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Category: Forgiveness

A Seat with a View

A Seat with a View

One of my favorite things is to be safely settled into a tree stand before first light, and quietly experience the awakening of the woods.  There’s nothing else quite like it.

After settling into the blind, it’s usually the nocturnal animals you will hear first … the raccoons and opossums making their way to their bedding area for the day.  Next, the birds greet the morning with their various chirps, squawks and calls.  Then the squirrels begin making their appearances, climbing nimbly through the trees, scooting quickly along fallen trees (which tend to serve as their lower-level highways), or rustling noisily in the leaves on the ground.

And if one is deer hunting and is fortunate, the soft sounds of a deer or two browsing nearby might catch your ear as the morning sky slowly brightens.

Recently as I enjoyed the arrival of another day in one of my tree stands, I marveled at how much I was able to observe while being largely unobserved.  The view from above provides much greater visibility of the animals while providing much greater invisibility for the viewer.  Instead of trying to see through the tangles of brush on ground level, one enjoys a much better vantage point when higher up.

Since I deliberately build my blinds in areas that provide wide-ranging views – with a bit of special “forest management” on my part (clearing brush, trimming branches, etc.) – I typically can look over almost 360 degrees of the woods immediately around me.  So I see a lot of wildlife.

But I know that I don’t see it all.  On a recent hunting trip, on two different occasions I had deer approach quite close before I spotted them.  (One of the drawbacks of having to watch 360 degrees!)  I imagine some have ghosted by without me even noticing.  I know some deer have moved past … in the brush within hearing but just out of sight … because that’s what deer do.

And while I see a lot of the wildlife around me, I certainly don’t see it all.  Not only do I miss some larger animals, but I miss nearly all of the smaller ones.  The chipmunks, mice, and snakes go largely unnoticed.  They usually maneuver below the ground canopy.  I certainly don’t see the many insects going about their business under tree bark, inside dead logs, or on the ground.  I don’t see ANY of the critters below the ground, yet there are many present there.

So while I certainly do see a lot, there’s a lot that I don’t see as well.  It turns out my view is actually rather limited, even when up in a tree with cleared area all around.

But here’s what I find astounding: The Lord does see it all!

Every creature around every one of my blinds … large, small, and miniscule.  In the air, in the trees, in the brush, on the ground, and in the ground.  Brightly colored or brilliantly camouflaged. Moving or still; sleeping or eating; seen by me or not seen by me – they’re ALL seen by God!

And not just in the little woods I hunt in.  But every creature everywhere!

Nothing escapes his notice; nothing sneaks past the all-seeing God.  While he’s unobserved, he observes all.  “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him …” (Hebrews 4:13).

This is tremendously comforting to those of us who know Him, and who recognize that He loves us.

Consider how immense, supreme, unfathomable, awesome – (I struggle to find a sufficient adjective!) – our God is!  He sees all, knows all, and understands all.  (How can he possibly do that?  We can’t even keep track of the immediate circumstances in our personal lives!)  But God does.  And not just the circumstances in our own lives, but the circumstances in the entire world! 

Furthermore, the Lord guides and controls everything in his almighty power and according to his loving will.  There are no secrets kept from the Lord, and no surprises to him.  What happens is allowed by God to happen, and what he allows to happen is always motivated by his all-encompassing love. 

We may not understand (or like!) God’s plans all the time.  But then our view is limited; we don’t see the whole picture like God does.  Scripture assures us, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Our God also sees the evil intentions of those who might wish us harm.  “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).  Our enemies … whether personal, spiritual, societal, occupational or even international … can do nothing to us that the Lord doesn’t allow.  And if the Lord allows it, he has a loving purpose and is bringing blessings through it.

One other sobering application of this truth that God sees all … is that God sees all of our sins as well.  We humans might be able to hide things from other humans, but we can never hide them from God.  Perhaps that elicits shame, sorrow and fear from us.  And rightfully so.  God has given us very clear instructions on what is right and what is wrong in his eyes.

But here’s the great news: because the Lord sees our every mistake, that means that there are no mistakes missed through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and death on the cross. “Jesus Christ, the Righteous One … is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

Because of Jesus, our every sin seen by God is no longer seen by God because Jesus removed them from our record.  “This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (Isaiah 43:14&25).

How comforting it is to know that our good and gracious God sees everything in our lives and in our world, and is actively involved in providing for and protecting us in his immense love for us.  How comforting to know that as He sits on his throne in heaven, it’s a seat with the ultimate view!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Psalm 139:1-10
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Romans 8:35, 37-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Life’s Better with …

Life’s Better with …

Life’s better with a boat!

At least that’s what the electronic sign at one of the boat dealerships between my place and my parent’s place suggests.  And, of course, an operation that exists specifically to sell people boats would love to convince us that our lives are lacking if we don’t own a boat.

The fact of the matter is that boats, boating, and boating-related activities are HUGE in Michigan, where we now live.  Michigan is, after all, known as the “Great Lakes State.”  It is truly surrounded with water on nearly every side – both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.  Furthermore, on the land between all that “big water” are more than 11,000 lakes!  Which ultimately results in the little-known fact that Michigan contains the most freshwater coastline in the entire United States.  Almost 3,300 miles!  (TravelAsker.com)

So yes, boats are big here.  Both figuratively and, often enough, literally as well.  And many Michigan residents would subscribe to the statement that “life’s better with a boat.”

Many residents, perhaps … but not all.  Others would substitute another word into the sentence, “Life’s better with a _______” 

Another popular choice might be the word “cabin.”  It’s remarkable how many folks who live in bigger cities have getaway places around us in central Michigan, or even further north.  (Of course, since many of the cabins are on lakes, many of them also have boats!)

There is actually a great number of words to insert into that “Life’s better” statement.  Each of us would have our own personalized version. 

And most of the options aren’t evil.  Even the statement itself isn’t necessarily wrong.  Life can be better with many things.  Health, home, family, friends and financial security being just a few examples that come to mind.

