Thursday, February 25, 2016
Matthew 26:56 "But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."
A FAITHFUL SACRIFICE
Islam has a doctrine called taqiyya, which essentially allows an individual to lie about his faith if he is under persecution. It's sort of a safety net so that faithful followers don't have to suffer hardship or even martyrdom. What a stunning contrast between that doctrine and Christ! In His moment of greatest peril, Jesus defended the very thing that would seal His death sentence: The Scriptures. His main priority was faithfulness to God's Word for you and me. He didn't have to suffer and die. He wasn't risking His neck for Himself. His priority was for the lost.
This contrast should lead people to question the worth of following a religion that isn't even worth dying for. Certainly, no sane individual seeks out persecution and martyrdom, but the value of faith shows itself when trials do arise. What is the point of trusting in God if He cannot deliver in the toughest moments, even when our lives are on the line?
Because Jesus fulfilled and defended the Scriptures, we have a living hope as Christians. When our lives are put to the test, we can have confidence that God will work everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). We don't need an "out" just to spare ourselves some temporary hardship. We have an eternal promise of life from God and no enemy can take that away. Christians from the very beginning have counted themselves worthy to die for the honor and glory of Christ. They would rather suffer the worst for Jesus than deny Him for themselves. Christians have that attitude because it first came from Jesus. "This is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith" (1 John 5:4).
