EASTER 1995: I WILL, THE CAUSE AND THE EFFECT
APRIL 16, 1995
Matt 8:1 When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.
Matt 8:2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you
are willing, you can make me clean." (NIV)
Matt 8:3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he
said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. (NIV)
Matt 8:4 Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show
yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a
testimony to them." (NIV)
IN THIS REMARKABLE PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE WE CAN SEE, IN RETROSPECT, THE UN-
BRIDLED WILLINGNESS OF JESUS TO REACH OUT HIS HAND AND TOUCH THE LEPER WHO WAS
INSTANTLY HEALED BECAUSE JESUS WAS WILLING. THE WILLINGNESS OF JESUS MADE THE
HEALING AND CLEANSING OF THE LEPER POSSIBLE. IT WAS NOT ONE ACT OF WILLING
OBEDIENCE BUT THAT PRODUCED THIS EFFECT BUT FIVE SEPARATE ACTS OF OBEDIENCE.
THIS MORNING I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THOSE FIVE ACTS OF WILLING OBEDIENCE THAT
RESULTED IN GOD'S HEALING POWER IN SALVATION. FIRST OF ALL, JESUS THE PRE-
EXISTENT SON OF GOD WAS WILLING TO COME TO EARTH AS A MAN. SECONDLY, JESUS WAS
WILLING TO LIVE A LIFE OF PERFECT OBEDIENCE AS A LAMB WITHOUT SPOT AND BLEMISH.
THRIDLY, JESUS WAS WILLING TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE AS OUR SUBSTITUTE, PAYING THE
PENALTY FOR OUR SIN AT CALVARY'S CRUEL CROSS AND IN HELLS FURY. FOURTHLY, JESUS
WAS WILLING TO BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST. AND
FITHLY, HIS DEATH, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION TO THE FATHER RESULTED IN HIS
WILLINGNESS TO SAVE, HEAL AND DELIVER PEOPLE TODAY BECAUSE JESUS IS THE SAME
YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF OUR SALVATION HUNG ON THE
BALANCE OF THE EXPLICIT WILLING OBEDIENCE OF JESUS. LET'S LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER
AT EACH OF THESE RELATED ACTS OF WILLING OBEDIENCE THIS MORNING. BUT BEFORE WE
DO....
YOU MIGHT ASK THE QUESTION, WHAT DOES MATTHEW'S ACCOUNT OF THE LEPER HAVE
TO DO WITH THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER AND THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM
THE DEAD? IN ORDER TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION WE MUST LOOK AT A HIDDEN AND OBSCURE
PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE IN THE O.T. WHICH HAD TO DO WITH THE GIFT THAT JESUS ASKED
THE LEPER TO OFFER TO THE PRIESTS IN MATT.8:4. "IN THE DAY OF HIS CLEANSING."
IT IS REMARKABLE THAT WE HAVE NO RECORD OF THE USE OF THIS LEVITICAL RITE UNTIL
JESUS CAME, AND HAVING CURED THE LEPERS, COMMANDED THEM TO GO AND SHOW THEM-
SELVES TO THE PRIESTS, AND TO OFFER FOR THEIR CLEANSING "THOSE THINGS THAT WERE
COMMANDED. FOR A TESTIMONY UNTO THEM." THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS IS DIFFICULT TO
READ HOWEVER, IT SHOWS US GOD'S HATRED OF CORRUPTION AND DEFILEMENT. LEPROSY IS
ALWAYS TAKEN AS A TYPE OF SIN, BECAUSE IT WAS AN INCURABLE DISEASE THAT SLOWLY
AND PROGRESSIVELY SPREAD THOURGH-OUT THE BODY UNTIL DEATH INSUED. THE ONLY
CURE FOR LEPROSY WAS NOTHING LESS THAN A MIRACLE FORM GOD. NAAMAN THE SYRIAN
IS THE ONLY RECORDED MIRACLE OF LEPROSY IN THE O.T. WHICH POINTS TO THE FACT
THAT MESSIAH ALONE WAS SENT TO CLEANSE THE LEPER FORM HIS PAINFULLY TORMENTING
AND ISOLATING DISEASE AS WELL AS CLEANSING THE SINNER FROM HIS SIN THAT KEPT HIM
IN BONDAGE AND ISOLATION FROM GOD.
