Grace is…..

” My past life is abundantly full of God’s mercy, and, above all sin, stands the forgiving love of the Crucified.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

There has been a lot of conversation that I have had with students throughout the short time I have been in full time ministry that have to deal with the idea of the cross. The idea behind it being, no matter what has come into a student’s life, does the cross really:

Forgive it? 

Let it go? 

Accept me? 

Love me? 

It is interesting how aften when you answer; YES, it throws students for a loop. They don’t really know exactly how to respond to the unending love that Cross offers.

It is very humbling to know and read about people like Bonhoeffer that have lived amazing lives for God and even still they see their lives covered by the love and grace of Jesus.

I think that is the key. One of the largest reasons the Cross is so overwhelming is that it is full of Grace. God sent his son to this earth to give grace freely to all who will accept him and his sacrifice on the cross.

Here is what I have come to know and come to a realization about Grace:

Grace is not just an easy and simple “sure, I forgive you.” Grace is much more than ignoring a problem. 

Grace is the overwhelming ability to see a fault and towards tomorrow and forgive whatever the sin. 

Grace is never looking back, it is always looking forward. 

Grace is the Cross. 

When Jesus came to this earth and lived his life in and amongst all the people that most said he shouldn’t be with, he demonstrated Grace. Jesus lived Grace in his life as he looked to the future instead of the past.

John 7:53-8:11 we have this incredible story of how Jesus lived Grace in his life. He was presented in what the religious leaders hoped to be a trap to get Jesus to go against the law. But of course Jesus is able to come with the right answer. But what was even more amazing is what Jesus says to this woman that is now embarrased, humiliated, wishing she was dead(most likely), losing loved ones, losing friends, branded for the rest of her life. Jesus calmly and lovingly looks to her and says:

John 8:10-11

‘ Jesus straightened up and asked her  “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  ” No one, sir,” she said. ” Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. ” Go now and leave your life of sin.” ‘

Imagine that?

You have been dragged through your own home town, people shouting and yelling. Mocking you, calling you names, hurting you. You are thrown in front of someone you don’t know and you watch the crowd begin to pick up stones to throw at you. Then one by one, the stones drop and then this man that you don’t know stands up and gives you the most grace that you could ever imagine receiving. He doesn’t hold anything against you and gives you a hope for the future that you needed.

Grace is about not easy, but it is essential to our well being. 

Grace is not easy but it is essential to our souls. 

Grace is not easy when our pride and ego gets in the way.

Grace is not easy when we think we deserve something in return. 

Grace is not easy when we hold grudges. 

Grace is never looking back but always looking forward. 

We live in a time where Grace doesn’t seem to look forward but what I can hold a grude for. It is a time of bullying and a time of hurting kids.

Grace is an essential to everyone’s lives. Including students.

How do you present Grace to your students?