“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Gal 1:3-5)
Christ gave himself
for our sins to rescue us. The only adequate response is giving ourselves
to Him and joining His rescue mission for others.
On a recent trip, my first night in a Philadelphia hotel was quiet and without incident. Some might have called it comfortable but boring. I met none of my neighbors in other rooms. I saw several people in the hall, but interaction was no more than a greeting and smile. I didn’t know anyone’s name in the large hotel.
The second night, however, was more active and engaging. Fire trucks showed up with sirens blaring. An electrical fire caused an evacuation of the premises and activated emergency rescue services. I was fascinated by the cooperation happening in that context. The evacuation created an environment where everyone was involved. There was an amazing shared effort going on. People were helping each other with luggage, offering counsel on alternative accommodations, sharing stories, and encouragement was happening. People were getting to know each other. There was a common mission initiated by an emergency situation.
It is amazing what can happen when we hear the alarms and work together helping others to find hope and safety in a world enflamed by troubles. The deadly peril and suffering ahead for those without Christ is an emergency. It is appropriate to have a sense of urgency as we think about people in need of rescue.
I love the closing words of Jude, which are often used as a benediction, “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25). The two verses before those powerful words are on my heart today, “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 22-23).
Lord, help me to be on mission with others today, the mission of rescue.
On a recent trip, my first night in a Philadelphia hotel was quiet and without incident. Some might have called it comfortable but boring. I met none of my neighbors in other rooms. I saw several people in the hall, but interaction was no more than a greeting and smile. I didn’t know anyone’s name in the large hotel.
The second night, however, was more active and engaging. Fire trucks showed up with sirens blaring. An electrical fire caused an evacuation of the premises and activated emergency rescue services. I was fascinated by the cooperation happening in that context. The evacuation created an environment where everyone was involved. There was an amazing shared effort going on. People were helping each other with luggage, offering counsel on alternative accommodations, sharing stories, and encouragement was happening. People were getting to know each other. There was a common mission initiated by an emergency situation.
It is amazing what can happen when we hear the alarms and work together helping others to find hope and safety in a world enflamed by troubles. The deadly peril and suffering ahead for those without Christ is an emergency. It is appropriate to have a sense of urgency as we think about people in need of rescue.
I love the closing words of Jude, which are often used as a benediction, “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25). The two verses before those powerful words are on my heart today, “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 22-23).
Lord, help me to be on mission with others today, the mission of rescue.
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