“For you know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich.”
II Corinthians 8:9
When we realize what Christ has done for us, how can we hold back and not surrender our all to Him?
Picture, if you will, one of the wealthiest individuals in the world coming to you, handing you his checkbook and saying, “Here, take this and buy whatever you want. The sky’s the limit. Money is no object. Shop until you drop. You have all day. Just return the checkbook back to me by midnight.”
What would you do? Where would you go? Whom would you tell? And, what would you buy?
No doubt, at first, you’d be shocked and a little disbelieving. You’d even likely step back, look the person in the eye and ask “Why are you doing this? What’s the catch? What’s in it for you?”
But, if you were convinced his motives were pure and he simply wanted to be a blessing to you, what would be your reaction?
No doubt it’d be joy. Deep, deep joy. And, gratitude—tears-flowing-freely-down-the-cheeks gratitude as you hugged his neck or kissed his hand or fell down on the ground at his feet, crying “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. You don’t know what this means to me. How can I ever repay you?”
Dear Pilgrim, although the above scenario occasionally happens today—at least on some television shows where a millionaire gives folks some money or builders will do an “Extreme Makeover” on someone’s home—the fact remains that none of these can compare to what God the Father did for us that day at Calvary when He sent Jesus to die on the Cross for us.
So often the story of Christ and the Cross remains abstract to us—the story and song of “the old, rugged Cross on a hill faraway”—and leaves us unmoved. Oh, we’re thankful that “God loved us and sent His only begotten Son into the world so we’d not perish if we’d simply believe” (Jn. 3:16).
But, sadly, too often it’s little more than head-knowledge. Theological truths. Doctrinal statements. Creeds.
And, little is changed in our lives.
We’re glad we’ve got “a place prepared in Heaven” (Jn. 14:1-3) and a ticket on the Glory Train when we die.
But, that’s about it—i.e., UNTIL today’s Manna becomes a powerful reality in our lives. When we truly realize what Jesus did for us on the Cross, we’re moved. . .in a most powerful, life-changing way. . .and our lives can never be the same again. Hallelujah!! Why not pause right now for a few minutes and give thanks to the Heavenly Father for loving you so much that He’d give His Best Gift (Jesus) to you so you could be eternally rich.
September 12, 2011