Lev 14:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (KJV)
Lev 14:2 This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He
shall be brought unto the priest: (KJV)
Lev 14:3 And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall
look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper;
Lev 14:4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed
two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
Lev 14:5 And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an
earthen vessel over running water: (KJV)
Lev 14:6 As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the
scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the
blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: (KJV)
Lev 14:7 And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy
seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living
bird loose into the open field. (KJV)
Lev 14:8 And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all
his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after
that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his
tent seven days. (KJV)
THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE DEFINES THE "GIFT" THAT JESUS ASKED THE LEPER TO
OFFER UNTO THE PRIESTS AFTER HE WAS HEALED. JESUS IS REPRESENTED IN THESE TWO
BIRDS WHICH ARE ALIVE AND CLEAN. ONE BIRD WAS SACRIFICED AND POINTS TO THE
DEATH OF CHRIST AND THE OTHER BIRD WAS DIPPED IN THE BLOOD OF THE SACRIFICED
BIRD AND WAS LET LOOSE INTO AN OPEN FIELD. THE LOOSED BIRD REPRESENTS JESUS IN
THE RESURRECTION WHO WAS LOOSED FROM THE PAINS OF DEATH AND CARRIED HIS BLOOD
INTO THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US.
Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved
of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by
him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (KJV)
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of
God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it
was not possible that he should be holden of it. (KJV)
Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my
face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: (KJV)
Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to
say, not of this building; (CREATION)
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he
entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption
for us. (KJV)
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God? (KJV)
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by
means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were
under the first testament, they which are called might receive the
promise of eternal inheritance. (KJV)
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which
are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in
the presence of God for us: (KJV)
JESUS WAS WILLING TO CLEANSE THE LEPER IN MATT.8 BECAUSE HE MADE FIVE ACTS
OF EXPLICIT OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER:
1. HE WAS WILLING TO COME TO EARTH AS A MAN:
Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. (KJV)
Jn 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. (KJV)
Jn 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that
was made. (KJV)
Jn 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (KJV)
Jn 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth. (KJV)
THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE TELLS US THAT JESUS HAD A PRE-EXISTENCE WITH THE
FATHER BEFORE HE WAS MADE FLESH. GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE SON AND GOD THE
HOLY SPIRIT DEVISED A PLAN FOR MAN'S SALVATION BEFORE MAN WAS EVER CREATED WITH
THE POSSIBILTY OF SIN AND SEPARATION FROM THEM. IN THIS PREDETERMINATE COUNSEL
OF GOD, JESUS GAVE HIS CONSENT TO LEAVE HIS POSITION IN HEAVEN AND COME TO EARTH
IN THE GUISE OF HUMAN FLESH AND LIVE A PERFECT LIFE OF OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT JESUS SACRIFICED BY THIS FIRST DELIBERATE ACT OF WILLING
OBEDIENCE BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE GLORY AND BEATY OF HEAVEN; BUT
WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE EMENSE SACRIFICE THAT HE MADE BY HIS WILLINGNESS TO
COME.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are
not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation
of the world. (KJV)
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (KJV)
Phil 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God: (KJV)
Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (KJV)
REPUTATION: Strong's # 2758 kenoo (ken-o'-o);
from 2756; to make empty, i.e. (figuratively) to abase,
neutralize, falsify:
KJV-- make (of none effect, of no reputation, void), be in vain.
(DIC)
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh: (KJV)
GOD HAD A PLAN FOR MAN'S SLAVATION, HE NEEDED A BODY, JUST AS A LEPER NEED-
ED TWO LIVE BIRDS TO OFFER TO THE PRIEST FOR HIS CEREMONIAL CLEANSING. ACCORDING
TO GAL.4:4-5, WHEN THE FULNESS OF TIME HAD COME, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, MADE OF
A WOMAN, MADE UNDER LAW, TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER LAW, THAT THEY MIGHT
RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS. THIS BRINGS US TO OUR SECOND ACT OF CHRIST'S EX-
PLICIT OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER.
2. HE WAS WILLING TO LIVE A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE AS A MAN:
Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and
offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (KJV)
Heb 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of
me,) to do thy will, O God. (KJV)
Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of
me,) to do thy will, O God. (KJV)
Heb 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and
offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein;
which are offered by the law; (KJV)
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the
first, that he may establish the second. (KJV)
JESUS WAS NOT ONLY WILLING TO COME TO EARTH AS A MAN AND ENDURE SUCH CON-
TRIDICTION OF SINNERS AGAINST HIMSELF BUT HE WAS WILLING TO LIVE 33 1/2/ YEARS
IN ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER IN WORD, DEED AND THOUGHT; IN ORDER TO BE-
COME THE SPOTLESS LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD. THE DIVINE
CONDEMNATION FOR SIN IS DEATH ACCORDING TO ROM.5:12. IF JESUS HAD EVER SINNED,
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO RESURRECTION AND THERE WOULD BE NO EASTER TO CELEBRATE.
