Time for Grace-March 16, 2024

Time for Grace-March 16, 2024

1 Timothy 2:5-6

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son to mediate between You and us. He is both true God and true man, so he is our perfect mediator. As true God, He can stand before You on our behalf. He is perfect and holy, just like You. As true man, He lived a perfect life without sins and suffered our punishment on the cross, so He stands in front of all who believe in Him, crediting us with His perfection and has removed all our sins.

So when we are burdened by our actions, we ask Jesus to forgive us according to his grace and mercy. When what we say burdens us or thoughts trouble us, we continue to hear his words when he hung on the cross between heaven and earth: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing!” Before Jesus died, he was already our mediator, speaking on our behalf because our sins had put him on the cross.

Jesus’ love was not designed for a select group; as Paul wrote to Timothy, it was for everyone. However, it is limited and delivered only by faith in Jesus. For all who believe, this gift is received, and we are ransomed from our sins; He gives us the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus testifies on our behalf before you that he has forgiven us, and we trust in him. We are his own, so we are yours, to remain with you forever in heaven. Let us share this good news with those who do not yet know that in you is the forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life. So that Jesus will stand before them as their mediator and declare their forgiveness to You. Amen.

Written through Pastor Roger Emmons

God wanted to restore all people from their sins to himself by the ransom price Jesus paid. The Holy Spirit delivers faith through the word and sacraments, yet many reject the Holy Spirit and God’s love. Receive the gift of forgiveness and salvation. It’s yours for all who believe.