My favorite woman in the bible is the unnamed woman at the well. (John 4:1-43) I like her not so much for what she did, but because through her story I see Jesus loving a sinner just like me. No, I am not an adulterer, but I have broken the heart of God through my rebellion, selfishness and pride. I believe this woman was sought after by Jesus, and just like her I, too, was sought, found and redeemed!
Jesus humbled Himself when He approached this woman at the well. She was a Samaritan. She was a woman. Jesus in humility asked her for a drink. He had much more to give her than she had to offer, yet without pride He allowed her to do something for Him. She was a sinner and He found value in her life. He looked past her race, religion and sin to bring her what she really needed. Jesus' humility takes my breath away! How many times do I walk past those I think are beneath me? Jesus made Himself needy to this woman. He wanted to lift her up and knew the best way was to humble Himself.
Jesus then revealed Himself to her. He told her He had living water and He would give it to her for free! He then revealed the truth of her need. He did not withhold Himself from her. He gave all He had. Did this woman connect the dots? Did she see that He, being greater than she, made Himself less in order that she could be more? She must have, because in the next few moments she responded.
This unnamed woman tells Jesus she wants His living water and then goes to bring others to experience what she experienced with Jesus. She was lifted up, her thirst was quenched and she brought others to share in what she had found. Her story is one filled with the love of Christ! Her story can be everyone's story!
Living Water, You quench my thirsty soul! You drench me in love and truth! You wash me clean and refresh me. Thank You for being humble, revealing Your truth to me, and filling me with You! I need You!
Showing posts with label redemption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label redemption. Show all posts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Justice
Justice is symbolized by scales. The scales of justice are seen as being even with each other. This represents that the punishment for a crime would be even with the crime itself. Sadly, our justice system falls far short of this representation or ideal.
Do murderers, rapists, and drug dealers get their due when they are sentenced a few short years, only to be paroled before those years are served? Is the punishment really fitting the crime? We may think that we are being humane when we lighten their sentence or allow them second chances, but is it justice or a simple band-aid on the problem of violent crime?
I can honestly say that I stand in the middle of the road as far as the death penalty. My heart is saddened by the idea of taking a life even when it is administered by government. On the other hand, there are people who are so totally evil in their thinking that the only solution to ridding society of their scourge is to pronounce and follow through on their execution. Then there is always the hope of redemption. How long do we wait to hear that they have repented? How long do we wait for them to have a change of heart? There is not a clear dividing line and perhaps we must leave that up to God and simply pronounce judgement that is due the offence.
How should we handle the "lesser" crimes that do not involve violence against a person, but cause misery for others because of loss of money or possessions? Do prison terms really make the scales even? Shouldn't the one who steals or destroys anothers property be made to pay back? How can this be done when he/she is incarcerated? Why should these crimes be for the same length of time as many of the violent crimes?
Our justice system is wrought with people who desire power over others, who crave revenge or the satisfaction of watching others hurt. Maybe they have a sense that they are better than others. Whatever the reason, we all do it to one another. We recognize the sin in others because we also are infected with sin. We know it must be punished and yet we want to avoid it for ourselves. So, we are ready and willing to punish others, making sure they pay a high price for their sin no matter how miniscule or severe.
Sin does have a high price. The sin of Adam and Eve was a sin of disobedience. It could be considered minor in comparison to murder, yet it was still sin and demanded a high price for redemption. That price was the life of Jesus, the Son of God. In our minds Gods' justice might look uneven, but God is a just judge. Adam and Eve knew that the sin of disobedience would bring death. and God served that justice on His Son.
Our first parents could have chosen life. There was a tree of life in the garden that God wanted them to eat. Unfortunately, Man chose death through the knowledge of good and evil. Since that time we continue to choose death every time we sin. Gods' justice in our lives can only be satisfied through Jesus' death. Gods' justice is perfect because He is perfect. He demanded a life for our sin and then gave the life of His Son. Our justice, however, is flawed because we are flawed. We demand a payment for crime based on our own needs. We demand too little or too much.
We could do much better with our justice meted out through our courts. We could even up the scales, but even if we fail there is the Judge over all who will judge in righteousness and love. He will judge each of us perfectly. I want to have His judgement over my sins already paid for because it is a high price. Jesus has already paid it, why should I turn His offer down?
Think about it: If you need someone to pay the price of your sin wouldn't you want Jesus to do it? Don't wait!
Do murderers, rapists, and drug dealers get their due when they are sentenced a few short years, only to be paroled before those years are served? Is the punishment really fitting the crime? We may think that we are being humane when we lighten their sentence or allow them second chances, but is it justice or a simple band-aid on the problem of violent crime?
I can honestly say that I stand in the middle of the road as far as the death penalty. My heart is saddened by the idea of taking a life even when it is administered by government. On the other hand, there are people who are so totally evil in their thinking that the only solution to ridding society of their scourge is to pronounce and follow through on their execution. Then there is always the hope of redemption. How long do we wait to hear that they have repented? How long do we wait for them to have a change of heart? There is not a clear dividing line and perhaps we must leave that up to God and simply pronounce judgement that is due the offence.
How should we handle the "lesser" crimes that do not involve violence against a person, but cause misery for others because of loss of money or possessions? Do prison terms really make the scales even? Shouldn't the one who steals or destroys anothers property be made to pay back? How can this be done when he/she is incarcerated? Why should these crimes be for the same length of time as many of the violent crimes?
Our justice system is wrought with people who desire power over others, who crave revenge or the satisfaction of watching others hurt. Maybe they have a sense that they are better than others. Whatever the reason, we all do it to one another. We recognize the sin in others because we also are infected with sin. We know it must be punished and yet we want to avoid it for ourselves. So, we are ready and willing to punish others, making sure they pay a high price for their sin no matter how miniscule or severe.
Sin does have a high price. The sin of Adam and Eve was a sin of disobedience. It could be considered minor in comparison to murder, yet it was still sin and demanded a high price for redemption. That price was the life of Jesus, the Son of God. In our minds Gods' justice might look uneven, but God is a just judge. Adam and Eve knew that the sin of disobedience would bring death. and God served that justice on His Son.
Our first parents could have chosen life. There was a tree of life in the garden that God wanted them to eat. Unfortunately, Man chose death through the knowledge of good and evil. Since that time we continue to choose death every time we sin. Gods' justice in our lives can only be satisfied through Jesus' death. Gods' justice is perfect because He is perfect. He demanded a life for our sin and then gave the life of His Son. Our justice, however, is flawed because we are flawed. We demand a payment for crime based on our own needs. We demand too little or too much.
We could do much better with our justice meted out through our courts. We could even up the scales, but even if we fail there is the Judge over all who will judge in righteousness and love. He will judge each of us perfectly. I want to have His judgement over my sins already paid for because it is a high price. Jesus has already paid it, why should I turn His offer down?
Think about it: If you need someone to pay the price of your sin wouldn't you want Jesus to do it? Don't wait!
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