Herein, we begin to see the unveiling of God's salvation plan that was ordained before the world was formed, wherein the Lord decided to level the playing field between Jew and Gentile so that every single one of us could come to Him and receive His joy and peace in our hearts. And from the Lord's perspective, He would receive a family committed to Him -- who truly loved Him with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
But oh, as the scripture saith, how He must have suffered from the foundation of the world, knowing the burden of the cross, and the cruel beatings, and the crown of thorns that would be placed on His head ... wherein He (who was holy and without sin) would take on the entire sin burden of the world. Yes, He willingly bore our transgressions against Him -- because of His everlasting and abundant love for you and I. He willingly paid the ultimate price once and for all. His love so forthcoming that in spite of our failures, the Lord Jesus continues to invite His beloved people to "come!"
For clarity and understanding between the old and the new testament -- "nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others; for then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment ..." (Hebrews 9:25-27)
His precious holy blood shed on an old rugged cross -- the price paid for our sins once and for all -- so that we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith may have His abundant life and continued peace in our hearts -- our cup always running over with His joy. But all this didn't happen without a plan, wherein the old was just a shadow of things to come. As the scripture saith, "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:23-24)
" ... after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared." (Titus 3:4)
The dayspring from on high has visited His people. For those who don't know, this is the greatest love story ever told, that the Lord of Glory, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending would take unto Himself all of our sins against Him so that we might have manifold more in this life plus in the world to come life everlasting. (Luke 18:30)
For us, He took on the form of a Son so that we might have everlasting life in Him.
Sadly, however, we who profess to believe have moved away from our first love, allowing the soothsayers and wolves in sheep's clothing to delude the truth, consequently taken us away from the greatest and most gratifying love story ever told. It is no wonder there is a famine in the world -- not of bread or water, but of the Word of God. It is no wonder the Lord speaking through Hosea said, "My people perish for lack of knowledge ..." (Hosea 4:6) But it doesn't have to be this way.
The time has come (and already is) for those who profess to believe in Jesus as both Lord and Christ to rise up against the forces of darkness -- sanctified by His truth, clothed in His righteousness -- unlovable and unshaken from the Rock which dwells within. (Acts 2:36-41)
Because He who was in the world and the world made by Him -- He who came unto His own but was rejected, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 1:10-11; John 14:6) He is the Bread of Life. He is the Lord of Glory -- the Great I AM.
How do we know? Because we who follow the Lord Jesus are sanctified by His truth. What is truth? As the scripture saith, "Thy Word is Truth!" (John 17:17)
And the truth is that this same God who was in the beginning cared so very much for His beloved creation that He would personally deliver His own plan of salvation -- on a cross, treated as a criminal -- because of His everlasting love for you and I.
Yes, the King of kings and Lord of lords took our place. And now, the Lord is continually inviting us into His fold, saying, "Come." And let those who hear say, "Come."
If you are thirsty this day, come to the Bread of Life who offers the living water wherein ye will never thirst again. Heed the call of the One and Only who said, "Whosoever will, let him or her take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) His Name is JESUS, for He SHALL save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
This is the unique calling born again believers have -- the chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that we should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness and into His marvellous life. (I Peter 2:9) For He of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe of which no man gave attendance at the altar. In fact, as we learn from the scriptures, it was the Lord who pitched the tent of our salvation plan -- when He Himself came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; I Timothy 3:16)
In conclusion, remember that "if therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law. For He of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda: of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood." (Hebrews 7:11)
Meditate upon these things, knowing too that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17) Stand in the offering plate.
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