April 6, 2012

Day 6: Interrupted by Good Friday

I'm writing daily this month on being interrupted by grace.  Learn more and join in here.

Today we've spent time reading Bible stories of the last days of Jesus' life.  It astonishes.

It also offends.

As we drove along on our merry way to Target today, listening to K-LOVE, the DJ was talking about God's grace and mercy, that all we have to do is come and He forgives ... that it's free ... we can't bring anything to the table but our sin.  And guess how I reacted.  I bristled.

Really?!

Seriously?!

It's that "easy"?

It's just not right.

We live in a world of tit-for-tat.  One must earn favor, or at least pay for it.  But God's economy is different.  We come with nothing but black hearts; He has compassion and washes them white as snow.  All we have to do is admit that He's the only way we can be rescued from ourselves, our sin, our desperate situation.

I was surprised that I bristled.  It reminded me, however, that this Gospel message, while beautiful and life-changing, rubs proud sinners the wrong way.  Unless the Spirit softens our heart, we can't even draw near.  For our Lord, it was not "easy"; we were bought a a price.  For us, because of His immense sacrifice, the call is simple:  Follow me.  Repent and believe the good news.

On Good Friday, I'm interrupted by the absurd reality of what Jesus endured to save a wretch like me and that He wants me to be His because He loves ME, not anything I bring to the table.

How often I still try to bring something to the table....

... and oh, how that reminds me  how desperate I am for Good Friday!



Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

2 comments:

  1. I'm loving this series! Happy Easter to you all. Missing you at CTK...:) Still.

    Lydia

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lydia! Happy Easter to your family too. Hugs from Pittsburgh. :)

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