What is man, that you are mindful of him...
Hebrews 2:6 (ESV)
After discussing the nature of Christ in the first chapter of the epistle, the author of Hebrews now addresses the nature of man. This order is proper. No one will ever understand the nature and purpose of mankind without understanding the true nature of God through Christ. The confusion among the millions regarding mankind can be traced to their refusal to first embrace God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
What was man's original purpose? According to the verses following verse 6, man was made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor to represent God in the earth and to subdue creation for his glory. He was far beyond just another link in the chain of random evolution. He had design! He was fashioned by a loving Father-creator who created him for a specific purpose. He was to rule over God's creation. Lower than the angels in that he was limited to the physical earth and its environs, he was made to represent God in developing the earth to reveal the majesty of intended glory. He was equipped to discover the mysteries in God's person and the treasures in God's creation.
Well, it is obvious that something happened to the plan - sin entered the equation. So, what did sin do to mankind? "At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him" (Hebrews 2:8). The reality of sin's invasion is all too plain for those who have eyes to see. This man that was designed to rule over creation finds himself bowing down to earthly idols and heavenly bodies. He fears the forces that were intended to be under his feet. He is a slave to the ambitions and appetites that were given to him to enhance and enable his rule. He is a pitiful sham, much like the ancient story of once mighty Samson, who after routing the enemies by supernatural exploits of strength, stands blind and bound to a pillar of the enemy's temple. In this state, man is far from his destiny.
Can he be restored? "But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9). We have a representative who has achieved mankind's destiny. There is a man who has not been tainted by sin's influence and is not bound by creation's chains. He has tasted the bitter cup of wrath for man's sin and by the power of an indestructible life has risen from the grave with the keys to death and hell. He now sits upon the throne of God's kingdom and grants to all who believe in him the power to live on earth as he has. Our future is secure because of his past actions and present status. He gives authority to those who are his. Through him, mankind can get back to the assigned destiny.
By grace he has restored us, not as gods to rule in our own kingdoms, but as sons to rule under his authority in our appointed spheres. Whatever opinion might be given for man's dignity in the noisy marketplace of human ideas, there is none that matches the explanation given by God as his word goes forth.
Rejoice in him who now sits as the true man. He is worthy of worship. We can never reach our destiny without relating to him.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christ: The Secret Place of the Most High by Chip Brogden
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps. 91:1)
If the Bible is primarily a spiritual book, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and to be interpreted and discerned by spiritual men and women, then the natural explanation of things is insufficient to get at the real truth contained within its pages.
In the mind of the Spirit everything points us to Christ - there is no compartmentalization, there is no "thing" that has significance by itself. Everything is connected and pointing us to a deeper reality, and the reality we are being constantly brought around to is the Person of Jesus Christ. He is the theme, the subject, the point of everything written, everything illustrated, everything taught, everything recorded in the Bible.
And so the Temple reveals something of Christ. The Sabbath day reveals something of Christ. The Promised Land reveals something of Christ. Every saint in the Bible reveals something of Christ. Every symbol, every type, every shadow, all points to a very real Person, a very real substance. "Of Him, through Him, and unto Him are all things" (Rom. 11:36). The natural interpretation of things, the historical view, is only the surface-level. The real riches, the real treasure, is found beneath the surface. You have to go deeper than the carnal, natural understanding, it requires spiritual seeing, spiritual discernment.
And so, whenever we come across something in Scripture like "The Secret Place of the Most High God", we who are spiritual - who have the Holy Spirit as our Teacher - should be trained enough by the Holy Spirit to be able to recognize immediately: that is Christ. There He is. I see yet another dimension of Him here.
Let me ask, how can you make the Lord your habitation, your dwelling place? How is that possible? This can only be interpreted spiritually, it is absolutely impossible, and hardly conceivable, if we think of it naturally. How can the Lord be my dwelling place? How can I live in the Lord? Well, it's like Nicodemus saying, "How can a man enter into his mother's womb and be born again?"
How do we make the Lord our habitation? How can He become a place for us to dwell in? Well, it was a mystery for them in the Old Testament. They could go to the Temple, and they knew the priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, and perhaps that would be the closest anyone could get to dwelling, abiding, in the Lord, or at least, being in the presence of the Lord. But that was only for a few priests, it was not available to everyone.
Then we come to those wonderful words of Jesus in John 15, and we begin to understand. It is quite beyond human explanation. It remains a mystery, a locked door, until the Lord Jesus Himself comes to us and reveals the mystery and unlocks the door. He says, "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you" (Jn. 15:4). It doesn't take a very brilliant person to make the connection between Psalm 91 and John 15. The language is the same. Read John 15, then go back and read Psalm 91 again. All those words - abide, dwell, live - they all mean the same thing. "He who dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" goes right together with "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you."
Yes, this Secret Place where we abide is Christ. It is not some thing or some place outside of Christ, but a place in Christ Himself. HE IS THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. He is that place that has been prepared for us.
Now when we read Psalm 91 it takes on an even greater significance. If you hold on to Psalm 91 for physical protection I don't mean to discourage you or anyone else from doing so; but I do encourage you to dig deeper and get hold of it for something far better. It is a spiritual refuge, a spiritual covering, a place where evil cannot touch you, because you are hidden in Christ. A place where the body may become weak and may even be destroyed, beheaded like John the Baptist, stoned like Stephen, crucified like Peter - but the spirit cannot be touched. The communion and fellowship and presence of Christ Himself keeps you in His own Victory, a Victory that survives everything else, that goes beyond your own mortality, beyond your years here on earth, and goes with you up and away and apart from the earthy and the physical and the temporal - on into eternity.
If the Bible is primarily a spiritual book, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and to be interpreted and discerned by spiritual men and women, then the natural explanation of things is insufficient to get at the real truth contained within its pages.
In the mind of the Spirit everything points us to Christ - there is no compartmentalization, there is no "thing" that has significance by itself. Everything is connected and pointing us to a deeper reality, and the reality we are being constantly brought around to is the Person of Jesus Christ. He is the theme, the subject, the point of everything written, everything illustrated, everything taught, everything recorded in the Bible.