Unfortunately though, this hints at a larger issue.  Sadly, sinful people are quick to raise up gods in their hearts and minds, and to lose sight of the ultimate and only true God.  To which the Lord reminds us:

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.  With whom will you compare me or count me equal?  To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? … I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”  (Isaiah 46:4-5, 9).

So what is the ultimate answer to a better life – to the best life?  What’s the word to drop into that blank that trumps all other words?  The item, the idea, the concept above all others?

It’s this: Life’s better with a Savior!

There’s really only one proper “Answer” to the best life possible.  It’s Jesus!  As the Lord himself reminds us in the Scriptures:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. … God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.  (Romans 5:6. 8-11).

What does the fact that Jesus died for us and lives again mean for our lives?  How does it make our lives better? 

It’s simply this: No matter what else is going on in our personal world.  No matter what our circumstances may be.  No matter whether we have a boat or not, or a cabin, or any other spectacular earthly possession.  Through Jesus, we have forgiveness from God, peace with God, and an eternity in God’s heavenly home.

Therefore, we have hope.  And we have joy.  And our lives are infinitely better!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you …” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Yes indeed, life is better with a Savior.

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Repayment?

Repayment?

In 35 years of ministry, this was a first.

As I sorted through the church mail a few weeks before Easter, I came across an envelope with the church address hand-written, but no return address included.  Wondering who had sent it and what it might be about, I opened it.

Inside were three $100 bills and the message, “Please put this in the offering plate.  Repayment for stealing many years ago.”

The bills were wrapped in a half-sheet of “Alro Steel” stationary.  There is indeed an Alro Steel factory in Clare, Michigan where our church happens to be.  But there are also dozens of other locations around the Midwest and Eastern states … including Cleveland, which was where the envelope was postmarked.

The mysterious gift raised so many questions.

Who was the anonymous individual who sent it?

Were they male or female?

Were they currently or previously employed by Alro Steel, or was the paper simply from a rip-off tablet that was handy?

Was the stolen money actually somehow stolen from our congregation?  Or was it something altogether different, but the individual wanted to repay it in a more “personal and direct” way to God by sending it to a Christian congregation?

And if that’s the case, why was it sent to our congregation?  A random choice (which I find hard to imagine), or did they somehow have ties to it?  (Seemingly more likely.)

But to me, perhaps the biggest question is … what was their motivation for repaying the money?

Of course, everyone understands the burden of a guilty conscience, and feeling the need to ease or erase that burden.  Obviously, this was almost certainly a huge factor in the money being sent.

But the question remains: was the repayment driven primarily by guilt or by gratitude?

Guilt is a powerful driving force.  But those responding solely to feelings of guilt rarely assuage those guilt feelings.  At least not completely.  If the realization that God is in the picture, the concern is always, “Is my response enough to please the holy God?”  If God is not recognized, the nagging reality that the dirty deed was still done still lingers.

Gratitude is an entirely different matter.  It’s the recognition that there is complete forgiveness through Jesus the Savior for whatever wrongs we have done.  Which results in an eagerness to do what pleases God in sincere thankfulness for his love, forgiveness and salvation.

Guilt is a feeling that we need to do something to make things right, with the emphasis on what self does; gratitude is being moved to want to do something to make things right, with the emphasis on what Jesus did for us.

There’s a significant difference between the two.  The Bible, by the way, promotes the gratitude avenue.

And when it comes to payments, there is none better than the price Jesus paid for you and me:

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

The price for our forgiveness is fully paid by Jesus!  How does this profound payment affect us? 

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Whoever sent the $300 to our congregation certainly did the right thing.  I pray that he or she knows that Jesus’ blood truly paid for their theft, and that as a result they are filled with joy, peace and gratitude.  For he did, so they can be!

It’s a truth that applies to all of us and our sin and guilt: Jesus already paid the price.  Thanks be to Jesus!  So in gratitude, we respond to that incredible gift by how we live and what we do.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Titus 2
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

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Guilty?

Guilty?

I’ve never been so innocent and felt so guilty.

It was a quick run to the local grocery store to pick up a few odds-and-ends.  I pushed a mini-grocery cart to toss the items in as I grabbed them.  Lying on the bottom of the main compartment of that cart was a store flier advertising this week’s deals – left behind by a previous shopper.  A common occurrence.  Nothing to even think about.

I gathered the things I needed, went through the self-checker, bagged the items, and began rolling the cart out of the store.  That’s when a nice young man who worked for the store stopped me, pointed in the cart and asked, “Is that yours?”

I thought he was referring to the stray flier, so I replied, “No.”  But apparently he was referring to the small block of cheese that had somehow slide under the flier … and had clearly not been paid for. 

I was mortified.  Everything seemed to indicate that I was guilty of trying to sneak out with some extra cheese … without paying any “cheese” for it!

Hopefully my shocked expression convinced the young man I was innocent of thievery.  That, and the fact that the cheese cost less than 3 dollars.  (I had much more valuable items than that in my grocery sack.)  But I suppose they see all kinds of people trying to sneak out with items of all different price values. 

I don’t know what his conclusions about me were, but he was certainly nice enough.  Even though it was truly an innocent mistake, at the moment I felt anything but innocent.

Perhaps something similar has happened to you?  Or maybe someone at some time has drawn false conclusions about you, assuming the worst, when in fact your words, actions or intentions were honorable and good?

It doesn’t feel good to be in those situations.  The stomach churns and the mind reels.  And maybe even the conscience is tweaked … despite your innocence?

Afterwards, my thoughts went to Jesus.  He was the literal embodiment of innocence appearing guilty.  The holy Savior hung on a Roman cross … a death reserved for only the worst of criminals … on open display for all to see and to draw their own conclusions. 

My little situation was nothing.  Though I appeared guilty, I was innocent.  And I suffered no consequences.  

But the sinless Son of God bore the guilt of the sin of the world!  Though also innocent, he endured incomprehensible consequences for something he wasn’t responsible for in the least.

The Lord describes Jesus’ substitutionary atonement in these simple but striking words of the prophet Isaiah:

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 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. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Paul summarizes this wonderful truth in this way: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

What Jesus endured for you and me was nothing short of astonishing.  It’s almost unbelievable that the perfect God himself would do such a thing for sinners like us.  And indeed, many do reject the concept because, “It’s simply too good to be true.” 

