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Post by Josh on Feb 26, 2008 21:17:56 GMT -8
Post your thoughts, questions, or discussion starters on 1 John chapter 2 as replies here.
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Post by michelle on May 20, 2011 20:53:28 GMT -8
1 John 2:1 "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
I read this verse tonight and got a couple of images in my head. First, I had this idea that Jesus was like an "under cover prisoner" getting in on the inside so he could convince the warden to let all the inmates go. He knew that he was the only one who could convince the warden that it would be ok if he carried out all the sentences and wanted the warden to trust him that he could redeem people and show them how to turn their lives around.
Then I got this picture of a courtroom. I am standing in front of the judge, KNOWING that I am guilty and am waiting to hear my sentence. Jesus is my lawyer and there isn't much of a case he can make because, well, it's clear how guilty I am. Just want I am about to get my sentence he says, "Wait. Judge, let me carry out whatever sentence you give her. Just declare her innocent. I'll give my life for hers."
Then it dawned on me that the whole story about Barrabas is more than just a historical recount (and maybe it's dawned on you before, but sometimes it takes me a little longer). It was Jesus saying, "I am taking the place of the guilty. Release people who are so blatantly guilty because I am going to take the punishment. I don't deserve to die, but I will if it means all the guilty can be set free." He defends us to the Father. He, the one who DIED for us, defends us. None of this is logical. Can you imagine a lawyer defending a plaintiff who killed the lawyer's family? It doesn't make sense. Yet the one that we "killed" defends us. Now that is freakin' love".
It just hit me so hard how COMPLETELY unworthy we are of this kind of love. Of this kind of defense. It's the best defense that money can't buy. Is anyone else completely overwhelmed by this?
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Post by Josh on May 23, 2011 20:00:56 GMT -8
Thanks for this reflection, M.
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