“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”   (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Once again, it’s the season for love.  Once again, pink and red store aisles are filled with cards, chocolates, and shoppers trying to find the right gift.  Before long kids will return from school with bags (and stomachs) brimming with chocolate.  Restaurants will be packed on Valentines Day.  And then, almost as quickly as it started, it will all be over.  Almost overnight stores will clear out the unsold Valentines Day gifts to make room for Easter baskets.  The bags of chocolate will be eaten and the restaurants will go back to business as usual.  When everything is said and done, what will we have to show for it?

“In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace.”   (Ephesians 1:7)

If parenting has taught me one thing, it’s that kids aren’t afraid of making a mess.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s the dirt outside or the food inside, they don’t hesitate to dive right in.  This willingness to get messy could actually teach me a thing or two about gospel work.  

“What then will we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also graciously give us all things along with him?  ³³ Who will bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies! ³⁴ Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus, who died and, more than that, was raised to life, is the one who is at God’s right hand and who is also interceding for us!.”   (Romans 8:31-34)

The older guys at the YMCA were giving each other a hard time.  On his way out the door, one jokingly said, “Go home and read your Bible!”

“Which one?” the other replied.