…….& only the fickle remain, yes that crowd who
just praised Him on His entrance into that city of Jerusalem has now demanded
His crucifixion some days later at Golgotha!
Forgiveness is His focus! His love prevailed! In those final hours on earth, He has forgiven those who trespassed against Him, including Peter. Jesus had told Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 to seventy times seven to forgive another. He forgave the paralytic at Capernaum: Mark 3:3-12. He forgives the sinful woman who anointed Him in the home of Simon the Pharisee: Luke 7:37-48! The adulteress caught in the act and was to be stoned: John 8:1-11.
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Luke 23:46…Jesus obedient to will of His Father to the end, & his final word before on the Cross was a prayer to His Father. The relationship of Jesus to the Father is given in John 3:16 “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus declared, “The Father and I are one.” John 10:30 ; He had a return ticket: "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father" John 16:28 Jesus fulfills His own mission and that of His Father on the Cross! He directs His final word, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit. Luke 23:46; "Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this was a righteous Man" (Luke 23:47).
The echoes of faith resound even now. The sound somewhere is heard, the married woman desiring a child of her own to hold. She asks by calling unto Him in her darkest hour?
What about the man or woman given a death sentence by their own doctor and that their days are numbered in weeks and not months? In their fear of death so soon they ask Him for long life and that He would "keep watch" over them some 24/7. Yet on any given Christmas holiday they complained of spending one hour with Him in His House!
But what about the person who gives Him praise in the middle of the night? What about that man or woman who thanks Him for their life, for their job and their family? What about the one who remembers to say "Thank you for the good" when only bad appears by breaking out all around them?
Jesus knew one thing: He knew the Father sent Him for purpose! Jesus on the cross, giving up His body and by shedding His blood completely satisfied God’s requirement: Hebrews 10:12-14 NKJV But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are going sanctified.
It was about God having His family: Opened up the gates of Heaven for anyone that would believe in Him John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
That Steadfast faith speaks: Hebrews 6: 19-20 that the Hope we have as an anchor for our soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus having become High Priest forever according to the order of Mechizedek………Reminded from Hebrews 7:24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
It is In HIM, we have the benefit of life eternal. 1 John 5:10-12 NKJV 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony; that God has given us eternal life, & this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Romans 2:6-11 Amp. Bible 6 for He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]. 7 To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [spring from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath. 9 [And] there will be tribulation & anguish & calamity & constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first & also the [Gentile]. 11 For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another. Our answer is in Jesus from Matthew 11:29-30 He said “take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle &lowly in heart….you will find rest for your soul. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Of the last century , it was found in the winter of 1944 a winter not confined to the names of la Nina nor la Nino, but as to the "brutal" type. It was as the Allied forces were facing the ferocious German counteroffensive in the Battle of the Bulge. It would be General George S. Patton who wound find peace in prayer. With relentless rains and much fog, the grounded planes and troops were stalled. He had urged the Third Army to seek God for clear skies: Almighty and most merciful Father, we humble beseech You, of the great goodness, to restrain these moderate rains. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to use as soldiers who may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and and establish Your justice among men and nations.
|
