He Flew to My Relief

August 3, 2010

I don’t think that it is necessarily wise to say everything that you want to say in a sermon. Some would disagree with me on that issue, but even so, that is where I land. I wanted to say a few more things on Sunday as we were studying Galatians 5:16-26, but thought it wise to restrain myself at that time. But just because I don’t think I can share everything I want to on Sundays doesn’t mean I can’t slip other good stuff in here, so if you’ll indulge me, I’d like to share at least one more thought as a postscript.

As we were walking through the fruit of the Spirit, I wanted to spend a little more time than I did reflecting on how the fruit that the Spirit bears in our lives characterize our great God and Savior. In reflecting on the fruit of goodness, my mind was drawn to the hymn Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned, especially the second verse:

He saw me plunged in deep distress
And flew to my relief;
For me He bore the shameful cross
And carried all my grief.

The Lord Jesus brought us the most unimaginable good by meeting our deepest need. As the One who knows and sees all, he saw that we were plunged in deep distress. We were entangled and ensnared by our sin. He saw that we had no hope in and of ourselves. He saw that we needed relief, and rather than standing far off, rather than watching us sink deeper and deeper into the mire, he flew to our relief. He entered our experience; he walked and lived on the same earth that we do, and bore the shame of men for us by dying on the cross.

There has never been a more glorious and hope-filled display of love and goodness. This day, rejoice in the care that Christ has extended to you in coming to earth, bearing the burden of your sin, dying in your place, rising from the dead, and sending his Spirit into your heart.

Under Blog, Reflections