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Jesus
Will Leave No One Behind
by Dr. David A. Farmer, pastor
Scripture - Rev. 22:20;
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Recently history was made. Listen to this 1st paragraph from this Newsweek magazine, dated April 14, 2003.
"She was hiding in her bed just after midnight when the Special Ops team found her, in a room on the 1st floor of Saddam Hospital... A soldier called her name, and without answering she peeked out from under the sheets. 'Jessica Lynch,' he called, 'we're United States soldiers and we're here to protect you and take you home.' The American approached the bed and took his helmet off and she looked up at him and replied: 'I'm an American soldier too."
It is my understanding that this was our militaries 1st successful rescue since World War
II. An attempt to rescue to save a 19 years female soldier. You may recall that our Armed Forces have a quote. One I'm glad they uphold. The saying; "We will leave no American behind!" It doesn't matter age, gender or whatever. They will leave no one behind enemy lines.
This article says when Jessica Lynch was rescued, over 1,000 soldiers were involved. It also read that when the makeshift graves of the other 8 Coalition American soldiers were discovered, our soldiers had so much respect for their fallen comrades that they dug up their graves with their bare hands. They didn't have any shovels. But probably the most heartbreaking words I read through this entire article was when Jessica was being placed in the chopper. Jessica grabbed the hand of an Army doctor and pleaded, "Don't let anyone leave me." And our brave soldiers didn't leave her! They brought Jessica Lynch home.
I feel what made this rescue endeavor so accepted is because of the deep moral question it raised. A Pandora's Box if you please. A question that we should consider this morning. The question is, was Jessica Lunch's life worth risking the lives of 1,000 men to save her?
I mean, just how much is one American's life worth? Was her life worth the possible sacrifice of the other soldiers? And how will she ever be able to repay the soldiers that rescued her?
Let's take the question one step farther. Is liberating Iraq worth the lives of our sons, daughters, mother, fathers, husbands and wives? Every soldier that was killed, left someone behind they loved and who loved them. Was it worth it? I wonder how the parents of the dead soldiers would answer that question. Would they see the death of Americans worth the freedom of one country?
Behind these questions lay the clear reality, we can never, ever, repay the debt we owe to all our soldiers who have given their life so we can have the freedom we enjoy today. We can only express our gratitude.
During this Easter Season I would like to show you something I have caught sight of in this story of Jessica. I feel there is a parallel of the Gospel with the rescue of Jessica and the liberation of Iraq. What do I mean?
We just reviewed Jessica's rescue story. But when was the last time you reviewed the story of when God gave His Son, Jesus to rescue us? And the question comes back; How do we repay Jesus and the Father for such a gift?
Listen to John 1:12; "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."
If there is anything in this Easter Season that should inspire our enthusiasm, it is the Cross of Calvary. Think about it. Christ actually bore the punishment of sin, "death". Romans 4:5 says through our repentance and faith in Jesus, His righteousness is imputed to us so that we might be like holy like Him. The moment any sinner believes in Jesus, he or she stands in the sight of God un-condemned. Jesus' perfect obedience is credited to them.
The ransom paid by Jesus, is sufficient for the salvation of every man, woman and child. But His ransom will only help those who become new creatures in Christ. Those who are loyal to God and keep His Commandments. The ones that live a life that is true, pure, honest, and holy.
Christ's work here on this earth was to restore mankind back to his original state. To heal everyone from the wounds and bruises made by sin. Christ died to rescue every man, women and child. But very few accept Him as their personal Savior. Why?
Let's see if we can answer that question, by answering the question, what is the value of a soul? And to answer that question, let's go to the Garden of Gethsemane.
It was in the Garden of Gethsemane where we watch Jesus go through long hours of anguish. So strong was His suffering that He sweats great drops of blood. Then after Gethsemane, we see Him upon an uplifted cross. We hear His despairing cry, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" We see His wounded head, pierced side, and marred feet. And we must never forget that Hebrews 4:15 says Christ was
"tempted like as we
are."
Heaven itself was in jeopardy for our redemption. He could have called for the Angels of Heaven to help Him come down from that Cross. But He knew He couldn't save us and Himself too. So He made a choice. A choice to stay and endure the pain for you and me. And never forget Jesus would have yielded His life for only one sinner. That is the value of a soul to Jesus.
Now I want to show you something that when I discovered it lately it has completely changed the way I understand Christ's love for me.
We are going to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. Did you know that each chapter in 1 Thessalonians ends with the 2nd Coming of Jesus?
Chapter 1 verse 10; "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
Chapter 2:19; "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"
Chapter 3:13; "To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."
Chapter 4:16-17; "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: V:17
Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Lastly, chapter 5:23; "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Each chapter ends with the promise that Jesus is coming for His children. And Jesus will not leave any of His true children behind when He comes, those who claim Him as their personal Savior.
To give you more proof, let us turn to Matthew 25. This is the parable of the 10 virgins. There were 5 wise and 5 foolish, correct? Listen to verse 5;
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." How many slept? All 10. In Matthew 25:13 Jesus warned;
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor hour in which you're the Son of Man is coming" NKJV. He wanted us to be clear that before He returns, we must be ready and watching for Him.
Now all 10 virgins slept but the wise were ready only because they had purchased extra oil. Here is Biblical proof God's children will be sleeping when He comes.
Now listen to Revelation 3:14-16; "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; V:15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. V:17
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:"
Not only will God's children be slumbering, His Church will also be asleep before He comes back. Now if all are asleep when He comes, yet we are warned to be awake, I don't know about you but I feel we are in trouble!
Has it ever worried you or have you ever felt that you're not ready for Jesus to return? Have you ever noticed that the Church is in this Laodicean state we just read in Revelation 3? Am I the only one that has ever felt that way? I doubt it.
I hope you understand that just because you "feel" you are not ready doesn't mean you are lost. Let me give you Biblical proof. Listen to Romans 4:18 from the Clear Word Version: "When everything looked hopeless to Abraham because he had in heir, he still had faith that God would make him the father of many nations...." V:22 says; "That's why Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness."
Vs:23-25 from the NIV says that same "righteousness" was also "credited" to all who have faith in Jesus. Listen; "The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, V:24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. V:25
"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Even though everything looked "hopeless," Abraham still had faith. Do you have faith in God? Do you believe that He has the power to save you?
Let me end by asking again; how much are you worth to Jesus? Your answer is in remembering that your life was worth the sacrifice of the Son of God. But was His death worth your life? Apparently Jesus and the Father thought so.
I would like to rewrite the 1st paragraph from the Newsweek magazine. Listen:
"It midnight when the clouds rolled back and Jesus' with His Special Ops team of Angels arrived. Jesus called my name, and with out answering I peeked out from the cave I was hiding in."
"'David Farmer' He called, 'I'm your Savior and I'm here to save all of God's children and take them home.' Then the Savior approached my cave and took His Crown off and placed it on my head. I looked up at Him I replied: 'I'm one of His children too."
I hope you understand this will be the most successful rescues since the world began. A rescue to save every one of God's children. And I'm glad that Jesus gave us the promise; "I will never leave anyone behind!"
It doesn't matter what you have done in the past. If you accept Him as your personal Savior, He will not leave you behind enemy lines.
In Revelation 3:20 we find these words from Jesus: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
Jesus is standing at your door right now with help. He comes with the power and authority to save, protect and forgive each of us. Will you let Him in this Easter week-end? Will you accept the Salvation He offers?
Jesus says in Revelation 22:20; "Surely I am coming quickly." Are you ready for Him? Only you can answer that question.
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