The Heard Cry

TITLE: The Heard Cry
DATE:  October 3, 2019
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Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: 1 Timothy 1: 15 – 17 - ESV - s. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen
Mothers are a mystery to me.

For example, take my wife, Pamela. Those who know her agree she is special, but the incident I recall from years ago is not so very special, Indeed, in one form or another I believe it has been repeated countless times in other homes over the centuries. It began when she fell asleep. In short order....

• The telephone rang, but, somehow, she slept through it.
• I heard the fire engines clang down the street, but she slept through it.
• Loud music blasted from a passing "boom box", but she slept through it.
• One of the older children raided the ice box and played the stereo at full volume, but she slept through it.

Then a remarkable thing occurred. From the opposite end of the house, came a little voice that said, "Mommy." Immediately she jumped up and rushed to our 3-year-old daughter. How can a mother selectively hear the cry of a child when surrounded by so many other sounds which are louder?

Maybe she hears the sounds that are important to her. That’s not my life's only mystery.

I don't understand what there was about sinful humanity that motivated Jesus to come down from heaven. It's certainly not that this world is such a wonderful place in which to live, compared to paradise. Having read the evening paper I know that humanity is not always friendly, considerate or caring.

Why would Jesus come? It's not because being a Sacrificial Lamb is an easy job. Before He was conceived by the Spirit, Jesus knew that His life would end with Him carrying the world’s sins and dying on a Roman cross. Why did Jesus come? It's not as if God doesn't have other things to do. Why did Jesus come?

I believe Jesus came because God heard the cries of millions of souls who would have spent eternity in hell if He hadn't come to buy us back. Jesus came to redeem us and make sure that those who believe on Him will never die. Maybe I can understand and appreciate His love a little better if I think of Him as being like a good mother:

He hears the sounds which are important to Him.

And there is no sound more important than that of a lost soul who cries out to be saved - unless it's the beautiful praises of His people giving thanks for a Savior that came down heaven, offering up His life for ours.

THE PRAYER: - Lord Jesus, thank You for having heard the cries of lost souls. Listen to this present word of praise for Your love in coming down from heaven. In Your Name I give thanks. 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