MAN'S RUIN AND GOD'S RESCUE

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6 NKJV).

The Gospel can be found in the entire Bible. Here in this verse about the Gospel, we have the practice, the peril, and the pardon of man.

Practice of man - “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way . . . iniquity” The phrase “his own way” tells us that the practice of man is that of selfishness. Further, it is a popular practice, for “all” are doing it. It is also an unholy practice, for it is the practice of “iniquity.” But being popular does not make it right.

Peril of man – “Astray.” The word “astray” carries the idea of wondering or being lost. This sinful practice of man has put him in great peril. He is in peril because his way is the wrong way – it is not the way to heaven. He is in peril because his way is a deadly way. “Iniquity” leads to death for “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Further, man is in peril because his way is a condemned way. Many folks call sin by different names, but that does not change the peril of sin. The Word of God gives sin the right name.

Pardon of man - “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” This pardon is Divine pardon because God provided the way of salvation. It was not man’s idea. This pardon is a merciful pardon because man does not deserve the pardon. Man has gone his own way and rejected God’s way, yet God in mercy provided for his rescue. This pardon is a vicarious pardon. Pardon comes through “Him.” Salvation is in Jesus Christ Who died on Calvary for our sins. Our sins were laid upon “Him,” as He died as our substitute. This pardon is a sufficient pardon. It is possible for “all” who comes to Christ

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Calvary knows how far man will go into sin and how far God will go for man’s salvation!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Dispensation

In Eph. 1:10 we read, “That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him” (NKJV).

Dispensation is the Greek word oikonomia (οἰκονομία = oy-kon-om-ee'-ah). It is made up of two words: “oíkos” which means house, and “némo” which means manage or distribute. Thus the word means stewardship, administration, management. We get our English economy from this word. Oikonomia referred to the task given to responsible and faithful servants who were appointed over the economy or an area of responsibility in the household. It stresses obligation, responsibility, and faithfulness of the servant to his master to carry out the entrusted task.

In classical Greek oikonomia referred to household administration, the management of a household or of household affairs. In the Septuagint, oikonomia means administration or office. In the New Testament, oikonomia included the management of the property of others – a stewardship. In the present context oikonomia refers to the administration or management by God of a certain period of human history which Paul designates as “the fullness of the times” when God gathers everything to Himself and sums it up in His Son, Christ Jesus.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would publish good tidings upon mountains (Isa. 52:7)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 5:1-2; 15:29; 28:16

Did You Know…

In the Bible, it states that Jesus reveals grace and truth (John 1:17; John 6:45).

Bible Quiz

What was the name of Samuel’s mother?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: What man who was in Jerusalem “waiting for the Consolation of Israel” was called “just and devout?” Simeon (Luke 2:25).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“Wouldn’t trust him to watch my dog”

“But now they mock at me, men younger than I, whose fathers I disdained to put with the dogs of my flock!” (Job 30:1 NKJV)..

“Wouldn’t trust him to watch my dog” - The expression “wouldn’t trust him to watch my dog” carries the idea of not trusting someone at all. In context, Job, a successful businessman was always very compassionate. There was no category of people in need that he neglected to help. Now, he was being mocked because of the calamities that had come upon him. Those who formerly had respected and listened to him, now made fun of him. This included not only his friends but the rabble of society, folks who were deemed not sufficiently respectable to be trusted with the care of the dogs who guarded his flocks. What contempt!

Did You Know – Christian History

Toyohiko Kagawa was born in Kobe, Japan, July 10, 1888. He was a Japanese social reformer, peace activist, labor activist, evangelist and author.

Both of Kagawa parents died while he was very young. As a teenager he became a Christian under the influence of Presbyterian missionaries and was baptized. He took theological training at Kobe and at Princeton University. After almost losing his life to an illness, he vowed to help the poor.

Japan was then going through great upheavals owing to its transition to Capitalism. Common laborers suffered much during this time. Kagawa moved into a slum in order to witness to the people. He slept in cell-sized hovels sometimes holding the hand of a murderer. He shared himself with all in need. More than that, he organized Japan’s first labor and peasant unions. With the coming of Communism he increased his emphasis on the Kingdom of God. His activism convinced the government to rebuild slums.

Kagawa is also recognized as a successful author. His wrote a best-selling autobiographical novel, Across the Death Line and another Before the Dawn. His other writings include several pamphlets and meditations. During his life, Kagawa wrote over 150 books. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947 and 1948, and for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1955. He spent the revenue from his books on relief of the poor while he and his family subsisted on a small monthly salary.

For Kagawa, the cross symbolized the power of the love of Christ and the power of suffering for righteousness’ sake. Although not highly regarded in theological circles in Japan, he set up no definitions about God, but taught the actual practical practice of love.

Kagawa died on April 23, 1960 after being unconscious for 3 hours. His final words were “Please do your best for world peace and the church in Japan.” He posthumously awarded with Japan’s highest honor, the Order of the Sacred Treasure. One year after Kagawa’s death, 103 doctors, professors, patients, workers, writers, teachers and acquaintances issued a two-volume Biography of Kagawa. Each contributed an essay.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America commemorates him as a renewer of society on April 23. Kagawa is also honored with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) and on the Calendar of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on that day.

A Little Humor

What did the mother turkey say to her disobedient children? “If your father could see you now, he’d turn over in his gravy.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“No one is too good, nor too bad to be a candidate for salvation!”