Matthew – Fulfilled
Randy and I went to the movies last night to see The Shack. We read the book a few years ago and said, this would make a great movie. It was a great, moving portrayal of the power of forgiveness can have on each of us. It was heart stopping, heart breaking, heart redeeming and heart restoring. True freedom with Jesus begins with complete forgiveness given to others who have hurt you. When we realize how much God really loves us, only then can we begin to love others like He loves us. This love is freeing, full of grace and mercy and most of all, UNconditional. His love is hard to wrap our minds around at times because of the wounds of others. But it can be done if we get away with Him.
Now we come to one of my favorite passages in Matthew this sums up what Jesus came to earth to tell humans who love Him and want to please Him…”Come to Me. Get away with me…and you will recover your life.”
Matthew 11, The Message
25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Pastors, Worship Leaders, SS Teachers, I know you are gearing up for Easter services and you want to give it all you’ve got within you, but I pray you will get away with Jesus, lay down the heavy load you are carrying, and let His Holy Spirit take over and say only what He wants said. Let your congregation see you live the unforced rhythms of grace. His peace in You, His Spirit in You will draw people to Him, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Dear Heavenly Father, Restore us, forgive us, help us to completely forgive the offenses of others to our hearts and minds. You have our souls and no one can change that. Thank you for being with us, recovering our lives and giving us rest at just the right time and place…with You. Always.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 