"Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53: 12)
When Jesus was dying on the Cross, He prayed for the very people who not only persecuted Him, bu set Him up die on the Cross:
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." (Luke 23: 34)
Let us not forget, however, that Jesus did not release everything only to be left without.
His death on the Cross gave way to His resurrection and glory at the right hand of God the Father:
"20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 20-23)
And
"9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 9-11)
More importantly, though, even while Jesus' persecutors were trying to destroy and remove Him, they helped Him fulfill all prophecy, restoring all of us who believe on Him, and granting us greater glory through His glory!
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 15-17)
and
"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:" (Galatians 3: 13)
Just as Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him, so too He prays for us, even when we had no desire for Him, and even today as we grow in grace and knowledge of Him and all that He has done:
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 34)
and
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7: 25)
Jesus prayed for all of mankind, including those who had crucified Him. How much more He prays for us, who have been justified by Him through His blood! (1 Corinthians 6: 11)
No comments:
Post a Comment