Long Time

Acts 13:27-32

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

See the prophecies simply fulfilling themselves. Of course, those of the household of faith are not at all like that; this is why Paul makes this important distinction. For this cause are they called those dwelling "at Jerusalem and their rulers." These that returned with Nehemiah gradually forgot all about God; moreover, some even slew his prophets. Paul says they "knew him not;" had they really, they would never have bothered to do so. So also, they persecuted the prophets which came even before them. But they really ought to have at least recognized their voices among them all for did they not read their writings weekly. They should have known better being Abraham's descendants and all. One would at least expect that by this time they should be drinking milk of liquid foundational truths about Christ. Then watch them impact their lives. It is a scary place indeed to be. See, these people were as lost sheep having no shepherd. They needed a Savior badly. So also, was none perfect among them. Then stepped-up Jesus among them as the great high priest of Hebrews 5. He came into his office and offered himself up for them all. One would think they would at least stop mid-way through the sacrifice and go, 'oh, so that is what Isaiah 53:7 meant.' Doubtless they read how he was "sent as a lamb to the slaughter" or "as a sheep before whose shearers is dumb." But those people thought 'that doesn't apply to us; look who is dumb now.' Even so the text says, "he opened not his mouth." So, they led him before Pilate and before Caiaphas. Both Jew and Gentile alike announced that God's great high priest had come into his temple.

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead:

Now, about Jesus and his suffering much has been written. He went outside the camp bearing our sins upon him, as the high priest which gave himself. Then, as did Abraham so long ago, he offered his body upon the tree. Yes, it all appeared to be the people's idea alright. But more on that to come. Man buried him and declared him forgotten, gone. See, the gospel without the power of Christ is made to be as nothing. Yet do not all the days of history and of Scripture speak his name. For this cause was this written, even for the salvation of all who would call upon his name. Through him are we made perfect; without him of Isaiah 53:6, we are like sheep that "have gone astray." So also, each one of us has turned to our own way. But the Lord has taken the iniquity of us all. Now is it removed as far as the east is from the west. No more will it be remembered as in Psalm 103:12. But there remains an issue; those Israelites which should have been teachers are no longer. They neither prepare strong meat nor yet drink the milk of the word themselves. They really ought to, for then they might grow a little as Abraham's seed of the household of faith. This is why Jesus finds it so important who your daddy is. If your daddy is the Lord, well, be you but of Abraham, you will soon grow into a child of promise. I can hear some of you now puffing about being Abraham's seed. But no, Jesus is saying to you, 'you are even of your father the devil of John 8:44; as such you do his works.' It should neither surprise nor shock you. I am sorry if I have offended some of you by saying so. But your eternal Father in Heaven will not let you behave any sort of way for long.

And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

So, Hebrews 6 also agrees with us on this point. The children might be physical; but if they are not also spiritual, then God is not above calling down a curse. Some of you may know what I am talking about. For this cause, some in the Corinthian church found themselves sick or even dead. He should not have to go find you at all times like the Prodigal son. Should you expect him to, then you might find yourself on the wrong side of eternity. Paul calls it being damned, cursed, or impossible to be renewed. How many of you know that renewal speaks of the very creation, salvation acts of God himself. He is saying, if you do, then you will likewise perish as in Luke 13:3. See, God will only stay and witness among the people for so long. They had followed him and seen his testimony. Some also had been baptized and received from his priestly office. God will only walk with you but for so long. God will only talk with you but for so long. But now, suppose these same were to run away screaming and dive headlong into the pigpen. God will not always suffer such; it is silly on your part to think that he should. But to as many as received him of John 1:12, to them he gave power "to become sons of God." You might be of Abraham's house by birth or by faith. But nonetheless, this is God's house. He is within his priestly office. Yet unto us, the promise remains. Rest assured, no matter how long, God will yet remember his people.