Sunday, March 14, 2021

The CALL from JESUS

 

Isaiah 53:5 

King James Version

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, 

he was bruised for our iniquities: 

the chastisement of our peace was upon him; 

and with his stripes we are healed.


Why is the Lord reaching out to us?

Why did He come to earth?

What was His purpose?

Jesus Himself tells us why:

Luke 5:32 (KJV)

32 I came not to call the righteous, 

but sinners to repentance.


He also spoke of the Father's love.

John 3:16-17 (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world

that he gave his only begotten Son

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; 

but that the world through him might be saved.


Jesus came for those sick in sin.

Mark 2:17 (KJV)

17 When Jesus heard it, 

he saith unto them, 

They that are whole have no need of the physician, 

but they that are sick: 

I came not to call the righteous, 

but sinners to repentance.


And always, it was for people to repent.

Matthew 9:13 (KJV)

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, 

I will have mercy

and not sacrifice: 

for I am not come to call the righteous, 

but sinners to repentance.


For there was great urgency.

The time was at hand.

Matthew 3:2 (KJV)

2 And saying, 

Repent ye: 

for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.


There was to be great tribulation.

Matthew 24:21-22 (KJV)

21 For then shall be great tribulation, 

such as was not since the beginning of the world 

to this time, 

no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, 

there should no flesh be saved: 

but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.


And His elect will be gathered together.

Matthew 24:29-31 (KJV)

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days 

shall the sun be darkened, 

and the moon shall not give her light, 

and the stars shall fall from heaven, 

and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign 

of the Son of man in heaven: 

and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, 

and they shall see the Son of man 

coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, 

and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, 

from one end of heaven to the other.


The Lord's return -- before the tribulation -- can happen any time.

Matthew 24:36 (KJV)

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, 

no, not the angels of heaven, 

but my Father only.


We are to watch.

Matthew 24:42 (KJV)

42 Watch therefore: 

for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.


And to be ready.

Matthew 24:44 (KJV)

44 Therefore be ye also ready: 

for in such an hour as ye think not 

the Son of man cometh.


All sinners must repent, if we are to have eternal life with Jesus.

We must become born again.

That's the only way we can understand sin and repentance, in preparation for the coming of the Lord.

We will want to have done right with the Lord -- on His own terms.

We need the Holy Spirit to guide us, every step of the way, at these most crucial times.

Acts 2:38 KJV)

38 Then Peter said unto them, 

Repent, 

and be baptized every one of you 

in the name of Jesus Christ 

for the remission of sins, 

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.


(Image source: Aris Rovas)


Updated 25 January 2022


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