When I was a young boy, I sneaked eggs secretly out of our chicken coop and exchanged them for candies at a local store. Whenever I heard that I had to confess my sin before God, I was reminded of this event. “Do you believe Christ died for your sins?” The term “repent” meant to acknowledge that I sneaked eggs without permission of my father. Finally, I confessed to God and my Sunday school teacher what I did wrong. I was now saved by the blood of Jesus on the Cross.
The question continued: What does it mean to be saved? Saved from what to what? By the blood of Jesus? What is the relationship with Jesus’ blood and my forgiveness? What is sin at all? Stealing eggs? Cheating father? For young boy, it meant being sorry for my behavior, doing better next time, being good. But being good, trying harder, and doing better did not work for me. I repeated the similar things again and again.
Later, reading the Bible carefully and attentively, I discovered that repentance is about more than correcting bad behavior and wrong choices. It means being a true self I have forgotten, ignored, neglected as God created. I did repent by getting back on track, to change my mind and heart, to change the direction of my life. Jesus as the wisdom teacher showed me that Jesus did not set out a system of doctrine but rather encouraged me, spoke to my heart. When Jesus thought them, as I read the Bible, they were also moved, touched and felt uplifted, liberated and accepted. When Jesus was with them, they sensed their worth and experienced God not as a God who demands but a God who gives people a new way to life. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Today’s Reflection:
What keeps you from living the life you want? What holds you back and prevents you from being your truest and most real self? What might you need to let go of, give up, change, or leave behind?
Read the Beatitudes and meet your wisdom teacher today. What new insights do you have about yourself and life, about God and other people, when you contemplate the Beatitudes?
The Beatitudes
(Matthew 5:3-10)
This is what Jesus said:
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.
With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.
Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”
“You’re blessed when you are content with just who you are—no more, no less.
That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God.
He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.”
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’
you find yourselves cared for.”
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right.
Then you can see God in the outside world.”
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”
“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.
The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.”
(Message Translation)
Pastor Seok-Hwan
