First Day of Lent & Lessons from the Ravi Zacharias Scandal

An open letter to Christians impacted by the Ravi Zacharias scandal; 

Once RZIM released their statement last week, regarding the now confirmed allegations of Ravi Zacharias, I've felt a need to process... 

Writing always helps.

Bay and I got to know Ravi, having served at the same family camp, over several different summers. He was kind, gracious, brilliant, and humble. The man we met, and, with whom we shared meals, in no way matched the predator the investigation unraveled. 

My first response was anger; but, anger born of grief:

✔ Grief for his victims (plural) and, not once, but ongoing, over many years, in many countries. 

✔ Grief for his family. Not only had they lost a beloved husband and father to cancer, but they continue to lose him as the scandal and social-media-buzz drops daily devastating bombshells...

✔ ...for RZIM, the ministry he founded. While I applaud the way they handled the process, the vulnerability and the bravery to be upfront and forthwith, this uncovering ravages their credibility.

I pray for all. 

✔ More than all of this, the grief I'm experiencing comes as I read, and hear, others weigh in (from inside the sheepfold and those out) saying, "Well, so there goes that Jesus, again..."

Jesus!

As if He's the one to blame and at whom we point the finger...

And, because (sadly) this kind of scandal is far too common, the witness of Jesus is destroyed by His ambassadors, and the glory of God is tarnished, unable to shine as brightly in this dark world.

Already, many, more profound and proficient, have weighed in on this disgrace; so, why me?

What do I have to add?

Probably not much...again, I'm simply finding a way to file away in my mental cabinet drawers a way to put closure to my wandering thoughts. 

In the midst of my mental meandering over this dilemma, I turned to Galatians, where I've begun a dig-deep-study to mine the Apostle Paul's spiritual treasures. 

This morning I picked up in Chapter 2. 

Background: Paul is sharing his story with the Galatians, and like any good attorney, he's laying out his credibility and setting up his case before this church body. He's told them that following his radical salvation, he went up to Arabia, instead of going to Jerusalem, where he could meet in person with the very apostles who walked and lived with Jesus. Who better to disciple Paul? But, no, instead he went into the desert for several years, where he met with the RISEN LORD, who accomplished that job. Then, he went to Jerusalem to discuss the mission set before him (to take the gospel to the Gentiles)...

Four times in 9 verses, Paul tells the Galatians that he met with those who "seemed to be" influential (meaning Jesus' disciples).

I thought it odd that Paul used those three little words "seemed to be" in reference to these men. Of course, they were the influential ones - "they had been with Jesus."

It becomes clear why he's vague beginning in verse 10.

Peter comes to visit Paul, to see his work first hand. 

Peter, one who "seemed to be" influential in the early church; but a different Peter. Here sits a hypocritical Peter, a man who should be "walking in step with the truth of the gospel." A man leading other sheep astray by his play-acting. A man who sought the pat-on-the-back of people more than pleasing Christ. 

And, Paul opposes him to his face.  

Here's the point: 

Not all of us are "who we seem to be" on the surface. 

Peter resides inside of each us from time-to-time.

We are all sinners, everyone, missing the mark of a life that imitates our Savior and Lord, Jesus.

There, as a Peter, as a Ravi, as the multitude of leaders who've gone before and fallen prey to temptation, go I, but for the grace of God. 

You, too!

We can not, must not, should not point fingers... 

There is NO PLACE for self-righteousness (check the attitude)...

Daily, there must be a look into our own hearts. 

We are all created to bring glory to the ONE who died to save us, and frequently fall short. 

All saved-souls are to live by faith and walk in step with the Spirit of the Lord who dwells within us; surrender moment-by-moment of every(!) single(!) day(!); take up our cross and follow Jesus. 

As Paul tells the Galatians,

"You were called to freedom...Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. And I say, walk by the Spirit who dwells inside of you, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit..."

(Gal. 5:13, 16, 17a)

We, you and I, are not FORCED TO LIVE IN BONDAGE TO OUR SIN NATURE!

