Growth Through Chastening, Repentance, and Forgiveness

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 38:1-22

Psalm 38:21-22

Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me!
²² Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!

(NKJV)

 

Sin is missing the mark with God, and what separates us from a relationship with Him. Adam and Eve had an intimate relationship with God until they sinned, and God evicted from the paradise of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). The good news for us all is sins separation from God does not need to be permanent because we have a merciful and gracious God. David knew this, and it is to God he offered this prayer during a time of chastening in his life.

 

Psalm 38 begins with David asking the Lord not to chasten him in His hot displeasure or to let His arrows of discipline pierce him deeply or for his hand of chastening to press him down (Psalm 38:1-2). Because of the Lord’s anger there is no soundness in David’s flesh nor health in his bones because of his sin (Psalm 38:3). David admits his iniquities have gone over his head and are a burden too heavy for him to carry (Psalm 38:4). David admits that his foolishness has caused foul and festering wounds to his soul (Psalm 38:5).

 

David is troubled, bowed down, and in mourning all day long due to his iniquities (Psalm 38:6). This has led to his loins or thighs being full of inflammation with no soundness in his flesh, leaving David feeble and severely broken with his heart in great turmoil (Psalm 38:7-8). However, even in this state, David acknowledges his desire is before the Lord with his sighing not hidden from the Lord (Psalm 38:9). David is honest with the Lord, admitting his heart pants or is thirsty and his strength fails him, with the light of his eyes gone from him (Psalm 38:10). David’s plague does not go unnoticed with his friends, loved ones, and relatives avoiding him and those seeking his life laying snares for him and seeking his destruction (Psalm 38:11-12).

 

David is like a deaf mute who cannot hear or open his mouth to speak or complain (Psalm 38:13-14). Instead, David’s hope is in the Lord, and he knows the Lord will hear him because he has asked the Lord to hear him, so his enemies do not rejoice and exalt themselves against him (Psalm 38:15-16). David admits he is ready to fall with his sorrow continually before him (Psalm 38:17). David is repentant over his sin, openly declaring it and in anguish over it (Psalm 38:18).

 

However, David’s enemies are vigorous and strong with those hating him multiplying (Psalm 38:19). David’s adversaries are those rendering evil for good because David follows what is good, His Lord (Psalm 38:20). David concludes the psalm by asking the Lord not to forsake him or be far from him but to make haste in coming to help him because He is his Lord and salvation (Psalm 38:21-22).

 

David finds himself in a time of chastening for his sin and offers this prayer. David has a repentant heart, acknowledging his sin while seeking the Lord’s mercy without making excuses for what he has done (Psalm 38:1-8). However, this is only the first step of repentance because repentance is a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction of the sin one has committed. In David’s case, he also acknowledges that the Lord is his hope and that he desires to hear from the Lord (Psalm 38:15). When we acknowledge our sin and vow to turn from it, we need not fear because the Lord is right there to accept us like the father accepting the prodigal son (Luke 15:20-24). The Lord promised not to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

 

When facing times of chastening from the Lord, we may feel uncomfortable praying, but this prayer of David shows us a man with a repentant heart praying to God during a time of chastening. Satan, our enemy, may tell us that the sin we committed is too great and unforgivable. This is a lie from Satan because 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us.

 

However, in many churches today, there is little mention of sin, with the doctrine of cheap grace taught, teaching that God has forgiven our sins and that there is no need to repent. This is a deceptive theology and promotes one remaining in their life of sin instead of growing closer to the Lord. A biblical example of this is the Church in Corinth, with Paul telling them their sin prevented them from receiving the deeper truth about the Bible, relegating them to a diet of the basics (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Hebrews 5:12-13). Like a child who matures through discipline, a child of God matures through repentance when corrected and learning from the word of God, the Bible.

