Daily Devotions
(Jesus said) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
It’s the middle of December, and most people are running hither and thither getting ready for the holidays.
If you are one of those folks, it might be right for us to stop for a moment and remember what those holy days are all about. To do that, I would like to share with you a snippet — a snapshot of an event that took place some years ago.
It begins with a teacher, a Christian professor who was employed at an English university. Normally enthusiastic in his worship, one Sunday he found himself standing before his church, reluctant to go in. The events of the previous week had driven a wedge of separation between him and the Lord.
As he stood debating about what he should do, he saw a young lady start up the steps of his church. He watched as she stopped, turned around and ran away from the church doors, tears streaming down her face.
Quickly he went to her side and said, “Come on in, young lady. Jesus has opened the doors of this church for sinners like us.”
Tomorrow is a Sunday.
The doors of your church will be opened.
Will you go in? I know there are many things you have to do; there are many activities that need to be finished; there is work that simply must be completed.
Will you go in?
If you take a few moments and reflect on the events of the last week, you will. Have your thoughts concerning others been uplifting and positive? Have your actions been above reproach? Has your tongue always spoken well of others? If the answer to those questions is “No,” then — like the professor — you need to know “Jesus has opened the doors of the church for sinners like us.”
Will you go in?
If you take a few moments and contemplate the love of God, which comes to us in the Person of Jesus Christ, whose birth these holy days remember, you will. If you think of how God’s Son left heaven’s high throne and became a human being, so He might save sinners, you will. If you remember how Jesus suffered and died a painful, miserable death even as He carried our transgressions, you will.
You will be glad to go into the Lord’s house and give thanks that He has given His Son who is good news of great joy for all people … for all sinners like us.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, it is a sad thing when the insignificant and inconsequential gets in the way of that which is really important. Please do not let our getting ready for Christmas get in the way of preparing our hearts for the Savior. To that end may I go to church where I may hear the wonderful story of Your Love, which comes to save sinners like me. In Jesus’ Name I ask it. Amen.