I am Redeemed
Easter… Oh, what a glorious celebration for the Christian. Jesus came into the world that He created, born of the Virgin Mary. He was God; yet, He was man. The Spirit of God descended upon Him at the age of 30, anointing Him for the mission that the Father had given Him. He completely fulfilled the law and demonstrated an unconditional love to all people, performing miracles that astounded the people. Was this the Messiah? …the One promised to establish His kingdom? For a while, many believed that. Jesus came riding into Jerusalem and the people spread their garments and palm branches out before Him. They cried out, “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Mt. 21:9). Later, many of these same people would cry out against Him, “Crucify Him. Crucify Him.”
Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed in great anguish before the Father. He became so oppressed and depressed that His sweat became as great drops of blood. Death would have been easier than this torment; yet, He pressed into God for the strength to continue in His necessary purpose. We even read that an angel was sent from heaven to strengthen Him (Lk. 22:43). Here in the garden, we were redeemed from satan’s onslaught of depression, oppression, anxiety, etc. (Mt. 26:37&38).
Jesus was taken captive by the betrayal of Judas Iscariot; the betrayal made with Judas’ kiss. How about the sense of betrayal when all of His disciples were scattered like sheep without a shepherd when they felt threatened by the crowd that had come for Jesus? …And the betrayal among those who were ready to make Him king, but would soon shout, “Crucify Him”? Then, where was His Father when Jesus cried from the cross, “…My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Jesus was scourged; a known whipping in that day with a whip of nine tails with glass and metal connected to intensify the punishment. …But we read in 1 Peter 2:24, “…by whose stripes ye were healed.” We are redeemed from sickness and disease.
Jesus was nailed to a cross; HE suffered the anguish, the shame, and the punishment for ALL sin. Jesus breathed out His last Words, “It is finished,” bowed His head and died (Jn. 19:30). He did all that He could do in flesh. …But where did Jesus’ Spirit go? Jesus “descended first into the lower parts of the earth” (Eph. 4:9). We read in Acts 2:27, “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption.” (See Mt. 12:40; Ps. 16:10). Jesus “made his grave with the wicked” and God saw “the travail of his soul” and was satisfied (Is. 53:11). Your sin debt and mine was paid in full. All we must do is receive this Redeemer, Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9-13). Amen!
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8) and He did. His victory was for you, me, and for the “whosoever will”. Now, you have the authority to keep the devil bound in Jesus’ name (Mt. 18:18; Mk. 16:17; Lk. 10:19; Jms. 4:7).
So, why should I as a child of God hang my head in defeat? Jesus said, “…be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” for you. Jesus says, “Fear not; I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth, and was dead, and; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Rev. 1:17&18). In Matthew 16:19, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” (to be continued).