Ed Christian's World

The Sacrifice Mystery…

Every day in the Temple of Jerusalem, priests offered up the morning sacrifice at about 9 o’clock. Interesting because Jesus is the fulfillment of all sacrifices.

He was offered up at the third hour – 9 o’clock, when the morning sacrifice was being offered. The evening sacrifice was offered up in the afternoon about 3 o’clock.

Jesus’s sacrifice finished in the 9th hour when the evening sacrifice was offered. Just as the morning sacrifice was offered up every day, so Jesus’s sacrifice covers every morning of your life.

His mercies are new every morning. As the evening sacrifice was offered up every night, so Jesus’s sacrifice is good for every night. In your times of darkness, His faithfulness will cover you. As His sacrifice spanned the hours connecting the two, Jesus’s sacrifice is good for all the time in between, every moment of your life.

Every morning give Him praise and every night give Him thanks. In between, live your life as your offering of love to Him.

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:24-28

Start your day praising Jesus and remain in His holy presence throughout the day. Let His love shine through you wherever you are.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Jesus and The Sixth Day…

Yom Ha Shishi means “the sixth day.” It begins Thursday night and ends Friday at sundown. It’s the day of our redemption – it’s exact. The Passion began as Yom Ha Shishi began – Thursday night.

It started with Passover, the last supper, at sundown. Jesus was betrayed, arrested, tried, and crucified at the beginning of Yom Ha Shishi. It ended, as Yom Ha Shishi was ending. At sundown, He was taken down from the cross, laid in the tomb, the stone rolled in place.

In Genesis, the Lord finished His works – He rested. That’s why as Yom Ha Shishi was drawing to a close, He said “It is finished.” Your redemption was finished on Yom Ha Shishi.

You don’t have to struggle, work, or accomplish it. Your walk, future victory, forgiveness, all that you will be – finished. Stop struggling and start receiving it.

Jesus didn’t redeem you on the first, second, or third day. Then there would be something missing; work yet to be done. He redeemed you on Yom Ha Shishi. He said, “It is finished.” Then He rested. You do the same.

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. Matthew 27:47-50

Seek today to live in Yom Shishi, the end of the Sixth Day, as Jesus did. Stop trying to do it on your own. Let go and start resting in God’s finished work. And do all things in that.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Jesus’s Coming & The End Of Jerusalem…

Palm Sunday” was more than just a nice holiday. Centuries before Jesus entered the city gates, the prophet Daniel was given a revelation. An exact mathematical countdown to the coming of Jesus in Daniel 9:25:

“Know and understand….the issuing of the decree, to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Mashiach, Messiah, there will be seven sevens and sixty two sevens.”

Palm Sunday is Daniel 9 fulfilled – Messiah coming to Jerusalem to be “cut off”; to be killed. There were two sides to Palm Sunday; the receiving and the rejection of Jesus.

After Jesus’s coming, being cut off, and Jerusalem’s rejection, the city, temple, and sanctuary were destroyed by the armies of Rome. A destruction which still affects us today.

There are two sides of Jesus’s coming: two possibilities and two consequences. The city and the person who receives Him is blessed; but the city and the person who rejects Him is left desolate.

It is also true that we reject His presence in our lives as believers. But if you let Him in, your life shall become blessed, and full of glory.

And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:27

Let God come into every part of your life and walk – and have His way.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Lamb For Each…

On “Palm Sunday” crowds received Jesus into Jerusalem. Today, crowds of believers, crowd into churches to celebrate the receiving of Jesus. Palm Sunday is really an ancient Hebrew holy day. It’s the tenth of Nisan; the day that was given to receive the lamb.

It’s an amazing thing that the Lamb of God entered Jerusalem on that day to be received. The original commandment for the tenth of Nisan doesn’t say that it was for crowds of people to receive the lamb. It says they were EACH to receive the lamb.

That’s the key. Jesus didn’t die for crowds – He died for you – personally. That’s the only way to receive Him. Have you become just part of the crowd?

Jesus did not simply die for all – He died for each – for you. He loves, not simply all – He loves each – He loves you. That’s the way you’ll find your blessing and know Him and His love. Receive Him today anew, personally, as the One who gave His life and His love for you, personally.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Exodus 12:1-6

Rejoice! For the Lamb of God has come for you. Open your heart today and receive His blessings and His everlasting love.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Exaggerating the Massiah…

The Koran of Islam is filled with historical errors. One of those amazing errors or statements in the Koran is a statement directed at believers in Yeshua, Jesus. It says, “Oh people of the Scripture do not exaggerate in your religion, the Messiah, Jesus, Son of Mary.”

The Koran calls Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah, but doesn’t understand what the Messiah is. The Messiah is the one who reconciles man to God. Messiah is the one who becomes a light to the nations.

Jesus is the one who brings peace, first spiritually, then physically to the world; who will make the lion and the calf lie down together, who will usher in the Kingdom and reign upon the throne of David.

Jesus is the one who redeems us for everlasting joy. So you, people of Scripture, followers of the Anointed One, the Messiah, don’t stop lifting up the Lord.

You can’t speak enough about Him. You can’t praise Him enough. You can’t rejoice enough about Him. You can’t lift Him up enough. Don’t worry about exaggerating Jesus. You couldn’t if you wanted to. He is just too great. He’s the Messiah.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16

Praise Jesus all through the day, lift Him up in prayer, sing His praises with a joyful heart, share Jesus with others; again I say, rejoice!

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Prince Of Tears…

The rabbis of Judaism say Jewish people can’t believe in Yeshua, Jesus, because Judaism doesn’t believe that one man can die for the sins of others.

But written in an old mystical book of rabbinic Judaism by the rabbis, it says this, “When God wants to bring healing to the world, He strikes a righteous man among them with disease and sufferings. Through him He gives healing to all.

As it is written, He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed.” Even in the mystical writings of rabbinical Judaism, you can find the atonement coming through; striking a righteous man.

And even though most Rabbis deny it, it says right there that Isaiah 53 is about a Redeemer dying for our sins. As it is written He died for our sins that we would be healed. It’s true, someone gave His life for you.

He was wounded for your transgression. He was bruised for your iniquities. Live all out holy, completely and entirely for Him, because even the rabbis agree. Someone died for you.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2

Surrender yourself completely to Jesus. Live a life worthy of the One who gave His life to make it worthy.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Golden Calf Civilization

It is a potentially stunning discovery – and no matter what, a fascinating one. Archaeologists have claimed to have located the mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

The findings go against the traditional association of the events with the Sinai peninsula. The archaeologists believe that the event took place on the Saudi Arabian side of the Red Sea. The evidence they’ve presented is captivating.

The Biblical account records that when the Israelites approached the site, Mount Sinai was burning, smoking and on fire. The researchers identify the mountain as Jabal Maqla. The mountain is unique in being crowned by blackened peaks as if a fire had scorched it.

The Biblical account speaks of the parting of the Red Sea and the Israelites walking through its midst. The researchers believe that the most likely crossing point is a site now known as Nuweiba Beach as studies have revealed land paths beneath the water. Further they point to the evidence uncovered by Swedish scientist Lennart Moller as the remnants of a fleeing army. Further, they point to the shapes of chariots encased in the coral beneath the sea.

The Bible records that on the way to Sinai, Moses split a rock in two and from that rock gushed forth water. On the path to the mountain Jabal Maqla is a towering rock on a large hill – split down the middle. The area receives very little rainfall – but the rock and the hill on which it rests show signs of massive water erosion.

The Biblical account records that Moses built an altar of uncut stones at the bottom of Mount Sinai and there set up twelve pillars to stand for the twelve tribes of Israel. At the bottom of Jabal Maqla are the ruins of an ancient altar of uncut stones of granite. Beside the altar appear to be small ancient pillars of marble. Nine pillar have been found and several broken pieces of marble can be found scattered throughout the site.

