It shocked the congregation when I, their pastor, said this- ‘At my funeral, I would like the minister to say that John Fischer was not good enough to go to heaven! He didn’t deserve it.’

A hush descended on the gathered flock. Some whispered, maybe wondering what I’d done that was so bad. Others may not have been surprised–‘we knew it all along. It’s finally caught up with our beloved Rev. Old Goat Fischer!’

What really caught their attention was when I added these words–‘…and none of you are good enough, either!’ Oops, stepped on a few toes, have I? Barked up the wrong tree? Do I smell tar burning in the distance with feathers being gathered? Not really.

For we need to rid our minds of the idea that we can earn our way to heaven. We can’t. Or that we’re good enough. We’re not. Gathering more brownie points than red marks against us. We haven’t. The scale tipped in our favor. It isn’t. Might as well just forget it. Not going to work. Never has and never will.

Okay? Got it? Maybe some of you are with me. If you’re still on the fence, check out Hebrews chapter 9 in your Bible. In your imagination, put yourself into this chapter. We’re now in the Outer Court of the Temple in Jerusalem. We’re on the outside, where we belong. For only certain holy ones are allowed into the inner sanctums, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Hoping to have our sins forgiven, we come with sacrifices to make. To placate our God. To clean our slate of so many messes we’ve made. Our sins against others and God Himself.

But then we find ourselves off to the side, making way for the One who has come with the ultimate gift that will forgive all sins. It’s Jesus! He comes to take our place. To do for us what none of us can do. Forgiveness is His gift to all who trust Him. It is. For all who believe in Him. Yes, for them. Who forsake efforts to gain favor with God by our own means, as lofty as we think they are. They’re not.

Hear from Hebrews–‘But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come…he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption …how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God’ (Heb. 9: 11- 12, 14).

Do you read anything about doing enough good works to garner God’s favor? Check it out again. Nowhere and in no way. It’s all about Jesus and what He did for us on the Cross. So, depend upon Him. Alone. He’s done it all. And all still means all.

Okay, don’t sit around watching TV all day or playing video games, smugly self-serving.  Do something good for a change, for someone else. Feeling sorry for yourself? Get off your selfish high horse. You know what I mean.

Be alive, working for Jesus, not to earn His love, but to show how much you love your Lord.  After all, we’re no longer lingering in the Outer Court. We’ve been invited into the Holy Place and, in time, the Holy of Holies with Jesus Himself!  How about that? Pretty good, huh? Do I hear an ‘Amen’? Do I?

Thank you, Jesus, for all you continually do for me. Amen.

My wife and I live near a joint Army/Air Force base. Often, planes and helicopters are heard and seen flying overhead.  Sometimes, without prior warning, we hear bombs being tested off in the distance. At least we hope that’s where they stay. Miles off. And only a test. So far, so good!

One day recently, while my wife was outside gardening and I was upstairs writing what you’re now reading, a humongous military jet flew rather low overhead, catching the sun’s rays at just the right angle, casting the largest shadow she’d ever seen. As if all life and property would soon be in the past. Scary, to say the least.

Thankfully, it was only a shadow. A huge, ominous one, but with no attendant dangers at all. When Sue recounted this experience, I immediately thought of Psalm 23, which says–‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…(Ps. 23: 4).

With some rather large medical issues thrust in my face the last few years, the grim reaper seems ready to knock at my door. Not yet, though. But when he does, and he will for all of us unless the Lord returns first and snatches His own out of all this mess, it will be like a shadow. The reality is that in one moment we’ll close our eyes and in the next open them in the presence of glory we can’t even imagine.

The Bible gives us lots of hints about heaven. Not to make us so heavenly-minded that we’re no earthly good, but to show us shadows of things to come. A tip-off and hot lead about life forever in God’s presence and with all the saints who’ve gone before us. Heavenly whispers.

Death is not the final word. Jesus promises that we will never die–‘Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ (John 11: 25-26). Yes, our bodies will give up the ghost. Okay, I get that. But the end of this life will be more like a shadow passing over us, exhibiting no lasting grasp. A shadow, a silhouette, and a smidgeon that soon gives way to the substantial. The shadow of death ushers in what’s ours forever. Life eternal!

Still Jesus asks the question–‘Do you believe this?’ (John 11: 26). Well, do we?

Lord Jesus, thank you for holding onto me when I need you most. Amen.

