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:
Copyright 2014 - Terry Risser
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