Yet, again, as surely as morning follows the night, I'll surrender to the bondage of my sin that "so easily besets..."

The battle is not easy; it's an all-out-war! 

No amount of knowledge (think Ravi) makes that war easier.

Knowledge, we know, puffs up; and instead of saying, "I can't" and surrendering to the one who can-in-me, I'll yield to my sin instead.

This is important for the sheep-gone-missing to see in me; and, to see in you...

It is important for them to see it in their earthly shepherds! 

We need to declare this from the rooftops for all to understand: 

MY SIN IS NOT JESUS!

Ravi's sin was not Jesus!

Peter's sin was not Jesus!

In those times, we may belong to Jesus, but Jesus (His sweet Spirit) is not dwelling in fulness in us!

Here's where the GREATEST TWO WORDS OF SCRIPTURE come into play:

BUT JESUS.

He died to take away our sin...

To bury it in the deepest waters...

And, not just take it away, give us victory over it...

To replace it with Resurrection POWER.

Power to help us walk away from sin!

We've got to stop scuba diving to pick it back up again, and let the Spirit of Jesus live through these earthly bodies. 

Then Jesus will be Jesus in us.

AND, His glory will not be tarnished!

SO....

Today is the first day of Lent.

It's a perfect season, over the next 40 days, to take an internal investigation.

In this season, may we commit to seek the Lord, to ask Him to reveal the ugly in our hearts, then, mourn our sin that led to His death, and celebrate the difference He died to make. 

It's a season to expel Peter from our hearts (even Ravi!)...and open ourselves up to abiding in Jesus once more...

It will make Easter Sunday more meaningful; more precious; more influential in changing us from the inside out.

We've got 40 days to look deep.

Contrary to Thought: Sometimes It Must Be About "Me" FIRST...

We've all heard that joy is found following this prescription:

HOWEVER, today it became about "me-first." 

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I had already written another blog for this morning. 

But, in the middle of my quiet time, I felt a NEED; no, more like a conviction, to make an explanation.

From even before 2020 ended, I sensed the Lord prompting me to study, research, learn, grow, listen, and seek to understand the problem with sheep-gone-missing.

I'm giving attention to what those voices address, and then to prayerfully, KINDLY, lovingly speak TRUTH where it applies, and to dismiss the rest (not as in cancel-culture-dismissal, but as in not allowing the lies to live, raging, inside of me). 

As I've started blogging some of this journey, I re-read a few of my posts.

Adding them all together and sitting on them all at one time, left me wondering if what I wrote could be misconstrued as pride...as if I've got my spiritual-life-all-together, and others not-so-much.

Believe me, this isn't the case.

Each morning, I wake up with a prayer on my lips, that as I dig a little deeper, and learn a little more, the Lord will, first of all, show me where I am WRONG. 

I ask Him to guide my learning, because I know my interpretation of Scripture isn't always on target.

I truly want to know where I am missing the boat, so that my insights, and my responses to those insights (through speaking or writing), aren't just my opinion, but God's TRUTH, as closely as He meant it to be understood. 

There is a blog I have enjoyed reading, and the author of the site has titled it "SLOW TO WRITE."

I love that title.

It's my heart's desire to not speak, or write, in a reactionary fashion, but thoughtfully, after prayer and study.

This morning, I read a prayer in Valley of Vision (a collection of old Puritan Prayers). 

I read a few now and then as I begin my quiet time...

During the middle of this week, this was my prayer...and, I have referred to it daily, sometimes more than a few...

This morning, in reference to sheep who wander off, I read this prayer:

"Oh, Lord, 

Oh, how free is Thy grace

that reminds them of the danger that confronts them

and urges them to persevere in adherence to Thyself...

I bless Thee that those who turn aside may

return to Thee immediately,

& be welcomed without 

ANYTHING to commend them..."  Amen.

BUT, instead of focusing on "them" (as in someone else), I am reminded, that I am often them! 

And, through the Puritans of long ago, it fills my soul, again, to KNOW that EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE comes back to GRACE!

