I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. May the Lord fill your hearts and minds with gratitude. We have much to be thankful for. When asked, we often say, I am thankful for my friends, family, house, and many other things. These things are gifts, and we must be thankful for them. We take so much for granted. So, on this day of Thanksgiving, seek to be thankful for everything, the burnt Turkey, the soggy stuffing, the friends and family you get to share it with.
The world is full of blessings for which we need to be thankful; however, I would like to speak of a particular blessing for which we must be filled with gratitude. We finite human beings don’t understand. We have had the pleasure of seeing a glimpse of it, but it is beyond all comprehension. No matter how hard we try, we will not even scratch the surface of its depths. Just thinking about it, is enough to make us go mad. It is altogether wonderful and incomprehensible. I speak of “unconditional love,” that while we where yet sinners Christ died for us. We have been redeemed!
In this life, we are angered by those that offend us, treat us poorly, and even reject us. It is enough to steal our joy, our passion, and our love. But, “WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.” We cannot understand the depths of this love. “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.” [Romans 5:7] We have constantly rejected and scorned Christ. We have left our first love. We have taken up arms against the King of kings. By nature, we hate our God. Yet, yet!, in this state of rebellion, in this state of rejection, it pleased God to bruise His son for us. It please the Lord to die, to make men righteous.
“He was wounded for our transgression, and by his stripes, we are healed.” “We esteemed stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” The son of the living God took upon flesh and dwelt among us and obediently died and gave himself for us. This is completely beyond all imagining. We serve a long suffering God.
So, when you think someone has wronged you, remember from where you have come. When you think of yourself, remember the gift of Jesus Christ. Die to yourself. Anything you are given on this earth, dead family members, a torn up past, a family that doesn’t love you, is much better than you deserve. Anything short of HELL is better than you deserve. Remember, those terrifying yet wonderful words, “While you were yet a sinner, Christ died for you.”
Read the account of his death. You hung him there with your transgressions, you spat upon him and hit him with the palms of your hands. Tell me, do you experience this? He was rejected by not only his disciples, but most of all, he we rejected by his Heavenly Father. Can you say the same? “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me and said, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn you.” Jesus was forsaken, in order to give us the promise that we shall never be forsaken.
Dear reader, be thankful for this gift of love. Be thankful for this offering that satisfied divine justice. What you deserved has been taken away from you, and you have seized upon the inheritance of another. You have been greatly blessed. Be ye humble, and when asked what you are thankful for today, look at the person and solemnly say, “I have been redeemed.”
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That should cause the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
Soli Deo Gloria
