In her amazing devotional for Lent, 40 Days of
Decrease, Alicia Britt Chole reflects on the who stood around Jesus’ cross
hurling insults at Him. Mark gives us this glimpse … "Those who
passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who
are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the
cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of
the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he
can’t save himself!" (Mark 15:29-31, NIV) Ignorant of what was
actually happening in those moments, they accused Jesus of being a fraud. We
know that He hung there in agony, bearing our sins! What wonder. What grace.
What love. They only saw a Man condemned.
Before we rush on from that thought, let me borrow Ms.
Chole’s thought and ask about your reaction to those who are suffering around
you, to those who lives are marred and scarred, to the bruised and the broken.
Are you only a critic? Do you shake your head and blame them for their lack of
discipline, their failure to choose wisely? Does any reaction of compassion get
overtaken with the need to distance yourself by assigning blame for their
misery? Jesus taught that how we treat others is an extension of our love
for Him. Yes, He said, that cup of cold water offered to the least and the
unlovely is a cup offered to His lips.
Perhaps I write today only for myself, but I find myself
fatigued by the human need around me. The quickest way to avoid a response is
to make those in need into ‘not me.’ If I see them as children of God, as
my brother, my sister, then I must love. But, if I can somehow make them
different, if I can blame them for their state, I can become a modern Pharisee
gathering my robes tightly and thanking God that “I am not like these
sinners.” And, if I choose that route, I miss out on opportunity to
love – them, Him!
Throwing grenades is a lot easier than engaging in
thoughtful conversation. A grenade can be launched from the safety of a place
behind the lines. A sneering ‘what’s wrong with you?’ is a reaction so
much simpler than a conversation that asks “how can I help?”
“But, Jerry, there are consequences for our actions.
We do reap the harvest of the seeds we sow.” True that, dear friend, but are we
in the place of God, to judge, to condemn, to consign others to worthlessness,
discards along the road of life? That is not what I see Jesus doing in
the Gospels. He loved, always hoping for redemption. His love gave hope that
led to change.
When a woman who was having an adulterous affair was
dragged in front of Jesus for judgment, He did not point out her moral
failings, though they were obvious to all. There were no scathing words about
her shamelessness, or her failure to understand the consequences of her
choices, or her lack of character. Instead, He offered her dignity. And,
then He did say, "Now, go and sin no more."
His worst critics lobbed grenades while He suffered. Isaiah
had foretold that day. "He was looked down on and passed over, a man
who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains
he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he
brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures."
(Isaiah 53:3-4, The Message)
Paul instructs us to engage ourselves ‘the ministry of
reconciliation.’ How? Secure your heart in the love of Jesus, the
grace He gives us that takes away our fear, the assurance that we have every
resource we need to serve Him.
May this word from the Word challenge us to love Him, by
loving those with whom we live. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord,
when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to
drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and
clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The
King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’" (Matthew 25:37-40, NIV)
____________________
This Is Amazing Grace
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings.
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings.
This is amazing grace.
This is unfailing love.
That You would take my place,
That You would bear my cross.
You laid down Your life,
That I would be set free.
Oh Jesus, I sing for all that You've done for me.
Who brings our chaos back into order?
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?
The King of Glory, the King of Glory.
Who rules the nations with truth and justice,
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?
The King of Glory, the King above all kings.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.
Worthy, worthy, worthy.
Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham
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Pastor Jerry Scott
FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH
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