The Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah

Jesus first came to take away your sin. He comes again to bring paradise back to earth. Do you believe He is the One?  

April’s Awakening, Day 20

Jesus has been—declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Holy Spirit, through his resurrection from the dead. In this declaration and appointment—which are beyond historical definition—lies the true significance of Jesus. Jesus as the Christ, as the Messiah, is the End of History; and He can be comprehended only as Paradox … as Victor … a Primal History. As Christ, Jesus is the plane which lies beyond our comprehension.

 —Karl Barth

Let us serve Him faithfully as our Master. Let us obey Him loyally as our King. Let us study His teachings as our Prophet. Let us walk diligently after Him as our Example. Let us look anxiously for Him as our coming Redeemer of body as well as soul. But above all let us prize Him as our Sacrifice, and rest our whole weight on His death as atonement for sin. Let His blood be more precious in our eyes every year we live. Whatever else we glory in about Christ, let us glory above all things in His cross.

 —J. C. Ryle  

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 NIV   

            Messiah in the Hebrew literally means “anointed one,” and the Old Testament, especially in the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 11, describes the Messiah as the future King who would come under special anointing to reunite the twelve tribes of Israel and usher in the Messianic Age—a period of leadership and prosperity of Israel and the entire world at peace. The Messiah would be King, on the throne of David, to continue God’s divine leadership promised to David (the Davidic Covenant) that an offspring of David would rule forever on the throne. The Messiah would be of “the root and offspring of Jesse,” (David’s father), and oftentimes the anointed one would be referred to as the “Branch” of Jesse. This is the Messiah that the Jews were looking for—a King to retake control and command of Israel and the entire globe.

            Messiah in the Hebrew is transliterated as “Christ” in the New Testament Greek. So we have Jesus as His given name and Christ is really His title, the anointed one, the Messiah. Jesus often referred to Himself as the “Son of David,” “Son of Man,” and “Son of God,” to identify Himself as the fulfillment of Old Testament Messiah. And in fact, Jesus was of the direct lineage of David, both through Mary, his biological mother traced back to Nathan, one of David’s sons, giving Jesus the legal right to the throne, and through Joseph, as Jesus’s adopting father, tracing back to Solomon, giving Jesus the royal right to sit on the throne. The Book of Matthew traces the royal lineage through Joseph, and the Book of Luke traces the legal lineage through Mary.

            What the Jews missed is that Messiah would come first as the Suffering Servant, the Man of Sorrows, the sacrificial Lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world. When Christ comes again at His Glorious Appearing, He then comes as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The one-thousand-year reign of Christ here on earth, sitting on the throne of David in the temple in Jerusalem, ushers in the Millennium—indeed, that will be the Messianic Age. Jesus is the Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah—don’t miss it.

Love Ran Wild

Love ran wild and even the tombs gave up their dead. Our connection with God—restored.

April’s Awakening, Day 19

The attributes of God were visible in their fullness on the day Jesus died. God’s nature poured out on Golgotha in a cosmic flood of revelation, and the world quaked. Justice was done, mercy was granted, redemption was accomplished, power was displayed, holiness was vindicated, community was reestablished, perfect wisdom was demonstrated, and love ran wild.

 —William R. L. Haley   

God proved his love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died it was God saying to the world—I love you.

 —Billy Graham 

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. Matthew 27:45, 50–53 NIV

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. Matthew 28:2–4 NIV  

            We have already witnessed God’s love for us through Christ in this devotional at the end of January and early February—John 3:16–17; John 15:13; and Romans 8:38–39. God gave us His all at the Cross and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This was no ordinary crucifixion—three hours of darkness upon the land, an earthquake both at the crucifixion and resurrection, the veil of the temple rent into two, and even the dead raised to life. God displayed all His love, in extraordinary ways. “It is finished.” Jesus accomplished everything that needed to be done to restore us back into a relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You are most dearly loved indeed.

To Live For

Perishable is raised imperishable. Dishonor is raised in glory. Weakness is raised in power. The natural body is raised a spiritual body. You are alive and to live for.

April’s Awakening, Day 18

Is it a small thing in your eyes to be loved by God—to be the son, the spouse, the love, the delight of the King of glory? Christian, believe this, and think about it: you will be eternally embraced in the arms of the love which was from everlasting, and will extend to everlasting—of the love which brought the Son of God’s love from heaven to earth, from earth to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to glory—that love which was weary, hungry, tempted, scorned, scourged, buffeted, spat upon, crucified, pierced—which fasted, prayed, taught, healed, wept, sweated, bled, died. That love will eternally embrace you.

 —Richard Baxter

All the kings throughout history sent their people out to die for them. Only one person ever died for their people willingly and lovingly.

 —Dave Brown  

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:12–14, 20–22, 42–44 NIV  

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 1 Corinthians 15:3–7 NIV  

            Christ certainly is risen from the dead and alive. For forty days after His resurrection, before His ascension into heaven, Christ walked this earth and was seen by many individuals on many different occasions. As believers, we can also trust that we will have glorified, resurrection bodies just like Christ. After His resurrection, Christ could eat and drink and could also seemingly appear and disappear without notice and pass through locked doors. A spiritual body indeed, but very physical too. So will it be with us when our salvation is complete at the Rapture, when our body, soul, and spirit will be united together in the air with Christ, with holiness once more a part of us and sealed within us forevermore. We will live forever in our glorified bodies through the Millennium and eternity to come. In the twinkling of an eye—what anticipation awaits that moment—come quickly, Lord Jesus!  

