THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
When a certain company first developed oil burners for heat, they wanted to be sure and advertise it.
So they gave away 2,500 shovels to people who used coal in their homes.
On each shovel was a sticker that said, "If you had one of our oil burners, you'd be upstairs relaxing instead of down here!"
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________SCRIPTURE__________________________________
John 18:6-7
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
KJV
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________THOUGHT____________________________________
See the heart of the Shepherd for the sheep!
Isaiah says, "as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)
Jesus would not open His mouth in His own defense, but in defense of His disciples He spoke boldly, powerfully.
Jesus spoke with Almighty power when He said, "I am HE!"
The Authority with which He spoke made them fall backward to the ground!
As He owned His purpose to die for our freedom, He owned His Person before the soldiers.
Soldiers came with arms to arrest Jesus.
They might have arrested all that were with Him.
Peter took a sword and chopped off the ear of a soldier.
But Jesus healed the ear that fighting might not ensue for the disciples might have been killed in the fracas.
Jesus' words to "let these go their way," were indicative of His trial that night and crucifixion the following day.
He came to set us free!
The power of freedom from sin's slavery was released at the ransom paid by the Son of God on the cross of Calvary!
Moses pled with Pharoah nine times, "let my people go."
But Jesus speaks ONCE, and men are freed from the grasp of Satan!
And even today, when Jesus speaks for a repentant lost soul, Satan and sin must release that soul from slavery!
The atonement has been made, the price has been paid, and we are freed by the Son of God!
And one day, soon I believe, He will come again.
THEN, at the sound of His voice, even death will release the captives, and believers bodies will be raised from the graves!
He is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" with power to ROAR for His captives' release!
For He has lost, and shall "lose NONE" of those who surrender to Him!
Love ya!
Bruce