Life isn’t about owning the most land or building up a fortune of the nicest things money can buy. Life is about getting to know the Creator of our souls, the One who loved us enough to suffer and die for us.”
–Kenneth S. Pratt (Willow Falls)
“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
–Hebrews 1:3 (NASB)
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What do you think is the most important verse in the Bible? I’m sure many will quickly say, John 3:16, and it would be hard to argue that. Others may point to John 1:1-4 and that has its merit. My personal opinion is:
“Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
–John 19:30 (NASB)
Everything from the time of creation, and even before creation, pointed to that day. Upon that statement by Jesus, eternity hinges. All, and I do mean all, revolves around that statement. There would be no need for John 1:1-4 without that statement. There could be no John 3:16 unless Jesus could make that statement.
Let me throw out some terms to you: atonement, substitution, propitiation, redemption, justification, pardon, mercy, grace, sacrifice, reconciliation, restoration–this was the work of the cross. Jesus took our infirmities, He bore our sickness, the sins of the world–past, present, and future–He took upon Himself at the cross. He assumed our burden on the cross, that is one reason this day is called “Good Friday.”
Let me quickly add, I am not taking away from the resurrection. Without the resurrection, the cross would be worthless, but the “work” was finished on the cross. The crucifixion of Jesus is the “finishing of transgression and the making of an end to sin.” We are reconciled to God by the death of His Son (Romans 5:10). I like the way Horatius Bonar states it, “To the cross, therefore, do we look and cleave; knowing that out of its death cometh life to us, and out of its condemnation pardon and righteousness.”
Those words from the cross declare that the purpose of His coming is now complete. When Jesus cried, “It is finished!” sin, death, and the grave were defeated. It didn’t happen in the grave, the work was completed on the cross. Jesus never wondered about the resurrection. He was secure in His divinity and the power of the Father and Holy Spirit to know that He would rise again. There was never any doubt there, but He dreaded all the pain of the cross in His manhood. He would feel pain, and the Holy One, the Pure One, would be touched by the sins of all.
He would not remain in the tomb! “The resurrection is the blessed announcement of the Father that the work had been accepted and the surety set free; but it was no part either of the atonement or the righteousness” (Bonar). “He rose, not in order to justify us, but because we were justified. In raising Him from the dead, God the Father cleared Him from the imputed guilt which had nailed Him to the cross and borne Him down to the tomb” (Bonar) His sacrifice was accepted, the Father’s righteous judgment upon sin was accepted. When He cried, “It is finished” the judgment of man’s sin was accepted.
Take time this weekend to read those wonderful words penned by George Bennard. He purposely draws our attention to the cross. Take heart in those words, understand that when Jesus cried, “It is finished,” it was also a proclamation.
“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.”
–George Bennard
Month: April 2020
Echoes From the Campfire
I don’t have to go to church to hunt for Him. I see Him around me every day, everywhere I look.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Good Old Boys)
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”
–Philippians 3:8 (NASB)
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Does the cross just represent an emotional response? Does it bring tears and sorrow? That is not necessarily bad, but if that’s all it does then it is a reproach to what took place on the cross. Isaac Watts wrote a great hymn concerning the cross. Throughout the years it has brought to many an emotional response, but that was not the purpose of Watts. Ponder each verse from this grand old hymn.
“When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.”
Do you count your career loss? How about your material possessions? When we look at the cross it should do more than bring mere tears, it should force us to humble service. Paul said that he would boast only in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything else is vain, meaningless, unless we view them in light of the cross. Our efforts, our good deeds, our awards, our honors, all that we have accomplished are not worth boasting about in view of the cross.
“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.”
Jesus took it all! Why then do we look to ourselves? The images depict a horrible image that will and should stir our emotions. But God did not intend for us to simply cry over Christ’s suffering. Many people saw Mel Gibson’s movie–they wept, tears were flowing–but their lives did not change. We may have sorrow, but not repentance, yet a purpose of the cross is to bring man to repentance and obedience.
“See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?”
“The verb ‘survey’ means ‘to view in detail,’ but Watts had more than careful observation in mind when he encouraged Christians to survey the ‘cross on which the Prince of Glory died.’ When we truly survey the cross, kneeling in awe before the astounding love that was poured out for us there, it alters the way we live.” (Denise K. Loock, Open Your Hymnal)
“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
It demands more than tears, it demands your soul–your all. Yes, remember the cross and the sacrifice of Christ. Yes, shed tears, but not of sorrow, but of joy for now you can be redeemed by this precious blood that was shed. Sing this song in worship; this “worship should prune our souls and motivate us to act upon the words we sing.” (Loock)
Echoes From the Campfire
Get people spoiled to luxury and pretty soon it’s not a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Good Old Boys)
“Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or elseI am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place–unless you repent.”
–Revelation 2:5 (NASB)
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There is one topic that I rarely hear preached from the pulpit anymore, yet it is vital to the growth of the church and of the Christian. People are quoting and claiming 2 Chronicles 7:14, but are not fulfilling the obligations presented in the verse. REPENTANCE! It is a vital doctrine, but is not presented. Repentance means that we have sinned; repentance means that man has a sin nature, both of which are not viewed in a good light by people today.
For God to heal our land there must be humbleness and repentance. Repentance means that we will do our best not to sin again, not to offend anymore. What is it that causes a person/you to offend? I came across the following when reading last week and thought I would share it. It is a piece by F.B. Meyer dealing with the cause of sin and what we should do about it.