And so the Temple reveals something of Christ. The Sabbath day reveals something of Christ. The Promised Land reveals something of Christ. Every saint in the Bible reveals something of Christ. Every symbol, every type, every shadow, all points to a very real Person, a very real substance. "Of Him, through Him, and unto Him are all things" (Rom. 11:36). The natural interpretation of things, the historical view, is only the surface-level. The real riches, the real treasure, is found beneath the surface. You have to go deeper than the carnal, natural understanding, it requires spiritual seeing, spiritual discernment.
And so, whenever we come across something in Scripture like "The Secret Place of the Most High God", we who are spiritual - who have the Holy Spirit as our Teacher - should be trained enough by the Holy Spirit to be able to recognize immediately: that is Christ. There He is. I see yet another dimension of Him here.
Let me ask, how can you make the Lord your habitation, your dwelling place? How is that possible? This can only be interpreted spiritually, it is absolutely impossible, and hardly conceivable, if we think of it naturally. How can the Lord be my dwelling place? How can I live in the Lord? Well, it's like Nicodemus saying, "How can a man enter into his mother's womb and be born again?"
How do we make the Lord our habitation? How can He become a place for us to dwell in? Well, it was a mystery for them in the Old Testament. They could go to the Temple, and they knew the priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, and perhaps that would be the closest anyone could get to dwelling, abiding, in the Lord, or at least, being in the presence of the Lord. But that was only for a few priests, it was not available to everyone.
Then we come to those wonderful words of Jesus in John 15, and we begin to understand. It is quite beyond human explanation. It remains a mystery, a locked door, until the Lord Jesus Himself comes to us and reveals the mystery and unlocks the door. He says, "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you" (Jn. 15:4). It doesn't take a very brilliant person to make the connection between Psalm 91 and John 15. The language is the same. Read John 15, then go back and read Psalm 91 again. All those words - abide, dwell, live - they all mean the same thing. "He who dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" goes right together with "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you."
Yes, this Secret Place where we abide is Christ. It is not some thing or some place outside of Christ, but a place in Christ Himself. HE IS THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. He is that place that has been prepared for us.
Now when we read Psalm 91 it takes on an even greater significance. If you hold on to Psalm 91 for physical protection I don't mean to discourage you or anyone else from doing so; but I do encourage you to dig deeper and get hold of it for something far better. It is a spiritual refuge, a spiritual covering, a place where evil cannot touch you, because you are hidden in Christ. A place where the body may become weak and may even be destroyed, beheaded like John the Baptist, stoned like Stephen, crucified like Peter - but the spirit cannot be touched. The communion and fellowship and presence of Christ Himself keeps you in His own Victory, a Victory that survives everything else, that goes beyond your own mortality, beyond your years here on earth, and goes with you up and away and apart from the earthy and the physical and the temporal - on into eternity.
How to Make Room for the Blessings of God by Wendy Griffith
Wendy Griffith is an anchor and senior reporter for CBN and recently became a friend of ours. We are excited about the connections the Lord continues to give us, as well as connect them with others through our Converging Zone Network. Enjoy this from Wendy and come hear Wendy and several of our other friends at our gathering February 24- 26th in Raleigh, NC.. More info Here
Not long ago, I decided it was time to throw away some flowers that I'd been keeping in a vase in my kitchen for nearly two years! They were fairly dead at this point, as you can imagine, but two years ago when I received them, they were the most beautiful, multi-colored baby roses that I'd ever seen. When they died, they still kept their shape and color and looked pretty in the vase sitting on my coffee table, so I kept them there to enjoy. But recently I noticed they had turned mostly gray and the dried leaves were making a mess all over my kitchen. Since I had a friend visiting from out of town and was cleaning the house, I decided it was time to throw the flowers away. Not realizing what God was getting ready to show me, I cleaned out the vase and put it back in the cupboard.
Two days later, I went to the airport to pick up my friend who was visiting me, and guess what he had in his hands? Tulips! Beautiful, multi-colored tulips—very similar to the flowers that I'd just thrown away! And immediately, I knew the Lord was speaking to me: When you throw away, get rid of the old, dead, tired things in your life—God will bring fresh, new life. In this case, flowers! But, first, we have to be willing to release the old...
Clean Out the Closet and Make Room for the New
I've seen this principal work even when it comes to my closet. If you're like me, you tend to hold on to clothes long after you've stopped wearing them or they're even in style! But, every so often, I do take a bag of clothes to the church. What I've noticed is that every time I do that, God blesses me with something new to wear. For example, the wardrobe lady at CBN will call and say, "Wendy, I was shopping the other day and found something with your name on it," or I'll visit my Mom and she'll surprise me with something new to wear. It never fails!!
Need some new clothes (i.e. something new)? Take my advice, "clean out your closet" and give some clothes (something old) away and make room for the new God is waiting to release to you! It works every time.
The Shunammite Woman Makes Room for the Blessing—Literally!
The principal of making room for God reminds me of the Shunammite woman—the Shunammite woman literally made room for God, and it changed her life dramatically. (Read 2 Kings Chapter 4:8-17.)
Elisha passed by her house on a regular basis and would often stop by for a meal. One day, the woman asked her husband to build a room for the man of God so he could stay overnight and rest on his journeys. Her generous spirit touched Elisha and he asked her, "What can I do for you? You've gone to all this trouble for me, now what can I do for you?"
Have you ever heard God ask you that in your spirit? What can I do for you? You've done all of this for Me, now what can I give you? What do you want? I've discovered that when you make room for God, He looks for ways to bless you—because when you make room for Him—it touches His heart.
The Shunammite woman answered, "I dwell among my own people." In other words, "I'm comfortable, I have all that I need." It's believed she was a woman of means; she had all the political connections she needed with the king and she was wealthy. But God knew there was something she really wanted even though she wasn't saying it. And God was determined to give it to her—because, God says, When you put Me first, I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). So, Elisha called his servant again and said, "What can we do for her?"
And his servant Gehazi said, "Well, she doesn't have a son and her husband is old." So, Elisha called her again and said to her, "About this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms."
