The Cross Revealed

God has given us all that we need to lead a life pleasing to Him. We abandon confidence in ourselves or other men, and cast ourselves on Jesus, "The author and finisher of our faith".

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Jesus revealed

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (Joh 1:11-12 AV)

Who is this Jesus that we worship? I suppose many have often wondered what it would have been like to have lived in Palestine when Jesus walked on the earth. How might He have touched our lives? Surely we would have seen Him, known Him, walked with Him, loved Him. And maybe we would have, but here's a thought: The people who DID live in Palestine in the first century didn't even recognize Him. Why not? His teaching was as "one with authority". His miracles could not be denied. John the Baptist, whom they held to be a prophet, said "Behold the Lamb". All the signs were in place, but His own people rejected Him.

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” (Isa 53:1 AV)

Isaiah here indicates that when Messiah comes, people would not know Him, unless the LORD makes Him known to them. Who is this Jesus? A man of sorrows, acquainted with our grief. A sheep led to the slaughter. A man who would not defend himself, but allowed evil men to have their way with Him. And this is our King? To those who would receive Him, He is. And also, one day, every knee will bow, every tongue confess, that He is Lord. But now, as it were, He is disguised in the cloak of humility. Only to those to whom the LORD has revealed Him can receive Him.

Jesus said to His followers, "If they rejected me, they will reject you, too". If we are walking the Jesus way, we will at best be misunderstood, and at worst killed. But I ask, "What Jesus are we presenting to the world today?" Some make Him to be a God of Prosperity. Others try their best to religiously follow his commands. But these things the world understands. What it doesn't get is the man who, when slapped down on one cheek, turns the other. It doesn't understand a Peace that transcends human understanding when a trial overwhelms. The world is offended by one who overcomes by allowing himself to be overcome.

Our brother Vern Kuenzi wrote about this before the LORD took him home. "Restoring the Vision of the End Times Church" is a recommended read. As far as I know, Amazon still has the book for sale, if anyone would like to check it out.

1 Comments:

At July 7, 2023 at 7:03 AM , Blogger Cross revealed said...

Thank you Vern

 

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