“Is it a friendship? Then he will cut the tender cord, though it were a thread of his life.
Is it an amusement? The he will forever absent himself from that place, those scenes, and that companionship.
Is it a profitable means of making money? Then he will rather live on a crust than follow it a moment longer.
Is it a study, a pursuit, a book? Then he will rather lose hand or foot or eye than miss the favor of God, which is life.
Is it something that the church permits? Nevertheless, to him if it be sin, he will discard it.
If you cannot walk on ice without slipping or falling, it is better not to go on at all. If you cannot digest certain food, it is better not to put it into the mouth.”
People are afraid, yet they refuse to repent. They refuse to humble themselves before the Lord and recognize they are not where they belong in the eyes of the Lord. I have seen pictures of people along streets and byways praying. Good, that is a first step. On to repentance–a changing of ways, a changing of lifestyles. People must get back to the Bible, and recognize the holiness of Almighty God.
The Saga of Miles Forrest
As Charlie Gold and Molly sat at the table Marta came over to give Charlie a hug and little kiss on the cheek. “We have some pie left, I’ll bring you a piece,” said Marta sweetly the whirled to go to the kitchen.
Charlie looked over at the empty chair. “He’s been gone quite a spell,” uttered Charlie. He then go up to get some coffee from the pot on the stove. “No coffee!” he muttered in amazement.
Molly shook her head. “No, I’ll have to get you some from the kitchen. That’s Miles’ pot; he’s the one that tends to it.”
Marta came from the kitchen with pie and two cups in her hand. “Don’t bother yourself, Molly. Sit, I’ll be right back with the coffee.”
“Miles sent a telegram,” began Molly. “Marshal Blasco has been shot and they’re waiting for the U.S. Marshal for the New Mexico Territory to arrive. He should be home in a few days.”
He watched as Molly absent-mindedly fiddled with the hand on her cup. “You’re worried.”
A small smile came from Molly as she shook her head. “No, I’ve learned to trust in the Lord and not to worry.” She took a small sip. “That’s not to say I’m not a little concerned.”
Marta was just coming to sit down with them as there was no one in the restaurant when the door opened. “That’s him,” whispered Molly.
Charlie looked him over carefully as the man took a chair at a table closer to the kitchen.
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I had been explaining to Jens about the Pale Rider. For some reason the Lord had allowed me to have this vision, or illusion of him, though the Pale Rider was Death itself. “I don’t know how to explain it Jens. I’ve seen or heard him a couple of dozen times. He always comes with a threat, and when he does appear to me someone always dies.”
Blasco rubbed down on his leg and took a deep sigh. “It doesn’t concern you, that spirit or whatever dogging your trail?”
“It used to until I realized that he can’t do nothin’ that the good Lord don’t allow. I put my faith in Him and when it’s time for me to go I know it won’t be the Pale Rider comin’ for me, but the Lord Himself,” I said pausing to watch his face. “After all, he’s doggin’ us all for death will eventually happen, that’s one thing we can be sure of.”
I could see that Blasco was thinking on what I’d been telling him. “You stay in that chair!” I ordered. “I’m goin’ to check if I can get some information on that shooter, and check on the doc.”
Turning to leave, Jens stopped me. “Check with the telegraph operator. Maybe the train’s been delayed.”
As I stepped out on the boardwalk I saw the waitress sitting alone at the cantina so I walked toward her. Approaching the table I looked around the bar for Ramon, and not seeing him I sat down and when I did she started to get up.
“Wait!” I admonished. “What is goin’ on with this town?”
Her stare, I thought, was going to penetrate my head. It was piercing and hard. There was no hatred for me, but I could feel the bitterness. “Senor, you and your friend should leave.”
“Do you have a name?” I asked softly. “It’s always nice to know who you’re talkin’ with.”
That seemed to soften her a little that I was interested enough to want to know her name. She looked around, then answered, “Cora.”
“Cora, who was the man that was shot?” I asked. “Tell me, please.”
“What good will it do you? He’s dead,” she snapped then turn to rush away. For some reason she stopped, took a couple of steps back toward me. “He work for Abrams…sometimes. His name Les, I do not know his last name.” She then hurried away.
She was right, it did him no good, but now I was sure Abrams set him up to kill Jens. It was time to talk with Fitzer at the telegraph office. When I walked in, he paled. I laid the Greener down a little harder than normal the barrels pointing in his direction.
“Tell me about the train!”
“It’s late,” he stuttered, then wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth.
“That’s a good start, now continue,” I commanded.
“Uh, well, uh,” I moved the Greener and his eyes went to it. “It’s late because there was an accident, an explosion.”
I didn’t say anything, just stared, but I think it was the two dark eyes from the shotgun that kept his attention. “Uh, someone detonated the rails, the train went off the track. It’ll be at least a week, maybe longer.”
I put my thumb on one of the hammers, “Continue,” I implored him.
He wiped his forehead, swallowed hard, the his eyes brightened. “There’s a telegram for Marshal Blasco. I almost forgot.”
Handing me the paper, he wiped his forehead again, then touched his upper lip. “Blasco, delayed STOP be there in a day or so, Martin.”
“Now, I’m only goin’ to ask once,” I informed Fitzer and pulled back the hammer. The sound was loud in the little room. “Who did you tell that Marshal Martin was comin’?”
“Uh, uh, only…”