The California Collection/TheCaliforniaCollection.cdr/his086/nail.lzh/NAIL.TXT

Text File | 1991-07-09 | 4KB | 72 lines

DEV:HAVE YOU FOUND THE NAIL ?

   What a strange question, but it refers to the Son of God, our Lord
Jesus Christ, and is a prophecy concerning His birth and death. The
prophet Zechariah foretold His coming with this name and title, chapter
10 and verse 4 of his prophecy: "Out of him (the tribe of Judah) shall
come forth . . . THE NAIL!" Numerous titles are given the Son of God in
the Bible but this may be one of the strangest yet filled with great
significance.

   In Old Testament times a nail was used as a tent pin, driven into
the ground (Exodus 27:19) and also as a strong pin, built into the wall
of an eastern building securely, to hang vessels upon (Ezekiel 15:3).
This later explanation suggest why Christ is called 'THE NAIL."

   The NAIL is to Bear Burdens We place many things upon a nail,
transferring them from ourselves, putting them upon the provided
burden-bearer. The significant reason that Christ came to be "THE NAIL"
is--he is the great BURDEN-BEARER!

   1. As THE NAIL, He bore the burden of our sin! It was upon the cross
that Christ accomplished this great work: "who Himself bore our sins in
His body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). The burden was incalculably
heavy, for "the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us ALL" (Isaiah
53:6). It was the whole world's guilt that hung on that blessed one:
"Behold, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (john
1:29). There was no other person who could and did bear this load for
us and HE DID NOT FAIL! "One died for all." Have YOU acknowledged that
YOUR sins were there laid upon HIM? If so, you will know the joy of
these words:

   "All thy sins were laid upon Him, Jesus bore them on the tree; God,
Who knew the, laid them on Him And believing, thou are free"

   If not, find "THE NAIL" this moment: "we have found HIM" said Philip
(John 1:45). "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him
while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6). Now turn to HIM while you may: by
faith see your sins "laid on HIM" and you will find THE NAIL.

   2. As THE NAIL He bears the burden of our care! Troubles and sorrows
fill the earth, from which none are exempt, but if we have found "THE
NAIL" we shall find Him able to carry ALL our care also. Surely, if we
believe that he bore ALL our sins, we can also trust Him to carry ALL
our care! Absolutely! Peter hays bidden us to do this, saying--
"Casting All your care upon Him, for He careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
How foolish for us to carry our own burdens with such provision as THE
NAIL! "Cast thy burden ON THE LORD" wrote the Psalmist, "and He shall
sustain thee." (Psalm 55:22). What are you doing with your burdens? Are
you carrying them yourself? Find THE NAIL! Hang them on HIM today and
do not remove them! He is a "sure NAIL"--you can trust Him wholly, for
they that trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true." Have you found THE
NAIL?

   3. As THE NAIL He will have eternal glory! "They shall hang upon Him
All the Glory of his father's house" (Isaiah 22:24). The treasures of
the house of David were hung in splendor upon the nails embedded in the
walls, emblems of kingly glory. Today, the universe hangs on Him!
(Hebrews 1:3): tomorrow the government of the earth will hang on Him!
(Isaiah 9:6) and in eternity the glory of universal reign, in heaven
and on earth, will hang on Him also (Ephesians 1:10, Philippians
2:9-11).

   Then why cannot we hang the glory of our lives upon THE NAIL today?
He is worthy! Our sins were laid on Him! Our cares can be laid on Him!
Our lives and possessions should also be ALL hung on HIM! Our love: our
talents: our possessions: our ALL, is worthy to be hung on that blessed
NAIL! Some day, a redeemed universe will ascribe unto THE NAIL eternal
glory, saying "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and
riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing!"
(Revelation 5:11). Why wait for THAT day? Do it now! Have you found THE
NAIL?