This spring the Shenandoah Valley experienced a combination of high winds and dry conditions sparking many fires. Thankfully no one died but some families lost homes to the flames.
Besides the well-publicized structure and woodland fires, there were smaller stories of how different individuals had their problematic situations. One of the micro-stories involved a lady in our congregation. As she took her dog, Ellie, out to potty, the wind caught the screen door slamming it into the house. When it did, the commotion frightened the pooch who took off like a rifle bullet.
In Ellie’s attempt to escape her perceived danger, she jumped a fence heading to the next lot. Only she didn’t quite make it. Ellie’s back feet got caught in the fence and left her hanging upside down yelping for help.
As her owner arrived, Ellie was still excited. While her human worked diligently to free her, Ellie turned on her master and bit both her hands requiring an ER visit, antibiotics, and stitches. Thankfully, Ellie and her owner recovered without lasting damage to their bodies or relationship.
This is a depiction of what happened between God and man with a few key differences. We were running full speed away from our Master. Although our fear of sin’s consequences motivated our haste, that was caused by our own pride as we determined to escape His dominion and live on our own terms.
As we attempted to achieve what we thought would be true freedom, we tried to clear His protective barrier of laws and commands. We didn’t make it either. We became hopelessly ensnared experiencing great pain in the process. As we thrashed around to free ourselves through good deeds and man-centered religion, our predicament only got worse. Our disobedient struggles resulted in further entanglement and greater pain.
Thankfully, our Master came to help. But as He taught, healed, and loved us, we snapped at Him. Instead of welcoming His assistance and cooperating with Him, we fought against Him. Not only did we put holes in His hands, we drove nails through His feet as well as we hung Him on the tree of death. We whipped, pierced,.ridiculed, and crucified our Master. He died setting us free.
Unlike terrified Ellie, we fully knew what we were doing and did it anyway with no mercy or remorse. Even this did not cause Him to respond in hatred or anger. Instead, in love and grace, He forgave us as we tortured and killed Him.
Thankfully, our Master had power that Ellie’s didn’t. He not only endured His crucifixion, He turned it into glory as He rose from the dead and then offered that same resurrection power to all His rebellious creatures who would receive it!
If her master had never come, Ellie would have perished there. And if Jesus had never come, so would we! If you’re entangled in sin’s fence, invite Jesus to free you, and if you have been freed, thank Him for it!
George Bowers CBC EX. Committee
