Author: astherainandsnow

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.  And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:3-11

Yearn: to be filled with longing or desire; to feel tenderness or sympathy

Paul’s letter to the Philippians begins with such grace and gratitude that what he has to say could not help but be received in the loving joy with which it is written. He is compelled by Jesus and affection for this church. The Spirit has unified them in a gospel partnership and as mutual partakers of grace, so he holds them warmly and close in his heart. Because of that love, his divine compulsion is that they grow more and more Christlike, and be filled with the fruit of Christ’s righteousness. He yearns that their lives and ministry bring glory to their Savior and God.

As people of flesh, our hearts have great capacity for affection. We can use the word love loosely, connecting it to people and things and experiences. While a hard heart may not entertain a benevolent intimacy with many people, even the most rigid will attach itself to objects or beliefs that it holds dear.

In Christ, godly affection looks different from that of the world. When we’re transformed by the Spirit, our passions and the objects of our desires change. For what do we yearn as we begin our day? For what do we yearn with our children, careers, and future life trajectory? Do we seek things of this earth that are transient or subject to decay? Do we seek praise or esteem in the eyes of others we value more than the God we cannot see? Do we yearn for pleasures that are fleeting? What would change if we set our minds on things above where Christ is seated? (Colossians 3:1-2; 1 John 2:15)

Yearning for Christ and His formation in others affects our perception of difficulties and difficult people by redirecting our hearts. When we are bent on the divine progress of God’s will, we earnestly pray for others and can set aside persnickety complaints and chafing differences. We seek to build them up in Christ and grow together. How will we elevate our passions and align them more closely with the Lord’s heavenly purposes? How are we praying for and prodding on our siblings in Christ? (Ephesians 4:15-16; Philippians 1:12-18,21-25; Hebrews 10:24-25)

Lord on high, teach and transform my yearning to be for You and Your best good in Your people.

“If the congregation sins unintentionally and the thing is hidden from the assembly, and they do any thing that by the Lord’s commandments ought not be done, and realize their guilt,  when the sin… becomes known, the assembly shall offer a bull for a sin offering… The elders shall lay their hands on the head of the bull.., and the bull shall be killed. The anointed priest shall… dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord… [and] make atonement for them, and they shall be forgiven…

“When a leader sins, doing unintentionally any one of the things that by the commandments… ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt, or the sin is made known to him, he shall bring a goat, a male without blemish… a sin offering…  So the priest shall make atonement for his sin, and he shall be forgiven.

“If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally.., and realizes his guilt,.. he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed… And the priest shall make atonement for him.., and he shall be forgiven.”

“If anyone sins.., though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity. He shall bring a ram without blemish… for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him.., and he shall be forgiven. He has indeed incurred guilt before the Lord.” Leviticus 4:13-17,20b,22-24,26b-28,35b; 5:17-19

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices… But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God… For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:11-14

The detailed atonement process described and carried out repeatedly by God’s ordained priests reminded of inherent sin, and foretold the once-for-all atonement to be carried out by Jesus Christ. Sin was and is a serious affront to Holy God, and by grace, from the beginning, He made a way for it to be forgiven. What might seem disgusting and extreme to a sanitized eye unaware of daily depravity is a vivid picture of how the Lord perceives our rebel nature and the extent to which He loves in order to make things right. (Genesis 3:21; Hebrews 11:24-25; 1 Peter 3:18)

How seriously do we take our sin? Do we pause long enough from busyness, duty, and criticizing others to confess our sins against God and others? Do we ignore or justify happy, pleasurable sin that offends the righteous Sovereign? Would we value a clean heart and clear conscience, and ask Him to search us and reveal fault? (Psalm 51:1-10; 139:23-24)

The beautiful truth of confession is the gracious cleansing that freely follows. Why carry weighty soul burdens when we can be relieved of guilt and shame? Rejoice in Christ’s atoning sacrifice!

“What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain.
O make me Thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for Thee.” ~Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153

Lord, convict and cleanse me of sin, so I freely love and honor You.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain…’ So Moses… rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone. The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,  keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.’  And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. And he said, ‘If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.’

