MAKE ROOM

Jack Davis

While Jesus walked and ministered here on earth He sought receptive hearts and ears for His message of love and deliverance. He said, “Let these sayings sink down into your ears.” He seemed to turn away many that offered to follow Him, but had other priorities. They really had very little room for Him.

In Luke 10, we read of the fallen, stripped and wounded man left for dead by the thieves. We read of a good neighbor that came and had compassion on him, took care of him, brought him to an inn, paid for a place of comfort that he might rest and recover. We cannot help but think of the condition in which our Lord found us and so wonderfully provided for our eternal destiny.

The Rich Fool

“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth,” Luke 12:15. Jesus follows this statement with a parable of the fool that is not rich toward God. The man seemed so consumed with the increase of his material wealth. He was most concerned with where he would store his “goods.” He then made such a sad statement as to his attitude concerning material wealth, “I have no room where to bestow my fruits.” Our apostle warns in I Timothy 6:17, “Be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” Jesus taught the way to appropriate lasting treasures in heaven and said: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” Luke 12:34.

In Luke 14:7-11 we read of the shame of demotion and the joy of promotion. The host of the wedding is the one to direct us to the choice room that each should occupy. It is our place to humble ourselves under his mighty hand. He promotes righteously and in due season. It is his place to tell us, “Friend go up higher.” It is the same in every Age, there are always those that think themselves more deserving than others. Some think it is automatic, that they are a shoo-in for a prominent place, that they are qualified to reign. It is not the strong willed self determined ruler that the Lord will delight to honor. He makes room for the unlikely. It is not those that think they are worthy to reign with Christ, but rather those that only find worthiness in Him.

We read of “rooms” in relation to rulers both in a political and religious sense in both the Old and New Testaments. Which generally speaks of those filling the offices of their predecessors, succeeding or following others to thrones.

“A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men,” Prov. 18:16. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men,” Eph. 4:7-8. Praise God! Our Lord alone gives us room and the unction to function in His will in our lives, for His glory. He even opens great and effectual doors for those that are unable to open their own doors.

“Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” He that has made the great supper has said, “Come for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:15-24, “and yet there is Room.” Multitudes have been gathered unto Him in this Age of Grace and yet there is room. He still has room for the unlikely. I am impressed that those that will fill the uppermost rooms in that eternal state will come from such as these mentioned here, the poor, the maimed, the halt and the blind. Shall I say, the Lord’s cripples? It is truly the needy ones that have room for Him, His will and work. Those that seek the fulfillment of His purposes, require His rich provision.

In Luke’s record he gives examples of those that don’t have room for Him and some of their foolish excuses, 14:18-20. Blessed are the poor in spirit for they are aware of the depth of their spiritual need. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” James 2:5. Especially written to the Church we read what God has chosen, how He will use His choice, and why these are His choice. I Cor. 1:26-31. “He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord.”

“The lame take the prey (spoil)” Isa. 33:23. In II Kings 7:8 we find that those poor lepers did just that, and shared it with others. What a sweet illustration. Also Mephibosheth a descendant of Saul, who was lame from a fall, was granted the right to eat at the king’s table continually. We think of Jacob with his hip out of joint, going on: Gedion’s men, “faint yet pursuing” of Paul with his thorn, yet gladly “pressing toward the mark for the prize.”

“O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same, be ye also enlarged.” II Cor. 6:11-13. MAKE ROOM! In other words, We are not restricting or restraining you, but you are restricted in your own compassions and affections. These saints were limiting divine work in their lives for spiritual increase. There is recorded the same attitude in the Psalms. “Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel’” 78:41. “Yea, they spake against God: they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” Psa. 78:19. Paul said, II Cor. 7:2, “Receive us.” He requested of Philemon; “prepare me…lodging.” We will one day be exceedingly glad that we opened up to Paul’s word of grace.

A Double Welcome

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room…These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them and they were all filled…” – Acts. 1;12-14, and 2:1-4.

In this room the  Church  was constituted – the body of Christ. I Cor. 12:13. Here they were being guests of God, as He was about to pour out unto them of His greatness, provision and power. He was also being their guest, for they were obeying God’s word and our Lord’s command by meeting there. The time they spent there, was inviting into their individual temples the Spirit of the living God.