Someone I used to know would bug me, begging to know how many of my two published daily devotional books I’d sold. They were for sale through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and a couple other retail outlets that I can’t remember right now. He just knew that I’d sold almost nothing. Or so he wished. That I was probably a big failure. At least in his eyes. Smugly playing the numbers game with me. Sorry, I opted out at the very beginning. Actually, I’ve never known exactly how many have been sold. Too bad, so sad. But that’s me!

Pastors love to compare budget and membership numbers. Egos run amok. Pegging each other on some success chart. Strangely, others wallow in poor performance, satisfied with little or even less. ‘Woe is me, ‘ they chant almost with glee. Never could understand them.

The bloke, who wanted to play the numbers game of my book sales, bristled at my wishy-washy answers. He just had to know how many were sold. Probably thought three at the most, with me buying those paltry few tomes to foist on a couple of unlucky distant relatives. So, I became like a stubborn mule when he’d badger and bully me for results. I doubt I would have fessed up with the right number, anyway! Even if I knew, which I didn’t and still don’t!

Now the Bible is filled with numbers. Even one of the Old Testament books is so named. What I’m looking at can be found in Exodus chapter 18. Moses leads his people out of Egypt through God’s miraculous intervention. Old man Moses gets weary to the bone with people’s issues, arguments, compromises, lack of faith, and you name it. Moses winds up worn to a frazzle.

His father-in-law urges him to get some help. To lighten the load by sharing the burden with qualified helpers–‘…look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace’ (Ex. 18: 21-23).

I can see Moses coming my way, not asking about book sales, but checking out how much of a helping hand I’m offering. What I can handle with compassion and care. Not trying to stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong, but pointing others to the Lord for His help and guidance. Bottom line: to be a godly man, not just to display a lapel pin, but to have a heart for Jesus. That’s what Moses will look for in me.

His conclusion? You’d like to know, wouldn’t you? So would I, but in reality, if I get to manage the smallest group, those ten, then I’m happy as a clam. If that’s what the Lord sees in me. If more, I’ll sink my teeth into the project not to let down Moses, that old duffer. But to give him a much-needed break. Maybe have him around longer, as we need good, godly leaders. Don’t we?

Then do your part. Help out. In little or big ways. Refusing to be bamboozled by another’s heavy-handed verbal taunts. Do what the Lord wants you to do. Someone needs your help. Doing whatever for Jesus would be much better than playing that toxic numbers game. Wouldn’t it?

Lord Jesus, use me to further your Kingdom. It’s such a privilege to work for you. Always for your sake. Amen.

Reading these chapters in the Gospel of Matthew, I get upset with Jesus’ disciples. Don’t you? If not, why not? After all, how dense can they be? Okay, what do I mean? Maybe I should get off my high horse and cut them some slack. Think so? Well, let me explain and try to get back into your good graces, if I can.

In Matthew 14, we read of the miracle of the feeding over 5000 people. From almost nothing in hand, Jesus feeds the multitude, leaving leftovers that fill twelve baskets. The point is that whatever is in Jesus’ hands, more will come if He so desires. The sky’s the limit. Really, there’s no limit. Period. Not with Our Lord. Get the point? Let that sink in. Fix it in your craw. I’ll try, too.

Then Jesus walks on water only to call Peter to do much the same, but this disciple finds himself sinking fast, looking everywhere around him in panic. And down goes Peter, but only for a moment. Jesus encourages His chief disciple to grow his faith a bit more–‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ (Matt. 14:31).

Sometime later, another crowd gathers to hear Jesus’ teaching and also receive physical healing. The day gets a bit long in the tooth, and the disciples get fidgety once again. What are they to do? Stomachs are growling all over the place. As recorded in Matthew 15, Jesus tells the disciples to feed these poor folk who are fainting with hunger. Feed them, already. But His followers are perplexed. How could they possibly feed over 4000 people with only 7 small loaves of bread and a couple of fish? Some might have laughed behind Jesus’ back. Others wonder why He keeps putting all these burdens on their backs without lifting a finger (!). I would have been in the griper group.

And once again, Jesus does it all, this time resulting in seven baskets full of life-giving leftovers. The light should go on. About what? In Jesus’ hands, nothing is too small for Him to make the right size to meet our needs. Should be obvious. But to Jesus’ bunch? Is anything getting through? Hello! Anybody home? How dense can they be?