“And he said, ‘Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.'” Exodus 34:1-2,4b-10

From the start, Moses had the blessed grace of the Lord’s protection and pursuing, and responded in gradually, consistently growing faith. Whenever the Lord revealed Himself, Moses bowed in reverence, and the more he knew of God, the more he wanted to know. For him, throughout his long life and in spite of brief spates of doubt and disobedience, to be conscious of God’s name and nature and presence was to worship. (Exodus 2:1-10; 3:1-6; 15:1-3; 24:3-5; 33:11-14,18-19)

If we know the Lord by faith in Jesus, we too have been pursued and welcomed into a relationship of increasing knowing. God reveals His mercy, patience, steadfast love and faithfulness in a myriad of ways in dealings with men and nations, through creation and history. The more we desire to know Him, the more we will seek His presence and look for His signature in His visible and invisible handiwork. Recognizing His majesty and might, we will bow before His worth and authority.

And the soul posture of worship will bear itself out in obedience, lofty thinking, manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, and reflection of His glory. Knowing the Lord changes us.

How determined are we to know Him, and to comprehend all His name contains? When are we deliberately spending time in the Lord’s presence to behold his perfect holy character, to thank Him for His graces and blessings, to seek to understand how He works and wants to work? And how do we respond? Is it our impulse to bow? May we never just check off a duty, but have our mindset, countenance, and attitude toward difficulties transformed by the pledge of His help, sovereignty, justice, and redemption.

Lord, may I ever strive to know You, and increasingly delight in and worship Your magnificent Name.

“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd…

“[Jesus] said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer… ‘ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!..’

“While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?'” Luke 22:3-6,15,19-22,47-48

Judas, who had spent three years following and sharing fellowship with Jesus, broke faith with and betrayed Him, proving the crack in his own heart. Such deliberate rebellion, borne out in knowledgeable, insidious rejection, sealed his eternal fate. Representing fallen man who rejects the Savior, Judas refused the salve and forgiveness Jesus offered, even when confronted, and so died without hope.

Only the broken body of Christ makes the way for repair. The broken, perfect law of the Father foretold the broken, perfect body of the Son. He is moved to compassion by our lost estate, and gave His all to save us. He pledges a new heart when we receive His sacrifice by faith, redeeming the broken, making us a new creation. (Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 9:36; 23:37; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

“No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Where have we broken faith with our Lord? Perhaps we have never understood the error of our proclivities nor had a broken heart over our heinous sin against Him. When will we get serious about listening to the Spirit’s conviction, and repent of our sins? (2 Samuel 12:13; Jeremiah 17:9)

Perhaps we have acknowledged Him in the past, and yet wearied or grown lazy in devotion. What have we allowed to chisel cracks in our faithfulness? Are there particular areas of idolatry, greed, temper, deception, bitterness, ingratitude, or impatience that have broken communion with Him? Look to His breaking heart, His broken body, and find forgiveness and healing!

“What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
‘Tis I deserve Thy place;
look on me with Thy favor,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.” ~St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Lord, break my heart with what breaks Yours, unto confession, forgiveness, and Your high praise.

“Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body…
A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends…
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:20-24,28,32

“Though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law… that I might win [them]… To those outside the law I became as one outside the law… that I might win [them]. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

The living, powerful Scriptures are full of people potent in speech and persuasion. Solomon’s instructions outline the prudence of thoughtfulness, discernment, graciousness, and honesty to add persuasiveness to speech, while Paul exemplifies them all. For the Christian, the Holy Spirit applies both teaching and role model in our spiritual development so we can match the art of loving persuasion with passion for the gospel to make an eternal difference. (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16)

Wisdom and good sense are the backbone of sturdy speech, while grace, sweetness, calm, and care do much to smooth the way for meaningful interactions with others. People might listen to a strong message, but they will be more apt to absorb what is said and consider its merit when they know they are understood. Once trust is established, the power in any spiritual persuasion comes from the Word itself, the Truth that opens eyes, breaks chains, and saves. Blessings shower down when people take hold and find the gospel to be their own. (John 4:7-15; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 4:20)

How committed am I to making the gospel known? Am I serious only about the facts of the matter, or do I make room in my heart for the people whom I address? Indeed, passion for Jesus must include a love and devotion to the people He came to save. If that is missing, if I care more about my message than those with whom I share it, something is wrong and must be confessed and corrected.

Do I trust the Lord and seek His opportunities to persuade? In what cases have I known His discernment and experienced His grace to and through me? With whom does my heart need more tenderness and compassion? How can my speech be more judicious and clear?