I love her response, "No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!" In other words, "Do not make me believe again for that thing I believed You for a long time ago but it never came to pass; my heart cannot bear it. But if it's true, then you've just made me the happiest woman in the world!"
When you make room for God like the Shunammite woman, He will bring new life to old dreams! He will resurrect that dream that you thought was dead and bring hope to what you thought was buried! And He will give you the deep desires of your heart—even when your heart has lost the ability to ask for them, as the Shunammite woman's had.
My Dream to Anchor the News
God really spoke to me through this Scripture back in the spring of 2000. I had only been at CBN for about a year and had just come down from our DC office where I'd been the Capitol Hill reporter. I was still reporting but I wasn't doing any anchoring, which was more of a desire than I realized at the time. And it didn't look like there were any prospects for me to do that at CBN, so I was trying not to get my hopes up. But one night in prayer, the Lord clearly spoke to me that I would anchor the news on The 700 Club.
My reaction was like the Shunammite woman, No, My Lord, don't lie to your maidservant. Then I opened my Bible right to the Scripture in 2 Kings, "about this time next year you will hold a son in your arms." And so it happened in May of 2001, exactly one year later, I anchored the news for the first time on The 700 Club! See, anchoring was a dream that had died, but God brought it back to life!
What the Shunammite woman really did was put God first. Jesus said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these (other) things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). When she told her husband, "Let's make room for the man of God," she was getting her priorities in order. Maybe she really wanted to re-do the kitchen, or put hardwood floors in the great room, but instead, she made room for the man of God so when he passed by he could rest and have a home away from home. She put God first and He in turn put her first.
When You Make Room for God, Miracles Happen!
When you make room for God, miracles happen! What happened to the Shunammite woman was no less than a miracle! The Scripture says her husband was old. Perhaps he was so old he couldn't help her conceive. We don't know for sure, we just know he was old and she had never had a baby. But God opened her womb and gave her a son because she made room for Him.
God looked into her heart and brought new life to old dreams because she made room for God. She made room for His presence, she made room for the anointing, she made room for the blessing.
So often it seems that God is waiting on us to make room for Him. Yes, in our closets and our flower vases, but more importantly—in our hearts! And maybe you won't literally build a room for God like the Shunammite woman, but you can make Him Lord of your life and the Lover of your soul. You can make spending time with Him the most important part of your day. And when you make Him your passion, the Psalmist says, "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11).
God is Waiting to Bless You!
I believe God has gifts and blessings stored up, just waiting to bless you, just like He was waiting on me to throw those dead flowers away so He could bring new ones. So often we hold on to the past, we hold on to something that has no life left in it, and we unknowingly forsake the blessing. Make a decision today to let go of the past, let go of the old, stale, tired and dead things in your life and make room for the blessings of God! God has something fresh and alive for you! Something new!
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, "Do not remember the former things nor consider the ways of old! Behold, I will do a new thing, now it springs forth, shall you not see it?!"
When you make room for God—He is waiting to pour out a blessing on you!
Wendy Griffith is an anchor and senior reporter for the Christian Broadcasting Network based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She co-anchors several shows: CBN Newswatch, a daily 30-minute newscast seen throughout the United States; Christian World News, seen weekly around the world on the Trinity Broadcasting Network; and CBN News Tonight seen every evening on cbnnewschannel.com. She also frequently anchors the news on CBN's flagship show, The 700 Club.
In addition to her news duties, Wendy also has a passion for preaching the Gospel and encouraging and empowering women to fulfill their destinies in Jesus Christ. If you'd like Wendy to speak at your Women's Conference or other event, please contact her at: wendy.griffith@cbn.org.
The Great Christmas Auction by James Ryle
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
Years ago there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.
The widowed elder man watched with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. He opened the door, and a soldier greeted him with a large package in his hand.
“I was a friend of your son,” the soldier said. “I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.” As the two began to talk, the solider told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his father’s love of fine art.
“I’m an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give you this.”
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son, which the soldier had painted. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in high anticipation! According to the will of the old man, all of the art would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim “I have the greatest collection.” The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son.
The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the truly valuable items.”
More voices echoed in agreement.
“No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the son?”
Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. “Will you take fifty dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.
“I have a bid of fifty dollars,” called the auctioneer. “Will anyone go higher?”
After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice. Gone.”
The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these great treasures!” The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! We demand that you explain what’s going on!”
“It’s very simple,” the auctioneer replied. “According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son . . . gets it all.”
The Bible says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). Receive Jesus into your life, and you get everything that God has to give!
Take the Son, and get it all!
Years ago there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.
The widowed elder man watched with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. He opened the door, and a soldier greeted him with a large package in his hand.
“I was a friend of your son,” the soldier said. “I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.” As the two began to talk, the solider told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his father’s love of fine art.
“I’m an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give you this.”
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son, which the soldier had painted. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in high anticipation! According to the will of the old man, all of the art would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim “I have the greatest collection.” The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son.
The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the truly valuable items.”
More voices echoed in agreement.
“No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the son?”
Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. “Will you take fifty dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.
“I have a bid of fifty dollars,” called the auctioneer. “Will anyone go higher?”
After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice. Gone.”
The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these great treasures!” The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! We demand that you explain what’s going on!”
“It’s very simple,” the auctioneer replied. “According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son . . . gets it all.”
The Bible says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). Receive Jesus into your life, and you get everything that God has to give!
Take the Son, and get it all!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Contrasting the Discipleship Methods of Jesus and Jewish Rabbis by Joseph Mattera
In order to understand the New Testament, it is vital for us to understand the cultural and religious background of Jesus and His disciples. With this in mind, it is helpful for us to understand the common discipleship method of the Jewish rabbis during Jesus’ day, so we can gain a greater appreciation of His radical approach based on His claim of lordship.
On the surface there appears to be no essential difference between the discipleship methods of Jesus and that of the rabbis of His time. For example, both Jesus and the rabbis of His time had disciples or students that would attach themselves to them.
However, a closer examination shows there are fundamental differences between these two approaches. The following shows these contrasts.