 

Perhaps you are reading this and believe God will not hear you because of the great sin in your life. This is a lie from Satan designed to prevent you from receiving salvation, which is not based on what you have done, or not done, but on the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you find yourself in this condition, I invite you to pause and pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, rest assured that God has totally forgiven you and that you are a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12). Find a Church teaching the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Belief in What is Unseen

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 20:19-30

 

John 20:29

Jesus said to him, ^[b]“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

(NKJV)

 

Jesus has risen from the grave, but at this point, we only know of Mary Magdalene physically seeing Him (John 20:11-18). Scripture also tells us that when Peter and John saw the empty tomb, they believed, but also tells us that they did not know that Jesus must rise from the dead (John 20:9). While Tomas has the name of doubting Thomas, this passage implies that all the disciples did not believe Mary until Jesus appeared to them. Today, we must come to believe based on what the word of God tells us about Jesus when convicted by the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-8), but belief in what is not seen pleases God (Hebrews 11:1, 6).

 

The same day that Mary Magdalene saw Jesus, Jesus miraculously appeared to the disciples. The disciples were locked in a room out of fear of the Jews and since Jesus just appeared, he must have either come through the walls or appeared out of thin air. In either case, his appearance is a miracle with Jesus saying, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19). As proof it was Him, Jesus shows them His hands and side, making the disciples glad to see their Lord (John 20:20).

 

Jesus again offers the disciples peace and commissions them to go just as the Father sent Him to them (John 20:21). Jesus then breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). Jesus then empowers them to forgive the sins of any and when they do, they are forgiven, but if they retain the sins of any, they are retained (John 20:23).

 

During this miraculous appearance, one disciple was missing, Thomas (John 20:24). Excited about seeing Jesus, the other disciples told Thomas they had seen the Lord, but he will not believe unless he sees the scars on His hands and His side, earning him the name doubting Thomas (John 20:25). The following Sunday, Jesus again appears in the same room to the disciples, but this time Thomas is there with Jesus offering His peace (John 20:26). Jesus then invites Thomas to look at His hands and to put his hand into Jesus’s side, telling Thomas not to be unbelieving but to believe (John 20:27). Upon doing what Jesus told him to do, Thomas believed (John 20:28). Jesus then tells Thomas that because he has seen, he believes but that those who believe but have not seen Jesus are blessed (John 20:29). John then tells us that Jesus did many other signs that are not written in this book (John 20:30).

 

Jesus appears to the disciples by just appearing in the room that was locked because they feared the Jews. This is Jesus' first appearance to the disciples after the resurrection, and it shows that while they could recognize Him, His body had changed. Thomas, known as doubting Thomas, was not there, and when he is told by the others that Jesus appeared to them, says he could not believe unless he saw the scars on Jesus’ hands and his side (John 20:25). However, we also know that Peter and John did not believe Jesus must rise from the dead (John 20:9). The advantage the other disciples had on Thomas was they had seen Jesus the week before, so it is possible all the disciples did not believe until they saw Jesus. Coming to the belief that Jesus arose from the dead today requires faith because Jesus now sits at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for believers. However, coming to believe in Jesus when we cannot see Him makes us blessed (John 20:29).

 

While it is said that seeing is believing, faith, or believing in what is not seen pleases God (Hebrews 11:1, 6). Those coming to a belief in Jesus as their Savior do so now, not based on physically seeing Jesus, but on the eyewitness accounts of the disciples recorded in Scripture. This is why it is crucial to have a foundation of Biblical truth in the Church, for since the Word is God, having the truth of scripture is like having God with us. Any Church straying away from the truth of the Bible is like the Laodicean Church, which was more interested in their wealth and prosperity and left Jesus outside the door, knocking to come in (Revelation 3:14-22). Sadly, this is the state of many churches today that do not want to offend people or turn away donors and preach an ear-tickling, unbiblical message (2 Timothy 4:3-4). I urge such churches to return to Biblical truth so people can come to a belief in Jesus as their savior through faith that pleases God.

 

If you are reading this and believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and arose from the grave on the third day, I invite you to make a public profession of your belief by praying with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church teaching from the Bible so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Heritage of Righteousness and the Calamity of Wickedness

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 37

 

Psalm 37:9

For evildoers shall be ^[b]cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.

