TITLE: Well Known

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TEXT: Romans 3:22b-25 (ESV) 22  the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 2
 
Pam and I have been married now for 48-years. We have known each other much longer than that.
 
Indeed, the day we got married, Pam’s mother shared that I had, when I was about 3-years-old, come up to her after church and said, “Someday I’m going to marry Pamie.” Well, the point I am trying to make is this: My wife knows me… better than I do myself.
 
The question is, “How well does she know me?” Years ago, when the schedule was especially rough, I whined, “I can hardly wait until retirement.” Hearing that, Pamie laughed. “And what’s so funny?, I demanded to know.
 
She replied, “You’re going to enjoy retirement for about three weeks and then you’re going to go crazy looking for something to do.” Then she added, “And you’ll probably drive me crazy, too.”
 
Well, when I stopped my daily devotion-ing and weekly sermon-izing, she started the clock. She was confident she knew me. She knew, in three weeks, I would become a blithering, obnoxious nuisance. Well, folks, she was wrong..
 
It took TWO weeks, not three. Pamie doesn’t know me as well as she thinks
 
Of course there is Someone Who knows us, isn’t there?”
 
Come with me to the top of a skull-shaped hill which sits outside the city walls of ancient Jerusalem. If you do, you will see three men who are being crucified. Look there. Do you see that person in the middle? His Name is Jesus. Do you know why He is being crucified? There are all kinds of charges against Him.
 
But the real explanation is this: He is struggling upon that cross is because of your sin.
 
Yes, He knows your sin, and He knows you. Understand, even though He has never done anything wrong Himself, He is not a Stranger to sin. He knows you and your sin because, right now, He is carrying your sin. He knows what your sins would do if they were left unchecked and unforgiven. He saw how all your sins have condemned you to eternal damnation, a forever fire from which you could never escape.
 
 Jesus saw you, He saw your sin, and He saw what He had to do. He had to take your place.
 
Taking your place, carrying your sin is why He is dying on that cross. In your place He is dying so your conscience can no longer accuse you; so your sin no longer can condemn you. Please don’t turn away. Look and realize you are watching the most remarkable display of undeserved love this world has ever, will ever see.
 
Because of what happened here and at the borrowed tomb, the price for your sin has been paid.
 
Amazing. Jesus knew us… really knew us.. and He still did what He did.
 
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are many mysteries in this world, but none is greater than the mystery of Your love. In spite of knowing my dark heart, mind and soul, You sacrificed Your Son to save me. Keep me always remembering, and thankful for Your love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.  
 
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann,one of my long-ago  confirmands. It is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html
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