1. The talmidim (rabbis’ disciples) chose their own teacher. Jesus chose His own disciples (John 15:16; Luke 9:57-62). Mark 5:18-19 shows how Jesus even rejected some who wanted to follow Him!
2 The talmidim chose a rabbi based on his knowledge of the Torah (the Old Testament Scriptures) because the law was the center of Judaism. A rabbi only had authority commensurate to his knowledge of the Torah; the authority belonged to the Torah, not any individual rabbi.
In contrast, Jesus expected His disciples to renounce everything, not for the sake of the Torah but for His sake alone (Matthew 10:38). In the New Covenant, Jesus is the center of the universe, not the Torah (or the Bible). Read Colossians 1:17; John 5:39-40. (Of course, the Scriptures bear witness of Christ if read with an unveiled heart; read 2 Corinthians 3:15-18.)
3. In Judaism, being a disciple was only transitional--a means to an end--with the goal of becoming a rabbi. For the disciples of Jesus discipleship was not a step towards a promising career; the following of Jesus was in itself the fulfillment of destiny (Romans 8:29-30).
There is no graduation or official degree that completes our discipleship process. It is an ongoing process that continues until our last breath in this life and beyond (Philippians 3:7-14; 2 Peter 3:18).
4. Disciples of rabbis were only their students, nothing more. The disciples of Jesus were also His servants who committed themselves to obeying Him and suffering for His sake (Matthew 16:24-25; John 12:26).
5. The disciples of rabbis merely passed on their teachings. The disciples of Jesus were called to be with Him (Mark 3:14) and be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).
6. The disciples of rabbis were attempting to bring back the former glory of the nation of Israel. The disciples of Jesus were (and still are) the vanguard of the coming kingdom and await the second bodily return of King Jesus.
7. For the disciples of rabbinic Judaism, following the letter of the 613 laws and rabbinic interpretations of the Torah was of prime importance. But for Jesus, rules and regulations were not as important as caring for the human soul. Read Mark 2:1-12; 3:1-6.
8. The Jewish rabbis stressed separation from non-Jews and those that were unclean. Jesus taught that loving our neighbors is equal to loving God--irrespective of whether or not a person is a Jew or not. Read Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:30-37.
On the surface there appears to be no essential difference between the discipleship methods of Jesus and that of the rabbis of His time. For example, both Jesus and the rabbis of His time had disciples or students that would attach themselves to them.
However, a closer examination shows there are fundamental differences between these two approaches. The following shows these contrasts.
1. The talmidim (rabbis’ disciples) chose their own teacher. Jesus chose His own disciples (John 15:16; Luke 9:57-62). Mark 5:18-19 shows how Jesus even rejected some who wanted to follow Him!
2 The talmidim chose a rabbi based on his knowledge of the Torah (the Old Testament Scriptures) because the law was the center of Judaism. A rabbi only had authority commensurate to his knowledge of the Torah; the authority belonged to the Torah, not any individual rabbi.
In contrast, Jesus expected His disciples to renounce everything, not for the sake of the Torah but for His sake alone (Matthew 10:38). In the New Covenant, Jesus is the center of the universe, not the Torah (or the Bible). Read Colossians 1:17; John 5:39-40. (Of course, the Scriptures bear witness of Christ if read with an unveiled heart; read 2 Corinthians 3:15-18.)
3. In Judaism, being a disciple was only transitional--a means to an end--with the goal of becoming a rabbi. For the disciples of Jesus discipleship was not a step towards a promising career; the following of Jesus was in itself the fulfillment of destiny (Romans 8:29-30).
There is no graduation or official degree that completes our discipleship process. It is an ongoing process that continues until our last breath in this life and beyond (Philippians 3:7-14; 2 Peter 3:18).
4. Disciples of rabbis were only their students, nothing more. The disciples of Jesus were also His servants who committed themselves to obeying Him and suffering for His sake (Matthew 16:24-25; John 12:26).
5. The disciples of rabbis merely passed on their teachings. The disciples of Jesus were called to be with Him (Mark 3:14) and be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).
6. The disciples of rabbis were attempting to bring back the former glory of the nation of Israel. The disciples of Jesus were (and still are) the vanguard of the coming kingdom and await the second bodily return of King Jesus.
7. For the disciples of rabbinic Judaism, following the letter of the 613 laws and rabbinic interpretations of the Torah was of prime importance. But for Jesus, rules and regulations were not as important as caring for the human soul. Read Mark 2:1-12; 3:1-6.
8. The Jewish rabbis stressed separation from non-Jews and those that were unclean. Jesus taught that loving our neighbors is equal to loving God--irrespective of whether or not a person is a Jew or not. Read Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:30-37.
The Afflictions of Love by Francis Frangipane
Wounding is inevitable if we are following Christ. Jesus was both "marred" (Isa. 52:14) and "wounded" (Zech. 13:6), and if we are sincere in our pursuit of His nature, we will suffer as well. How else can love be perfected?
Yet, let us beware. We either become Christlike and forgive, or we enter a spiritual time warp where we abide continually in the memory of our wounding. Like a systemic disease, the hurtful memories destroy every aspect of our reality. In truth, apart from God, the wounding that life inflicts is incurable. God has decreed that only Christ in us can survive.
Intercessors live on the frontier of change. We are positioned to stand between the needs of man and the provision of God. Because we are the agents of redemption, Satan will always seek the means to offend, discourage, silence, or otherwise steal the strength of our prayers. The wounding we receive must be interpreted in light of God's promise to reverse the effects of evil and make them work for our good (Rom. 8:28). Since spiritual assaults are inevitable, we must discover how God uses our wounds as the means to greater power. This was exactly how Christ brought redemption to the world.
Jesus knew that maintaining love and forgiveness in the midst of suffering was the key that unlocked the power of redemption. Isaiah 53:11 tells us, "By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities."
Jesus possessed "revelation knowledge" into the mystery of God. He knew that the secret to unleashing world-transforming power was found at the cross. The terrible offense of the cross became the place of redemption for the world. Yet, remember, Jesus calls us to a cross as well. (See Matthew 16:24.) Wounding is simply an altar upon which our sacrifice to God is prepared.
