Sunday, March 02,
2014, 7:29 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song “Why Are You Afraid?” in my mind. Speak, Lord, your words to my
heart. I read Isaiah 53-54 (NIV).
Our Message
Who
has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been
revealed?
He
grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He
had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should
desire him.
He
was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like
one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low
esteem.
Our message is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Isaiah
53 is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ. Our Lord left his throne in heaven,
came to earth, took on human flesh, suffered as we suffer, and was tempted in
like manner as we are tempted, yet without sin. He was not Mr. Popularity.
Everyone did not love him. Although he did go around healing people and
delivering people from demons, and he fed hungry crowds on occasion, and he
certainly was filled up to overflowing with love, kindness and compassion
toward the people of this world, still many hated him. His own brothers, people
he grew up around, and those of his same faith did not believe in him. They
were not naturally attracted to him. He was not one of the “pretty people.” Although
he did draw large crowds of people from time to time, he did not pattern his
ministry around the goal of attracting large crowds of people, and by today’s
standards, he would not be chosen to be on stage as a crowd pleaser.
Pierced for Our
Transgressions
Surely
he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet
we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But
he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the
punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We
all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and
the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Yet
it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an
offering for sin,
he
will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in
his hand.
Not only did Jesus suffer much hatred, rejection and
persecution during his time of ministry on this earth, but the religious
leaders of his day had him arrested, flogged, mocked, spat upon and hung on a
cross to die, as though he was a common criminal. Yet, he willingly went to the
cross for you and for me. He died so that we might be free from the penalty of
sin (eternal punishment in hell), free from slavery to (the control of) sin,
self and Satan day-to-day, and free to love, worship and obey him in the power
and strength of the Spirit within us. His death and resurrection brought us
peace with God, and also internal peace in our hearts through trust and faith
in Jesus Christ, our God, who is completely sovereign over our lives and who
holds all things together in his powerful and loving hands.
Even in the midst of great suffering and turmoil we can be
at peace in knowing that God is in control, that he has a plan and a purpose
for what is going on in our lives, and that he will work all things out for the
good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose
(See Ro. 8). It was God’s will that Jesus should suffer and die for our sins.
And, Jesus said that his followers would share in his sufferings. In other
words, we should expect to be hated, rejected, despised, not desired of
humankind, familiar with suffering, crushed, persecuted, oppressed, afflicted,
misrepresented and falsely accused, as well as we may be called upon to be
killed for our faith and testimony for Jesus Christ.
Do Not Hold Back
“Enlarge
the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen
your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
For
you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.
“Do
not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be
humiliated.”
Before Jesus left this earth, he told his disciples that
they were to go and to make disciples (of Christ) of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey
everything Christ Jesus had commanded them (See Matt. 28:19-20). He also told
them that after he left this earth he would send his Holy Spirit to indwell his
followers, and that when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they would be his
witnesses throughout the earth (See Ac. 1:8). As well, Jesus told his followers
that they are to be lights for him and for the gospel to the world around them
(See Matt. 5). Light is the opposite of darkness. God is light. Jesus Christ is
the Light of the world. Light is truth. It is righteousness and holiness. The
gospel is light. So, we are to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the
world so that many people may be saved.
Yet, going along with being lights to the world, being
Christ’s witnesses, and making disciples of Christ of all nations means we will
be hated, mistreated and persecuted just like Jesus was. Yet, we are not to be
afraid. Our Lord is on our side. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is
not unconcerned about our suffering, disengaged from our circumstances, or
oblivious to our trials. He is also not impotent like false gods and idols of
humankind. He is right here with us, he is holding us together, he is
supporting and strengthening us, and he will give us all we need to make it
through all the difficulties that may come our way due to persecution coming at
us from those who hate the light.
We should never let the rejection and hatred of others keep
us from sharing our faith, but we should stand strong, run with the gospel and
tell the world that Jesus loves them and that he died so that they might be
saved from their bondage to sin (darkness) so that they can come into the
Light. We have no cause to ever fear the threats of those who hate the Light,
because they may kill our bodies, but they can’t kill our souls. We should
always be prepared to give an answer as to the hope that we have, and to do so
without fear. We should be careful to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven,
not of this earth. Amen!
Why Are You Afraid?
/ An Original Work / December 5, 2013
Based off Various
Scriptures
Do not be afraid.
Your Lord is always by
your side.
Serve the Lord in
righteousness
Before Him all your
days.
Those who hate the
light
Will not come to the
Lord.
They fear their deeds
Might be noticed.
So, they hate the
light,
And they embrace the
night.
Do not be afraid,
Although your enemy
attacks.
Dare to share your
testimony
Of God’s saving grace.
Do not fear their threats,
But honor Christ, your
Lord.
Be prepared to give an
answer
For the hope you have,
With gentleness;
respect.
Why are you afraid?
For all that’s hidden
will be shown.
What I tell you, speak
in daylight.
Let the truth be
known.
Do not be afraid
Of those who’ll take
your life.
Fear the Lord with
understanding.
Trust Him with your
life,
And give not up to
strife.
Do not be afraid.
Take courage, it is I,
your Lord.
Bow before Me; now
adore Me.
Oh, why do you doubt?
Listen to the Lord.
Get up, and bear His
name!
Run and tell the world
He loves them.
Jesus came to save.
Give Him your all
today.
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