(NKJV)

 

A media-driven world promotes celebrities with charisma, good looks, and wealth. While these things are not inherently evil, if they become one’s objective, they can take on the status of an idol in our life, something forbidden in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4-6). While the commandment implies bowing down to worship a statue, it also covers worshiping fame and fortune. Before you consider making fame and fortune your idol, consider the heritage of the righteous and the calamity of the wicked.

 

Psalm 37 begins with a warning not to fret when it appears the wicked prosper, reminding us that their prosperity is temporary and will wither like the grass (Psalm 37:1-2). Instead, David exhorts us to trust in the Lord and do good, feeding on His faithfulness, delighting in the Lord who gives us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:3-4). The righteous commit their way to the Lord, trusting in Him who shall cause our righteousness to shine (Psalm 37:5-6). The righteous find their rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, not fretting about the temporary prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 37:7). This rest allows them not to have anger or respond with wrath because these cause harm (Psalm 37:8).

 

As we observe in Proverbs, David offers contrasts that tell us the wicked will be cut off, ceasing to exist (Psalm 37:9-11). The wicked plans of the wicked and their plots against the righteous shall not come to pass with the Lord laughing at them (Psalm 37:12-15). Better to have the little of the righteous than the riches of the wicked because the wicked shall be broken but the righteous upheld by the Lord (Psalm 37:16-17). The righteous have an eternal inheritance, and the Lord brings them through evil and times of famine with the wicked perishing (Psalm 37:18-20). The wicked borrows but does not repay, while the righteous is generous with those blessed by Him, inheriting the earth, and those cursed by Him are cut off (Psalm 37:21-22)

 

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord with the Lord delighting in his way, and if he falls the Lord upholds him, and he is not cast down (Psalm 37:23-24). David is now old and no longer young and has never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread with them forever merciful and lending (Psalm 37:25-26). David exhorts us to depart from evil and do good, enjoying an eternal inheritance (Psalm 37:27). The Lord loves justice and does not forsake his saints, preserving them forever, cutting off the wicked with the righteous inheriting the land and living there forever (Psalm 37:28-29).

 

The words of the righteous are words of wisdom and justice because the law of God is in his heart with none of his steps sliding (Psalm 37:30-31). The wicked seeks to destroy the righteous, but the Lord will not allow it (Psalm 37:32-33). We are to wait on the Lord and keep his way so we inherit the land, for when the wicked are cut off, the righteous shall see it (Psalm 37:34). David has seen the wicked rise in power only to be cut off and exist no more (Psalm 37:35-36). David encourages us to watch the blameless man because his future is peace and not the transgressors who shall be cut off (Psalm 37:37-38). The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, who is their strength in times of trouble and who shall deliver them from the wicked, saving them because they trust in Him (Psalm 37:39-40).

 

In a fallen world, the wicked seem to prosper and enjoy a good life while the righteous seem to struggle. Psalm 37 contrasts the heritage of the righteous with the calamity awaiting the wicked. The wicked enjoy a heritage of created things which soon wither away like the grass (Psalm 37:2). In contrast, the righteous have an eternal heritage and will inherit the earth, but the earth they will inherit is unlike the earth we currently live on for it will be changed into a world without sea or turmoil (Revelation 21:1). It will be a world much like the Garden of Eden with God dwelling with humanity for eternity (Revelation 21:2-3). A world without death, sorrow, crying, or pain because these things passed away with the old world (Revelation 21:4). Before fretting over the good the wicked seem to enjoy, consider the eternal future of those choosing righteousness.

 

The modern media-driven world praises attractive and charismatic individuals, creating the impression of success through fame and prosperity. While there is nothing wrong with wealth or even fame, if it becomes one’s idol, it will disappoint them because it is part of a fallen world and, as such, only temporary. While peer pressure through social media may entice us to seek wealth and fame, it is better to have an eternal and Godly focus on the heritage of those choosing righteousness. Jesus reminded us that in this world those choosing His righteousness will suffer trouble, but have the reward of eternity with the one who overcame the world (John 16:33). Jesus overcame death through His resurrection from the dead and sits at the right hand of God the Father waiting to come back and take those choosing righteousness home.