Listen again to Isaiah's prophetic description of Jesus' life. His words, at first, seem startling, but as we read, we discover a most profound truth concerning the power of woundedness. He wrote,
"But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand" (Isa. 53:10).
How did Jesus obtain the power of God's pleasure and have it prosper in His hands? During His times of crushing, woundedness, and devastation, instead of retaliating, He rendered Himself "as a guilt offering."
The crushing is not a disaster; it is an opportunity. You see, our purposeful love may or may not touch the sinner's heart, but it always touches the heart of God. We are crushed by people, but we need to allow the crushing to ascend as an offering to God. The far greater benefit is the effect our mercy has on the Father. If we truly want to be instruments of God's good pleasure, then it is redemption, not wrath, that must prosper in our hands.
So, when Christ encounters conflict, even though He is the Lion of Judah, He comes as the Lamb of God. Even when He is outwardly stern, His loving heart is always mindful that He is the "guilt offering." Thus, Jesus not only asks the Father to forgive those who have wounded Him, but also numbers Himself with the transgressors and intercedes for them (Isa. 53:12). He does this because the Father takes "no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezek. 33:11), and it is the pleasure of God that Jesus seeks.
Is this not the wonder and mystery, yes, and the power, of Christ's cross? In anguish and sorrow, wounded in heart and soul, still He offered Himself for His executioners' sins. Without visible evidence of success, deemed a sinner and a failure before man, He courageously held true to mercy. In the depth of terrible crushing, He let love attain its most glorious perfection. He uttered the immortal words, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
Christ could have escaped. As the Romans came to arrest Him, He told Peter, "Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matt. 26:53). In less than a heartbeat, the skies would have been flooded with thousands of warring angels. Yes, Jesus could have escaped, but mankind would have perished. Christ chose to go to hell for us rather than return to heaven without us. Instead of condemning mankind, He rendered "Himself as a guilt offering" (Isa. 53:10, emphasis added). He prayed the mercy prayer, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34).
Jesus said, "He who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also" (John 14:12). We assume He meant that we would work His miracles, but Jesus did not limit His definition of "works" to the miraculous. The works He did—the redemptive life, the mercy cry, the identification with sinners, rendering Himself a guilt offering—all the works He did, we will "do also."
Thus, because He lives within us, we see that Isaiah 53 does not apply exclusively to Jesus; it also becomes the blueprint for Christ in us. Indeed, was this not part of His reward, that He would see His offspring (Isa. 53:10)? Beloved, we are the progeny of Christ.
Read these words from Paul's heart:
"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" (Col. 1:24).
What did the apostle mean? Did not Christ fully pay mankind's debts once and for all? Did Paul imply that we now take Jesus' place? No, we will never take Jesus' place. It means that Jesus has come to take our place. The Son of God manifests all the aspects of His redemptive, sacrificial life through us. Indeed, "as He is, so also are we in this world" (1 John 4:17).
Paul not only identified with Christ in his personal salvation, but he was also consumed with Christ's purpose. He wrote, "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Phil. 3:10).
What a wondrous reality is the "fellowship of His sufferings." Here, in choosing to yoke our existence with Christ's purpose, we find true friendship with Jesus. This is intimacy with Christ. The sufferings of Christ are not the sorrows typically endured by mankind. They are the afflictions of love. They bring us closer to Jesus. United with Him, we increase the pleasure of God.
Father, I see You have had no higher purpose for me but to manifest through my life the nature of Your Son. I surrender to Christ, rendering myself not merely as a judge or critic, but as an offering for those who have brought wounding to my soul. May the fragrance of my worship remind You of Jesus, and may You forgive and cleanse the world around me.
The preceding message originally came from Pastor Frangipane's book, The Power of One Christlike Life (Whitaker House). It is also taken from a principle chapter in pastor's online school In Christ's Image Training. Next term begins January 7, 2011.
Yet, let us beware. We either become Christlike and forgive, or we enter a spiritual time warp where we abide continually in the memory of our wounding. Like a systemic disease, the hurtful memories destroy every aspect of our reality. In truth, apart from God, the wounding that life inflicts is incurable. God has decreed that only Christ in us can survive.
Intercessors live on the frontier of change. We are positioned to stand between the needs of man and the provision of God. Because we are the agents of redemption, Satan will always seek the means to offend, discourage, silence, or otherwise steal the strength of our prayers. The wounding we receive must be interpreted in light of God's promise to reverse the effects of evil and make them work for our good (Rom. 8:28). Since spiritual assaults are inevitable, we must discover how God uses our wounds as the means to greater power. This was exactly how Christ brought redemption to the world.
Jesus knew that maintaining love and forgiveness in the midst of suffering was the key that unlocked the power of redemption. Isaiah 53:11 tells us, "By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities."
Jesus possessed "revelation knowledge" into the mystery of God. He knew that the secret to unleashing world-transforming power was found at the cross. The terrible offense of the cross became the place of redemption for the world. Yet, remember, Jesus calls us to a cross as well. (See Matthew 16:24.) Wounding is simply an altar upon which our sacrifice to God is prepared.
Listen again to Isaiah's prophetic description of Jesus' life. His words, at first, seem startling, but as we read, we discover a most profound truth concerning the power of woundedness. He wrote,
"But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand" (Isa. 53:10).
How did Jesus obtain the power of God's pleasure and have it prosper in His hands? During His times of crushing, woundedness, and devastation, instead of retaliating, He rendered Himself "as a guilt offering."
The crushing is not a disaster; it is an opportunity. You see, our purposeful love may or may not touch the sinner's heart, but it always touches the heart of God. We are crushed by people, but we need to allow the crushing to ascend as an offering to God. The far greater benefit is the effect our mercy has on the Father. If we truly want to be instruments of God's good pleasure, then it is redemption, not wrath, that must prosper in our hands.
So, when Christ encounters conflict, even though He is the Lion of Judah, He comes as the Lamb of God. Even when He is outwardly stern, His loving heart is always mindful that He is the "guilt offering." Thus, Jesus not only asks the Father to forgive those who have wounded Him, but also numbers Himself with the transgressors and intercedes for them (Isa. 53:12). He does this because the Father takes "no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezek. 33:11), and it is the pleasure of God that Jesus seeks.
