Today is Good Friday. It is the day set aside to observe our Precious Lord Jesus and his selfless sacrifice for mankind.
Last night, as we were studying the book of Kings, I was deeply moved at God’s compassion for His people. We start by reading in Second Kings some not so compassionate events where the prophet Elijah called down fire on two captains and their fifty troops. As we read on we wonder is there any hope for the third captain and his troops?
“And he (King Ahaziah) sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight. And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king. (2 Kings 1:13-15)”
We see here the heart of a man (King Ahaziah) who has refused to believe that there is no god but Baal. It did not matter what he may of seen or read in the court records, left by his father, about the prophets of Baal being consumed by the wrath fire of the holy God, Yahweh. His heart was hardened and he was unmovable to believe that Yahweh – The God of all mankind could answer his request.
As we read on we see that his denial to accept Yahweh leads him to ill-fate as the prophet Elijah declares that he will die from this illness, and thus he did. The example set forth by the third captain was one of humbleness and reverence for God. This is what spared his life and it is the same thing that will spare ours.
Many a prophet spoke of the ill-fate that lay ahead for the Son of God. They too were correct because he did suffer a brutal death. However, his life was not stripped from Him, he gave it willingly because he not only loves us, but He is in love with us! How do I know this? As he hung tormented on that cruel cross of suffering He pleaded to the Father,
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34).”
In reality, I cannot believe that Ahaziah had no earthly clue what he was doing. Likewise we see others seemingly mock Jesus today, I cannot help but think that they know exactly what they are doing. I just want to say that the only begotten sinless Son of God - Jesus, died for us knowing along that we knew what we were doing.
My heart is broken in remembrance of such an enormous sacrifice He willingly paid so that I could on this day have redemption. Three days later he arose from the grave. Beware! There are those who now proclaim they have found the body of Jesus, or that his body was stolen. I again cannot help but to think they know exactly what they are doing. But remember dear brothers and sisters, that same blood that flowed freely down that cross for our sweet salvation is the same blood that was shed for them as well. May God open their blind eyes, and their deaf ears for this message is for those who have ears to hear!
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Our God in unchanging, His awesome power is worthy of reverence, more so in the great grace of salvation enabled us in Christ. Thought provoking article, indeed!
