living loved

“If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer…” – Luke 22: 67-68

These words of Jesus are spoken to the council, chief priests, and teachers of the law as they ask him again about being the Messiah, the Son of God right before my Jesus is led to face a death that only I deserved. Anne Wilson cowrote and sang the song “My Jesus” in early 2021. I love these lyrics.

Are you past the point of weary?
Is your burden weighin’ heavy?
Is it all too much to carry?
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
Do you feel that empty feeling?
‘Cause shame’s done all its stealin’
And you’re desperate for some healin’
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus

He makes a way where there ain’t no way
Rises up from an empty grave
Ain’t no sinner that He can’t save
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
His love is strong and His grace is free
And the good news is I know that He
Can do for you what He’s done for me
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
And let my Jesus change your life

This is only the beginning of this song, but ladies, let me tell you how it affects me every stinkin’ time I hear it: joy, laughter, crying, repeat.

JOY: My Jesus ate bread, drank from the same cup, and washed the feet of His betrayer, KNOWING that Judas was and would betray Him with a kiss. He was still invited and welcomed with the 12. Peter, His beloved, would deny Him three times and yet, Jesus would still choose that cross loving Peter all the same.

JOY/LAUGHTER: Let me tell you about my Jesus. My Jesus would rescue a sinner who was so broken from abandonment. My Jesus would rescue a sinner who sought out the love of man rather than His good and perfect love. My Jesus would rescue a sinner who would hurt and destroy others out of selfishness, pride, and pain because hurt people, hurt people. My Jesus would rescue a sinner covered in shame and guilt. My Jesus would rescue a sinner who still struggles and strives for perfection in Him. My Jesus would rescue a sinner – and that sinner was/is me.

CRYING: Today, thousands of years ago, my Jesus, your Jesus, our Jesus would choose a death that only we deserved. He would hang by the sinners and still invite them to the Kingdom. He would face an excruciating death and still cry out to the Abba to forgive us. Good Friday has always been a reminder to me to stand in awe and reverence to the one Who gave it all and to forgive and prayerfully be forgiven.

REPEAT: So, this Good Friday, if I have the pleasure of knowing you personally, I want to ask for forgiveness for any unkind word I have ever said. I want to ask forgiveness for any time I may have hurt you or caused you harm. I want to ask forgiveness if I have ever made you feel inadequate or unappreciated. I want to ask forgiveness. And I pray that you find the same peace, love, and forgiveness that this sinner has found through the Savior and that cross of destruction that also brought us life.

“There ain’t no sinner that He can’t save…”

XOXO, Loni