He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds, you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24, NASB)
Do you all remember the nine-week series we recently did on humility? One week, Dennis asked, “Can you reflect on a round of golf when you started poorly, or the wheels came off during the round?”
Hello! Look who you are talking to. 100% of our hands went up, and we heard gut-wrenching stories of disasters and loss of confidence that humbled us.
We have all been there. Here is the better question: how did this humility drive you to play better golf or, more importantly, become a better man or woman?
The last lesson in this series happened to be from Luke 15, the story of the prodigal son. I have always thought it should be named the story of the compassionate, loving, and forgiving father who humbled himself by pulling up his robe and running to his son when he saw him from far away.
So here is the “ah ha” moment that brought me to my knees in worship. Sure, the father was humbled by pulling up his robe and running to his lost son, and the prodigal was humbled by eating the pods meant for the pigs.
The moment that impacted me was not in this story but in the Cross. Jesus humbled Himself for me. I was lost, and then I was found. Being found is the result of the Cross and its eternal benefits.
The Cross must always be preached. Think of the day of the Cross of Jesus—the foul language, the stench of blood and death, the evil and stupidity of the people, and the full-frontal nudity on the way to the most painful death imaginable. That should humble us, knowing that He did this for you and me.
Oswald Chambers says, “It is shallow nonsense to say that God forgives us because He is love. The love of God means Calvary and the awful death of His Son, nothing less.” Here is absolute truth and real humility: “For God so loved Randy that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life.” Put your name in place of mine. How does that make you feel?
Jesus hates the sin in people, and the Cross is the measure of that hatred. It shows His love and our need. The Cross means the story of the compassionate, forgiving, and loving Father. We are the prodigals as well as the older brother. I was lost, and then I was found. I now know why.
We talk so much about joy, peace, hope, and stories of salvation when we return home, but all those traits result from knowing Jesus at the Cross and understanding what He has done for us. His perfect sacrifice should humble us into greater love.
That is what got my attention in the last lesson on humility, which discussed the compassionate and forgiving father. Our heavenly Father is more compassionate and forgiving. I hope that I will never be the same again.
There is only one way to get right with God: humble submission to His almighty sacrifice and forever remembering the unfathomable cost of the Cross. Jesus did this for us. All other humility does not compare.
Prayer: With gratitude, we continue to worship You for what You have done for us.