Daily Devotions
“Okay, who’s wrong this time?”
That was the question the mother asked of her three boys. Since she had no fingerprint kit or surveillance cameras, she relied pretty heavily on confession.
Of course, as the boys had grown older she had found they were not overly eager to run the risk of punishment and come forward with an admission of guilt. That’s why when she asked who had violated the house rules, all she saw were three angelic boys, and all she heard was “Not me, Mom.”
Their responses reminded her ever so much of the disciples at the Last Supper asking, “Is it I?”
Eventually it was bed time and mother still hadn’t managed to get a confession. As she tucked the boys in, she said, “Now you should know, I’m going to bed pretty soon. Before I fall asleep, I’m going to ask the Lord, ‘Who’s the guilty one?’ Don’t you think the guilty party might want to come clean before I speak to the Lord?”
The reply was a mixture of boldness and human defiance. The oldest said, “Mom, if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to see what God tells you first.”
“Okay, who’s wrong?”
It is a sad thing to realize that when the day comes, when the Lord asks us that question, every single one of us should hang our heads and confess: “Me, Lord, I was wrong, I was wrong a lot because during my life I sinned a lot.”
Yes, all of us have sinned a lot. But for those who have Jesus as their Savior, they were also forgiven a lot. Because of His Son’s sacrifice, a sacrifice made throughout Jesus’ life and in His death, every one of our sins has been countered by God’s blood-bought forgiveness.
“Okay, who’s wrong?”
It doesn’t seem right, does it? All the world’s believers who have done wrong are now made right because the only innocent Soul this world has ever seen was punished.
No, it’s not right, but it is a wonderful gift which comes from our good and gracious God.
THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, how is it possible for me to show my gratitude for what Jesus has done? I should have been the one who was beaten for my transgressions. I should have been nailed to the cross for my sins. Instead, Your innocent Son received a punishment — my punishment — for sins He had never committed. Keep me ever mindful of His sacrifice, which has won my forgiveness and salvation. In His Name. Amen.