REE DEEMED: LOST AND FOUND, Part 1
EPILOGUE
“Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16 KJV). “..After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:28-30 KJV).
“…For I have come down from heaven ... TO DO ...THE WILL of him who sent me…” (John 6:38 NIV).
“…The Son of man (God’s PLAN of SALVATION) came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV).
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For Ree Lynn Deemd, the Easter story or Resurrection Day had become “MOST” important to her and to lost people like she’d been.
Ree stayed grateful that Jesus has the power to seek after and save the lost. That he died and rose again to save the lost. That he has the power to miraculously heal the sick-sin soul of the lost. That he is God’s actual PLAN of SALVATION for the lost.
She was grateful that Jesus could give a spiritually dead person “his” breath of LIFE again. That, even though, the wages of sin is death, the free GIFT of God, through Jesus, is eternal life. Because of Jesus, for the SAVED, the end of the physical life was only the beginning of the eternal one.
Whatever she was before Jesus found her; was over, because his indwelling Holy Spirit made her into a NEW CREATION.
Jesus reversed everything and his RESURRECTION was proof of his POWER and SOVEREIGNTY over SIN and DEATH.
“...[Jesus]... was buried, and …he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).
Jesus’ resurrection was the miraculous SIGN and WONDER from heaven that “he” was the SAVIOR of the WORLD. “… the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ .. though HE WAS [spiritually] RICH, yet for your sakes he became [spiritually] poor, that ye through his poverty might be [spiritually] RICH…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV). “... his life [was made]... an offering for sin...” (Isaiah 53:10-11 NLT). “...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...” (1 Timothy 1:15 NLT). “...Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him...” (Hebrews 7:25 NLT).
“…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM. And we are witnesses …” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV).
If the testimony of two witnesses is truth. There are eyewitness everywhere and God’s own words proclaim, that Jesus is the Messiah and HIS Son. “...even in your own law it is written that the testimony of TWO witnesses is true...” (John 8:17 NIV). “...BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OF THREE WITNESSES “EVERY FACT” MAY BE CONFIRMED...” (Matthew 18:16 NASB).
“…Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were EYEWITNESSES and servants of the word…” (Luke 1:1-2 NLT).
“….Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were EYEWITNESSES, and ministers of the word…” (Luke 1:1-2 KJV).
“…For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were EYEWITNESSES of his majesty….” (2 Peter 1:16 NLT).
“...John “BARE” record (witness), saying I SAW the SPIRIT descending FROM HEAVEN like a dove, and it abode upon him... (John 1:33 KJV).
John the Baptist also said: “...I SAW, and BARE WITNESS that “this” is the SON OF GOD...” (John 1:34 KJV).
God said “…This is my BELOVED SON, in whom I am well pleased...” (JOHN 1:14). Jesus said: “...I am “HE” who testifies about myself, and THE FATHER who sent me testifies of ME...” (John 8:18 NASB)
“...the testimony of TWO witnesses is true...” (John 8:17 NIV).
Jesus didn’t just have TWO witnesses. The Synoptic Gospels heavily supported by many “present-day” scholars as having been written by his “eyewitnessing” disciples.
The Synoptic Gospels differ on facts and perspectives, yet agree on the many eyewitnesses, miraculous works, and first-hand accounts of Jesus’ life and death
In addition, the best source for proving Jesus existed is the bible. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV).
Ree believed the bible is a 100% historical, reliable, and authentic account of the WITNESS of Jesus Christ. “...I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you...I am the root and descendent of David, the bright morning star...” (Revelation 22:16 NASB). “...this is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David... (Matthew 1:1 NIV). “...WE SAW his star when it rose...” (Matthew 2:2 NIV).
“...you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere (through speech and CONDUCT)...” (ACTS 1:8 NLT).
Jesus has thousands of WITNESSES now, not just because of the historical WITNESSESES, but because they KNOW him for themselves. Ree was one of them. “...We no longer believe, JUST because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that his man (Jesus) is “really” the SAVIOR of the WORLD...” (John 4:42 NIV).
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated and confirmed by the REDEEMED and their WITNESS is PROOF that he is THEIR personal SAVIOR.
You may not agree and you certainly don’t know him like they do as THE SAVIOR of the WORLD! “...we know that his man (Jesus) is “really” the SAVIOR of the WORLD...” (John 4:42 NIV).
Jesus was also HOLY and his character proved he was FREE from SIN. Jesus lived an HOLY life of obedience. Jesus Christ died to become a ransom for lost people, like her, through his sacrificial death. He died for the lost and everyone, who doesn’t know Jesus, IS LOST.
Easter Sunday or Resurrection day is about his sacrificial death and what he did to became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the LOST world. The bible says: “…Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16 KJV).
“…And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him…” (John 19: 17-18 KJV).
“..After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost…” (John 19:28-30 KJV).
“…The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced…” (John 19:31-37 KJV).
“…And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand…” (John 19:38-42 KJV).
“…Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you…” (JOHN 20:19-21 KJV).
UnRee was NEVER loved before, but LOVE motivated Jesus Christ to die upon the cross. Ree cried EVERY time she heard what he’d done for her; it didn’t matter whether she was in public or private.
