Someone Has to Die

 

Someone Has to Die

Romans 9: I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, ⁴ the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. ⁵ Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

 

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After I returned to attending church, I felt my life was getting better. I mean, the guilt was no longer there and I was now teaching people about GOD. I went back to visit the college I graduated from to see some of my “friends.”

 

“There is a party tonight” people gladly told me. They were proud to do so, because I was the one who used to throw the parties. I knew this was a code word for getting everyone drunk to have sex. “Should I go?” I pondered. I had to make a choice.

 

• There have been times when I wished I could convince people that CHRIST is the answer.
• There have been times when I wanted to tell people I have changed and hoped they could see a difference.
• There have been times when I desired my “friends” to be saved so perhaps, I needed to leave my old life and show a new one.

 

Paul expresses deep sadness over those who overlooked JESUS as the Messiah. He wished he could be the sacrifice who would be separated from GOD forever so all Jews would be saved. He knew this was impossible. Each person had to accept or reject JESUS as the Savior especially since HE chose this group to become a human through.

 

• GOD wants me to desire everyone I encounter to be saved.
• GOD wants me to make a choice to allow my desires to die so perhaps other people can live.
• GOD wants me to anguish over people who have decided to reject JESUS as the one and only Savior.

 

Someone had to die to pay for the sins of the world. Either it was all humans or one. JESUS took on the responsibility of every sin ever committed by every human. HE was blamed, convicted, and murdered for my sins. HE was raised form the dead and holds all power.

 

But what does that have to do with me? HE wants me to die to my old ways so someone else can live. No longer should I crave the old sinful life that seemed harmless, but was filled with pain and death. I am glad GOD helps me to lay down my old life to serve HIM.

 

• Do you anguish over your family’s relationship with JESUS?
• Do you want your neighbors and friends to believe in JESUS as their Savior?
• Are you willing to put your old life to the side so people can see JESUS through you today?

Forsaken

Mark 15: ³³ Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. ³⁴ And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

³⁵ Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” ³⁶ Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”

³⁷ And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

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After a very bad day, I left work to catch the train. It was raining and I wasn’t dressed properly. At least the train ride wouldn’t be long because I parked in my “free” location. When I arrived at my car I noticed a dent the shape of the end of a baseball bat. I guess my observation skills were slow as I also saw my windows were attacked. “Why is this happening?!” I cried out.

• There were times when I had some very bad days.
• There were times when I wanted to just scream.
• There were times when it felt like nothing was going right.

After a strange and mysterious darkness, JESUS says something similar to my cry. “MY GOD MY GOD, why have YOU forsaken ME?” This cry of anguish could only come from a human experiencing a great deal of stress. But this was no ordinary human.

• JESUS saw it was no gain to be GOD and decided to suffer and die so I would not have to.
• JESUS knows what it feels like to be misunderstood and blamed for HIS existence.
• JESUS can empathize, sympathize and rationalize all of the feelings I have because HE felt the same way.

Half way listening, the crowd thought JESUS was crying out to Elijah instead of hearing HIS empathetic anguish. They had no idea what GOD was doing on the cross. Sometimes I have no idea what HE is doing too. When I scream out “Why?!” I want whatever pain I’m going through to end right away.

JESUS knows what I am going through, just like the FATHER knew what JESUS would have to go through. This permanent transformation to humanity included a special relationship change between the FATHER and JESUS. Now JESUS would be the only human that fully understands the power of GOD, because HE IS GOD. HE can forgive me because HE knows what I go through.

• Are you crying out to GOD?
• Do you feel forsaken?
• Will you give your anguish to GOD today and allow HIM to give you peace HIS way?

Getting Through Agony

Psalm 6: ¹ Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
² Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
³ My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

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A tear rolled down my cheek as I chewed in agony. Something was wrong with a tooth and I was in wrenching pain. I tried over the counter medicines and they seemed to work for a while, but now they had no effect. I called around to find dentists who were available but for some reason every appointment was filled with emergencies. Finally I found a doctor who would see me in three days. Three days??!! How will I last?

• Sometimes I see my pain as an emergency.
• Sometimes I see my anguish as the most important thing going on right now.
• Sometimes I see my agony as the pinnacle of things that needs to be solved right now!

“How long, Lord, how long?” David asks and when I am in pain I ask the same question. I mean my problem is the most important thing going on in the world isn’t it?

• GOD says to me “Bring your cares to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Cast your troubles at MY feet.”
• GOD says to me “I will provide you strength to do all things.”

Pain, anguish and agony are easy things for GOD to handle. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness are definitely HIS concern for me. HE wants the best for me and understands life’s troubles. I thought I could not survive the painful toothache and years later I almost forgot the incident. HE takes me though many situations and I am stronger only because of HIS strength.

• Are you going through pain?
• Are you exhausted from asking “how long?”
• Will you give your time expectation over to GOD knowing HE will clear up the issue HIS way and in HIS time?
• Can you understand that HIS love for you is deeper than any problem you can face?

Keeping my side of the promise

1 Samuel 1: ¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

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¹⁹ Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. ²⁰ So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

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 ²⁷ I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

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“LORD, if you would just grant me this [insert wish] I will never do this again!” were my empty words on many occasions. This usually meant I was pulled over for speeding or doing something else I shouldn’t have been doing. GOD has actually granted my “wish” at that time and not so soon afterwards, I found myself doing “that” thing again.

• When I want my way I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.
• When I want to get out of facing the consequences I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.
• When I want my sin to be overlooked instead of forgiven I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.

I have made empty promises to GOD and HE doesn’t take them lightly. HE looks at a vow as a word chipped in stone. If I break my word then HE has consequences for me.

• GOD made promises to me regarding salvation so HE takes promises seriously.
• GOD made promises to me regarding protection so HE takes promises seriously.
• GOD made promises to me regarding life so HE takes promises seriously.

If I act wishy washy in regards to my promises to HIM why should I expect HIM to believe my prayer isn’t just a selfish cry for more stuff or more power. GOD would rather I not promise than to state a promise I never intended to keep. GOD hates manipulation but loves when I keep a promise to HIM.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD or someone else?
• Do you think GOD will listen to you if you have no intention of keeping your promise?
• Won’t you try adjusting your prayer to include a vow to GOD you will keep?
• Won’t you keep your promise once GOD has blessed you with your desire?