Eyes That See - Part 2
Sermon Notes by Pastor Mark Downey
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 44:9 “They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.”
“Oh say can you see” is the first line in The Star Spangled Banner, and Francis Scott Key meant for it to mean patriotic pride after a ferocious all-night battle in the War of 1812, their flag was still visible “by the dawn's early light.” The Spirit of 1776, in the form of a flag, reflected what White Christian Americans were willing to die for, namely our freedom to worship Jesus and not be ruled by tyrants. “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!” Mt. 17:29. When Jesus was abducted in the middle of the night by a mob of shameless hypocrites, the Cross of Calvary is still seen by those who have eyes to see its glory after the dawn of 2000 years. This translation of the KJV is a mockery as well, in that Jesus was not king of the jews, that is, the non-Israelite Edomite Pharisees, but rather King of the Judahites and thus Israel.