Lord, help me love whom and how You love, so the gospel is attractive and clearly communicated to all You place in my path, for eternal good and glory.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 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. 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. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus… 

“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ‘the circumcision’ (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,.. and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” Ephesians 2:1-7,11-14,16

Paul draws clear distinctions between the rebel-bent filthy flesh of man versus the redeeming blood-filled sacrificial flesh of Christ. Dead, disobedient, wicked man is made alive by the grace and obedience and immeasurable love of Jesus. Self-serving boasting is swallowed by sacrificial humility so hopeless aliens, strangers, and enemies can be brought near and made whole by the broken body of the Savior. Flesh for flesh, God’s riches for spiritual indigents. The vapid and sin-sick are regenerated to spiritual health and fruitfulness. Alleluia.

In spite of these realities, we keep poking around in the flesh, meandering in worldly thought and flirting with temptations. By nature, we are lazy about changing clothes and habits. Disregarding the spiritual riches in our possession and careless about arming ourselves against enemy wiles, we go about work and play in mediocrity as spiritual paupers. (Luke 22:42; Romans 6:6-7,11-14; Ephesians 6:11-18; Colossians 3:5-17)

Every reminder to shake off the flesh is a call to remember Christ’s. His was perfect! His was surrendered wholly to His Father, and battled with temptation fully yielded to His Spirit and powerful, keeping Word! And in that unblemished flesh He took on my weakness and fallibility so I would not need to any longer! (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15-16)

Will I in bold faith exchange my flesh for His, wrestling for peace? What mindset or practice need I ruthlessly put off? How will I take advantage of heavenly access to rejoice and live freely in His grace? How can the flesh of Christ become my example and sustenance for daily struggles, and victory? (Ephesians 4:22-32; 5:3-4,8-11)

Lord, help me daily die to self and live by faith, as You did, and empower, to Your glory. (Galatians 2:20)

“To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
    in righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence..,
    knowledge and discretion..—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
    and the one who understands obtain guidance…
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
    in the markets she raises her voice..:
‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?
If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
    I will make my words known to you…
Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
    they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
would have none of my counsel
    and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
    and have their fill of their own devices.’

“My son, if you receive my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
    and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 1:2-5,7,20,22-23,28-31; 2:1-6

The call to wisdom is clear, and its benefits many. Instruction, insight, and learning give prudence for relationships, business dealings, and temptation. To search out knowledge is commended, but its increase must not stand alone. The vital underlying motive, impetus, and result of the command to increase understanding are all to fear the Lord. From this flows, and in this lies, true wisdom. Without fear of God, knowledge is untethered and its application lacks the power the Spirit of God infuses when we fear Him first.

Information is ubiquitous. We are constantly bombarded with a myriad of topics and experts from every direction, and daily must choose source and strategy. Gaining knowledge without the higher goal of knowing and fearing God will leave us hefty of head but empty in soul.

Above all, what do I prize? Do I maintain a high view of God by deliberate worship of Him? How can exploring His world, honing discernment, and discovering the truth about things increase my reverence for the Lord? What am I doing to search out and apply knowledge in the fear of God? (Job 28:20-28)

“The fear of the Lord our days will prolong,
In trouble afford a confidence strong,
Will keep us from sinning, will prosper our ways,
And is the beginning of wisdom and grace.

The fear of the Lord preserves us from death,
Enforces his word, enlivens our faith,
They only that fear him the truth can discern,
For, living so near him, his secrets they learn.

The fear of the Lord forbids us to yield;
It sharpens our sword and strengthens our shield.
Then cry we to heaven, with one loud accord,
That to us be given the fear of the Lord.” ~J. Hart (1762)

Worthy Father, help me diligently increase in wisdom and insight while fearing You, and so apply them to the blessing of Your kingdom and praise of Your glory.

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:13-25

The freedom of the Christian life develops in a vital mix of buts and busy. Knowing Christ opens many a contrast of old and new, wrong and right, waste and fruitfulness. Our freedom from sin’s slavery opens us to a new freedom to serve with abandon while dealing with the same pesky temptations. With His indwelling Spirit, though, we’re also free to serve His ways over the desires of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit is a gradual and growing process of putting away works of flesh by exercising works of faith. We’re free to choose the better but of every contrast, and so please Him and build up our spiritual siblings.

