September 11-Justification

Happy Tuesday. How are you this fine day? Well yesterday, I was tricked into taking lunch to Miss Mia. I was told that yesterday was grandparents day for her class and I need to bring lunch to her. (She very politely asked for Chick-fil-a) However, when I got to the school today, the sign out front clearly said “Grandparents day September 11&12”. As you know, yesterday was the 10th. Well since I already had the food, I went on in and we proceeded to have lunch together. (Which I didn’t mind one little bit actually). Today however, Cooper asked for McDonald’s cheeseburgers, so Miss Mia is going to get Cooper’s choice. 


Do we ever just stretch the truth a little to get what we want? Or maybe not even a stretch, but maybe just a slant? Say it in a way that puts us in a little better light or maybe at least not look quite so bad. It’s still the truth to the letter, it’s technically right, but it doesn’t really tell the whole story? Or what about those justifications? Mercy, how we love to justify. Even to God. I’ve called myself the Queen of Justification on more than one occasion. 


“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:25-29‬ ‭NLT‬‬


I think the most telling thing in this passage is “...the man wanted to justify his actions...” which tells us a lot about this guy. He was an expert in Jewish law—he knew his Bible—yet he came to Jesus to make sure he had not missed anything. The law by itself, following rules, doesn’t give us peace. It doesn’t provide us with the comfort in knowing we are good before our Savior. 


We also find out that he wasn’t good at loving people. He needed to know exactly whom he was supposed to love and make sure he was loving the “right” people. When Jesus told him the story of the Good Samaritan, the man’s justification fell apart. (Like Mia’s when I saw the sign.)


Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us the peace that only you can provide. We offer you praise that we don’t have to depend on following every rule to the letter to justify our standing with you. You have loved us with a crazy love that surrounds and wraps us up in spite of who we are and not because of it. And because we have chosen to belong to you, we have been justified not by our feeble attempts to explain away, but by your precious blood. You are holy and righteous and alone are worthy. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam


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