To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Tag: Bought with a price

Belonging On the Cross :: It is Finished

Jesus’ sixth saying on the Cross was “It is finished.” which is not particularly directed to anyone specifically, but was a profound declaration of the all of creation, the new state of affairs – the world forever changed – as the devil, the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and his power over man, which is death (Hebrews 2:14), was finished. The words, “It is finished” comes from the Greek word “Tetelastai” which means paid in full.

When we owe a mortgage on a property, until that property is paid off in full, we cannot claim total ownership of that property. The moment we pay the loan in full, the rights of ownership is transferred along with the title of that paid property to us.

Points to ponder:
Jesus declared that it is finished. In other words, he was saying that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but those wages have been paid in full – there is no more payment needed for those who have receive him and who believe in him. Jesus bought us with his own life and now he holds the title of ownership of our life in his hands. We belong on the cross, but because of Jesus taking our place, we now belong to him, if we believe in him. Where would you like to belong – on the Cross or in the hands of Christ? Considering the fact, that it (the work of Salvation) was finished, this should be a easy question to answer.

John 19:30 (KJV)
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

It is Finished

Jesus’ sixth saying on the Cross was “It is finished.” which is not particularly directed to anyone specifically, but was a profound declaration of the all of creation, the new state of affairs – the world forever changed – as the devil, the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and his power over man, which is death (Hebrews 2:14), was finished.

The words, “It is finished” comes from the Greek word “Tetelastai” which means paid in full. When you owe a payment on something, (say a car or a house), until that debt is paid, the lien holder has a claim on that property. Because the first Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45-48), sinned against God (Genesis 3:6), sin came into the world, and by sin, death (Romans 5:12), which was the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14), and with the wages of sin being death (Romans 6:23), the devil became the lien holder over man (Hebrews 2:15). Jesus redeemed mankind with his precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19), paying the price of the wages of man’s sin, fully. The devil has no claim over man now, for those who believe in Jesus are under new management as the old management is finished.

Points to ponder:
Jesus declared, It is finished! The question that remains is not whether it is finished, but is it finished for you? In other words, have you received and believed in Jesus? Are you no longer under the bondage of the evil one (the devil)? Are you under new management, the management of God (Jesus Christ), as the devil and his schemes are finished.

John 19:30 (KJV)
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV)
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Far above rubies

SangeethaIt is my beloved wife, Sangeetha’s birthday and as I was searching the Scripture on what it had to say about wives, when I came across Proverbs 31:10. Proverbs 31:10 reads Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” The question of “who” can find a virtuous (noble) woman is not answered in this verse, but a “value” of a virtuous woman is mentioned.

The phrase “her price is far above rubies” made me research on what could be the worth of rubies and to my surprise I found out that rubies are extremely valuable and can command the highest prices of any colored gemstone, according to the Gemological Institute of America, Inc. reports. In the Poetical Works of Thomas Moore, Mr. Moore rhythmically pens the following words, As if that jewel, large and rare, The ruby, for which Kublai-Khan
Offer’d a city’s wealth, was blushing eluding to the writings of Marco Polo, the Italian merchant of the account of the Mongolian ruler, Kublai Khan, offering to the the king of Zeilan the value of a city for a very fine ruby that the king had. The king answered to Kublai Khan that he would not give it for the treasures of the world. If man, can put such worth, to a gemstone, how much more God puts worth in a woman of virtue, far more than rubies.

This too me a personal reminder that the best birthday gift that I can give Sangeetha, my beloved virtuous wife, is that I treat and view her, as God does her – far above rubies.

Points to ponder:
And all those who are of the elect, who have believed in the Lord Jesus – we the wife of the bridegroom Jesus – we have been bought by the blood of Jesus (the color of high quality ruby is often referred to as blood red) and our price is far above rubies for that is how God sees us.

Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Total Surrender :: Father, into thy hands, I commend my spirit

Jesus’ seventh saying from the Cross is recorded in the gospel according to apostle Luke in chapter 23 verse 46. It reads, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Jesus’ body and blood was given for mankind (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Jesus’ Holy Spirit was presented to God for approval (which is what commend means) and upon God’s acceptance and approval of Jesus’ sacrifice, of which the Holy Spirit who was surrendered is a witness (Hebrews 10:14-15), God could now send the Holy Spirit of Jesus to dwell within men for we are now the temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Points to ponder:
Jesus totally surrendered his life and spirit for you and me. He totally surrendered his living Spirit to God so that the living Spirit of God could be sent to dwell within our lives, when we totally surrender ourselves to God. Have you told God, “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit” as I totally surrender? Have you totally surrendered?

Luke 23:46 (KJV)
46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of [received from] God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

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