Passage
Matthew 20:1-16 (ESV)
Misery of Disobedience
Genesis 34:1-31
Key Verse: 34:30
Grace to All
Date: Sep. 25, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first last.”
First, grace freely offered to one and all (1-8). One thing about the grace of God - his salvation is offered to all, and to all on the same terms. From a human perspective, salvation is impossible, but as Jesus said "with God all things are possible" (19:26). Through the cross we see the 'impossible' become possible - the cross is where perfect justice and perfect mercy meet and are both, in a great mystery, fully, completely achieved. This is why on the cross "it is finished" - truly, completely finished. As John said, our salvation is "of God" - totally, completely "of God" (Jn 1:13).
Second, gratitude, not duty (9-16). When we come to God through the cross and yield ourselves to him, it is from a sense of heartfelt gratitude, not duty. God yielded his life to us, and out of our genuine gratitude we willingly, joyfully yield our (new) lives back to him. God extends his amazing grace to give us new life and then calls us as co-workers to build his Kingdom! He even calls us "friends" (Jn 15:15). It is fundamentally God's character to be gracious, and in so doing to form a deep, intimate friendship with each of us. His grace extends equally to all whom he draws and who come to him in their need (Jn 6:37).
Prayer: Thank you Father - thank you, thank you, thank you - that you have earned my salvation through the cross. I humbly, gratefully accept this incredible gift that you freely offer to me and to all, and yield my new life in joy to you! I love you, Father! :
One Word: Yield your life - yield our lives - to him.
