Matthew 27:55
The last time we were looking at the
cross through Matthew’s eyes, we noted the solitary voice of the centurion
glorifying God on our behalf at a much-needed time. History is silent on this
man thereafter and the influence he might have had on the one hundred soldiers
he commanded after the resurrection. We must wait until all secrets are
revealed before the jury comes in on that one.
Today, as we stand at the place called
the Place of a Skull, we turn ourselves around from the single voice to
the three sets of eyes viewing this event through their telescopic lenses. Next
week, we shall stop by the historic house of each of these ladies to see their
contribution to the ministry of Jesus. Today, we pause to examine ourselves and
partake of the Lord’s table. This is a time when we are invited by Jesus
Himself to look at ourselves. How far are you in your following? Are you close
to the Lord, or are you following Him at a distance? Is it possible that time has
allowed space to collect between you and the Master?
Today, we shall turn our attention to
James who calls us to “draw near to the Lord,” and we shall note some of the
elements necessary to stay close to God. The key to spiritual health is
learning how to draw (close to Him, that is). Following at a distance is
dangerous and sure to result in multiple failures. It is important, therefore,
to know well the elements of closeness to God.
After addressing the sinful ways of his
audience in chapter four, James starts with the most crucial element of our
closeness to God. It is His grace. Without His grace, we would do well to run
from His wrath. His grace is greater than our sin. Our sin is greater than our
conscious knowledge. We have more grace in Him than we are often aware of, and
we need more grace than we commonly think we do.
It is God’s grace that convicts us of
sin and produces fear. This fear of God caused by grace is not a fear that
repels, but rather a fear that attracts. This fear of our failures is
accompanied by God’s grace with knowledge of His willingness to forgive. God
loves to forgive His children. He enjoys the closeness that comes when we turn
and repent from sin. When sinful self-reliance is transformed into total
reliance upon His forgiveness and the free gift of His righteousness, then the
peace of God that passes understanding keeps our heart close to Him and reveals
to us the power and security we have in His love.
Love brings security. Great love is
sacrificial. The greatest love known to man contains the greatest love that we
can know. God loved the world so much that He spanned the great gap between our
sinfulness and His holiness through the act of the incarnation. God became a
man. As a perfect man, He became a perfect sacrifice so that we could draw near
to Him with confidence. There is no longer any reason for us to follow Him at a
distance!