John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then
shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my
Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (KJV)
John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for
I do always those things that please him. (KJV)
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he
might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage. (KJV)
Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him
the seed of Abraham. (KJV)
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in
things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people. (KJV)
Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted. (KJV)
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (KJV)
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin. (KJV)
3. HE WAS WILLING TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE AS A MAN:
Lk 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and
his disciples also followed him. (KJV)
Lk 22:40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not
into temptation. (KJV)
Lk 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down,
and prayed, (KJV)
Lk 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:
nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (KJV)
Lk 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Lk 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it
were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (KJV)
Lk 22:45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he
found them sleeping for sorrow, (KJV)
Lk 22:46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into
temptation. (KJV)
Lk 22:47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called
Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to
kiss him. (KJV)
Lk 22:48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a
kiss? (KJV)
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (KJV)
4. HE WAS WILLING TO BE THE FIRST MAN TO RISE FORM THE DEAD:
Jn 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I
might take it again. (KJV)
Jn 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to
lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I
received of my Father. (KJV)
Jn 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto
us, seeing that thou doest these things? (KJV)
Jn 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three
days I will raise it up. (KJV)
IN ESSENCE, JESUS SAID THAT HE WAS WILLING TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE SO THAT HE,
BY AND ACT OF HIS WILL COULD TAKE IT BACK AGAIN IN THE RESURRECTION, AS HE THAT
WAS DEAD BUT IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE AMEN; HAVING WREST THE KEYS OF HELL AND DEATH
FROM THE DEVIL AND DELIVER ALL OF MANKIND FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH AND ITS SUBSE-
QUENT PROCESSES OF SICKNESS AND DISEASE. JESUS SAID IN JN.11:25 that he was the
Resurrection and the Life; HE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE RESURRECTION THAT RESULTED IN
THE EFFECT OF CLEANSING THE LEPER AND FORGIVING THE SINNER.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised
from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is
become the head of the corner. (KJV)
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
5. THIS MAN, JESUS, IS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST TODAY, WHO WILLINGLY MAKES
INTERCESSION FOR US AND IS CONSTANTLY WILLING, WITHOUT EXCEPTION,
TO SAVE, HEAL AND DELIVER ALL WHO CALL UPON HIS NAME!
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
THIS WORD "SAVED" IS THE GREEK WORD SOZO WHICH MEANS TO KEEP FROM HARM, TO
PRESERVE, RESCUE, DELIVER, HEAL AND BRING SAFELY THROUGH. THIS WORD CAN MEAN
THE DELIVERANCE FROM IMMEDIATE DANGER TO LIFE AS THE DISCIPLES CRIED OUT TO THE
LORD TO SAVE THEM FROM THE STORM. THE REPENTANT THEIF ON THE CROSS CRIED OUT
FOR SLAVATION AND WAS PROMISED TO BE WITH JESUS IN PARADISE THAT VERY DAY. IN
THE GOSPELS, JESUS USES THE WORD SAVED IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL HEALING 16 TIMES
WHERE SOZO HAS THE THE SENSE OF MAKING WELL, DELIVERING FROM THE EVIL, AND HEAL-
ING OF PHYSICAL AFFLICTIONS. THIS WORD HAS A VERY BROAD SPECTRUM OF USES FROM
PHYSICAL DELIVERANCE AND HEALING TO SALVATION FROM SIN AND RIGHT STANDING WITH
GOD.
1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (KJV)
1 Cor 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto
you, unless ye have believed in vain. (KJV)
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (KJV)
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures: (KJV)
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek. (KJV)
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him. (KJV)
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death
of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his
life. (KJV)
Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (KJV)
THIS MORNING WE CAN RECEIVE THE EFFECT OF CHRIST'S WILLINGNESS TO COME TO
EARTH AS A MAN, TO LIVE A LIFE OF EXPLICIT OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER, TO LAY DOWN
HIS LIFE AS OUR SUBSTITUTE AND TO BE RASIED FROM THE DEAD BY RECEIVING CHRIST
AS OUR SAVIOR, OUR DELIVERER AND OUR HEALER!
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