All Hail King Jesus
As we enter Holy Week I pause to think about all the ways God has saved my life. I think of his love, GREAT, immeasurable love for me and for each of you. I think about the power of his breath – the one breath that gave life to all creation and the one breath that forever changed history as he rose out of that dark tomb and defeated death itself.
In what ways have you been saved?
For me, I feel I am continually being saved from myself. From the idea that I lack anything, when in fact I have all that I need. From drifting into what the world keeps telling me I am and back into the arms of my loving and gracious father who reminds me how I am enough. Part of what moved me to answer the call to create Messy Bun and All was the realization that my heavenly father never called me to be perfect. I could come to Him just as I was: imperfect, scarred, fearful, lost…with a desire to be made whole.
I imagine that during Jesus’ ministry so many of the priests and Jews were waiting for it all to make sense. It just didn’t make sense that God would send His Son in human form to save the world. That was not the miracle they were expecting. It was not the blessing they were hoping for. Yet, God was asking His children to move into salvation and so many of them refused to move because it just didn’t make sense.
The book of Matthew shares a story during Jesus’ ministry. He had just finished performing this phenomenal miracle of feeding 5,000 people - and that number does not include all the women and children there that day so it was way more than 5,000; and so He sent His disciples ahead of him so that He could go up to the mountain to be alone and pray. And the Bible says that a great wind and large waves came through and the disciples were terrified. And Jesus walked towards them. The disciples freaked out thinking it was a ghost. Matthew 14 verse 27 says:
27 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
29-30 He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
31 Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand.
What Jesus was asking Peter to do didn’t make sense, but Peter got out of the boat and walked on uncharted territory. C’mon somebody. Jesus created a ground for Peter to move where no ground existed. Jesus created a way where there seemed to be no way. And Peter’s response was astounding – he believed in what Jesus told Him to do and moved. He stepped out of the boat. He moved even when it didn’t make sense. What’s even more beautiful is that even while Peter got scared and stopped believing He cried out to Jesus and Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand.
While I know that life is messy and so imperfect I take heart in knowing that any time in life I feel I am sinking I can call out to my Father and know that He WILL NOT hesitate to reach down and grab my hand. I have seen God do it over and over and over again in my life. I am so unworthy guys, but that’s the whole point of grace, right? To know that I am unworthy. There will never be enough rules I can follow correctly to earn the right to salvation – all I can do is believe in the everlasting love, believe in the one who created me and who wishes to love and restore me completely. All I can do is believe and share the hope of salvation. The good news – the pressure is off of you entirely. What a blessing that salvation has nothing to do with me but everything to do with God.
As you take this week to reflect, I invite you to take time to think of ways that our heavenly Father has saved you. Take time to write that one thing down or maybe if you’re like me there is more than just one incident where you feel God has saved you. Make a list. And on resurrection Sunday I would love to celebrate with you! Celebrate that we have been saved and that we no longer are bound by the chains of our past but have freedom through Jesus Christ. What a blessed hope!
