The Trespasser... April 12 The Trespasser… …who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:25) “Give us this day our daily bread, toasted close to dawn, and forgive us our trespasses as we shoot those who trespass on our lawn” —Bo Burnham Life in community is always a messy affair filled with intentional and unintentional trespass against one another, even in the community of those trekking after the Serving King. Thus, Jesus instructs His followers to pray, “And forgive us our trespasses, as we have forgiven those who have trespassed against us” (Matthew 6:12), providing a vividly clear reminder that trespassing is simply what we do, even when trekking after the Serving King. But there is a significant difference in our trespassing once on the trail of the Serving King, it is rarely intentional; instead, trespasses are simply a left over residue from old ways of being and doing or well-intentioned behavior unable to accomplish its intended goal. Nonetheless, intentional or not, trespass brings consequences into the life of those transgressed against. So Bo Burnham’s light hearted acknowledgement, “…and forgive us our trespasses as we shoot those who trespass on our lawn.” And so you will be tempted to shoot those who dare to trespass across the broad spectrum that is your life, your lawn. After all, trespassing comes with a consequence, “shoot and ask questions later”. But as you raise the gun to your eye, take aim and prepare to deal appropriately with the trespasser who dared to cross you lawn, the target in your sights startles you, horribly so. It is not the trespasser who looks back at you from the end of your rifle, no it is the Serving King, hanging from His cross, beaten and exhausted, paying the debt of all those who dare to trespass on your lawn. There before you is He “…who was delivered up for our transgressions.” It is He who is daring to trespass on your lawn, but only to remind you the debt for the transgression has already been paid. Put down your gun. You shot Him long ago. But He was “raised for our justification.” Trek on…
Posted on: Sun, 13 Apr 2014 10:54:55 +0000