He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53: 3-6
Before I begin the new chapter of my life story; I really want to pause to consider once more what faith really is. That is what were going to be the major lessons that I would have to learn over the next 2 decades of my life? What does faith really look like? What is it? What better day to look at that than today, “Good Friday!” The most horrendous act of mob injustice ever and we call it “good.” The day when all the sins of the world, the horrors of the concentration camps, the terrorist bombings, the death of innocent children, and every evil gossiping word that ever came from my own lips were bore by perfect righteousness. He was beaten for my sins. He was mocked, humiliated, and hung on a cross to pay the price of my sin. As He hung there with all the sins of mankind upon His shoulders, the most horrid of all things was when His Father’s joy, love and spirit turned away. The entire earth shook!! Darkness covered the world as the only true light of the world gave up His life to plunge into death alone, naked and covered with my shame, my guilt. We celebrate that as “Good” Friday.
artwork by permission of Ronald Barba
The Centurion Soldier which was in charge of Christ’s execution watched as all the events unfolded. He had heard Jesus say “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This Soldier had witnessed the conversation among those upon the cross. He had watched Jesus tell John to care for Mary. Whatever agony was His own,
Jesus compassion and love for His mother was demonstrated there. The thief who recognized that Jesus was “the Innocent Son of God” was given a promise of salvation as the Centurion watched. Jesus cried out, “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?” The earth shook, all turned dark, the veil in the temple ripped in two. Then Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” With all the deaths this Centurion had witnessed, none were like this one. Then this roman soldier said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” Mark 15:39
GOOD NEWS FOR US
We call today “Good” Friday; because, it was the day that we celebrate the good news that our sins were covered by the blood of Christ. Because He was willing to die for our sins, all who believe in Jesus Christ and accept His atonement for our sins are saved. More than that, in exchange for our sins He covers us with His robe of righteousness so that we might stand before the throne of God to be bathed in His love, His joy, and His Glory. All my sins being cast as far as the east is from the west to never be remembered again. The moment I accepted Christ as my Savior so many years ago, I was declared redeemed, beloved, righteous Child of God. It is not what righteousness I can perform for Christ that earns my salvation; it is what Christ did for me. The best that I can do is to die to my own selfish, self-centered heart each day. I need to crucify that self-will; so that Christ can live through me His righteousness to the world.
GOD’S ACT OF GRACE IN OUR TRIALS
All too often, I have gotten caught up in wanting so much from God. If I were to choose, I wanted the loving husband, the white picket fence, money, career, children and no illness. Perhaps, it was foolish to believe that those things would have brought me more joy than what I have ultimately found!! There was that misconception, false doctrine that we so want to believe. We want to say that if God really loves me He will lavish me with prosperity, health, and all the joys of this world. My whole life was one by one God ripping from my hands, mind, and heart the “counterfeit joys” that I thought would satisfy; so, that I might see Him as my greatest treasure. [bctt tweet=”All those things that I thought were to hard to bear were God’s Act of Grace to transform my heart“] Unless He transformed my heart I could never recognize His Glory, feel His Love, or know true Joy in Him.
WHAT IS FAITH?
When we pause today to look at the cross, let us consider; “What more can He do than what He has already done to display His love for you and me?”
So, once more let us look at “What is faith?”
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
It is not by “works” of my own hands that can please Him, it is faith. It is believing these two things in the midst of whatever circumstance comes into our lives.
1. That He is……More than that He exists. He is…. everything, alpha and omega (beginning and the end), creator of the Universe, perfect righteousness, Perfect love, Sovereign God, Omnipotent, perfect Joy, and my greatest treasure. That nothing compares to knowing Him.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3)
2. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. It is standing firm on that truth even when in the midst of trials. It is remembering this is not my final destination. It is knowing that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called to His purpose.” Our reward is a much higher reward than these things of this earth. It is the fruit of the Spirit in us which are: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5). Those gifts of the Spirit sustain us through life’s greatest trials. Those gifts fill our hearts with hope for each new day.
Conclusion:
Again I ask,[bctt tweet=” “What more can we ask for than that which we have already been given in Christ?””]
I have chosen for you today this song with animation It is Finished
Artwork by permission of Ronald Barba and can be purchased at http://fineartamerica.com/featured/forgive-them-ronald-barba.html
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
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. 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.