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Calvary’s hill was where it has all been taken care of, that you and I and every repentant sinner may break free of the shackles of sin, to walk in righteousness and truth, and be led forth in the path of His will, towards a hope and a future. And as we continue to study the psalmist’s prayer, may the revelation of light and truth, lead you to experience the fruit of it all, in your life. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground [Psalm 143:10].
It happens as the psalmist himself has said when it is the word of God that is your focus and priority, as you meditate upon it night and day, to obey it’s divine direction, to see you prosper in all that you do [Psalm 1]. For, it is the Living Word, Lord Jesus Himself who becomes your wisdom and strength. And, when He is for you, who or what can be against you? ! His call to the one who is weary and burdened, outlines the procedure to say that you need to take up His yoke, or in other words, accept Him as your Teacher, receive Him as your Savior, and submit to Him as your Lord and King, so that His will may be done, and His kingdom reign in your life, leading to rest in your soul [Matthew 11:28-32].
And having been through an unprecedented crisis that has been truly harrowing and stressful, you and I can very well understand the need for rest in one’s soul, that only the One who Himself is our peace can give. It is also very true that because it is a fallen world, right through the ages past, painful circumstances have troubled the soul of many a person, even as the psalmist cries out to the Lord, for the deliverance, that would take him from where he was,to where he needed to be, which was the presence of the holy God, O, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to your holy hill, And to Your tabernacle [Psalm 43:3]. It is the entrance of God’s word, the unchanging truth, that brings light into your situation, however gloomy it may appear at present, to give you the right perspective concerning it, and also the power to rightly handle it.
In the place of sinful man :
And it is the truth of God’s word that leads you to the Hill of Calvary Hill of Calvary, where He who was sinless, became sin, so that you and I may become the righteousness of God in Him. The reality of the new covenant is embodied n the person of Lord Jesus, for He Himself is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He died in the place of you and I, for your sins and mine, and the sins of the whole world. It is the truth that Abraham saw through eyes of faith, as God provided him a ram, to offer as a sacrifice unto Him, in the place of Isaac, the son of promise. And Abraham called the name of the place, ‘ The Lord will provide’, as it is said to this day, ‘On the Mount of the Lord, it shall be provided’ [Genesis 22:14].
In the dispensation of the old covenant, it was a foreshadowing of what was to take place on Calvary. And subsequently in the new covenant, that the Lord instituted, through His Broken Body and Blood, to remember His death on the Cross, you and I, even as we enjoy the wondrous privilege of it, can now live in the blessed assurance that on the Mount of the Lord, on Calvary, it has already been provided.
And, it is no longer therefore a fulfillment in the future, that we await, for God has already taken care of it. And, Abraham saw this day, is how the Lord Himself authenticates the words of Abraham on that day, to say ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day; he saw it and was glad’ [John 8:56]. Indeed, through spiritual eyes, his eyes of faith, he was able to see the redemption through the Cross, that was going to happen in the future. And today, as children of God, having been saved by grace and through faith, we can spiritually perceive what has happened through the Cross.
The shadow and the reality :
And spiritual perception will also lead you to know that observing mere rituals, without a revelation of God concerning it will never bring about any good and lasting change in you, one that will lead you to life abundant and everlasting. It is so because, even as Paul writes to the church at Colosse, all the sacrifices, prescribed in the Old Testament, were specifically prescribed to lead a person towards the truth of Christ, and His perfect sacrifice. They are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ [Colossians 2:17]. It gives the true perspective, even when it comes to the season of lent, that is observed at present in various christian congregations all around the world. It finds people abstaining from certain foods, not having a marriage ceremony etc, for a period of forty days.
But on the other hand, while staying away from certain foods, for a certain period of time, could be considered to be a a form of discipline, it also has to be said that, when it comes to discipline, one needs to be a disciple all through one’s life, in the kingdom of God. Thus observing external rules and regulations, and rituals, regarding times and seasons,according to the christian calendar, will remain merely that – an external window dressing. It will not lead to any godly improvement or empowerment within you, as what the light and truth of God’s word coming to you, as a revelation from Him, can accomplish.
