The Jewish nation had awaited and even longed for their messiah to come. They desired to be rescued from their sorrow and affliction. Their Messiah was to come, establish His Kingdom and save them from all their enemies. Certainly, they wanted to be a Part of all His Glory! But they did not see the whole picture. The sacrifices up until then made by the priests had not made their hearts clean. These years under the law and the sacrificial system were merely like a band aid to cover a wound far too deep. God was Holy, Perfect Justice and Righteousness and they were not. From the time of Adam’s first sin, it had been necessary that the blood of animals be shed to cover the sin of mankind. But the sacrifice did not transform their hearts, which would continually through the ages revolt against God.
How many times did God’s hand of mercy save a remnant of true worshippers? Meanwhile the rest would go on to corrupt the land, bent on having their way and never willing to accept God as Lord over all? Thinking themselves to be clever, they sought after other idols. Wanting to fulfill every desire of their heart with counterfeit joys, they denied the only source of true joy. Yes, the Messiah must come to establish His Kingdom, one day; but first He had to come to be the final sacrificial lamb. Only He could pay the price to cover our sins for an eternity.
For Him to truly release them from bondage, He would have to release them from the bondage of sin that held their hearts. Otherwise, it was futile to merely release them from the human bondage their own sin had led them into.
A Much Bigger Story of His Glory
The history was laden with rebellious hearts who one-minute praised God and the next murmured. They searched for gifts from God instead of enjoying His presence, which was the greatest gift. When they did not receive what their human hearts desired, they sought after other gods. Was this part of what Jesus reminded the two disciples along the road to Emmaus? Did He reveal to them through history the utter depravity of their own heart’s desire? They were saddened and willing to abandon the church; because Christ had died on the cross. He told them He would and that He would rise again; but they didn’t even believe the accounts of the women. They wanted a here and now glory, not a future glory that came after suffering.
Ah, but don’t be too harsh on them—is that not the same thing we too often do? We want the blessings; but we moan at the suffering. We want the Glory now! But what Christ came to offer them and us is much bigger than freedom from the bondages of others we find ourselves in. Rather, He came to free us and all who would believe from the bondage of sin within our own hearts. Often, we want to be freed from the momentary suffering; but what if that is necessary for us to see Him clearly?
Paul wrote: “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29) If it takes a lifetime of suffering to know Him, love Him, to be His beloved, and to share in His Glory one day–isn’t it worth it all?
A Sermon to The Nation of Israel
Paul the Apostle went to the synagogue at Antioch and after the reading of the prophets and scriptures, he stood up and preached. He began with the history of the prophets and of the Jewish nation, how often God had reached out to them and they failed to grasp the truth. How many times they had failed to worship Him, who so patiently had dealt with them over the years. He then took from those scriptures of the prophets and told them of Jesus, for all of scripture is a story of Him. Then he went on to say regarding his death and resurrection:
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead…we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee….
But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13: 29-30, 32, 38-39).
Everything concerning Christ’s death had been foretold and written of Him in the prophets and the Psalms.
The True Suffering Comes from Our Own Selfish Desires
That which the Law could not do—the law could only point out the depravity of mankind’s heart. It could not bring forgiveness. The sacrificial system only pointed to the Savior who would come. God’s thundering voice had proclaimed the 10 commandments to which the people vowed to follow. Exodus 20 tells us the same; yet, within 40 days they had built a “golden calf to worship” instead of God. They had witnessed the Salvation from Egypt where they were bound by men; because of their own sins and desires. Furthermore, they had seen God’s Glory descend upon the mountaintop. They had witnessed the parting of the red sea. Yet, they could not remain faithful for even 40 days; awaiting God’s Glory!
Chasing after selfish desires we think will satisfy, always leads to true suffering. Because true suffering is being separated from God’s love, joy, and His Glory. When will we learn that! Oh, the sufferings of this world are nothing, if they bring us to see Him in His Glory. He came, suffered and died; that we might be set free from the bondage of sin that grips our own hearts. Only through His suffering might we find and rest in a part of His Glory. Furthermore, His Glory shines brighter because of His loving Grace which willingly suffered and paid our price for sin on the Cross.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Series: Finding Faith on the Road to Emmaus
Why is it so Important to Know All the Truth?
How Faith is Found on the Road to Emmaus
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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