Of which salvation the prophets have inquired
1 Peter 1 10/13
When we begin to examine the Word of God we see men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses who lived before or in the dispensation of the law. “And these all having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise, yet God provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” After reviewing the reports of their faith and patience, and then hearing Paul say that God has provided some better things for us, should cause us to sing with joy; worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb that was slain.
The church age was not known by the prophets they did nor foresee it yet the incarnation, suffering and the redemption was known by the prophets; they themselves did not know the time when these things should be. They inquired accurately, earnestly, and searched diligently when the Messiah’s kingdom would come. They were looking for a better place, they desired a better country, and many of the Jews are still looking for the Messiah to come.
Our focus will determine our future, if our mind is on the things of this world, the activity of the day, the stock market, the rise and fall of the economy, or what will be the price of gas, will I be able to pay my rent, then the days ahead may be bleak. Remember sufficient for the day is the evil thereof, David said that he had never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
So when we are looking unto Jesus, our focus is clear our mind is alert our body is strong and our future is bright. The possibilities of tomorrow are unlimited when our mind is stayed on Jesus. Don’t allow the cares of this world, to distort your focus, dim your vision or alter you purpose. Just keep looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
From the Garden of Eden until the veil in the temple was rent in twain at the death of Christ. Men offered sacrifices to atone for their sins. Abel, Noah, Abraham, Jacob and Moses build at altar and offered up a sacrifice to the Lord, they were all LOOKING UNTO JESUS.
From the very first sacrifice that was made, blood was offered unto God, but these sacrifices were only types of what would happen when the promise was fulfilled that God had made unto man in the Garden of Eden, “that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head.”
The prophets of old gave us types and shadows of the true sacrifice that would fill all things when He took upon Him not the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham. God was manifested in the flesh. I marvel at the faith of these men of old who had received a measure of faith and they were LOOKING UNTO JESUS.
My message is, who are you looking for, and why are you looking? Some look for wealth, some for fame, and some for the approval of others. And many in their search are not conscious of what they are looking for. The only thing that will bring lasting peace and joy is to know Jesus.
Having a personal relationship with Jesus, allows us to talk with Him and then He speaks to us. He will speak to us through His Word. Paul gives the secret to our success as Christians, when he writes to the church, telling us to set our affections on thing above and not on things of this world. In other words bring our mind and body in line with the spirit through the word of God.
Here are some examples of people in the bible that were looking unto Jesus.
Mark’s gospel gives the story of the woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things with many physicians, and spent all that she had, yet she grew worse. But when she heard about Jesus, she said, if I can just touch the hem of His garment I shall be whole. So she pressed through the crowd until she touched Him the helm of His garment. She was looking unto Jesus. Knowing the virtue had had left His body, Jesus said somebody touched me, oh, how we need to touch Him.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus came to Capernaum, and a centurion, a Roman commander of 100 men, came to Jesus beseeching him, saying Lord, my servant is sick. And Jesus said I will come and heal him. And the centurion answered, saying I am not worthy that you would come under my roof; but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. This man was looking unto Jesus. Jesus healed the servant, and said to this man, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Again in Matthew there is the account of two blind men that came to Jesus crying and saying, thou son of David, have mercy on us. Jesus asked them if they believed He was able to heal them, they said yea Lord. Then He touched their eyes saying, according to your faith be it unto you. Their eyes were opened and they spread abroad His fame. They knew who they were looking to, so who are you looking to.
As we review Hebrews chapter eleven we are again made aware of what they encountered in their walk with God. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac. He was looking unto Jesus. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph. And worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff. He was looking unto Jesus. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. In all of Moses’ dealings he was looking unto Jesus.
Joshua and his army marched around Jericho for seven days and watched as the walls fell down. Through faith they subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions and came out of the fiery furnace, they escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in their fight; some were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. They were all looking unto Jesus.
Where you place your focus, determines you future. The woman with the issue of blood had her focus on Jesus and knew what she was looking for; the two blind men were looking unto Jesus for their sight, and the centurion, who felt he was unworthy, knew where to find the answer for his servant.
So lift up the hands which hang down, and let the feeble say I am strong, and make the path straight for you feet, and let the one who is lame be healed. Looking diligently to the unfailing grace of God, for you are coming unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you, casting all you care upon him; for he cares for you.
With purpose and a clear focus, let us move forward in our relationship with Jesus, knowing that our days on earth are few. And let us be of one mind, having compassion one to another, and love one another, that we may inherit a blessing. For when we love life, we will see good days, as we rest in His grace and peace goodness and mercy will overtake us because we are looking unto Jesus.