 

If you are reading this and unsure of your eternal home, Romans 10:9-10 tells us that if we confess with our heart our belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we will be saved. Please join me in prayer and make that confession if you truly believe it in your heart.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

He is not there, He is Risen

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 20:1-18

Matthew 28:5-6

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

(NKJV)

 

The path to eternal life in heaven with the Lord is through belief in the one sent by God, His only Son (John 3:16). How we come to believe may differ. For some, it is finally believing after many years in the Church, hearing about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. For others, it may be a tragic event in life that causes them to reach out to God. For others, it may be seeing the change in the life of a friend and a desire to experience the same change. The common thing in all these ways of coming to belief is faith, because we cannot see Jesus till death or His return, with the only remaining physical evidence an empty tomb in Jerusalem. This text is the account of three people coming to believe.

 

It is the first day of the week and Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb early and sees that the stone sealing the tomb has been rolled away (John 20:1), Her first reaction was to run to Peter and John, telling them that someone has robbed the tomb and taken the body of Jesus (John 20:2). Peter and John take off in a race, running to the tomb with John arriving first (John 20:3-4).

 

John stoops down to look in and observes the linen cloths that wrapped the body of Jesus lying there, with no body, but he did not go in (John 20:5). Peter followed John and he did go in and also saw the linen cloths but also saw the handkerchief that had been around Jesus’ head folded and in a separate place (John 20:6-7). John then went in and also saw and believed, for both Peter and John did not believe the scripture that said Jesus must rise again from the dead (John 20:8-9). Peter and John then went away to their homes (John 20:10).

 

After Peter and John leave, Mary is outside the tomb weeping, and she also stooped down and looked into the tomb (John 20:11). When she looked in, she saw two angels one at the foot and another at the head of where Jesus had lain and asked them if they knew where they had taken the body of Jesus (John 20:12). Instead of answering her question, the angels ask Mary why she is weeping to which she answers, telling them they have taken the body of her Lord, and she does not know where (John 20:13).

 

After saying this, Mary turned around and saw someone behind her but did not know it was Jesus (John 20:14). Jesus asks Mary why she is weeping and presuming He was the gardener, she asks if He took Jesus and where He took Him (John 20:15). Jesus said, “Mary” and she recognized it was Jesus and worshipped him but Jesus told her not to touch Him because he had not ascended to the Father, telling her to go tell the brethren (John 20:16-17) Mary went and told the disciples she had seen the Lord and what He said to her (John 20:18).   

 

The empty tomb is evidence of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, but is it evidence enough or do we need more? To understand this, we must look at the reactions of Peter and John, and Mary Magdalene.

·         Peter and John (John 20:1-10) – Upon hearing from Mary Magdalene that the tomb was empty and that someone had stolen Jesus’ body from the tomb, Peter and John ran to the tomb. John outran Peter and got there first, but did not go in, seeing the grave wrappings put there by Joseph and Nicodemus just lying there. Peter one-ups John and goes in where he also observes the handkerchief that was wrapped around Jesus’ head neatly folded and not lying with the linen wrapping. John then goes in and observes what Peter saw, and believes. While the scripture does not specifically say Peter also believed, since this is John writing this, he is telling us this was the moment when he believed.

·         Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18) – While Peter and John entered the empty tomb, Mary sat outside weeping. After the men left, she too looked in, but she saw two angels standing at the head and foot of where the body of Jesus was laid. Still believing someone had stolen the body of Jesus, she asks the angels if they know where they took the body. She then turns around and sees Jesus, but does not know it is Him till He speaks. Mary believed Jesus arose from the dead, but not based on the evidence of the empty tomb, but on seeing Jesus.

All three of these people came to believe Jesus had risen from the dead, but in different ways.

 

Jesus died, was buried, and arose from the dead to redeem fallen humanity from their sins. There is an empty tomb in Jerusalem serving as evidence of this, but we must ask ourselves if we believe it. Unlike Mary, who came to believe by seeing Jesus is not possible for us because Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Unlike Peter and John, many of us live too far from Jerusalem to simply run to the tomb to see that it is empty. This is why we must believe in faith for faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6), with faith believing what is unseen (Hebrews 11:1). Each of the individuals in this text came to a belief in the resurrection of Jesus through physical evidence or seeing Jesus. Our belief today comes through faith, the written accounts of these witnesses, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

 

If you are reading this and have never made a public profession of faith to be saved (Romans 10:9-10). I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, I want to encourage you to find a local Church teaching the Bible so you can grow closer in your new relationship with the God you will spend eternity with. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.

