Lost But Worth Finding (2)

Introduction

Separated and Condemned?

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has, by His suffering and death, made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved. (The Salvation Army’s 6th Article of Faith).

Ever look at life and God’s holiness and feel shame/humiliation/embarrassment/condemned/lost/separated? / Feel sin = unbridgeable river between you/God? / It’s a lie! / Remind simple beliefs: God wants to bridge the gap/give us his salvation/dispense mercy and grace.

Explanation

Imagine ...

In this meditation I want you to imagine you are a Jew living 2000 years ago when Israel was conquered by Romans.

Close your eyes and use your imagination to see yourself in a dungeon. You are a prisoner and you only have a few hours left to live before the authorities are going to crucify you. All sorts of regrets fill your mind: Why did I fight? Why did I murder that man? You try to put your thoughts aside, but the anticipation of death ahead seems to cloud and darken your mind. Nothing seems to take away the agony and utter devastation you feel. You joke with others in your cell that today is your big day, but everything within you is screaming for a way out. You wonder how you are going to face your family and friends. You begin to pray for a brave heart but end up screaming inwardly for God to forgive you and get you out of this mess. Heaven seems to be closed to you and you decide if there really is a God then either he is sleeping or he doesn't hear prayers from a waster like you. You feel as though your head is going to explode with the heaviness of your thoughts, but at that precise moment the door is opened and your jailer tells you it's time for you to leave. You get up to walk out of your cell, but your legs give way from under you. You stumble across the room, knowing that this will be the last walk you will ever take.

As you reach the entrance to the cell you are told you are to be taken to see the governor. You don't understand why, but think this may be one of their 'procedures' before your ultimate journeys end - dying on a rough tree they call a 'cross’.

Your heart is beating wildly as you walk into the governors room. He takes one look at you and says, You are free to go!’

‘Free to go? What do you mean? How can this be? I am due to be crucified today!‘

The governors reply seems to echo throughout the prison: ‘You are free because someone else took your place. He was crucified instead of you’.

You can hardly take the words in! Your heart is thumping in your chest — so many questions fill your mind: Why did someone else die in my place? Why I am being given the right to live? Relief floods through your whole being. You are alive, you are no longer condemned to die, all your guilt has been cancelled out, you are free.

You quickly leave the prison and run into the fresh air. You look at the grass, the trees, the leaves, the sky. Thankfulness and joy floods your being as you fill your lungs with fresh pure air. On the horizon across the sky you suddenly see three crosses. You run out of the city to the hill called Golgotha and there in the middle of two thieves is the man who took your place. Above his tom and bruised body is the inscription ’Jesus—the King of the Jews’. You look at his bloodied feet and hands where crude metal has brutally nailed them to the tree. You see his back where it looks as though he's been whipped dozens of times until his back is like a ploughed field. You look at his head — pierced with thorns until the blood is constantly running down his face. You look into his eyes and inwardly you gasp because you are surprised at what you see. Instead of fear and anger you see love and forgiveness. He looks straight at you and seems to know who you are. In the depth of his pain he seems to smile and say, ‘It’s OK. It’s OK’. You turn away and with tears in your eyes; you shout to the skies, 'God, it should have been me! It should have been me’. This man has done nothing. It should have been me.

(Nancy Goudie)

You are not lost or condemned

It’s simple. / But reminding. / God loves you/so much he sent only Son to earth to prove it. / Sacrifice breaks sin’s mastery. / Death/resurrection ≠ condemned. / Bridged the gap between you/God.

Application

Simply Believe

Many believed for many years. / Satan will still whisper it’s not true./Get you to condemn yourself./Feel shame and humiliation./Tell him to push off!/Stand in victory./Throw off sin’s curse/our guilt./Shout once again that Jesus commands our destiny./That nothing will ever make us cross back over the river./That nothing will drag us away from the presence of God.

Are you ready to stand by Jesus’ side? / Will you come and stand with me? / Shout no condemnation at Satan as we’re reminded that Christ is enough.

Next Steps

In Christ Alone