Today, I am completely astounded by God's mercy and faithfulness. His love reaches to the depths of the sea and pulls us to the surface...allowing us to breathe again. We carry these outrageous weights around our necks that we are not meant to carry. We tend to think we need to work our way to forgiveness. In the process, the pain is at times absolutely unbearable. Yet, God goes ahead of us to prepare the way. He always does. He desires nothing more than for us to live free and redeemed. Totally forgiven.
From one of my favorite films of all time, "The Mission," I am reminded of an extremely powerful scene of redemption. It is a scene that has been burned in my mind for years...one of those that sticks with you forever. In this movie, Robert De Niro plays a slave trader. He comes to a cross-road and believes that he must pay the worst penance imaginable for his sins. As he carries this huge weight up the side of a mountain, it is an incredible visual of the weight of sin that we carry. You can actually feel it; I share his pain and find myself holding my breath. At the end of the scene, the natives cut the rope and throw his load over the mountain and into the river. He is set free. Completely. There is an amazing moment of tears, elation and celebration for all. Here is that scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJKszzC7L0.
This is exactly what Jesus does for us. He slices the rope and throws our burdens overboard...to the depths of the sea...or as far as the east is from the west. He wipes our messy slates totally clean. We are forgiven and free. Done. We no longer need to carry the load behind us anymore.
Many years ago, in a weekly Bible study, a friend of mine often prayed this prayer that has stuck with me, "Father, continue to draw them to Yourself because~of~Your~Love...for no other reason." So, I too pray this prayer.
"So, if the Son sets you free then you will be free indeed." ~John 8:36
No comments:
Post a Comment