Easter

Easter is that time of year we think of newness - new life, new starts, new experiences and the resurrection of Jesus. I was thinking about 2 Cor. 5:21 from the Bible. It reads from the NIV: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This is what really matters. Jesus, the sinless one, became sin for us when he died on the cross. I call this the great exchange. He took on our sin and did not deserve it. In exchange we, the sinful, received the righteousness of God and do not deserve it. This is totally unfair to Jesus and yet God so loved the world . . . . . God loved us that much to sacrifice his son so that we can have a relationship with Him through faith and receive His righteousness. This is what matters. And yet at times we live as though this makes no difference. Our new nature is to be filled with grace, kindness, love, faith, encouragement and acceptance. But let's be honest and admit that often we are filled with the old nature of anger, rage, bitterness, rivalry and pride. The good news is you and I can change that. We have to embrace what is new through faith in Jesus. Once we do Jesus helps us to live by our new nature. Our true nature will be revealed, old or new. Therefore are you righteous? It is what really matters.

Dignity

The picture you see is from a small town in central India. You can see the man straining under the weight of his load. Yet he is working and surviving. As a creature made in God's image he has inestimable worth in God's eyes. God says in Psalm 139 that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Thus this man's life and work have dignity. All of God's image bearers, therefore, from the least to the greatest have worth. That includes you too! Whatever you are going through rest assured that God loves you. The penultimate expression of that love is found in his son Jesus who died a criminal's death on the cross for you and for me. Have you embraced that truth? Do you value all humans as God's image bearers?

Indian Humility

India is a land of contrasts. From opulent wealth to extreme poverty, from huge modern cities to rural backward villages and from dense forests to arid highlands India betrays a unique beauty. It is the largest democracy in the world. It now has over a billion inhabitants and is rich in resources; but its most valuable resource is its people. I saw the beauty of humility in her people. While the young people are very attractive, the most endearing quality is their humility. They treated us with respect and honor. As we taught at a pastor's conference, ordained two young pastors and attended a Bible College graduation, my heart was touched by these kind and humble people. The president of the Bible College and his family humbly and sacrificially served us all week. The staff at the leprosy hospital humbly cared for the patients with such dignity. The teachers and administrators of the boys and girls home taught and led these children with love and affirmation. I saw Jesus in each of these. Likewise we have people here in America who emulate such humility. We have to look a little harder but it is there. I see our church's vision statement fulfilled in all these humble people. It reads: we will be living messengers for Jesus whom God uses to love people and change lives. Over two weeks in India affirmed for me the centrality of humility. Would that my humility show as well. I have a long way to go.