"What Wondrous Love Is This!"

https://youtu.be/0DlkrSLLhlU

The Scapegoat

"But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness."  (Leviticus 16:10)

If you have never read Leviticus 16, consider yourself extremely deprived.  The passage tells us of two goats, one sacrificed in the camp, the other is described in our text.  The, "God-Breathed," Word tells us here of Jesus Christ, the Scapegoat driven into the wilderness, alone, abandoned, prey to the beasts of the wilderness, "for the sins of the whole world."

Hebrews 13 tells us, "For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest for sin are burned outside the camp.  Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the camp that He might sanctify the people through His Own Blood.  So then, let us go out to him outside the camp, bearing His reproach."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "I scarce can take it in."  Amen.

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We are asking for contributions for our backpack distribution in Indian Country again this year. 

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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Jesus Is Our Servant

"And whoever desires to a be first among you, let him be your slave--- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."  Matthew 20:27, 28)

Most people do not put these words in the same sentence when speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ, King, Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Servant.  

I have been so impacted by our text.  Jesus is my Servant.  Jesus came, "....to serve," me!  Just consider our text: Jesus compares Himself to a slave, viz., "....let him be your slave---- just as the Son of Man...[came]...to serve...."----- just like a slave.  I can only imagine what might be going through your head right now.

Father, in Jesus Name, we worship You; we praise You, but that cannot compare to Your declaration that You came, "to serve," us.  I cannot comprehend this.  Amen.  

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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Such As These"

"But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.'" (Matthew 19:14)

When I was 19, I taught third grade boys in our Church's summer Bible School program; it was delightful.  What I experienced with those nine-year-old boys that summer taught me something of our text.  There was a wide-eyedness in those children, sort of a, "I didn't know that," in their demeanor.  Any cynics, be very careful here!

Our Lord Jesus Christ is repeating to you and me the same Word, "....The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."  May wide-eyedness and, "I didn't know that," increase in us all.  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray to be, "....such as these."  Amen. 

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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

An Interpretation To Consider

"For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night."  (Psalm 90:4)

Some translations indicate that verses 5 & 6 are referring to humanity, or seasons, or some such.  I'm not so sure.  

It appeared to me this morning that verses 5 and 6 could be speaking of those, "thousand years."  For me, this is even more powerful/sobering.  Consider verses 5 & 6 in this way:

(Those thousand years) are, "like a watch in the night.  You, "carry (those thousand years) away like a flood;"  (Those thousand years, "are like a sleep.  In the morning (those thousand years) are like grass which grows up: (those thousand years) in the morning...flourishes and grows up; (those thousand years) in the evening it is cut down an withers." 

       

Father, in Jesus' Name, I ask again and again with the psalmist, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" !!  Amen.

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.'"

Hebrews 12:2