Have you ever said, or heard someone say, that God is too good, too loving, too kind to permit His own to suffer cruelty? I have from many and even from followers of Christ.
Since God the Father had suffering (the cruel suffering of death on a cross), in mind for His Son, His only begotten Son – Jesus – how do we know if suffering will be in our future?
Jesus came to die on the cross – the things He suffered are prophesied in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. These prophecies are explicit in stating Messiah’s suffering. Remember: He suffered and died so that you and I can be blessed with the forgiveness that comes to all who place their faith in Jesus as their Savior. (Matthew 1:21) Celebrate His birth at Christmas and throughout the year.
Peter and John reported to fellow believers all that the authorities had warned them not to speak any more in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:17) And Peter and John said:
(NASB) Acts 4:20 “for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Their faith was firmly fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Celebrate!
Peter’s prayer began with acknowledging God as the Creator and then he referred to David’s prophecy of nations coming “against the Lord and against His Christ.” (Acts 4:25-26)
Then Peter likened those who would come against the living Creator God to the men in Jerusalem:
(NASB) Acts 4:27-28 “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.”
Amazing…hundreds of years before crucifixion was known; God foretold that would be the very inhuman way His Son would die. Jesus – Messiah’s birth was also predicted.
On the Day of Pentecost, after God sent His Holy Spirit on Peter and 120 others, Peter preached a sermon to many in Jerusalem:
(NASB) Acts 2:22-24 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know –
23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
24 ‘But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held by its power.”
~ Take it to heart ~
That is what Jesus Christ did for you by
You were (and are) loved that much by the living God of the Holy Bible.
Celebrate God’s Predetermined Plan!