The Master Mate for the Checkmated

Daily Scripture Threshing for Monday, November 15, 2021

Today’s Text: 1 Peter 3:13-20

Key Verse: 1 Peter 3:18 (NKJV): “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”

Paul Morphy who was a world’s champion chess player in the 19th century was invited by a friend to view a valuable painting, titled “the chess player.” The painting was an art work of a profound artist which vividly portrays a mystic but clear message that one can almost watch as a live drama. In the painting, Satan was pictured as playing chess with a young man. The assumption of the art is that the stake is the young man’s soul; and that the young man could not make any further move, having been checkmated. No matter what move he made, he was sure to be defeated. He has started to despair for the loss of his soul. The motive of artist is clear. His art illustrates the chessboard of life and a mockery of the human precarious and depraved nature without God.

After studying the picture for a while, Morphy, who knew better than the artist in the game of chess, and called for a chessboard and pieces. He placed the pieces in exact position as they were in the painting, and announced: “i’ll take the young man’s place and make the needed move for him.” He then made the singular unexpected game-changing move sufficient to free the checkmated soul of the young man. Friends, men and brethren, you need the Master chess champion to free your soul from its check mate position. He alone understands your predicament and despair. It is possible that, right now, your life is painted as if there is, or will be no way out for you. Or maybe you feel like your soul has been bought or sold. But the better champion is right there by your side—right now—if you would turn both your predicament and life chessboard to Him. His name is Jesus, the Master and the merciful Mate for the checkmated.

Quote for the Day: “The world knows of nothing more sublime than the life-for-life mystery of the sacrificial exchange that Christ did for us by taking our place.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for dying in my place. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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