Colossians 1:19-20
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
As I recall my professional counseling days, I was sometimes confronted with parents who had lost a child. In my attempt to bring comfort, I would empathize with them. Unfortunately, when I said that I knew what they were going through, they reacted in a distant manner.
It dawned on me that I could not know what they were experiencing since I had not lost a child. That all changed on July 11, 1991, when our oldest daughter, Brenda, slipped into eternity. Joyce and I had witnessed others say farewell to a loved one, but now we knew that reality first hand.
The Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit had been One throughout all of eternity. Then Jesus, the Son, was sent to this earth to fulfill God’s prophetic purpose—to bring the offer of salvation to all who would receive it.
God had a perfect plan from the very beginning. Many prophecies in the Old Testament pointed to the cross and Jesus’ atonement for our sins. He had never known sin throughout all eternity or during His life here on earth—yet He became sin for us.
Where did Jesus obtain victory for us? Often people point to the Resurrection as the point of victory. I would have to disagree. When we recall the very first Passover in Egypt, it was the blood applied to the lintel and doorposts that gave protection from the angel of death.
The occupants of a home might have been prominent, righteous and full of good works, but if the blood was not applied—the first-born would die! In like manner we may hold an important position, do many wonderful things and even appear to be religious, but without the blood applied—we are lost.
So where did Jesus assure our victory over sin and death? On the cross! The very moment His life faded and the last drop of His precious blood was shed, Satan was a defeated foe. That is why the very last words of Jesus on the cross, as recorded in John 19:30 were: “It is finished!”
Have you experienced the “finished work” of Jesus Christ in your own life? Do you know for certain that if that muscle in your chest, called the heart, stopped beating—you would be prepared to meet the Lord? Please pray the following prayer:
God be merciful to me a sinner! I believe Christ died for me and that His precious blood will cleanse me from all my sin. By faith I now receive the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Help me to do your will each day. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil