WILL YOU TRUST CHRIST AS DID THE GREAT “CLOUD OF WITNESSES”?

© 2016 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Scripture describes a great “cloud of witnesses” who had faith in Christ (Hebrews 11:1-12:2).    They had faith in His redeeming work, which would not take place until centuries later.  Because of their faith they could say,

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12).

Scripture says,

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

Their faith was vindicated when Jesus came as promised.  His miraculous birth to His virgin mother, Mary, had been wondrously announced, by angels, to shepherds in the field.  In accordance with Scriptural requirements, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph, had now travelled to Jerusalem with the newborn Jesus.

“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;” (Luke 2:22).

There they met a man named Simeon.  He was a man of faith as were the cloud of witnesses before him.  Scripture describes Simeon as follows:

“…the Holy Ghost was upon him.  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,  Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation …” (Luke 2:25-30).

Then, as Simeon blessed them, he said to Mary, Jesus’ mother,

“(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), …” (Luke 2:35).

He was revealing to Mary that, when her Son, Jesus, died for the sins of His people, she would suffer the pain of observing His agonizing death of redemption.  Mary was destined to witness what the great cloud of witnesses, before her, had so long anticipated.

Have you joined the great “cloud of witnesses” trusting Jesus Christ, the only Savior?

 

 

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