It is challenging in life’s busyness to make sure we are on the right side of the contrasts presented in Scripture. As full as our days are, priorities must be set and kept at the start. We must be careful to put off and put on accordingly. Casual attitudes and sloth make room for sliding into sin practices. Failure to maintain accountability to others is a formula for justifying rebellion. Unless we replace bad habits with good ones, we will find ourselves fruitless and ineffective. (Galatians 6:1-3,6-8; Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Peter 1:5-8)

How are we exercising our freedom in Christ? What are we doing constructively with the time God allots us? Every moment offers the choice to serve self or the Sovereign. Will we walk in the Spirit according to God’s word and will?

How devoted are we to doing good to others by bearing the fruit of the Spirit eagerly, with generosity? Have we grown weary and therefore lax in service, in carefulness, in honoring the Lord? Need we adjust our busy? What specifically need we put off or away in order to keep in step with the Spirit and make the most of every opportunity? (Psalm 90:12,17; Galatians 6:9-10)

Lord, keep me carefully and always in step with Your Spirit, for Your blessing and praise.

“[Jesus told] a parable… because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.  He said, ‘A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, “Engage in business until I come…” 

“‘When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, “Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.”  And he said to him, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.” The second came, saying, “Lord, your mina has made five minas.”  And he said to him, “And you are to be over five cities.”  Then another came, saying, “Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief;  for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man…”  He said to him, “I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man..? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?”  

“‘And he said to those who stood by, “Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas… I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”‘” Luke 19:11-13,15-24,26

Jesus’s parables intentionally addressed a concern or mindset of His disciples in order to correct their thinking. Eager for Him to take over their present kingdom, they misconstrued how they were to prepare in present life for His reign. He was soon to wear a crown of thorns, not one of earthly authority, and He wanted to instill in them a sense of lasting stewardship of all He had put in their care. To be wasteful of their trust now would make for wistfulness in the future.

Often we get engaged in projects or work that we suppose will take a certain path and end in a certain way or time. Our assumptions, however reasoned, are always trumped by the providence of God, who alone knows beginnings and ends. More than our personal determinations, He desires that we seek His means and methods along the way, and that we faithfully handle all He’s entrusted us for the now, no matter the future. Whether we like our circumstances or not, we will be held to account for our stewardship in them. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Where are we being guided in daily efforts by misplaced or selfish agendas? Would we seek first God’s direction and ends? What or whom has He entrusted to us to manage for this season, and how well are we able to give account? Have we let sloth, procrastination, distaste for our authorities or assignments, or distorted perceptions of God’s holy standards affect our efforts? What attitudes and responsibilities need adjustment toward faithfulness and excellence? Engaging in God’s business His way results in greater responsibility, great reward, and glory to Him.

Lord, help me handle every resource and responsibility with care, zeal, and honor, as from and unto You.

“Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death…’ But they were urgent, demanding that he be crucified. And their voices prevailed.  So Pilate… released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will…

“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine  and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’  And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:20-25,32-33,39-43

The passions of men twist the patterns of justice, evident in the trials and crucifixion of our Lord. A mixture of hatred, fear, misunderstood motives, and angst fueled the crowds to shout for a criminal’s release and an innocent’s death. It’s likely they couldn’t even explain why, like so many drawn into a frenzy by sinister provocateurs and the media today. After all, what had Jesus ever done to harm them? Surely they knew those helped by His ministry of love and healing and gospel truth.

But our enemy is intent on confusion, lies, and destruction, so in God’s perfect economy and sovereign plan of redemption, Jesus was condemned to Calvary. Two thieves, both deserving their punishment, saw things two ways. One was caustic and faithless, flippantly demanding cheap grace. The other understood what was happening, confessed his guilt and Jesus’s worthiness, and appealed in reverential fear for His mercy. (John 10:10)

When we are in the throes of injustice, as observers or victims, the flesh often distorts right assessment of God’s intent. It helps to step away and behold the One in the middle, willingly crucified for the criminals beside Him and around and within us. He died to take our angst and malice and haughty cackling, our inverted sense of desert and ugly attitudes of superiority, to the tomb, forever.

Have I grasped my wretchedness before Christ? Do I blame Him for heartaches and troubles, or thank Him for daily mercies? How will a fresh look at the cross, and His grace toward the penitent, affect the way I see myself, and see and love others? (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Lord, keep me near the cross, rejoicing in and reflecting its mercies.