Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
OUR MESSIAH-KING: ANOINTED TO HELP THE POOR
The story is told of a doctor who lived long ago in a tiny village of Scotland. Upon his death his books were examined. Many were found to have a line scribbled across the top in red ink: "Forgiven, too poor to pay." Afterwards his widow, being somewhat less generous, insisted the bills be paid and instituted court proceedings. After examining the unpaid bills, her lawyer asked: "Is this your husband's handwriting in red?" She admitted it was. "Then I have to inform you: no court in the land can obtain the money for you. If your husband has written 'forgiven,' then the debts are forgiven.'"
When our Messiah-King went about proclaiming God's Word to the people of Palestine on His preaching tours, this was the message He also shared: "You are beggars before God, too poor to pay the debt you have incurred against God by your sins. I have come from heaven to pay your debt. I will live a holy life in your place and sacrifice My life of holiness as your substitute. Through My Savior-work, the charges that are against you will be wiped out. Your transgressions will be taken away and nailed to the cross."
The same message rings out on the pages of Scripture for the relief of us spiritual beggars. Our conscience may challenge the assertion that our heavenly Father has written "forgiven" across our guilty record. But no matter. We've got the word of Him to whom our debt was owed and who alone has power to grant forgiveness. He's written His assurance in crimson letters: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Eph.1:7).
He comes with rescue speedy To those who suffer wrong,
To help the poor and needy And bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing, Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying, Were precious in His sight.
(Lutheran Service Book, 398:2)
