Jesus - Dead Man Not Walking

March 18, 2022March 18, 2022

Prophecy XI

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:33-35, NASB)

The text is a portion of Dr. Luke’s account of Simeon’s encounter with the Holy Family just days after Jesus’ arrival on the earth He created. The second chapter of Luke documents that after eight days (the Law of Moses required eight days for the mother’s purification), Joseph and Mary took their Baby to the Temple to present Jesus to the priests for circumcision and dedication, and to offer a sacrifice. (vv. 21-24)
They met Simeon, “righteous and devout,” who was “looking for the consolation of Israel.” Luke says that the Holy Spirit told Simeon he wouldn’t die before he would meet the Messiah. (vv. 25-26) The Holy Spirit told Simeon just Who this Baby was. Simeon took Him in his arms, and thanked the Lord in what is known as “The Song of Simeon.” (vv. 27-32) That’s where we pick up the text above.

In a story normally told during Advent, Simeon’s prophecy is important for Lent, as he foretold the anguish Mary would experience in the future. But first, Simeon predicts that Jesus “is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel.” Jesus Himself would say that He came to save sinners, not the self-righteous, which was a criticism at the Pharisees. He says that Jesus would be opposed, such that “thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Jesus was opposed by the Temple elites, who ironically claimed to be looking for the Messiah–just not this One. Especially during the critical last week of Jesus’ life on His earth, we see revealed the thoughts from many hearts.

Screen Shot 2017-02-02 at 2.46.18 PM The Sword that Pierced Mary’s Soul. Found at https://taylormarshall.com/2017/02/sword-pierced-marys-soul.html

Simeon tells Mary that “a sword will pierce even your own soul.” I’m sure Mary didn’t understand. She had just given birth to the Savior of the world, HER Savior, HER Lord. What could possibly go wrong? Yet “the sword” would be seeing her son after being tortured beyond recognition; watching as He tried to haul the cross to His place of execution; watching as they nailed her boy’s hands and feet to the wooden cross; and finally, watching as He hung dying, while the people and the priests mocked and insulted Him.

The prophecy of the “sword” which would pierce Mary’s heart is part of the Christmas story, and an integral part of the story of Resurrection Sunday. The encounter with Simeon at the Temple left Joseph and Mary “amazed at the things which were being said about Him.” It had been quite a week. Simeon’s prophecy must have left Mary wondering . . .

Worship: “Mary Did You Know?” by Mark Lowry

March 12, 2022March 12, 2022

Prophecy IX

All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? (Isaiah 53:6-8, NASB)

This passage is another from Isaiah’s prophecy of “The Suffering Servant,” one of many describing the advent, life, and death of Messiah, manifested by our Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s narrative here goes into the “why” of Jesus’ sacrificial suffering and death.

We “like sheep have been led astray.” How? Every human being “has turned to his own way.” The Bible says there is not one of us who is good. There has to be a way for us to be made right with God. The solution? The “Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” Jesus took the punishment we all deserve. When He was being tortured and crucified, God placed all the sins of the world squarely on His shoulders. This added immensely to the pain He suffered. My sins would’ve been enough to endure, but Jesus had everybody else’s, too.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6How is your walk with God? Are you walking far away from Him?Some of us believe that we have... — Isaiah 53:6 image. Found at The Word for the Day, https://thewordfortheday.tumblr.com/post/183292025562/all-we-like-sheep-have-gone-astray-we-have

While He was going through this horrific torture, Jesus “did not open His mouth.” He at one point told His disciples that He could’ve called legions of angels to come rescue Him, but He did not. A Bible study I did last Lenten Season ended the devotional with these words every day: “He did so willingly, and He did so for you [me].” Isaiah compares the future Messiah’s attitude when subjecting Himself to this brutality to a “lamb that is led to slaughter.” “He did not open His mouth.”

Jesus would be taken away “by oppression and judgment.” Isaiah asks if any of the people would bother to consider if Jesus was to take all this punishment in their place, to take the punishment they deserve (“to whom the stroke was due”). My guess is this is a rhetorical question as the people, who welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem only days before by spreading their cloaks and palm fronds in the road in front of Him, now wanted Him crucified.

Every one of us has a sin problem. Jesus paid the penalty we all deserve by going to the cross. He came to earth for that reason, so we could all have fellowship for eternity with His Father in heaven. Would you call on Jesus’ name today if you haven’t already? “He did so willingly, and He did so for you.”

Worship: “All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray,” from “Messiah,” by G.F. Handel. Performed by the Brussels Choral Society.

“He Was Cut Off Out of the Land of the Living,” from “Messiah,” by G.F. Handel. Artist unknown.