In Acts 9:36 we read of Dorcas of Joppa being laid out in an upper room, or chamber for death and burial, and there she was lifted to life. In Acts 10:9-16, Peter having gone up on the house top to pray, received that important revelation that the gospel was to be extended unto the Gentiles. Hallelujah! The Lord has made room for us. Is there a relation between the room we give Him here and the place we will occupy eternally? Oh, Yes! If we suffer with Him we will reign with Him. If we deny Him the rulership of our lives, He will deny us a seat on the thrones around Him.

 The Number of Our Days

Gordon Crook – Pastor , Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12. Not one of us knows the number of our days. What we do know is that our human lives are fragile and can be gone in an instant. This might sound a little depressing or morbid, but it is simply the truth about us.

The Psalmist knew this, and it made him realize that the short length of our life should cause us to seek diligently after true wisdom. Some of us are great procrastinators, but this is one area where we should not be. I remember as a very young person, thinking that when I got older, I would certainly seek after God and live for Him. That was definitely not the right approach. I’m not even a little disappointed that I started seeking God before I got old. 

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” Psalms 39:4-7

Throughout scripture we find that Jesus is wisdom, “But unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30. “In whom (Jesus) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3. This leads us very simply to realize that if we are to seek after wisdom, we need to study God’s Word as it is the only place we can come to know more about Jesus.

The Psalmist uses the phrase “apply our hearts unto wisdom.” The idea here is to fill that inner part of us that desires and needs that wisdom. A true desire to be filled with the wisdom of God which will lead us to study God’s Word. There seems to be an urgency in this verse. Is there an urgency for God’s Word in your life?

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6

Paul speaks to us a very similar statement. He reminds us that every day is important because, aside from the unknown length of our life, we must consider that Jesus will return, and it could be anytime. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

Paul brings this thought to the practical reality of our life. Our “walk,” or the way in which we conduct our lives, is to be with wisdom. The verse speaks of walking “accurately” and with the context we realize that “accuracy” comes from knowing God’s Word. The wisdom is in understanding that the conduct of our life needs to be according to God’s will. There is no other way to know and understand God’s will than to study His Word. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” Colossians 1:9.

Far too many people who claim the title of “Christian” are ignorant of God’s will and are walking in their own wisdom. Let us give heed to what Paul says and walk “accurately.”

God has a purpose for us here in this world, and something even more important for eternity. We should not waste our short time here pursuing our own path and our own wisdom, lest we waste the opportunity that is ours to walk in a way that is pleasing to God, and to run this race so as to win the prize which is Jesus Christ as our bridegroom. Nothing that we can pursue here has any value to compare.

The world has a lot of wisdom that is very enticing, but it is not real wisdom, and it will perish with this world. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” 1 Corinthians 3:19. Today is the day we have to seek after the wisdom of God. Do not procrastinate.

 THE  END of THE AGE IS HERE

Anita Clark – Pastor, Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?”  Matthew 24:3.

First, we will define some of the words in these questions from the original Greek.  The term “end” means the “consummation, the indication or token.”  The word “coming” is the Greek word “paroosea-ah,” which means in the Greek, “the coming or presence.” The word “paroosea-ah” is used by Apostle Paul in I Thessalonians 4:15, where Paul speaks of the coming of Christ for His overcoming people who are ready before the tribulation takes place.  

The disciples were asking about, when would the “end of the world,” take place, which means “the entire completion, consummation of the dispensation.”  The word “world” means “the age, or period of time.”  This is repeated in Mark 13:4, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled.”  Matthew 24:30, Jesus tells the disciples, that when He comes back at the end of the tribulation, “... then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”  

This victorious coming spoken of Jesus at the end of the tribulation is also seen in Revelation 19:11-16, where Jesus comes back with the “armies in heaven,” which refers to the overcoming saints of God, who are “clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” Refer to verse 7, where the “wife of Lamb hath made herself ready.”  Note that she is clothed in  “fine linen, which is the righteousness of the saints,” or as another translation says, “the righteous acts of the saints.” Jesus will come for this overcoming group before the seven years of tribulation, and they will come down to judge the Antichrist, false prophet and the unbelieving hoards of enemies of Christ and God at the Battle of Armageddon. We have already been shown the “signs of the times” in God’s word.  All of mankind will be without excuse before God.

