Author: Wade McRoberts

I'm a follower of Jesus Christ. I graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1976 and served in the Air Force for 29 years. I flew the A-7D, the A-10A, the F-117A, and the F-16C. After retirement in 2005, I worked as a defense contractor. I was diagnosed with ALS in April, 2018. I received my tracheostomy in December, 2019, and have been breathing with the aid of a ventilator since. I have lost total use of my limbs, and write using a tablet with eye-gaze technology. I want to share my journey with you and share the hope that I have in the Lord Jesus!
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Reconciled

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation . . . as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Romans 5:6-11, 21, NASB)

Did you know that we were once enemies with God?  That’s what the Apostle Paul says in this passage from his letter to the Roman church.  But the blood of Jesus can make friends out of us who were once His enemies.  You’re ether a friend of God or you’re His enemy.  I sure don’t want to be on God’s bad side! 

Paul says, “while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”  God’s timing is perfect.  He gave us the Law of Moses to show us how lost we are, how no one could meet God’s standard of holiness.  We were helpless in our sins.  There was nothing we could do to be reconciled with God.  But Paul says that Jesus died for the ungodly, and that’s us before we acknowledge our sins, and ask Him to be the Lord of our lives. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.5.8.NIV
Romans 5:8 image.  Found at I Live for Jesus, https://iliveforjesus.in/while-we-were-still-sinners/.

Paul goes on:  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  We are born sinners.  Christ died for us.  God loves us so much that He sent His Son to take the punishment we deserve, and to die in our place.  Once we accept Jesus’ sacrifice, and call Him “Lord,” “we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”  Paul says we should praise God and thank Him for this reconciliation we’ve received through Jesus Christ. 

Finally, as we were once dead in our sins, being “lost” for eternity, and separated from God, “even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  It’s only through God’s grace that He made His plan of salvation, and it’s up to us to either accept it, or reject it.  If we accept God’s gift of salvation, then we will be friends with God; but if we reject His gift, then we are His enemy.  We get to decide our eternal destinies!

Worship:  “At the Cross,” by Hillsong Worship

 

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The City Yet to Come

For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.  (Hebrews 13:11-14, NASB)

Under the Law of Moses, the parts of animals that were not used for sacrifice were to be carried outside of the camp (when in the Temple, it was outside the city gates of Jerusalem) to be burned.  Certain sacrifices called for blood to be sprinkled or poured out, animal parts to be roasted or burnt, and fatty portions burnt for a “soothing aroma to the LORD.”  The rest was to be burnt away from the people.  The author of the letter to the Hebrews compares Jesus’ sacrifice to the same:  “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”

Hebrews 13:12 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/hebrews-13-12. 

Jesus, after being brutally tortured and beaten, carried His cross through the city gates, and up Golgotha’s hill.  Along the way He was mocked, spit at, and probably had things thrown at Him.  He endured all this indignation willingly, and He did so for us (for me!)!  So we’re invited to “go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”  We don’t have to endure what Jesus did, because He took our place.  We deserve the punishment and death He suffered. 

Because we acknowledge Jesus’ sacrifice (He is the Lamb of God!), we can truly say that “here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”  If we follow Jesus, among the work He’s doing right now, is preparing a dwelling place for us in His Kingdom.  I think it’s in the New Jerusalem.  We can all meet there!  As we approach Resurrection Sunday, it’s important to remember what Jesus did for us! 

Worship:  “At the Foot of the Cross,” by Kathryn Scott
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The High Priest

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.  (Hebrews 7:26-28, NASB)

The author of Hebrews compares the high priests under the Law of Moses with the High Priest under the New Covenant.  

The high priest of the Old Testament was required “to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people.”  He had to do this day after day.  Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was required to enter the Holy of Holies, past the veil in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, to make atonement on behalf of the people.  He took the blood of a sacrificed animal with him to sprinkle on top of the mercy seat, which was atop the ark of the covenant.  He was to perform this ritual year after year.  The high priest was a sinner, just like you and me.  “For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak.”

Our Savior, on the other hand, led a perfect life, free from sin, so He would be an acceptable sacrifice to the Father.  Jesus Christ is the spotless, unblemished Lamb of God.  He was and is our High Priest, “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens.”  Jesus sacrificed Himself once and for all, He didn’t have to do this daily, like the sinners under the Law, but “the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”

Hebrews 7:28 WEB - For the law appoints men as high priests who have - Bible Verse Picture
Hebrews 7:28 image.  Found at Scripture Images, https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/web/hebrews-7-28-web.php#verse_picture.

During this period of Lent, let’s remember the sacrifice of the Great High Priest, more perfect than the high priests of old.  Jesus “loved me, and gave Himself up for me.”  (Galatians 2:20)

Worship:  “Lead Me to the Cross,” by Francesca Battistelli
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Jesus Was Delivered for Our Transgressions

Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.  (Romans 4:23-25, NASB)

The “he” in the first line of the passage above refers to Abraham.  The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Roman church, discussed Abraham as an example of justification by faith.  Abraham and his wife Sarah were advanced in age, yet God promised them they would have a son, and through that son, Abraham was to be a father of many nations.  In short, Abraham believed God.  

