A good friend of mine had a car crash about 18 months ago. Ever since then the case has been hanging over her as the legal teams involved sought to establish blame and settle the insurance. Last week, the case finally went to court. She was found guilty – even though it was probably only half her fault. If ANY of her fault.
Her reaction was quite amazing.
She was pleased.

I think part of her feelings were due to relief. But part of it was that she could see what ‘blame’ would do to the other lady involved. This woman looked as though she had had a very tough life. The years had not been kind to her and it showed in the lines on her face and the sense of gloom over her. My friend felt overwhelming empathy for her and decided to take all the blame, not part of it.

She was described afterwards by her solicitor as being a “really rubbish defendant.” I agree, but I also I think she was incredibly Christlike in her response. She looked beyond the situation, and, rather than giving the woman the blame and consequences she (may have) deserved, chose to take away all of it and bear it herself.

Jesus was without sin and yet He carried yours and mine. Not because He had to, but because He could see what it would do to us. He willingly laid down His own comfort and reputation and chose to give me freedom which I DID NOT and COULD NEVER deserve or earn.

In some ways, he too was a rubbish defendant. He did not stand up for Himself. Instead He stood up for me. And You.

Aren’t you glad today that Jesus chose this path?
Well done to my friend for being so like Him. This is one of the many reasons why I love her and why she is such a wonderful example of what it means to follow Christ.

Comfort and reputation on earth mean very little when you are obeying the principles of heaven. A great cloud of witnesses cheers us on whenever we chose to take up our cross for the sake of Christ. May God bless you as you seek to do this today.