Coffee With The Lord

What the Bible says was a big deal to Jesus (and should be to us)!  He treated Scripture with the highest integrity and sought to fulfill what it prophesied to the most exacting detail!  I was so impressed with this emphasis today in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord!”  Even in his dying hours at the crucifixion you find these words…

“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.  But the tunic was seamless, woven in one peace from top to bottom, so they said to one another ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” THIS WAS TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE WHICH SAYS, ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.’” (Fulfillment of Psalm 22:18)

And how about this one (found in the next verses in John)… “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE), ‘I thirst!’ (fulfilling Psalm 69:21)  A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.  When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished!’ and bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.”  Think about it, His concern, even in that excruciating moment was the fulfillment of Scripture.

One more… same context.  Even in His death, the bones of Jesus were not broken and His side was pierced.  The Bible says, “These things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken!” (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; and Psalm 34:20 fulfilling the imagery, as the “Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” of the “Passover Lamb!”) and another Scripture that says, ‘They will look on the one they have pierced. (fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10)’”

(All of these instances are found in John 19)

Is it any wonder then, that you find these words in Jesus’ mouth… “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matthew 5:17–19)

I just want to say… I want to hold the Bible in the same high regard as my Savior, Jesus Christ, and expect, and commit myself, to its complete fulfillment just as He did!

This morning during my Bible reading as a part of “coffee with the Lord” I read again part of John’s account of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, brutal suffering, and crucifixion.  As I reflected on the Biblical account and the unjust and sordid details I was overcome with deep, profound, and heartfelt appreciation for my Savior’s sacrifice, His submission to His Heavenly Father’s redemptive plan, and its life transforming impact on my life and potentially that of the whole world!  I experienced grief and gratefulness at the same time!  I wept, I worshipped, and withheld nothing as I recommitted my life one more time to following my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, with all my heart!

In my reflection on that event, these prophetic, predictive, words from Isaiah 53, flooded my mind and heart…

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces.  He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.  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.”  (From Isaiah 53:3–6 ESV)

In the words of Apostle Paul… “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” (II Corinthians 9:15)  Thank you Lord Jesus, for offering Yourself sacrificially on our behalf!  I’m so grateful!!!

There are some things (a lot of things really) that are more important than money, possessions, and personal wealth!  One of those things… In fact, one that really at the top of the pile, is integrity!

One definition of integrity is:  “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”  I’d add to that “authenticity, inside – out!  Remaining true to yourself, your values, and God – regardless of the pressure or the personal cost!”

Can you think of a living example you know personally?  I’d of course identify my Dad, Ewalt W. Bartel – I watched him stand for what he believed in and maintain his integrity regardless the pressure… Never once, do I remember him compromising his values, his Christian testimony or denying the Lord Jesus Christ by his behavior or words!

And then there is Jesus… the greatest example of integrity I know!  I’ve decided to follow Him!

Here’s what I read in Proverbs this morning on the subject…

“Better is a poor person who walks in his [or her] integrity than a rich person who is crooked in speech and a fool.”

Oh Lord, help me … regardless of the pressure, regardless of the temptations, regardless of my station in life… Help me, by your strength and power, to maintain my integrity!