For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

We've all heard the expression, "He has to face the music."

Do you know from where the expression comes? It began in medieval Japan with a man who wanted the security and prestige that came from being a performer in the imperial orchestra. There was a minor flaw in his idea: he couldn't play an instrument, not a note. Amazingly, he didn't give up, but pulled every possible string.

He made promises. He called in favors.

With reluctance, and against his better judgment, the orchestra's conductor finally got worn down and unenthusiastically let the man in. When a musical number would begin, our man dutifully raised his instrument to his mouth, puckered his lips, moved his fingers, and pretended to blow. He went through the motions, but not a tweet ever escaped his flute.

The deception might have continued indefinitely and undetected if it had not been for the appointment of a new conductor whose first act was to tell his musicians they would have to re-audition for their job.

This posed no problem for most of the players; they were professionals. One by one they auditioned and re-won their positions. Eventually, all finished, except for the fake flutist. He managed to postpone his audition with a number of excuses but, finally the day, the hour, the minute came for the audition.

He confessed his fraud and, unable to face the music, he lost his position, salary, home and future.

The truth is all of us will, someday, have to face the music. For some that is a frightening prospect. Here I am speaking of those who have been willing to risk everything and do anything to advance themselves in this world, but who have ignored the approaching Day of Judgment.

They have forgotten the day will come when they will face the music and appear before Jesus the Judge.

When that moment comes, they will either make the cut or they will not. Where they end up afterwards will depend on whether Jesus was their Savior. When Jesus is your Savior, there is no need to worry about the Day of Judgment. You need not be afraid because Jesus has already faced the music for you.

* For us, He has fulfilled the Law.

* For us, He has resisted the temptation of the world and Satan.

* For us, He carried our sins, and for us He died.

The Savior's third-day resurrection from the dead says even the grave has been conquered. A living Lord Jesus says, "God's Son has successfully faced the music for us and because of that believers are free, forgiven and saved."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that because of Jesus, the day when I will "face the music" will not be frightening. Indeed, knowing I have nothing to fear, I can live this life and be at peace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 16-18    John 5:1-24

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