Monday, August 31, 2015

For Someone Like Me

For Someone Like Me

Sometimes it’s hard to believe how fortunate we are that God loves us.  In a society that tries to convince us of guilt-free living and self-esteem theology, we can downplay the depths that Jesus went to save us from our sins and assume that we really deserve it after all.  But the truth is, God took an active step in giving us mercy (what we don’t get that we do deserve) and grace (what we do get that we don’t deserve) so that we might be called His children.

I am reminded of a story that conveys a modern parable.   During the war in Vietnam, a young West Point graduate was sent over to lead a group of new recruits into battle.  He did his job well, trying his best to keep his unit from ambush and death.  But one night when they had been under attack, he was unable to get one of his men to safety.  The soldier left behind had been severely wounded.  From their trenches, the young lieutenant and his men could hear him in pain.  They all knew any attempt to save him- even if it was successful- would almost certainly mean death for the would-be rescuer.

Eventually the young lieutenant crawled out of hiding toward the dying man.  He got to him safely but was killed before he could save himself.  After the rescued man returned to the United States, the lieutenant’s parents heard that he was in their vicinity.  Wanting to know this young man whose life was spared at such a great loss to them, they invited him to dinner.

When their honored guest arrived, he was obviously drunk.  He was rowdy and obnoxious.  He told off-color jokes and showed no gratitude for the sacrifice of the man who died to save him.  The grieving parents did the best they could do to make the man’s visit worthwhile, but their efforts went unrewarded.

Their guest finally left.  As the dad closed the door behind him, the mother collapsed in tears and cried, “To think that our precious son had to die for somebody like that.”  That’s what Jesus did.  We can’t mistake the point of the story.  Whether the issues are drunkenness, rebellion, pride, choices, unforgiveness, selfishness, or attitude, they all fall into the category of sin…and we must never forget God loves us anyway.

During Jesus’ final days leading to the cross, He was making His way toward Jerusalem when the Bible tells us that He stopped and cried over the city.  More specifically, He cried over individual people who could not see what was about to be done in order to bring hope and life.  Rather than gratitude, they had disgust, and instead of love, they offered hatred.

There are a couple of things we might remember to do:

1)    Thank Him for His unconditional love.
Romans 5:8 says, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” While we had nothing to offer but brokenness, He gave us His love.

2)    Thank Him for His healing power.
Isaiah 53 says, “By His stripes, we are healed.”  He has offered an answer. 

There is no better time than right now to respond to His unconditional gift that was given…for someone like you and someone like me.

Terry Risser

Reflections:
1)   What sin(s) in your life astounds you that Christ was willing to forgive?
2)   Express your praise to Him with sincerity for all He has done for you.

Consider reading the word today:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex%2039-40,%20ps%2015,%20acts%2012&version=NKJV

Copyright 2015 - Terry Risser

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