II Timothy 3:1 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”  The word “perilous,”  means in the Greek, “reducing strength, difficult, dangerous, fierce and furious.” Everyday on the news, we are told of increased crime in our nation, dangerous situations in big cities, foreign countries sending off rockets and missiles, our country being flooded with immigrants, high prices, loss of jobs, and the danger of the virus Covid and various new breeds of the virus.  In spite of all this, Apostle Paul tells us “know” that “perilous times” are here and will get worse as we near the tribulation time. Isn’t it amazing to see all the many signs of the times.  If we are a believer in Christ Jesus, we need to be very aware of what time we are living in.  We don’t have much time left to let Jesus be exalted in our lives and be ready for the rapture.

Note that the verse says, “know this.” In other words we must “know” what is happening all around us.  Note the list from vs. 2-7 the conditions which would be a sign of the very soon coming of our Lord Jesus.  Verse 2 states “For men shall be lovers of their own selves.” Also, this verse uses the word, “covetous, “which speaks of “lovers of money, impelled by greed.” And “blasphemers” which speaks of “impious against God. And showing contempt and lack of reverence for God.”  Verse 4 states that people will be “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” We definitely see this happening even to believers. How about, “disobedient to parents?”

In our society today, respect for parents is radically missing in homes and public schools. Recently, we have seen the devil getting into the classrooms through evilly indoctrinated teachers and other authorities, going against the Bible teaching and against Christian parents.  In the U.S. any day 424,000 children are in foster care.  The authorities say this is due to drug addiction of parents.  The most despictcable problems are that many children taken away from parents by the state have no place to go, and end up sleeping in the States Office Buildings, because there are no homes for them to go to a volunteer family for foster care.    

The list goes on in II Timothy 3:2-5.  Verse 2 says, “unthankful and unholy,” Verse 3 states “Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent (without self control), despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded (inflated with self, deceit, lifted up with pride,) lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, (this is so prominent in the world today.)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, from such turn away. “We experience this prominent problem so often in our local churches.  So, many have let the devil direct their path away form the church gatherings. We pray for a change in the hearts of the believers who are letting down their attendance at church.  We need to pray more and more as we see the signs of disobedience to the Word of God showing that the day of Christ is very near.

Verse 12-14 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”  This is a final admonition!  It is very important to “...press for the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” as Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:14.  

Jesus is returning so very soon.  We are witnessing so many pertinent signs of the times.  The Holy Spirit is warning to be ready.  “In a moment in the twinkling of an eye (a jerk of the eye) at the last trump, for the trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ shall be raised, incorruptible and this mortal must put on immortality.  O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:52-57.

 Prophecy

Earlene Davis

Christ’s message to Thyatira

Revelation 2:18, “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;” Thyatira means ‘sacrifice of labor’ or ‘odor of affliction’ which is very significant of that church, because it was full of works (V. 19). But we will see their works were more self-effort than of faith.

Notice how the Lord appears unto them, “His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass.” He scrutinizes, seeing thoroughly. Heb. 4:13, “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” His feet of fine brass (brass speaks of judgment and it is intricate (fine). He sees, He knows and He judges accordingly. In V. 23 Jesus says, “I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

V. 19, “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.” He commend them for their charity and service, but adds that their works were more than their love. Thus making their ministry one of legality and not out of true love.

V. 20, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” She is a false prophetess. V. 21, “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.” 

Remember the Jezebel of the Old Testament, She was very wicked and had 500 prophets of her own. She cause her husband, king Ahab to worship idols and she slew the Lord’s prophets and caused Israel to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols. Thyatira was guilty of both, teaching error and it led to sin being practiced. 

Vs. 22-23, “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” I Cor. 5:6, & Gal:5:9, “A little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump.” Those who committed spiritual adultery with her were warned they would be punished with her except they repent of their deeds.

Vs. 24-25, “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” There were some overcomers there and the Lord admonishes them to “Hold fast” to that which you have already, till I come. They will be rewarded for their steadfastness. V. 26, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Notice the Lord contrasts “my works” which are works of faith with their works of the flesh (V. 19).

V. 27-29, “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” I will comment on the rewards later when we look at the dispensational and personal aspect of these churches.

