Extravagant Grace

Each of our readings today though coming from such different contexts all speak to the extravagant grace of God. How good is He!

In 1 Chronicles 29 David is preparing the materials needed to build a temple for the Lord. He begins by personally giving to this project, and one gets the sense that he gives lavishly. Then he calls others to give, and they too give in abundance. As David looks at all that is before him which he and his people gave to Lord, one might think that he would feel pretty good about himself. Instead he ushers out in praise to the Lord. He can't imagine why God would allow them to give as lavishly as they have. He acknowledges that all they have is from God and the fact that they can give so much only points to the lavish grace of God. (What a great perspective for all of our giving.)

Then in 2 Peter 3, Peter comments on the patience of God. This world is headed for a judgment by fire and it is certainly deserving of it. Mankind's neglect of God and practice of all manner of lawlessness certainly gives God the right to end it all in judgment. But Peter says our Lord is full of patience and that His patience is what leads to the repentance of many. Oh yes, there will come a day when the heavens are dissolved and God puts into place a new heaven and earth, but for now He waits patiently for the repentance of sinners - and how longsuffering has been His patience! This, too, is an evidence of His extravagant grace.

This same theme of judgment is seen is our reading of Micah. God is obviously nearing the time when he will judge His people and exile them. But mixed in with the themes of judgment we often find themes of restoration. God endures for centuries the neglect of His people, and when He finally brings them to judgment, before it even occurs he is talking about a time of restoration. Wow! How extravagant is the grace of our Lord. I am afraid I would not have responded as He did.

Finally, in Luke 15 we see the younger son leaving his father and squandering his estate with loose living. He returns repentant, realizing the folly of his way, ready to become a hired hand. But the father's response to him is amazing. Instead of taking him up on his offer to no longer be a son, the father interrupts the speech, and then begins lavishing grace on his son. He clothes him with a robe, puts a ring on his finger, prepares a calf and calls on his household to rejoice. Again we see how extravagant is the grace of our Lord Jesus.

Brothers and sisters, do you know this grace? Have you pondered its depth and width and heighth? Have you considerd how extravagant is the Lord's grace to us? As we enter this joyous season remembering the entrance of the divine Son in our world, let us ponder anew what a great gift of grace we have been given. It will make your holiday celebration all the more joyous!