Devotional thoughts for Friday

Friday 14. November 2014 

3. Last Sunday in the Church Year 

Jesus prayed: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26,39) 

Here we see the depth and the horror of the cross: even the Son of God prays for it to pass by Him if it is His Father's will. The cup Jesus referred to was the weight of sin and punishment He would soon have placed upon Him as the vicarious sacrificial Lamb for the entire world. On the cross Jesus would bear the curse of the law, His Father's wrath upon sin and sinner and be forsaken for a time. 

We thus see the true depth and meaning of love. God the Father sent His only Son into the world to redeem it. God the Son bore the burden of sin upon Himself. And the world was redeemed, forgiven and saved. Sin has been paid for. God's wrath has been poured out and satisfied. Jesus' blood has been shed. Nothing more is needed to restore us back into eternal fellowship with God. 

This restoration is given to us through the gospel and the Holy Spirit offers it to us as a free gift. We only need receive and believe the promise of God: all your sins are forgiven on account of Jesus Christ. Believing makes the promise our own; we are heirs with Christ. It is so simple, and that is why God calls it grace. 

Prayer: O LORD God, Heavenly Father, through the governance of Christian leaders such as Emperor Justinian, You Name is freely confused in our nation and throughout the world. Grant that we may continue to choose trustworthy leaders who serve You faithfully in our generation and who make wise decisions that contribute to the general welfare of Your people; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen. (1108, Treasury of Daily Prayer)