She worshipped him, openly and unashamedly, for his GREAT LOVE and SACRIFICE. “…There is no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT). “Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US and sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT). “…God SO LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
Not only Did Jesus Christ love UnRee, but he was HAPPY to GIVE her the GIFT of SALVATION. “…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the JOY awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).
The experience of the cross must have been shameful and horrific, but Jesus did it anyway. What kind of love was this that a GIFT, that caused so much pain and shame, meant so much to God? And what kind of love did God and Jesus share that Jesus would do what he asked of him?
“…Because of the JOY awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).
God knew “…when he (Jesus) sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant (Jesus) will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT).
God “…spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…For I have come down from heaven “NOT” TO DO MY WILL BUT to do THE WILL of him who sent me…” (John 6:38 NIV). "I and my Father are ONE." (John 10:30 KJV).
Jesus was her RANSOM, he was her ATONING SACRIFICE for SIN. Jesus was her COVENANT KEEPER and her GIFT of SALVATION.
He was her ETERNAL LIFE and he was the INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT within her. He was her EVERLASTING LOVE. “…There is no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).
“…Christ died for [her] SINS according to the scriptures; And …he was buried, and … rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).
“…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV). “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).
Jesus died for “her” sins and the sins of the LOST. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).
Therefore, UnRee “… REPENT[ed].. and TURN[ed]... TO God …” (Acts 26: 20 NASB). The bible said: “….IF YE BELIEVE NOT THAT I AM HE, YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS…” (John 8:24 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out…” (Acts 3:19 KJV). “…Whosoever believeth in him SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“IF” Jesus had not found her, she would STILL be lost. “…SALVATION is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NIV).
She felt no one in the world was as lost as she’d been. She often felt like a person sitting on an abandoned island for years and years waiting to die.
She knew, first hand, what it was like to be LOST, feel LOST, and experience LOSS. She had nothing and her whole was a deficit.
She was at a lost for everything; a mother, a family, consistent nourishment, a home, money, safety, daily companionships, etc. This list could go on and on, but she had Jesus.
What she didn’t know, until later, is that she had EVERYTHING that mattered.
She never wanted to get complacent with Jesus or treat him as mundane or common, or make his promises into cliques and quotes.
It broke her heart to see how people went to church to fulfill their righteous duties and it was just part of the routine of living. Very few were excited about Jesus anymore.
Ree couldn’t even stand in his presence, in private, when it was just she and the Holy Spirit, alone in her room.
She worshipped him in prostrate in private. She was so very grateful for his love and his salvation. It was a GREAT SALVATION!
Her daily prayer included, “...if you empower me, O, Lord, I will live grateful the rest of my life...” Jesus was her healer and he healed her soul, which was the sickest part of her whole existence.
Ree was LOST and nothing, in her life, had felt better than the DELIVERANCE of her SIN-SICK and lost soul.
Jesus really CAME and FOUND her!! “…The Son of man came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV). “….the Son of Man came …to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
JESUS CHRIST also came into her empty heart and became her eternal SALVATION. “…And being made perfect, he became author of ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them who obey him…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV).
JESUS CHRIST came for the LOST. When he died 100s and 100s of years ago, he had also came for her, Ree Lynn Deemd to give his life as a ransom. “….the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and TO GIVE his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28 NIV).
The celebrations were good. The sermons were usually good. The decorations were good. The fellowship was good. The holiday, itself, was good, but having a COVENANT relationship with the man, who DIED upon the CROSS, was BEST!
Jesus is the one, she, now one of the REDEEMED, loved, ministered for, obeyed, suffered for, lived for, and looked forward to seeing one day. “…We PATIENTLY endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind…” (2 Corinthians 6:4 NLT).
“...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” ENDURE (THROUGH HUMAN WILL ) UNTO THE END SHALL BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
Resurrection Day was Jesus’ triumphant and glorious victory over SIN AND DEATH. This is GOOD and FAVORABLE news to his REDEEMED people.
As HIS REDEEMED people, they too, have VICTORY over SIN and DEATH through Jesus Christ.
He was COMING again and one day REE would meet him face to face.
He found her once and it PROVED, to her personally, Jesus is who he says he is. “Jesus saith…I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6 KJV).
Jesus RESTORED her soul and imparted SPIRITUAL LIFE to her. “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “IN” Christ she was made “ALIVE AGAIN.” (Luke 15:24 NIV).
“…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “……God made you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…he that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with him and God]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).“…. old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He resurrected her soul by restoring it to life and that life is his indwelling Holy Spirit. “…Jesus said…I am the resurrection and I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV).
“…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…Christ liveth in [you]…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).“…Now may the God of peace Himself SANCTIFY you entirely; and may your...[indwelling Holy].. spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 NASB).
“… the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ .. though HE WAS [spiritually] RICH, yet for your sakes he became [spiritually] poor, that ye through his poverty might be [spiritually] RICH…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV). “... his life [was made]... an offering for sin...” (Isaiah 53:10-11 NLT). “...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...” (1 Timothy 1:15 NLT). “...Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him...” (Hebrews 7:25 NLT).
Jesus had sought UnRee Deemd out and he found her. She was LOST, but was FOUND. Now she was a NEW CREATION named Ree Deemd and old things, in her life, have passed away.
Is Jesus looking for you? Yes, that’s why he came! “…The Son of man (God’s PLAN of SALVATION) came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV).
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