CONSOLATION PRICE...
The valuation of the message that brings hope was initiated at the Mercy-seat; the throne of God Almighty, where He is seated in a cloud. At that place of atonement, God looks beyond the broken law; He considers the precious blood of Jesus that atones for our sins.
This costly initiative of God for our sake brings comfort and rest to our souls. The guilt of sin is taken away; the peace that results expels fear. Thus, to comfort involves our response to its need and our walk alongside to cheer, to guide and on occasion, to defend.
God is the only source of true comfort- in fact; each member of the Blessed Trinity is a comforter. “Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God (who is the source) of every comfort (consolation and encouragement)” 2Corinthians 1: 3 (AMP).
Blood is the seat of life and therefore has an essential role with sacrifices, which is important for atonement, hence the Blood of Jesus. The result of this atonement is newness, a reconciliation of God and man is thus effected. The sacrifice of the blood of Jesus by a merciful Father is for the restoration of lost fellowship with man. It is God’s reach of solace to our wearied souls, thus we can draw near to God with a similar response. It is the call of Jesus Christ to give rest to all that are weary and burdened- Matthew 11: 28.
This announcement is God’s message of comfort to His people. “Comfort, Comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to the heart of Jerusalem and cry to her that her time of service and warfare are ended... her iniquity is pardoned” Isaiah 40: 1 & 2 (AMP) As Christians who have received the forgiveness of our sins through Christ, we are also called to a mission of comforting other people that are hurting. We are to proclaim the message of liberty to the downhearted. The expectation of a satisfactory future depends on our faithfulness to God.
There is an ultimate hope in this New Covenant (Jeremiah 31: 31). The hope of Israel is fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ. The hope we have despite tribulations of this present life, the hope that Christians have through baptism into Christ embarked upon a road that will result in being partakers of God’s glory. ...“and let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God” Romans 5: 2b (AMP).
God’s promises to the Jews have now been inherited by those of us that are called by His name- Christians who are the faithful remnants ... “it is not everybody who is a descendant of Jacob (Israel) who belongs to (the true) Israel” Romans 9: 6b (AMP). James in his letter to the Church addresses her as “the twelve tribes scattered abroad”... James 1: 1 (AMP). Apostle Paul also regards the Church comprising both Jews and Gentiles as ...“the (true) Israel of God!” Galatians 6: 16. Jesus’ choice of the twelve indicates some sort of continuing relationship to the twelve tribes of Israel. “Jesus said to them, truly I say to you, in the new age (the Messianic rebirth of the world) when the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you who have (become my disciples, sided with my party and) followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel” Matthew 19: 28 (AMP).
This is the consolation we have; the hope of peace, mercy and grace for as many as follow the rule; who seek salvation in the cross and who are brethren - these are the Israel of God. They may not be Jews by birth but they are God’s people because of their faith in Jesus Christ. ...“with your blood you purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation” Revelation 5: 9 (AMP).
The consolation we already bear for the marks of Jesus on us- the scars of both physical and emotional persecution, the fruits of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Self-Control, Meekness and Humility as found in Galatians 5: 22 & 23), the burden of others that we carry (Galatians 6: 2), our allegiance as soldiers of Christ, our marks of consecration as devotees to Christ and the marks we bear because we do not conform to world systems and norms.
This is the comfort we receive for Christ purchased our freedom; He redeemed us from the curse of the law and its condemnation by Himself becoming a curse for us. ...“for it is written (in the scriptures), cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified)” Galatians 3: 13b (AMP). Jesus Christ partook in the physical nature of humans, that by going through death, He might make of no effect, him who had the power of death – that is the devil (Hebrews 2: 14). He atoned for our freedom with His blood so as to rescue and deliver us from this present wicked age and world order (Galatians 1: 4).
Beloved Church of God, it is for this reason I must emphasize that it is our consolation price that Christ paid. This is our reassurance, with regard to hope and the resurrection of the dead. He says ...“Then you will be blessed (happy, fortunate and to be envied), because they (the world) have no way of repaying you, and you will be recompensed at the resurrection of the just (upright)” Luke 14: 14 (AMP).
This is our consolation price!!!
ayanfeLAMPROS