“There were some present at that very time who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'” Luke 13:1-3
Devotional Thought For The Day
It is almost a daily occurrence somewhere across this sin-infected globe – conflict, violence, bloodshed, the murderous destruction of innocent life. Yesterday we became aware of two of the more egregious recent incidents, the destruction of a civilian plane carrying nearly 300 people who had done nothing to warrant the attack carried out upon them, and the invasion of neighborhoods of non-combatants [with almost certain collateral deaths of innocent people] as a result of wicked people using these neighborhoods as hiding places while they attempted to murder innocent people indiscriminately from long distance using mortars and rockets. It is truly a wretched, inhumane, and insane world that we live in. Add to this all of the violent crime and loss of innocent life that takes place in virtually every nation every day, including America, and it is really too much to fully absorb – the grief becomes overwhelming and we have to “desensitize.”
Jesus fully understood one of the ways in which we tend to soften the shock of hearing about such violence – we assume that in some way victims must have done something to deserve such a fate. Likewise, we tend to assume that we could never be involved in such atrocities – regardless of the dynamics and circumstances involved. When Jesus directed consideration back to our own hearts, minds, and sinful behaviors, He was reminding us that there are no excuses for the sinful and destructive things we do and say – regardless of how well we can explain and excuse our behavior on the basis of “circumstances.” The fact that we do find justification for living selfishly, eager to maintain and maximize our own comfort and privilege, disinterested, disinclined, and lazy when it comes to doing good and living for the benefit of others [even those closest to us], demonstrates that under other dynamics and circumstances [desperation] we are capable of much worse sin. And so, all of these reports that leave us aghast should in fact drive us to much deeper repentance.
There is grace, mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing for all of our sin – this is what Jesus came to do, to save sinners, and we should join the apostle in honest evaluation of our own sinfulness [1 Tim. 1:15]. It is through this process that we come to understand how much we have been forgiven, rather than blinding ourselves to the enormity of our culpability and of God’s gracious mercy and love. This alone – the view and vision of God’s love – slowly renews and transforms our own hearts and minds. It is painful, more painful than physical death, but it is the only power that moves us away from embracing and perpetuating the evils that come so naturally to us. It is the only dynamic that enables us to reconsider our destructive behaviors and to embrace peaceful, benevolent, protective words and deeds, living selflessly for the physical and spiritual nourishing of others. And surely this is a better pursuit and more noble way of living than continuing to inflict whatever harm we deem necessary and “good” under the circumstances.
This is the goal and desire of God for all people – even though He well knows that only the few will receive and embrace it. Our task is to spread His gracious Word and will to others, not only by Word but also infectiously by our own person, our being and behaving. No, this will never involve perfection, at least certainly not in this life, but all imperfections continue to be cleansed and healed by Christ’s blood, God’s gracious forgiveness. Still, the witness of God’s goodness is powerful and can have dramatic effects – until His return in glory to draw this age to its ignoble conclusion. Ultimately, our hope is not for this life but for the next, even though we are poignantly aware of the importance of each moment, each action, and each relationship right here and now. We have much to counterbalance, much good leaven to add, though it will not likely bring any ease or comfort to us personally. But this is the nature of following Christ, and we pray that God would continue to draw us closer to Himself, transforming and empowering this new life within us!
Scripture Cited
1 Tim. 1:15 “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, You fully understood the nature and dynamics of Your ministry of grace, what effect it would have on Your chosen ones, and how the history of mankind would continue because so many would reject and repudiate God’s love. We too live in the midst of these dynamics, with pain and sorrow, including the pain of our own repentance. Continue to heal us with Your gracious love and tender mercy. Protect us from all temptations, especially those involving despair and resignation. Keep our hearts and minds fixed on You, that Your life within us might flourish. Amen.