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Sometimes kids can be cruel. And too often, a vulnerable child is the target of their cruelty. This is the story of Christy, who could represent countless children.
She’s a blonde-haired third-grader who came from a very difficult home life. Her clothes were usually dirty and tattered. Her hair was often unclean and uncombed. She smelled of poverty. Her disposition wasn’t pleasant, probably for good reason. And she was an easy target of cruel taunts, laughter, and exclusion by kids who didn’t realize the depth of the hurt they inflicted. She was tormented regularly for her perceived inadequacies. And when she fought back, she fought back alone. Those who should have stood beside her instead stood silent in the face of her accusers. Christy desperately needed someone.
You and I are like Christy. We also face an accuser. He’s called the deceiver and the father of lies. Night and day he reminds us we are unworthy and unclean. His taunts feed our insecurities, fuel our regrets, and breed paralyzing doubt. He names our sins and tells us God can’t forgive us and could never love us. He knows well the depth of the pain he’s inflicting. We desperately need someone. But we don’t face our accuser alone.
Referring to Jesus, Isaiah prophesied, “He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12).
You and I are the transgressors. We are the sinners. But Jesus intercedes for us and he answers the cruel accusations. He declares us righteous by his blood, having removed our sins, the ugly part of each of us, as far as the east is from the west.
That’s comforting to remember as we face a relentless enemy who prefers we’d forget. As we prepare to come to the table once again, be assured we are loved, we are forgiven, and we have victory today and again on that glorious day when Jesus returns. As described in Revelation, “The accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:10, 11).
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing a way out from the condemnation of sin, so we can walk in newness of life. May the full depth of your love draw us into an ever deeper relationship with you, and may our lives reflect that love to a lost and dying world. It’s in Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
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