We are called to preach the Gospel to the world but the world can be so cold and hard. Sometimes we refuse to come towards the broken; we are unsure how to assist them. As they curse, have explosive anger, or refuse to share we don’t realize the depth of pain they hold. Pain comes to be their closest friend without any room for vulnerability. It’s hard to allow anyone near, trust has been severely broken. Should we shake our heads or should we extend a hand to them? The hurting desperately need healing, the source is God.
Yet, do we realize the wealth of riches we possess as Christ as our Savior? If we really understand the wealth we possess, we wouldn’t hold on to it. While in college, I had the honor of sitting at the feet of Dr. David Watson. One of my favorite courses in college with Dr. Watson was called Personal Evangelism. Still after so many years, I will never forget some of the heart changing words I experienced. It wasn’t long to grasp he heartbeat of Dr. Watson which should be the heartbeat of the church or every Christian-to mend the broken. As we went through the semester we discussed several truths: why we hate witnessing, how to be prepared for “God’s divine appointments” and realizing the depth of the broken heart. Yet, we learn a truth Dr. Watson entitled “The Jonathan Principle.” On an outing with his family, he took the family out boating. We left the boat at the dock but a man felt he was wrong for parking in “his spot”. So, he decided to approach Dr. Watson “to discuss the matter”. Dr. Watson was walking with his son, Jonathan as he came towards him. At the time, Jonathan was only eight years old but they were getting chewed out with very colorful language. They unknowingly docked their boat in someone else's spot. As they were walking away Jon looked at his dad and asked Dad that man is really hurting isn't he?” Jonathan principle - see the need
What drove Christ to the cross was to mend the brokenness of our spirits; we were complete drowned in sin. Satan’s deceiving power, our selfish ways, and sin’s blinding power rob us of our identity, life, and a relationship with God. Sin binds the feet of the sinner entrapping their soul to lies. As our Heavenly Father watched this world groan and ache for deliverance, He came to our rescue-Christ came.
As our souls bleed for love, ached for healing, and cried for deliverance our Heavenly Father heard our cries for relief, He didn’t ignore them. Although it was prophesied by Isaiah the prophet of Christ’s coming in Isaiah 61, Christ knew His mission. As He read this chapter before the tabernacle, (Luke 4:18-21) Christ said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
8 “For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed.”
10 I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.
No comments:
Post a Comment