It's About Jesus - January 5, 2010

Daily Reading

Job 6-9

Daily Verse

"Indeed, I know that this is true.

But how can a mortal be righteous before God?"

Job 9:2

Daily Thought

How can a mortal be righteous before God?

Be careful. It's a trick question. There are two answers: (1) we can't, and (2) we can. The order is important. Can't comes first.

To end his suffering, Job's friends urge him to "be good." Job sneers, "How good is good enough?" Job asks the question of every lifetime, but it's not really a question, is it? The answer is too obvious. We can't be good enough.

The point? Stop trying. We can't do it. The first answer is "despair," and it is essential we get it right. Otherwise we keep trying.

But it is not the final answer.

There must be another way. If "we can't do it" is correct, then someone who is not us must do something.

Romans 5:19, "...through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous."

Look carefully here. This doesn't say that Jesus is righteous, and we can hide behind him and therefore approach God. It says that we are "made righteous." His righteousness becomes our righteousness. It truly answers the question, "How can a mortal be righteous before God?" We don't do anything, and that's the point.

It's about Jesus. It's only about Jesus. It's always about Jesus.

To God's Glory,

Dave

Daily Prayer

Our Father in heaven, you are holy. We are amazed that you think of us, because we are not. Far from it. And yet you love us and seek us out. You save us, not because we have something you want or need, but you save us out of your own pleasure.

This is astonishing love. You are holy and mighty and wise and good. You are perfect.

Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Through his obedience, his life, his death, his resurrection, we are made righteous and given the certainty of eternal life with you. You have given us all we ever need, and therefore we can love others the way you love. Not to receive something, but for the sheer pleasure of loving and giving and serving. May we at all times be a reflection of your mercy and grace.

Amen