Messiah, 167

~ Messiah Would Heal The Deaf, 2 ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped” (Isaiah 35:5).

The Messiah  

“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: the blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me’” (Matthew 11:4-6).

“And He [Jesus] was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah.  And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.’  Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.  And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.  And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’” (Luke 4:17-21).

The Future Complete Fulfillment

This prophecy is primarily directed at a future time—however, as seen above, there can be no denying that the Son of God—The Messiah—foreshadowed the future complete fulfillment.

~~~ 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

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Shoes in Church

~ A Reminder of What Is Important ~

The following was written by an unknown author.

I showered and shaved...  I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat...  In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer...  As I closed my eyes.

I saw the shoe of the man next to me…  Touching my own.  I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side...  I thought, “Why must our soles touch?”

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine…  But it didn’t bother him much.

A prayer began: “Our Father”...  I thought, “This man with the shoes, has no pride.  They’re dusty, worn, and scratched.  Even worse, there are holes on the side!”

“Thank You for blessings,” the prayer went on.

The shoe man said...  A quiet “Amen.”

I tried to focus on the prayer...  But my thoughts were on his shoes again…

Aren’t we supposed to look our best when walking through that door?

“Well, this certainly isn't it,” I thought, glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended...  And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud...  Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters...  His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear…  The shoe man’s voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering...  And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached...  Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out...  What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft “clink” as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me...  To tears, and that’s no lie.

It was the same for the shoe man...  For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service...  As is the custom here.

We must greet new visitors, and show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow...  And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer...  I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark...  And his hair was truly a mess...

But I thanked him for coming...  For being our guest...

He said, “My name’s Charlie...  I’m glad to meet you, my friend.”

There were tears in his eyes...  But he had a large, wide grin…

“Let me explain,” he said...  Wiping tears from his eyes.

“I’ve been coming here for months...  And you’re the first to say ‘Hi.’

I know that my appearance...  Is not like all the rest.

But I really do try...  To always look my best.

“I always clean and polish my shoes...  Before my very long walk.

But by the time I get here...  They’re dirty and dusty, like chalk.”

My heart filled with pain...  And I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize...  For daring to sit so near.

He said, “When I get here...  I know I must look a sight.”

“But I thought if I could touch you...  Then maybe our souls might unite.”

I was silent for a moment...  Knowing whatever was said,

Would pale in comparison...  I spoke from my heart, not my head.

“Oh, you’ve touched me,” I said...  “And taught me, in part

That the best of any man...  Is what is found in his heart.”

The rest, I thought...  This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am...  That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Last Words

~ Consider These Last Recorded Words ~

“I told you I was sick!” is one of my favorite epitaphs on a gravestone.  

 In 2 Chronicles 21:20 we read these tragic words: “Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.  He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.”

Have you ever wondered how you will be remembered?  Have you wondered what your last words on earth will be?  Here are the last recorded words from five New Testament people.

James  ~  “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).  James last thoughts were regard to bringing others to Christ.

Jesus  ~  “And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’” (Acts 1:7-8).  Jesus’ last words were also with regard to witnessing to others and bringing them to salvation.  But in this case He promises us divine power for the job.

Jude  ~  “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.  Amen.” (Jude 24-25).  Again we have a reminder of divine power who will finish the work He has started in us and bring us safely to our eternal home.

John  ~  “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.”  (Revelation 22:20-21).  John reminds us of the great grace with we continually receive and also that the time will come without warning when all will be ushered into eternity.

Peter  ~  “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever.  Amen” (2 Peter 3:17-18).  Peter reminds us of our responsibility to put ourselves in environments where we can grow and our responsibility to grow.  Finally, he reminds us of the greatness of the One we are privileged to serve.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Why Christ Came, 3of4

Why Christ Came, 3of4

~ Reasons Why Jesus Came—Specific Tasks ~

Consider four specific tasks which Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill.

He Came To Seek The Lost  ~  “And Jesus said to him (Zacchaeus), ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost’” (Luke 19:9-10).

He Came To Call Sinners To Repentance  ~  “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance’” (Mark 2:17).

He Came To Give Himself As A Ransom For Those Who Accept Him  ~  Jesus said, “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:27-28).

He Came To Save Sinners  ~  The Apostle Paul said, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).

The bottom line is He came for our benefit.

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).