Cor 2:8 “… had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
My wife, Debbie & I were hiking along a backwoods trail near downtown Centreville. The trail winds along portions of the Corsica River, complete with beaver, geese and jumping fish. As we rounded one corner I noticed an adult bird sitting on the ground. As soon as she saw me, she immediately spread her right wing in a very awkward fashion, causing it to appear as if she had a broken wing. She fluttered wildly across the brush as if trying in vain to escape what she had deemed was a giant predator.
I told Debbie to watch what would happen as I approached the broken winged bird. I said that she was feigning the broken wing to draw us away from her nest and her beloved brood of hatchlings. Debbie wasn’t so sure! As I drew nearer she kept up the act and moved me even further away from the nest, until I was right on top of her. Suddenly, she encountered a miraculous healing and took off flying. She had led us so far down the trail that we didn’t even attempt to go back and search for the nest.
I’m quite sure that sometimes the protective bird miscalculates the approaching predator and is not able to take off soon enough to escape becoming a feast for the attacker. Her love for her offspring is stronger that the threat of injury or even death.
The Bible talks about the wings of Jesus; “And under His wings you shall take refuge…” Psalm 91:4 There is safety and security under those wings.
The enemy of our souls was on the hunt looking for offspring of the Most High God, seeking in effect to devour and destroy the entire bunch. 1Pe 5:8 “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” NLT He thought that if He could destroy Jesus that the entire plan would be undone; that mankind would be hopeless and that God’s attempt to redeem mankind, whatever it was, would fail.
On the cross at Calvary, Jesus spread His “broken wing” and led the predator away from the prize (You & Me) to a place where the enemy himself would become the one destroyed. (Hebrews 2:14) Jesus drew all the minions and forces of Hell toward and upon Himself…so that you and I would not be devoured and left hopeless and lost for all eternity. The attack became more ferocious and vicious as He was beaten, spit upon, whipped, mocked and hung upon the cross. All the while, the attention was being taken off of you and I…all the forces and focus of hell was inflicted upon HIM!
The Bible says in 1 Cor 2:8 “… had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Jesus wasn’t hoping to escape…He knew what lay before Him…The Cross and Death…Separation from the Father… more pain and suffering than anyone has ever endured.
The enemy didn’t know that they were being led away from the prize and toward certain defeat, doom and destruction. Jesus Did! Heb 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” I'm sure that the enemy didn't notice the smallest hint of a joy filled smile in the corner of Jesus' mouth. Jesus played the role of the "defeated one" to perfection!
You and I are the joy that was set before Him!
Jesus feigned defeat…led the enemy away from the nest (He was the firstborn of many brethren Romans 8:29), away from the apple of God’s eye, (Psalm 17:8) . Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14
The wing was not really broken. Jesus rose up to the highest place of authority in existence. The nest is safe and the offspring are flourishing!
Rest in His presence!
Ken Bombard
My wife, Debbie & I were hiking along a backwoods trail near downtown Centreville. The trail winds along portions of the Corsica River, complete with beaver, geese and jumping fish. As we rounded one corner I noticed an adult bird sitting on the ground. As soon as she saw me, she immediately spread her right wing in a very awkward fashion, causing it to appear as if she had a broken wing. She fluttered wildly across the brush as if trying in vain to escape what she had deemed was a giant predator.
I told Debbie to watch what would happen as I approached the broken winged bird. I said that she was feigning the broken wing to draw us away from her nest and her beloved brood of hatchlings. Debbie wasn’t so sure! As I drew nearer she kept up the act and moved me even further away from the nest, until I was right on top of her. Suddenly, she encountered a miraculous healing and took off flying. She had led us so far down the trail that we didn’t even attempt to go back and search for the nest.
I’m quite sure that sometimes the protective bird miscalculates the approaching predator and is not able to take off soon enough to escape becoming a feast for the attacker. Her love for her offspring is stronger that the threat of injury or even death.
The Bible talks about the wings of Jesus; “And under His wings you shall take refuge…” Psalm 91:4 There is safety and security under those wings.
The enemy of our souls was on the hunt looking for offspring of the Most High God, seeking in effect to devour and destroy the entire bunch. 1Pe 5:8 “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” NLT He thought that if He could destroy Jesus that the entire plan would be undone; that mankind would be hopeless and that God’s attempt to redeem mankind, whatever it was, would fail.
On the cross at Calvary, Jesus spread His “broken wing” and led the predator away from the prize (You & Me) to a place where the enemy himself would become the one destroyed. (Hebrews 2:14) Jesus drew all the minions and forces of Hell toward and upon Himself…so that you and I would not be devoured and left hopeless and lost for all eternity. The attack became more ferocious and vicious as He was beaten, spit upon, whipped, mocked and hung upon the cross. All the while, the attention was being taken off of you and I…all the forces and focus of hell was inflicted upon HIM!
The Bible says in 1 Cor 2:8 “… had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Jesus wasn’t hoping to escape…He knew what lay before Him…The Cross and Death…Separation from the Father… more pain and suffering than anyone has ever endured.
The enemy didn’t know that they were being led away from the prize and toward certain defeat, doom and destruction. Jesus Did! Heb 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” I'm sure that the enemy didn't notice the smallest hint of a joy filled smile in the corner of Jesus' mouth. Jesus played the role of the "defeated one" to perfection!
You and I are the joy that was set before Him!
Jesus feigned defeat…led the enemy away from the nest (He was the firstborn of many brethren Romans 8:29), away from the apple of God’s eye, (Psalm 17:8) . Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14
The wing was not really broken. Jesus rose up to the highest place of authority in existence. The nest is safe and the offspring are flourishing!
Rest in His presence!
Ken Bombard
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