Man’s Wickedness and God’s Perfections

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 36

 

Psalm 36:5-6

Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the ^[b]great mountains;
Your judgments are a great deep;
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

(NKJV)

 

In Acts 17:6, those preaching the Gospel are accused of turning the world upside down. The truth is, those preaching the Gospel are returning the world to Godliness, the state the world was created to exist in. Because the world is in an upside-down state, it can appear that evil and ungodliness thrive while the Godly are persecuted. Psalm 36 and the account of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) tell us of the eternal state of the evil and the righteous, letting us know that the wicked will spend eternity in torment while the righteous will thrive.

 

David begins this psalm by letting us know it is an oracle within his heart concerning the transgression of the wicked where there is no fear of God (Psalm 36:1). The wicked flatter themselves with their own eyes and when confronted with their iniquity, turn to hatred (Psalm 36:2). The wicked person’s words are full of wickedness and deceit with him ceasing to be wise or good (Psalm 36:3). He devises wickedness on his bed and takes a path that is not good and does not abhor evil (Psalm 36:4)

 

In contrast the Lord’s mercy is in the heavens with His faithfulness reaching to the clouds (Psalm 36:5). The Lord’s righteousness is like the great mountains with his judgments a great deep, preserving man and beast (Psalm 36:6). The lovingkindness of the Lord is precious with the children of men putting their trust under the shadow of its wings (Psalm 36:7). Those choosing to dwell under the shadow of the Lord’s sings are satisfied with the fullness of His house and drink from the river of His pleasures (Psalm 36:8). The Lord is the fountain of life and in His light, we see light (Psalm 36:9).

 

David asks the Lord to continue his lovingkindness to those that know him and His righteousness to the upright in heart (Psalm 36:10). David asks that the foot of the proud not come against him and to not let the hand of the wicked drive him away (Psalm 36:11). The workers of iniquity have fallen with no hope they will be able to rise (Psalm 36:12). The wicked are destined to fall with the upright destined to thrive.

 

In a fallen world, it can appear that the wicked are succeeding with those doing good oppressed, but if we consider things from an eternal perspective, the righteous prevail. In the account of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus provides a glimpse into what happens to both an evil and a righteous person after death. While some believe this account from Jesus to be a parable, parables normally do not mention anyone by name, so it is most likely a real account. In the physical world, the rich man lived luxuriously while the righteous man lived as a beggar.

 

After their death, the scene switches, and we see what happened to these men after their deaths. The once rich man lives tormented in Hades, begging Abraham for water to cool his tongue (Luke 16:24). Abraham tells the rich man that while he was alive, he lived in comfort while Lazarus was tormented and that after death the tables are turned (Luke 16:25). This is a picture of what occurs after death with the righteous comforted and the unrighteous tormented.

 

Jesus gave the Church a simple mission before departing to sit at the right hand of God the Father, to take the message of the Gospel to the world (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Sounds simple enough, but since the Church functions in a fallen world and is in spiritual warfare for the souls of people, the enemy, Satan, attempts to derail the Church from its appointed mission. Instead of preaching the message of the Gospel, churches preach a feel-good self-help message to attract people and contributions. This has resulted in a prosperity gospel teaching that if you want anything, just claim it and give money to their church, and you will receive it. While God does promise to meet our needs (Philippians 4:13), it does not mean He will give us everything we want. God is a good Father who is interested in the well-being of His children, but He does not want to spoil them. The Church must stay on its God given mission and not give in to the temptation to water down the message in the interest of church growth.

