Whenever a massive natural disaster or some significant crisis captures our collective attention, it always seems to happen; We are met with heart-wrenching stories of suffering and the crushing weight of loss. But yet occasionally, a story emerges that just stops you in your tracks—a miraculous moment where a young life is rescued against all odds.
I remember a few years ago hearing about a little girl who, during a massive rainstorm, accidentally fell into a flood swollen river and was being carried down as fast as the river flow was moving. Honestly, when you saw the footage of her, you just knew she was gone. And then somehow, seemingly from out out of nowhere, there is a man who comes into the picture powerfully swimming and pulls her to the safety of the shore. In this moment, there were many people there watching in horror because everyone knew what the outcome would be until this man saved her.
When they reached the shore, they were enveloped by everyone there thanking him and congratulating him for such an amazing display of bravery. Then the family arrived and the outpouring of love started all over again. I have never seen a life pulled from the jaws of death like that before. It really was a miracle.
As you can imagine, in the midst of this happiness chaos and cheering a lone reporter came over and thrust her microphone into his face and asked, “why did you do that? Why would you risk your life to save hers?” The man immediately stopped and turned to this reporter in the middle of all these people and looked her straight in the eye and said, “because she couldn’t save herself “ Then he turned away and he and the mob of wellwishers left leaving her standing there.
Apparently, I think his answer surprised the reporter because she just stood there with no follow up question and just watched them walk away. But for me, his answer was a solid “knock me over the head moment”. Why? because this man just described exactly why Christ did what He did for every single human being that has ever existed or walked this earth.
By dying on that cross, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price of sin for EVERYONE…and why would he do that? For the exact same reason.
Because we can’t save ourselves.
Now I am hoping that statement doesn’t surprise any of you because in this generation, we are told there really isn’t anything we can’t do, or any height that we can’t ascend on our own. But I am telling you the truth. No matter how hard we try or how many good deeds you do or much money you give to the poor, or the church, or a charity. You might give up your time and volunteer at the homeless shelter. You might even do many other things that make you a solid human being but with full transparency there is one thing you cannot do…
You cannot remove your own sin.
You were born into it. We all were and there isn’t anything WE can do by ourselves except one thing. And that is accept what Christ did for you personally.
When He died on that cross, He died as a substitute for you. Every single human was headed for certain death because that is the penalty for sin. Think of it this way, just like the title of this post, “Jesus is wearing my scars”, your scars, EVERYONES scars.
Christ stepped in and did the heavy lifting for all of us which means His sacrifice paid our penalty and now our job is to focus our best efforts each day to follow Him.
Guys, my intent is not to be preachy, but I do hope this will resonate with you today that without what Christ did for us on that cross, we were headed for certain destruction.
Let me leave you with one of my favorite verses in Jeremiah below:
You will seek Me and find Me if you seek Me with ALL of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
The ball is in your court.
Until next time Guys-
IMS team
