"But My people would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would none of Me ..." (Psalm 81:11)
When Jesus walked on earth, He further clarified to the Jews, saying, "Nevertheless I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the [day] following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, "Ye shall not see Me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, "Blessed [is] h/He that comes in the Name of the Lord." (Luke 13:33-35)
Throughout the scriptures, the Lord God is continually discerning the hearts of men, determining where they are at, in terms of either accepting or rejecting His Word -- Jesus -- the Word made flesh. (John 1:1-14; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) Two thousand years later, this discerning of our hearts and thoughts by the Lord Jesus has not changed. He is still reaching out to each and everyone of us with His love and mercy, saying, "hearken to the voice of My words!" (Job 34:16) And, "today, if ye shall hear My voice, harden not your hearts!"
For those who may not know, there was 400 years plus of silence between God and the Israelites, between the old and the new, because the latter would not turn and hearken unto His voice. But as the Lord God had foreordained before the beginning of the world, the destined day did come when the Holy Ghost signified -- "that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing; which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; [which] stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us.] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh ... how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
For this cause [then], He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:8-18)
In so doing, the playing field was levelled, and every man, woman and child now had an opportunity to declare the risen Lord Jesus as our Lord God and Saviour. He made the way, purchasing our salvation with His own blood. The Good Shepherd who laid down His own life for His sheep.
What did Jesus say?
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be One fold, [and] One Shepherd." (John 10:16) And too, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27) Thus, when wee are led of His Spirit, we are no longer under bondage, but standing alway in the liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:19)
Hear ye Him -- the Lamb of God! Stand in the offering plate.
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