God Has a Plan
From the foundation of the world God had a plan. Adam and Eve had one law. They were not to eat from one tree in the garden under the penalty of death. They ate but an animal died in their place. They were clothed in the skin of that animal. This is called a Blood Substitutionary Sacrifice which was the plan of God to deal with man when he sinned.
Noah offered sacrifices. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob performed sacrifices. Moses was told that every Israeli must offer a Lamb as a sacrifice and sprinkle it’s blood on the two sides and the top of the door post. This made the sign of a cross. The sacrifice made it so the death angel would pass over that family’s house.
Moses was given the Law on Mt. Sinai and at the same time God commanded him to build a tabernacle (later the temple) in order to offer a sacrifice when the children of Israel broke the Law and sinned. But all of the sacrifices needed to be offered over and over again until the Supreme Sacrifice came and offered Himself.
King David knew that the Messiah would come from his loins so he talked about the events in the Messiah’s life as though it were happening in his life. David said, “They pierced my hands and my feet… They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalms 22:16-18 This is exactly what happened to Messiah Jesus.
Isaiah spoke about Messiah’s sacrifice in every verse of chapter 53. He said in part, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” “He was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken.”
How could Isaiah write about the sacrifice of Messiah 700 years in advance? He like King David knew God’s plan. Daniel spoke of the Messiah being cut off. (cut off out of the land of the living, as Isaiah said) Then Daniel said after He was cut off the Jewish Temple would be destroyed. (Daniel 9:25) The Second Temple was destroyed in 70AD. Messiah Jesus came and gave his life as a sacrifice for you and me way before 70AD.
The Bible calls God’s plan, The plan of salvation because it is a plan to save men from the penalty of sin and death in hell. “God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”.
When God gave the Law it was a perfect law but no man is perfect. We all fall short of God’s requirement. Our sin separates us from knowing God and His plan for our life. Sin separates us from God. Period.
The Bible tells us what is needed. We must be born again as Jesus said. When we were born it was a natural water birth but we need a spiritual birth from God. John 3:14 says, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the son of man be lifted up.” The son of man is Jesus. He must be lifted up on a cross as a sacrifice for your sin and my sin. Why, because, “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life”. John 3:16
Believe in his sacrifice for you and believe that he is the only begotten Son of God, which makes Him Deity. If Jesus was not the Son of God he would have to die for His own sins. But, He challenged His critiques to point out sin in His life.
No sin is too great that He cannot forgive. Once you believe and accept Jesus he will implant the Holy Spirit inside of you to give you the power to live righteously. Believe Him today and experience Him as a loving God. Do nothing and you are condemned already. Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation. By Dr. Leeland H. Crotts