40 Days with the Son - Day 28

This is a continuation of my reflections on Max Lucado's book 3:16. Please join Liza at 40 Days with the Son as we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ at Christmas.

Please click here for my previous posts for 40 Days with the Son.

Today's scripture: "The soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium.... And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head." Matthew 27: 27-29

Sin. It's that nasty word that we don't want to talk about. Even in Christian circles.

While I was in college, I worked part-time at a Christian radio station as a live-assist operator. (Fancy way of saying I got to live on air a few times an hour during the weekends.) During this time, Sandi Patty had an affair. Around the same time, a former member of the Gaither's (can't remember his name right now) also had an affair. Our station continued to play Sandi Patty's music, but not the other guy's. Listeners wrote and called in to ask why the station had a double standard when it came to Christian artists who had been caught in sin. I vividly remember the station manager's memo to employees on how to address callers with this question. The station continued to play Sandi Patty's music because she admitted that she had sinned and asked for forgiveness, not only from the Lord, but from her fans. The other guy only said that he "made a mistake."

In my book, admitting that you "made a mistake" is not the same as admitting that you sinned. Romans 3 tells us: "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard" (v.23). Everyone has sinned. The only exception is Jesus Christ Himself. And He took our sins on Himself when He willingly climbed on that cross. Don't let pride keep you from admitting and confessing your sin. Confess it. And receive that life-giving relationship that can only come through Jesus Christ.