Written by one of the persons I know who love Jesus wholeheartedly and serve Him every day, Misty Metcalf.
I was exhausted and hungry while walking around the Old City of Jerusalem. We had headed out early in the morning hitting the pavement, running after buses, and pacing quickly through the quarters. My friend, John, wanted to see everything. Seeing some street vendors sitting on the warm summer pavement selling fruit, I decided to buy some. I bought more miniature plums than I could handle. So, I just hauled them around in my backpack. Nearing our last stop at the Pools of Bethesda, I realized that I was out of cash. I needed an ATM, but there wasn’t one in sight. So, I decided to exchange my plum, something I have never done before or actually thought would work.
I can only imagine what the attendant thought when I suggested giving him plums in exchange for an entrance fee. After all, this was reportedly the place where Jesus declared to a man that was invalid for thirty-eight years to, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:8). This was a place of miracles. Why would the attendant accept my payment of plums? To my gratitude, he accepted my fruit payment. John and I walked around the garden, explored old ruins, and talked.
What a small payment for something so special. Undoubtedly, the attendant gave me grace that day. Now, I think about the grace I receive every day from the greatest attendant of all, Jesus. What could I have given for unlimited access to the Father? Nothing. Not even the commanded animal sacrifice was enough to take away the sin of the world and give us eternal freedom to come boldly to the throne of grace. Only Jesus could do that. He exchanged His life for our sins when we were His enemies. Consider this. We were hostile towards God when He sent His ONLY son, Jesus. “How was I hostile?” you may ask. You were hostile whenever you sinned against God. Romans 8:7 reads, “For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.” So, this was our state; unable to give God anything to make us righteous.
I can imagine all of the creation shaking on a molecular level when John exclaimed, ‘“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”’ (John 1:29). This will forever humble me. The ONE who had never sinned gave the ultimate sacrifice. The one who sinned gave nothing but sin. My plums that day symbolize myself. Having nothing of value to gain access to the Father, I asked Jesus for entrance to know eternity. I gave him my sins, and He gracefully and mercifully “gave me the right to become a child of God.” My prayer is that we honor the Lord’s sacrifice with the way that we live. We are no longer plums but heirs! So, let’s live like it.
Prayer: Papa God, you deserve every single YES that I give you. May my life be a reflection of your love. Thank you for taking my sin and remembering them no more. So, no more will I live under condemnation but courage in the work of your blood. Thank you for giving me access to the Father. I love you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
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