As a little girl I can remember really messing up. At night time my momma and daddy would come in to tuck me in for the night. As they kissed my cheek and forehead I was always reassured things were going to be okay. There is no other feeling comparable to undoubtable unconditional love. "Today wasn't the best. But tomorrow we can try it again."
On the flight to Saba this past Spring break I watched a book turned movie based on a true story. The title was Same Kind of Different As Me. In the beginning of the story, Debbie finds out her husband has had an affair. An expected fight and yelling match ensues. Debbie goes to bed, has a dream, and comes back into the living room where her husband is sleeping. She says something along the lines of, "You can stay if you want. But you need to know that I forgive you."
Second chances feel good.
This week the world is focused on the greatest sacrifice it's ever known. God became flesh. As the song says, He didn't want Heaven without us, so He brought Heaven down. Jesus lived life just like us and walked around on this earth. He had friends. People knew him. He was celebrated.
I always love to think of the last supper he had with his circle of friends. Many envision the famous painting. Others think of this meal as a very formal and solemn time. I tend to think of it a bit different. Just like any of our times of gathering around a table, there were hungry bellies. I am sure there were some serious conversations, we actually have some accounted for, but at the same time we must remember that this was a group of friends who had been through much together. They knew each other well, so I think there was laughter and conversation a plenty.
As Christ sat there and visited with His friends, I wonder if he watched them and thought, "I am about to be your second chance."
After this meal he was betrayed and dismissed by those around the very table at which he sat. The truth, the wisdom, the plan he had sat out for them, they seemed to quickly forget it all. Fear caused them to compromise, greed replaced faith, and the hope they had known was lost in conformity.
Jesus was beaten, mocked, and then was placed on the cross and he died...all alone. He who was perfect took all our sin and nastiness and muck and traded it for his perfection. He gave it to us. He gave it to us not just so we'd have a second chance...but that we'd be given THE second chance. And the second chance was given to everyone from those that had sat around that table with him all the way down to all of us today.
For me the cross means when I snap at Michael and the kids, I get a second chance. It means that when I tell a lie or say the wrong things, I get to try again tomorrow. The cross means when my mind wonders with secret thoughts that I'd never want anyone else to know, that I am forgiven.
Second chances are given to folks like me. The second chance is also given to the addict, the murderer, the cheater, and the thief. We are all on equal ground when we are put at the foot of the cross. We are all sinners with no status or classification or degree of severity. Jesus can relate to all of us. He came to save all of us. He loves all of us.
Everyday we can hear him say these things to us...
"You can do better. Let's try this again. Today wasn't the best. We can try it again tomorrow. You can stay if you want, But you need to know I forgive you."
And the story doesn't end with the cross. Resurrection came making all this the sweetest story ever. Because not only do we get to bask in His perfection and have the second chance...we eventually will get to spend all eternity praising and worshiping and glorifying Christ right alongside him.