It Makes Me Wonder - Genesis 22:14

Genesis 22:14  “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (NIV)

            I like to see people enjoying their families, whether it is at church, in a park, or even on Facebook. To look at the delight and love that parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts bestow upon children of all ages are wonderful gifts and they make me happy to be in the world today. I grew up in poverty and experienced some very sad circumstances, but the best of my memories from childhood are of those times and moments of joy, happiness, and love that my parents, relatives, and siblings shared.

            I find the biblical story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac in Genesis 22 very difficult to embrace and comprehend. I’m thankful for the happy ending, but I’m troubled by the unquestioning devotion Abraham gives to God. It seems like uncontrolled religious fanaticism to me and I wonder how that strange and bewildering moment affected the future relationship between father and son. The fact that we don’t have many events recorded about Isaac’s later life, as compared to both Abraham and Jacob, makes me think that Isaac could have been a very subdued and introverted person due to the emotional trauma he experienced by almost being sacrificed by his dad.

            I know that the story appears to be a scriptural precursor and dramatic prophecy of Christ’s sacrificial crucifixion at Calvary, with God and Jesus filling the roles of Abraham and Isaac respectively, but even that doesn’t diminish the perplexity I feel about the original Abrahamic episode. It does, however, leave me with a healthy repugnance of religious fundamentalism of any faith on Earth, which can tragically mutate into an inhumane cruelty and even insanely justify killing other people in the name of God.

Point to ponder

How do I display my faith to my family?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us to receive God’s work of salvation as described in the Bible, even when some things and events really mystify us. Keep us faithful to Your ministry on Earth, but protect us from becoming over-zealous and unloving. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called “Redeemer.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Redeemer.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. The congregation would be delighted to see you at our Sunday worship services at 11:00 AM or at any other time. J

Daily Devotional: Canceling debts - Colossians 2:13b-14

Colossians 2:13b-14   God forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 

            In the political world, the National Debt becomes an important issue at every general election. Candidates from all the parties usually talk about how they will reduce the financial burden that is placed upon every taxpayer in their countries. Whoever comes up with the best solution normally becomes the poll favorite to win the office of leadership. However, when they gain that position, they soon discover that dealing with the National Debt is not as easy as they hoped. Current policies and other politicians usually get in the way of solving the problem. The debt becomes greater and is often left to the next leader or generation to find the right answers.

The sad fact of the matter is this: politicians all over the world are not very willing to sacrifice their popularity by imposing stringent economic solutions – the art of  national debt procrastination abounds all over the world.

            We are all under a similar debt when it comes to dealing with our sins. Each time we sin, we rob God of His glory and owe Him an apology. Every day, our sinful debts keeps piling up so, at the end of our lives, we will be so indebted to God that we will never be able to face Him and pay back all of the divine glory that we have stolen and squandered. However, God has provided the solution to canceling our debt to Him. His Son Jesus has paid that sinful debt in full at the Cross of Calvary. We do not carry over our sinful debt into the next part of our lives when we accept Christ as our Savior-Redeemer. He has paid it all and, in doing so, has given us the opportunity to be fully and eternally restored to God.

            In the midst of this important election with all of its complications, personalities, and issues, let’s also constantly remind ourselves of Who really is the Leader of our lives, the Canceller of our debts, and the Savior of our souls.

Questions for personal reflection

How do my sins alienate me from God and make me indebted to Him? Why do I need Jesus to save me from my sins by canceling my debt to God?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You were nailed to the Cross to cancel the debt due for the sins of humanity. Our sins are countless, so we owe everything to You. Remind us of the cost of our eternal restoration and freedom. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to contact him, please send an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called ‘Sin Bearer.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Sin Bearer.


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