SEARCHLIGHT
What would make you think that God wants you to die?
SCRIPTURE
“Son of Man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying, ‘Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?’ Say to them,
‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’” Ezekiel 33:10,11 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
The story is about a judge who had to make the most unwanted ruling in his courtroom. One day, as he was facing one criminal after another, suddenly he was confronted by having to face his own son. The young man was charged for a very serious crime. The judge grieved as he looked at his child who had been raised to honor and obey the laws of the land. The young man had violated the principles which had been instilled in him as he grew up. Tears appeared in the judge’s eyes as the evidence was presented. People in the courtroom wondered how the judge would rule. There was no doubt his son was guilty. Would the judge be lenient and give him a reprimand as an act of mercy? Or would the minimum penalty become the ruling? Surprisingly, the judge handed down the maximum fine which upheld the law. The son was in shock for he had not received any special favor because of who he was. He knew he could not pay the fine. Now he faced imprisonment.
Suddenly the court was in shock as the judge stood up, left the bench, took off his robe and walked over to stand beside his son. He told his son how much he loved him and then proceeded to pay the money for his son’s crime out of his own pocket. Everyone realized what had happened. Behind the bench, he had to be the judge. The crime was real. He had honored the law. Stepping down from the seat of justice and standing beside the guilty party, he was now expressing, as the father, how much he loved his son. Until that moment, the son had never known the father’s depth of commitment to the laws of the land. Neither had he known the depth of love his father had for him. Overwhelmed by all of this, the son fully admitted his guilt and sought forgiveness for his crime from those who had been hurt and from his father who had just expressed such love and mercy.
This allegory helps us to understand today’s Scripture focus. There are 3 things we learn about the nature of God.
- God takes no pleasure in sinners dying in their sin. He does not want to judge people for their sinful living. In today’s Scripture focus, this is very clear for it points out that God never delights in punishment. But previously, God had already declared this truth when He pointedly asked, “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” [Ezekiel 18:23 NIV] Later and in the same chapter, God said, “Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” [Ezekiel 18:31,32 NIV]
Jesus Christ, the living God, wept over the sins of Jerusalem as He rode on a colt into that city just before His crucifixion. Why? God’s chosen people were rejecting the Messiah. Jesus’ heart filled with tears as He knew that judgment was coming. [Luke 19:41-44] He was taking no pleasure in the people of Jerusalem dying because of their sin.
God cannot be blamed for the consequences of sin. People choose to depart from living by God’s laws and principles. God is grieved but must uphold what is right. Paul clearly underscored this truth when he wrote, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 3:23 NIV] People have a choice. They can refuse to collect their death wages by choosing to take God’s gift, Jesus Christ, as their Savior and Lord. There is no God like the One true living God who delights to show mercy by pardoning sin and completely forgiving. [Micah 7:18]
If you are not yet a born-again believer, God’s heart is filled with tears over you. You have fallen short of God’s standards. He longs for you to repent rather than perish!
- God takes great pleasure in sinners repenting of their sin. Why? Because God is merciful. When writing his epistle, Peter said, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” [2 Peter 3:9 NIV] He takes no delight in judging sinners. Why do you think God gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sin of all people.
Upholding what is right and true comes with a cost to God. He sacrifices His Son. God readily shows mercy. [Lamentations 3:22,23 NIV]
- God is always inviting sinners to become saints. He wants sinners to turn to Him and really God does not want them to go on with this life and then eternally die. In today’s Scripture focus, this is very clear. But previously, God had declared this truth when He said, “…I will judge each of you according to your ways, declares the sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit.” [Ezekiel 18:30-32a NIV] The prophet Daniel wrote, “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;” [Daniel 9:9 NIV]
You and I are like the son whose punishment was paid for by his father, who was the judge.
GOD DOES NOT WANT YOU TO DIE BUT LIVE! Are you overwhelmed by how much God, your heavenly Father, wants you to live forever instead of dying? Have you admitted your guilt for living without concern for God or His ways? Do you realize your personal need for God’s mercy? Have you asked Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sin and committed your life to following Him?
SOMETHING TO DO
GOD DOES NOT WANT YOU TO DIE BUT LIVE! If you are not yet a born-again believer, take this time to pray the A.B.C salvation prayer:
A dmit that you are a sinner,
B elieve Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from your sin,
C onfess your need of Jesus Christ to Him in prayer
D evote yourself to follow Jesus for the rest of your life.
If you are a born-again believer, rejoice, give thanks and praise God for His love and mercy! Some day you will pass from this life through heaven’s eternal door and meet Jesus face-to-face.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for not wanting me to die but instead to live now, live here on earth and live forever with You in heaven. You took no pleasure in me being destined to die to the point that You gave your Son to become my Savior. I devote my life to follow and live for You. AMEN