1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, February 20, 2011

HEBREWS - Our Hero!

I just love epic movies.

Ben Hur, Braveheart, Gladiator, The Lord of the Rings –

I like the idea of an unlikely hero – an underdog.

I am inspired by victory snatched out of the jaws of defeat.

I sit on the edge of my seat, watching in horror as the hero falls – seemingly destroyed. I cringe as he is taunted by the ruthless powers of evil. I find myself looking anxiously to the horizon for the amazing rescue…

And when it comes, I find myself cheering – ready to go out and do battle myself.

The story of God’s great love for mankind is just that sort of epic story.

Just when it looks like all is lost – an unlikely hero emerges.

Born in a manger, hunted by Herod, living a quiet life for 30 years…

Meanwhile, the earth spins in its selfish, sinful ways.

And then, He bursts onto the scene. The vanquishing Deliverer that Israel had looked for, longed for – the One who would redeem their suffering, and restore their nation!

Um…not quite.

His message is not one of vengeance. He uses words like humble and sacrifice and servant. His sword does not vanquish – it pierces the heart and convicts. He does not claim a crown. He is not declared king. He is arrested, tried, condemned, and killed – crucified on a symbol of shame.

On the edge of my seat, I watch in horror as the hero falls.

Today’s "Bible Pick ‘Ems" comes in two parts – the first captures this moment:

"So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore." (Hebrews 13:12)

I find myself looking toward the horizon for the amazing rescue…

I needn’t have looked further than an empty tomb.

Did the world stop when Jesus arose from the dead? Was anyone aware of what had taken place? That history had irrevocably changed? That a Temple curtain being torn in two was really the cleaving of the human heart?

The world was quiet.

But oh, the Enemy and his cohorts knew – they saw the amazing rescue and it sent them reeling.

Victory out of the jaws of defeat – life redeemed out of death!

And here’s the rallying cry of the undefeated ones, the conquerors through Christ, the victorious soldiers of the cross – the ones rescued by The One...

The Hero restored to His Throne –

"Now may the God of peace –
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood –
may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

I find myself cheering – ready to go and do battle myself!

How about you?

"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name." (Hebrews 13:15)


(Today I'm linked with Spiritual Sundays, hosted by Charlotte and Ginger, and Super Sunday, hosted by Peggy)


"When in doubt, search God out!"

18 comments:

  1. "Yes Yes" cheering with you...!!I was drown in this story of our "hero" Jesus Christ.....
    Victory.....victory!! Indeed ready to go on battle myself....
    Love your way of writing around "Bible pick-ems"

    Have an blessed Sonday!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can you imagine what it would have been like to be there when that temple curtain was torn? I often think of the centurions words, "truly this was the Son of God." Yes, He WAS the Son of God and IS the Son of God, who conquered death and the grave! Praising His name!

    ReplyDelete
  3. this was so great Sharon...thanks. Hope your sunday is the best.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yep, me too, I'm ready to go out and battle because I know the Lord is fighting my battles and is walking alongside me and I know the Lord ALWAYS wins, so I might have trouble in a skirmish but I know that battle ultimately has been won and is won by our precious Lord Jesus. It is so comforting to rest in that fact as we live our lives, isn't it?

    enjoy your Sunday, Sharon

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Sharon,

    The image of that moment as Christ hung on the cross and spoke the words, "It is finished", can never be eclipsed. He is truly The Conqueroring Hero and Saviour of our lives.

    Thank you for sharing this vivid post written in a way that captures my heart and imagination.

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your words today were truly inspired. I did, indeed, feel like cheering.

    I also want to commit that benediction from Hebrews to memory and teach it to my class. It is powerful and beautiful to me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, I'm ready to do battle now! Loved this post and feel inspired.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Blessings Sharon... On the edge of my seat; cheering and do you even have to ask?

    As you proclaimed the Hero vs. the defeated, I was cheering and with the final reading of Hebrews, yes, yes, yes... I was cheering and sensing the crowds of praise from those with faith in the Hero had been restored to His place of honor on the Throne, Our Victorious One and Only, Jesus Christ!!! Yet I also felt the pain of those without allegiance.

    So thankful for the Power of the Resurrection, for the Conqueror over sin and Death! So glad that the battle is won, in those moments when I especially feel battle fatigued, knowing that if
    I just make myself available, He's done the rest and will accomplish His purpose for His Kingdom and I can rest!

    Yes, definitely has the winning theme of a great epic "love" movie and you have rewritten the script so we can BE more than conquerors as well
    and walk confidently in our faith and His Victory! He is so much more than enough!

    And I love how you inspire the troops to battle and press on!!! Praise the One who lifts up every underdog and gives glory to the Name of Jesus! Let us proclaim the Victory and the price that was paid was more than enough and see the unlikeable love the unloveable as He delivers and redeems all who surrender in faith; may many relinquish their swords to His power and overcome every battle to be set free in Christ Jesus!!!

