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The Black Spot

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In the book written by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, pirates are presented with a “black spot” to officially pronounce a guilty verdict. The black spot consisted of a circular piece of paper, with one side blackened while the other side bore the message into the hand of the accused. It was a source of great fear because it meant the pirate was to be deposed as leader, by force or else killed. In the book, Treasure Island, Long John Silver receives the black spot, torn from a page in the Bible and taken from Revelation 22:15: “Without are dogs and murderers.” On describing the “black spot” Stevenson adds the following: The printed side had been blackened with wood ash, which already began to come off and soil my fingers; on the blank side had been written with the same material the one word “Depposed”.

Which brings to mind another interesting detail that’s often overlooked when we read or hear the story of Christ’s birth, and the facts which surround it. Luke 2:7-8 records: And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.8 And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night.

These two verses alert us to a small detail often ignored, swaddling clothes. Why was this detail significant? Luke 2:12 records the message of the angel: And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Why was a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes a sign? The researchers for One Path Research state the following: These shepherds weren’t ordinary shepherds…they had a special task that was critical to the temple and the sacrifices made to God. You see, when people came to the temple and made a sacrifice you were to bring a lamb without a spot or any blemish. If you did not have such a sacrifice, you could purchase one from the temple which the shepherds would provide.

Their task was simple. When a lamb was being born, the shepherds assisted with the birth as the lamb could not touch the ground until they were cleaned and examined thoroughly.  If they found that it had a “spot”, or physical defect, they would then put it on the ground so it could mix with the other lambs. It would not be suitable for a sacrifice as only the best could be offered to God.  If the lamb was spotless, or physically perfect, then it was their job to ensure that it did not get hurt in any way and possibly get a “blemish”, which is a small cut, wound, bruise, or any other small flaw from the time it was born to the time it was sacrificed. To make sure that the spotless lamb’s feet didn’t get cut on the rocks, they would wrap the lambs’ feet with clean “swaddling clothes” that were already there for that purpose. Only after the lamb’s feet were wrapped up would they place the lamb on the ground to walk. 

When the shepherds came….where Jesus was laid in the manger, they saw Him wrapped in the same swaddling strips used to cover the spotless lambs to prevent them from getting a blemish and they understood immediately that Jesus was indeed the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29) who came to be sacrificed at Passover, and hence providing a means by which the relationship between us and God can be reestablished for those that accept His gift of salvation and continuously be led by the Holy Spirit as we serve the Lord.

Why is this detail significant for you and me? We are all called by Scripture to “examine” Jesus for spot or blemish. Luke 2:15 states: “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Even Pilate, in the Gospels of Luke and John, declares: I find no fault in Him. Yet when it comes to examining the claims of Jesus for ourselves we often take someone else’s word for it and forsake the examination. But when it comes to finding fault, examining others as if they were Jesus, we can do nothing but find fault. In fact it seems this is our predisposition. If you are one who is prone to make New Years resolutions, remind yourself that Jesus was and still is examined – in order that you and I could pass the cross examination and receive the “not guilty” verdict from our Holy and Righteous Father. And add to your New Years resolutions: Extend grace and mercy – not looking for the black spots in others lives.

Confession and Declaration 9

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Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and the One Who was seated upon it, from Whose presence and from the sight of Whose face earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. 13 And the sea delivered up the dead who were in it, death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) surrendered the dead in them, and all were tried and their cases determined by what they had done [according to their motives, aims, and works]. 14 Then death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.15 And if anyone’s [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.

