To: Jamey who wrote (30973 ) 7/12/2000 12:26:15 AM From: Emile Vidrine Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 39621 Greetings my dear brother, Do not despair in doing good, and searching and sharing the truth. Those who sow the precious seed of truth in tears will, in the end, rejoice. Psalm 126 "5": They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. "6": He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Again, Jesus is our paradigm. Study and meditate on his life and sufferings often. Parts of his life were unique and no man could reproduce the unique aspects of his Messianic mission. But there are other aspects of his life that we can share and copy. Let us first look at the unique messianic accomplishments. Then we will briefly look at those parts where we can be like him and grow into his stature. For example, we often think of his physical sufferings, but they were the least of his pain. The eternal Son of God came down from the eternal glory, peace, and love of heaven and wrapped himself in the lowly substance of his creation, the flesh of man. For nine months he lived in the tabernacle of Mary's womb where he took on his humanity. He became what we are that we might become what he is. The divine became man that man might become the divine sons of God through him. How he lowered Himself so that through his humanity he could express his love to us in concrete terms. He healed the sick, raised the dead, went to cross and died for our sins, and then rose again for our justification. He died for the sins of the whole world so that all men could be reconciled to God and have a right to claim heaven through his shed blood. The physical sufferings of Jesus were the least of his sufferings. The greater part of his sufferings were in his heart and emotions. His sacrifice became a torment of soul, body and spirit. He was first rejected by the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin and then by the masses of the masses of the Jewish favoring the criminal barrabas before him. Finally, he was abandoned and denounced by his Apostles. Only his mother Mary and John accompanied him to the crucifixion site and continued to openly express their love and support. All others had abandoned him. The utter pain of that rejection must of have been almost unbearable. As he hung on the cross as an ultimate expression of love, those for whom he died continued to mock, slander and scorn him. As men, we often sin and consequently understand the rejection of men and God. Jesus NEVER sinned and always spoke words of eternal life. There was no understanding or justification for his rejection. Yet men rejected him, scorned him, and ridiculed him to his last breath. This pain, rejection and scorn was enough to totally break his heart, but then there was more. As the sins of mankind poured upon him, Jesus became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.( 2Corinth ""21": For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.) Since sin brings broken fellowship with God, God turned his back on Jesus at the moment that Jesus became sin for us. This was the moment that Jesus cried "my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me". For all eternity Jesus had been in a perfect fellowship of peace and love with the Father and now, because of the sins of mankind, Jesus was experiencing the rejection and separation from God that mankind had deserved because of their sins. Satan foolishly believed that he had won the victory. For three days Jesus was in the heart of the earth despoiling the principalities and powers of Satan (Rev.1:"18": I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.) After three days, he rose again from the dead becoming the first born of the new creation. God had been joined to man and died for man and the raised in the newness of live. Now man, through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus could be joined to God and become the son of God. This is the new creation. This is the new and living way into the holy of holies. We enter through Christ. This was the great love and suffering of our divine saviour and Lord. He bore not only the rejection and suffering of death but also the rejection and broken fellowship that men had deserved because of their sins. So James, when you feel the scorn of men and when they reject you for doing good, remember the life of Jesus. Through our perseverance, we can share in the suffering and scorn that Jesus endured. Hebrews 12 ""2": Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. "3": For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Gird up the loins of your spirit and continue the good fight of faith. May the love of God, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and the grace of Christ forever give you courage and strength to perservere in the good fight of faith. Emile