Saturday, April 03, 2010

I have seen the Lord

“I have seen the Lord” these words that are recorded in John 20:18. These words are the Hallmark of Christianity they are one of the prime characteristics of the Christian religion and experience. They are spoken of the very Deity that is the center of our Faith. A Deity that was fully God and Fully man who dwelt among us and gave up His very life for our benefit. The grave held Jesus with utmost tenacity. Yet that grip of the grave was not sufficient. In Glorious Triumph He burst the chains of death.

“I have seen the Lord” signifies that we serve a living God not a dead god hidden in a grave somewhere, trapped in stone, nothing but an image, a recollection. Our God has lived with us, triumphed over death and dwells in glory. Our religion is of a relationship with a loving, living Deity. One Who desires to bridge the gap between humanity and Himself. Instead of mankind reaching into heaven, instead of mankind trying to make themselves acceptable, God reached down to us and lifted us up with the Lord. We have seen Him.

“I have seen the Lord" proclaims the hope of all Christianity. The knowledge that the grave is not absolute. That our God and Redeemer has power even over what we see as completely final. The Resurrection of Jesus is a precursor to what awaits those who are redeemed, those who are buried in the same death as Christ, Death to Sin. We will also share in His resurrection. In His Everlasting Life.

“I have seen the Lord” is the personal testament of the Christian. Each who have known redemption and been freed of Sin can proclaim boldly they have seen the Lord in their own life. We know the working of a Risen Lord in the conviction that brings repentance, in the sorrow that accompanies realization, in the comfort of forgiveness, in the joy of triumph. We have seen the Face of God and have known the truth by faith we have seen the Lord.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

It Is Finished.

It is Finished! The words recorded simply in John 19:30. Echo down the corridors of History. These words announce with absolute finality with no room for doubt. It is Finished. In all of History these words are among the most important ever uttered by anyone. These words ushered in a Covenant made by God with mankind.

The Genesis of this event goes back to the beginning of our time. When Holy God in His wisdom created a Man and a Woman knowing that they would reject Him. God knowing the awful price that would be required to reconcile that relationship gave the Man and the Woman freedom to make their own choice. In that moment of decision they rebelled and were exiled from the fellowship of God who loved them.

Yet at that moment Holy God decreed a promise. He told the Man and the Woman that a child would rise up to crush the head of the serpent and pay the debt for sin. Then History waited, and waited. At the appointed time a Woman conceived a child that was in nature fully man but also by nature fully God. God had sent His son into this world.

God in the person of Jesus Christ dwelt among men. He taught us many things. He established His Church to carry on His Word and Work. He Healed the sick, and sinful, He forgave the guilty. But most important of all He came to a place and time. Where Man in his own wisdom cried out crucify Him. Our very creator came to be with us and we in our own wisdom cried out for His death. Oh, Shame on all of mankind, when confronted by God we wish to destroy Him.

The Cross where Christ died in agony brings us to these words. These Precious words, where a Holy God in the person of Jesus Christ paid the debt of Sin. Where the Son of God took upon Himself all the sins of the world, all the sins ever committed all the sins ever to be committed. There on a hill in this small insignificant world the Creator took the burden of Sin upon Himself. When the transaction was complete he uttered those three words “It Is Finished” and mankind was redeemed. By nothing good in our self, no act was capable, only by the Blood of Jesus and the words “It Is Finished”.

Now what will you do with these words? Will you accept them, in your life? Will you take this healing blood and cleanse the stain of sins from your entire life? Or will you reject the Holy God that offered Himself up, on that cross? Will you reject Him and make the choice to walk into Hell knowing that so long ago “It Was Finished”?