Our Only Advocate ~ Amazing Grace!

I brought home a nugget of truth from our small group tonight that I hadn't considered before. We were discussing Jesus's crucifixion and His words in Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing."  I made the comment that forgiveness is a judicial term, and in asking God not to bring judgment and due punishment upon the people for what they had done to Him, that Jesus was asking for them to have further opportunity for repentance and reconciliation.

That comment was further developed by an attorney in the group, who fully understands the purpose and need for advocacy. He called to our attention that Jesus is the only one who has direct access to God, who advocates for us and takes up our case before Father God. What amazing grace, that Jesus advocated for the very people who were calling for His crucifixion!

Jesus was asking God to give them more time. More time to see that His life, death, and resurrection was their only hope of reconciliation with God. And He is our only hope to this very day, for Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).

My take away from K-group discussion this evening--So very thankful that Jesus advocates for me and that God sees me through Jesus' righteousness, not my own self-righteousness.

I hope, dear one, that you understand that Jesus the Christ is your only way to the God of the Universe.

Painting ~ Christ Crucified 1632 by Diego Velázquez 1599-1660
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4214227

No Better News

I'm continuing to read Christ Our Mediator by C.J. Mahaney. Wanting to share my evening read with you. Wonderful thoughts to ponder before sleep.

And what does Christ's death mean for us--for all who turn from their sins and trust in this unique mediator?

First, we have peace with God--the actual, objective reality of peace with Him, because His holy hostility against us has been spent against Christ instead.

Second, we no longer face condemnation from God when our life on this earth is over. Every believer in Christ can know that the moment we pass from this world and stand before God the righteous judge, the verdict to be announced in our case will be "not guilty," by reason of the righteousness of Christ.

With full assurance we can anticipate and even experience that verdict right now. Our lives here and now are transformed as we live today in the joyful light of that day. We live today free from the fear of wrath on that future date.

What amazing grace! There simply isn't greater news we could give to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

I do hope you have trusted this unique mediator. If you'd like to learn more, here's a great place to start. Dig deeper, dear one, and you'll discover peace beyond measure.