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January
26, 2004
THE
HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS ONE
"You
disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer
be released to you" (Acts 3:14, NIV).
In his
discourse after the healing of the crippled man at the Beautiful
Gate, Peter publicly identified Jesus Christ as "the
Holy and Righteous One." This title sets Jesus apart
as unique in holiness. He is the one spoken of by the prophet
Isaiah as "a righteous God and a Savior; there is none
but me" (Isaiah 45:21, NIV).
This
title calls attention to the inherent worthiness of Jesus
Christ, an attribute that makes Him uniquely suited to be
our Saviour and our perfect example. This designation of the
Holy and Righteous One, is evidently one of Peter's favorite
titles of Jesus. He was the first New Testament figure to
apply this title to Jesus (see John 6:69, NIV). Elsewhere
in the New Testament, Peter twice exalts Jesus as the Holy
and Righteous One (see Acts 2:27; 7:52, NIV). Even the demoniacs
of Capernaum loudly acknowledged Jesus as the "Holy One
of God" (Mark 1:24, NIV).
This
designation portrays Christ as the spotless, sinless Saviour.
It pinpoints His intrinsic holiness and inherent goodness.
Though taking humanity upon Himself in form and nature, yet
He remained, "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners"
(Hebrews 7:26, NIV). In both His human and divine natures,
He was the Holy and Righteous One.
The plan
of salvation was divinely designed that mankind might become
like the Holy and Righteous One. That's what Calvary was all
about. By the vicarious death of the sinless One, the unholy
can become holy. Salvation is God's miracle of transforming
lost, hopeless sinners into saints. Jesus died to make man
holy. Here is the simple, yet powerful, formula: "By
faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord
places the obedience of His Son to the sinner's account. Christ's
righteousness is accepted in place of man's failure, and God...
treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as He
loves His Son."--Selected Messages, bk. 1, p.
367.
My
Prayer Today: Lord, I am grateful that the Holy
and Righteous One is transforming me into His likeness. Amen!
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