In This Issue:
What Jesus Did
The Blood
Jesus, the Door
Not Just A Man
Volume: 795 February 1, 2021
Theme: Jesus
What Jesus Did
Bill Brinkworth
Paul started his letter to the Ephesians by reminding them what Jesus had done for them. The encouraging reminder of the goodness of God through His Son included:
- That from the beginning, God had pre-planned to allow those that trusted Christ as Saviour to become children of God (Ephesians 1:5).
- That by accepting Christ’s finished work on the cross, we are accepted by God (Ephesians 1:6).
- That our sins are forgiven and paid for (Ephesians 1:7).
- That He has given the saved godly wisdom (Ephesians 1:8).
- That God has let His will be known to believers (Ephesians 1:9).
- That one day, all the saved will be together with Him (Ephesians 1:10).
- That one day, we will receive a godly inheritance (Ephesians 1:11).
- That we should be something of which God is proud (Ephesians 1:12).
In a world that loads us down with trials and tribulations, it is a blessing to be reminded of how good God is to those spiritually born into the family of God. Be encouraged; we are on the winning side.
We are not just people passing through this world. Those that are born-again are God’s children!
“Not all are God’s children, only those that are born again.”
The Blood
Bill Brinkworth
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:7
One word mentioned or alluded to over 378 times in the Bible is the word “blood.” Its usage indicates:
- it is essential for life (Lev. 17:11, 14),
- that man’s blood should not unnecessarily be shed (Ex. 20:13, Gen. 9:6),
- “innocent” blood should especially not be spilled, and those that do so will be accountable (Prov. 6:17, Lev. 20:27, II Sam. 4:11),
- that some in the Old Testament were given the responsibility to revenge the blood of those murdered (Num. 35:19, 21, Jos. 20:5),
- and blood was used to cover temporarily, and later to pay completely for, man’s sins.
When Adam and Eve first sinned, innocent animals had to have their blood shed so that the two original sinners would have their sins “covered.” God killed animals that had done nothing wrong so that the first man and woman’s nakedness would be hidden. Innocent blood was shed to cover their sins.
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Gen. 3:21
Shortly afterward, frequent sacrifices to the Lord included other animals being killed, often cattle and sheep, for the “covering” of sin. When on the mountain getting the Ten Commandments, Moses received God’s instructions on sacrificing animals’ lives to be incorporated in worshiping God (Ex. 29:12, 16). It was always innocent blood that was necessary to “cover” men’s iniquities. That was God’s plan after sin was first committed.
However, these “payments” for man’s sins were not permanent. They had to be repeated over and over again. The blood of the sacrificed animal did not cover any man’s sins indefinitely, and it was not long until man completely stopped offering the proper sacrifices God required.
Man’s treatment of sacrifices was no surprise to God. He knew from the beginning that there was no work man could ever do to pay for his sins:
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4
God then allowed the one sacrifice that would redeem (Col. 1:14) all man’s sins. This perfect, innocent sacrifice was not guilty of doing anything wrong. Like the earlier Old Testament sacrifice, this Sacrifice’s blood was also spilled. However, this offering was not sacrificed by ordained men of God, as was done in the Old Testament, and the blood was not put on a stone altar.
This blood offering dripped down the arms of a “Man” that was nailed to a cruel, Roman, wooden cross over 2,000 years ago. The blood of this sacrifice was willingly offered by God’s only son, Jesus, and it was sufficient to be given only once. Jesus’ blood sacrifice never had to be repeated as it covered all man’s sins. Jesus is the worthy Lamb of God whose blood can pay for all man’s transgressions.
One purpose of the Bible was to show the importance of the Saviour’s blood. The Old Testament continually pointed to it. After that time, God made a new covenant (testament) with humanity. Jesus became the new agreement God had made with man:
“And he [Jesus] said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” Mark 14:24 Also: Mat. 26:28 and Luke 22:20.
Man’s sinful nature clearly shows that he cannot stop his iniquities. He has continued to demonstrate this from his first appearance on this Earth. Being “good” is not possible because all people are sinners (Rom. 3:23, 5:12). Any good behavior or deed man does will not eliminate his past sins. This also includes “religious” activities, good intentions, and anything else man may think will pay for his sins. God has made it clear that there is nothing man can do to pay for his iniquities. That is why He had to give the only sacrifice that was sufficient — His Son’s blood.
Has there ever been a time in your life that you have admitted your sinnership to the Father? Have you believed and trusted that Jesus’ sacrifice was payment for all your sins and asked Jesus to be your Saviour? If not, please do so today!
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9
“One might better try to sail the Atlantic in a paper boat than try to get to Heaven on good works.” — C. H. Spurgeon
Jesus, the Door
C. H. Spurgeon, Edited
You are not shut out of your Father’s house, unsaved sinner. A door is opened. Christ is that door. If you come to Christ, you have come to God. If you trust in Jesus alone, you can be saved.
The door to Noah’s ark was wide enough to admit the largest beasts as well as the tiniest animals. The entry into God’s mercy is wide enough to let in the greatest sinner as well as the more refined moralist.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9
Not Just A Man
Bill Brinkworth
One of the many things proving Jesus was not an ordinary man is that His life did not end with His crucifixion. His life continued.
Luke 24 tells some of what happened after His death. The chapter reveals:
- Jesus rose from the dead and was victorious over death!
- Angels had announced Jesus’ birth and also announced that He had risen (vs. 5-6).
- He came back after His crucifixion and was seen by many.
- Jesus taught others when He came back.
- Jesus had a different body, but He still remembered many things, talked, walked, and discerned others’ feelings.
- He still knew Scripture (vs. 27).
- He still prayed and thanked God (vs. 30).
- He must have appeared different. He had talked and spent time with several disciples, but they did not recognize who He was. Later God “opened” their eyes, and they were given the understanding that it was Christ to whom they had been speaking (vs. 31).
- He appeared among people. In several other places in the Bible, Jesus appeared among people without going through doors (vs. 36).
- Jesus still had the marks of His crucifixion (vs. 39).
- He was seen ascending back to Heaven (vs. 51).
Unfortunately, many false religions and their originators often have claimed to have done many supernatural things. None, however, can claim to have done what God’s only Son did. Jesus arose from the grave! He has risen!