ADVENT MEDITATIONS - Part 8

DEC. 16 - (Страдание)
Today's meditational thought was about how we look at what Jesus came to earth to accomplish. From our human perspective, Jesus' death often seems like the opposite to what should have happened. That's the amazing thing about the way God works. He is masterful at using what seems to be bad to bring about good for us - and He has told us that we will suffer on this earth. But we can be sure of this: that as His children, He will use our suffering for our good and for His glory, just as He did through Christ's sacrifice for us.

I chose these verses for today - Romans 8:17-18 -- ...and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we also may be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

May we, not only at Christmas, but every day throughout the year, ask God for the grace to endure suffering with gratitude and praise to Him, because we know that He is using it to accomplish His excellent purposes in our lives and to bring about a glory that we could never imagine!

DEC. 17 - (Спасение)
Today's meditation was about salvation. Christ came for this purpose, to provide salvation and reconcile sinful mankind to God through His death on the cross.

I chose these verses for today - Romans 5:8-10 -- But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved through His life.

Such an incredibly great gift, this salvation!! And it was forever and unequivocally accomplished for us on the cross when Christ died. If we believe and accept that, we are saved from wrath. But the story doesn't end there -- because Christ rose, we are also being saved through His life! What an amazing God, that He would choose to show His love to sinful people in this way! That ALONE is the reason we sing songs of joy and hope at Christmas.

SACRIFICE - Good Friday Meditation

1 John 4:10 declares that God - because of His love for us - sent Jesus to be the "atoning sacrifice" or "propitiation" for our sins. It's incredibly humbling to realize once again that Jesus' purpose in coming to earth was to die for you and me.

Philippians 2:8 says that Jesus Christ became obedient to death when He went to the cross for us. I believe this means that by acting in obedience to the will of His Father, He was compelled to die on the cross. He knew that this was the only way to reconcile sinful man to God, and though - in His humanity - He didn't want the torture and pain, He submitted Himself to the suffering for our sake.

Surely He has borne our griefs a

nd carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken, s

mitten by God, and afflicted.

⁵ 

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

A

nd by His stripes we are healed.

 

All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.

When You make His soul an offering for sin,

He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,

And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

¹¹ 

He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.

By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,

For He shall bear their iniquities.

~ Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11 ~

2 Corinthians 5:21 says that "God made Him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

It is sobering and saddening to remember on this day that it was because of my sin that Jesus had to go to the cross. But this is GOOD Friday, and there is reason to rejoice. Why? Because of Jesus' perfect sacrifice, we have forgiveness and reconciliation with God, despite our sinful choices - marvelous grace!

Thank You, Jesus, for taking the punishment for my sin, for bearing the suffering and pain that I deserved. Thank You for being willing to be my sacrifice and for reminding me again of Your great love for me.

Once again I look upon the cross where You died;

I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside;

Once again I thank You, once again I pour out my life.

(Because You poured Yours out for me.)