The Pastor Speaks
4/1/18
He Paid the Price
Isaiah 53 is cited or alluded to frequently in the New Testament, along with the written word in the gospels that tell us of the Sufferings of Christ, His death, and burial for instance (John 1:29, Acts 8:26-40, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 2:21-25, Revelation 5.)
Isaiah 53 teaches us about the Substitutionary atonement, that the innocent Son of God died in the place of guilty Sinners and paid Our Sin debt.
Yes JESUS paid it all and all to Him we Owe, We do not understand all that was involved in that “holy transition” on the Cross, but we know that it accomplished Salvation for a lost world. Yet people still do not believe in Him (V.1), they reject Him (V.2), they even scorn the message of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
But heaven praises the lamb of God (Revelation 5), and His people on earth glory in His Cross (Galatians 6:14). Are you among them?
Rev. Jack L. Reed, Pastor
4/29/18
Psalm 103
David makes no request in this psalm. All he does is praise the Lord for three wonderful blessings, which he names in VVs 3-5 and explains in the rest of the psalm.
FORGIVENESS (3, 10-14). Forgiveness is like healing when you are sick (1 Peter 2:24), relief when you are burdened (vv. 11-12); and reconciliation when you have hurt someone (vv. 13-14). All of this comes because JESUS died for your sins on the cross and you have trusted Him.
REDEMPTION (4-6-9). God redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage and from the difficulties they faced in the wilderness. He frees Us that He might be Our Lord and Savior to care for Us forever.
SATISFACTION (5,15-18). Man is frail and temporary, but believers enjoy “eternal youth” and spiritual renewal. David compares it to the eagle that looks old but still soars upward with new strength (Isaiah 40:31), just as God renews the face of the earth and brings it new life and beauty (Psalm 104:30). So He can renew your life if you let Him. It begins with a renewed mind (Romans 12:1-2). When you Walk by Faith, you have a constant experience of renewal in spite of the challenges of life (2 Corinthians 4:16-18), there is always something to enjoy when you walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Rev. Jack L. Reed, Pastor