“You cannot conceive, nor can I, of the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God.” ― Graham Greene
EZRA 9-10
Ezra repents in response to several of the Israelites intermarrying with other tribes...even though he was guiltless he took responsibility as leader of the people.
15Lord, the God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.”
ACTS 1Jesus leaves but promises a spirit to comfort them in his place...
3After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized witha water, but in a few days you will be baptized withb the Holy Spirit.”
JOURNAL
In a world where it is common to not take responsibility...it is pretty astounding to see Ezra take responsibility for actions not his own. This is leadership at it's finest and was emulated by Christ in the most extreme form on the cross.
This is why through all my doubts and struggles I keep coming back to Christ. The world is sorely lacking in people who would pay the price for another's crimes. I know I have shirked paying the price for my own...much less someone else's. I know that this is why Jesus preached to "go the second mile"..."forgive enemies"..."feed the poor"..."take in the least of society"...help those in need. For to do so sacrifices my own pleasures...for the sake of someone else. When I do those things, I am taking responsibility for something that is not my problem. When that happens I emulate the love of Christ. When that happens I become a warrior for the kingdom. I place myself in the fire and in the suffering for something beyond me.
This is why through all my doubts and struggles I keep coming back to Christ. The world is sorely lacking in people who would pay the price for another's crimes. I know I have shirked paying the price for my own...much less someone else's. I know that this is why Jesus preached to "go the second mile"..."forgive enemies"..."feed the poor"..."take in the least of society"...help those in need. For to do so sacrifices my own pleasures...for the sake of someone else. When I do those things, I am taking responsibility for something that is not my problem. When that happens I emulate the love of Christ. When that happens I become a warrior for the kingdom. I place myself in the fire and in the suffering for something beyond me.
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”27He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’c ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’d ”28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”~ LUKE 10:25-27
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