[Wednesday's Devotional] - My mocking voice

When I first became a Christian, more years back than I care to remember, I didn’t get it!  I sang in the local church choir, all cassocked and ruffled out, on a Sunday morning.  I’d listen to the vicar and I really just didn’t get it.

 

Then when I returned to Christianity in my early 30’s I think I thought I got it, but in all honestly I really didn’t.

 

Now, I’m not going to say my next worship song turned all that on its head. I think it took lots of Pastorate and Small Group evenings and lots of independent study. But all the while during this transformation I was doubting my own sense of Christianity.

 

I love the next hymn, not because it has a great tune or that it’s a wonderful worship song, but because of two lines. Those two lines, when I read them or sing them, ground me, show me who I was, who I still am and who I can be.

 

“My sin upon his shoulders; Ashamed I hear my mocking voice”

 

I sometimes find myself “joining in” in the gossip at work. Or criticizing colleagues.  I know that I’m that type of person and in front of the most perfect man in history I would be joining the crowd and shouting at him and calling him names

 

Please, even if you are like me, don’t fret too much.  I can’t offer you any worldly advice for knocking this nasty habit into touch, it’s not like there is a patch for “gossip withdrawal symptoms” available at your chemist.  All I can say is, if like me, you find yourself “following the crowd” try to think of this song and the lines I’ve highlighted.  Remember Peter failed in his acknowledgement of Christ to save his own skin:

 

But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”   And he went out and wept bitterly
Luke 22: 60-62 [NIV]

 

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure,

That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss – the Father turns His face away,

As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.

 

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders;

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished;

His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished.

 

I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom;

But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?  I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom

 

Steve Fogo