Jesu Juva
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”
Have you ever wondered what you should do for Jesus? Sometimes even people who have been redeemed still worry about doing enough for God. But we never could. It’s hopeless. That is, it’s hopeless if we would have to give something to God.
In today’s devotion, we are going to learn a bit more about three lives that Jesus redeemed. Please click the scripture links for context or have your Bible handy. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us truly accept that there is nothing we can ever do to merit grace.
“Let the Book live to me O Lord. Show me Thyself within Your Word. Show me myself. And show me My Savior. And let the Book live to me.” R. Hudson Pope Ca. 1944
I love the conversation between Jesus and the thief on the cross. It is a reminder that God was pursuing lost people while His Son was suffering to redeem them. God never changes. He always loves. At the same time, He always has wrath for sin.
Now don’t forget, there were two thieves next to Jesus. One, in his arrogance, mocked Jesus to the end.
The other, in his humility and anguish, repented and gave his heart to God, by faith.
And that was all he had to give. His faith and his heart. His hands were nailed to a cross. What else could he do? He received Jesus’ promise…Luke 23:43 Jesus said, “I assure you, today, you will be with Me in paradise.
Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace:
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die. (Augustus Toplady Ca. 1776 Rock of Ages)
Are you convinced that you don’t have to jump through spiritual hoops to be redeemed? You always have a choice, but it isn’t a game of hide and seek. The Spirit draws people. They either reject the Savior or believe. People who truly believe express their thankfulness.
Thankfulness. That brings us to the to the next encounter with Jesus.
Ten lepers. That was instant separation from family, attendance in the temple, work, and daily life. One of them was not only a leper, but he was a Samaritan. Click the link to understand how these people were outcasts.
Even if these men had something to give Jesus to earn redemption, they couldn’t have given Him anything. They were lepers. Anything they touched was unclean. No one could touch any of their possessions.
Thankfully, our theme continues. Redemption is free. Jesus only required faith. Apparently all ten of them believed He could heal them. So, they followed Christs’ instructions.
Because of their faith they trusted Jesus enough to walk away, still sick, and as they walked away they were healed. They were healed because they believed they would be, not because they gave Jesus money or offered Him anything.
And just a little something extra for you. Have you ever paid attention to the words of the Samaritan leper? Remember, he is the only one to come back and thank Jesus. Well, when the lepers first greet Jesus, it is pure desperation. The title they bestow upon the Savior is “Master”. To them, at that point, they believed He was a good man. A teacher. One with authority. But notice when the one comes back. What does he say?
Luke 17:11-19 “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” …One of them…came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!“…He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
That’s right. He said “Praise God!” Jesus was no longer just “master”. The leper received Jesus as His Savior and Lord. His Redeemer. His Healer. God.
This man had nothing to give Jesus. Jesus gave him everything.
Our final look at a life that had nothing to give is the poor widow. Let’s take a look.
Luke 21:1-3 “…She has given everything she has.”
That verse sounds like she gave something. In fact, she gave everything she had. She gave of her faith. She wasn’t giving to get salvation. She already had faith and believed. Even though this poor widow needed charity herself, she knew God could use her small amount to help others, and He would take care of her needs. But she didn’t give her mite to receive anything. She gave out of her faith in God and her love for Him. She knew God had always been her Provision, and He would always be.
Photo by Ken Carley
Now, the widow’s story has been corrupted by wicked, self-serving prosperity Gospel promoters. These people have a mantra that we need to be wary of. “You’ve got to give to get.” That is a wicked philosophy. It is not pure in heart. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day would have been on board with that slogan. Read more about the corrupt religious leaders stealing from widows. Mark 12:40.
So now do you see? We love Jesus because of everything He gave. And that naturally makes true believers want to do something for Him. But we can’t purchase our redemption. We can give Him our lives. We can love others, and most certainly honor Him with our devotion. Share this Gospel. Tell people that God does not require anything else, but faith in Him alone.
All that God requires is:
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man[a] came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 