“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:19-23).
My Lord and my God, my shelter in the time of storm. Who do we go to when our hearts are overwhelmed, but to You, our “Peace Speaker.” No other voice brings the soothing that You, and You alone, can offer us.
Your world is mourning Father. Death and dying are all around us! But You can speak and bring the calm that our souls need at this time. So speak Lord, for we are listening. In the name of our Savior and our Lifeguard, Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Today we will continue to count the cost of our salvation.
When the Counsel of Peace ended and the plan of salvation was finally disclosed, angels in disbelief and agony, drew near and offered their lives in the place of their Creator’s life. But only the spotless, Lifegiver; One who was equal with the Father, who could lay down His life and take it up again, could give His life for the sinner,
In an attempt to defeat the plan of salvation Satan set traps for the Savior at every step of the way. But the God-Man, Jesus Christ, for thirty three and a half years “walked in our moccasins,” sinless! Paul declares of Him, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, emphasis supplied). The man Adam failed the test, Christ, the second Adam, as a man, passed the test, and accredited it to us!!
In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul, when imploring the members to humble themselves, refers to Jesus as the Perfect Example. He, the King of Glory, came and took the place of a man, at one of the lowest positions, on the societal ladder, the place of a bondservant, and died the shameful death of the cross, even though He was equal with God (Philippians 2:5-8)!
Having the power to triumph over the powers of darkness He would submit Himself to the cruelest torture for those who would abandon him and flee for their lives. For a world that could not care less! ‘ “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” ‘ But He chose not to save Himself, because He had come to save us! “Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:53, 56, emphasis supplied).
Had he decided not to go ahead with the plan, at any point, Jesus could have decided to leave man to his own fate, and return to the Father and to the adoration of the angelic host. But He remained on the cross until His heart was broken, because there “was no other way.” He gave up His life to secure your and my eternal salvation, declaring that the work He had come to accomplish was completed: “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said,’ “It is finished!” ‘ “And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit”
But death could not keep Him in the grave, because there was no sin in Him. He conquered death and left it in the grave, a conquered foe! Then He rose from the dead, and is now in the Presence of God, mediating on our behalf, as our Sinless High Priest!
And because He lives, we who live, and believe in Him, shall never die (the second death)!
Do you believe this? Then you will grieve, but not like those who have no hope!
NOTE: After today, our devotionals will not be daily. I will notify of the new schedule. Thank you for your visits to the website! God bless you!