The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18

The auction of a home in a mortgage foreclosure is a sad thing.

A foreclosure is the end of someone's dreams -- the final chapter in a sad story of shattered hopes. According to a CNN article last week, that's the way it was for Tracy Orr in Pottsboro, Texas.

Tracy watched helplessly as her home was being auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Through tear-filled eyes she watched the bidding, trying to tune out the person behind her determinedly asking about her home and if it was "worth it?"

Tracy's home was sold for $30,000.

It was sold to that annoying person who had been standing near her. Tracy's home was sold to a lady who, after the auction said, "I did this for you." The stranger, without knowing Tracy's name, or her financial condition, bought her house and is giving it back.

Well, she's not actually giving it back, but close enough.

When asked why the generosity, the Good Samaritan stranger said, "If it was you, you'd want somebody to stop and help you."

Actually, Tracy's story is mine, and it is yours, too. You see -- we once had a home in paradise. These were homes that we, because of our sin, managed to lose. Seeing our lost condition, a stranger, the best of Samaritans -- the Son of God -- stepped in to save us.

That's right. Jesus bought back our home in heaven. There are two differences between our Lord and the kind person in Tracy's story: Jesus didn't make His purchase with gold, or silver. No, the cost was far higher than that. The Savior redeemed us and our home in heaven with His holy precious blood and through His innocent suffering and death.

The second difference is also considerable; the benefactor in Tracy's story is not giving her back her home, she is selling it back in a way Tracy can afford. Our Savior, knowing we would never be able to pay the price demanded by a home in heaven, is giving us that eternal piece of property free and clear.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, when humanity lost its home in the Garden of Eden, You had pity and did everything necessary to bring us home. Through Your life, suffering, death, and resurrection, You have graciously given us an eternal home in heaven. For this blood-bought gift may I thank and praise, serve and obey You. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 39, 52, 40    Hebrews 10:19-39

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