WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25
Scripture: Matthew 12:14-18

In Matthew 12:14-18 we are told, “Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Yet He warned them not to make Him known, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying: ‘Behold ! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.’” One key purpose of choosing was to declare judgment. Christ qualified for declaring judgment. Declaring judgment to the Gentiles was part of salvation. Judgment is the major motivator for salvation in the last days. Is the church of today fully motivating people toward salvation? Remember, the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom! If Jesus is the firstborn among many brethren that means that same purpose is shared by us. That is exactly what that means. The question is, what are we going to do with it? We have been taught the opposite of this purpose of our being chosen. How often have we heard, ‘Do not judge’? That is not what Jesus was teaching, His point in both Matthew 7 and Luke 6 was, do not judge like the hypocrites judge. This is so different than what is presently being emphasized in so many places. We were chosen for an eternal purpose that demands judgment to be accomplished. Paul says it in 2 Timothy 1:8, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.” The purpose for which we were chosen may very well come with adversity and we should not let that deter us, instead we should let that knowledge move us toward God’s Word and His might. Here we go! Let the storm begin! Accept it like a good soldier! Let’s fortify and gird up our minds, hearts and bodies to participate in God’s eternal purposes. The path may not be easy, but rest assured, it will be worth it.