Unwrapped

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Isaiah 50:6-8

I give my back to the whip, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard. I do not hide from shame—they spit in my face.

Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed; therefore, I have set my face like flint to do his will, and I know that I will triumph. He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to fight against me now? Where are my enemies? Let them appear!

Acts 7:59-60

And as the murderous stones came hurtling at him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” and with that, he died.

Something happened out of the blue recently that hurt me deeply. It was unexpected and unjustified.

As I walked the dog, even though sunny, it was like a heavy cloud and stone weighing me down - perhaps more like taking a huge punch in the solar plexus - I felt winded!

Like all of us, I looked for solace and something to defend myself with. I examined my actions and reactions in the situation to ensure that I wasn't at fault.

Then Jesus led me to the cross and said that His followers must have an "unwrapped heart".

What did that mean?

He showed me that, on the cross, He unwrapped His heart. Of course, He was totally able to defend Himself from all the scorn, humiliation and agony. He had the command of 10,000 angels if He had chosen.

Matthew 26:53

Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?

How, then would salvation have been accomplished?

There is something mysterious about undeserved suffering - something that draws us nearer to the heart of Jesus - the Bible calls it the "fellowship of His Sufferings":

Philippians 3:10

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Perhaps it's when we leave our hearts unwrapped from self defence and become totally vulnerable, that's when the power of the Jesus' resurrection can be known in our lives.

Pause with me and marvel at how the Son of God responded to hatred and scorn throughout His Passion - giving His back to the smiters [those cruel Roman soldiers who took pleasure in flogging Him till His back was ripped open]. He let them spit on Him - pull out his beard - how degrading, humiliating and painful is that? All was foretold in Isaiah.

Yet that very degradation and torture brought us healing and forgiveness.

Who knows what redemption we can bring in people's lives if we leave our hearts unwrapped before them?

If the resurrection power of Jesus can be demonstrated in our vulnerability, then we should draw a deep breath and be glad. My little bit of hurt is nothing in comparison with what Jesus suffered.

Look at Stephen asking that the Lord forgive those that were stoning him to death - miraculous!

Then we read in the first verse of Acts 8 that Paul was there consenting to the stoning.

Who knows what stirred inside Paul as he watched Stephen die?

Perhaps that was a contributory factor in his conversion? Without that we wouldn't have much of the New Testament!

Therefore, I encourage my heart to stay unwrapped before the Lord who stands by me!