Mercy Tree

By: Adam McClendon

www.newlineministries.com 

Life rarely works out the way that we anticipated it would.  It almost seems at times that something is working against us.  It seems life itself fights our progress, others throw up obstacles, and difficult circumstances feel more than coincidental as if Murphy’s humorous observation was actually a law of the universe.  Then, in the midst of the chaos of life, a sobering reality sets in: not only does life seem to be fighting against me, but I seem to be contributing to the chaos and dysfunction through my personal sin.  As a result, we find that life is ultimately unfulfilling because we were made for a relationship with God, a relationship that is now damaged and hindered because of sin.

But, thank God that’s not the end of the story.  God, in his mercy, did not leave us to the dysfunction of this dissatisfying life.  God is a redeeming God, and for all who have the ears to hear and the eyes to see, he leverages the dysfunction and chaos of this life to point us to him in order that we might find true fulfillment and true satisfaction in a relationship with him as provided through his mercy tree, the cross.  God extends his mercy and provides purpose to our lives through the cross.

The cross is God’s glorious declaration of mercy.  It is his declaration of triumph over death and dysfunction.  It is his redemption for all who will believe, canceling our sin debt and restoring us in relationship to God.

Colossians 2:13–14: When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

So, while life may or may not have worked out the way that we wanted, this fractured, twisted, overgrown path we have been walking has brought us to this place in our lives where we could see more clearly the reality of God’s redemptive work through the cross.  Through the cross, Jesus bore judgment in our place.  Through the cross, Jesus became our Passover lamb.  Through the cross, Jesus became our reconciler; whereby, we can have peace with God.

Colossians 1:19–20: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Despite our past lot in life, we can experience the fulfilling life God planned for us throughout all eternity through Jesus’ sacrificial death.  For those who haven’t experienced the wonder of being restored to God through the cross of Christ, come and trust in Jesus today.  For those who have, rejoice in the joy of being reconciled to God and the thought of the kingdom that awaits.

www.newlineministries.com