An Offering Provided

When we press for non-believers to recognize that Jesus truly is the reason for the season, I think we sometimes miss the true miracle that occurred.

And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:7-8 KJV)

The relationship between God and His creation had been spiritual from the moment life was breathed into Adam. That changed when Gabriel spoke to Mary. Not just from omnipotence did God know of man’s physical presence, for He provided Himself the lamb for sacrifice.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29 KJV)

John made this proclamation twice, the second with emphasis.

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36 KJV)

That is the miracle of Christ’s birth. God, Himself, provided the Lamb to take away our sins. Why would He do so? Let’s hear from a man described as a man after God’s own heart:

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:11-12 KJV)

That man knew the sins God was capable of forgiving since he stood in need of the very mercy he described – and the judgment rendered.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (Psalms 103:8-10 KJV)

Again, Why would He do so?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

From Matthew to Revelation, one word remains consistent: Fufilled.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:22-23 KJV)

Fifty-six verses with the word fulfilled, references to the law and the prophets, all based on two verses:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

"The Manger", by Gertrude Kasebier (1899) (Wiki Commons)

A Small Quiz

I received this in an e-mail that I believe has been very widespread. I have edited it a bit, but hope you’ll take time to take this quiz. You don’t have to write any of this down, but think about the questions and answer as truthfully as you can without researching on the internet:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name five Heisman trophy winners, no time limit.

3. Name five winners of the Miss America pageant, no time limit.

4. Name five people who have ever won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last five Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the 2000 to 2005 World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, we seldom remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6. Name the person who taught you of God.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money...or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most about us personally. Have you told them how much you appreciate them?

Micaiah

I couldn't find a painting depicting this event, thus the Ahab selection (Wiki Commons)

There really needs to be a sarcasm font. One that the moment we look at it, we know for certain the person’s insincerity. It should be one dripping around the edges. That’s the way I think Micaiah spoke to Ahab.

After three years of peace, Ahab and Jehoshaphat sat in Israel and debated war. Jehoshaphat asked Ahab to check with the prophets before heading off to war, and Ahab complied.

Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. (1 Kings 22:6 KJV)

The only problem with this, from Jehoshaphat’s point of view, was that not one of them was a prophet of the Lord. So, he asked for one.

And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? (1 Kings 22:7 KJV)

There was only one name that came to Ahab’s mind. Only one.

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. (1 Kings 22:8 KJV)

Hindsight tells us that Micaiah would have to prophesy against Ahab, a man who ignored his Lord and worshipped the idols of the land.

So, Micaiah was called before the two kings. While waiting, others prophesied.

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand. (1 Kings 22:10-12 KJV)

Think of celebrities today, with nothing but sycophants about them to tell them what they want to hear, what will keep those sycophants close and in power. They are not new.

And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. (1 Kings 22:13 KJV)

And, Micaiah did so. Not that Ahab believed him. Surely Micaiah’s words dripped with sarcasm. Ahab told him to try again – this time, the truth. The truth was painful and resulted in Micaiah’s imprisonment.

And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. (1 Kings 22:17 KJV)

The rest of the story would make a great movie, wouldn’t it? Including Elijah’s 1 Kings 21:19 prophesy that dogs would lick Ahab’s blood. It is not a good thing to ignore the word of the Lord.

Thus Saith The Lord

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16a KJV)

Once again we have clear words from the Lord. Stand firm, ask about the old paths, which are the good ways, walk there. Do this and we’ll find rest. Look to experienced people and ask them about what worked and what didn’t. Walk in the paths that have proven good. Sounds very clear and shouldn’t be all that hard to do, right?

Must not have been, when you read the rest of the verse.

But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16 KJV)

So, He provided watchmen.

Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. (Jeremiah 6:17 KJV)

You’ve heard these watchmen if you’ve ever heard a sermon, or even a Mom, giving warning. Hear that sound? It has meaning. It’s an alarm to let you know something is going to happen, so be ready.

But they said, We will not hearken. (Jeremiah 6:17 KJV)

They’re not going to walk the good path, they are not going to heed the warnings of a watchman (or even a Mom), so what’s next.

Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. (Jeremiah 6:18 KJV)

Wow, He wants everyone to hear what is going to happen. Let me be the first to warn you here – it isn’t going to be loving kindness and forgiveness to those who do not listen. There is no “every path leads to God,” as so many would seek.

