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BE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUFFERING SACRIFICE

November 28, 2021

Abraham Lincoln was seen by America as a Christ figure.  His suffering was immense and could be seen in his deeply wrinkled, sad face.  When he was elected President almost half the nation left the Union.  When he sent forces south to keep the rebellious states in the Union, 750,000 people ended up losing their lives.  Lincoln’s own young son died while in the White House.  His wife was driven to insanity.  Nevertheless, the President made a proclamation of thanksgiving.  He wrote, “I invite my fellow citizens to set apart the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”  He prayed that God would “heal the wounds of the nation…to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”  Lincoln was shot by a southern sympathizer on April 15, 1865.  It was Good Friday, thus adding to the comparison between the suffering President and Jesus.  We must be grateful to both of these suffering men.  One was a martyr for the unity of our country.  The other was the sacrifice for our sins so we might be united with a holy God forever.

I wish for you a happy Thanksgiving whether you’re with family, friends or alone.  If Christ is in your heart, then you’re not truly alone.  One of our astronauts said the other day from space that Thanksgiving is about family and food.  Actually, it’s about God.  Let’s take time to give thanks to him, and let that be a springboard from which we can give thanks all the time in everything, no matter what we’ve suffered (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Sunday I’m preaching on “Be Grateful for the Suffering Sacrifice” from Isaiah 53.  We’ll talk about “Be Grateful for the Unbelievable,” verses 1-3; “Be Grateful for the Sacrifice,” verses 4-6; and “Be Grateful for the Eternal Affect,” verses 7-12.  This chapter is perhaps the most miraculous passage in Scripture.  It’s an amazing prophecy of the effectiveness of the cross, sung 700 years before Christ came.  Since Sunday is the first day of Advent, we’ll celebrate Jesus’ coming to crucify our sins so that we could receive his forgiveness and abundant, eternal life.  Come celebrate with us, and give thanks!

Love,

Jim Meek

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