Mustache Update: Here’s my progress on the 12th day of Mustache March:

Rollie Fingers - San Diego Padres - 1978.jpg — Rollie Fingers, found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollie_Fingers#/media/File:Rollie_Fingers_-_San_Diego_Padres_-_1978.jpg

Just kidding, this is Rollie Fingers, former Major League pitcher, and Hall of Famer. As impressive as that ‘stache is in the picture, it’s even more so in person. When we were stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson in the early ’80s, I used to get to at least one spring training game for my Cleveland Indians. One day I was walking past the visitors bench, and there was Rollie, mustache and all. As I said, impressive! My outstanding Nurse Meghan wants me to grow one like this. Please check back in five years.

March 9, 2022March 9, 2022

Prophecy VIII

Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5, Berean Study Bible)

This passage from the Prophet Isaiah is more from his prediction of “The Suffering Servant.” Isaiah details more of how Jesus took on our sins, and the manner of His torture and how He died.

Isaiah says, “He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows.” Jesus bore the weight of all the sins of the world, and all our griefs. That’s quite a load! He did so out of love for us all, and He did so willingly. He acted as a sacrifice so that He would stand in our place and take the punishment we deserve. Further, “we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted.” Only days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus was now considered the among the worst of criminals. The “we” includes you and me. We would’ve acted no differently than that hostile crowd in condemning Him. Surely if Jesus was who He said He was, God would rescue Him. But God did not.

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” He was pierced and crushed for our sins. Jesus would later show His piercing wounds to Thomas the Doubter: “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!'” (John 20:27-28) Because of His wounds, we can be free from the chains of sin today. “By His stripes we are healed.” Before He was crucified, Jesus was tortured beyond recognition. He was whipped with a device that had shards of metal embedded in the whip. The torture ripped His skin apart, hence the “stripes.” We are “healed” by those stripes from the ravages of sin by putting our trust and hope in the name of Jesus Christ, Who endured the punishment we deserve.

By His Stripes We Are Healed

“By His Stripes We are Healed.” Found at http://davidtue.com/biblical-promise-healed-stripes/

A few years ago I attended a Passover Seder with a Messianic congregation (the Last Supper was a Passover meal). The Rabbi took a piece of matzah and pointed out that Jesus is represented in the unleavened bread. He noted the holes throughout (“He was pierced for our transgressions . . . “); and there were markings resembling stripes (” . . . and by His stripes we are healed.”). I don’t know if the unleavened bread of Jesus’ time on earth mirrored the matzah we have today. It’s possible that the unleavened bread Jesus shared with His disciples portended the torture and crucifixion through which He was about to endure.

Matzah Matzah, unleavened bread. “He was pierced for our transgressions . . . by His stripes we are healed.” Found at https://www.ou.org/holidays/what_is_matzoh_or_matzah/

Jesus Christ came to the earth He created for one reason: To die as a sacrifice to save us from our sins. He took the punishment we deserve. God sent His Son as a substitute for you and for me. What God requires is for us to acknowledge that sacrifice, and to put our trust and faith in His Son. Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior? There is hope in His name.

Worship:
“Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs,” from “Messiah,” by G.F. Handel. Performed by the Royal Choral Society.

“And With His Stripes We are Healed,” from “Messiah,” by G.F. Handel. Performed by The Brussels Choral Society.

December 27, 2021December 30, 2021

Simeon

. . . then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:28-35, NASB)

This is the story of Simeon, documented by Dr. Luke. Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would meet the Messiah before he died. He’s described by Luke as “righteous and devout.” One day he went to the Temple, “in the Spirit.” And that’s where he met Jesus!

When Jesus was eight days old, His parents, Joseph and Mary, took Him to the Temple. In accordance with the Law of Moses, they were to present Him to the priests for circumcision, to have Him dedicated, and to offer a sacrifice. Joseph and Mary were devout and loved the Lord, which is probably why He chose them to raise His Son.

Simeon saw the Baby, and knew this was the Child of Promise, the Messiah for Whom he had waited so long. He was so excited, he took the Baby in his arms.

Luke documents the subsequent Song of Simeon, in which he praises God; he says he can now die happily, as God’s promise to him has been fulfilled; and declares that God’s salvation would be for Gentiles and Israel alike.

Simeon predicts to Mary that the Child would bring about the rise and downfall of many. Indeed, Jesus would shake up the religious order of the day, and for all time to come. Jesus said He came to call sinners, and not the self-righteous. Simeon also tells Mary that her heart would be broken, later fulfilled at Jesus’ crucifixion. Luke says that Joseph and Mary “were amazed” by the things Simeon was telling them. It had been quite a week. First, the visit from the shepherds, and the things they told the couple, and now this!
Simeon was thrilled at his encounter with Jesus. Have you met Him yet?

The kids wanted to play ring toss with me. Since I can’t toss the rings, I got to play goalie!