by Rev Steve Nickodemus

His love hides my sin…

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:12

Let me introduce you to Bernie, the building consultant for my house. He is a vastly experienced carpenter, and a bubbly, irrepressible, fount of energy and wisdom.  He is pictured here, with one of his exquisitely crafted trim moldings in the entry of my house.

“You know what a master craftsman is, Steve?”, Bernie quipped to me one day while we were working together.  “A master craftsman is not someone who doesn’t make mistakes, but someone who knows how to cover up mistakes.”

What is true in carpentry is so very true in the spiritual realm.  You and I make mistakes.  Lots of them…sins, wrongdoings, selfishness, pride, iniquity, and downright wickedness.  God should punish us for our sinfulness, and for our mistakes.  He should condemn us to eternal hell.

Instead, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17) He took all my sins, all my mistakes, and all my condemnation, removing it from me.  As far as the east is from the west, he has removed my sins from me.  He did that for the sake of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to save me.

The Lord Jesus is the ultimate Master Craftsman.  He fashions righteousness from my sinfulness and beauty where there was nothing but ashes.  He hides away my sin in His own blood.  He makes me, the mistake maker, into a beautiful child of God.  This Craftsman doesn’t pretend that we don’t sin. He cancels out our sin in the suffering and death of Jesus.

Dear Master Craftsman, thank you for making something beautiful out of me.  Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado