Mourning Over Wrong Choices
I am sure all of us have made some terrible choices in our lives.We look back and think, "How could I have done that?" However, there is no way to undo what is done. The great consolation, though, is the grace of God to bring restoration and prayer to bring healing. One day God is going to pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on the Jewish people, so they can be restored and healed from their decision to crucify Jesus. (Zechariah 12:9,10) He was sent to be their Lord and Savior, but they rejected Him. Of course, they are not solely to blame for the death of Christ. It was all of our sins that nailed Him to the Cross. We all need that Spirit of grace to bring restoration, too.
I am not sure exactly how it will happen, but God will protect Israel when things get bad and the whole world turns against them. They will realize that Jesus is Messiah, and the people will turn to Christ. In some way Christ will appear to them, so that they will "look on Me whom they pierced." In that moment they will be confronted with their horrible choice as a people, and there will be a season of sincere mourning over God's Only Begotten Son, who was sent for them, but rejected by most of the people. Can we even imagine how history would have been different if the Jewish people would have received their Messiah when He came to die for our sins?
The same is true on a personal level for all of us, Gentiles. We see our sins at some point in our lives. God shows us His grace as the Spirit reveals to us the Crucified Christ. We have the opportunity to receive His grace and mourn over our decision to reject Him. If we will turn to Jesus in repentance and faith, He will save us, and we will enter a close relationship with Him. God cares about all people, so everyone will be confronted by the Spirit of grace and supplication at some point.
Stop for a moment today. Close your eyes. Look on the One whom they pierced, the One whom you pierced. Mourn because He had to die in your place. Mourn for all of the times you rejected the drawing of the Spirit. Then, trust Him as Lord of your life, if you have not done so. Pray quietly to the One who loves you so.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 14 and Malachi 1-2.
I am not sure exactly how it will happen, but God will protect Israel when things get bad and the whole world turns against them. They will realize that Jesus is Messiah, and the people will turn to Christ. In some way Christ will appear to them, so that they will "look on Me whom they pierced." In that moment they will be confronted with their horrible choice as a people, and there will be a season of sincere mourning over God's Only Begotten Son, who was sent for them, but rejected by most of the people. Can we even imagine how history would have been different if the Jewish people would have received their Messiah when He came to die for our sins?
The same is true on a personal level for all of us, Gentiles. We see our sins at some point in our lives. God shows us His grace as the Spirit reveals to us the Crucified Christ. We have the opportunity to receive His grace and mourn over our decision to reject Him. If we will turn to Jesus in repentance and faith, He will save us, and we will enter a close relationship with Him. God cares about all people, so everyone will be confronted by the Spirit of grace and supplication at some point.
Stop for a moment today. Close your eyes. Look on the One whom they pierced, the One whom you pierced. Mourn because He had to die in your place. Mourn for all of the times you rejected the drawing of the Spirit. Then, trust Him as Lord of your life, if you have not done so. Pray quietly to the One who loves you so.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 14 and Malachi 1-2.