“Nothing in my hands I bring,  Simply to the Cross I cling.”

These lyrics from one of my favorite hymns, “Rock of Ages” fill me with sorrow and wonder, grief and joy, amazement and awe—that God would become man and choose to lay down His life for me.

But I am also relieved. There’s nothing more I can do to secure my salvation. There’s nothing less I can do to secure my salvation. There’s, in fact, absolutely nothing I can do to secure my salvation.

Jesus paid it ALL. ALL to Him I owe.

But there’s a popular “theology” preached from pulpits and social media platforms. It goes something like this: You are worthy because Christ chose to die for you.

This idea—perhaps more rightly categorized as “me-ology” rather than theology—implies that we bring something of value to the table. It embraces the notion that our intrinsic worth prompted Christ’s sacrifice. But by accepting this form of teaching as true and right, we might be diluting the gospel of grace.

Scripture says that we are unworthy of Christ’s love and YET He chose to give His life for us.

Ephesians 2:13 reminds us that we were far away from God.

Romans 5:10 reminds us we were actually enemies of God.

But then we are confronted by God’s unconditional love because, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly… But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5)

Far away, powerless, helpless, ungodly, enemies, still sinners…those are the words that describe us.

No, we were not innately worthy of Calvary’s Cross.

We are made worthy because of Calvary’s Cross.

In realizing and admitting our brokenness and depravity, we don’t lose out. We gain a new life through Christ.

Amazing grace. Astounding love. Abounding mercy.

Last evening, my teenage kids were invited to a party for a girl from their High School. The party was on the 30^th floor of a fancy building. The venue had the word, “Lounge” attached to it which essentially means it was one of those hoity-toity places. As my daughter put it, “When I saw those automatic revolving doors, I knew that I was not supposed to be there.” That’s teen speak for, “I felt unworthy, like I didn’t match up to the place.”\

But just like my kids had every right to be at the uber-cool location because they had an invitation from the host, we too have gained our “right” to be in the Holy of Holies—not because we are worthy but because Jesus invites us and He became that door through which we could enter.

When Jesus breathed His last on the Cross, He cried out, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” At that moment, the veil in the temple tore from top to bottom. We can now enter the Most Holy Place of deep, personal communion with our Creator.

Jesus didn’t give His life because we are worthy. He gave His life because He is love.

This Good Friday, may we go back to the core of our faith. May we admit before God, “Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to the Cross I cling.” May we accept that, as undeserving as we are, He died for us and gives us worth and significance.

 

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This week, I’ll likely be bouncing into your inbox more often than usual. Stay tuned for a few more devotionals for the rest of Holy Week.