Now read Matthew 16, and you’ll discover how much more dense they can be. Traveling to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, they remember what they forgot…food. No bread in the boat. The midnight buffet kaput. Not a crumb. Maybe one or two, but that’s it. Panic time. We’re going hungry, and what can we do? No help in sight, even with Jesus right there in the midst of them. They moan and groan about having nothing to eat (v.7).

Listen to what Jesus tells them–‘O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How is it that you fail to understand…’ (Matt. 16:8-11).

How dense can they be? Just them, huh? What about me? Or you? All the times the Lord has been there for me. Especially when it seemed I was in a death spiral, down and out, yet He lifted me up. How easily I forget about God’s fulfilled promises. His answered prayers…to my prayers. My cries for help find Him way ahead of me, taking care of messes before I mess them up. How many times must He keep proving Himself? That He’ll take care of me in His way and in His time? How many? Must I be so dense as to thank Him one moment only to come rushing back, reminding Jesus that He needs to get off His duff and help me? As in NOW!

So, who’s the dense one after all? Me? You? The disciples? The ones who saw Him face to face? On this multiple-choice test,the answer is ‘all of the above’. Isn’t it time to show some faith and trust in Jesus when something hits you totally out of the blue? He’ll never leave your side. Do the same with Him. Tell Him all about it. And have a little faith while you’re at it, for a change.

Thank you, Jesus, for being my Lord and Savior always. Amen.

You’ve read those two verses in Proverbs, right? Come on now. Do it. Won’t take but a few seconds. Notice what they say? About laziness (ch. 20) and humility (ch. 22)? Both resonate with me. Lazy, I’ve not been. Well, you could say that I am in certain areas, as with mechanical issues. I’m not like my brother, who is a genius with his hands and mind. I truly admire him. But I’m not lazy. Just realistic. I don’t enjoy making projects worse than they were. Pay the professionals and get it done right! Amen? Amen!

When it came to education, I always wanted to do my best. Study hard. Hit the books early. Go to the top schools when I could afford them, and be admitted. No forgiving of student loans for me. I paid back every last dime. Took years and years, but a debt owed was a debt paid… in full, interest included. I worked a couple of jobs, both in college and graduate school. The amount of debt was minimal by today’s standards, yet it still required 8 years, clipping monthly coupons to reduce what I owed down to zero. My parents helped with undergraduate costs. Sadly, I don’t think I showed them proper gratitude. I know they sacrificed. Wish I could thank them now.

I worked hard in my two professions to be better than the average Joe. To give back more than the required minimum. Adding extra value for parishioners, as well as to financial planning clients, when I worked for a large US investment firm. Do more than expected. Certainly do what you said you would. But even then, one church I served briefly turned out to be a dead end, leaving me out of work for the first and last time in my life. It was brutal. No one won. I was at fault in some ways, but was given the short end of the stick by only a few who demanded their own way or else. And they got it to no one’s benefit, even their own.

It’s ironic how the Lord works in our lives, even in what looks like abject failure. Almost 20 years after crashing out of that church, I find myself the pastor of another congregation, in a different denomination,right down the street and around the corner from the first one. Really? Me? And it’s serving again in that same town that I was voted by the populous the first ‘Best Pastor for Two Counties’ for our local newspaper’s annual ‘Best of…’ section. Really? Me? Am I dreaming?

How did that happen? Only one explanation. The Lord. For I still wanted to serve Him. No particular type of service roamed around in my mind. But wanting what was on His mind for a change. As a young pastor, I was filled with myself. That tempting pastoral career ladder. Always looking for that leg up into an ego-gratifying church. More and more. Upwards and onwards. Big…bigger…biggest..boom and.bust! Crashing in some distant ministerial canyon.

As I look back, trusting more in my Lord and His will, all this pain and suffering turned out to be beneficial. Made me wake up to what’s important. Like serving Jesus. Being faithful to Him. Seeing what He wants of a church family. Doing what’s best for others. For Him. With a living and loving relationship with my Savior, the best of all.

See the difference? Humility has to be shoved down my throat, resulting in much less resisting His way. Not perfectly. Always need improvement. Nevertheless, a lovely piece of humble pie!

You too? Seek God’s will first and foremost. At least, get off the dime. If necessary, get shoved His direction, for a change. Don’t be afraid, as I was. And usually am. I keep reminding myself that Jesus really does have a great plan for my life. And yours. Really? Did I hear an ‘Amen’? Even a faint one?

