Have you ever wondered why grace is mentioned in the beginning and end of several of the New Testament books? They state, “Grace be with you.” The purpose of this writing is to delve deeper into the meaning of grace. What is this thing called “grace”?
Okay, I’m more of a visual person. Don’t explain to me how to get somewhere, just draw me a map, please. So I am going write up a word picture that I believe describes one facet of grace.
Imagine with me now.
You are a slave. Working hard labor for your master in return for meager food portions and a cardboard shelter for your home. Your master absolutely has no feeling for your well-being. You are only a tool amongst many tools and are utterly disposable. Cleanliness is not a priority on the master’s agenda. The health conditions are horrendous. One day while working hard labor, you tripped over a brick in your path and fell hard to the ground, breaking your arm in the process. The pain was unbelievable. You just writhed on the ground in agonizing pain.
The master came to look over at what the fuss was all about and immediately determined the cause of action needed. He told his foreman, “Send this slave to the Death Ship. I have no use for him now. He never was much good for me anyway.”
The Death Ship is an ocean faring vessel where masters sentenced their slaves to death when they are displeased with them. Once the slaves enter the ship, a large stone is tied to their leg. After the ship goes out aways into the ocean, each slave is then thrown overboard to his death.
Well, it was the slave’s time to be overthrown into the depths of the ocean, there was no escape. This was the end. The sailors on the Death Ship cast the slave overboard and he sunk fast as the large stone dragged him towards the bottom of the ocean. The slave wasn’t much of a religious man, but he said a little prayer to God. He said, “I am but a meager slave with no right to ask you anything. But if you save me, I will serve you whole-heartedly to the very end. Amen.”
In that very instance, the slave saw a light coming toward him through the water. As this light approached him, he saw a man-like image glowing with glory, strong and beautiful, shimmering in the ocean water. The glorious being spoke to the slave and said, “Do not be afraid. I will save you for my name is Jesus.”
And Jesus cut the rope tied to the slave’s leg and put his arm around him and they swam to the surface. Jesus asked the slave, “What’s your name?” The slave responded, “They call me, Brian.”
Then Jesus told Brian, “I have a place for you to stay. It’s near me and all you need to do is ask if you need anything. There is clean water to bathe and drink as well as plentiful gardens to provide you nourishment. But I have a task that I need to do for me, the task requires you to feed my sheep. Can you do that?”
Well, Brian was overwhelmed by being rescued from the dark depths of the ocean. He said, “Of course, I will feed your sheep. But tell me, why in the world, did you save me?” And Jesus looked him in straight in the eyes and said, “Because I love you. I knew you before the world even existed and I will love you throughout all eternity. It has absolutely nothing to do with what you did except for the fact that you repented from your sin, and I then transformed your heart for you were filthy. You were dirty. But you were born a slave, you couldn’t in your own power change your own heart. So when you called to me, I was able to make you clean; inside and out. Indeed, you are truly clean now. You are no longer a slave to sin. It has no power over you but you will have a spirit of power, love and self-control. And I will always be with you to the ends of the age. Go and sin no more!”
That’s what grace is like.
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