Galatians 1

“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present age, according to the will of our God and Father.  To whom be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)

I love home improvement shows, although cooking shows are becoming my favorites.  Many people’s favorite home improvement show is Extreme Makeover-Home Edition.  The only problem is that every episode makes me cry!  The show’s producers search out families who have suffered significant loss yet are determined to be survivors.  Every time the show ends, my wife and I say, “Man!  I wish someone would come over and overhaul our place!!” But in reality, that’s already happened.

Paul reminded the Galatians that Jesus gave Himself to “rescue us from this present age.”  To be rescued, people first have to acknowledge they need rescuing.  I have never seen the Extreme Makeover crew go into someone’s shack, propose to level it completely and rebuild them a mansion, and the people respond, “No thanks.  We’re good.”

That never happens!!  When they just see the show’s host at the door, people break down before he says a word and start wailing and thanking God!  Why?  Because they know that hope is on their doorstep.  But One greater than a TV host stands at the door of your heart.

“Listen!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (HCSB)

And what “dinner” is Jesus speaking?  Is it not the Passover dinner, which remembers the “passing-over” of our sin, atoned for by the Messiah’s death on the cross?  And wasn’t that atonement approved by the Father and evidenced by virtue of Jesus’ resurrection?

Paul says, “according to the will of our God and Father,” Jesus has become our ultimate Korban Chatat (sin offering).  That means the wrath and judgment of God have forever passed over all who receive His atonement.

Do you have the “grace and peace” that comes from God through a saving relationship with His Son, Jesus?  It is God’s will that your relationship is restored to Him.

“Today, if you hear His voice: do not harden your hearts…” Psalm 95:7b-8a (HCSB)

Does your life need an “extreme makeover?”  Can you hear Him knocking at your heart’s door?  Then, surrender your resistance, open the door, and let Jesus in.