God’s Revolutionary Sword

There was a day like no other day in all history, past, and future. A day when the Lord called for a sword. A sword that was to come down upon His Son Jesus Christ. To strike a blow that would be heard and felt for the benefit and woe of all past and future generations. But there is good news because of what He did.

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.

In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people;’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’” Zechariah 13:7

Jesus was mocked and ridiculed. He was beaten and tortured. His Beard ripped out, a crown of thorns pressed down on His head, and then beaten down with reeds. He was scourged and whipped severely with wicked intent. His flesh and skin were so mangled and ripped, so unrecognizable, unlike anything you have ever seen. Though Satan intended to kill the Lord for evil purposes, God had a greater plan in the works.

Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as many were appalled at Him —His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness— so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard. Isaiah 52:13-15

He was forced to drag His heavy cross of torture up the hill to Golgotha. He may have died there if they did not force a man to carry His cross for Him. They nailed His hands and feet in place and lifted Him up, dropping the cross into place. Then waiting and watching Him suffer and strain for breath until His death. But that was not the worst of it. None of what they did to Him could touch the torture to come. The searing hot pain of what was about to fall upon Him. 

As God poured out His Wrath upon Him Jesus said in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

For the Lord Jesus Christ was perfect, pure, holy, and righteous. Yet He took upon Himself the soul-crushing punishment of the Wrath of God. The wrath and punishment for the sins of all mankind. For every lying, stealing, murdering, lusting, coveting, hating, and wicked soul ever to live. This was the worst and most necessary sword that had to crush Him that day. But did you know that He took all of this suffering for you?

Did you know that God struck His only son with the full force of His Wrath and righteous anger on your account? Yes, He died for your sins. Because you have broken His Law the Ten Commandments and you deserve your just punishment. But He did it for you if you are willing to believe, repent, and follow Him.

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds, 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. Isaiah 53:4-6

He is calling you today to lay down your life, to lay down your ways of sin and lawlessness. To look at yourself with honest and sober judgment. To understand that in His eyes you are a lawbreaker. He commands that you shall not lie, steal, hate, covet, murder, lust, and worship only Him.

You are a criminal in His eyes, yet He is compassionate, merciful, and willing to give you chance to live and be redeemed. But you must turn away from your life of sin by repenting and forsaking your old ways. You must give up your life, follow Him, and do what He says and commands. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Cry out to the Lord God Almighty and ask Him to forgive you and to save you from an eternity in His prison for sinners He calls Hell. It is a real place of punishment and torment. I do not want you to have to suffer for your own sins there. There is not much time left. He is coming back soon for those who are His. How much time do you have left? No one knows. Repent today that your sins may be forgiven.

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10

Yes, He will have to send all unrepentant sinners to be punished for all eternity. Either you allow Jesus to pay for your sins or you will have to pay for them yourself for all eternity. 

But God loves you so much He has made a way that you may be saved. Please turn from your sins, and take a hold of the gift God is holding out to you. Cry out for forgiveness that you may be saved and not cut off away from the presence of the Lord forever. 

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.” Acts 2:38-39

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18