It is true even when it comes to partaking of the Lord’s Supper in a gathering of saints in worship. For, it is when the revelation comes in your spirit concerning what has been accomplished in the spiritual realm, by the Lord’s death on the Cross, that the effective power of the glorious redemption can become a wondrous reality in your life. And it will see you walk in the freedom for which Christ has set you free, knowing that you will not die in your sins, for He has died in your place on the Cross.
Life is in the blood, is the principle that was established in the Old Testament, through every sacrifice the terms and conditions of which, were so very specific. And the Lamb of God was the ultimate sacrifice, His death remembered in the Holy Communion that you partake of as a church family. It is a joyful celebration for sin has been dealt with on the Cross, by the Savior’s death, when prior to it sin held you captive, unable to move forward in the plan of God for your life. And death, the wages of sin, now stands abolished and powerless in your life, for to the christian, to be absent in the body, is to be present with the Lord.
The CROSS – it’s pathos and it’s joy :
The centrality of the Cross can never be disputed when it comes to the christian faith. And it is in perceiving the wholeness of it’s truth in the scriptures that it’s victorious power can be manifested and experienced in your life. For ,He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed [Isaiah 53:5].
In the gospels is the picture of all that took place in the physical realm to the suffering Savior, the grim and colossal ugliness and depth of it, so honestly and forthrightly portrayed. One can not but be emotionally troubled by it, every time we study and meditate upon it. The pain that the Lord went through, all for your sake and mine, can definitely bring about a teary eyed response from the depth of our being. But, it was all for the joy set before Him!
And it is where, your heart can find comfort, consolation and joy, even as the light shines in you, through a revelation from the blessed Holy Spirit in you, of the victory that transpired on the seemingly shameful Cross of Calvary. The epistles set forth the spiritual truth, and it’s powerful implications which when received and applied by faith in God and His word, can go on to transform your life, as you rest in the truth of what has been accomplished on your behalf, and made available on your behalf through the finished work of the Lord on the Cross. For, sin, has been dealt with, to set you free of it’s vicious effect in your life.
Sin at work – separation and division :
Sin separates you from God, and it began even in the garden of Eden [Genesis chapter 3]. it was the place of the original sin, when Adam partook of the forbidden fruit, only to realize his nakedness, to hide himself from the presence of God. And the reason it happened was the attitude that still can be found in a person; one that rebels against the guidance of God, and desires to have one’s own will accomplished. The source of sin in a person is Satan. And what harmony can be there between a doomed sinner and a holy God?!
It can wreak havoc in a God centred family to destroy it’s unity, when it is present in one of it’s members. The work of the enemy, the devil, can and will invariably cause division, in order to bring God’s good plan and purposes to nought, and hinder your progress in the path of His will for your life. But, Christ has dealt with the problem of sin, on the Cross. You have a Savior, who is Lord Jesus Christ.
But why did He have to die for my sins ?
To the one who questions thus, in his arrogance and sadly, also in his ignorance, the word of God gives clarity, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God [Romans 3:23]. The word ‘all’ establishes the need for it. For, sin has affected all, All have turned aside; they have together become useless. There is none who does good, not even one [Romans 3:12] [NASB].
And what can becoming useless mean ?
When a created object is not used for the reason that it has been made, it can be misused, or become useless. Thus, man having been created by God, for the primary reason of being in an intimate and close relationship with the Living God, becomes useless, when he is separated from God, in his relationship with Him, because of his sinful nature. And, it is why the necessity of him being cleansed of all unrighteousness arises; it is why, Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, the precious Son of God had to go to the Cross, as the one, perfect, redemptive sacrifice, able to save completely all those who come to Him in faith.
Jesus, is the only solution, for through Him, sin has been dealt with on Calvary’s Hill. And it is when you are enlightened by this glorious truth, that it will become a wondrous reality in your life, as you apply it, to see your life and circumstances change. It is also very true that when sin is not addressed and is allowed a free hand, it can affect negatively,every area of your life, to draw you away from your divine destiny.