They are right in that it is “simply too good.”  They are wrong that it isn’t “true!”  Praise God that Jesus took our place!  And praise God that we believe this almost unbelievable truth!

When I was “busted,” I felt terrible, even though my “crime” was completely unintentional.  What did our Savior feel as he, in his holiness, endured the penalty for a world of sinners?  Guilt?  Shame?  Embarrassment?  Anger?

No!  He felt joy! 

This is also astonishing, but it is also true.  The Scriptures tell us so!  The writer to the Hebrews reveals, “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame …” (Hebrews 12:2).

Why was Jesus joyful?  Because he was accomplishing his Father’s will.  Because he was doing what only he could do.  Because he was redeeming sinners whom he loved.  Because countless people would now experience an eternity of salvation with him.

He who was innocent was counted as guilty so we who are guilty would be counted by God as innocent.  What a wonderful Savior we have!  What a wonderful salvation we have waiting for us!

How to Interact on This Blog

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Overly Abundant Grace – A Story

Overly Abundant Grace – A Story

In my many years as a pastor (and as a sinner), I have come to believe that guilt and shame over sin is one of Satan’s most powerful and effective weapons against God’s people.  Satan uses it to foster despair – despair that perhaps the Lord will stop loving and stop forgiving the sinner. 

In my conversations with the heartbroken, I have seen this scenario play out primarily in two ways: either someone is wracked with guilt over “horrible” mistakes made in the past, or they are tormented by repeatedly making the same mistakes in the present.  Sometimes both!

This story deals with the second scenario, though everything in it certainly applies to the first as well.  It’s a bit lengthy, but the topic is absolutely crucial.  May God use it to bring comfort, peace and joy to the grieving.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tristan was in a very bad place – mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  He was overwhelmed with guilt; shame engulfed him, sweeping through him in waves. 

He recognized that he was a sinner who sinned all the time in many different ways.  Unfortunately, this is the human condition – a result of the sinful nature residing in every person.  But that wasn’t what he agonized over, (though he certainly grieved over it).  No, it was trespassing … crossing God’s line between right and wrong … repeatedly in the same way that tore Tristan up.

“Again, and again, and again I make the same mistake; I sin the same sin!” his thoughts cried out.  “I know better.  I know it’s wrong.  I know God condemns it.  I know I shouldn’t do it.  But I do it anyway!  Again, and again, and again!”  He groaned out loud and shuddered in remorse. 

He sat at his dining room table, his head in his hands.  Heartfelt tears wet his hands, rolled down his wrists and dripped onto the tabletop.  It wasn’t the first time that sorrow over his sin spilled out of him; he was sure it wouldn’t be the last.  Especially since he kept falling into the same trap over and over again! 

Who was he kidding?  Often enough he wasn’t “falling into” the sin; it was an eager headfirst dive!

Tristan’s conscience tried him, judged him, found him guilty, and condemned him.  And Tristan didn’t even dare argue the verdict.

“How can God possibly forgive me … again?  How can I even go to him after so many falls?” he wondered.  The tears intensified as he shook his head in despair.  “Does he even want to hear from me anymore?  Am I even his child anymore?  Does he even care about me anymore?  When does he finally get fed up with me and toss me away?  I would have discarded me a long time ago!”

Sobbing wracked his body.  So much pain, and all self-induced!

He whispered out loud, his voice teaming with emotion, “O Lord, if you can somehow find a way … please, please, please forgive me one more time!  I know I have no right to ask, but it’s all I know to do.  I know Jesus died for me, but I’m afraid I’ve thrown it all away.  I’ve gone too far; I’ve sinned too many times!” 

Tristan dropped his head onto his folded arms resting on the surface of the table, his tears flowing freely.  “But Jesus is my only hope.  I have nothing else to cling to, and I’m terrified I’ve squandered him away with my foolishness.” 

A hollowness filled him; despair overriding every other thought and emotion.  His deep sorrow made him physically ill.  His mind locked onto his guilt, his heart ached, his chest constricted and his stomach churned.

“Hello, Tristan.”  Tristan lifted his head quickly; no one should be there with him!  His eyes fell on Jesus, standing before him and smiling warmly. 

How could this be?  Was it a dream?  A vision?  His mind couldn’t grasp what his eyes were seeing.  “It doesn’t matter how it is that you see me,” Jesus stated.  “It’s just important that you do.”

New tears streamed forth from Tristan’s eyes.  “O Lord, I’m not worthy to be in your presence!  I’m so sorry!  So sorry!  So very sorry!” he sobbed.  He felt that he should throw himself at Jesus’ feet, but he seemed unable to move.

Jesus nodded.  “Yes, I know.  You have sinned again and are torn apart with remorse.”  He paused, then continued gently.  “You do have a problem with this issue.  But it is not your greatest shortcoming.”

Tristan gasped.  Oh no!  He had a bigger issue?  In trembling voice, he faltered out the question, “What I keep doing is terrible, Lord!  But there is something worse?”  He was horror stricken, and his despair ramped up in intensity.

“All sin is horrible in my eyes, Tristan,” Jesus replied.  “And all sin brings at least some earthly ramifications.”  He smiled sadly.  “As you well know.”  Tristan nodded, almost imperceptibly.  “But some sins foster greater repercussions than others.  Potentially leading to eternal repercussions.  Such is the case with you.”

Tristan was terrified.  Was Jesus saying he had lost salvation?

“No, Tristan.  That is NOT what I am saying.  Only that if you continue to despair you could lose your hope and your salvation because you give up on me.  This is the risk if you continue in your more dangerous sin.”

After stating this, Jesus was silent.  He simply stared quietly at Tristan, waiting for the inevitable.  Finally, Tristan looked down, swallowed once, then twice.  He choked out the request in a weak voice. “What could possibly be worse?”  He didn’t dare look at Jesus.

“Your more dangerous sin is not believing my words,” came Jesus’ quiet but firm reply.  “And the ramifications of that are causing you major issues.”  The Savior let those statements sink in.

