We've all done stupid things in our lives. Sometimes we get caught. Sometimes we don't. Sometimes we can pay a very high price for our stupidity. And sometimes, well, sometimes those stupid things can haunt us for the rest of our lives.
In the privacy of your own thoughts, I would like you to think about the stupidest thing you have even done. Something you would like erased from your past. Got it? Good. Let's proceed then.
Most of the stories I write are about faith in God, Jesus, or something I see happening in the world that makes me think of God or Jesus. Today's story is about you.
You and I are not all that different. We've both done things that we regret. We both wonder what our lives would have been like if we hadn't done what we did. Oh.... to erase it and start all over again! Or simply have it blotted out and forgotten.
Today you will read a short little story that hardly anyone talks about. It's an amazing story of forgiveness and grace. But it won't make any sense without the hidden meaning that will follow.
The first story is found in the Bible. It is just one verse long. Jesus is talking to one of His churches - the one in Pergamum. But it's really addressed to all of the churches, and to all of us individually as well.
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." - Revelation 2:17
And now for the backstory.
Back in Jesus' day the Roman Empire controlled Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Whenever someone committed a crime they had to go to court and convince a panel of judges of their innocence.
If a judge felt that you were guilty they would place a black stone in a jar and pass the jar on the the next judge. An innocent vote was given with a white stone. After all the judges had voted, the jar would be emptied and counted.
If a judge felt that you were guilty they would place a black stone in a jar and pass the jar on the the next judge. An innocent vote was given with a white stone. After all the judges had voted, the jar would be emptied and counted.
If the majority of stones were white you were judged as being innocent. If not, you were found guilty and sentenced accordingly. Now, read the last sentence of that verse again.
We will be tried by Jesus for our sins and He just told us in verse 17 that He is going to find you innocent. In fact, the Bible tells us elsewhere that our sins will be forgotten and separated from us "as far as the east is from the west."
How does that make you feel? The absolute worst thing you ever did will be forgotten. EVERY sin you have EVER committed will be totally forgotten and forgiven!
Jesus has done that already. He has already served your sentence. Jesus was found guilty of all of our sins, He has already been punished for them. OUR sins!
All He requires in return is our faith in Him. Our obedience.
WHY? WHY did He do this?
Because He loves us!
When Jesus gives you your pure white stone, with a new name written on it . . . known only to you, how will you feel? How will you feel as you look at the white stone in your hads with your new name written on it? Knowing you have been made clean and new by the One standing right in front of you?
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20
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