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. (Jeremiah 6:19 KJV)

Reject Him if you will. I decline to do so. I will ask for the good paths and walk therein. I will heed the sound of the trumpet and be aware of His warnings.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV)

The people Jeremiah spoke to chose unwisely. Do we do better? Do we understand why?

The prophet Jeremiah. Woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493 (Wiki Commons)

Do We Believe?

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26 KJV)

Martha had gone to meet Jesus, while Mary sat still in the house. What a reversal from the image of Martha too tied to housework to listen to Jesus and Mary sitting at His feet.. Martha told Jesus that she knew if He had been there, her brother would not have died. And that she knew whatever He asked, God would supply.

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. (John 11:23 KJV)

That she didn’t doubt. She believed in the resurrection at the last day – it was after that affirmation when Christ asked if she believed He was the resurrection. She confirmed it again.

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (John 11:27 KJV)

Some would say that Jesus never claimed to be Christ, and that the title was given to him by disciples after He died. His words refute this, right here.

Some expect similar signs before they could answer the question given Martha. Too often the loss of a loved one hacks away at a person’s faith. They arrive at a slightly different logic than Martha and Mary, saying “If there were a God, my loved one would not have died in this horrible way!!”

We forget what Jesus said.

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:40 KJV)

We’ve been taught by advertisers that we want it now. We want it our way or not at all. We forget.

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. (Proverbs 20:22 KJV)

Though we’ve been told how to wait, what to do, We forget.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:4-5 KJV)

All we need to do is outlined for us. Then shall we see the glory of God.

"The Raising of Lazarus", Polychrome clay statues and frescos, Chapel XVII, The Raising of Lazarus , statues attributed to Bartolomeo Badarelllo (ca. 1589) and Michele Prestinari, frescoes by Gian Giacomo Testa (1582), detail of the statue of Christ. Sacro Monte di Varallo, Varallo Sesia, Italy (Wiki Commons)

Comfort Food

Comfort food – I crave it! Creamy rice, warming the added milk and sugar, to soothe a throat that believes every swallow catches on barbed wire in my pharynx. I’ve already lost my voice as the inflammation spreads to my larnyx. I crave comfort – and the rice helped, soothing warmth!

I give thanks to God that His word provides comfort, too. He comforted others when He was here.

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. (Matthew 9:21-22 KJV)

He promised a Comforter for us when He went home.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16 KJV)

He knows what we don’t, and He petitions for us when we don’t know how.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26 KJV)

We are not promised all we ask, for it must be within the will of God for it to be good for us.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:27-28 KJV)

His word, written by men, breathed by God, provides comfort.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4 KJV)

So, we praise Him, adore Him and lift our voices in worship and wonder, saying:

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (2 Corinthians 1:3 KJV)

With full knowledge that the God of all comfort loves us:

We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 KJV)

A Witness

If you’ve had e-mail for a while you’ve received the story of a lady in the hospital who loved Jesus and told everyone she met about Him. There was a nurse at the hospital that did not know Him as Lord, and did not wish to hear of him at all. The ill lady continued her witness, saying God kept her here because she had something to do, and she never failed to speak of her Jesus. The story ended with her death – and the nurse’s change of heart, picking up the witnessing to others.

I’ve seen that story in real life. Miz B was not hospitalized, but she had to have dialysis several days a week in order to maintain her life. Her transportation options were extremely limited so several people from our church scheduled their lives to take her. Beloved Husband and I discussed it, but his pickup sits high, making entry a bit difficult at best, even with running boards. He dislikes driving my compact car, so we missed out on opportunities to enjoy her sharing Jesus with others. Many in our church did have the pleasure and shared those times.

This week, during her dialysis, her heart failed. Physically, for it did not fail her spiritually. Whatever task He laid before her was finished and she could continue on her journey to meet her Lord.

How could she know that? The Bible told her so.

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:7-8 KJV)

She knew there was much more to life than what is presented here. There is work to be done here for Him:

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (2 Corinthians 5:9 KJV)

And there will be an accounting done there before Him:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. (2 Corinthians 5:10-11 KJV)

She spoke to others of her love for Jesus, sharing the gospel message of salvation and joy that angels praised.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11 KJV)

How, then, can we say, “We cannot” when it is only our minds placing limitations? What could possibly keep us from saying, “Do you know my Jesus?” or “Let me tell you about how Jesus loves us.” If we don’t, He has promised the message will still be heard.

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. (Luke 19:38-40 KJV)