    Glory! Hallelujah! What inspiration and motivation is this "Bible Pick 'ems" from that faith builder book of Hebrews and the keyboard and creativity of Sharon combined for one Super SONday! Heroes of the best kind called to follow and be disciples of the REAL SUPER HERO! WOW!

    Powerful, Sharon! Another master piece of truth!

    Love, peace and JOY,
    Peggy

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great post! God is to our rescue.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bernice - WELCOME! Thanks for stopping by! I can't think of too many other things better than drowning in the love of the Lord and His victory!!

    Joan - I can almost hear the "rriippp..." - what a thrill! Knowing that God had finally breached the chasm that separated us from Him - once and for all!!

    Sarah - Thanks. I had a wonderful Sunday, and I trust that you did, too. Just praising the Lord who is my Hero!

    Betty - I love how you said we might have trouble in a skirmish, but the battle is ultimately won!! Yes, there is tremendous comfort in that fact!

    MTJ - I'm glad you enjoyed it. It also thrills me to no end - those powerful words - "It is finished." Amazing how the last words of a dying man could change everything for our eternity!! Of course, it was our Hero dying on that cross - and that makes ALL the difference!

    Debbie - Did I inspire your Hoodie Hoo?? Yes, those words from Hebrews are beautiful. I think the line I like the best is this - "The great Shepherd of the sheep..." That just gets me for some reason.

    Mary - Picking up that sword with you, and going out to claim the victory that our Lord Jesus has already won! What an amazing rescue!!

    Peggy - I just loved everything you had to say. Especially this - "see the unlikeable love the unloveable as He delivers and redeems all who surrender in faith." Yes, oh yes, the Strong Deliverer. I also join you in praying for the power of God's amazing rescue to reach more and more people - so that they, too, can claim allegiance to the One!

    Ginger - Thanks for stopping by. I can't think of too many other things that thrill me more than what you said - God to the rescue!! YAY!

    Donnie - WELCOME! Thanks for stopping by! I'm so glad you enjoyed this message today. May God give you His strength as you go out into the world this week, and follow Him.

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Like you I enjoyed those epic movies. For a long time The Ten Commandments with Charleton Heston was my favorite movie. Maybe it still is. Ben Hur and The Robe were also favorites. You're right. The greatest hero by far of all times was Jesus. I should say that in the present tense. IS JESUS!
    Thank you for sharing on Spiritual Sundays.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  12. Charlotte - Thanks so much for stopping by. I really appreciate it. Yes, I also loved those movies with Charlton Heston! He was a wonderful Moses - there was just something about his voice, wasn't there? It makes me all tingly excited when I think about Jesus as our Hero - and I just keep looking to that horizon for the moment when He returns - in all His glory!

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am so thankful to Jesus for “Victory out of the jaws of defeat – life redeemed out of death!” He had victory and gave me victory. Awesome post Sharon. Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  14. When I think about that day... that empty tomb... the tearing of the temple curtain, I like to think that there was something extra special about that day. Perhaps a brighter sun, a gentler wind, a glorious burst of color on the horizon. Maybe something not easily identified but a recognition in the hearts of those who lived near to Calvary that something was different that day. Certainly creation cried out its recognition; so sad that so many missed it, still miss it. I am thankful for for my recognition regarding the cross of Christ. He is my Hero, my Rescuer, my Restorer, my Forever.

    An Epic Finisher as well!

    peace~elaine

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Sharon,

    What a well-written timely post. I loved it! The scripture you chose really spoke to me, as I am struggling greatly in a job I despise and with a workload that is about to take me under.

    I need rescuing so badly from this situation. I need the strength of Jesus to get me through it with a sound mind so I can get to the end of this journey victoriously. I loved this post. You should consider getting published with www.christiandevotions.us. You write really well, and I especially loved how you started this article with the description of the epic film and how Jesus's story is equally as epic.

    Come visit me at my photo blog. I totally redesigned it. http://judysphotogallery.blogspot.com.

    Blessings,
    Judy

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yes, singing the songs of victory with you, praise God for the victory of the cross and that our Saviour is on his throne where he belongs. I love this "I am inspired by victory snatched out of the jaws of defeat.", me too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ken - Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. And it's such a wonderful truth - that the One who rose victorious, and will one day reign victorious - is still giving us His victory every day we live. That's a heroic thought!

    Elaine - Beautiful comment, so poetic. Yes, I think there was something different about that day. I think all of creation stood still - even the powers of evil. It is sad that anyone misses the most momentous moment in history. I'm with you - so thankful that I recognize the significance of the cross.

    Judy - Thanks for your kind comment. Will be praying for your job situation. That if things don't change, that the Lord will perform an amazing rescue of your heart - and give you the strength you need. I will definitely check out the link you provided. I've been praying, asking God if He wants me to venture out into other areas of writing. And, I will definitely visit your new blog.

    Toyin - I can hear you singing!! Yes, the amazing rescue - just when it looks like all is lost, Jesus arrives on the scene to redeem the lost! He deserves all our love and adoration and worship...

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete

"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!