The Bible records that when Moses came down from Sinai, he found the Israelites worshiping a golden calf they had made. Near Jabal Maqla is a stone platform that could have served as a pedestal on which an object of worship was placed (as in a golden calf). Most fascinating is what surrounds the platform – depictions of people worshiping bulls and cows. The Bible records that those who worshiped the golden calf that day were slain. Near the pedestal are signs of an ancient graveyard.

Whether or not the evidence is born out as Biblical Mount Sinai, it remains a fascinating discovery. And more important than where the law was actually given is that we keep God’s word by following it in our lives. And in a nation that has removed the Ten Commandments from its public halls, and has increasingly censored His Word, it is all the more crucial that we uphold His ways in our actions, our walks, our words, our stands, and our lives. Make that your aim today – and may God greatly bless you as you do!

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Proverbs 3:1-2

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Floating Palace…

People have the idea that the Titanic struck an iceberg and then sank. Instead, the Titanic scraped along the iceberg and it didn’t sink until several hours later.

At the beginning there seemed to be no change at all. Everything was still level and solid, and only a few people even saw the scraping. People were playing cards and they saw the iceberg through the windows.

The general feeling was that there wasn’t any real damage. The waters began flooding the chambers. It still seemed steady, though it was mortally wounded, its’ fate was sealed. The band continued to play as if everything was fine. But it wasn’t, there was a limited time left.

That’s a real picture of life. It seems steady, but it’s an illusion. Beware of growing comfortable in a sinking ship. No matter how much it glitters, it’s still sinking and will take your eyes off what is really happening.

Put your treasure in what you can’t lose. Jesus is the Rock. Build your hope on Him, for all other ground is sinking sand or like the Titanic.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

Don’t get comfortable in this world. Remember you are just passing through. You are Heaven bound. Seek to see everything today in that light.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Don’t Feed The Scapegoat…

I knew a lady who would feed squirrels. Since she always had food for them, they would come back for more. As a kid, I used to sneak food under the table for my dog that was always waiting for more.

Have you noticed that some parks have “no feeding” signs? That’s because if you feed an animal, it will come back for more. Scapegoats were animals.

On the day of Yom Kippur, the scapegoat that received the sins of the people was led out of the camp, and never seen again. No one tried to feed it.

In Jesus, past sins are taken away. And once they’ve been taken away, don’t feed them. You feed the scapegoat when you dwell on past sins. And what you feed will come back for more. So stop dwelling on all those negative things of the past–that guilt, that regret, or that mistake.

If it’s been given to Jesus, then it’s gone. If you stop feeding it, it will go away. So when you are tempted to dwell on past sins, remember that in the Lord there’s a big sign-“No feeding the scapegoat.”

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12

Stop feeding the goat! Don’t dwell on things of the past, your failures or sins. In Jesus, He chooses to remember them no more. He paid the price for you, so you too remember these things no more.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Hidden Inside The Tower…

Proverbs 18:10 says “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.” But what does that mean? The name of the Lord is His authority, His identity, Him.

To run into the name of the Lord means to get inside His identity, inside Him. During Passover, the ancient Israelites had to get inside the house with the lamb to be safe.

So it is with you. Salvation means getting your life inside His life. Get your name inside His name, your weaknesses inside His strength, your unrighteousness inside His righteousness, and your sins inside His holiness. When you run into a tower, you disappear. It’s no longer you that live, but Him. Is your life showing or is His?

Is your ego showing or is He evident? If your life is still showing, it’s not safe. Get covered. Get your life, heart, emotions, sins, fears, ego, ambition, and everything else inside the Name, identity, authority and will of God.

If you want to be safe, then disappear into Him. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. Run into it, and be safe.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

Get your life fully into the Tower of His Name. Submerge yourself into His name – and His name will be your strong tower.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed