Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. During this time leading up to Easter Sunday we are called to look carefully at ourselves and our lives. One traditional reading for today is Psalm 51 that asks “create in me a clean heart, O God.” As Paul says in this passage “we are ambassadors for Christ”, His representatives to the world. We are called to be the face of Jesus to everyone we meet.
We know we have sinned. Evil leads us there and then uses it to remind us of our failure constantly. In His mercy, God sent Jesus to love and free us. He taught us the truth of love for God and one another, and was obedient to God’s will even when it was hard. His sacrifice for us allowed us to “become the righteousness of God in Him.”
It is easy for us to focus on our sin, that’s exactly what evil wants. Jesus says “that’s not who you are” and washes us clean to stand before God unashamed. Author Gideon Heugh writes “Sin is a stain upon the fabric, not the fabric itself.” We must remember who we are in Christ, and the plan God has for every one of us.
Gracious God, You loved us so much You sent Your only son to save us from ourselves. Bless us to be a new creation in Him, freed from the curse of sin and ready to go in His name to all the world. Amen.
