The Messiah - Part 26

Messiah not Believed

• Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? Isaiah 53:1

Fulfilled in the New

• But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
• That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? John 12:37-38

Before we criticize the Jewish nation for rejecting Jesus Christ we need to remember that by their rejection, the gospel came unto the Gentiles. Through their fall many came to Christ. Christ had to be rejected and crucified in order to save many. His death was the perfect sacrifice. Before Christ died for sins, animal sacrifices were made to make reconciliation for sins. That only pointed toward the perfect sacrifice yet to come because the animal sacrifices could not free anyone from sin.

In order to be free from sin one has to admit that he or she has sins, be sorry for that sin, be willing to change and turn away from sin (repent) and then ask Jesus to save by coming into their lives and forgiving the sin. He then gives us the help we need to keep us from going back into that sin. He is faithful and just to forgive us of sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The sad part is that many did not believe. In those days, their unbelief led to our (other nations besides Israel), receiving the gospel. Now, though, no one benefits by unbelief and it is time that all come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and be saved. It is time to believe. Now is the day of salvation.

• Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Isaiah 49:7

• Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. Psalms 35:19

• They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. Psalms 69:4

Some of these prophecies in the Psalms have a double meaning. David wrote them when he was being hated and persecuted. I don't know if David actually knew that he was prophesying of the future Christ that was to be from his own seed.

• If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. John 15:24-25

Jesus Christ had done nothing to justify any hate toward Him. This fulfilled Psalm 35:19. He healed the sick, raised the dead, delivered many from devils and torments. He taught many good things, fed the hungry and much more. There was no reason to hate Him. Even today many are offended at Jesus Christ. Many are ashamed of His very name. Just mention that wonderful name in the public school and the anti Christ groups get their back up. We can mention any other name of anyone whether evil or good and no one says a thing, but just mention the name of Jesus and people are offended.

The message of the gospel brings offense because its message is that we have to repent of sins. Many of us are comfortable in our sins and do not want to forsake them. They prefer a religion that lets them do a few good deeds and still keep their sins. They want to keep cheating in business and donate to some good causes to justify themselves. The gospel is more than a religion. It is a change of lifestyle. It brings a new way. It makes us a new creature. We are actually "born again."

We no longer try to make it by ourselves by our own efforts, instead we turn everything over to God and live for Him. God abides within us and helps us to be fruitful.

Then why do so many Christians sin? The devil tries to bring them back into their old nature. He doesn't want them to become fruitful and overcome. He wants to make their testimony worthless so that people will believe that they cannot overcome sin.

Jesus spoke of different kinds of ground also which may explain why we don't see all that claim that they are Christians actually living like they belong to Christ.

The seed is the word of God. Some fell by the wayside and didn't sink into the soil and bring forth fruit. This was an example of how the devil came immediately and destroyed the seed and that person did not become what God wanted him to be. Some seed fell on stony ground which also did not bring forth any fruit. That represented receiving the word but persecution because of the word came and they were offended and did not last. Other seed fell among thorns which represented cares of life and worldly pleasures choking the word so that it was unfruitful. The remainder of the seed feel on good ground and brought forth fruit.

This doesn't mean that the believers who received the seed and brought forth fruit were perfect and did not make mistakes, it just meant that they were determined and loved God enough to endure and not quit. They are saved by faith in that they believe until the end of their natural lives. These will inherit eternal life. They are saved by faith because they did not go back into unbelief and quit. They went on and believed no matter what.

Faith is not just believing and receiving what you ask. True faith is believing even though everything doesn't always turn out the way you want it. The bible does say, ask and ye shall receive. This will happen but not always the way we want it. I have received answers to prayer but sometimes I have not received the answers, but I know that they will be answered sooner or later.

Many are healed by faith in God but some we do not see healed. We must realize that when a believer dies, he goes to be with the Lord and has no more suffering from any disease. He will receive a new body that cannot die and thereby receives eternal healing. So the prayer to heal the sick is answered one way or another.

We do not see the joy when a faithful believer passes from this life to be with God. We only see a body in a casket. I have heard of a few who came back from death to tell of the beauty, love and joy they saw in heaven. Many have stated that they did not want to come back but knew that God's purpose for them was not yet done and they had to return. This may be why not everyone comes back to us. There is joy on the other side that we can't even imagine.

• But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.                   1 Corinthians 2:9

Only a few have returned to give us a hint of what is to come but death is no longer to be feared once we come to Jesus Christ. This doesn't mean that we go around hoping for death. No. We have some much to do and live for. We have to tell others the good news. Jesus Christ came to save from sin and give the gift of eternal life. This is the message of the kingdom. His kingdom is coming and there will be everlasting peace but it will only come when the Prince of Peace returns with the clouds. On that day every eye shall see Him and those also which pierced Him. DC

• For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:27

Messiah Index

Messiah part 27