Thank you, Lord, for new beginnings in you. For Jesus’ sake ,this time forward. Amen.

‘Fiddler On The Roof’ was the first movie musical I ever saw. Such fun, with music to dance to and hum along with all day long, and yet it carried a certain sadness of antisemitism throughout. Of a people hated for no good reason. A group despised and taken advantage of. Some of the authorities didn’t have a clue as to why they had to be so mean and vengeful. Again, why?

Life since the original sin of Adam and Eve has taken a nasty turn. All the potential the Lord created becomes marred and scarred. We need not be surprised when the wheels fall off our life’s vehicle, and we wind up in some ditch, unable to get out on our own. Any hope out there? A tow truck to get us back on track? You know! Think of Tevye. Who? The main character in ‘Fiddler’, who, inspite of it all, still sings ‘To life! To life! L’chaim! L’chaim! L’chaim!’ To life’!

Better yet, turn to the Old Testament in your Bible. To Proverbs 19: 23–‘The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm’. This is a quote, not from Tevye, but from God Almighty.

‘L’chaim…to life…’ means to fear the Lord. Not because He’s some irrascible cosmic meanie, relishing getting back at us. No, not at all, uunless you shun Him continually. Tell Him to take a hike. Want nothing, and I mean nothing, to do with the One and Only. Then watch out, I’d say. Be forewarned.

But for believers, we fear by honoring our God, by respecting Jesus, and worshipping the Lord alone. Not some soupy, syrupy buddy-buddy familiarity, but with love and admiration and reverence. A mature relationship with our Lord brings us ‘L’chaim, To life’!

And don’t forget those blessings. Or imagine that those words about harm not coming our way mean that we’re immune to the virus of sin’s effects. I wish. But no guarantees are given here in Proverbs. Rather, principles to live by. That thumbing your nose at God will lead to no good eventually, and that when we love Him, blessings come our way. What exactly those will be, and when, and how, is for you to discover as I have.

Be surprised by the life God gives you. Open your eyes and get ready to experience all the good our Lord provides. How about the best blessing of all? You know. It’s the gift of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Just to be with our Lord can hardly be imagined. It’s beyond our finite minds capabilities. Way beyond. But will be ours one day. All that heavenly glory. Forever. That’s a promise you can count on even when this life dishes out more disappointments than we’d like or expect. Nevertheless, we can alway sing–

‘To life! To life! L’chaim! L’chaim! L’chaim! To life!’ And mean it.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the good life you give me. Amen.

Next to Christmas Day, the Fourth of July was my favorite holiday growing up. Independence Day! Back in my hometown, we had a full day of activities. Beginning at 7am, we could hear aerial salutes, fireworks going off at specific intervals with loud booms for probably a good hour. Then at 10am, it’s off to our high school field for a circus and a particularly scary high-wire act.

After a BBQ lunch at home, we scurry off to Taylor Park for a variety of rides–ponies, jeeps, twirling carnival ones, all culminating in each of us being allowed one free popsicle that usually dripped all over the place on a usually hot and humid summer day!

Another picnic BBQ at dinner time included lots of family before we packed up our blankets and headed back to the high school field for an amazing array of illuminations, culminating in a thunderous grand finale! From morning to night, all that fun was packed into one day.

Independence Day signals freedom. Here in the United States, it’s our 250th! As Christians, we know who gives us true freedom. Freedom from sin. Freedom to live God’s way, choosing what’s right, as the Almighty One defines it. Freedom to be criticized for being a bigot when we’re trying our best to obey a higher power, rather than a bullying, god-defying crowd. Along with freedom to be humble, to listen to others, and keep our mouths shut, at times, for a change. Freedom.

Who gives us all of the above and then some? Jesus, of course! John 8:32–‘…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ Jesus says that, and He means it. He also says that ‘…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6).

Jesus’ truth is easily found in the pages of God’s Word, the Bible. But isn’t it amazing how quickly knowledge of Scripture has gone out of favor in our time? Considered outdated. Medieval ignorance. Narrow-minded intolerance. Yet it’s here, in the truth of God’s Word, where we discover freedom. The truth that unleashes joy, happiness, and eternal life. So, what’s wrong? How have we gotten so far away from the Lord? You tell me.

