Couldn't wait a week

My wife and I, as often as we can, like to sit on our (recently beautified) porch together.  Mostly in the early mornings (when I can get her out of bed that early), and late evenings.  We treasure this time (and place) together.  In the mornings it is referred to as Front Porch Coffee (FPC).

As most parents probably do, we talk about our kids - their growth, gains, losses, limitations, potentialities, personality quirks, and relive funny memories with each...we talk about my job, and her work around hearth and home (and homeschooling)...family, friends, and church...groceries, taking out the trash - you name it.

But, the most wonderful discussions we have regard our Lord Jesus Christ.  Of course, since He is the truth, and all in all, every one of our subjects center around Him; but I mean when we are specifically, explicitly, sharing the Gospel with each other.  We are, of course, not only to share it with those who have never heard it, as we are given utterance, and with those who attend His church service, but also with those who know it best - to whom it is the sweetest.

So, as often as I can, I bring up whatever scripture I might be reading or studying about currently, to think it out and to get her thoughts on it.  These are the moments that redeem the time!  These times are not trying to the soul, but unite us as nothing else can.

I write all of that only to get to the point that I can write about what we discussed during this morning's FPC.  I was relating to her my efforts to properly apprehend, comprehend, assimilate, and understand recent upheavalous (is that a word?) events...and how they should correctly be discerned, and integrated into my understanding of God's word.

I won't share all of the details of that conversation - I want to focus on one particular part of it.  A revelation - indeed, verily a vision! - that came to me.  I saw Jesus, standing before Pilate:

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

Here, He stands...accused!  The Great God Himself!  The Creator of all!  Innocent, yet not proclaiming His guiltlessness...  Not answering the charge, in any way.

That spark of revelation?  He could not speak.  Not merely that He didn't speak...but that in truth that he could not.

Oh, He was indeed innocent, and if answering for Himself, he certainly could justly proclaim His innocence of any and all charges.  But, you see, he was not speaking for Himself, but rather for His elect!  His people, whom he came to save.

Oh, He was indeed innocent, but I am not!  He took my guilt.  He was answering for me!  I am guilty!  Shortly after this, He would be nailed to the cross, and upon Him, who knew no sin, would be hung my sins.  Upon Him, perfect before the Father, would be poured out the wrath of God for my guilt!

He took my guilt, and He gave me His righteousness, if I am one of His elect possessions - one of the redeemed.  I can stand and proclaim here and now that I am innocent because He was, is, and shall be.  He could not deny guilt, not because He was guilty, but because I am!  I can stand here justified, not in my flesh, but in His Spirit!  Praise be to the Holy One, my Lord, my Savior, my Elder Brother, Jesus the Christ!  He died, was buried, and rose again!  He lives!