Next issue: Sardis

 JONAH

Debra Isenbletter - Pastor, Christian Assembly, Springfield, Missouri

In Jonah chapter 3, we see the Power of the Word of God.  We see the Messenger: Jonah and the Message: Judgment.  We see the Reaction: Repentance and we see the Result: Mercy.  We also see a contrast as well as a comparison.  The comparison is that of Jonah and Jesus but the contrast is striking because Jonah preaches after disobedience but Jesus preaches from obedience.  Jonah preaches judgment and is disappointed when grace is shown. Although Jesus did preach judgment, we see the possibility of grace and mercy throughout His message. He was not willing that any should perish.

V. 1, “And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,”  

In this first verse we see Jonah’s Commission.  We see God’s Word, God’s Prophet and God’s Grace.  

God’s Word: “And the word of the Lord.” This “word” is a commandment to preach, one that Jonah had previously received and denied.  It is a “word” of judgment and the judgment is certain and it is inescapable.  The word “repent” is not mentioned and yet it is seen. They were not told to repent that we know of and yet the message and messenger cause them to repent. This “word” is from “the Lord,” from Jehovah.  It is the same message given in Jonah 1:2. His Word has not changed because His attitude toward sin never changes.  His Word will only change when Nineveh changes, when their attitude toward sin changes. It is the sinner that must change their attitude. The Word of God has the power to change us and the power of that Word is seen in the two miracles in Jonah. The first miracle is Jonah’s submission and the second miracle is Nineveh’s submission. The submission of Nineveh pictures the day when all will submit to God. (Isa.45:23)

God’s Prophet: The word”came unto Jonah.” The Lord still uses and still chooses Jonah as His prophet. Paul says, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Rom.11:29). The Amplified Bible translation of this verse is: “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].”  The gift was there, the office was there but Jonah had refused to use it.  He had disobeyed, now he obeys.  He had departed, now he had returned. God’s Word had not changed but God’s Prophet had changed.  He accepted his position as a prophet and his responsibility to preach. God’s Word and God’s Grace will change us.  Jonah will see God’s grace in action in Nineveh but he first experienced it in his own life. The Apostle Paul was someone whose message of grace had a powerful impact because he had experienced God’s grace in his own life.  If Jonah had entered Nineveh with that attitude he would have rejoiced in their repentance. 

God’s Grace: It came “the second time, saying.” I really believe this “second time” shows the grace of God to both Jonah and to Nineveh.  Jonah was given another opportunity to preach because he had repented. Nineveh will be given an opportunity to repent because Jonah preached.  Jonah obeys because he is a different man, he is a new man.  He has seen God’s grace in his own life.  He is God’s servant, and he serves.  Now he must walk by faith and preach by faith. Jonah starts out as a changed man in his attitude and his ministry.  He walks in the power of an obedient life. He walks in the power of resurrection life. He walks in the power of an overcoming life. He will see amazing results, unexpected results. Through him there is a visible lesson in God’s grace for others.

This is not the first time the Lord speaks “a second time” unto one of His servants.  He did so with Abraham after Abraham willingly offered up Isaac. (Gen.22:15).  That “second time” included an oath and a blessing for Abraham’s obedience. (Gen.22:16-18). The Lord appeared unto Solomon a second time. He did this after Solomon had built the temple. (1Ki.9:2-3). In that second time, He gave Solomon a command (1Ki.9:4), a promise (1Ki.9:5) and a warning (1Ki.9:6-7). In that second time the Lord gave Solomon a greater light and responsibility.  The Lord met Elijah’s need a second time to enable him to go on. He had been discouraged. He had run away.  He had given up. But the angel of the Lord came a second time and provided what he needed for the journey (1Ki.19:7-8). And in the strength of what was provided he was ready to listen to the Lord and again renew his calling as his prophet.

That second time demands a greater responsibility and provides greater enabling and grace.  We draw from the grace that is provided to us and we each have experienced “a second time” and it can be a precious time as we yield to His Will and His Word.

Continued in next issue

 God’s Timing and Purposes – Ecc. 3:1-8

Part 2

Vicky Moots – Pastor, Kingman, Kansas

Ecc. 3:2a: “A time to be born and a time to die…”  The emphasis is on God’s timing.  All animals have specific gestational times, the length of time it takes for the embryo to become fully developed and to be born or the egg to be hatched.  Human babies take 40 weeks, or 9 months, from the time of conception.

