Tag: Repent and live
What are we to do with Jesus?
Scripture reading for November 7th: Ezekiel 31-33, John 11
John 11:47-50 “Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what He did, believed in Him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priest and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this Man performs many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.””
Jesus had just raised His friend Lazarus from the grave after three days. Many Jews who witnessed this became believers in Jesus as the Messiah. Some were of another opinion and went to tell the Pharisees and the high priest, Caiaphas. The council of seventy was convened to discuss the problem of Jesus. There was concern that Jesus would continue to make converts and this would bring the judgment of Rome upon the Jews and they would lose everything. Caiaphas spoke out, advocating Jesus’ death to save the nation. Little did he realize that the Spirit of God spoke through him in prophetic truth. Jesus would not only save the nation, but all the children of God scattered among the nations. This set in motion Jesus’ death by crucifixion.
John 11:51-53 “He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and no for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put Him to death.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Word revealing Your plan of forgiveness for us as wicked sinners. Thank You that Jesus Christ, Your Son, willingly and freely came to earth to give His life in place of ours. Use me to share this amazing Good News and call people to repentance and faith and eternal life in Your household forever.
Ezekiel 33:10-11 “”And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?””
A Stone in Zion!
Scripture reading for July 23rd: Isaiah 28-30
Beer and alcoholic beverages have been a source of trouble from ancient times. The officials of Ephraim and Israel had a drinking problem. (Isaiah 28:1, 7) They were proud and thought they knew more than God. They thought that their “religion” had made them immune to any foreign invasion or even correction from God. They were “good people” who were a part of “God’s chosen” and they had Abraham as their father! What more could God want? They believed that death couldn’t touch them because they were trusting in a lie!
Part of the delusion was false religion. The priest and prophets were “blinded” and “drunken” by their refusal to truly love and obey God from their hearts. They were honoring God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him! (Isaiah 29:13) Their worship of Him was merely rules taught by men, not in Spirit and truth! When we engage in false religion, we become drunk on false doctrines! They thought that they were doing fine but were really lost and heading for judgment! (Isaiah 29:9-10) What a terrible condition to be in! In this state, they were worse off than an unbeliever because they were deceived!
God has a solid Cornerstone that He has placed in Zion for His people. It is a tested Stone that is precious and those who trust in this Stone will never be deceived or dismayed! (Isaiah 28:16) This Stone is a living Stone. (1st Peter 2:4) This Stone is none other than Jesus Christ who has become the living Cornerstone of the New Temple. We who believe are resting on this Cornerstone and become living stones in His temple! Those who reject this Stone and stumble over Him do so because they disobey the message of God! (1st Peter 2:7, Isaiah 8:14) In repentance and rest on this Stone will be salvation for all who will trust in Him! (Isaiah 30:15)
False religion keeps us trying to work our way into God’s favor. This is a lie and delusion that results in deception! When we rest in Christ’s sacrifice, we are saved from false religion and the lie of trusting in our own work. What a place of quietness and confidence we have in Christ! Take time today and thank Him for His gift to you! (1st Peter 2:9-11)