 

While living unrighteously may result in riches and fame in this world, it leads to torment for eternity in the world to come. If you are reading this and are currently living a life that seeks the riches and fame offered by the world, I urge you to change course and begin living a life for Christ. This change of life course begins by making Jesus the Lord of your life. I invite you to pray with me now and begin this turnaround.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Jesus is the Messiah and King of Kings

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 19:17-42

 

John 19:35

And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 

(NKJV)

 

The crucifixion of Jesus has been the highlight of movies and portrayed in Passion plays in churches during Easter. This account in John represents John’s eyewitness account of the event, referencing Old Testament prophecies that describe the event. These Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment at the crucifixion of Jesus provide evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, King of Kings, and the Lamb of God come to provide salvation for the world.

 

Jesus carries His cross to Golgotha where he is crucified with two others one on each side with Jesus in the middle (John 19:17-18), Pilate put a sign over Jesus that said, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19). This sign was read by many Jews and caused the chief priests to tell Pilate to change the sign and say that He said He was the King of the Jews, but Pilate refused to change the sign (John 19:20-22).

 

When they had crucified Jesus, the soldiers divided Jesus’ garments into four parts, one part for each soldier but they cast lots for the tunic because it was woven without seam (John 19:23). This casting of lots for the garment was in fulfillment of Psalm 22:18 (John 19:24). Standing at the foot of the cross were Jesus’ mother, her sister, and Mary Magdalene (John 19:25). John was also at the foot of the cross with Jesus telling His mother to behold her son and then he told John to care for Mary as his mother with John taking Mary into his home (John 19:26-27).

 

Jesus now knew all things were accomplished and in fulfillment of scripture told the soldiers he thirsted (John 19:28). There was a vessel full of sour wine nearby, so the soldiers took and filled a sponge with the sour wine and gave it to Jesus (John 19:29). After this, Jesus said, “It is finished!” bowed His head, and gave up His spirit (John 19:30). Since it was Preparation Day for the Passover, the bodies could not be left on the cross so the Jews asked Pilate to break the legs of the men crucified but since Jesus was already dead, they did not break His legs (John 19:31-33). One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side, and blood and water came out, confirming He was dead (John 19:34). John was an eyewitness to these events which fulfilled scripture that not one of Jesus’ bones would be broken (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20) and that His side would be pierced (John 19:35-37; Zechariah 12:10).

 

Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and Pilate permitted him, so Joseph took Jesus’ body (John 19:38). Nicodemus also came bringing about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39). These men bound the body of Jesus in strips of linen along with the spices as was customary for the Jews (John 19:40). There was a tomb nearby to where Jesus was crucified and since it was Preparation Day, and the tomb was nearby, they buried Jesus there (John 19:41-42).

 

Detailed prophecies of the crucifixion of Jesus are provided in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. In those times, people did not have access to printed copies of scripture and would memorize whole passages of scripture. On the cross, Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 when he said, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1). Since people memorized scripture, they would have recalled the rest of Psalm 22, which was unfolding before their eyes. They may have later recalled Isaiah’s prophecy about the suffering Messiah and realized it was Jesus (Isaiah 53). These things, coupled with the fact that Jesus entered Jerusalem on the exact day prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 9:20-27; Ezra 1), provide evidence of who Jesus is, the Messiah and savior of humanity. The period of time between the proclamation of Cyrus and Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday represents the first 69 weeks of Daniel’s vision. There is then a gap, the Church age that ends with the rapture of the Church (Revelation 4:1). This ushers in Daniel’s seventieth week, the great tribulation period, and the short seven-year reign of the Antichrist.

 

There are Christians who do not believe it is necessary to study Old Testament scriptures, believing they only apply to the Jews and have little to do with the New Covenant ushered in by the birth of Jesus. However, without prophecies like Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 that describe Jesus’ death by crucifixion long before crucifixion existed, we would not have the assurance that Jesus' death was any different from any crucifixion done by the Romans. We need the whole canon of Scripture to have understanding and assurance of who Jesus is, the Messiah and Lamb of God. Jesus is also the King of Kings who is returning to establish his Kingdom on earth, something Christians have hope in (Revelation 19:11-16).

 

Since all people have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23), all people need salvation provided by Jesus, the Messiah. If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Jesus, Our Avenger in Spiritual Battle

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 35:1-28

 

Psalm 35:28

And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all the day long.

