by Steve Jeffries

Created on: June 19, 2009

"By His Death, We Shall Live!"

From the very beginning, God had made it known there was a Savior coming into the world. He would be from the lineage of David, the word of God incarnate, chosen by design of the Lord God Himself. He was blessed with the Almighty's power, Head of the Lord's church, second only in all things to the Master! And yet, He was despised and rejected of man...condemned to die on the cross. He was willing, despite this rejection, to lay down His life that we may have the hope of heaven forever...

Some 700 years before the life of Christ, all of this was foretold in scripture. In Isaiah 53:2 we read: "He (Jesus) grew up before him (God), like a tender shoot...He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him."

It's important to note the second part of that verse. God has always wanted us to hear His MESSAGE of salvation for ITS benefits, and not to simply "follow along" because of some attractive messenger! That which is in our hearts has always been the greater measure of a person to our Lord. In fact, He intentionally chose those who were "humble of means" to spread His word, because they could do so with humility. In many cases, people who are "puffed up" with themselves would not speak for God with the proper motives.

Jesus lived among us on earth for about 33 years. It was in those last 3 years, however, that He conducted most all of His ministry. He spoke with a quality of kindness and love which was quite uncommon among religious teachers of the day. Despite persecution from several ministers of false doctrine, and the Romans who worshipped Ceasar as their "god," the popularity of Jesus grew and grew. Unfortunantely, the emerging popularity with the people only served to increase the plots to kill Jesus among His opponents.

Even so, our Lord always kept up His guard against those who would have Him murdered. While Jesus was born into this world to save the lost by shedding His blood in death, it was not to be until all prophcey was filled regarding Christ Jesus. When that time finally arrived, Our Lord and Savior surrendered Himself to the Roman army, betrayed by one who was once His own. Turning again to the book of Isaiah, chapter 53, verse 3, we read: "...like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

We read in Ish. 53:4-5 "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows...he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him." Finally, from death He arose on the 3rd day following his burrial, eventually returning home to live an eternal life in Glory!

Praise be to the "Man of Sorrows," who was well acquainted with pain and humiliation for our sake while here on earth. For even though we may suffer in the flesh for a while, we have our assurance of eternal life in heaven! And we owe that to Christ BECAUSE of the unspeakable death He suffered. Believers look forward to that day when we shall be with Christ, sitting at the right hand of God!

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