It has been a wonky, arduous day – multiple components and we’re now getting close to the end of it. Father, guide me in what I should share. Amen.
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I am physically and mentally worn this evening and struggling to put thoughts together, so even though I try not to do so, this will be a Throwback Thursday post. However, I am going to tweak it a little.
The passage that inspired this post back in January of 2019 was Matthew 28:8-10 (<<click here to read it). Verse 10 takes place after Jesus’ resurrection and reads,
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me [just as I promised].” v10 AMP
I really enjoy my Life Application Study Bible and refer to it often. Regarding this specific verse, it points out that Jesus referred to the disciples as “brothers.”
Looking back from this portion of Scripture, just a few chapters, we find Jesus and his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. He held them close to His heart despite their weaknesses, and honestly, they acted like anything but brothers! The last part of Matthew 26:56 tells me that upon Jesus’ arrest, “…all the disciples deserted him and fled.” NLT, AMP, and NIV
I cannot begin to imagine what was going through the heads of the disciples – panic, fear, grief, despair…but Lord, you didn’t let them stew any more than they already had. You knew each of them intimately…You created them! Nothing they did surprised You in the least. It most definitely hurt, but You were not shocked.
They didn’t have to earn Your trust and Your love once again. There was no browbeating. There was no probationary period. Straight out of the tomb in overabundant supply, there was, and continues to be, forgiveness, love, and grace!
In my late 20s, I worked at a wonderful Christian bookstore called The Christian Amory. Amongst other things, we carried Sunday School curriculum and Christian education materials. One of the many companies’ products that we had was that of the David C. Cook Publishing Company. Interestingly enough, they employed the author of the hymn that comes to mind. Granted, it was back at the turn of the 20th century when Julia Harriette Johnston wrote lesson materials for primary-age children. For many years, she was involved in the work of Sunday schools at the First Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois. Grace Greater than Our Sin was one of approximately 500 hymns she penned. Here is the text and how appropriate it is!
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
No matter where we’ve been, what we’ve said, what we’ve thought, what we’ve done (or haven’t done, for that matter) …grace is there! Thank You, Lord, for grace greater than our sin!
(Jan 2nd, 2019, Wed, 12:31 pm)
Jan 24th, 2024, Wed, 6:31 pm