To Die For

You are not an afterthought and you are not a patch-fix. You are to die for.

April’s Awakening, Day 17

Jesus Christ’s claim of divinity is the most serious claim anyone ever made. Everything about Christianity hinges on His incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. That’s what Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter are all about.

 -Luis Palau

If Christ is not the Substitute, He is nothing to the sinner. If He did not die as the Sin-bearer, He has died in vain. Let us not be deceived on this point nor misled by those who, when they announce Christ as the Deliverer, think they have preached the gospel. If I throw a rope to a drowning man, I am a deliverer. But is Christ no more than that? If I cast myself into the sea and risk myself to save another, I am a deliverer. But is Christ no more? Did He risk His life? The very essence of Christ’s deliverance is THE SUBSTITUTION OF HIMSELF FOR US—HIS LIFE FOR OURS! He did not come to risk His life; He came to die! He did not redeem us by a little loss, a little sacrifice, a little labor, a little suffering; “He redeemed us to God by His blood” (1 Peter 1:18,19). He gave all He had, even His life, for us. This is the kind of deliverance that awakens the happy song, “To Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5).

 —Horatius Bonar  

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:18–21 NIV 

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:22, 26b NIV

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:4b–6 NIV

            Your salvation and reconciliation to God was not an afterthought or a software patch to fix an unforeseen problem. God’s plan of salvation and the sending of Jesus Christ to be the atoning sacrifice on the Cross and to be raised again to everlasting life was in the mind of God before creation itself. The entire Old Testament points to Christ on the Cross. The Ten Commandments were given to show us the sinfulness of sin. The animal sacrifices were to show us that only the shedding of blood could purify one of sin, and that was only temporary. It would take the shedding of the blood of the God-Man, the unblemished Lamb of God, to once for all and forevermore take away sin and death from this world. Christ came for one reason. Christ came to die for you.

Renew My Heart, O God: Daily Devotions for Healing Your Heart by Jeffery...

My Book, "Renew My Heart, O God" is now available online in eBook format! It is available in Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Apple iBook formats for $9.99 in all formats.

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Thank you all for your continued prayers and support and Happy Easter! Christ is risen and alive and well in the hearts of His people and sits at the right hand of God the Father! Amen!
Prayers and blessings,
Jeff

Are You Looking for the Living Among the Dead?

He is risen! Are you alive in Christ or dead in your sin? Leave your sin in the tomb and follow Him.

April’s Awakening, Day 16—For Easter Sunday

The claims of Jesus Christ, namely his resurrection, has led me as often as I have tried to examine the evidence to believe it as a fact beyond dispute.

 —Lord Caldecote, former Lord Chief Justice of England 

I know pretty well what evidence is; and, I tell you, such evidence as that for the resurrection has never broken down yet.

 —Lord Lyndhurst, High Steward of Cambridge University, regarded as one of the greatest legal minds in the history of England

Indeed, taking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no single historic incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ.

 —B. F. Westcott 

There are but two essential requirements: first: Has anyone cheated death and proved it? Second: Is it available to me? Here is the complete record.

Confucius’ tomb—occupied

Buddha’s tomb—occupied

Mohammed’s tomb—occupied

Jesus’ tomb—empty.

Argue as you will. There is no point in following a loser.

 —G. B. Hardy 

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24:4–7 NIV     

            Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross was all that was necessary to redeem us and provide the way for total forgiveness. The reconciliation between God and man was now available. Christ’s resurrection from the dead proved without question that He truly was who He said He was—the God-Man. The resurrection further proved that He had total control over not only sin, but death and all creation as well. His resurrection proved that we too, shall be resurrected from the dead in like fashion and have resurrection bodies that are eternal just as Christ Himself. He is risen! He is not in the tomb but sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding on our behalf. There is only one Living God. Put your faith and trust in Him. To chase after anything else is simply chasing after the dead. 

Christ, Our Atoning Substitute

Your debt, and the debt of sin for all humanity, has been paid in full.

April’s Awakening, Day 15

God is not content to leave all people under His wrath. Nor can he simply sweep sin under the rug of the universe. Therefore His love and His justice conspire to make a way for sinners to be saved and God’s justice to be vindicated. The answer is the death of Jesus Christ.

 —John Piper 

The cross means this: Jesus taking our place to satisfy the demands of God’s justice and turning aside God’s wrath.

 -James M. Boice 

Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want.

 —Martin Luther  

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV 

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Romans 3:10, 20 NIV  

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 NIV  

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV   

            The wages of sin is death, and there is not one righteous. Adam and Eve, by free choice, lost their holiness attribute and hence, were forevermore unable to impart the “holiness gene” to any offspring. The holiness flame within humanity was extinguished and only God can give us the holiness flame back. God is the perfection of holiness, righteousness, and justice, and as such, cannot tolerate sin. There must be a perfect, sinless, unblemished sacrifice to atone for and make full reparation and restitution for all humanity’s sin.

              Thankfully, God is also the perfection of love, mercy, and grace and has provided to all humanity the only possible perfect atoning substitute to take our place—His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through His death on the Cross. All of humanity’s sin—past, present, and future—was laid upon Him. A person simply needs to believe in Christ and His sacrifice for us on the Cross, and we are redeemed from eternal separation from God and we are justified and imputed with the perfection and righteousness of Christ to our account. Our debt is forevermore paid. Come to the Cross and believe.