01/21/2020
We are all sinners, but how wonderful it is that we have the opportunity to behold the Lamb of God. He is our hope, and without Him we would most certainly be lost. This is Jesus who has taken away the sin of the world. Have we met Him, or does he remain unknown to us? Men continue to seek Him, and ask these questions... Will He end my struggles, if not then will He help me through them, or is He asking the impossible of me?
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29 ESV
John the Baptist said these words as he saw Jesus Coming; it was the prophesied announcement of the Messiah, the Christ, and the Lamb of God. Although the prophesy regarding His coming was thus fulfilled, the promise that He will return once more for us is yet to be realized. Are we ready to meet him, and to fall on our knees before Him crying out “Behold, The Lamb of God!” just as John once did?
Are we washed clean of the sins we have committed, by our faith in who He is, and by being Baptized in the Holy Spirit... thus yielding to His call? Have we struggled to free ourselves from the world, and come away victorious to follow Him? Or, perhaps we have done so then walked back into the world, because the struggle of following Him was too difficult for us?
“Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Matthew 19:21-22 ESV
Our struggle to let go of the world is a difficult one for each of us. Some say that the rich man in this scripture (Matthew 19)
had much to lose, and they think it exceedingly hard for him, but as we read about the widow who gave her mite in offering we say that it would be easier for her to give up so little, but is that true? Whether much, or little, giving up all we have is equally hard. To the poor, a loaf of bread is a treasure indeed, and holds no less value than the gold and silver does to a man of wealth. Once each of their worldly sacrifices has been made they will have become the same... dependent on God for every provision.
So we struggle in the moments leading up to our proclamation of faith, and we give all we value in ourselves, and the world, over to God, and to Jesus Christ, but something unexpected occurs... we open our eyes to realize that our struggles continue, and hardships remain. We find that we haven’t simply traded earthly treasure for heavenly treasure in kind, and that all our challenges haven’t simply fallen away. No, we find that suffering remains, but by it we now come to know God better, and in it we lean harder upon Him... gaining in faith, and knowing the value of true blessing. So as these hardships continue for those who have confessed Jesus to be their Redeemer, some lose heart and fall away...
“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"”
John 6:66-67 ESV
Struggle in general, and specifically in our faith, is not like checking off a box on an application form, nor is it a yes or no answer... it is an essay question... struggle is a lifelong endeavor, and by it we either become stronger... or we walk away from it in failure, but either way it is part and parcel of life. So we struggle before we find faith, we struggle in our decision to accept faith, and then we continue to struggle in life once we have found faith. So what is the point? Well, we are hopeless in our struggling before we find faith in Christ, then in accepting faith in God and Jesus we gain hope, love, incredible strength, and amazing grace. Finally, through our struggle perfected faith, we find the reward and blessing of God that we have sought and suffered so mightily through life for. We rejoice, for we have come to join Him joyfully, peacefully, and eternally in Heaven.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV
Are you prepared to face your lifelong struggles today, and are you facing them alone? Well, make this the day that faith salvages your hope, and Jesus begins walking with you through every hardship. Let this be the day when you proclaim “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!“
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who redeems me, and eases my suffering as your Holy Lamb of God. Help me Holy Father as I endure the hardship and suffering that comes natural in this world, and strengthen my faith through Christ, and the Holy Spirit, as I face each challenge. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who makes my way straight, and my suffering bearable. Hear my praise as I lift up your name in song and worship; even in the midst of my storms I praise you, because in your Son I am made victorious over all the world. Mighty are you who stands by me, and sets a table for me before my enemies. Merciful are you who walks with me through the valley of the shadow of death, and removes my fear of evil. All glory is yours Lord for you are great, and your grace is perfect. Hallowed be your name now, and forevermore!
“I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."”
John 1:33-34 ESV
Rich Forbes