I, too, am frequently outside the sheep-fold, not following the blessed way of the Sheep-Path, led by a Good Shepherd.

I may not be in danger on the cliffs, or, afar off, being stalked by wolves, but outside is outside!

For me that may look like "laboring too much for my spiritual life," instead of abiding in Jesus (John 15).

Or, not coming regularly to the fountain that purges my sin (AKA: spiritual pride).

Or, becoming distressed of soul, rather than sitting in the PRESENCE of the one whose JOY is free for the receiving.

"In His presence is fulness of Joy..."

Ps. 16:11b

Or, relying on my own strength, instead of the Resurrection-Power of the Lord Jesus.

Or, forgetting the long arm of God's Salvation, fearing that some are "too far lost."

Or, worst of all, reducing the Majesty of My God in size, so that I become a God-Amnesiac and forget to live in AWE...

AGAIN: Outside the sheep-fold is outside the sheep-fold, and we all need the Shepherd to lift us up over His sweet shoulders and nuzzle us close to His dear voice, reminding us WHOSE WE ARE (!), so we will no longer hear, OR LISTEN TO,  the voices that distract us away from keeping the main thing the main thing!

What's the main thing?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The ✅ of His earthly to-do-list.

How freely He offers His grace as we return to Him!

How insane is His welcome!

How undeserving is His forgiveness!

And, it is for all of us, ANYWHERE we might be outside the sheep-fold, or not following along the Path THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN TRAVELED before us by the Shepherd! 

As I move forward, please know it is with an acute awareness, I am there (outside), far too frequently myself...drifting...

So, it is with compassion and joy in GRACE abundant, that I share my heart as I am on this road to understanding and knowledge.

And, my intent is that we all do the same:  examine ourselves first, seek TRUTH, and be open minded to where our own path needs to be tweaked because we've transgressed, whether a wee bit, or way too far off. 

Then, and only then, can we address other sheep who are in danger outside the fold...

Why Many Sheep Seem to Be Wandering...

This morning, as I curled up in my normal spot on the couch with my Bible on my lap and a cup of coffee in hand, my mind traveled back over our past years of ministry. 

We've been "at this" for some time! 

For the better part of 30 years, our major ministry involved junior high, high school, and/or college age students...and, we loved every! single! minute! 

And, we loved them...every! single! one! These were "OUR KIDS!" 

While it was fun to think up new, and somewhat crazy activities, nothing filled us up more than worshipping together and challenging one another from the Word.

Were we perfect shepherds?

Definitely not!

As we grew, and matured more in our faith, there are things we'd no doubt go back and change.

But, were our hearts in the right spot?

Definitely, yes!

God met us with these kids, in the midst of journeying through some of their messiest years, and, often, in pretty miraculous ways! Oh, the stories we have tucked away in our hearts!

They were our JOY...and, an added blessing is that for a lot of those years, our kiddos were involved right along with us. 

So, as I sat reflecting, a multitude of faces marched across the television screen of my mind...

I paused to smile at some of the good memories. 

But, before long, the smile turned down as I looked closer at those faces. 

Not down, as in a frown; not down, as in mad; but, down as in sad...disheartened...yes, even broken-hearted. 💔

So many have walked away from the Jesus we taught, and longed for them to meet, build relationship with, and follow intimately.

We're not alone!

Conversations like this occur often with former youth pastors, current pastors, and others in ministry.

We see many drift away, wandering off, for a variety of reasons.

As I've re-connected with a few, here are some responses for the "why:"

❐  They've been wounded by the Church.  Sometimes, plain and simple, it's been nothing less than spiritual abuse of a wide variety. There is no excuse for it...this kind of abuse is often much like any other: a means to control, manipulate, and maintain power. 

