PERSEVERING MISSION

Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. John 10:39

Jesus claimed to be equal with God (John 10:30). He equated salvation of souls to be His eternal work (John 10:28), as well as being the heavenly Father’s eternal work (John 10:29). The Jews were so angry with Him for claiming equality with God (John 10:33) that they picked up stones to kill Jesus (John 10:31). This is the great biblical truth of Christ— though He is perfect, sinless Man, He is also holy and eternal God, the same in essence with the Father and the Spirit, and equal in power and glory. They sought to arrest Him, but they did not because they could not— not at that time anyway. Christ’s mission was to go to the cross at the appointed time set in motion from the beginning when God said, “Let be” (Gen 1:3). The feeble, fleshly lusts of unbelief cannot altar or thwart the holy and sovereign plans and purposes of almighty God. The atoning work of Christ on the cross was not a mere possibility. Christ crucified is the Father’s greatest glory. Mr. Spurgeon said, “For the Son of God to suffer for sin was a more glorious establishment of the government of God, than for the whole race to suffer.” Christ’s mission was the cross and He persevered in God’s sovereign care until He surrendered as obedient Son, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46); and then declared as holy God, “It is finished” (John 19:30). This was ordained before the foundation of the world (1 Pet 1:18-20). Since we have been saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, our mission is to bear witness of Christ crucified (1 Cor 2:2). Though we may be hated, shamed, mocked, arrested, persecuted, confined, or even put to death, the God who saved us by His grace will bring our witness to completion (Phil 1:6). We may slip, slide and stumble here and there along the way; but ultimately, God will be glorified by our witness for Christ.

God receives His greatest glory
Through His Son who died;
He suffer’d wrath and shed His blood—
Christ Jesus, crucified.

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Today's M'Cheyne Reading Schedule: 3/20 - Ex 31; John 10; Prov 7; Gal 6

If you don’t have one, get a free PDF copy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s “Daily Bread” Bible Reading Calendar by Clicking Here.

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