"HE KNEW"

Sunday’s Monday

My week has been spectacular in walking with Jesus. This was my Meals on Wheels week and it was a good one! I so enjoy those seniors (older than I) as they always allow me to leave with more love than I brought. Our oldest grandson turned 18 this week and he along with his mother accompanied his senior school group to Costa Rica (class trip) which left yesterday. The Conover Community Sunrise Service was fantastic today, we were so blessed by being there. Thank you to all involved in making it possible.

During my comings and goings this past week God put a thought in my head, that required some meditation. “HE KNEW!” As I was listening to the radio and thinking of the resurrection, this thought popped into my mind. Before giving Himself over to the Roman Soldiers, Jesus knew minute for minute or play by play what was about to take place. “He knew!” 1 John 3:20 (NIV), 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Jesus knew He would be beaten beyond recognition, suffer unimaginable torture, be crucified (with nails) and sent to hell (for 3 days). Regardless, I am told in John 18:4-5 (NIV), 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) Even though “He knew,” how unappreciative His creation would be and how most of His beloved would never surrender to follow him, as well “He knew” the failures of struggling with the flesh over following Him and yet He chose to suffer and die for our sin. “He knew,” there had to be a spotless sacrifice to wash away the sin of every passionate follower of the Son of God and that sacrifice had to be, He. In my way of thinking, I have no clue what that must have been like! To give one’s life for another in an emergency, is a split-second decision where the heart usually acts before the mind figures things out and the outcome is what it is (that I can get a hold of) but to have days and or weeks and to already know the outcome, is unfathomable to me. There is a song and now a movie call I can only imagine, well I can’t and am not sure I ever want to imagine what Jesus went through mentally. Oh yes, I can hear it now; but He is God, which is 100% correct however at the time He was a human in the flesh and God in spirit. He felt every stripe from the whip, each cut from the spears, thorns and swords, as well He heard every unkind word that was swore at Him. I think it is best summarized in Isaiah 53:5 (NIV), But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. “He knew,” that through the greatest sacrifice of all eternity (His death and resurrection), His creation would have a choice to have life everlasting (with Him). The explanation can be found in, Romans 10:9-12 (NIV), 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him. The intent here is to build a relationship with the Lamb (Jesus) that made this way possible through the sacrifice of His own life. Jesus would like to talk with you to hear what you are feeling, to help you with your concerns and situations, to tell you that He loves you and it’s strong enough that He died for you. It requires no fancy talk or spiritualistic surroundings. Just you, talking out loud to Jesus and always quietly listening for His reply. Search out those people that you are sure passionately follow Jesus and ask for help and advice. They will be glad to explain, Matthew 11:29 (NIV), 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

COMMENTS / ENCOURAGEMENT WELCOMED; 04/01/2018