Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morshire's For Zion's Toy. The manner in which the
everlasting God, who inhabits eternity, has revealed himself
to corrupt men in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
This is a mystery which cannot in any wise be fully fathomed
by any who are mortal, even in this age wherein the full scope
of his ministry has now been manifested. That he who is without
beginning or end should take upon himself the flesh and blood
of a man and subject himself to the death of a condemned sinner
is beyond natural comprehension. We do not claim to fully understand
how it could be so, but according to the gift of faith we do cast
all of our hopes upon that very fact and repudiate all contrary
teaching. The deity of Christ was never
fully apparent to those who knew him in the flesh until after
his ascension. His community and family were
not completely knowledgeable of the role he fulfilled as a
prophet, much less as the only begotten son of God, who came
into their midst as an infant and whom they saw grow up before
their very eyes. The fact that he dwelt with them
for approximately 30 years before embarking on the three years
of ministry which manifested his role as a savior and defined
his teaching as the word of God did not fully convince them of
who he really is. If anyone should have known him
by nature, it would be his own mother and her husband Joseph.
Both had been given a heavenly message concerning his birth
and name, and both had watched him as he grew up to be a fine
young lad of twelve years old. Yet they could but marvel at
his actions here in the temple as he mildly rebuked them for
their lack of perception of God's purpose. This is not to say that
they were not from time to time astonished at his demeanor and
conduct as a young child and then an adult. Sometimes we hear
parents remark about how well behaved and perceptive their
children are. We seldom see them in the same
light and often wonder what children they are speaking of. Yet here
was the Lord Jesus as a young boy who never lied, was never
selfish, was perfectly obedient to his parents at all times.
He was indeed a special child and surely Mary and Joseph recognized
it. Yet there was an aspect of him
which they could not fully see, which was out of the realm of
the flesh to perceive. This is that which can only be
seen by the eye of faith, which sight is not that of flesh, but
of the Spirit. It is that which is only seen
as God is pleased to open a man's eye and grant him the gift of
faith. It would be an understatement to say that the vast majority
of professing Christians in this age believe that they are Christians
because they have made some sort of choice to be, joined some
organization purporting to be the or a church, been baptized,
catechized, or else instructed to be. They can tell you the
time and the hour when they believed or joined up. Some even have
certificates to prove it. Many will argue for hours to
prove that their church or organization is the true one, in the mistaken
belief that by being a member of such puts them in an elite
and certain position of salvation. Do you know that Jesus Christ
is the eternal Lord of glory, who inhabits eternity and does
according to his will in the army of heaven and among the
inhabitants of the earth, that there is none that can stay his
hand or question his doing? Do you know that Jesus Christ
has loved his people which were hidden and chosen in him from
before the foundation of the world with an everlasting and
unchanging love? Do you know that Jesus Christ
has obtained eternal redemption for those whose names were written
on his breast by his blameless life, his awful ignominious death,
his glorious resurrection, and his triumphant ascension to sit
at his Father's side where he ever liveth to make intercession
for them? Do you know that Jesus Christ did take upon Himself
the sin of His people as their substitute and has imputed His
righteousness to them, so that He does present His elect bride
to His Father as one without spot or blemish? Do you know
that Jesus Christ does send His Spirit into the world to give
eternal life unto as many as are ordained to it, even as many
as the Lord our God shall call? In this miracle of the new birth,
they are awakened from the deadness of their sins, given faith and
cause to hear and believe on Jesus Christ, whom they gladly
embrace, worship, and follow. Do you know that those who believe
are indwelt by His Spirit and confess that it is not by works
of righteousness that they have done, but according to His grace
and mercy that they are saved? Lo, here is a feast of delicate
food, for prodigals dressed, yet costly and good. Our Father
provided this lamb for a treat, and if you are minded, you freely
may eat. None other repast my spirit would
have. Thy flesh let me taste sweet
lamb, and yet crave. Thy blood ever flowing, my pleasant
cup be. Thy fleece on earth growing,
make clothing for me. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.