Monday September 14th, 2015 Holy Cross Day John 3:13-17
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (verse 17)
What a gracious statement. God has every right to condemn the world. Humankind does not have a very good track record when it comes to faithfulness. The first couple turned their back on God’s garden fellowship and ate the fruit. Their son became the first murderer. It snowballed from there. A cursory reading of history, even church history, reads like a tragedy, sin upon sin, blasphemy upon blasphemy.
God took a huge risk, sending Jesus to lead us back. And we kept our record intact. We rounded him up, abused him, then crucified him. But even that didn’t stop God’s love. For in the very act of dying, Jesus gave his life for ours. And God raised him from the dead, proclaiming, “I’ll always love you. Nothing you do can stop that.”
There was an odd man who lived on the outskirts of town. He was the target of ridicule and taunts. He was never invited to join the community festivities. Yet he loved his town and the people therein. When he died, he left the astonished community a rather hefty cash gift. Amazing.
How do we respond to God’s grace? With hearts of thanks that extend God’s love to all.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your gracious love. Amen. — DAB
Contributed by Grace
What a gracious statement. God has every right to condemn the world. Humankind does not have a very good track record when it comes to faithfulness. The first couple turned their back on God's garden fellowship and ate the fruit. Their son became the first murderer. It snowballed from there. A cursory reading of history, even church history, reads like a tragedy, sin upon sin, blasphemy upon blasphemy.
God took a huge risk, sending Jesus to lead us back. And we kept our record intact. We rounded him up, abused him, then crucified him. But even that didn't stop God's love. For in the very act of dying, Jesus gave his life for ours. And God raised him from the dead, proclaiming, "I'll always love you. Nothing you do can stop that."
There was an odd man who lived on the outskirts of town. He was the target of ridicule and taunts. He was never invited to join the community festivities. Yet he loved his town and the people therein. When he died, he left the astonished community a rather hefty cash gift. Amazing.
How do we respond to God's grace? With hearts of thanks that extend God's love to all.
