This week, Michael writes that the gospel of the good news
of Jesus Christ is the truth that sets men and women free. Jesus Christ,
the Word of God made flesh, is the Way, the Truth and the Life. This is
the message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Just by looking around
today, it's easy to lament the state of affairs of this world ... for they call
evil good and good evil. However, Jesus came not to condemn the world but that the world through him might be
saved. Jesus said, "The
harvest is plentiful but the laborer's are few." The depravity of
this fallen world is the mission field, having remained fallow, but is now
ready to be planted and watered with the seed of the gospel of truth. He
has called us as fellow laborers to plant, water and bring in the salvation harvest
of souls.
The gospel of the truth of
the word of God is remarkable. Jesus the “Word made flesh” is the Remarkable
One. Remarkable means Observable;
worthy of notice. It makes others want to
investigate and learn. When the people saw Jesus, they were drawn to Him. They
had never seen someone who spoke with the authority of God and did the miracles
that He did. Remarkable means Extraordinary; unusual; that which is beyond the
ordinary; that deserves particular notice. They marveled that He was able to
heal the sick and raise the dead. Remarkable is wonderful in a unique and
marvelous way that may excite admiration or wonder. It is extraordinary
and rare, atypical and standing apart from the norm. They had never seen
anything as remarkable as Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus said to the lame man
whose friends laid him before Jesus, "Your sins are forgiven, rise up and
walk." The Pharisees were furious because Jesus said, "your
sins are forgiven." They considered this blasphemy because only God
can forgive sin. However, regardless of the scoffers and unbelievers, the world
will take notice when the power of God is manifest.
At the day of Pentecost,
Peter preached the first sermon after Jesus' resurrection. The crowd at
the Temple marveled at his remarkable words. They noticed that he was an
"unlearned and ignorant" Galilean. Then they took note that he
had been with Jesus. Peter had been filled with the supernatural power of
the Holy Spirit and preached empowered by the spirit.
Jesus said, "You are
the salt of the earth." Salt was precious for the preservation of
food. The Romans paid their soldiers in salt. The source of the word “salary” is
the Latin word ‘salarium’, with the ‘sal’ being salt. It is also required to preserve
life itself since many biological processes depend on salt. However, if the
salt has lost its flavor, what good is it? It's only good to be cast into the
street and walked on. Jesus Christ is the savor (flavor and sweet smelling
fragrance) of life unto life to those who are called to salvation. Jesus said, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you, then
you will be witnesses unto me. The power of my resurrection will be
manifest in your life. You will be able to do all things whatsoever I
have commanded you. For you are our epistles known and read of all men.
No comments:
Post a Comment