Paul says that it’s not only Abraham who was justified (made just before God) but “for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.”  If we believe in God, and believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, then we will be saved! 

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Romans 4:25 image.  Found at The Fellowship Site, https://www.thefellowshipsite.org/romans-425.html.

Further, Jesus “was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Jesus’ mission was to die.  That was His sole purpose for coming to earth.  God’s plan of salvation was to send His Son to die as our substitute to take the punishment we deserve, and to die in our place.  God raised Jesus from the dead so that we might be made right, or just with God.  We must accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our justification. 

I praise God and thank Him for His plan of salvation, and for my salvation! 

Worship:  “Jesus Paid It All,” by Kim Walker – Smith

I recently finished “reading” “Saving My Assassin” by Virginia Prodan on Audible.  Mrs. Prodan was raised in communist Romania under the brutal dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaucescu.  She became a lawyer.  A colleague invited her to church, and she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior.  Christianity was frowned upon in Romania by the regime.  She represented fellow believers and churches against false charges, which the government and secret police didn’t like.  One day a man showed up in her office and said he was going to kill her.  Can you guess what happened next?  The title is a great spoiler alert, but there’s much more to the story.  I saw the author on The 700 Club, and I had to read her book! 

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Flesh and Blood

. . . since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives . . . Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.  (Hebrews 2:14-15, 17-18, NASB)

The author of Hebrews says that Jesus became flesh and blood just like us!  He did so “that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”  The reason Jesus came to the earth was to die a substitutionary sacrifice for us to defeat the devil, and that we would have no fear of death. 

By His death, Jesus became a High Priest, able to minister to us.  After ascending into heaven, Jesus even now is seated at the right hand (the position of honor!) of God; He’s our Advocate with the Father; He’s praying for us even now; and He’s preparing a dwelling place for us.  Jesus, through His death, and our acknowledgement of His death, satisfied God (propitiation), and appeased His wrath, something we ourselves could not do.  

Hebrews-2.18
Hebrews 2:18 image.  Found at The Heaton File, https://heatonkent.com/2017/11/27/jesus-knows-our-troubles/. 

Also, since Jesus was flesh and blood, like us, He knows what it’s like to be tempted.  He’s able to minister to us when we’re tempted.  

Jesus, by taking on human characteristics (although He was fully God at the same time), rendered the devil powerless; He made it possible for us not to fear death (“Death, where is your sting?”); Jesus took on the characteristics of the High Priest (He is the Highest of the high priests); and He is able to comfort us when we’re tempted.  In this Lenten Season, we must remember that Jesus loves us so much, and sacrificed so much, so that we might have eternal life! 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=x8sw-g6P544
Worship:  “Mighty Is the Power of the Cross,” by Chris Tomlin

I’m participating in Mustache March, the Air Force’s unofficial tribute to Colonel Robin Olds.  Why?  Because growing a ‘stache is one of the few things I can do!  I’ll let you see the results at the end of the month. 

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Col Robin Olds during the Vietnam War.  Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustache_March.

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We All Have Sinned

. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed.  (Romans 3:23-25, NASB)

The passage above from the book of Romans summarizes the human condition very well:  We’re all sinners!  We all deserve to die because of our sins.  But our God has a plan for our salvation:  We’re “justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.”  Because of God’s grace, we’re saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.  It’s nothing we did–it’s all because of what He did. 

Romans 3:23-24
Romans 3:23-24 image.  Found at https://dailyverses.net/romans/3/23-24/kjv. 

What is “propitiation”?  According to Got Questions, “The word propitiation carries the basic idea of appeasement or satisfaction, specifically toward God. Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to him.”  (Found at https://www.gotquestions.org/propitiation.html)  In other words, we appease God, or satisfy His wrath, by placing our faith in Jesus.  If we do this, we’re reconciled with God. 

In this Lenten Season, this is an important message:  We have to accept God’s free gift, which was purchased at great price, to be reconciled with God!  When we do this, He forgives our sins!

Worship:  “Above All,” by Michael W. Smith
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John’s Testimony

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” . . . John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”  (John 1:29, 32-34, NASB)

John was baptizing people at the River Jordan.  He saw a Man approaching, but had no idea Who He was.  He saw “the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.”  God told him that this was Jesus, His Son.  But John was explaining an earlier statement which he had made, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  It’s this statement that’s interesting in this season of Lent. 

Titian - St John the Baptist in the Desert - WGA22807.jpg
“St. John the Baptist in the Desert,” by Titian, c. 1542.  Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist. 

John’s proclamation was prescient in how Jesus was to die, as a sacrifice which would “take away the sin of the world.”  Whereas the Law of Moses called for a spotless, unblemished animal to sacrifice to atone for sins, Jesus was the ultimate Sacrifice.  He lived a perfect life, free from sin, so that He would be an acceptable sacrifice to the Father.  He was, and is, the spotless Lamb of God.  Hope has a name:  Jesus.  If we accept His sacrifice, then we’ll escape the death we deserve for our sins.  Behold, the Lamb of God Who takes away my sin. 