Imagine having to stand before God to be judged on the merits of your entire life. All the ways you thought, felt, and acted were put on parade before God. Your motives, aims, and works were brought out into the open to be exposed by God, before Him, His Saints, and His Holy angels. The event becomes even more terrifying as you consider that you will be judged for ALL your sins. Sin being defined as anything that doesn’t please God or is a transgression of His Law. Sin being the things I know I should do, like loving God with ALL my heart, soul, mind and strength or loving my neighbor as I love myself. Things I failed to obey, like witnessing, making disciples, going to the nations, caring for the poor, or visiting those in prison. The things I know I shouldn’t do like criticizing others, being self-centered, prideful, taking God’s Name in Vain, lying, or not obeying the authorities and their laws (like speeding). Even more terrifying is the fact that you are being held responsible  for the things you weren’t even conscious or aware of doing – like causing other people to stumble away from God because of your actions or inactivity. What a terrifying thought: you are being held responsible for the things you were ignorant of. With that definition in mind imagine standing before a Holy, Righteous, All-Seeing, All-Knowing, All-Powerful God. How many books would have to be opened to account for all of your sins, failures, short-comings, rebellions, and stubborn rejections of commands you chose to disregard, ignore or dismiss? You wouldn’t just be sentenced to hell – you would deserve to go. In fact you would deserve to go below hell. You are guilty in the Courtroom of Heaven and God is the Judge. Far more terrifying is the fact that you are not being judged by the opinions of others but on your very thought life, feelings, motives, aims, goals, and actions. Add to this terrifying scene, satan, as the prosecuting attorney. He not only knows what you did he remembers and recalls all the ways he lied, seduced and enticed you to be this way. He knows you better than yourself. 

There it all stands: a perfect record, account, and eyewitness testimony of all of your sins. You are guilty deserving of the harshest of penalties. You have wasted the life God had given you living it for yourself and your self-centered pursuits. What can you do? What chance of hope do you have in this life or the life to come? There is none unless God makes provision for your acquittal. But what can He do? He is honor bound by His Righteous Law to prosecute and punish you to the fullest extent of Heaven’s Holy Law. He is in a quandary. He loves you as your Heavenly Father. You were made in His image, but you’ve marred that image. His heart has broken for you as He watched you dismiss His Truth, and reject His Grace. He is Holy and he is Loving. How can Almighty God save you? Who Can Save you?

Jesus! That’s the Answer.He’s your Provision! – Romans 5:9 states: Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.

What does this word “Justified” mean? It means to make righteous; to become sinless; to be pronounced as righteous, and sinless. Not only are you acquitted of sin, you are made as if you never did anything wrong, and you are freed from the power of having to serve sin. Along with that is the fact that you have now been restored back into a right relationship with God. Even more powerful is the fact that it’s always in the present tense! The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament states it this way: “The eternal character of the justifying event of salvation prevents any severing of past and present. The act of salvation is a continuing present.” 

In other words, as you stand before God Almighty, the Holy and Righteous Judge of the Universe, you are in a constant state of justification; a constant state of being not guilty. Do you get this? Because of your trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins – you are always being declared, Innocent. You are always being seen as innocent. Why is the Gospel called the Good News? Figure it out. Why do Christians fall on the ground in defeat, condemnation, and shame – when the Price has already been paid. The verdict has already been pronounced. To believe anything to the contrary is to confess that Jesus’ Life, Suffering, Crucifixion and Death – were not enough. If you believe that you need to participate in this declaration. Say it out loud to all who are listening – seen and unseen.

Declaration 9: Oh Holy God, I weep as I think of all the times I have believed more in the lies of the devil than in the Truths of Your Word. I weep as I think about what I’ve done with the life and grace you have freely bestowed upon me. You are so Good. You are Good, Righteous and Holy in all of Your ways. I have been an undeserving, wretched, wicked sinner. But Papa, Praise Your Holy Name, that one day You came and found me. You washed me clean, and stood me up. With Love in Your eyes You – the Righteous, and Holy Judge of the Universe – sent Your Holy Son Jesus to stand up in the Courtroom of Heaven and state, I will take their place. I will receive the punishment they deserve.” Thank You that He overcame so that I can overcome. I now pronounce and proclaim that I have overcome the accuser of the brothers, the prosecuting attorney of Heaven, by the Blood of Jesus. By Jesus’ Blood I have been declared justified, righteous, and sinless, as if I’ve never done anything wrong. Holy Lord I praise You that through the Blood I no longer have to serve sin. The power of sin has been broken off of my life. Thank You Holy One, My Precious Father, Savior, and Lover of my soul that You see me in the Present Tense – because You are Timeless, living in the Present Tense. You see me not as someone who has been saved but as someone who is saved. I am someone who is innocent before God by the Blood of Jesus. I choose to live in the Present – in His Presence – where I am justified, clean, righteous, holy, and free. By the Blood of Jesus I am justified. I declare it to the Heavens. I am justified and not guilty by the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God!

Scripture Reading for Who’s Your One? – Don’t forget your reading for the day: 

Day 3 – Matthew 11:28-30