by Terry Laughlin | Apr 14, 2016 | Easter
Remembering Your Works
Psalm 143:5 says, “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” Sometimes we need to talk about and meditate on the battlefield wounds our Lord received as He paid the price for the redemption of our very souls.
Many grow up in homes where they have not experienced the frustrations and heartaches of war. Most of their lives they have not taken time to meditate upon the cost of war.
If you watch closely at the “Veteran’s Day Parade,” you will notice how the young find their joy in grasping for the candy. The youth are captivated by their friends who ride on the floats. But, it is those who have tasted the bitter fruit of war in some way, they are the ones who appreciate the men and women of whom the Veteran’s Day remembrance parade is for.
If you take time to get to know a war veteran who has received a purple heart and hearing the story of how he received that honorable medal, you can also grasp the truths of Veteran’s Day. Taking time to listen to and meditating upon the cost of our American soldiers, you can completely change your outlook towards the “Veterans Day Parade.”
The Holy Spirit of God calls all Christians to be witnesses to family members, friends and co-workers. Christians are to live in a way that shows the Lordship of Christ over their lives, so they can be seen as children of God who understand fully “The Battlefield Wounds of Christ.” This keeps them from being seen as children at a “Veteran’s Day Parade” who are more captivated by the candy and worldly floats than the veterans who bear the scars of war on their bodies and hearts.
During the Easter season, those who want to get all that the Lord has for them will make time to learn all they can about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Just how will you remember the works of Christ this Easter Season?
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 14, 2016 | Easter
His Cost Our Gain
When I first got started in the Arabian Horse business, my parents and I attended a special coronation celebration for a beautiful Arabian Stallion. On a Saturday night, in Lincoln, Nebraska we sat in a large indoor arena, excitingly watching this beautiful horse receive the very high honor of “Legion of Merit.” The lights were turned off and a large spotlight appeared at the entrance gate. Music was playing and our hearts beat with anticipation. Then suddenly a beautiful bay stallion with long black flowing mane and tail entered at a gallop. The spot light followed him as he loped through the arena while the announcer told of all the achievements that this horse had accomplished.
When the announcer was finished, the horse trainer entered and called the horse to come to him. With lights upon them, a coronation of roses was fastened around his neck and laid across his chest. With a standing ovation this beautiful Arabian Stallion was led from the arena.
In contrast was the atonement day of Christ–the day the perfect man received for a coronation a crown of thorns. He went about accomplishing the complete will of God, healing the sick, feeding the multitudes and raising the dead. If anyone was worthy of honor it was Him. Yet, He was not greeted with lights and music, but darkness came over the land. (Luke 23:44) He did not receive a coronation of roses, a public announcement of achievements and a standing ovation. Rather, He was given a crown of thorns and afflictions from men.
The Prophet Isaiah catches the reality of what Jesus was to look like when He would be scourged for our sins, “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human likeness.” (Isaiah 52:14)
Make plans to remember the cost paid for our sins and let the Holy Spirit of Christ lead you in a lifestyle that brings honor to God and to the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Respond to Christ appropriately!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 14, 2016 | Easter
The Battlefield Wounds Of Christ
Matthew 27:28-31 says, “They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and knelt in front of Him and mocked Him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ They spit on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him.” The prophet Isaiah enlightens us with this description of our Lord’s battlefield wounds, “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness” (Isaiah 52:14).
The Word of God gives us numerous details of the “Battlefield Wounds of Christ” which were inflicted upon the Savior of the World. “Jesus came to rule in the hearts and souls of man, and the rebellion of man’s soul wounded Him. He came to rule the wills of His people and the resistance of self-will hurt Him. He came in righteousness to cast out unrighteousness and the wickedness of the world turned against Him.” (unknown)
Though the Roman soldiers inflicted Him with a crown of thorns meant to cause pain, mockery and morbid enjoyment, God was allowing the proclamation of some powerful truths. Thorns were introduced with willful sin and were part of the curse spoken by God, “Cursed is the ground because of you [Adam]… It will produce thorns and thistles for you…” (Genesis 3:18). Figuratively, thorns signify affliction, the adversities of the wicked and the evils that spring up in the heart to choke out truth (Numbers 33:55; Proverbs 22:5; Matthew 13:7). Jesus’ “crown” represented all our sin that He came to die for.
Another battlefield wound that was laid upon Jesus was flogging. Among the Romans it was customary to viciously whip a slave or criminal to cause even more excruciating pain for the victims about to be crucified.
The power of sin puts a person into bondage and causes him to become a criminal before the eyes of God. All sins are acts of rebellion against God’s laws and decrees. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Sin is in the heart of every criminal and unsaved sinner. Therefore, Jesus was stripped and flogged, His body afflicted because of our sin.
A third battlefield wound that was laid upon Christ was crucifixion itself. On the cross Jesus saw two classes of people, those whose hearts will remain hard and those who would repent and call out to Him. He not only bore the physical pain, but also the entire torture and suffering that are the consequences of human cruelty.
In Isaiah 53:6 we read that, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.” Through the Battlefield Wounds of Christ sinners are offered forgiveness. Which class of people will you be in? Be like the repentant thief; put your trust in Christ for the salvation of your soul and receive Him into your life.
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