Tristan was dumbfounded.  His thoughts raced and his emotions swirled.  Finally, he gathered himself and said, “But I do believe your words!”

“Once again you prove that you do not,” Jesus stated.  “I, the Lord, just made a simple statement of fact … and you dismissed it.”  His voice didn’t carry anger, but rather a deep sadness.

Tristan gasped.  What had he just done?  And how was it that he had sinned in this way before?  He knew the Scriptures were inspired by God, and therefore living, active and absolutely true.  “I’m sorry, Lord!  I’m sorry!  But I don’t understand!”

“Yes, I know.  That is why I am here.  To help you understand, and to change your perspective.”

“Teach me what I need to learn, Lord!  Show me what I need to see!” Tristan begged.

Jesus smiled warmly again.  “I thought you’d never ask.”  He looked intensely at Tristan and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you will see!” Luke 10:23. 

Then Jesus waved his hand smoothly before him, and a large Bible appeared before Tristan.  It was open to Psalm 103, and three verses (8-10) lifted up off the page – large, glowing and easily discerned.   “Let’s review the basics.  What do these verses say?” 

Tristan read them.  “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”  New tears began flowing.

“Do you doubt these words?” the Savior asked.

“No!”

“I’ll ask you again.  Do you doubt these words?”

Tristan was about to insist that he didn’t … when he realized with shock that he had and he did. 

“Are we beginning to see the problem?” Jesus queried.  The grief-stricken sinner slowly nodded, his eyes wide.

“Good!” Jesus stated.  “Here’s another one.”  The pages in the Bible rolled right to left and settled on another passage – Ephesians 1:7-8.  The words again lifted off the page.  “In Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

Jesus spread his arms, his hands upright and open, and focused on Tristan.  “Are those words too difficult to understand?”

“No!”  Tristan paused.  “I mean, yes!”  He shook his head in exasperation.  “I mean no and yes!  Lord, my sins are so huge!  And so horrible!  And so often and easily repeated!  Doesn’t there come a time when a believer forfeits it all?”

Jesus placed his hands over his chest.  “And now we get to the heart of it all.  Listen carefully to what I say.”

“My apostle John wrote these words: ‘This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts.’” (1 John 3:19-20).  

The words stirred Tristan’s soul.  But Jesus wasn’t done.  “My apostle Paul summarized the same truth in this way: ‘Where sin increased, God’s grace increased all the more.’” (Romans 5:20).

“I’ve heard those words before, Lord, but …”  Tristan’s voice halted.

“But you weren’t sure they could be true.  At least for you.”  Tristan nodded sadly.  “Let me illustrate this for you,” Jesus replied. 

He waved his hand again, and the two of them seemed to be suspended over the tiny topmost shoot of a tree.  Jesus pointed at it.  “Your sin.”  The view slowly expanded and panned slowly downward until an entire massive tree became visible, hundreds and hundreds of feet tall.  Now Jesus motioned toward the tree.  “My grace, mercy and forgiveness.”

Tristan was stunned.  Jesus smiled, and then presented the next illustration. 

Now the two of them hovered over a vast body of water.  Jesus called Tristan’s attention to a small bubble floating on the surface.  “Your sin.”  The view expanded again to show the unending waves of a massive ocean, after which Jesus miraculously revealed the staggering depths of water below the tiny bubble.  Jesus simply said, “My grace.”

The view changed again.  This time Tristan’s gaze fell upon a miniscule pebble.  “Your sin,” said the Savior.  A short time later they had withdrawn to the point that they were looking upon the entire planet.  “My grace.”

Next, Tristan found himself looking down on himself.  “You and your sin.”  Rapidly, he shrank from view, as did the continent he was on, and soon the entire world.  In a matter of moments, the Lord showed him the entire solar system, then additional galaxies, and finally the entire cosmos.  “This is my grace.”

The Lord waved his hand once more, and an opening appeared in the stars.  Brilliant glory poured out from the cavity.  Tristan realized with awe that he was being given a glimpse into heaven. 

But it wasn’t only beams of brilliance that spilled from the opening.  There was also a cascade of thick, red liquid gushing out and cascading down toward the earth.  Tristan gasped.  It was Jesus’ blood! 

Once again the viewpoint altered; the focus again settled on Tristan … his head down on his table in profound grief.  The familiar words were repeated.  “You and your sin,” said Jesus.  And then the bright red blood of Jesus washed over him!  “My grace, mercy and forgiveness.  I assure you, it is more than sufficient for your guilt.”

“O Lord, it’s so wonderful!” Tristan exclaimed joyfully.  Then the exuberance began to slip away.  “But what about my repeated sin?”

“Which sin is that?” Jesus asked sincerely, and then stated, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25.

Tristan’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes grew wide.  It was all so astonishing!  So amazing!  So incredible!  So wonderful!

“A few final comments,” Jesus continued.  “First, realize that I am not making light of your sin.  Sin is always detestable to me.  Rather, I am discrediting your shame.”  Jesus wrapped his arms around Tristan.  “You love me and belong to me through faith.  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:1. Where there is no condemnation in God’s eyes, there is no need for shame.”

“Secondly, in love and thankfulness – go and sin no more.” John 8:11. Jesus tightened his embrace.  “But if you do … and you are sinful, after all … come to me in confidence that my grace is overly abundant for you.”

“And finally, your name is Tristan, which means ‘Sorrowful.’  Your spiritual name from this time forward will be Jevin.  Jevin means ‘God is gracious.’  It also means ‘Joyful.’  Since you now recognize that your God is indeed gracious, you can truly be joyful.”

Tristan was overcome with emotion.  New sobs broke forth from his heart.  But they weren’t sobs of sorrow; rather, an expression of extreme joy.  “Thank you, Lord, for loving me … and forgiving me!  Thank you, Lord, for showing this to me!”

