Accept one another, then,
just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Rom. 15:7
Lord Jesus, it’s heart-freeing to begin this November Saturday at home in your love. You know everything about us—our failures, fickleness, foolishness, and faithlessness. And yet no one loves us more than you do.
Indeed, we’re the self-destructive younger brothers you welcomed home, and the self-righteous elder sisters you constantly pursue (Luke 15). We’re the ones lying at your feet some would stone (John 8:1-11); and the ones who can take up stones to throw at others (Acts 7:54-60). Yet you are gracious and kind with us.
We’ve been up in the tree with Zacchaeus, and down in the depths with Peter. We’ve been filled with the self-pity of Jonah, weepy with the laments of Jeremiah, struggling with doubt like Thomas, and seized with the fears of Timothy (2 Tim. 1:7), and raw with people-pain like Paul (2 Tim. 4:13-14).
Yet you’ve done nothing but understand our situations, welcome us, and give us grace upon grace. We worship you for such tenacious and irrepressible kindness. As you’ve accepted us, so you’re calling us to accept, love, and be gentle with others. As we prepare for Thanksgiving Week, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so.
Grant us the Spirit’s work, Gospel-freedom, and thicker skin. Constantly whisper to our hearts, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal. 5:6). Shout it when you must, Jesus.
Replace our irritation with intrigue, our self-referential ways with other-centered interest, our criticisms with cherishing, and our self-protection with genuine vulnerability. Life isn’t about fixing anyone, challenging every opinion, or imposing our anything on anyone.
May we rest in your love, extend your welcome, and celebrate your acceptance, as we prepare the next six weeks of holiday merriment. So very Amen we pray, Jesus, in your matchless and merciful name.
