Month: February 2018

It is Finished!

2 Comments

photo credit: Angela-xujing <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/153103713@N04/36398558575″>The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

“After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, ‘I’m thirsty!’ A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on hyssop and held it up to His mouth.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit (John 19:28-30 HCSB).”

Finished, what did Jesus mean; what was finished?

I’m no theologian but I have pondered the imponderable.

Was the agony, excruciating pain of crucifixion finished?

Yes, but I believe the statement holds much deeper meaning.

First I share an interpretation I heard many years ago. (I’m sorry that I cannot remember who shared this information). He said that in Bible times… when people were unable to pay their debts, they were arrested and put in jail. A placard was posted above their cell stating the amount they owed. The individual would serve their time until their debt was paid in full. Then the placard read, ‘It is finished!’

Jesus paid the debt I could never pay. God sent Him to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for my sin. As the spotless Lamb of God, He died in my place. 

The old covenant is finished.

“Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, ‘Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:27-28 HCSB).”

The work of redemption is finished.

“But the Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation),  He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12 HCSB).”

Yes, forever finished!

“According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22 HCSB).” 

 

Advertisements

Mourning

2 Comments

photo credit: babasteve <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/64749744@N00/25249726154″>Emotional Moment – Refugee at the Border</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

It had a catchy tune; I sang along with the lyrics.

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

I mean who wants to be sad?

Right?

Remember how Spock irritated his friends?

He was so logical.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV).”

Spock leaned and relied on his understanding, his logic.

The truth is that I can receive a blessing (not happiness). It comes through mourning.

That may not be logical. It is factual.

“Blessed are those who mourn,
    For they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4 NKJV).”

Joy comes in the morning; that is true.

“For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5 NKJV).”

But, through mourning I draw nearer to God.

“Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10 NKJV).”

 

 

Free born…

Leave a comment

Free born…

“Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?  For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman.  But the one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things are illustrations, for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.  But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.  For it is written:

Rejoice, childless woman,
who does not give birth.
Burst into song and shout,
you who are not in labor,
for the children of the desolate are many,
more numerous than those
of the woman who has a husband.

 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.  But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also now.  But what does the Scripture say?

Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.

 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman (Galatians 4:21-31 HCSB).”

In Bible times names carried significant meaning.

‘Freeborn’ is a family name in my genealogy. My grandmother’s maiden name was Freeborn. In addition my father was named Franklin Freeborn Ford.