Ten investors were on trial for their lives. Indicted on charges of running a ponzi scheme that had made each of them very rich from the investments of a trusting victim. The evidence against them was sufficient to secure their guilt. The situation worsened for the accused when they discovered that the judge in the case was also the victim. They hoped he would go easy on them, despite his substantial loss at their hands. Their predicament worsened upon learning that the judge was also their only resource for food to provide for themselves and their families until after the trial, for most of their ill-gotten gains had been lost. When the men met the judge, to their amazement, they discovered the magistrate to be firm and just, but also merciful.
Amazingly, the judge sets the men free and allows them to purchase enough food at a fair price for their needs. Humbled by the Judge’s mercy and kindness the men graciously accept his offer. During the long journey home the men discover that the money, used to buy the food, had been put back in their travel bags. Because the men failed to notice that the Judge had ordered his secretary to replace the money in each man’s bag, they were shocked and fell to their knees in fear. They knew it was only a matter of time before the Judge, seeing that his kindness had been disparaged, would send for the men, find them guilty and sentence them.
The truth is we are those men. We are guilty, have been shown mercy, but still find ourselves afraid of the One we have offended because we fear we still owe Him something. This is a modified version of the story of Joseph and his 10 brothers found in Genesis. Although, Joseph was extremely hurt by the actions of his brothers, through time he learned that by forgiving his brothers he would be reflecting to them, the true nature of God. Joseph’s choice to forgive led to the reconciliation of the his family and the outcome was the birth of a nation. In a powerful passage from this story we read the words of Joseph's Steward speaking to his brothers who fear for their lives because the money used to purchase food from Joseph had secretly been replaced. He says, "Peace to you, do not be afraid. The judge has put your money back in your sack for you…" Gen 43:23
I highlighted that passage and simply wrote “Grace” in the margin. I know that this story has many different facets and applications, but right there in that one verse is the gospel summarized. When anyone says that we owe God so much, I agree. What he has done for each and every person is of infinite value. However, many problems arise when our theology views God’s mercy toward us as something to be purchased. Such thinking will lead to a response similar to that of Joseph’s brothers. Fear gripped them because they imagined the wrath of Joseph was going to come upon them when he discovered that they had not paid for their necessities. In a moment of tender joy, the brothers find out what Joseph himself had learned about God; He provides because He loves. Forgiveness comes from His love. God will go to great extremes to help us learn this; He will let us endure great suffering or even let us fall into great rebellion until we have learned this eternal truth.
I pray that you, along with myself, will cease trying to pay God for his blessings to us, because we never can. His will is for each of us to accept his grace as something that is free to us, knowing that He has covered the cost, and after accepting His grace that we would extend it to others. God is saying to you and to me, "Peace to you, do not be afraid. The judge has put your money back in your sack for you…"
Happy Easter 2012,
Live in the Grace that God has provided in His Son,
Pastor David Gibbs
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