May 19, 2022
“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” John 12:27-28
A revelation of the identity of God helps each of us to know who we are and our need of Him. Jesus, as the sin-bearer, revealed His divine identity, because only God can bear and remove sin through forgiveness.
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.” Isaiah 43:25-26
We are merely God’s creatures. But as those made in His image, we are given an especially high value in His eyes. We need to recognize the acute pain He experiences when we sin. Unconfessed sin means ongoing pain for the purest, most loving Being in all of the universe. His purity of character and unfathomable love for each of us is beyond our understanding.
When Satan spoke to Eve in the garden of Eden, his entire strategy was to malign the character of God. He convinced her that God was holding something back from her that would enhance her experience of happiness. And, contradicting what God had said about death, made Him out to be a liar; therefore she should take for herself what was rightfully hers because God is not as loving as He pretends to be.
At the very core of the problem of evil lies a mistrust of God, His character, His motives, and His actions. Jesus came to clear God’s name. His ministry of healing and preaching was crowned by His death on the cross in our stead, demonstrating the love of God, His loyalty to His creatures, and His commitment to justice and truth—even at the cost of His own life.
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Psalm 85:9-11
Put Me in remembrance: When Jesus presided over the first Lord’s Supper, He said, “do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). We are to remember Him every time we are tempted to veer off of the path of righteousness. The breaking of bread symbolizes the study of His word and reveals the identity of God to us (see Luke 24:30-35), and we know who we are in Him. His love for us compels us to love Him back! Our heart’s desire is to demonstrate our love for Him through joyful obedience of His commandments and the Great Commission—all for His sake!
Let us contend together: With God, all things are possible. Trust His Holy Spirit to recognize receptive hearts. With Him, we can become effective contenders for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
State your case: Beloved, clear the air and agree with Him about your case. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). . . . that you may be acquitted. Now praise Him for His mercy!