In the summer of 2007, I was blessed to travel around the world. I began in Atlanta, Georgia, and then stopped in Hong Kong for two days. I then went to Bangalore, India for eight days. Upon leaving Bangalore, I flew to Frankfurt, Germany, and then back to Atlanta, Georgia. When working with a team of computer programmers in India, we finished work early one day. One of the guys on our team suggested taking me sight-seeing to a beautiful waterfall. Barra Chukki Falls was a 3-hour drive south of Mysore, India. Of course, a 3-hour drive in southern India is not like a 3-hour drive down Interstate I-95. I thought I was going to need a donut cushion and a back brace by the time we got back!
When we finally arrived, it was absolutely breath-taking. As I was standing there taking pictures and watching everyone trying to squeeze their way through the crowd to get a look from the observation deck, there were several thoughts that began to invade my mind.
A reading of the Gospel accounts reveals that Jesus often had crowds of people following Him. Many translations use the term multitudes. In fact, Luke 12:1 reads, “After so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another…” Matthew 4:25 reads, “Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.” Unfortunately, the argument can be made that many of those in the multitude followed Jesus out of curiosity of seeing another miracle, rather than being a sincere disciple. Nonetheless, there where multitudes who flocked to see Him.
Every now and then we read where an individual pushed their way through the crowd to get to Him; the woman with the issue of blood who touched the hem of His garment (Mark 5:28-34) and the leper who came bowing down before Him (Matt. 8) are just two examples. While standing there taking pictures and observing the multitude pushing their way through to get a glimpse of the falls from the picture spot, I thought to myself; “How many of those people would push their way through the crowd to get a glimpse of the Savior?” At that moment, I was terribly convicted. Had I been on the streets in Galilee, would I have been pushing my way through to get a glimpse of the Savior? Would I have been just part of the curious multitude?
I continued to ponder this thought as I put my camera away and headed back to the car. We made several other sight-seeing stops on our way back to Mysore, but the day was coming to a close. I got back to where I was staying and began to download the pictures to my laptop. As I was scrolling through the many pictures, I noticed one in particular. I had no idea I had snapped this picture. Look very closely at the picture at the top left of this article and see if you see anything unique. Once you’ve examined the photo, come back and read on.
I want you to notice the dead-looking tree in the middle of the picture. Did you see it? Look at the picture again. In the midst of the lush greenery, vibrant waterfall, and majestic display of God’s splendor, there stands one dead-looking tree. Please look again and take in the scene.
As I look at this picture, I am reminded of the amazing grace of God. While I am a filthy, rotten, sinner, I am also surrounded by the majesty and the splendor of Almighty God. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” What an amazing picture of grace! I’m aware of the acronym G.R.A.C.E.; God’s Riches At Christ’ Expense. However, the notion of being received by God is an even greater picture of God’s grace. Therefore, I have come up with another acronym for G.R.A.C.E.; God Receives At Christ’ Expense. God already owns everything, so it is understood that His riches are available to me. The overwhelming truth is that God receives me as His own adopted child. In spite of my fallen nature and rebellious heart toward Him, He receives me and welcomes me into His presence. This is possible because He came to earth wrapped in human flesh, lived a sinless and miraculous life, and died upon a dead-looking tree for my sins. The very tree that once stood as a symbol of my sin and death now stands as a symbol of my life in the Savior. What an amazing picture of grace!
While Jesus was nailed to the tree, there were multitudes who gathered around. Again, there were those who were curious. Perhaps, they were curious to see how He was going to get out of this one. Yet, there were those who were sincerely trying to get a glimpse of Him before He died. Had I been on the streets in Jerusalem, would I have been pushing my way through to get a glimpse of the Savior? Would I have been just part of the curious multitude gathered at Golgotha or would I have been a sincere disciple seeking to get a glimpse of the Lord Jesus?
Today, are you seeking a glimpse of the Savior? Do you see yourself as a dead-looking tree in the midst of the majesty and splendor of God? Ephesians 2:1-10 paints a vivid picture of the before and after. Before coming to know Christ, we are dead in our sins and even called children of wrath. Being a child of wrath means that if we die apart from faith in Christ we will stand subject to the wrath of God; you don’t want that to happen to you. The after scenario is the beautiful contrast. Verse 4 uses the greatest conjunction in all of Scripture; “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)…” In Christ, we no longer live under the curse of the dead-looking tree. Christ has bore the tree as our substitute, and therefore, He has paid the penalty of our sins and satisfied the wrath of God. What an amazing picture of grace!
Grace is not something you earn; it’s a gift that you receive (Eph. 2:8-9). There is nothing that you and I could ever do to earn God’s love and forgiveness. If we could do something to earn it, then by definition it would not be grace. Grace is undeserved favor with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It knows that apart from Him we are nothing, and apart from Him we can do nothing. It recognizes that apart from the work of Christ on the cross, we would be hopeless forever. Look at the picture one more time. In one way it looks like two arms raised high in surrender; in another way it looks like a cross. Grace enables us to live surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Grace also acknowledges that Jesus surrendered to the will of the Father and bore the sins of humanity on the cross.
Have you been received by this amazing grace?