Is this not the wonder and mystery, yes, and the power, of Christ's cross? In anguish and sorrow, wounded in heart and soul, still He offered Himself for His executioners' sins. Without visible evidence of success, deemed a sinner and a failure before man, He courageously held true to mercy. In the depth of terrible crushing, He let love attain its most glorious perfection. He uttered the immortal words, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
Christ could have escaped. As the Romans came to arrest Him, He told Peter, "Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matt. 26:53). In less than a heartbeat, the skies would have been flooded with thousands of warring angels. Yes, Jesus could have escaped, but mankind would have perished. Christ chose to go to hell for us rather than return to heaven without us. Instead of condemning mankind, He rendered "Himself as a guilt offering" (Isa. 53:10, emphasis added). He prayed the mercy prayer, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34).
Jesus said, "He who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also" (John 14:12). We assume He meant that we would work His miracles, but Jesus did not limit His definition of "works" to the miraculous. The works He did—the redemptive life, the mercy cry, the identification with sinners, rendering Himself a guilt offering—all the works He did, we will "do also."
Thus, because He lives within us, we see that Isaiah 53 does not apply exclusively to Jesus; it also becomes the blueprint for Christ in us. Indeed, was this not part of His reward, that He would see His offspring (Isa. 53:10)? Beloved, we are the progeny of Christ.
Read these words from Paul's heart:
"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" (Col. 1:24).
What did the apostle mean? Did not Christ fully pay mankind's debts once and for all? Did Paul imply that we now take Jesus' place? No, we will never take Jesus' place. It means that Jesus has come to take our place. The Son of God manifests all the aspects of His redemptive, sacrificial life through us. Indeed, "as He is, so also are we in this world" (1 John 4:17).
Paul not only identified with Christ in his personal salvation, but he was also consumed with Christ's purpose. He wrote, "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Phil. 3:10).
What a wondrous reality is the "fellowship of His sufferings." Here, in choosing to yoke our existence with Christ's purpose, we find true friendship with Jesus. This is intimacy with Christ. The sufferings of Christ are not the sorrows typically endured by mankind. They are the afflictions of love. They bring us closer to Jesus. United with Him, we increase the pleasure of God.
Father, I see You have had no higher purpose for me but to manifest through my life the nature of Your Son. I surrender to Christ, rendering myself not merely as a judge or critic, but as an offering for those who have brought wounding to my soul. May the fragrance of my worship remind You of Jesus, and may You forgive and cleanse the world around me.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The preceding message originally came from Pastor Frangipane's book, The Power of One Christlike Life (Whitaker House). It is also taken from a principle chapter in pastor's online school In Christ's Image Training. Next term begins January 7, 2011.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Las Aflicciones del Amor por Francis Frangipane
Sufrir heridas es inevitable si vamos a seguir a Jesucristo. Jesús fue “desfigurado” (Isaías 52:14) y “herido” (Zacarías 13:6), y si nuestra búsqueda de Su naturaleza es sincera, nosotros también sufriremos. ¿De qué otra manera será perfeccionado el amor?
Y aun, seamos conscientes. O bien llegamos a ser más como Cristo y perdonamos, o entraremos en una burbuja espiritual donde continuamente permanecemos en la memoria de nuestra herida. Como una enfermedad crónica, las memorias dolorosas destruyen cada aspecto de nuestra existencia. De verdad, lejos de Dios, las heridas que ocasiona la vida, son incurables. Dios ha decretado que sólo Cristo en nosotros puede sobrevivir.
Los intercesores vivimos en la frontera del cambio. Estamos posicionados entre las necesidades del hombre y la provisión de Dios. Debido a que somos agentes de redención, Satanás siempre buscará la manera de ofender, desanimar, silenciar o robar de cualquier modo la fuerza de nuestras oraciones. Las heridas que recibimos tienen que ser interpretadas a la luz de la promesa de Dios de revertir los efectos de la maldad para obrarlos para nuestro bien ( Romanos 8:28). Dado que los ataques espirituales son inevitables, tenemos que descubrir como usa Dios nuestras heridas como un medio de acceso a un poder mayor. Fue exactamente así que Cristo trajo redención al mundo.
Jesús supo que permanecer en el amor y el perdón en medio del sufrimiento era la llave que abriría el poder de la redención. Isaías 53:11 nos dice, “por su conocimiento justificará mi siervo justo a muchos, y llevará sobre sí las iniquidades de ellos.”
Jesús tuvo “conocimiento de revelación” del misterio de Dios. Sabía que el secreto para soltar el poder para transformar al mundo se encontraba en la cruz. La terrible ofensa de la cruz se convirtió en la redención para el mundo. Pero acordaos, Jesús también nos llama a nosotros a la cruz (ver Mateo 16:24). Las heridas son simplemente un altar sobre el cual se prepara nuestro sacrificio a Dios.
Escuche nuevamente la descripción profética de Isaías acerca de la vida de Jesús. Sus palabras parecen chocantes a primera vista, pero a medida que leemos, descubrimos una verdad más profunda en cuanto al poder del sufrimiento y del ser herido. Escribió,
“Jehová quiso quebrantarlo, sujetándolo a padecimiento. Cuando haya puesto su vida en expiación por el pecado, verá descendencia, vivirá por largos días y la voluntad de Jehová será en su mano prosperada” (Isaías 53:10).
¿Cómo obtuvo Jesús el poder de la complacencia de Dios y que prosperase en Sus manos? Cuando fue quebrantado, herido, burlado, menospreciado, en lugar de vengarse o tomar represalias, se entrego a sí mismo como “ofrenda de expiación.”
El quebrantamiento no es un desastre; es una oportunidad. Vea, puede que nuestro bien intencionado amor toque o no el corazón del pecador, pero toca siempre el corazón de Dios. Las personas nos quebrantan, pero necesitamos permitir que el quebrantamiento ascienda como ofrenda a Dios. El beneficio mayor es el efecto que nuestra misericordia tiene en el Padre. Si realmente queremos ser instrumentos del beneplácito de Dios, entonces la redención, no la ira, es lo que tiene que prosperar en nuestras manos.
