Sunday I laughed in the collective faces of old age, stretching, and "rust." Why you ask? Well let me tell you since you're so interested. Saturday I went ice skating for the first time in a few years, and probably only the 9th or 10th time ever, I barely stretched before hand, and I haven't been physically active since the corn-maze in October. Despite all these things, I feel pretty good today with only a vague sense of pain in the lower part of my back. So take that health experts, sniveling younger people with your old jokes, and my 6th grade Gym teacher! If I were a country karaoke singer, I'd fire up the jukebox and sing "How do you like me now?" And as you all try to get that song out of your head, on to the 'C.
Jesus, as we all know, had a propensity for provoking very strong reactions out of people. One thing I always find fascinating with those who know Him, (both those who knew from meeting Him and those who know Him through study of the Word) is how reactions to His grace are so varied. Though everyone will tell you of His limitless grace and compassion and will offer it freely to others as the first step towards repenting of sin, for some reason many of us don't think it applies to us, or get frustrated by the challenges He puts out there in conjunction with His grace, or just flat out abuse it.
Judas, for instance, reacted with the ultimate pity after He realized what He'd done in betraying Christ.
MATTHEW 27:4-5 - NIV
If anyone had a shot at understanding how abounding Jesus' grace was, it would have been one of the 12 who spent three years with Him. Yet Judas, seeing what was done, decided that grace couldn't cover His sin, and either punished himself, or wanted to end his own emotional turmoil depending on how you view his suicide.
The invalid at the pool accepted Christ's grace and mercy which resulted in him being healed from 38 years of affliction with open arms, yet was unchanged by it and continued in his old ways.
JOHN 5:13-15 - NIV
When he realized God's grace requires repentance, for us to live a life worthy of a higher calling, he ratted Christ out, the one who'd given Him relief from years and years of pain.
Then there's Peter, who passionately denied Christ very shortly after boldly proclaiming that he'd stay with Jesus till the death.
MARK 14:72 - NIV
Peter was broken by his actions. He realized the fullness of his error, but unlike the other two, he did not let that guilt, that shame, the lofty weight of following Christ and all that means, keep him from once more residing in God's bosom. When Jesus extended the hand of grace in John 21, Peter accepted it, along with the challenges that came with it, and went on to be a mighty man for God. He didn't let his pride keep him from salvation. He didn't let pity leave him useless for the kingdom. He didn't let selfishness leave him unchanged and nothing more than a one-sided Christian who freely takes but never gives.
Are you stubborn like Naaman the leper? Are you blind to your own sin like David after he'd committed both adultery and murder? Are you consumed by guilt and rendered unable to do anything like Judas? Are you abusing that grace like the invalid and continuing to live a life of sin? Or will you be willing to accept God's restoration, the fulfillment of Jesus' sacrifice which covers our sins, every last one of them, and follow in Peter's footsteps as God transforms you into the Christian He so deeply desires?
What is keeping you from walking hand-in-hand with God?
EPHESIANS 3:16-19 - NIV
Brett "Feeling spry enough to run with the bulls in Pamplona" Hibbler
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