It’s crazy to believe this week is officially Holy Week. There’s so much going on, it’s easy to want to just get through the holiday rather than meditate on it. Or at least, I do! However, I’ve been thinking that this upcoming week, I want to think more deeply about what it must have been like for Christ, knowing what was awaiting Him. But doing it anyway.
The older I get, the more I realize how incredibly broken I am. When I was younger, I was much more confident that I could handle any number of situations. But with the gray hair (ahem) and crow’s feet, I’ve come to realize how much I fall short.
Perspective
Having children has given me such perspective. I have cheered on my kids as they have attempted different tasks and sports, knowing how far they have to go to actually do the thing well. But then the LORD shows me that actually, I’m just like these children. The LORD has been walking with me, cheering me on, all the while knowing, “She’s got so much farther to grow.” But that never stopped Him from walking with me, allowing me to be stretched and mature all for His glory and my good. It doesn’t stop Him now, and it didn’t stop Him two thousand years ago.
It’s always inspiring to hear about others who also love the LORD for the grace extended to them, despite deep pits of sin that they fell into. Broken people who recognize how short they fall; but God!
Controversial “tweet”
A recent example is of a couple who had stirred up quite the controversy on X. It all started when the husband wrote a post about his beloved wife. I didn’t know much about it initially, just that the husband brought up the fact that his wife had a dark, promiscuous past. However now, through the grace of God, she could be considered more virtuous than many virgins (I’m paraphrasing, but that’s about the gist of it).
I heard a few podcasters touch on the post, but I think the best breakdown of the situation was given by Allie Beth Stuckey. She actually had on the “in question” wife, Ashley Sheatz. Her testimony is really incredible. If you haven’t heard it, I’d really encourage you to listen to it. Sheatz had lived a very hedonistic life, but came to Christ and devoured reading God’s Word in just the first month after her radical conversion. God is so gracious and unbelievably kind!
Rahab
Her testimony reminded me of Rahab, an ancestor of Christ. I’ve often wonder, why in the world did they keep Rahab’s name to include “harlot” (or depending on the translation, prostitute; Hebrews 11:31)? I mean, Abram got a new name. Jacob got a new name. Why not her?
We can’t be certain why, but I would bet the LORD wanted to remind us that the LORD welcomes those of us to be children of God, even when we have a sordid past. We can’t always bury the past or certainly, erase it. But that’s OK. Just as Rahab did, Sheatz used her past to praise the name of Christ for what He brought her out of. And even more importantly, what He brought her into – the family of God.
Christ died on that Good Friday for Rahab, for Ashlee Sheatz, for me, and for all of us who love and obey the LORD, no matter what our lives looked like before we came to Him.
Jesus knew He’d have a lot of cleaning up to do with His creation. He knew there would be so much sin that He would have to carry on His shoulders. But Christ still climbed up to Jerusalem and set His face like flint (Luke 9:51) to do what He knew only He could do. He loved us, even when we were in open rebellion against Him (Romans 5:8). What grace, strength, and love!
Fantastic testimonies
Lives lived in incredible rebellion to Christ before giving our lives to Him is nothing new. But it’s so heartening to know more about them. I love love listening to Beckett Cook. His autobiography details his conversion in an open and honest way. God’s outpouring of love in Cook’s life is incredible.
Chuck Colson is another testimony that is so moving! I read his autobiography years ago, but I still remember how profound it was. His conviction to minister to those in prison was unbelievable. What a change of heart and mind in this man’s life!
In Saving My Assassin, Virginia Prodan talks about her life in Romania, and the courage she showed in the face of evil. Her sins before Christ were more of the “acceptable sins” that can often go overlooked or brushed off (i.e. selfishness, idolatry, etc. – see Respectable Sins for a deep dive into this topic!). Yet still, she too fell short. Because we all do. Only by the blood of Christ can she or any one of us have hope.
One other testimony that is amazing is The Shot Caller ! I never read the book, however, I heard his testimony on a podcast. Essentially, a gangster who gives his life to Jesus. Unbelievable and beautiful!
He is worthy!
God is good! All the time. I pray we glorify Him especially this week with thanksgiving and praise. The way may be narrow, but the door is open to anyone who confesses their sin, and submits themselves to the lordship of Christ.
The Lamb is worthy to be praised (Revelation 5:8-14)!
