Jesus is–
In a word, remarkable and the longer we look at his life we are struck by the force of his life and the strength of his character especially in light of the forces of darkness that were brought to bear against him.
Consider then…
AT HIS BIRTH HE IS DEFENSELESS
Consider him without a home nor a place lay his head. The powers that be are positioned against him. Where is the one born king of the Jews? I shall worship or not… No, I shall slay him as a rival to my throne. To Egypt and back you go little one.
BUT HE IS NOT DEFEATED.
IN HIS YOUTH HE IS DEFENDING
Though the youthful years of Jesus are shrouded in silence, we know that it was not without growth and challenges. He is growing up and into the stature of a man of God. He is confronting his Father’s world and defending his business with it. Asking questions and giving answers that astonish…
BUT HE IS NOT DEFEATED
AS THE SON OF GOD, HE IS DISRESPECTED
• Come home my son, you must not be well. We think you slightly beside yourself.
• Come now and provide, my son, for the guests are without wine.
• Come now, you mere son of Joseph, would you judge us?
• Come now and here him, how he blasphemies our God.
• Come clean, one named Pilate asks now, where is your kingdom?
AND YET, HE IS NOT DEFEATED
IN HIS PROPHESY HE IS DISMISSED
• If there are no words of praise, then the rocks will cry out
• If there is healing, then you know his sins are forgiven
• If the sun and the moon are darkened you know that judgment is near.
• If my time has not yet come, will it not be soon?
• If the cock crows, you know my death is near.
• If there is no death, there can be no resurrection…
• And if there is no resurrection, then there is no hope
BUT HE IS NOT DEFEATED
IN HIS MINISTRY HE IS DENIED
• But the man with much to gain went away, because his riches were too great
• And the crowds departed from him because he told them the truth about their pride and their salvation. Will you also go away?
• And Nicodemus went away, unable or unwilling to understand the new birth, at least at this moment
• And all of the disciples fled, unable to fight off the fear
• And Peter said, I never knew this man, this one who says he is the Christ.
• And those who had just hours before lavished praise and littered his way with branches, now languished him with cursing and derision and chanting, “We have no king but Caesar.”
BUT HE IS NOT DEFEATED
IN HIS TRIAL HE IS DEFAMED
• He made himself to be equal to God— He blasphemies
• He causes trouble for Caesar, and therefore for us. They’ll take our nation
• He is but one man- better for him to die than the nation
• He is profanes our temple, and then claims to raise it up in 3 days— he deserves death
BUT HE IS NEVER DEFEATED
AND ON THE CROSS HE IS DECRIED:
• Don’t write he was king of the Jews- write, he said he was
• Don’t rip that priceless garment— let us bargain for it
• Don’t give him refreshment in his suffering— give him soured wine for his soothing…
• Don’t break his legs— he is dead already
• Don’t let him die with dignity— strip him naked and shame him before the world.
• Don’t cease your mocking— demand that he save himself.
BUT HE WAS NOT DEFEATED
Rather…
• Because He entered willingly into the human race,
• Because he took on the reality of human flesh,
• Because he was born of a woman,
• Because he understood suffering and obedience personally,
• Because he did not and could not sin,
• Because He always did the will of his father,
• Because he came to die,
• Because he suffered the dread of our sin,
• Because He died,
• Because he fulfilled his father’s plan,
• Because he became the perfect sacrifice
• And, because He love you unconditionally,
You can now enjoy the blessings of abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven.
BECAUSE HE WAS NOT DEFEATED.
And now, to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of his glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, authority, before all time and now and forever, Amen
MJC
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