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But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 NIV
We live in a world that idolizes heroes and rightfully so. A Good Samaritan stops to pull an injured person from a burning car and then, the mayhem that follows, disappears when emergency crews arrive.
A fireman or by-stander races into a burning home to rescue a person inside, only to die in the attempt.
A mother dies saving the lives of her children as a tornado pours debris down on her. The children survive because of the body shield she made.
A child calls 9-1-1 and as a result a loved one is taken to the hospital just in time, a life is saved.
We love hearing these stories. Stories of people in the right place at the right time, performing a feat of bravery and ignoring the risk to their own lives. They make us smile. They give us hope. They become a bright light in the darkness.
But what would we think if every time someone tried to save another person that person climbed right back into the danger? The wounded person drags himself across the pavement to climb back into the burning fire; the rescued person dashes back into the burning house; the injured loved one refuses treatment once the ambulance arrives and dies on the floor.
Preposterous you may say and you’d be right. But such is the story of Jesus Christ. He went to the cross knowing that the very people he died for would continue to sin. He went to the cross realizing that for many, his death would be in vain, not because their sin was too great, but because of their refusal to seek his forgiveness.
Jesus is the ultimate hero. The heroes we read about in the newspapers save people from physical harm and death, Jesus saves us from the hidden wounds of the heart and gives us eternal life. The wounds on our bodies can heal with time, but only Jesus can heal the eternal wounds of the heart. He is our ultimate hero and he did it knowing we’d rush right back in and need to be rescued again.
As one writer said, “It wasn’t the nails that held Jesus to the cross. It was your sin.”
PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for rescuing me. There is no reason I deserve your kindness. There is no reason you should have endured the pain of the cross on my behalf. But I thank you for your mercy, grace and forgiveness. Amen.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Repeat after me:
- God said, “Let there be light and God saw there was light and that the light was good.
- God said, “Let the land and water be separate and he saw that the land and sea was good.
- God said, “Let the heavens be full of stars and galaxies and planets and it was so and God saw that it was good.
- God said, “Let there be birds and fish of many colors and sizes and varieties and God saw that they were good.
- God said, “Let there be every kind of animal that lives on the ground. Magnificent animals of many types, and God saw the animals and that they were good.
- God said, “Let there be plant life. Trees and flowers, moss and grasses to cover the earth and God saw that the plant life was good.
- Then God spoke into existence his most precious, marvelous creation when he said, “Let there be [INSERT YOUR NAME HERE].
Didn’t balk at the last one did you? Didn’t let your past hold you back from stating it? Wouldn’t allow your present weakness to keep you from stating an eternal truth? It is you know. After every step of creation God looked upon his created work and said “It is good.” It was no different when he spoke you into existence at conception.
The word ‘good’ in our English language doesn’t do the true meaning justice. God’s ‘good’ is way beyond man’s ‘excellence’ and when God made you, he saw you were good.
Don’t let your weaknesses keep you from seeing God’s handiwork in your life. Refuse to allow the poor choices you’ve made relationally, educationally, financially or spiritually detract from the reality that you are God’s special creation.
The Psalmist looked around himself at all that God had provided in the way of nature and creation. But what moved him the most? “I praise you O God because ‘I’ am wonderfully made.
When the Father spoke you into existence he knew you would fail miserably. He knew you would never amount to anything on your own. He knew you would never be able to find peace or live the life he required for salvation. That’s why he sent Jesus. That’s what Grace is all about.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Don’t ever let the enemy tell you different. Don’t let religion spoil your freedom in Christ. Remember, because of Jesus, when God looks at you he sees you are good.
PRAYER: Lord God in Heaven. Mighty King. Master Creator of the Universe. Daddy. I praise you for loving me in spite of my weakness and for making me your masterpiece. Thank you for a love that no one and nothing can sever. Amen.
The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40 (CEV)
It was the week before Easter when our small community choir visited a homeless shelter in a nearby city. Our small town, rural environment didn’t prepare us for what we experienced. Some of us had seen them in passing, the younger ones hadn’t. They were ‘bums, or hobos’ when I was growing up. Now the more ‘politically correct’ title was ‘the homeless’.
Our stereotypes were greatly wounded by the experience. After our concert we sat with men and women who missed their families dearly. Mom’s who admitted that their choices sent their children away. Dad’s who longed to know how their little boy was, but because of the mistakes he’s made, wasn’t allowed to. The tears of remorse flowed. The stories came out.
The experience taught me to look a little differently at the man on the street corner holding up a ‘Will Work For Food’ sign. These were men named ‘John’ and women named ‘Sandy’. Moms and Dads, sons and daughters, who were faced with the same decisions you and I were faced with. They took an easier way, a way that looked better at the time but ended up being a path with stiff and harsh consequences.
There was one other thing we noticed about many of those who stayed for the meal afterwards. They had a deep love for Jesus. How can someone who uses drugs, sleeps under bridges and occasionally steals claim to love Jesus? Better yet, how can I claim to love Jesus and not have compassion (at the least) for those less fortunate, the social outcasts, he’s put in my way to love and when possible give a helping hand.
