"For the redemption of their souls is costly...." (Psalm 49:8)
So humanity might as well accept it. No Gates Foundation, no Rockefeller, no $400,000,000.00 lottery winner could ever pay for our redemption. There is just no price of any form of currency which could express, "....the redemption of their souls...."
This is Advent, the season someone has described "as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas." Jews who took seriously the ancient Words of God lived in "a time of expectant waiting and preparation" for the coming of The Messiah, "the Coming One," Jesus. Simeon was looking for Jesus; Anna was looking for Jesus (Luke 2). Abraham knew Jesus would appear (John 8). Moses and Elijah knew Jesus would appear (Luke 9). Then on that glorious night, Jesus did appear. Basically, the angels told the shepherds, "He's here! Glory in the highest."
And our text tells us something about Jesus' appearing. The angels declared to the shepherds, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior Who is Christ the Lord." Jesus appeared as Savior, King, Redeemer, "For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins" Romans 11). The Manger was in the shadow of the Cross. In fact, Jesus' whole sojourn in His 33 years in The Land, walking as, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," was one tumultuous journey to the Cross, the Tomb, and Resurrection, then to "return" to, "The Most Holy Place," as our, "Great High Priest," and in it all, to take us with/in Him.
"Why should I fear in days of adversity, when the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, even those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches? No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him-- for the redemption of his should is costly, and he should cease trying forever----." (Psalm 49:5-8, NASB)
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your, "Unspeakable Gift." Amen.
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I plan to be in DC next Thursday, December 17.
So humanity might as well accept it. No Gates Foundation, no Rockefeller, no $400,000,000.00 lottery winner could ever pay for our redemption. There is just no price of any form of currency which could express, "....the redemption of their souls...."
This is Advent, the season someone has described "as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas." Jews who took seriously the ancient Words of God lived in "a time of expectant waiting and preparation" for the coming of The Messiah, "the Coming One," Jesus. Simeon was looking for Jesus; Anna was looking for Jesus (Luke 2). Abraham knew Jesus would appear (John 8). Moses and Elijah knew Jesus would appear (Luke 9). Then on that glorious night, Jesus did appear. Basically, the angels told the shepherds, "He's here! Glory in the highest."
And our text tells us something about Jesus' appearing. The angels declared to the shepherds, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior Who is Christ the Lord." Jesus appeared as Savior, King, Redeemer, "For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins" Romans 11). The Manger was in the shadow of the Cross. In fact, Jesus' whole sojourn in His 33 years in The Land, walking as, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," was one tumultuous journey to the Cross, the Tomb, and Resurrection, then to "return" to, "The Most Holy Place," as our, "Great High Priest," and in it all, to take us with/in Him.
"Why should I fear in days of adversity, when the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, even those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches? No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him-- for the redemption of his should is costly, and he should cease trying forever----." (Psalm 49:5-8, NASB)
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your, "Unspeakable Gift." Amen.
***********************
I plan to be in DC next Thursday, December 17.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