Legalism plays a huge role in this area, as well. Law over love always leads to a less-than-desirable picture of Jesus. Who'd want to follow Him if He's only about perfected performance? But, I love this quote from Martin Luther: 

Sometimes, the church just gets this backwards. I don't point fingers. I don't blame. Sometimes in our longing for Jesus-Followers to know the better-way-of-the-gospel, it's easy to confuse the two. We want more for those coming behind. It's not an excuse; but maybe a way of understanding how easy it is to fall into the trap of legalism...

❐  Many who have wandered off know what to believe, but never really grasped why they believe it. As a result, there are no safe places to bring questions, no room is given for doubt (which is a far cry from unbelief, yet often judged as such), and, honestly, not many are really skilled in answering questions and doubts, so they stay silent. We need to give safe space and room to breathe out the questions, while engaging together for the best Biblical response; and, we all need a better education in apologetics. 

❐  Along with the above, a similar problem reared its ugly head, as those who've drifted away, tried to match the character of the God-of-the Bible with some of the stories they now read through a different lens (God's character isn't seen as matching His behavior). As I listen to their struggles, I realize that the church has done a poor job of teaching how to study the Bible, how to dig deep for accuracy, apply culture, good hermeneutics... We've relied too much on the pastors, the teachers, the elders, the missionary to do all the teaching... We're drinking milk, and the meat is far from our dinner plates!

❐ I would also add this: Many who have walked away have done so because they do not have a good theology of suffering. For some reason, the perceived notion is that followers of Jesus do not suffer. There is a notion that the Lord protects His own, and those who "trust enough" will be spared difficulty. So, it's no wonder that when the going gets tough, those in the midst of trials and pain get going, as well...but in the wrong direction! 

❐  Some have wrestled with the "hard-core moral discipline" of the Bible; and, plain and simple, the ways of the world offered a much more attractive option. The world's ways have always competed with the values, beliefs, and moral codes of Christianity. To live differently (according to Christian principles) makes us "social outcasts"...."fanatics." Frankly, this kind of living is exhausting, especially when you get to college, and come up against a definite agenda being taught (yes, even in Christian universities) against core beliefs taught by the mainstream evangelical church. I've seen this in several areas...it's there, and, again, how to fight the battles of this current age is lacking!

By no means is this an exhaustive list.

Does the church need reforming? 

Definitely, yes!

It's made up of sinners, who are in the work of TRANSFORMING to be more like Jesus.

Reform will come as we are all transformed in Him through the Word of Truth.

But wandering away from the gospel Jesus brought us through His death and resurrection (✅) to another gospel is NOT THE ANSWER.

Those who leave Biblical/Historical Christianity, do so because they think they see a better way.

They hear louder voices (believe me THEY ARE LOUD...and MANY).

They like what they hear. 

And, so, they deconstruct their faith to grab ahold of something shinier, prettier, more user-friendly, all wrapped in beautiful paper and topped with a palatable bow. 

The problem I see is that there isn't a Biblically sound reconstruction. 

It's OK to deconstruct as long as the reconstruction truly rests on the Word of the Lord and not the voice of men and women alone. 

BUT...

It is time for Jesus-followers to know what we believe, why we believe it, walk in love, and speak truth often with compassion. 

These are my words to live by in 2021. 

So, this morning, I closed my couch-time thankful that God is still writing the stories for those who are deconstructing and drifting...I have HOPE for their tomorrow...and that there will one day be a smile back on my face!

I Sense the Lord Asking Me a Hard-to-Answer Question. Maybe YOU, TOO?

 

"I AM...the Good Shepherd...(John 10:11-18)"

-Jesus-

A Good Shepherd:

✅ Seeks the sheep who have wandered off from the flock...those who've "transgressed" the Shepherd-Path as they wander off (Luke 15:1-7)...

✅ Goes anywhere necessary to return the sheep to His care, lovingly placing the sheep around His neck (close enough to hear the sweet, tender voice of the Shepherd)**...

And, oh the JOY that follows, because every! single! sheep! matters! to the shepherd!

Good shepherds don't want to lose even one from the flock.

And why so great a JOY? Well, there's this -

Repentance: a turning back, a complete change in direction. 

The sheep is HOME!

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I first saw the picture above in late 2020, and, simply could not dismiss it from mind.

 I kept going back to look at it over and over again.

Something about it seemed to beckon me, to draw me into the picture.

Finally, it dawned on me why.

It happened about the time I sat reflecting on it AGAIN, and asked myself one simple question: Where do I see myself in this picture? 

The answer: I reckon I'm the one taking the picture.

Then came another question: Why am I taking the picture? 

Answer: I'm in awe of where the Shepherd had to climb; how far away from the rest of the sheep He trudged (BAREFOOT, no less, UP, DOWN, OVER ROCKS!); how intensely He looked for His lost sheep; how willingly He carried the sheep; and, how lovingly the sheep looked at the face of the Shepherd. I guess, in my imagination, I wanted to capture all of that in one photograph.

But, the more I looked at the picture, the more I realized how profoundly and fervently the Shepherd looks at me, the photographer. 

In fact, here's the adverb I finally settled on: QUESTIONINGLY...

With His eyes Jesus is asking me:

Am I just going to be a benign picture taker? An on-looker? 

Am I simply intrigued by the sacrificial work of the Shepherd, or am I willing to climb, trudge, look, love and chase after sheep with Him? 

These are convicting questions.

They need pondering, for sure, but more: they beg to be answered. 

Jesus waits for my response!

What will I do?

Will I be a silent onlooker, documenting the sheep going astray, and the few that are being rescued by the few willing to be the hands and feet and voice of Jesus in this world? 

More and more, my heart is heavily burdened.

What I'm seeing is an out-flux of sheep leaving the fold of historic Christianity for what seems to be the "greener pastures" of progressivism. 

What I know is I'm troubled...

Troubled, as in soul-discomfited...

My spirit is BURDENED.

I'm aware there's a new "gospel" contrary to the one Jesus died to give us; a "contrary" gospel; a "different" gospel...and like the apostle, Paul, in Galatians 1, I'm "astonished" by it. 

AND YET, even having been a Jesus-follower for as long as I have (50 years, last Nov 24th), I don't feel adequately prepared to be a Good Shepherd. 

My bare feet aren't hardened enough to climb up the mountain to go after the sheep that have wandered astray, reminding them of the REAL Good News. 

My knowledge is lacking enough apologetics to be a solid voice of sound, compassionate reasoning. 

And, to be honest, the fact that Jesus is looking at me with such questioning eyes, longing for a positive response to His call to be hands, feet, and voice is FRIGHTENING. 

It's much more comfortable to stay silent, keep my feet in familiar territory, stay with the sheep who are in the "fold" (the ones who think like me, talk like me, believe as I do)...

Truth is I rather like "preaching to the choir..."

But...He's waiting.

He's looking.

He's asking with His eyes.

And, I...I am only at the same place I once saw myself years back when I told that same Shepherd, who once asked me to leave my comfortable pasture to go to Kenya, "I'm willing to be willing to be willing...." 

"Lord, make me more than willing..." 

AND...

"Change my feet..."

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Now then, might He be looking at you with the same question in His eyes? 

The Lord needs more Good Shepherds...

Shepherds to do the HARD and HOLY work of going after the sheep gone-missing. 

XXXXX

PS. ** In response to those who might have heard that the Shepherds in Jesus day would break the leg of a sheep to keep him close to his heart for a lengthy period in order to restore the sheep...this is a myth...to break a leg of a sheep would be to cripple the sheep permanently (I checked several sheep web-sites and looked at past history...not true).

Why We're Having Disturbing Conversations These Days...

 

There are times I wonder what is happening in our world...

If my mother were alive, she'd be saying her oft overheard, "The world is going to hell in a hand-basket."

Not sure the meaning behind that sentiment, but it always sounded ominous...

...and, ominous, isn't a bad description for our world these days. 

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I've repeated the following conversation in similar formats with many over the last few months:

The other: I just don't understand what is happening! Our world is so divided...and, not just politically, but theologically...

Me: I know! Seems it used to be that while different denominations arose because of worship style preferences, mixed with a little different interpretation of a few random Scriptures, for the most part we all KNEW that we agreed on the heart of the same Creed (i.e. see 1 Corinthians 15:1-3). 

The other: But, today, theology has gotten so mixed in with politics, we can't find common ground on which to stand in order to find unity. 

Me: I've never felt so lost and confused regarding God's Church. Many seem to be wandering away from the basic foundations of our faith...

What we need is a revival of truth...

What we need is not "my" rendition of truth...but, THE TRUTH from the One and Only Source of TRUTH: Jesus...THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE!

We need this anthem to rise out of our hearts, once more:

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Yet, should we be surprised that we are having these kinds of conversations?

Probably not. 

As the Lord spoke through Isaiah: 

"All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have wandered off God's paths to follow our own (NLT)."

So, in the middle of Jesus' "to do list" is this line item:

✅ Good Shepherd.

There have always been plenty of examples of bad shepherds overseeing God's flock (Ezekiel 34). 

• Shepherds who allowed the sheep to get scattered...
• Shepherds who failed to protect, and let the wild animals inside the fold and to feed on the sheep, while doing nothing...
• Shepherds who cared more for themselves than their flock...
• Shepherds who neglected the grazing pastures...and, allowed the sheep to become weak and sickly...

The Lord spoke condemnation over these shepherds, declaring that He, Himself, would become the Shepherd (Ezekiel 34 and Psalm 23).

He would search for His sheep when they went astray....tirelessly!

He would care for them...compassionately!

He would tend them, bring healing to their wounds, and strengthen them, back to full health. 

He assures His flock that He will lead them to good pasture and still waters...and give them rest for their souls.

Lest we think otherwise, He will discipline with His rod and staff...in JUSTICE!

Then (in the fulness of time), the Father sends His Son to do the same...

And, in the middle of ministry, Jesus offers up to His followers a parable. 

A story about a ✅ Good Shepherd.

An overseer who leads his sheep, protects his sheep, counts his sheep, knows them by name, and is willing to lay down his life for just one.

Because the sheep have a tendency to wander off, leave the fold, and stop following the Shepherd to "go their own way, follow their own truth, live by their own conscience," a Good Shepherd prepares in advance to leave the rest of the flock to seek out the one who's in danger, always leaving them in care of an under shepherd!  

The Good Shepherd searches and searches, until he finds the lost one, and picking him up, putting him around his neck, the Shepherd carries the lost sheep home.  

The shepherd doesn't care where he must go to rescue the sheep, he doesn't look where his feet are trudging, he simply goes with one purpose in mind: rescue the one gone-missing.

Take note:

The sheep is a part of the Shepherd's flock. 

The sheep is no stranger to the Shepherd.

He knows the Shepherd's voice. 

He's intimately acquainted with the Shepherd.

He simply thought he knew better than the Shepherd where the "good pasture" was to be found.

So the sheep picked a different path...and, got himself in tRoUbLe!

Also, take note. 

The word for "sheep" in the Greek? 

It means "fully grown," "advanced in years," "of a great age..."

This guy/gal should know better...

...but, still...

...and, yet...JESUS.

Jesus goes after.

He's the Good Shepherd.

He's willing to lay His life down for the sheep.

And, when the Shepherd returns home with his lost sheep, He calls His neighbors together for a party.

"REJOICE, for I have found my sheep that was lost!"

Why so much rejoicing?

As the parable concludes, the key is shared: 

REPENTANCE.

The lost sheep has turned back to walk the SHEPHERD-PATH!

That's why we're having conversations like the one above...

There are far too many sheep who have wandered astray...

Grown up sheep.

Sheep who should, by now, know better...

Sheep who should know the Shepherd's voice, and long to follow His path...

But, don't...for one reason or another.

The Good Shepherd is longing for a return of these sheep, 180-degrees back, in repentance, to follow the SHEPHERD-PATH.

The path that is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE for those who walk that journey.

....to be continued......

Grace, What Have You Done?

