Multscher, Hans,The Birth of Christ,1437
Hebrews 7:26
26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
1 Peter 2:21-23
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
I’m asking myself today…how well do I fully forgive and entrust all judgement and vengeance to God? Right off of the bat I’d like to imagine myself being pretty good at this when it comes to being face to face with people. It’s actually not too hard to at least pretend because I don’t like confrontation and like to be at peace. I also want to follow the Lord’s command to forgive. But I’m going a bit deeper here. How do I think in my mind and what is my stance before God in regards to those who I feel treat me wrong?
Today’s meditation is mostly that question…and then a pondering. Would you ponder Christ as He endured being mistreated?
He had already lived perfectly…fulfilled all righteousness. And He goes on to living it out under the most torturous circumstances. Are we able to entrust ourselves and those who mistreat us entirely to God?
Sometimes…I don’t want to hear that “God will make all things right in the end.” That can sound like one of those Christian clichés can’t it? One of those things we say to people when we need to give a word of encouragement in hard times. And I must admit I may not want to hear it because I don’t want to wait until the end. I want things right…right now. As cliché as it feels and sounds…it IS truth that we can hold on to which will (if truly taken to heart) transform our stance before God in the most terrible of times. Every wrong deed under God’s creation will be either paid for by the blood of Christ or repaid justly by God at the final judgement.
This verse says that one way we can follow in his steps is to not revile in return but to entrust ourselves to Him who judges justly. Possibly the hardest thing to follow Christ into…
To do right now: Thank Jesus for fulfilling all righteousness, for showing us how to live while doing it and for empowering us to do it by giving us His Spirit. Ask Him to help you yield to Him in the most challenging of His ways. Meditate on the verses above. Write a prayer or journal about what you’ve meditated on. Listen to Welcome To Our World.
You ask some good questions that many people don’t think about too often. They are only looking at what is affecting them at that moment. With the heart is the deceitful above all things (Jere 17:9), it’s important that we don’t turn a blind eye to God’s words or how we are living our lives. Christ left us an examine to follow. That means how He lived His life. Christ was perfect, focused on the will of the Father, so ask yourself, what is the will of the Father? Remember death is an enemy of God, not the answer. (1 Cor 15:26). I respect that your diligent to put this blog together and to speak your mind. It’s more than most people are willing to do.
Thanks for stopping by and for your encouragment, David! My sister said she was going to send you my info. I couldn’t find your website that she told me about…
the website is http://www.ambassadorsofchrist.org
Hey there! I’ve been following your blog for a long time now and finally got the
bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney
Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the excellent job!