Why Christ Came, 4of4

~ Reasons Why Jesus Came—Specific Roles ~

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

He Came To Be The Light of the World  ~  “Then Jesus cried out and said, ‘He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.  And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness'” (John 12:44-47).

He Came To Preach The Gospel  ~  “But He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.’  And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons” (Mark 1:38-39).

He Came To Be The Savior of the World ~  Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God'” (John 3:14-19).

He Came To Judge the World  ~  “And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind’” (John 9:39).

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/).

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/).