Monday, April 6, 2015

THE OUTSTRETCHED ARMS


Yesterday was Easter Sunday.

I trust that everyone had a very blessed day.

And I hope that we all felt the real impact of what Jesus actually accomplished for us on that cross

and what He achieved when He walked out of that empty tomb.

I don't know about you, but the Easter story is so familiar that sometimes I wonder if I miss the meaning.  Not really, of course, for I never take salvation for granted.  But sometimes I have to make myself stop – I have to stop my SELF – and truly ponder the effects of that momentous act of sacrifice in my life.

Today I am thinking about Jesus' outstretched arms.

Those bloodied, pain-stricken, weak, disjointed, frail arms.

I picture them in my mind.

Would you take a moment and do that, too?

Maybe just close your eyes and hold your own arms out to the side.  Hold them for a while.  Hold them there until they begin to ache.  And in the moment when you feel like you can no longer hold them up, please do this – whisper to the Lord, "Thank You."


Yes, those outstretched arms.

Weak, yet strong.

Full of love.

How grateful I am for them.


When my sons were little boys, I remember telling them often how much I loved them.  Sometimes they would ask me, "How much, Mommy?"  And then I'd hold my arms out as wide as I could and say, "This big."

Do you know how *big* Jesus loved you on the day He died?  Do you understand how much He gave you when He walked out of that tomb?

And do you recognize what those outstretched arms represent?

They are the very picture of grace.

Grace that stretches over all of our lives.  From beginning to end, and into eternity.  Those outstretched arms of Jesus are like protective wings that shield us from death and judgment.

This Easter, I found myself contemplating the impact of grace in my life.

I know that Jesus' sacrificial death bought forgiveness for my sins.  I know that He covered all my sins – even the ones I haven't yet committed.

But as I pictured those outstretched arms, I realized something anew.

Grace goes backwards.

Yes.

Grace covers the sins I commit today, and most certainly covers the sins that I will commit tomorrow.

But it also covers the sins that I committed yesterday.

This is what I felt in a different way this Easter when I pondered the outstretched arms of Jesus.  I saw His grace and forgiveness covering everything that I have ever done in my life.  And that includes my past.

It's almost like grace is retroactive.


I don't know about you guys, but I have a very hard time forgiving myself for the things I've done wrong in the past.  And trust me, I've done some things that I am very "un-proud" of!!

And the memories of those things, if I let them, would open like Pandora's box until I was overwhelmed and consumed with regret, guilt, and shame.

I've had moments when that exact thing has happened.

Times in my life when I've been paralyzed with guilt, unable to move forward.  I've been besieged with doubts about my worth as God's child. I've been weighed down by the remembrance of pain and shame.

And I have forgotten that the forgiveness of God, as expressed through Jesus' death, is much bigger than all of that.

Grace is big enough to go backwards.


Dear friends, are any of you paralyzed with guilt over past sin?  Are you besieged with doubts about your worth as God's child?  Are you weighed down by the remembrance of pain and shame?

Have you forgotten that the forgiveness of God is bigger than all that?

Then come again to the foot of the Cross.

Contemplate the outstretched arms of Jesus.

Weak, yet strong.

Full of love.

And be grateful for them.

Whisper from the very depths of your soul, "Thank You."

Thank Him for opening His heart to save us.

Thank Him for being willing to die a terrible death to redeem us.    Thank Him for His humble self-sacrifice.  Thank Him for enduring the worst sort of torture – including a loss of intimacy with His Father – just for you.

Thank Him for stretching His bloodied, pain-stricken, weak, disjointed, frail arms out on a cross.

Know that His forgiveness spans your whole lifetime.  From one end to the other, and into eternity.  There is no end, and no beginning, to the infinite forgiveness of salvation.

Grace is like an umbrellaa shelter of protection that reaches out into the future, covers the present, and washes away the past.

This is what Jesus meant when He proclaimed:

"IT is finished."


(Most interesting sidenote:  – The Greek word for the phrase, "It is finished" is tetelestai, which is an accounting term that means "paid in full." These words, found only in the Gospel of John, are the most important and poignant words spoken by Jesus.  When He uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed by mankind to His Father – the debt of sinwas wiped away completely and forever.)



Yes indeed, Jesus paid it all.

And when we look at Him and say:

"How much do you love me?"

See His outstretched arms and hear Him say:

"This big."

Oh, how we are blessed!






 There you saw
how the LORD your God carried you,
as a father carries his child,
all the way you went.

I have made you
and I will carry you,
I will sustain you
 and I will rescue you.




"Then the LORD passed by in front of [Moses] and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin…'" (Exodus 34:6-7, NASB)

"The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." (Psalm 145:8, NLT)

"He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.  For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:10-12, NLT)

"'And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.'" (Hebrews 8:12, NLT)

"'I…am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.'" (Isaiah 43:25, NIV)

"Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people?  You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.  Once again you will have compassion on us.  You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!  You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love…" (Micah 7:18-20, NLT)

"'Come now, let's settle this,' says the LORD.  'Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.  Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.'" (Isaiah 1:18, NLT)

"It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not." 
(Lamentations 3:22, AMP)

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lamentations 3:23, NLT)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…" 
(Titus 2:11, ESV)

"...when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy statement…" 
(Titus 3:4-8, NASB)

"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17, NIV)

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.   

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!  Amen." (Ephesians 3:18-21, NLT)


Yes, amen!



What do the outstretched arms of Jesus mean to you?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVALGOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MOTIVATE & REJUVENATE MONDAYS, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYSTELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, UNITE, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, TELL HIS STORY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, WOMAN TO WOMAN WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, WOMEN WITH INTENTION WEDNESDAYS, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, FROM HOUSE TO HOMETHOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, BELOVED BREWS, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, SHINE, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, A GROUP LOOK, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYGRACE & TRUTHSPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, STILL SATURDAY, SATURDAY SOIREE, WEEKEND BREW, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

37 comments:

  1. I count on grace-past, present and future-to cover me.

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  2. His undying love! Thank You Jesus and thank you Sharon, for reminding us just how BIG those outstretched arms are and all this means ... His aMazing Grace!
    {now I'm sure that you have exchanged our one words: yours-Grace and mine-healing?} I'm just so thankful that His Grace does cover my past, present and future too! HE IS RISEN! Hallelujah and His Grace is enough! Hope your celebration of Resurrection SONday was filled by His Grace and love for you and yours! Love you Sharon, Peggy

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  3. Oh how grateful I am that Jesus paid my debt in full!

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  4. Such a great post! I too have things in my past that have overcome me with guilt and shame before, and God has shown me in His Word that I am not condemned. I am so very thankful for Jesus' outstretched arms on the cross. Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  5. After watching the Passion of the Christ (again) the other night, hearing various messages leading up to Easter and now reading your post, I have been reminded over and over how unfathomable His love for us is...and I don't think I will ever be able to take it all in...but that is why it is so AWESOME...if I could understand it, that would take away from it. Thank you for reminding me again...about His incomparable love and grace that surpassed all understanding.

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  6. Thank you for this blessed message, Sharon! Yes, He is Risen and we are all blessed by it!

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  7. I too struggle at times with feelings of "unworthiness" due to besetting sins.

    Seeing all those verses collectively together was a wonderful visual to remind and encourage me of God's great love for me.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I am grateful for the gift God gave us when He conquered death.

    God bless you, Sharon.
    Much love always from your Aussie buddy, Kerrie xOx

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  9. "The Greek word for the phrase, "It is finished" is tetelestai, which is an accounting term that means "paid in full."" LOVE THIS, Sharon. Thank you for linking with Small Wonder.

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  10. I really enjoyed how you focused on His outstretched arms. Such a beautiful image all on their own….to reflect on! Blessings!

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  11. I know my arms get tired if I out stretch them for a bit of time. So glad Jesus continued to stretch his hands and arms so I could spend eternity with him!

    betty

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  12. It is so amazing that all sins were forgiven at the cross - - BUT it is important to receive that forgiveness in order to be saved. How much did God love the WORLD that He gave Jesus to become the Lamb that was slain? This Big !!
    Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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  13. If only we could carry the message and truth of Easter front and center in our hearts throughout the year! Blessings to you, and glad to have met you today at Soli Deo Gloria sisterhood.

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  14. So glad you had a good Easter Weekend. I feel like you do about retroactive grace. God has been doing that a lot this year...recalling memories and showing me how covered in grace I've been. I don't think I would be here if His grace didn't rescue me and my foolish mistakes. My 2015 word, grace, has taken on new meaning to me when He does this. Enjoying His outstretched arms with you!

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  15. I know I can get too ho-hum about hearing some of the same stories over and over. That's why I love community (both real and online!) to shake me out of my slumber. Thanks for holding His arms in front of us here--really thinking about them makes me shudder. Thank you, Jesus!

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  16. What a great post.....Amen to you thoughts and words!

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  17. The enormity of grace truly overwhelms. It's a good exercise to ponder it's impact on my soul. I don't do that enough. Thank you for your beautiful words that prompted me to do so. Your post was a blessing.

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  18. Grace is like an umbrella – a shelter of protection that reaches out into the future, covers the present, and washes away the past. Love that! And this post ♥ So thankful for the outstretched arms of Jesus that still reach for us today. His Grace is sufficient!

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  19. As always, I am so blessed by what you've shared here Sharon. I've been thinking about the sins of the past as I watch my son walk through a hard season because what he's walking through reminds me of decisions I made that brought much pain to my family. But Easter was a profound day of remembering that His grace covered the sins of the past too. It still can take my breath away . . . to really reflect on the fullness of His love and grace. Oh how I pray for softening of hearts for my children and the women in their lives to know His love.
    You are a blessing to this online world.
    I frequently reflect on how beautiful it was to spend time with you in person.
    Much love.
    xoxo

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  20. Those out stretched arms remind grace is all around us. Thanks for sharing this at #ThreeWordWednesday.

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  21. "Grace goes backwards." You do have a way of words and wisdom, sister. You're not alone and your words always have a way of picking up a slumping soul. God bless you and yours, my friend.

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  22. Amen. Beautiful blog. So thankful He lavished His love and grace on me!

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  23. Hi Sharon! I love that idea of grace going backwards. It's such a huge concept, why couldn't it go backwards, forwards and sideways? He is the Lord of love, just as you were the love of a mother with your sons. "This much..." That was a lot right?
    Hope you had a wonderful Easter my friend :)
    Ceil

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  24. Remembering this today as I began to struggle with discontentment about a few things, then I thought why? I really have it all. Christ is sufficient. My heart is still struggling to catch up to my brain, but it will.

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  25. Not going to lie, I bawled my face off at Easter this year (not sad tears-- grateful tears.) It blows my mind that the Lord of Lord and King of Kings WILLINGLY died for us... Reminds me of that song about how far our sins are forgiven/forgotten-- how far the east is from the west, one scarred hand to the other (I think it is taken from a Psalm)

    Thanks for this reminder, sister. Love you.

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  26. Yes, and amen! Grace is retroactive! I am your neighbor at Fellowship Friday linkup. ~gina

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  27. I have a s
    wall plaque that says "I asked Jesus, How much do you love me?,
    and he answered: "This much" then he stretched out his arms and died."
    I think we all have moments of grief over our past sins...It is so very unpleasant that I think it actually helps to deter us from further sinning often times....as does remembering how our dear Lord suffered so for our sins!
    Blessings and love to you in this Easter season of hope and renewal! ~Lisa

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  28. This: "Contemplate the outstretched arms of Jesus." is warm and welcoming and oh-so-good! Thank you for sharing and refocusing our eyes on Christ. I have enjoyed visiting once more! Blessings! - Letetia

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  29. Grace goes backward! I love that. Grace is just all-over. What a blessing. Stopping in from Grace & Truth.

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  30. I love those words...grace goes backward. It goes every which way and I'm so thankful. Where would we be without it it? The picture of Christ's outstretched arms goes with me.

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  31. How beautiful is this truth. His hands were weak then, but ironically they were at their strongest. Conquering everything with His selfless love. What an amazing God we have.

    I hope you had a glorious Easter.

    Have a fantastic weekend!

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  32. What a wonderful post Sharon and thank you for the encouragement to realise that Grace goes backwards. Oh how wonderful to fully grasp the forgiveness of God both now and in the past and the future. Thanks for linking up at Good Morning Mondays. You are such a blessing.

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  33. This is not the first time I have read this post. But this morning, this stood out powerfully >> "Grace that stretches over all of our lives." I can see His grace in the past days of my life. And this morning, it struck - - His grace WILL be there over the days yet to come! We are never left without His grace. Truly a most precious thought & gift this morning. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!"

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  34. I love the idea of outstretched arms...yet sometimes the position gives Not only arm ache but also heartache. May we be more like him.

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  35. Such a wonderful reminder.

    This year at church for the Good Friday service we were called to write our sins on a scroll and stick the scroll into a grid along the walls of the church. On Easter we returned to the church to discover that the scrolls (still rolled) had been assembled into cross shapes. The significance took my breath away and made me realize just how much grace was given to all of us.

    Thank you for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely evening.
    xoxo

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  36. Retroactive grace...I've never thought of it that way, but it's so true. Oh, how thankful I am for those precious outstretched arms! Thank you for sharing this with us at Grace & Truth.

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  37. Oh, this precious post! I can't even put into words what it meant to me tonight! This is SO profound...to think of Jesus' wide arms of mercy stretching from the beginning to the end of my life! To think that He paid it all for my salvation! To know that His grace is and always has been and always will be sufficient for my needs. Oh, I praise Him SO much! And, I thank Him for you, my dear, precious friend. God bless you for expressing these wonderful truths. I will not forget this...it has blessed me immensely. :)

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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