What can we do about it? All I know is to take God’s Word seriously. Getting His truths deeper into my stubborn and willful mind and heart. I need more of God’s gospel, His good news. Lots more. Only me? Don’t you wish. Get with it yourself. Stop playing footsies with the Book of Books. No skimming allowed. Forget my ‘Speed Reading Dynamics’ shortcuts. We need to put the brakes on, never being low-minded godless groupies, ignoring what the Lord has to say. Get it? Then, let’s get cracking!

You see, we’re free to follow in the footsteps of the Master. But will we take that step?

Lord Jesus, thank you for the freedom I have only in you. Amen.

My wife has always loved camping. Grab her tent, some dehydrated food, and a sleeping bag, and she’s a happy camper. Me? Coming from the greater New York City area, the one time I went camping was with a church youth group. I carted a suitcase with me and looked the part of a total nerd, rightfully earned!

After we got married, off we went, traipsing to a beautiful place in the only rainforest in the continental United States, Lake Quinault, Washington State. Having been warned what to do if we encounter a cougar, a black bear, or a mountain lion, I can’t wait to be some wild beast’s lunch break.

With some of these varmint terminators, you’re supposed to stand tall, appearing bigger than you are. Make lots of noise. Bang on pots and pans. With others, don’t say a word. Shut your mouth. Get down on the ground. No eye contact with the predator. While with others, you should stare them down, eyeball to eyeball. Do this. Do that. Like I’m going to remember all this life-saving stuff while being mauled to death, having a fatal heart attack for good measure!

Off we go into the forest primeval. Toting all we need for a lovely couple of days of camping. No trouble in sight until I notice a mother bear with her two cute little cubs about twenty feet from us. What were those dos and don’ts? All I can think about is that I’ve reached the end of my earthly road on this backwoods trail. Well, what happens? Obviously, we survive as those three seem blissfully disinterested in those yahoos, traipsing through their forest home. Oh, thank you, Lord!

Proverbs 17: 12 says this–‘Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.’ Such a big warning about rubbing shoulders with a fool. A what? Yes, a fool. Someone who’s mindless and idiotic. In what ways? Check out the book of Proverbs, and you’ll find out. Fools waste time. Are lazy loafers. Get hooked on booze. Want nothing to do with God, refusing to follow Him. They blab on and on, rarely listening. Easily led astray into a variety of sins, especially of a sexual nature. Do whatever they want, regardless of the consequences. No limits. Selfish. Self-centered. Swelled heads. Know-it-all blowhards. Always taking care of numero uno. The whole lot of fools. Stay far away from them.

I hate to say this, but some of that list could have my name somewhat associated with it. Just little old me? Probably not. So, we’d better deal with our own folly. Watch out for mama-bear and her cubs, so to speak, fleeing sin that drags us down into a deathly wrestling match that we can’t win.

This week, let’s ask the Lord to show us areas in our lives from which only He can free us. I know that this is tough stuff. It is for me. But if we truly mean it, God will, in His own time, even with setbacks along the way, help us to get up and stand on our own two feet for Him. The Lord Jesus wants so much to guide us back onto His path. But only if our will is kicking into forward gear, involving much more than a half-hearted effort, idling aimlessly in neutral, almost tempted into reverse.

Ready? I think I am. I want to be. Let’s go!

Father, help me to be honest with you and to seek your help to be more like your Son, Jesus. For His sake. Amen.

It’s always a thrill to meet someone famous. Whether a noted preacher, a politician, an entertainer, or a star writer of weekly devotionals! Well, some of the above. I remember meeting Fred Rogers of children’s television fame. We were at a two day conference in New York City. The first day I went over to him and introduced myself, sharing how much my boys loved his television program. He was so gracious. The next morning, I see Mr. Rogers go out of his way, come right up to me, saying, ‘Good morning, John. How are you today?’ I think I responded, but I was in major shock. So, I’m not sure.

At another time, I met presidential candidate Jimmy Carter on the campaign trail. Then my wife and I attended a rally at Holland, Michigan, hosting President George W. Bush. One of the thousands in attendance, but what a charismatic moment and person.

Shaking hands with the Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, at Newark International Airport, was a biggie for this lifelong Yankee fan. I was thanking him for visiting me in the hospital when I was two years old and had polio. All the other children and I were in that Sister Kenny infantile paralysis ward that day. Somebody stole the autographed baseball Joe gave each of us. Greedy meanie.

