The night Jesus was betrayed, He spoke of the certain suffering that was to come to those who chose to believe and follow Him. He also promised all comfort, peace of mind and heart, and victory. He spoke of our new identity, our new joy, and future glory. He spoke of the glory that would come to the Father when His disciples chose to walk in light of what was now true of them, in unity and truth. These certain promises brought hope and purpose to the disciples as they went out into the Roman world to preach the truth. Amidst unjust courts, prison cells, beatings, stonings and torture, the disciples walked in light of their new identity, bursting joy and certain hope of future glory.
Christ purchased my freedom with His life. He promises me all comfort, peace of mind and heart, and victory. He has given me a new identity, a new joy, and has promised future glory. And when I choose to walk in light of truth, He will bring glory to Himself through my life. All of this is astounding grace upon grace upon GRACE.
And yet like the prodigal son, I choose to squander my inheritance and eat with the pigs. In light of all Christ has given, “as a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness” (Prov 26:11). What a waste. What foolishness. Like I said before, Christ purchased my freedom with His life. “If the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36). Praise God that He has nailed my sins to the Cross with His Son. He pours grace over my head unceasingly.
Oh my King, my Creator, my Father, my God, you’ve given me everything I could ever need to walk worthy of who you’ve made me. Forgive me, restore me. You’ve intended this little pathetic life of mine to be used for your purposes, not my own.
I look at the disciples. It’s easy to focus on the horrors endured for the Father, but I don’t think that’s the most important part of the stories. Through their lives, thousands upon thousands of lost souls were brought to light. They came to understand and believe that Christ has purchased their freedom with His life. They came to understand Christ’s promises of comfort, peace of mind and heart, and victory. They came to understand their new identity, their new joy, and their certain hope of future glory. And through such understanding the Father was glorified. And those souls now behold Him with their own eyes, and they rejoice even now before His glorious throne. And my hope is the result of them, of generations of believers choosing to believe His Word and having the faith to share their hope with a neighbor. Somewhere down the line of humanity someone shared their hope with me, and I came to understand the same truth.
So it’s time to stand up under His wondrous grace, and start walking in light of what is true. I know failure lies before me, because I know my heart. But God’s Word is true. In Him, there is only victory, joy and glory. I don’t want to waste this gift of life my Father has given.
Lord, I am humbled by Your grace. Thank you for not giving up on me. Teach my foolish heart.
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