Jesus kissed him on the forehead, and then he was gone.  But the truths he had shared remained.  Which meant that Jevin now held an entirely different perspective on God’s overly abundant grace.  It was a truth he treasured, and a truth that actually aided him in living his life more fervently for the Lord.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Biblical Concepts of a Sinner/Sin
Versus
God’s Abundant Love and Forgiveness

 Ephesians 3:16-19 – A tiny branch on a massive tree

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Micah 7:18-19 – A tiny bubble in a massive ocean

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

 Psalm 103:12 – A tiny pebble on the entire globe

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:11 – A tiny person in the vast cosmos

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

Colossians 1:19-23 – A sinful believer made holy through Jesus’ blood

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of  your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

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Psalm  103:1-14
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

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The Punishment Doesn’t Fit the Crime

The Punishment Doesn’t Fit the Crime

In a certain city lived a life-long criminal.  He was the true definition of the scum of the earth – a person who never did a proper thing if he could gain what he wanted improperly.  His perspective was a totally self-absorbed one, with no care or compassion for anyone else.  Consequently, he had no qualms about hurting anyone if it got him what he wanted.

This thug was a liar … a thief … an abuser … a rapist … and a murderer.  And since he lived out on the streets, he was filthy, smelly, and unkempt in every way – disgusting even to look at, much less to be around.

Outside of the city was a lovely palace where a wonderful king and his dearly-loved son resided.  They cared deeply about the people of the city and were constantly striving to serve them and help them to the best of their ability. 

When the King heard about the increasing crime in the city, he sent his son into the heart of it to look into the problem and to try to make a difference.  Since they were looking for unfiltered information, the prince set out without his usual guards.

The prince was a good man; wise yet humble, kind, loving and gracious.  He entered the city with pure intent – eager to associate with the people there, assess the situation, and to help those in need.

While walking down a street he happened to unknowingly approach the life-long criminal who was hovering in the shadows of an alley, waiting and watching for his next opportunity.  The evil man spotted the prince’s fine clothes and jewelry, and he coveted them.  They would bring him an abundance of coin from the backstreet dealers.

So the hidden predator pounced without warning … pulling his prey into darkness of the alley. The prince was brutally beaten.  But no, it wasn’t enough for the thug to incapacitate his victim; he didn’t stop until he had killed him.

A couple of town constables on their rounds happened to be nearby and heard the prince cry out.  They shone their lanterns into the alley to investigate and caught the murderer (literally) red-handed, as the brut was stripping the body.  The wicked man was so intent on gathering his new-found payday that he was slow to react.  The constables were not; they swooped in and tackled the murderer. 

The constables were horrified that someone’s life had been snuffed out so casually and cruelly.  And even more so when they realized whose body it was!  The prince had been killed!  The king would be devastated.  Oh, what a terrible day for the kingdom! 

They quickly gathered help to transport the son’s body to the palace while they escorted … none-too-nicely … the terrified and trembling criminal there to face the monarch.  They were immediately brought before the king, where they threw their prisoner on the floor.  Then with halting tongues and downcast eyes, they reluctantly revealed what had happened.

The King was heartbroken and sobbed that his son was dead.  “My dear son!  My only son!  The focus of my heart and my hope for the future!”  The entire court cried with him.  Not for show but with sincere grief; the prince was dearly loved by all. 

Every person present wanted and expected the harshest judgement to be levied, and not a single one among them would have questioned it when spoken – no matter how severe.   In their profound grief, they were almost eager to see the horrific punishment the King would pronounce upon his son’s lowlife murderer.  They wanted proper vengeance!

Finally the king steadied himself.  Then he spoke … tears still streaming down his cheeks.

“You have been a brutal criminal all your life.  You have lied, stolen, beaten, abused, raped, and killed.  And to top it all off, you even murdered my son.  So this shall be your punishment:

“Since you have my son’s blood on you, I will clean you up.  I will dress you in the finest of clothes and feed you the finest of foods.  You will eat at my table, live in my palace and remain in my presence, enjoying the very best blessings I can give you.  Your future will hold great joy; my son gave his life for yours!”

The criminal collapsed in disbelief, and the king’s court gasped in shock.  Had the king lost his mind in his grief?  It was beyond comprehension for anyone in this world to give such a sentence after such a crime by a lifelong criminal!  Yet, the king remained resolute, and his son’s murderer was pardoned and pampered from that day on … something no one could ever understand.

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And it is beyond comprehension for such a sentence to be spoken in those circumstances, isn’t it?  I can’t imagine anyone doing what that king did in this world. 

However, there is a king in the heavenly kingdom who has done just that.  If you haven’t put it together yet, we (you and I) are the life-long criminal in that story.  And perhaps your reaction is, “Woah!  I’m not that bad!  I’ve got some faults, but I’m not as evil as that guy!”

But if you remember that the Lord, the Heavenly King, said, “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).  And when you realize that we have broken every single commandment in one way or another, (if not with our body then with our mind), suddenly we recognize that we are every bit the life-long criminal that the man in our story was.

We tend to compare ourselves to other people, who are also sinful, so we come to the conclusion that we aren’t so bad.  But the reality is that we should be comparing ourselves to God, who is perfect in every way.  And when we do that, the conclusion is quite different: we are very, very bad.  We are every bit as evil in God’s eyes as the criminal.

In fact, one could properly say that we killed God’s Son.  It was our crimes that brought Jesus to earth.  It was our sinfulness that caused Jesus to die.  It was our wickedness that demanded proper payment.  It was in love for us that Jesus died on that cross.

If we properly recognize this, we …. like the criminal … stand before God’s judgement seat trembling and terrified.  We can’t expect anything but the worst.  Yet what does the King say?

“Since you have my son’s blood on you, I will clean you up.  I will dress you in the finest of clothes and feed you the finest of foods.  You will eat at my table, and live in my palace and remain in my presence, enjoying the very best blessings I can give you.  Your future will hold great joy; my Son gave his life for yours!”

How do we respond to that?

When we recognize the extent of our lostness, hopelessness, and our deserved punishment, but that instead of punishment we are given love … and grace … and forgiveness … and salvation … and peace … and joy through our Savior, we are overwhelmed!

How do we respond to that totally unexpected … and completely undeserved … blessing from our Heavenly King? 

