Messiah, 66

~ Not A Bone Would Be Broken, 4 ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“He guards all His bones; not one of them is broken” (Psalm 34:20).

The Messiah  

“Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘Not one of His bones shall be broken.’  And again another Scripture says, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced’” (John 19:31-37).

Comment 

In the time of Christ the standard operating procedure was to break the bones of those who were crucified. In this psalm, written about a thousand years before Christ, it was prophesied that His bones would not be broken. (In previous Messiah posts we have noted three even earlier prophecies regarding Christ’s bones not being broken!)

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Forgive & Forget?

~ Have You Been Told It’s Not Enough to Forgive? ~

God expects us to use good judgment. Robert E. Lee is reported to have said, “Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment.” There is a lot of truth in that statement. We should learn from our mistakes. A wag has commented, “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.”

A Troublesome Phrase  ~  One thing that irks me a lot is the phrase, “You haven’t really forgiven someone if you haven’t forgotten the issue.” Excuse me, I don’t think so! God gave us memories and He intends for us to use them. If anyone can find a valid Biblical basis for that concept, I would love to hear from you.

It is my belief that we should be able to forgive someone’s actions but that it takes time to regain trust and confidence in the offending party. In other words, often there are consequences to negative actions against one another. Since we are all sinners, we all provide others with opportunities to forgive us.

The Source  ~  If we assume good intentions when people use the phrase “forgive and forget,” we might ask where does the notion come from? The answer is simple, Christians are to become like Christ and there is a well-meaning, though somewhat misguided, part of our Christian doctrine which emphasizes Christ’s “forgetfulness.” 

Much of our past and current doctrine comes from the hymns and songs we sing. Consider this great old 1800s hymn by Sydney Smith:

I’ll give you a piece of good news today,

    My sins are remembered no more;

For Jesus has taken them all away,

    My sins are remembered no more.

They’re forgiven, forgotten and buried and gone,

    My sins are remembered no more;

They’re atoned for and covered by God’s dear Son,

    My sins are remembered no more.                        

While this hymn presents a great truth (when properly understood), it can easily be misunderstood. Certainly the words are in keeping with Scripture. For example,

“Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).  

The Paradox  ~  All Scripture needs to be interpreted through the lens of all other Scripture. Concerning the nature of God we know from many portions of Scripture that He is omniscient (all-knowing). (That is a given and we will not take time today to explain or defend that position.) If God were to forget, in our human sense, then He would suddenly not know something and therefore would no longer know everything!

The Reality  ~  The solution is really quite straightforward. Verses such as Hebrews 10:17 would communicate better to us in our language if they were worded such as “Their sins and iniquities I will hold against them no more” or “The consequences of their sins and iniquities will be eradicated because of the blood of My Son—Jesus Christ.”

Correct Actions  ~  After sincere repentance by the offender, should we forgive the offender? Absolutely. Should we feel guilty because we remember an offense against us? We should not continue to hold bitterness or anger towards the offending party and we should try to regain the full relationship as it was before the offense was committed.  Will we ever truly forget the offense? In many cases we will, while in other situations with deep wounds it may take years (or never) to completely forget. Meanwhile we are to love as we are loved, to seek to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to let go of bitterness, resentment, and revenge. 

Complications  ~  What if the offending party has never sought forgiveness with a truly repentant attitude? This is much more difficult, but the right path for the Christian is the same.

The Bottom Line  ~  Since God sent His only Son to the Cross in order that you might be forgiven of all your sins, how can you not forgive a sinful act done to you by a fellow sinner? 

additional comment:  On November 16, 2010, Abundant Life Now posted a somewhat related topic “Does God Change His Mind – The Answer Might Surprise You.”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 65

~ Messiah Would Entrust His Spirit to God ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Into Your hand I commit My spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth” (Psalm 31:5). 

The Messiah  

“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

7 Successes of Peter

~ Peter’s 7 Upward Steps to Restoration ~

Many of us identify with Peter’s failings. The Word of God also shows us the path of restoration from being a coward to being bold for Jesus Christ.

Praying  ~  The Lord prayed for Peter—just as He is praying for you! “But I [Jesus] have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:32).

Repenting  ~  Later, after Peter’s denials, we read: “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62). Peter’s failures caused repentance and drew him into a closer relationship with his Lord.

Hearing  ~  Peter hears, and more importantly, listens to the report. “Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.’ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb” (John 20:1-3).  

Acting  ~  After receiving the report, Peter took action and headed for the empty tomb. “Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first” (John 20:3-4). 

Understanding  ~  Peter receives a message from the Lord and understands its truth and significance. “But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you’” (Mark 16:6-7).

Communing  ~  Peter now has a private meeting with the Lord! “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34).

Consider how Peter is restored publicly  ~  “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep’” (John 21:15-17).

Testifying  ~  Peter gives evidence of his restoration as he boldly testifies about Christ. “So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all’” (Acts 3:12-16). 

Peter was changed from a coward to a bold witness of Jesus Christ. Do you have the boldness of the restored Peter?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW