A motley crew made right with God
by Maria Rudolph
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In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? (James 2:25)
Read James 2:14–26
You have likely heard it many times before, but listen to this: Jesus came for YOU. Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem for you. Jesus died on the cross for you. Even you. Even me.
Only two Sundays ago, the Old Testament reading from 2 Samuel 23:1–7 contained the last words of King David, spoken on his deathbed. He said (verse 5): ‘If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant.’
The unfortunate part about King David was that he was an adulterer and murderer, hardly someone who was right with God according to his deeds. Yet God worked through him to the point where he raised up our Saviour Jesus from his line (Isaiah 11:1) and gave us countless psalms penned by David, on which a good part of our church liturgy is based.
I also recall another great Bible character called Moses, through whom God passed the Ten Commandments to his people and led his people out of Egypt and through the wilderness into the Promised Land. The unfortunate part about Moses was that he was a murderer (Exodus 2:12) – also hardly someone who was right with God according to his deeds. And yet God worked through him.
In fact, when we start looking into the stories of any given Bible character, we soon find that according to their deeds, they are all hell-bound. The only one who has a clean slate is Jesus!
It isn’t because David was such a great king, Rahab was such a great spy-hider, or Moses was such a great leader that God considered them righteous. It was because of God’s mercy and grace. It isn’t because you are such a great woman or man that God considers you righteous. It is because Jesus has given you a clean slate through his blood and sacrifice.
Dear God, ‘our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness’. Be the cornerstone in my life, strengthen me when I am weak and give me joy in knowing that you have set me free. Let me live wisely in my freedom, focused on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Maria is overjoyed to be a candidate for ordination as a pastor of the LCANZ while serving the St Johns Perth congregation and supporting the ministry of her pastor husband, Michael, at Concordia Duncraig congregation in Western Australia. They are parents to three children who are busy with primary and secondary schooling. Maria also serves the church as a member of the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
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