There was a set time in history that God planned for Jesus to be born, according to God’s time table.  Paul tells us this in Gal. 4:4-5: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law…”

In order to do this, He had to plan the date of the visitation of the angel Gabriel to the virgin, Mary, to announce to her that she was a chosen vessel to give birth to the Son of God.  The Holy Spirit had to over shadow Mary and conceive the life of Jesus in her at the specific time of the month that she ovulated. Not only was the time of Jesus’ conception planned, but so was the time and place of His birth.  At the exact time that Mary was due to deliver the baby Jesus, God caused Caesar Augustus to decree taxation causing Joseph and Mary to have to travel to Bethlehem to be taxed based on their genealogy.  That also meant that the time of Caesar’s birth was planned by God, as well as that of Mary and Joseph’s.

We read in Luke 2:5-6 that Joseph went “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”  That timing was not by accident.  Jesus was born at the exact time and place that God had planned in order to fulfill the prophecy that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.

Psalm 22 is a prophetic Messianic Psalm referring to Jesus, and is descriptive of death by crucifixion, especially v. 16 which states, “…they pierced my hands and my feet.”  Crucifixion did not even exist at the time that this Psalm was written.

Jesus had to be born at a time in history when crucifixion was used for execution in order that He would be crucified and “hanged on a tree,” signifying that He was cursed and became sin for us.  Paul tells us this in Gal. 3:13: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”  So, we see that the time of His birth was planned.  What about His death? Jesus came into this world for the purpose of dying for our sins.  The amount of time that He spent on this earth was planned by God, up to and including the day and time of His death.

It is recorded in John 7 that the Jews were trying to kill Jesus before it was His time to die.  Verse 1 states, “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.”  We read that His brethren tried to get Him to go up to the Feast of Tabernacles, but Jesus told them in v. 8, “Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.”  Jesus knew it was not yet His time to die.

It had been planned by God that Jesus would die at the time of Passover and become the final Passover Lamb.  He told His disciples as they ate the Passover supper that He was going to be betrayed and die, and that the wine and bread represented His own blood and body.

Then He took them to Gethsemane to pray.  When He awakened the sleeping disciples, in Mark 14:41, after praying, He told them, “…it is enough, the hour is come…”  He knew it was now His time to die.  Immediately after that, Judas came and betrayed Him with a kiss, and they arrested Him and then crucified Him according to God’s time table.

He died on the cross at the time appointed by God, before evening, so that the soldiers would not have to break His legs.  The Passover lamb was not allowed to have any of its bones broken, and so the Scripture was fulfilled regarding Jesus, who was the Lamb of God.  We find this recorded in John 19:33-34, 36-37: “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side…For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”  

Now I will discuss things from a medical standpoint.

The cause of death from crucifixion is from asphyxiation, lack of oxygen, not from blood loss.  So that means that Jesus did not shed His blood simply from the act of crucifixion.  A person being crucified eventually becomes so weak that he cannot hold himself up long enough with his legs to take a breath, and so he dies from lack of oxygen.  The soldiers would sometimes have to break the legs of the criminals to cause them to die sooner so that their bodies could be taken down off of the cross in a timely manner.

How, then, did Jesus shed His blood if He died by suffocation? Jesus needed to be able to shed His blood in order to atone for our sins, as we read in Heb. 9:22: “and without shedding of blood is no remission [of sin].” 

When a person dies, the heart stops beating, and the blood vessels collapse, causing the blood to back up into the heart and pool there.  As a coroner I have had to obtain blood samples for postmortem toxicology, but since people don’t bleed after they die, how was that possible for me to do that? I would do that by inserting a long needle through the bottom part of the chest up into the main cavity of the heart, the left ventricle, and drawing out some of the blood that was there.  So, God planned for the soldier to pierce Jesus’ heart with a spear, allowing all of His pooled blood to flow out.  All of this was possible and happened because He died at the exact time that He did, according to God’s time clock, and did not need to have His legs broken.  Thus, redemption was accomplished according to God’s purpose and according to His time.

 THE ENCOURAGING WORD

“I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word, and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!” Psalm 138:2 Amp. Bible

“Show me Your ways, O lord; teach me Your paths.” Psalm 25:4 Amp. Bible

“In the multitude of my anxious thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul!” Psalm 94:19 Amp. Bible

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2

 “May God, the giver of hope, fill you with continual joy and peace because you trust in Him – so that you may have abundant hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 Weymouth.

    Martha Wainright