Day 275 Who Am I?

 

10/2/2025

"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints,

this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles,

the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the 

fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has

been hidden in God who created all things through Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 3:8-9  

 

When Paul was writing to the church at Ephesus, he wrote these words, humbled by the fact that God had chosen him to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to the gentile nations. He considered himself the "chiefest of sinners," after being responsible for the ill treatment towards Christians prior to his encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus. Paul was a "Pharisee of the Pharisees," as he called himself, and he even participated in the stoning death of Stephen, a follower of Christ. When he met Jesus, he was on his way to Damascus with papers in his hands to arrest and drag off other members of "The Way" as Jesus' followers were called. Paul had an amazing encounter with the Lord as recorded in Acts 9, and his life drastically changed after that. Such is the way with our Lord who relentlessly pursues those He calls.

I can identify with Paul about being the chiefest of sinners, as God has forgiven me much. Like Paul I had grown up in the faith. My Rabbi/Teacher was Jesus, but I was way too young to understand many things then. Later, as I truly grew up, I sat at my Master's feet and learned much. In fact, I am still learning and never plan to stop. Paul was truly educated in Torah and the Prophets, and all the Old Testaments scrolls and writings, yet like his other orthodox Jewish contemporaries, he missed the details of Jesus' existence that are so obviously written throughout the Old Testaments scriptures, especially the prophets. It is interesting to me that back in early days, the religious leaders missed it reading the Old Testament, and today, there are actually pastors and teachers who disregard the Old Testament believing that only the New Testament is pertinent. Even so, they miss important facts and teach that the Jewish people have no  part in the message of salvation today, because they rejected Jesus. Somehow they get the idea that salvation comes through the church, not the Jews. I have written about Replacement Theology previously, and one quick read of Romans 11 will cancel out that erroneous theory; however, it hasn't for many who insist on having things their way. I guess what God says throughout the entire Bible, or the fact that Jesus is a Jew Himself, doesn't matter. One day it will! The enemy has truly blinded the eyes of so many people. I pray that the scales will fall off their eyes, as they did for Paul.

This morning Pastor Jack was sharing the scripture above from Ephesians, and he emphasized that any value or wealth, any meaning or purpose we feel we have is all wrapped up in Jesus. Because of God's grace and mercy, we have been given the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, and it is through Christ alone we have any purpose or meaning in life. Nothing else matters. Only Jesus. Like Paul, I cannot understand why He would love me and want me. Who am I? I owe Him my life.

Today the Israel observed the Day of Atonement, as I shared yesterday, and it is indeed a solemn day of fasting and repentance. No work is allowed to include no bathing or any type of grooming, just total humbling before God, seeking His presence. For the orthodox Jews, they cry out for Messiah to come, and for the Messianic Jewish people, the cry for His return is heard. Tonight after the sun set, and the day was over, there was feasting and celebration. Soon the Feast of Tabernacles will be celebrated, a happy period of time, but the day of remembrance of the massacre by Hamas of their people on 10/7/2023 will make it a sad time, as hostages still remain in the hands of the enemy. Plans for peace are on the table, but like so many times before, the enemy is holding back. Our prayers is for an end to this nightmare for the hostages to return home, but also for the families of those who wait. For many their loved ones will return dead, and for the living, their condition is uncertain. For many of the survivors, as well as the soldiers who have been injured, or those so damaged mentally with PTSD, years of therapy await. So we stand, and we wait, and we pray. Our faith is in Jesus Christ, so we pray for the salvation of those who do not yet know that Messiah has come, and He will be returning soon. Only true peace can be found in Him.

This morning I was listening to the words of a song by Jesus Image that I sing over my life, but I cannot help but make it a prayer for all of Israel and over all who need salvation so desperately:

VERSE
Blood of Christ
Wash over me
Wash over me
Though sin has stained me

Blood of Christ
Come speak for me
My covering
It is Your Glory

CHORUS
We need the Blood
We plead the Blood
Receive the Blood
The Blood of Christ

VERSE
Perfect Lamb
And Highest Priest
Poured out Yourself
For all to drink

The Offerer
And Offering
You took the cup
And so will we

CHORUS
We need the Blood
We plead the Blood
Receive the Blood
The Blood of Christ

BRIDGE
What tore the veil
What empties hell
What never fails
Only the Blood

What testifies
What prophesies
Your Death is Life
Only the Blood

Only the Blood of Jesus Christ" 

May it be our prayer for all our loved ones - our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends. We need the blood of Christ to cover us and set us free. Nothing but the blood of Jesus.