Maybe we fall to our knees.  Maybe we cry.  Maybe we raise our arms above us and shout in victorious joy.  Maybe we do all of the above.  Almost certainly we immediately send up heart-felt and extremely emotional words of thanks to the Lord.

We cannot be unaffected by this amazing mercy from our God.  We must praise him!  And it’s not just an immediate and one-time praise, but praise that is on-going through our entire life.

The punishment Jesus suffered in our place was proper and necessary for full atonement for our sin to be made.  But the “punishment” we experience definitely doesn’t fit our crimes!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I fully recognize that there are some profound differences between the Father and Jesus, and the king and the prince in the story above.  First of all, Jesus knew that he was sent by the Father specifically to be killed.  Secondly, both the Father and the Son recognized that Jesus would not stay dead.  Finally, God’s spiritual blessings become ours through faith.  Where faith does not exist, the Lord justly judges and punishes.  He is a merciful God, but also a righteous God.

These are significant differences.

However, my intent with this story was to underscore how radical God’s mercy to you and me really was and is.  Even with the differences mentioned in the paragraph above, God’s mercy to us who know and love our Savior is truly profound, truly underserved, and absolutely unprecedented.  If the story accentuated these truths, then God be praised.

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Ephesians 2:1-5
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.

Psalm 103:8-10
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Lamentations 3:22
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

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A Thoughtful Reflection at a Significant Time

A Thoughtful Reflection at a Significant Time

This weekend marks my 60th birthday AND my 199th Heading to Heaven post. 

Neither of those events are probably all that significant to you.  But they are to me.  I’m honestly not sure which is less likely: to have reached 60 years old or to have shared almost 200 posts over the past 3 ¾ years. 

Those who know me well know that I was a wild one when I was young.  Not immorally wild, but risk-taker wild.  It is not an exaggeration to state that I should have been killed multiple times due to some of my adventurous and impetuous decisions.  Yet, here I am.

Nor was it ever an expectation of mine to share a weekly blog for almost four years.  Not in my wildest dreams.  Yet, here it is … with great thanks to all who follow this website and read its posts.

Neither of these significant (to me) events would have happened were it not for our faithful God. 

And as I considered what to share in this post to mark both (significant?) occasions, I really wanted to share something … significant.  I prayed about it and pondered it.  The conclusion I drew crystallized quickly and clearly: our awesome Lord is always faithful. 

You nod your head and think, “Well, of course he is!  I already know that.”  But when was the last time you really considered this attribute of God?

The Lord is many wonderful and incredible things, certainly.  But perhaps the very best of them (at least in regard to his dealing with us) is summarized with that all-encompassing adjective “faithful.”

It’s a description of God that is used often in the Scriptures … and especially in the hymns of God’s Old Testament people (the psalms).  Over-and-over-again the Lord is praised for his faithfulness.  In fact, one of the refrains used repeatedly in the psalms are these words: “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies” (Psalm 36:5).

Not only is the concept of God’s faithfulness rejoiced in, but the extent of the concept is as well!  The Lord’s “faithfulness reaches to the skies” (Ps. 36:5), “continues through all generations” (Ps. 100:5), and, in fact, “endures forever!” (Ps. 117:2).  He is “a compassionate and gracious God, … abounding in love and faithfulness” (Ps. 86:15), and “faithful in all he does” (Ps. 33:4).

Of course, the ultimate example of God’s faithfulness was literally embodied in the incarnate Jesus. 

In his birth: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5).

In his death: “… [Jesus] 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.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6).

In his resurrection from the dead: “God … raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:24-25).

And in his ascension, resuming his heavenly reign, and his ultimate return … as Jesus himself said: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).

Faithfulness throughout!  From the Lord’s first promise of the Savior in the Garden of Eden to the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus to the moment when God’s believers are ushered into heaven … God is faithful.  Always faithful.  Were he not, we would not be saved.

This is incredible!  But God’s faithfulness isn’t reserved only for our redemption and salvation.

It extends to our physical lives as well, impacting us on a daily level.

We wake up each morning, our heart beating and our body functioning, because God is faithful.  We climb out of our beds in homes God has provided, get dressed in clothes God has given, and eat breakfasts God has supplied … all because of his faithfulness.  And our day is just beginning! 

If only we open our spiritual eyes, we see the bounty of God’s faithfulness all around us all day long, every single day.

Even in the confusion of our uncertainty and the deep dark of our difficulties, our Lord is faithful.  His inspired Word assures us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).  And who doesn’t need that comfort now and again?

Many were the times I floundered through the dreary valley of extreme challenges – wondering, struggling, seeking, longing, praying – only to emerge in the Son-light and find Jesus smiling at me, and to realize in astonishment that he had been faithfully holding my hand and leading me all along (Mt. 28:20).  I suspect you have experienced the same.

Our God is eternally and extraordinarily faithful.  It’s who he is!  This is true in hugely important things … and in seemingly insignificant ones.  The events of our lives are all tied together in a lovely and loving chain of God’s faithfulness.

60 years.  199 posts.  Those benchmarks occurred only because the Lord is faithful.  The same is true of every other “accomplishment” and blessing I … or you! … have ever experienced.

Indeed, “your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies” (Psalm 36:5).

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Psalm 89 – selected verses
1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. 2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. 8 Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

13 Your arm is endowed with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. 17 For you are their glory and strength …

52 Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.

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When Red Makes White

When Red Makes White

After thirty years in the moderate Pacific Northwest, the Lord was gentle with my wife and me early on in our first winter back in Michigan.  Temperatures have been unseasonably warm; the days remarkably pleasant for much of the past few months. 

In fact, I went fishing off our dock a day or two after Christmas!  The weather was almost balmy and the lake was ice-free – something that is nearly unheard of in central Michigan in the center of the winter season.

However, it seems the Lord has determined that it’s now time for us to experience true Midwestern winter weather.  As I write this, the wind is howling and the snowflakes are falling.  And both are supposed to continue for much of the night.  Then, if the forecasts are accurate, the temps will be plummeting like an icicle dislodged from a roofline.

The snow is certainly lovely!  I’ve always thought of it as God’s way of wrapping the world in white … covering over the flaws for just a little while with a gorgeous white coat.  The evergreens decked with God’s glimmering mantle of snow are especially eye-catching; I find them breathtakingly beautiful! 

Contemplating the heavy layer of white that is accumulating outside, I recall the striking words of Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

If one pauses to consider the Lord’s words, they seem to offer a strange contrast.  Red sins becoming white?  Why those choice of colors?  And how can that happen?

The comments in the verses preceding those thought-provoking words offer some clarification.  Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord is sharing some harsh but crucial criticisms to his people. 

He informs his supposed followers that their many sacrifices to him hold “no pleasure” for him (Is. 1:11).  Their offerings to him are “meaningless,” their incense “detestable,” and their assemblies “worthless” (Is. 1:13).  In regard to the religious festivals they observed … (which God himself told them to celebrate!) … the Lord states, “I hate them with all my being” (Is. 1:14).

If that wasn’t severe enough, God goes on to state, “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.  Your hands are full of blood!” (Is. 1:15).

Now the contrast between red and white becomes clearer.  God’s own were following God’s instructions on how to worship him, but “their hearts were far from him” (Isaiah 29:13).  Consequently, their hands were red with the blood of pointless sacrifices.  Furthermore, their hearts and lives full of iniquity … including the blood of fellow humans who suffered through their loveless actions … also stained their hands crimson.

It’s not a pretty picture.  Blood is messy.  It seeps everywhere.  And when on one’s hands, it gathers and congeals in the creases, sticks between the fingers, and creeps under the fingernails.  It takes some serious effort to clean it all off.

Even more so when the blood is a spiritual stain.  In fact, that crimson can’t be removed!

But then the Lord in love makes an incredible offer to these blood-stained people: “Turn to me and I’ll settle this matter – I’ll make your scarlet sins as white as snow!”

Of course, many (most even) of the people in Isaiah’s day disregarded the Lord’s merciful proposal and continued to simply go through meaningless motions in their worship and selfish, hurtful actions in their lives.  But some took God’s words to heart and rejoiced in his loving and graceful promise.

Yet the faithful couldn’t begin to understand how the Lord would bring it about.  They didn’t realize that all those countless lamb sacrifices God commanded weren’t the atoning factor.

Rather, they pointed ahead to God’s own ultimate Sacrifice of his Son – Jesus, the Lamb of God, who could and would “take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  In the most perfect example of love, Jesus would offer his holy life as the all-atoning Substitute for the sins of all sinners on the altar of the cross.

Jesus bloody birth in a barn was his first step to the bloody cross.  His life on earth began in blood, and it ended in holy blood … deliberately and specifically shed so that he could remove the unholy blood from our hands and our lives.  (For our hands are every bit as stained as the people in Isaiah’s day!)

What a concept!  The pure Jesus poured his blood over our blood-stained hands (and hearts), and instead of making them bloodier, it washed them clean!

That’s the affect Jesus’ blood has!  It is his blood that “purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  It is his blood that makes it possible for sinners like us to enter salvation.  The white robes worn in heaven gain their gleam from being washed in Jesus’ blood (Rev. 7:14).

Yes, the snow is lovely.  But not nearly as lovely as pure souls miraculously and wonderfully washed white in the red blood of our Savior!

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Goodbye Garbage!

Goodbye Garbage!

We’re quickly approaching the all-consuming deadline of “moving company arrival.”  Consequently, our days are spent on projects, purging and packing.  A LOT of purging!  So this previously shared post seemed appropriate.  I pray it is an encouragement to you!

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There are times when the garbage just has to go.  Spoiled casseroles that got buried behind other leftovers in the refrigerator until it was too late.  Fat or grease that festered in the wastebasket over the course of a several hot Summer days.  The smelly remains of our fish dinner from last evening’s meal.  Overflowing baby diapers left to ripen.  Kitty-litter.

We’ve all been there.  Rank odors waft from our disposal containers signaling it’s time to transfer the putrid mess to a more removed location.  So, holding our breath, we whisk the offending material away. 

What a relief it is to drop that bag in the trash barrel in the alley!  Even better when on “trash day” the trash truck arrives, tips up the barrel, flips it over and shakes the smelly contents out, swings the empty barrel back in its place and then rumbles away.  And just like magic our garbage is gone!

Each of us generates trash every day.  The EPA estimates that the average American produces almost 6 pounds of trash per day.  If recycling is factored in, the amount drops to about 4 ½ pounds of pure waste.  Even so, the typical person racks up over a total of 29 pounds per week and 1,600 pounds of garbage in just one year!

The estimate for the annual weight of the garbage that all humans worldwide generate is 2.6 trillion pounds.  (This doesn’t include industrial waste or commercial trash.)  The United States is the top producer of “municipal solid waste” in the entire world, generating about 268 million tons yearly.

Where does this heaping mound of garbage go?  Over half (52%) ends up in landfills.  26% makes its way to recycling centers, and another 13% to waste-to-energy plants.  9% is composted.  While we probably don’t reflect on its destination much, we certainly are delighted when our rotting and reeking refuse is gone.

Hard as it is to fathom, we all produce garbage even more noxious than the bags we transport to the alley at arms-length.  Our lying and cursing tongues; our coveting, lusting and hating minds; our detestable pride or lingering despair; our countless sins of action and inaction; our incessant idolatry; and our neglect of God and the good, raise a sickening stench to the holy Lord.

The logical conclusion was for God to discard our smelly selves far from him. 

But the Lord had a different plan.  Instead of disposing of us in entirety, he determined to simply dispose of our stench, (our sin), and keep the rest of us. 

So the Lord Jesus came to dwell among us, to love us and in love to let us crucify him.  He took our place, wearing our sin-stench and bearing our sin-punishment. When he exited his tomb on Easter morning, he cast death behind him and our sins far from him (and us!).

How far has our unholy reek been removed?  The Bible provides some impressive pictures to illustrate the distance.

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgression?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea”  (Micah 7:18-19).

