Jan 23

What the jar-woman knew about herself, Paul also knew about himself. He says in Romans 7:18, "I know that nothing good lives in me."

Peter knew the truth about himself as well. When Jesus blessed him with a great catch of fish, he knew that he did not deserve it; he also knew that he was in the presence of God. Peter saw the goodness of God towards him; he saw his unworthiness to receive it. What was his reaction to this knowledge about himself?

="When Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!'" (Luke 5:8).

Go away? No, Lord, don't go away! I need you desperately. I am a sinner and cannot free myself from my evil impulses. And, oh, how I yearn to be free! And yet, now that I am in your presence and know that you can free me . . . Lord, I can't bear it! Your holiness and my sinfulness . . . the contrast hurts me so. I need you but I can't survive the nearness and power of your holiness. Oh, what shall I do?

"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24).

Yes! The One who causes me such pain because I see my sin in contrast to his holiness is the very One who can rescue me and free me by that same holiness, offered up on the cross for my sin. And so I come, like the jar-woman, with my sin, trembling with fear, daring to come into his presence, hoping with all my heart that he will not throw me out of his presence. But I have this precious assurance from his own lips:

"Him who comes to me I will not cast out" (John 6:37 RSV).

Scripture for today: Romans 7:14-25
Thought for today: Jesus welcomes sinners.
Prayer for today: Jesus, thank you for accepting me as I am, a sinner. But thank you also for not letting me stay a sinner. You have given me your Holy Spirit and through Him and his power to make you Lord of my life, I am being changed into your likeness.

JAN 23