Así, Cuando Cristo se encuentra con el conflicto, aunque Él es el León de Judá, viene como el Cordero de Dios. Incluso cuando Su apariencia externa es severa, su corazón amoroso es siempre consciente que El es la “ofrenda de expiación.” Así, Jesús no solamente pide al Padre que perdone a los que le han herido, sino además se cuenta a sí mismo con los pecadores e intercede por los transgresores (Isaías 53:12). Lo hace porque el Padre “no quiere la muerte del impío” (Ezequiel 33:11) y lo que Jesús busca es la complacencia del Padre.
¿No es esto la maravilla, el misterio y, sí, el poder, de la cruz de Cristo? En angustia y tristeza, herido en corazón y alma, aun se ofreció a sí mismo por los pecados de Sus verdugos. Sin visible evidencia de éxito, contado como pecador y un fracaso ante los hombres, con valentía se mantuvo fiel a la misericordia. En la profundidad de un quebrantamiento terrible, permitió que el amor alcanzase su más gloriosa perfección. Profeso las inmortales palabras, “Padre, perdónalos, porque no saben lo que hacen” (Lucas 23:34).
Cristo pudo haberse escapado. Le dijo a Pedro cuando venían los romanos a arrestarlo, “¿Acaso piensas que no puedo ahora orar a mi Padre, y que él no me daría más de doce legiones de ángeles?” (Mateo 26:53). En menos de un latido de su corazón, los cielos hubiesen estado cubiertos de legiones de ángeles guerreros. Sí, Jesús pudo haber escapado, pero la humanidad hubiera perecido. Cristo eligió ir al infierno por nosotros antes que regresar al cielo sin nosotros. En vez de condenar a la humanidad, se entrego a “sí mismo como ofrenda de expiación.” Oró la oración de misericordia, “Padre, perdónalos.” (Lucas 23:34).
Jesús dijo, “El que en mí cree, las obras que yo hago, él también las hará” (Juan 14:12). Solemos suponer que lo que quiso decir es que obraríamos Sus milagros, pero Jesús no limitó su definición de “obras” a lo milagroso. Las obras que Él hizo – la vida redentora, el clamor por misericordia, la identificación con los pecadores, entregándose a sí mismo como ofrenda de expiación – todas las obras que Él hizo, nosotros también las haremos.
Así, dado que Él vive en nosotros, Isaías 53 no se aplica exclusivamente a Jesús; es también el modelo para Cristo en nosotros. De hecho, ¿no era esto parte de su recompensa, que vería su descendencia? (Isaías 53:10). Amados, nosotros somos la descendencia de Cristo.
Lee estas palabras del corazón de Pablo:
“Ahora me gozo en lo que padezco por vosotros y cumplo en mi carne lo que falta de las aflicciones de Cristo por su cuerpo, que es la iglesia.” (Colosenses 1:24).
¿Qué quiso decir el apóstol? ¿No pagó Cristo completamente la deuda de la humanidad una vez por todas? ¿Está diciendo Pablo que ahora nosotros tomaremos el lugar de Jesús? No, nunca tomaremos el lugar de Jesús. Significa que Jesús ha venido para tomar nuestro lugar. El Hijo de Dios manifiesta todos los aspectos de Su vida redentora y de sacrificio a través de nosotros. Ciertamente, “como él es, así somos nosotros en este mundo” (1ª Juan 4:17).
Pablo no solamente se identificó con Cristo en su salvación personal, sino que también el propósito de Cristo, le consumió. Escribió, “A fin de conocerle, y el poder de su resurrección, y la participación de sus padecimientos, llegando a ser semejante a Él en su muerte” (Filipenses 3:10).
Qué realidad más maravillosa es “participar de Sus padecimientos.” Aquí, al elegir unir nuestra existencia con los propósitos de Cristo, encontramos verdadera comunión con Jesús. Esta es la intimidad con Cristo. Los padecimientos de Cristo no son las aflicciones típicamente experimentadas por la humanidad. Ellas son las aflicciones del amor. Ellas nos acercan más a Jesús. En unidad con El, incrementamos la complacencia de Dios.
Padre, veo que no tuviste otro propósito para mí que manifestar a través de mi vida la naturaleza de Tu Hijo. Me rindo a Cristo, entregándome a mí mismo no solamente como un juez o critico, sino como una ofrenda para aquellos que han generado heridas a mi alma. Que la fragancia de mi adoración te recuerde a Jesús, y que perdones, y limpies el mundo a mí alrededor.
Y aun, seamos conscientes. O bien llegamos a ser más como Cristo y perdonamos, o entraremos en una burbuja espiritual donde continuamente permanecemos en la memoria de nuestra herida. Como una enfermedad crónica, las memorias dolorosas destruyen cada aspecto de nuestra existencia. De verdad, lejos de Dios, las heridas que ocasiona la vida, son incurables. Dios ha decretado que sólo Cristo en nosotros puede sobrevivir.
Los intercesores vivimos en la frontera del cambio. Estamos posicionados entre las necesidades del hombre y la provisión de Dios. Debido a que somos agentes de redención, Satanás siempre buscará la manera de ofender, desanimar, silenciar o robar de cualquier modo la fuerza de nuestras oraciones. Las heridas que recibimos tienen que ser interpretadas a la luz de la promesa de Dios de revertir los efectos de la maldad para obrarlos para nuestro bien ( Romanos 8:28). Dado que los ataques espirituales son inevitables, tenemos que descubrir como usa Dios nuestras heridas como un medio de acceso a un poder mayor. Fue exactamente así que Cristo trajo redención al mundo.
Jesús supo que permanecer en el amor y el perdón en medio del sufrimiento era la llave que abriría el poder de la redención. Isaías 53:11 nos dice, “por su conocimiento justificará mi siervo justo a muchos, y llevará sobre sí las iniquidades de ellos.”