Just for reference, the deepest depression in the earth is in the Pacific Ocean.  It’s known as Challenger Deep, a portion of the Mariana Trench.  It dives to a depth of more than 36,000 feet.  That’s almost 7 miles deep; a significant burial indeed for our sin! 

Or how about this concept?  The Holy Spirit inspired David to write these lovely words:

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”  (Psalm 103:8-12).

Saying goodbye to our sin garbage is the best goodbye of all, which makes our gracious God the best Trashman of all!  Thank you, Lord!

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The Countdown

The Countdown

We recently traveled down to Texas for our oldest son’s wedding.  The wedding was lovely, and the time with family members exceptional.  However, the travel process there and back was trying.

Nothing extraordinarily bad or even unusual occurred, and the Lord graciously granted safe journeys to our entire family.  (Thank you, Lord!)  However, traveling days … especially when done via airplanes … are always long days.  And even more so when operating on only a few hours of sleep, flying a great distance and/or changing multiple time zones.

I’m not sure if this is a personally beneficial practice for me, nevertheless I’ve begun to think of flying days as a series of steps to check off along the way to reaching our destination.  (It’s a bit of a downer early in the process with multiple hurdles still to overcome, but increasingly uplifting as we near the end of them.)  Perhaps you mentally check off the steps as well as you are working your way through the flying process?

Here are the items I typically countdown on traveling days:

  1. Stow the last-minute items in the suitcases, and transfer the suitcases into the vehicle.
  2. Drive to the airport parking lot you will be using.
  3. Register at the parking lot, receive the “upon return” information, and catch the shuttle to airport.
  4. Check your bags with the proper airline and pocket your boarding passes.
  5. Advance through airport security.
  6. Locate the proper flight gate.
  7. Grab a meal before boarding, if needed. (If a long flight awaits, it’s usually a solid plan.)
  8. Board the plane and find your seat.
  9. Say your prayer for safe travel, get as comfortable as possible and enjoy/endure the flight.
  10. De-board the plane upon landing
  11. Repeat steps 6-10 if catching a connecting flight to your destination.
  12. At your final airport, locate the baggage claim and retrieve your suitcases.
  13. Transition to the rental car facility. (Which is typically offsite and necessitates catching some mode of transportation to it.)
  14. Fill out the necessary paperwork to receive your rental car. (Hopefully you don’t have to wait in a lengthy line to do so!)
  15. Familiarize yourself with the new vehicle, program your GPS, and find someplace for another meal. (Because after all that has transpired, it’s probably time to eat again!)
  16. Finally … drive to your intended location. (Which, if fortunate, is not too distant!)

None of this is typically difficult.  But all of this combined usually makes for an extremely lengthy and exhausting day.

As we were traveling back from Texas, I was pondering my travel check list (and our place on it), when it occurred to me that while Jesus was “traveling” into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey foal, he had his own upcoming events checklist on his mind.

But his list was much more important than any flying day list, and much less appealing!

While there were certainly some upcoming activities that Jesus eagerly anticipated, such as the last days of teaching his disciples and instituting the Lord’s Supper, there was a bevy of extremely unpleasant ones in the Savior’s immediate future.

The complete list would be too extensive, (and probably too heart-rending), but here are the key aspects, beginning four days later:

  1. In the depths of Thursday night, Jesus begs his Heavenly Father to find another way to save sinners. His anguish is so intense that his perspiration includes blood, and an angel from heaven appears to strengthen him.  Meanwhile his disciples sleep instead of comforting him.  There is no other alternative to save sinners, so in love, Jesus acquiesces to his Father’s will.
  1. Early on Friday morning, Judas the betrayer, one of Jesus inner twelve disciples, leads a mob to arrest him. The rest of Jesus’ disciples and followers abandon him.
  1. Jesus endures two illegal “trials” before the former high priest and the official one.
  1. As day is dawning on Friday, Peter denies Jesus for a third time.
  1. Jesus is convicted of blasphemy for claiming to be God (a true assertation!) and judged worthy of death by the Jewish ruling council. He is mocked, spit upon, blindfolded and beaten with fists.
  1. His enemies escort him to the Roman governor, Pilate. Pilate sends him to Herod who is eager to see miracles.  Jesus does none so Herod and his soldiers dress him in a robe and mock him.  After entertaining themselves at Jesus’ expense, Herod sends him back to the governor.
  1. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but with a potential riot forming, he finally condemns him to crucifixion.
  1. Jesus is stripped and flogged.
  1. The entire company of the governor’s soldiers gather to torture him. They place a scarlet robe on his shoulders and a wreath of thorns on his head, which they then beat upon with a wooden staff.
  1. Finally tiring of the “fun,” the soldiers place the beam of a cross on Jesus’ bloodied shoulders and lead him toward the crucifixion hill. In his weakness, he stumbles under the weight.  Another man is “recruited” to finish the task.
  1. Reaching “the place of the skull,” Jesus has nails driven through his hands and feet, and is lifted into place on the cross.
  1. Jesus has to push his torn back up against the wood of the cross each time he needs a new breath.
  1. The physical pain is excruciating … a word which actually has its origin in the crucifixion process.
  1. The Father abandons the Son as Jesus endures the horrors of hell itself … the just punishment for our sins, though He was sinless.
  1. Jesus is mocked both by many below his cross, and by one who is crucified beside him.
  1. Jesus gives up his spirit and his physical body dies.

Jesus’ Palm Sunday checklist is far more radical than our traveling one.  Just as we are glad to mentally cross of our last items on a long day of transitioning from one place to another, imagine Jesus’ joy on Easter morning after safely arriving at his “destination,” his resurrected body leaving the tomb.

How incredible that he was willing to make that trip.  How wonderful it is for you and me!  It checks off a number of items we would never be capable of achieving on our own.

Atonement for our sins?  (Check!)

Forgiveness?  (Check!)

Reconciliation with God?  (Check!)

Salvation?  (Check!)

Peace?  (Check!)

Joy?  (Check!)

Security?  (Check!)

Purpose?  (Check!)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hebrews 12:2
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 9:26
But [Christ] has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Ephesians 5:2
… Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.