Not Me Did It.

TITLE: “Not Me Did It.”
DATE:  Sept. 24, 2019

Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.
TEXT:. Philippians 2:2-8 - ESV - Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ...

If you look on the birth and baptismal records they say Pam and I had three children.

The truth is, for a long time I thought there were four. The name of that last, almost anonymous child was, “Not Me.”  When we would ask, “Whose turn is it to take out the garbage, the other three would almost unanimously say, “Not Me.” If you asked other questions, questions like, “Whose turn to clear the table?” or “Who should let the dog out?”, the answer was always  the same. It was “Not Me’ turn.

During those years nobody was guilty of neglect, and nobody did anything wrong.

The reality is we are all guilty of doing things wrong. If you doubt me, consider what would happen if Jesus actually, physically, came and knocked on the door of your home. Of course you’d invite Him in. You would let Him sleep on the best bed in the house. No doubt, You would sound like a broken record as you told Him repeatedly that you’re glad to have Him around. There’s no doubt you would prepare the best food you could.

But….and it’s a big but….isn’t it possible that you would have to change a few things before you let Him in the door? Might not the family have to change the TV shows they watch. Would a few magazines have to be put away, and the Bible substituted in their place? Isn’t it possible that the table prayer, all of a sudden, might become longer, more personal, and not just a going-through-the-motions kind of thing? Would you be glad to have Him by your side while you’re talking on the phone, or over the backyard fence, with your closest friends?

Most importantly, would you breathe a sigh of relief when Jesus finally said that He had to go somewhere else? The truth is plain, none of us can claim to be completely innocent.

None of us can make a claim of perfection, except for the Savior. When He was on trial for His life, He didn’t feel the need to defend Himself.

1. The false witnesses brought in didn’t agree.
2. His Roman judge could find nothing for which to convict Him.   

It really wasn’t necessary for Jesus to proclaim His innocence. He was that, and more.

 He kept His silence so we might, on Judgment Day, be declared innocent. He was condemned, so that we might be released. He died so that we might live forever.

His trials were the greatest travesty of justice the world has ever seen… and the greatest act of grace, as well. Which is why, if you listen with ears of faith to what Jesus doesn’t say at His trials, You will thank Him for His silence.

That silence speaks volumes about His love.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, every day I say many words. Never am I able, with honesty, to say, “I’m innocent. For my sins, I ask forgiveness. For the future, I ask Your power. May I glorify You. In Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html