What price insulting God?

Romans 15:3. For even Christ didn’t please Himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’”

“Insults’ comes from the Greek meaning reproach or defamation. Within society if a person has been defamed he or she can go take the matter to court. Should they win, the victim could be awarded substantial monetary damages. In thinking about that, I wondered about the spiritual implications of this. The Creator has been insulted by the pinnacle of His work, you and me, by how we have treated each other and the environment. Atheists are more strident with their rejection of His existence. Add to it, the way we slander His Name, His law, His word, and His Son, Jesus.

One day He will take us to Heaven’s courtroom. Unfortunately for us, He is both the complainant and the Presiding Judge. The verdict is against us. The penalty we can never pay. The charge of insulting, defaming God is only one of many charges against us. In comparison with aspects of our ungodliness belittling the Lord is small, but it must be dealt with. What can we offer in our defence? Nothing. Who would represent us in such a High Court and argue the case for mercy? What is the price to pay?

As the Passover time comes to us again we are made aware of the price of a blasphemous life. This was the charge against Jesus by the High Priest. It was a death sentence. That is what confronted us in the future, an eternal dismissal from the presence of God and eternal life. In the text from Romans quoted above reflect upon this added weight Jesus took to the cross on our behalf. Your verbal, lifestyle and spiritual slander, unbelief, rebellion plus self-righteous mockery of the Almighty fell on the Son. Jesus stepped into your scene, my scene and took all which was in the charge sheets and put His name to it.

The cross of Christ is the most momentous event within time or beyond time. What the Son of God, the Son of Man took upon Himself as our personal representative can never be fully understood. What we can understand and take to heart is the fact, He did it. So, what was achieved on our behalf? That depends upon two things. One, did Jesus survive the death penalty? Two, how have you responded to what our representative and substitute endured and achieved? The answer to number one is ‘He is risen!’ The answer to number two requires yours and my faith conviction that He is risen! He is my Saviour! He is my Lord! He is the Son of God and my Advocate. Now, when I stand before my Lord at the Judgement seat I have my Advocate beside me. His words would be, on my behalf and your ‘The charges against this person have been fully paid – by Me!’

To stand alone before the Father in the courtroom of Heaven is to have no advocate, no answer to the charges, no possible way to pay the damage bill, no hope of mercy.

Christ Jesus and the cross offer peace, forgiveness, hope and a new beginning with eternity in it. Over this Passover and Eastertime may you be once again captured by Calvary!

           

©Ray Hawkins. Author of ‘Captured by Calvary’ and other 31 day Devotional Meditations.

http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

His new Devotional ‘The Warrior Lord’s Sword’ is being released in  April.

Holy Week

Photo courtesy of Naypong/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A dear friend is going through an especially challenging time at present on a number of different fronts. Everywhere I turn I see the same; whether it’s sickness, unemployment, challenges with children, broken something or other. It's heart breaking. There may be a number of us in this community experiencing similar.

We often ask God “why?” and “when will this end?” at times like this. When we have a friend going through tough circumstances we want to be able to say something that provides understanding or insight into their predicament. We want to help and ask God to provide the words for us to share. We want to provide comfort and assurance.

A common response to our pleadings is silence.

This only serves to add to our confused state.

Jesus returns to Jerusalem

When Jesus returned to Jerusalem riding on a donkey on Palm Sunday it was His first time back since He’d raised Lazarus from the dead. Naturally, many were curious to get close to this man.

Was He the Messiah? Was He the King they’d waited all these years for? Would He rescue them from the clutches of Rome’s rule?

Naturally they were confused that as the week progressed their hopes of freedom, their thoughts on who He was and what He would do for them, didn’t transpire.

Linger

I’ve been particularly inspired by Mary of Bethany in recent weeks. Her response to Jesus is quite remarkable. One time we see her she is resting at Jesus’s feet while her sister, Martha, busies herself with housework. Then we see Mary, the night before Palm Sunday, dousing Jesus in expensive “pure nard” and wiping His feet with her hair.

In both situations, Mary didn’t seek a response. She simply chose to linger in His presence. She didn’t seek to understand and let go of her striving.

Simply. To be.

She chose to be with Him. She didn’t seek words … she had no agenda.

"She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said." (Luke 10: 39 NIV)

Walk with Jesus

It’s a special week for us. It’s Holy Week.

“Holy Week teaches us to trust God in every step – even when we can’t see His reasons.” (Desiring God)

Let us all choose to walk with Jesus on His journey. To linger in His presence.

Let go of our agendas and let Him fill us. Let Jesus set the agenda. Not necessarily with words but just His presence. Be filled by His love for you. 

Peace be with us all this Easter. May we all know the breadth, length, height and depth of His love for us.

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, Angelguard, is available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter