Going Deeper, "In Deed"

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5;8,9

Today's blog entry is picking up from yesterdays, in which I was discussing the fact that it was Good Friday, and it was a Good Friday, in deed!  In DEED, meaning by the "something" that took place on that very day many many years ago, we can honestly say that it is a GOOD day, indeed and in deed-- Christ's deed---His sacrificial death on the cruel cross of Calvary for all mankind.

When looking up the word "deed," I found two different meanings. Yesterday's entry referred to deed meaning "something that is done." And boy! Was something EVER DONE!?! Done, completed, FINISHED! The work of our redemption by Christ's shed blood on the cross---Definitely DONE! He declared it when He said, "It is finished!" (It's DONE!)

But let's look into the other meaning of deed: "a signed and usually sealed legal instrument in writing used to grant a right." Well, I couldn't help but think of the song "Written in Red." It talks about God's love being written for us in "red"---by the shed blood of the Lamb of God. This of course is just a song depicting God's love for us being written in the precious blood of the Lamb. Just imagine the words "I Love You" written in red---by the blood of the Lamb. What a love letter!

But looking further I found: "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Hebrews 9:22) Oh! I think we're "on to something here!" Let's go deeper, shall we?

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible says: "The solemn transactions between God and man, are sometimes called a covenant, here a testament, which is a willing deed of a person, bestowing legacies on such persons as are described, and it only takes effect upon his death. Thus Christ died, not only to obtain the blessings of salvation for us, but to give power to the disposal of them."

We've been granted certain "rights" because of Christ's sacrificial offering of Himself on our behalf. John 1:12 says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.." When we accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus, we now have the power or the "right" to be called the children of God! Furthermore, in Matthew 27:51 we read, "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain..." So now we can go directly to our Heavenly Father through Jesus the Son---our High Priest! "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Heb. 4:15)

What rights! Just to name a FEW! We have been granted the right of forgiveness of our sin, no more DEATH PENALTY, but eternal life with God one day, through the "deed" of Christ---the shedding of His blood on Calvary for us! And guess what?? The deal has been SEALED! How? When we accept His wonderful gift of salvation, immediately we are sealed with His Holy Spirit, which is a guarantee (or deposit) on the eternal life we shall one day inherit through Christ. (Eph. 1:13, 14--"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.")

So....let's see, if we accept His gift of salvation, by believing on Jesus--His death and resurrection, THEN we can now: (1) Be declared Redeemed! Free! (2) Be called the sons of God! (3) Go straight into the Holy of Holies through our High Priest, Jesus, and obtain mercy and grace in our time of need! (4) Have received the POWER to LIVE and LET HIM LIVE through us! (5) Have been stamped, sealed, promised and guaranteed through the gift of His Holy Spirit, that we will one day be with GOD in Heaven throughout all eternity!!! WHAT!? WHAT RIGHTS! Why do we not pursue such rights of LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF GOD as earnestly as we do the "rights of Americans"???! Beyond me!

Wow!! I need to come up for some air! That was deep, indeed! But, isn't it so good to discover the mysteries of "the deep"? To "chew on" these deep truths? Meditate, devour, "chew the cud"---really THINK about what He's done for us, on this, the quiet Saturday between the Good Friday and the Glorious Easter Sunday that awaits us on the horizon of tomorrow! I'm sure Jesus' disciples and followers were in shock, grief, even experiencing some confusion and fear on that Saturday...the day sandwiched in between the Horrible Sadness of Friday and the Exciting Easter Sunday! If only they could have chewed on these deep truths! Let's not miss this chance to dwell upon the Good Deed our Heavenly Father accomplished through His Son, our Lamb of Glory!

Thank You, Father, for allowing us to go deep...to dig a little deeper into Your Word to "think on these things...these pure and lovely things." Thank You for this day "in between" to allow us to ponder the wonderful mystery of Your love---the unfathomable gift of redemption and now POWER through Your Holy Spirit to live the life You've called us to live. May we never take forgranted Your Word, for Your Word is Truth! We look forward to tomorrow, the celebration of our Risen Savior, but also to the OTHER TOMORROW, when we shall finally SEE HIS FACE on the Horizon! Help us be faithful 'til that day! In Jesus' wonderful name we pray, Amen!