Try the latest Words of Life as Spotify Podcasts.

Tip: To see latest Words of Life, use Refine Search to list by Year. If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.

Because of the Good Friday festival, we should all be aware of what the great sacrifice of Christ means for us each day. Of course, most of us that give thanks over this festival, are descendants from the Gentile Nations who existed at the time of this event, as recorded in the temptation of Christ in Matthew 4:8-10 “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Our Lord knew that even though all the nations worshipped various false gods, there was always a plan to offer them in God’s time, the opportunity to be part of the Kingdom of God. Many places in the Holy Bible pointed to this. Some are –

1921 – year B.C. – Genesis 12:3 – Promise to Abram. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Approximately 1,000 B.C. – Psalm 49:1. “Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.”

740 years B.C. to 700 years B.C. – Isaiah 9:2. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Isaiah 11:10. “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

Also, Isaiah 25:8; 28:16; 42:1; 49:6. 500 years B.C. Haggai 2:7, Zechariah 6:12-15. Up to the birth of Christ – Luke 2:10. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

If the Gentile Nations were to be allowed access to God and His Grace, they would have to be forgiven for all their past lives. There could only be one who could intercede for them all. He who had won sufficient righteousness to cover the sins of the world. Our Lord knew as He suffered on the cross, that God’s people, the Jewish Nation, had rejected Him, when they declared to Pilate – Matthew 27:25 “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”   He knew that in time God would call His people back to the great promise that had been rejected.  Romans 11:27 “For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”  Our Lord then had to prepare the Gentile Nations to become Children of God, and on the cross He asked His Father – Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  We see in those words one of the greatest victories of our Lord. Satan’s work over hundreds of years was lost in that one day. The request will stand to the end of the world and is still ongoing in the world.

This fulfilled His right granted to Him, 1,000 years before – Psalm 2:7-8 “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”

As we offer thanks for the many blessings won on the cross, let us also remember this great gift granted to us who come from the Gentile Nations. Psalm 8:1 “0 Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.”