After we'd been in San Antonio only a short time, I decided I should buy a new jacket for Easter. Where we served in Brazil, no one wore coats and ties, so I didn't have many. Hence, I went to buy one. At the rack I realized I was standing next to a well-known citizen, Red McCombs. He owns car lots and at one time owned an NFL football team in Minnesota.
We exchanged greetings and niceties. He told me about his brother, a pastor. I told him how happy I was to be living in San Antonio. After a moment we returned to our shopping. I selected a jacket, went to the cash register to pay for it, and was told these words by the salesman: "Your jacket has already been paid for. The man you were talking to covered your bill." My first thought was, Boy, I wish I'd picked out some slacks too.
Think about what happened to me. I was in debt. Then, all of a sudden, I found that my debt had been paid. I could deny the gift or accept it. The decision was easy. The gift giver had ample resources with which to pay for the coat. I had no reason to doubt his sincerity or ability.
Nor do you. God has ample ability to love and care for you.
Of course, what Jesus did on the cross was far greater than what Mr. McCombs did for me in the store. Jesus took our place. What if my benefactor had offered to trade places with me? Exchange financial statements with me? Swap fortunes with me? He would have inherited my debt, and I would have inherited his abundance.
Through Christ we inherit abundant mercy. Enough to cover a lifetime of mistakes. Jesus, in turn, took on severe poverty. While on the cross, he was robbed of everything - his health, his dignity, his friends, his strength, and, most of all, his God.
Once and for all, he proved his love.
By: Max Lucado
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.