Standing in a long line, headed by a big, burly, tough-looking security guard, I was greeting and talking with Pastor and author Max Lucado at his San Antonio Oak Hills Church. He said that he envied me for all the trips my wife and I had taken. Green-eyed Max Lucado? Jealous of me? Who’d a thunk!

Well, whether you’ve ever met anyone famous or not, if you’re a believer in Jesus, then you’ve come face to face with the very best. Famous beyond measure. Par excellence. The head of the class. Okay, already–you get to the point. Proverbs 14: 22 says this–‘Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness’. Let me introduce you to’steadfast love’ and ‘faithfulness’. Nice to meet you. Quite the thrill.

‘Steadfast love’ is one special word in biblical Hebrew. It doesn’t have an easy translation into the English language. So, we come up with other words and phrases that try to capture its meaning. Nice to know who you’re greeting, isn’t it? Of course. So ‘steadfast love’ is a commitment, a promise made and kept, standing alongside someone no matter what, immovable caring. On and on, we could go, but I imagine you get the gist.

When you welcome Jesus into your life, He gives you His ‘steadfast love’. Nothing flighty, never leaving you for a younger, better-looking, richer convert. His love stands tall when everything and everyone else has fallen down and out of line. He never will. Again, promises made, promises kept. ‘Steadfast love’.

In addition, God is faithful. He may have every reason to get rid of us, to remove us from His family, but that’s not how He is or what He does. He yearns for us to come to Him in repentance for forgiveness and new life. He’ll stay with you through thick and thin. He stands up for us. And by us. Is true blue. ‘Faithfulness’.

When I look back on my life, I’ve given Jesus tons of reasons to up and leave. To wash His hands of me. But He never did. He was, and is, patient, even with the likes of me. And you, too. Good news? The very best.

I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting ‘steadfast love’ and ‘faithfulness’. They’re our BFF’s–best friends forever! Better than any VIP you may run across. Much better.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your lasting love and faithfulness. Amen.

These three words–‘ on our behalf’–floor me. They signify taking action for someone else. Pinch-hitting for one who’s been injured. Sacrificing for somebody else. Putting another ahead of me, I, and myself. Doing what’s right for a mere one more person for a change. And you know who did exactly that for us, don’t you?

Yes, Jesus! His time on earth was all about ‘on our behalf’. Not for personal glory. Or to be a bigshot. Hardly. He came to this earth to do for us what no one else could. As in freeing us from our sin. Forgiving and forgetting our rebellion against God and man. Healing the sick. Restoring relationships. Bringing new life to the dead in more ways than one.

All this was ‘on our behalf’. Can you imagine? Jesus, Lord of all, leaves heaven’s majesty and slums it with human beings who basically want nothing to do with Him. Not a bloomin’ thing. What an ungrateful bunch of yahoos we turn out to be. God wants to clean up what we’ve messed up, and we tell Him, in no uncertain terms, to take a hike. Get out of Dodge. Go back to where you came from. And He does, sad to say, for unrepentant rebels.

But for us who believe, who toss our hats in His ring, who say ‘yes’ to His invitation, He does it all ‘on our behalf’. For us. For you and me. Doing what I can’t, let alone won’t. Picking up the broken pieces that I’ve thrown to the ground and putting them back together again. The monkey wrench I toss into the engine of my life, Jesus reworks and rewires and rejiggers back into reasonable working order. ‘On our behalf’ takes on new meaning when we consider what we can do on our own, without any help from God. As in nothing. A big zero. Goose egg. So why not throw in the towel? Give up, already?

But we don’t have to. For Jesus has it all wrapped up…’on our behalf”. Read those chapters in the New Testament Book of Hebrews, and see how much Jesus achieves for us. Everything, really. Nothing more is needed. He knows what He’s doing… ‘on our behalf.’ Which means that we can relax. Depend upon Him. Show a little faith while you’re at it. Less putting our hand to the grindstone and more enjoying a Sabbath of peace and joy.

By the way, I almost forgot. Here’s two verses from the book of Hebrews I’m going to chew on this week–‘We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain (the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem’s Temple, now heaven), where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever…’ (Heb. 6: 19-20). And–‘For Christ has entered …into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf’ (Heb. 9: 24). Wow!

Our Lord Jesus. Not only for now, but forever…’on our behalf’!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all you do for me. I love you. Amen.