Saturday, July 24, 2004

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
(1 Peter 2.24 NRSV)

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Not long ago, a family in the Maritimes won big in a lottery. For years they had struggled with a heavy debt load, financing a mortgage. Each member of the family had a job, and each one was expected to contribute toward paying off the loans. Now, suddenly, they were free! They could buy any mansion they wanted, and lay down cash for it! They didn't need to work! They could purchase all the toys and the trinkets their hearts had ever craved! They had it made! And a year later, Saturday Night magazine did a follow-up article on the family.

How had they coped with their newfound freedom? Well, the father was dead of a heart attack. Too much liquor and food, the doctor said. The mother was living with one daughter somewhere else. They weren't on speaking terms with the rest of the family. The old house was boarded up and left as a dirty eyesore. Some of the children lived in a new home, a large house on a big estate, walls and barbed wire fences around it. They were afraid someone would steal their newly-gotten wealth. And one son was in jail for murder. The folks in their old community shook their heads. "They used to be such nice people!"

And the Saturday Night article ended by asking the question: What does it mean to be free? Be careful what you ask for.

True freedom comes from Jesus Christ.

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Dear God, may I truly be free through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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