the "real meaning of Christmas (part 5)

[Dr Denis O'Callaghan]

You only go around once.......So grab for all the gusto; So says the world, but GOD has a better idea...

As we continue to look at the seven sayings of Jesus Christ on the cross do you now have a better picture in your mind what a great cost it was to God, and what a great Love He has for you Gentle Reader?

Now Gentle Reader,

We come to that 5th Word of Jesus and in it we see Christ's Identification His Word of Suffering!

After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst. (Gospel of John Chapter 19 verse 2)

Here we have:

A. The cry of the Human One

B. The cry of the Holy One

"I thirst" spoken now by Christ just a little while before He died recorded only by the Disciple John, and as we see it only fitting that they should have a place in his eye witness account for they not only evidence His (Jesus) humanity but bring out His Divine glory too.

Of Old the Spirit of God moved David to say in Psalm 69 verse 21 "They gave me also gall for my food; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." How completely were the Holy Writings being fulfilled.

Every important detail had be written down Note just a few

Betrayed by a familiar friend "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, Who did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me." (Psalm 41:9)

How marvelously complete the prophetic foreview! No essential item was missing from it.

The forsaking of the disciples though being offended at Him "Because of all mine adversaries I am become a reproach, Yea, unto my neighbors exceedingly, And a fear to mine acquaintance: They that did see me without fled from me." (Psalm 31 verse 11)

The false accusation "Unrighteous witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I know not." (Psalm 35:11)

The silence before His Judges " He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." (Isaiah the prophet Chapter 53 verse 7)

How fitting a prophecy, Christ the Lamb of God became the sacrificial lamb at the Passover of the Jews!

Being Crucified "For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have in closed me; They pierced my hands and my feet." ( Psalm 22:16)

The mockery of the Spectators "I am become also a reproach unto them: When they see me, they shake their head" (Psalm 109:25)

The Taunt of non-deliverance "All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying], Commit [thyself] unto Jehovah; Let him deliver him: Let him rescue him, seeing he delighteth in him." (Psalm 22:7,)his is the language of enemies sporting with his faith in the hour of his desertion.

Gambling or His Garments "They part my garments among them, And upon my vesture do they cast lots. (Psalm 22:18 )

The praying for His enemies "Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession [Prayer for some other than yourself] for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:!2)

Being forsaken by God "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?" (Psalm 22:1)

The thirsting " They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." (Psalm 69:21)

Yielding of the Spirit "Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." (Psalm 31:5)

Bones not Broken "He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken" (Psalm 34:20)

Burial in a rich mans tomb "And they made His grave with the wicked-But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth" (The prophet Isaiah 53:9)

All plainly foretold centuries before they came to pass. What a convincing evidence of the Divine Inspiration of the Scripture. Hoe firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

Paul the great Apostle to the Gentiles declared "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory." (I Timothy Chapter 3 verse 16)

In His humanity he craved refreshment for His body but as the Holy One he had a deep spiritual thirst for your dear Gentle Reader, and for me! Oh the wonderful Love of God in Christ. Again and again the New Testament tells all who will read of the Love of God yet nowhere defines it. It is in that mysterious Cross. Even John can only say, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [to gain or regain the favor of a person] for our sins"

"One (Christ) died for all" Then Gentle Reader He died for me!!!! and He died for you The sin -penalty of all and each was gather at the Cross from the first sin to the yet future multi-millionth sin yet to be committed . All done away with by GOD (Jesus Christ ) at the Cross.

So that God could be the JUST and the Justifier of all of us!

Jesus Christ came for one reason and one reason only ""for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost " (Luke Chapter 19:10)

The Only question Gentle Reader, that now remains is "Have you come to see that you need someone beside yourself to help you get through this life?"

Some never understood what SIN was or that something in life that isn't the way you would have it SIN quite simply is missing the Mark of God holiness.

I had a deacon one time who was concerned that his grandson was not a member of our family (the Family of God) and so he ask me to talk to little Sammy. The following was our conversation.

Me: "Little Sammy do you know you’re a Sinner?"

Little Sammy: No!

Me: "Do you ever do bad things?"

Little Sammy: No!

Me: Confused [little Sammy was 6 years old] "Did you ever get into the cookie jar when mommy told you not to?"

Little Sammy: No!

Me: "Did you ever get a spanking?"

Little Sammy: "Yes"

Me: "Why did you get a spanking?"

Little Sammy: "Cause Daddy told me to do something and I didn't do it! and I talked back and used a bad word that daddy uses on the golf course"

Me: "That is what we would call a SIN Little Sammy."

And that's Sin Gentle Reader, we all have done things we wish we hadn't and 1 (One) sin will make God turn His head away from us unless......

-Denis