Based on “Jesus, It’s All about You” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 4/7-8/12,
Message #HOL122; Daily Devotional #6 - “Dying for Grace”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Living involves pain. The experience of physical pain has the capacity to test us, physically, emotionally and spiritually. When we suffer at the hands of others, we may experience a different type of pain, spiritual pain, which stems from unforgiveness. The pain of childbirth differs from most. It is one of the most intense pains that a human being can ever experience, yet most women attest to the fact that the memory of the pain is short-lived. Childbirth is unique when it is the result of a loving three way union with God. When a child is conceived in such a union, the indescribable sacrificial love we experience far surpasses the memory of the pain we endure during the birth process. There is no blame or “injury” to forgive between the couple. Because the focus is on the miracle of the new life that results from their love, the perceived blessing far outweighs the perception of the pain endured.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8) A mother who awaits the birth of a child endures labor with the promise of a new life. Jesus endured unthinkable suffering and death on the cross knowing that His sacrifice would allow sinful man to be born into eternal life. A mother in labor expects to love, nurture and protect the child she carries, who is as yet unknown to her. Jesus’ love for us transcends such love. He knew us and loved us before we were conceived. He willingly suffered and carried the weight of the world’s sin because the promise of His resurrection was a promise of rebirth for all mankind. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. (Romans 5:18)
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): In His final hours Jesus cried out, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) This is not the response one would expect to come from a person who had been flailed, beaten and mocked to the brink of death. Who among us would have been surprised if Jesus’ last prayer had been for His own deliverance? Who would have blamed Him if, in His final hour, He asked for vengeance upon those who had brutally persecuted Him rather than forgiveness? Yet Jesus endured pain and suffering because He understood that this torture was temporary. In His last hours He displayed incomprehensible grace as He asked for forgiveness for a world that had hated and denied Him. With His resurrection He brought us all the promise of rebirth into eternal life, free of sin and suffering forever. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Romans 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; James 5:7
blw
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.