Am I Listening?

Daily Reading: Isaiah 52-53

Scripture Focus: He bore the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53.12b)

Devotional Thought: Isaiah 53, written 700 years before the birth of Christ, prophesied with theological accuracy the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.  Reflect upon what Jesus did for you 2000 years ago.  Then, pause to express thanks for the greatest gift of all: the Son of God.

Notice the tense in the last verse of the chapter:  "He bore [past tense] the sin of many and makes intercession [present tense] for the transgressors."

Jesus did a complete work on the cross when he bore our sins.  The penalty for our sins has already been paid.  The work is done for every man, woman, and child on the planet.  There is no other price to pay, and there is nobody outside the reach of grace.  The Bible says, "For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many" (Romans 5.15).  There is no need for another sacrifice, for Christ "entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9.12).

Though the work has been done, it remains for each of us to accept God’s free gift of salvation by faith.  That is why Jesus still makes intercession for us in heaven before the throne of God: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7.25.  The blood of Jesus is still speaking before the throne of God (Hebrews 12.24).  And God is listening.  The question is, "Am I listening?"

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you did a complete work on the cross of Calvary.  Now, as you make intercession before the throne of God, help me to do my part and listen to you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78.65-72

65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine.

66 And he put his adversaries to rout; he put them to everlasting shame.

67 He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,

68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves.

69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded forever.

70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds;

71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance.

72 With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.