Saturday, August 6, 2022

Orange Moon Saturday, August 6, 2022 "Only One"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Only One"

    

     In an age when modern culture often bandies about the word "hero," only One graces the pages of Scripture.

   "And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias, who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with Him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him. And it came to pass, as they departed from Him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him" (Luke 9:29-35).

   Of course, many Biblical figures acted heroically by the leading and power of God.  However, none can be accounted as heroes for the simple reason that the sins of all made necessary the suffering, forsakenness, and death of the one true Hero.  "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God… He died for all" (Romans 3:23; II Corinthians 5:15).  Against the backdrop of such culpability for the crime of the ages committed at Calvary, exalted status cannot be granted to any.  Certainly, we affirm those who act heroically, and this is not intended to in any measure minimize self sacrificial actions performed for others.  However, we ever move toward to a time when only One shall be acknowledged and revered for His perfect character, nature, and execution of heroic self sacrifice.  "The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day" (Isaiah 2:11).  

   Of course, the Lord Jesus occupies a place the word "hero" does not begin to describe.  Who He is consists of so much more, and what He did transcends "heroic" by an infinite measure.  Consider.  "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us… when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son" (Romans 5:8; 10).  Who does that?  Someone far more than a hero, and whose actions cannot be described as merely heroic.  "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (I Corinthians 1:31).

   Gather the figures of Scripture who faithfully and courageously followed their Lord into "the good fight of faith" waged in so many ways, and in so many venues of a fallen world (I Timothy 6:12).  For the glory of God, commend them for their service and thank them for their example.  But don't call them heroes.  They will have none of that.  Moreover, don't forget that all they did flowed from all He did for them, in them, and through them.  They won't let you forget it, and most of all, they will remind you of this:  He suffered and died in agony and forsakenness for me!  In the light of this heroism, every knee bows, every tongue confesses, and every heart exalts the only One worthy of a title, the adequate designation of which has yet to be found…

"Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven."
(Psalm 148:13)

Weekly Memory Verse
   Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)































   

   


   



  











































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