Worship:  “I Am Yours,” by Darlene Zschech and Michael W. Smith
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The Blood

‘And any man from the house of Israel, or from the aliens who sojourn among them, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.’ Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, ‘No person among you may eat blood, nor may any alien who sojourns among you eat blood.’ . . . “For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life.”  (Leviticus 17:10-12, 14, NASB)

God requires blood for the atonement of sins.  Blood is the lifeline of humans and animals.  Therefore, God prohibited the Israelites from eating blood, but saved it for sacrifices for the atonement of sins.  The author of Hebrews writes, “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  (Hebrews 9:22)  Blood, then, cleanses us from unrighteousness.  But where do we go today to get such cleaning?  To the cross of Jesus Christ! 

Jesus was sacrificed on our behalf, once and for all time, the perfect sacrifice.  He died as a substitute for you and me.  He willingly endured horrific torture, and crucifixion because He loves you and me.  If we accept His sacrifice, God has promised forgiveness of our sins, and eternal life with Him.  It’s all because of His shed blood. 

Hebrews 9 22
Hebrews 9:22 image.  Found at Redeeming God, https://redeeminggod.com/hebrews-9-22-shedding-of-blood-forgiveness-of-sins/. 

I’ve been to a few “Jesus in the Passover” Seder dinners.  During at least one, the Rabbi explained the significance of the blood on the door frame of the Israelites during the night of the Passover.  God had commanded Moses to tell the Hebrews to put some of the blood from their slaughtered lambs on the door posts and the lintel (the piece at the top of the door frame) so the destroyer would pass by their homes.  The Rabbi explained that to him, the blood was a picture of the cross:  It represented Jesus’ nail-pierced hands and His bloody head

It’s all about the blood shed by our Savior!  It’s about the blood of the Lamb! 

Worship:  “O The Blood,” by Selah
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The Lamb of God

‘Now if anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, and becomes guilty, if his sin which he has committed is made known to him, then he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without defect, for his sin which he has committed . . . But if he brings a lamb as his offering for a sin offering, he shall bring it, a female without defect.’  (Leviticus 4:27-28, 32, NASB)

The book of Leviticus may be described as God’s regulations for the Levites, the sons of Levi, son of Israel (Jacob).  The passage above is a portion of the Law of Sin Offerings.  God prescribed laws for the sins of anointed priests; the whole congregation of Israel; the leaders of Israel; and the common people, which is shown above.  God commanded various sacrifices and offerings depending on who sinned.  A common feature of the animal to be sacrificed, whether a bull, a goat, or a lamb is that the animal was to be “without defect.”  The result of the sin offering was that “the priest shall make atonement for him in regard to his sin which he has committed, and he will be forgiven.”  (Leviticus 4:35)

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“Agnus Dei,” by Francisco de Zurbaran, c. 1635-1640.  Found at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamb_of_God. 

Thanks to God’s New Covenant, we have have just such a lamb “without defect,” the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.  Whereas before, whenever a person sinned, he had to go to the priest and sacrifice to make atonement for his sin.  Jesus lived a perfect life, free from sin, so He would be a perfect sacrifice to the Father.  Jesus sacrificed Himself once and for all time, so those who call on His name have atonement for their sins.  Once saved by the blood of the Lamb, if we confess our sins, we “will be forgiven.” As we move into this season of Lent, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice, and His love for us! 

Worship:  “Lamb of God,” by Twila Paris

I’m giving up playing golf for Lent!

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The Glory of the Lord

Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.  (Leviticus 9:22-24, NASB)

The Israelites had just finished building the Tabernacle according to the fine detail that God had given to Moses.  The people had donated the materials, and the work was done by craftsmen ordained by God.  Moses then sanctified the Tabernacle and sanctified Aaron, his brother, and Aaron’s sons as priests.  Next, Aaron and his sons made sacrifices to the Lord.  They performed a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a peace offering to God. 

As Moses, the author of the first five books of the Bible reports, “When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.”  WOW!  That must have been a sight!  God had promised to go through the wilderness with the Israelites, to be their God, and they were His people.  But to see His glory!  What happens next?  “Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.”

gloryandliver
Conceptual illustration of God’s glory.  Found at Owlcation, https://owlcation.com/humanities/gloryandliver. 

I’ve often wondered how the glory of the Lord would manifest Itself.  Is it fire as the Hebrews saw?  Is it a brighter-than-the-sun light?  Or can we see God’s glory in everyday occurrences?  Is God’s glory in the sunlight?  Is it in the moonlight?  Can we see it in the stars?  Does God show His glory in “the rolling thunder”?  Or is it the people we see, who are made in the image of God?  I choose to see God’s glory in His Creation.  We just have to pay attention and look for it. 

Worship:  “Show Me Your Glory,” by Jesus Culture, ft. Kim Walker-Smith