"Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." - John 19:28-30
There is not a parent on earth that has not heard the phrase; "I already did it" uttered from their child's mouth. There have been no words spoken in humanity with such authority and confidence that has been backed with so little evidence and support. Whether we are discussing the cleaning of one's bedroom, to taking out the trash - all of it - to completing homework, the response is almost always the same: "I already did it."
The last couple of days I've had the great pleasure to speak with my college roommate from my Wittenberg days. We have been best of friends for over 25 years. The truth of the matter is that there are few people I've encountered that display a stronger commitment to their faith and who consistently live a life that embodies a belief in Jesus Christ, and who He says He is, than Todd.
Billy Graham says; "that Jesus Christ was either a liar, a lunatic, or He is who He say's he is." Revered Graham went on to say that at the age of 17 he decided by faith to believe in who Jesus Christ says He is.
Like Mr. Graham, Todd is a man of tremendous faith.
There are times I'm so touched and encouraged by his bold faith that I can literally sense the presence of God, while at other moments insecurity and inadequacy creep in and I'm overwhelmed with becoming acquainted with a type of embarrassment I wish not to become accustomed to.
Both feelings are a blessing. One has the ability to encourage, the other has the ability to inspire. I will leave you to decide which one does what.
In the end, Todd makes me want to be a better man. He always has and I'm confident he always will.
And it was during our discussion that Todd shared with me that the Hebrew language is considered the "language of faith."
He said that it was during his visit to Israel last year with his mother that he heard a man by the name of Joseph Prince talking about the work of Robert Young. Young was biblical scholar who lived in Scotland during the 1800's. His greatest work was his Bible translation effort entitled; "Young's Literal Translation."
In studying Young's work Prince discovered that he talks about the Hebrew language having a past tense and a present tense, but not a future tense. And it's because of this, Joseph Prince calls the Hebrew language the "language of faith", because the Lord doesn't look at things potentially happening in the future, but considers them done already:
"The God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they are."
-Romans 4:17
Prince went on to say as a side note, that in some of our translations of Bibles we may read verses that speak of potential or future possibilities, when really they might be more accurately translated as present or past (having already been done). Joseph Prince teaches we need to speak and act as God sees us -- already having been blessed, healed, etc...
We need to recognize he has already did it... It is finished.
In closing, Isaiah 53:4-5 shares this with the reader:
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But
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."
What is important to pay close attention to in this piece of scripture are the words: sorrow & peace.
God has already worked in our suffering, pain; our sorrow.
He has already provided the peace.
All we have to do is acknowledge him as the source (Ephesians 1:3). Our outward circumstance might not change, but inwardly God has completed his work concerning our suffering... he took up our pain and bore our suffering. And with that we have the knowledge that we are provided with His peace in each and every circumstance.
Out of suffering we can grow in our faith, in our maturity, and yes we can grow in God's peace.
Once we experience that type of growth we are free to share and to give it to others in their time of need. Remember, anything that draws us closer to God is always a good thing for us, and for others.
All we have to do is acknowledge and invite Him into our hearts; into our lives.
God has already done everything.
It's done... for real this time, it really is done.
sbb 30.11.12
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