Fame and Blame

Whether it is governments or sports teams, businesses or individuals, we all want credit for good things and to blame others when things go wrong. 

Our God turned things upside down when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to live a sinless life and then to willingly lay down His life and suffer horrible torture and death by crucifixion on a cross - not as punishment for His own sins rather on our behalf. 

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. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:4-6

Amazing words and even more amazing sacrifice.  Today we want to respond to that great love and that amazing upside down way of taking blame and giving forgiveness and dignity.

Heavenly Father, we hardly know what to say when we think about what You've done for us.  You are the perfect holy God and yet when we humans messed up it was You who took the initiative to bring about a solution so we could have life with you forever. 

Thank you for the gift of Jesus who took our pain and suffering, allowed himself to have our sin and it's punishment laid on Him, and died in our place.  He who was above all humbled Himself to the lowest place so we could be raised up to new life.  Our hearts are filled with gratitude.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Thank you so much for this great love that is just way beyond anything we can understand.  We want to receive it with thanksgiving and live this new life fully as we try to recognize all that it cost You to win it for us. 

Lord, as You took our sin, our shame, our blame, so now we want to make your fame known across the face of the earth. 

And when that witness requires us to take our own small dose of difficulty and being misunderstood for the sake of the Gospel, help us with courage and grace to live simply and honestly before you and before others.

Help us to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, trusting that as we allow the Holy Spirit to make Jesus alive in us, His glory will be revealed for all to see.   Amen

God’s upside down way of living and loving.  It’s easy when we are on the receiving end and tougher when the sacrifice is asked of us.  On which ever side of the “fame or blame” pendulum we find ourselves today, let’s trust God’s goodness to be all we need