Devotions
Have you noticed that the world’s economy is constructed entirely on winning? From an early age we are encouraged to be number one, to be the best, to win. When we become Christians, it is important to understand that God’s economy is not like the world’s economy. God’s economy operates according to his divine precepts. In God’s economy believer’s gain by losing.
In John’s account of the crucifixion, Jesus utters three simple, but powerful words, “It is finished.” In Greek this is translated, “Tetelestai,” which is an accounting term that means, “paid in full.” This was a common, everyday term used in society. It was often stamped on bills to indicate there was no more debt as everything was settled. When Jesus utters this term on the cross, it was to indicate that the debt which humanity owed God on account of Adam’s sin was finally paid in full.
In 1864, while the American Civil War was still being fought, three young women, Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and Elizabeth Myers began the custom of decorating soldiers’ graves at a cemetery in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. They wanted to recognize the contributions of these brave soldiers from the village who had paid the ultimate price. Today it has become customary to decorate graves with flowers as a sign of our deep affection for those who sacrificed their lives for us, and for those whose lives have touched ours.
Last night I attended the premier showing of the soon to be released movie “Breakthrough” which is based on a true story. After the movie, all I could think to say was “Wow!” What a display of God’s power, and of the unfathomable ways in which he works through ordinary humans and events to affect his divine plan.
