Feb 10

How does a person gain the awareness of sin within so that he or she can begin the journey towards loving the Lord with all the heart and mind and soul and strength? He who would love the Lord must first know the Lord. If Simon had really known who Jesus was as he sat before him, he would have sensed Jesus' holiness and his own unworthiness. But he did not know who it was before him.

He is not alone. As Jesus stood before the multitudes on Palm Sunday, he cried out, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:42).

How about you? Do you see Jesus before you at your supper table? At work? In your home and family? Everywhere, in fact? The more you see him and the better you know him, mainly through his Word, the more you will grow in love for him.

Getting to know Jesus is a key, along with awareness of our own sinfulness, for the two work together. And getting to know Jesus is a process, just as it is for getting to know anyone else.

We have seen that when Simon Peter witnessed the power of Jesus when he caused a great catch of fish, Simon fell to his knees -- like the woman at Elisha's feet; he could no longer stand at all but fell down in abject fear and humility. He saw both his own sinfulness and the goodness of Jesus at the same time. May you and I always have this awareness.

Scripture for today: Luke 12:42-46
Thought for today: God makes me aware both of my own sinfulness and of his grace in forgiving my sin.
Prayer for today: Thank you, Lord, that the awareness of my sin which you give is also accompanied by an awareness of the forgiveness which you offer to me in Christ.

FEB 10