I've spent the past week in Isaiah 53. 

If you haven't read it recently, do so (no matter how familiar it seems to you).  

I've saved you the time, and linked you to it on Bible Gateway. 

With this freshly tucked away, consider the following...

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As I began writing this week's blog post, I sat with the theme of my study on the screen right in front of me (you see it above from an iPad drawing I created as a reminder). 

In light of this, the first line of a contemporary praise song just popped into mind:

"Grace, what have you done?"

(I think you see why I began humming that line after reading Isaiah 53...)

Here are the next few words (and if you want to listen, a YouTube link is attached: Scandal of Grace):

Grace, what have you done?

Murdered for me on that cross

Accused in absence of wrong

My sin washed away in your blood

Too much to make sense of it all

I know that your blood breaks my fall,

The scandal of grace - you died in my place

So my soul will live!!!! (emphasis mine)

From creation, the minute Jesus, the Son of God, spoke man into existence, a plan had to be in place.

The fall of mankind was seen even then.

The inability to keep a law? Known from the beginning of time.

The need for a sacrifice to cover sin? Already established.

Shed blood required? Determined IMMEDIATELY...

A temporary plan put into place....

...Until, in the fulness of time, Jesus came!

Once, for all time, He would become a permanent sacrifice. 

God's kids couldn't stay out of sin.

Their hearts - deceitfully wicked.

Can you imagine Jesus looking at His "to do" list so the plan could come together? 

• Despised by men
• Rejected and forsaken
• A man of sorrows
• Fully acquainted with grief
• One from whom men would hide their face
• Despised
• Esteemed not
• Bear the grief of mankind
• Carry mankind's sorrows (once for all through all the ages)
• Smitten/stricken by God
• Afflicted
• Beaten/scourged
• Pierced
• Crushed 
• Chastised
• Wounded
• Treated harshly
• Struck down
• Unjustly condemned
• The iniquity of all placed upon His back
• Oppressed
• Anguished of Soul - the word that is used is the most intense word that can be used for one "depressed;" and, not for Himself, but for those who would not RECEIVE what He accomplished (✅ done!)...
• Meant to be destined for a criminal's grave (but, blessed by being given a rich man's tomb)
• Bore the sins of many
• Counted among the rebels

Why? 

For me!

For you!

That's what Grace has done ✅!

What a scandal!

A way of escape... 

A way out of the grave... 

A means so death would not have a final say...so, hell would never be an option!

Since about 2014, articles sneak in from time to time about "Divine Child Abuse" from God toward the Son...

A ploy of the enemy to twist and distort the gospel story.

Sadly, many "professing" Christians are taking note of this and curiously contemplating, and, some have already bought into the lie, turning their backs on the TRUE GOSPEL for another twisted gospel...

I don't understand how...

BUT, JESUS...

He made the choice...

He looked at His "to do list," and Isaiah 53 declares He saw (before it ever happened) that "the Lord's good plan would prosper..." (v. 10b)

He saw "the multitudes of His descendants (those who would become "children of God" - John 1:12)..." (v. 10a)

He saw "all that His anguish would accomplish...." (v. 11)

AND...He would be "satisfied...." (v. 11)

His joy in enduring the cross - FULL to the UTTERMOST!

Jesus' eyes focused on me at the end of His ✅ DONE, and it brought Him joy as He went to the cross.

From cradle to the cross...From cross to the grave...From grave to resurrection...and, resurrection to ascension...Jesus has had His eyes on me.

And, the best part of it all is that He's had His eyes on YOU, too!

Now, He asks that we fix our eyes on Him... BUT...

What have YOU done with Jesus?

We know what Grace had done for us!!! 

It's SCANDALOUS !!!!

If you aren't sure of your salvation...

If you ever wonder if you have taken care of all that Jesus has done for you...

Here are two more links to great messages (10 minutes & 20 minutes) from my husband! Take the time to know for sure where you are headed at the end of your earthly "to do list" ✅...

 How to Know That You Are Saved

Ultimate Trust Fall