What a privilege the Father has given us to be able to show the love of Jesus to those less fortunate than ourselves! There was no money handed out that night, but all of us left richer than when we came. Our new friends were reminded of Jesus love for them and the forgiveness only he can offer. We were reminded that not only did Jesus die for all of us. He allows us to minister to one another.
It’s a hard, but true fact that our Father expects us to reach out to those who we least want to reach out to. The dirty, the failures, the ones that we’d rather turn away from. “But,” you may say, “They will just use us. They’ll just take advantage of us. They can’t be trusted.”
The Father turns to us and says, “Yes, they may. I took a chance on you. Will you take a chance on them?”
PRAYER: Father, I’d far rather turn my attention and focus towards the beautiful and lovely. I’d far rather show your love to those who will build me up for my efforts. But I realize your desire is for those who are unlovely by the world’s standards to be shown your love. Empower me to show your love in a tangible way to the unlovely people around me. Amen.
Shout praises to the LORD! He is good to us, and his love never fails. Psalm 107:1 (CEV)
We have entered into the period of time the church celebrates as Lent. Lent is that time for reflection leading up to the passion of Jesus Christ. Like many church traditions, Lent began for good reasons, as an avenue of worship and remembrance. As time has warn on, Lent has become more ritual that relationship building.
For some Lent is nothing more than a new set of church activities and responsibilities. For others it’s a time of sacrifice. For others, Lent is simply that period of time leading up to yet another chocolate holiday.
This year, take some time to focus on the original intent of this period. Revisit the gospels and read the accounts of Jesus’ last days on earth. Read each gospel account to grasp the differing views of the writers. Read it from different translations. Reading different translations helps to gain new perspectives.
Meditate as you read on the fact that all of this was done with you in mind. Every step Jesus took on the way to the cross was taken for you. Your name was imprinted on his sandals. Your face imprinted on his mind.
As Jesus made his way toJerusalemhe endured opposition, but you were worth it.
As Jesus made his way toJerusalemhe was well aware of the trials he would bear on your behalf, the beatings, the floggings, the spit in his face, the nails in his hand. But you were worth it.
As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem He knew the urgency involved. He knew that he had to do this so that you would have the gift of freedom and eternal life. He pressed on in the face of adversity because you were worth it.
As Jesus made his way toJerusalemhe knew some would take advantage of him. His mercy would fall on those intent on their own selfish gains. But he continued on, realizing he’d be forgotten by some because you were worth it.
As Jesus made is way toJerusalemhe never lost sight of who he was. Son of God. Creator of the universe. God incarnate. Master designer. Worthy of all honor and praise. As he looked over the city he wept. His tears weren’t because of his own impending pain, he wept for you. He wept for you because you were worth it.
What great love your Lord Jesus has for you. A love that is available regardless of your sin. A love that is available in spite of your past. A love that is available to you because in the eyes of the master, you are worth it.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus. As we enter this season of Lent help me to revisit your passion in a sense of awe and thanksgiving for all you have done for me. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Thank you that in your eyes I was worth the pain you bore. Amen.
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:32
You see the stories. A child is lost. Parents beg for help and the safe return of their precious child. Teams of law enforcement personnel and volunteers form quickly to find the child. News reports are issued and everyone, everyone is called on to look for the child.
In far too many cases, the scenario ends sadly, but in those situations where the child is found safe there is great celebration. Tears of joy and ‘high-fives’ abound. Heartfelt ‘thank-yours’ come from parents and family members. The child is home, safe and in the arms of those who love him/her.
In the spiritual realm there is also much rejoicing when a ‘child comes home’. Think of the jubilation we feel and multiply it a thousand-fold in heaven. What is significant in the story of the prodigal son isn’t what happened so much as what we don’t find.
There is no questioning about the prodigals sincerity upon his return. No period of ‘probation’ to see if he really had changed his ways. No consequences laid out before the party could happen.
Note the wording in the NIV. ‘But we HAD to celebrate.’ There was no question in the father’s mind. No second thoughts. No apprehension. A celebration had to happen and the sooner the better.
Too often, we who are steeped in years of ‘church-iness’ are cautions in our acceptance of those who ‘return home’. Oh, we celebrate initially because that’s what you do, but at the first sign of a slip-up we tend to think ‘well, you can’t really change those kind can you?’
Too often we require steps to spirituality to prove the life-change in a person before we accept them ‘back’ into the fold. Remember too that the prodigal represents one that was in the ‘fold’ at one time and left. By today’s standards we would think of him as a once-upon-a-time church-goer who’d left the faith, tarnished our good name and then returned for forgiveness.
When a sinner comes home to the Father it doesn’t matter if he comes for the first time or comes after going astray. The Father welcomes him back with open arms. There is no question in his mind that the ‘prodigal’ will fail. It’s a given. The Father is never surprised by our sin. Never shocked by our lack of obedience. Never amazed when we choose our own way.
On the other hand, he is never unwilling to take us back when we come home. All of us are prodigal sons and daughters. All of us can come home again regardless of why we went astray.
PRAYER: Father you know me better than I know myself. You know how easy it is for me to stray from you. You know how hard it is to accept those who have gone astray. Thank you for forgiving us in spite of our ability to be obedient to you. Empower me with your Spirit to live according to your word. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 