(NKJV)

 

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States, a day set aside for us to remember the things we are thankful for. This can be difficult because we live in a chaotic world where the news is full of evil, tragedy, and sorrow. However, there is something we can all be thankful for. When our ancestors Adam and Eve sinned, and God evicted them from paradise, God did not turn His back on them but instead began the process of restoring humanity to a relationship with Him. However, like any relationship, it is a two-way street with God already doing His part (John 3:16), waiting on us to do our part (Romans 10:9-10). David knew the Lord was his avenger, but do we know that when facing battles in our lives?

 

David, as King of Israel, faced many battles, beginning with Goliath and then King Saul wanting to kill him. The time of the writing of this psalm is unknown, but it likely occurred during a time when David felt overwhelmed by his enemies. It begins with David pleading his case before the Lord, asking for deliverance from enemies pursuing him, seeking his destruction (Psalm 35:1-3). He then asks the Lord to put those seeking his harm or death to shame and dishonor and to be thrown into confusion (Psalm 35:4). David asks that their way be dark and slippery, with them being like chaff blown in the wind, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them (Psalm 35:5-6). These enemies of David have no cause for seeking to harm or kill him and have tried to ensnare David in a net, which David asks the Lord to turn back on them (Psalm 35:7-8). David’s soul shall be joyful in the Lord and rejoice in salvation with his bones, saying who is like the Lord, the deliverer of the poor and needy (Psalm 35:9-10).

 

Fierce witnesses have risen up, asking David things he does not know, rewarding him with evil for good (Psalm 35:11-12). David even prayed for these witnesses when they were sick, like they were his friends or even a brother (Psalm 35:13-14). Instead of being grateful for his prayers for them, these people rejoiced and, unknown to David, gathered as attackers against him (Psalm 35:15-16). David then asks how long the Lord will just look on, pleading for rescue (Psalm 35:17). David then promises to give thanks to God in the great assembly and praise Him among many people (Psalm 35:18).

 

David does not want his enemies to rejoice over what happens to him because his enemies do not seek peace but devise deceitful plans against the people of the land (Psalm 35:19-21). David knows the Lord has seen all that is occurring and asks that He not be silent or far from him (Psalm 35:22). David asks the Lord to stir Himself up and come to his vindication in righteousness so that his enemies will not rejoice or gloat over him (Psalm 35:23-25). David asks that his enemies come to shame, dishonor, and confusion (Psalm 35:26). In contrast, David asks that those favoring his righteous cause would shout for joy and be glad, with them continually magnifying the Lord, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant (Psalm 35:27). David vows to speak of the Lord’s righteousness and to praise Him all day long (Psalm 35:28).

 

Like David, God’s people come under attack from enemies who seek to destroy or silence them. The psalm begins with David pleading with the Lord to fight against those fighting against him (Psalm 35:1-3). His desire is for the Lord to avenge him and bring his enemies down (Psalm 35:4-8). While David had real flesh-and-blood enemies seeking his destruction, the conclusion of this psalm reveals the heart of David, as he understands that the battle was spiritual, requiring praise and speaking of the Lord’s righteousness. In the New Testament, Paul wrote about a battle that is not against flesh and blood, emphasizing the need for spiritual weapons and continual prayer (Ephesians 6:10-18). We must, like David, remember that the battle belongs with the Lord and not to attempt to fight it alone, something David may have learned from Samuel (1 Samuel 17:47).

 

We are in a spiritual battle, a battle that began in the Garden of Eden. In this war, Satan successfully separated Adam and Eve from God, along with their future descendants, of which we are all a part. However, God also began the process of reconciliation with the first messianic prophecy in Genesis 3:15. This prophecy had fulfillment with the birth of the Messiah as recorded in Luke 2:1-20 and came to full fruition with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 27-28).

 

Now, anyone who believes in Jesus, which means acknowledging their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for salvation from sin (Romans 10:9-10), can have reconciliation to God that was lost in the Garden. God created us to have fellowship with Him, and why He went to such great lengths to reconcile His relationship with us (John 3:16). If you have not done so, I invite you to pray with me now and begin a relationship with God, your creator.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.