Jesús tuvo “conocimiento de revelación” del misterio de Dios. Sabía que el secreto para soltar el poder para transformar al mundo se encontraba en la cruz. La terrible ofensa de la cruz se convirtió en la redención para el mundo. Pero acordaos, Jesús también nos llama a nosotros a la cruz (ver Mateo 16:24). Las heridas son simplemente un altar sobre el cual se prepara nuestro sacrificio a Dios.
Escuche nuevamente la descripción profética de Isaías acerca de la vida de Jesús. Sus palabras parecen chocantes a primera vista, pero a medida que leemos, descubrimos una verdad más profunda en cuanto al poder del sufrimiento y del ser herido. Escribió,
“Jehová quiso quebrantarlo, sujetándolo a padecimiento. Cuando haya puesto su vida en expiación por el pecado, verá descendencia, vivirá por largos días y la voluntad de Jehová será en su mano prosperada” (Isaías 53:10).
¿Cómo obtuvo Jesús el poder de la complacencia de Dios y que prosperase en Sus manos? Cuando fue quebrantado, herido, burlado, menospreciado, en lugar de vengarse o tomar represalias, se entrego a sí mismo como “ofrenda de expiación.”
El quebrantamiento no es un desastre; es una oportunidad. Vea, puede que nuestro bien intencionado amor toque o no el corazón del pecador, pero toca siempre el corazón de Dios. Las personas nos quebrantan, pero necesitamos permitir que el quebrantamiento ascienda como ofrenda a Dios. El beneficio mayor es el efecto que nuestra misericordia tiene en el Padre. Si realmente queremos ser instrumentos del beneplácito de Dios, entonces la redención, no la ira, es lo que tiene que prosperar en nuestras manos.
Así, Cuando Cristo se encuentra con el conflicto, aunque Él es el León de Judá, viene como el Cordero de Dios. Incluso cuando Su apariencia externa es severa, su corazón amoroso es siempre consciente que El es la “ofrenda de expiación.” Así, Jesús no solamente pide al Padre que perdone a los que le han herido, sino además se cuenta a sí mismo con los pecadores e intercede por los transgresores (Isaías 53:12). Lo hace porque el Padre “no quiere la muerte del impío” (Ezequiel 33:11) y lo que Jesús busca es la complacencia del Padre.
¿No es esto la maravilla, el misterio y, sí, el poder, de la cruz de Cristo? En angustia y tristeza, herido en corazón y alma, aun se ofreció a sí mismo por los pecados de Sus verdugos. Sin visible evidencia de éxito, contado como pecador y un fracaso ante los hombres, con valentía se mantuvo fiel a la misericordia. En la profundidad de un quebrantamiento terrible, permitió que el amor alcanzase su más gloriosa perfección. Profeso las inmortales palabras, “Padre, perdónalos, porque no saben lo que hacen” (Lucas 23:34).
Cristo pudo haberse escapado. Le dijo a Pedro cuando venían los romanos a arrestarlo, “¿Acaso piensas que no puedo ahora orar a mi Padre, y que él no me daría más de doce legiones de ángeles?” (Mateo 26:53). En menos de un latido de su corazón, los cielos hubiesen estado cubiertos de legiones de ángeles guerreros. Sí, Jesús pudo haber escapado, pero la humanidad hubiera perecido. Cristo eligió ir al infierno por nosotros antes que regresar al cielo sin nosotros. En vez de condenar a la humanidad, se entrego a “sí mismo como ofrenda de expiación.” Oró la oración de misericordia, “Padre, perdónalos.” (Lucas 23:34).
Jesús dijo, “El que en mí cree, las obras que yo hago, él también las hará” (Juan 14:12). Solemos suponer que lo que quiso decir es que obraríamos Sus milagros, pero Jesús no limitó su definición de “obras” a lo milagroso. Las obras que Él hizo – la vida redentora, el clamor por misericordia, la identificación con los pecadores, entregándose a sí mismo como ofrenda de expiación – todas las obras que Él hizo, nosotros también las haremos.
Así, dado que Él vive en nosotros, Isaías 53 no se aplica exclusivamente a Jesús; es también el modelo para Cristo en nosotros. De hecho, ¿no era esto parte de su recompensa, que vería su descendencia? (Isaías 53:10). Amados, nosotros somos la descendencia de Cristo.
Lee estas palabras del corazón de Pablo:
“Ahora me gozo en lo que padezco por vosotros y cumplo en mi carne lo que falta de las aflicciones de Cristo por su cuerpo, que es la iglesia.” (Colosenses 1:24).
¿Qué quiso decir el apóstol? ¿No pagó Cristo completamente la deuda de la humanidad una vez por todas? ¿Está diciendo Pablo que ahora nosotros tomaremos el lugar de Jesús? No, nunca tomaremos el lugar de Jesús. Significa que Jesús ha venido para tomar nuestro lugar. El Hijo de Dios manifiesta todos los aspectos de Su vida redentora y de sacrificio a través de nosotros. Ciertamente, “como él es, así somos nosotros en este mundo” (1ª Juan 4:17).
Pablo no solamente se identificó con Cristo en su salvación personal, sino que también el propósito de Cristo, le consumió. Escribió, “A fin de conocerle, y el poder de su resurrección, y la participación de sus padecimientos, llegando a ser semejante a Él en su muerte” (Filipenses 3:10).
Qué realidad más maravillosa es “participar de Sus padecimientos.” Aquí, al elegir unir nuestra existencia con los propósitos de Cristo, encontramos verdadera comunión con Jesús. Esta es la intimidad con Cristo. Los padecimientos de Cristo no son las aflicciones típicamente experimentadas por la humanidad. Ellas son las aflicciones del amor. Ellas nos acercan más a Jesús. En unidad con El, incrementamos la complacencia de Dios.
Padre, veo que no tuviste otro propósito para mí que manifestar a través de mi vida la naturaleza de Tu Hijo. Me rindo a Cristo, entregándome a mí mismo no solamente como un juez o critico, sino como una ofrenda para aquellos que han generado heridas a mi alma. Que la fragancia de mi adoración te recuerde a Jesús, y que perdones, y limpies el mundo a mí alrededor.
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