“Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31-32
God’s encouragement…
I embarrassed myself spectacularly in first grade when I didn’t listen to my mom. My elementary school was under construction, so classes were held in houses outfitted as classrooms. The surrounding streets were a sea of mud. Planks were placed at a corner for kids to cross on and my mom told me to cross there. I decided to cross in front of my cottage instead. I made it across, but my shoes stuck fast in the mud behind me. I had to go back and pull them out. I scraped off as much mud as I could. When I entered my classroom, I wished with all my heart muddy footprints led to every desk. Alas, mine were the only ones. My plan didn’t work and everyone knew!
This experience shows the Gospel at work in childhood. It reminds us Jesus and His Holy Spirit are with us from our earliest days. He loves and teaches us through embarrassing situations when we are prideful about our plans that then go astray. He heals us when sorrow over being caught demonstrates repentance. It resides in us, even as children. Jesus, who came as our physician, responds to our need for healing.
Heavenly Father, help us to treasure in our hearts that Jesus’ healing can redeem painful memories when we see them through the light of the Gospel.
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Image: original pen and ink by Robin Lybeck: Repentance Treasure