The shame of sin – hiding one’s true identity :
The first mention of it is seen in the very first man to be created, as he hid himself from God, aware of his nakedness, and feeling a sense of shame [Genesis 3:10]. It is where the first mention of fear comes; a powerful truth, that shows sin’s effect on one’s own identity. It is when having done something wrong, the effect of the sin principle working in you, leads you to the place where you begin to think, ‘I am wrong’, a conclusion that can result in a very wrong reasoning that cripples and leads you in wrong paths. A person then can even begin justifying his addiction to liquor, instead of wanting to be set free of it, or refuse to read God’s word, imagining in his mind that there is the danger of him understanding and interpreting it wrongly.
Sin can make your thoughts polluted and toxic. And it is why the call of the Lord, to all who are thirsty, is that, when they come to Him and drink, out of their hearts would flow rivers of living water, the waters of the blessed Holy Spirit, that cleanse and lead you to restoration [John 7:37,38]. A total redemption, is what the Lord Jesus gives you, not an incomplete one. For, ever so often, one can very easily be comforted, when looking around, one finds that there are others more deeply entangled in sin’s cruel grip.
And, one can hide behind one’s titles or possessions, covering up sin’s fatal flaw in them. It is what Adam tried to do with fig leaves; and miserably failed! Even in your life today, Christ knows the real you. In fact, He knows you better than you know yourself. And He still loves you, warts and all. You can draw near to Him, just as you are, without one plea, saying, ‘O Lamb of God, I come’.
In my place and yours – the LORD on the Cross :
It is the incomparably magnificent love story – enacted on the Cross, all for your sake and mine, and every heart that believes in Him. Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? [Isaiah 53:1]. Experiencing the power of the Lord, becomes possible when you believe. And the need for believing is what the prophet goes on to describe, All we like sheep have gone astray, We have turned everyone to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all [Isaiah 53:6]. The injustice of it all seems great. Yet, it was the act of the holy and just Father. And an innocent person willingly taking up the cruel chastisement that we all deserved, as guilty sinners seems improbable. But, the Son of God, did just that, to lay down His life in love, to take away our sins, and set us free. And, by faith having received Him as your Savior and Lord, the love of God has been poured into your heart, through the blessed Holy Spirit, who is now in you forever.
God so loved …. :
It is God’s plan of amazing love, for the restoration of all of humanity, so that His purpose in the creation of mankind may not be lost, owing to sin’s corroding effect, For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, may not perish, but have eternal life [John 3:16].
Life – by the life giving word :
Sin has been dealt with, once and for all, by Lord Jesus, on the Cross of Calvary, opening the door to life, eternal and abundant, in your life and mine. And it’s application is made possible, as you believe and act upon His word of life and power,which comes as a revelation of His light and truth, that transcends mere rituals. It can be visualized through the miraculous words that the Lord spoke to the nobleman concerning his son’s well being, Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way, your son lives’. And the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and went his way [John 4:50].
The man believed the word that the Lord spoke to him, and started his way back, to be met by the bearer of good news, regarding his son’s healing. Abraham believed God’s word of promise to him too, to lay his son upon the altar in obedience. And God preserved the life of Isaac, by showing him a ram to offer unto Him, revealing Himself to be Jehovah Jireh, His Provider, that upon the mount, it shall be provided. And today, we too start, by believing God’s word,believing His message of the Cross, the promise of God for our salvation.
And as we focus on the Savior of the world, may we be filled with bold assurance, as we draw near to Him in prayer, for, Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows bear? In His arms, He will take and shield you, You will find solace there, that no one else can give you. Rest in His embrace of love, though life may be turbulent, for on the Cross, the Mount of Calvary, the Lord has provided all that you will ever need in your life. Come to Him, as you are, laying aside all pretence, and laying bare in His presence, all your doubts and fear, insufficiency and lack, in all honesty and truth. And you will never be put to shame. For, He has taken away your sin, to clothe you in His wondrous robe of righteousness, that the Father may be glorified.
In the Name of Christ Jesus Amen.
