Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Rom. 15:7
Lord Jesus, it’s heart-freeing and peace-fueling to begin this day with the assurance of your acceptance. You know everything about us. You know our failures, fickleness, foolishness, and faithlessness; and yet no one loves us more than you do.
Indeed, we’re the self-destructive younger brothers you welcomed home, and the self-righteous elder brothers you constantly pursue (Luke 15). We’re the ones lying at your feet others would stone, and the ones who can take up stones to throw at others. Yet you are gracious and kind with us, Jesus.
We’ve been up in the tree with Zacchaeus, and down in the depths with Peter. We’ve been filled with the self-pity of Jonah, melancholy with the laments of Jeremiah, marked with the doubts of Thomas, and paralyzed with the fears of Timothy, and angry with the people-pain of Paul (2 Tim. 4:13-14).
Yet you’ve done nothing but understand, welcome us, and give us grace upon grace, Jesus. On the eve of Thanksgiving Day, we worship you for such tenacious and irrepressible kindness.
And as you’ve accepted us, you’re calling us to accept, love, and be gentle with others. During this holiday week, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so. Grant us the Spirit’s work and the freedom of the gospel, bigger hearts and thicker skin, Lord. Constantly whisper to our hearts, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal. 5:6). Shout it when you must.
Replace our irritation with intrigue, our self-referential ways with other-centered interest, our criticisms with cherishing, and our self-protection with genuine vulnerability. This isn’t a week (or a life) or fixing anyone, challenging every opinion, or imposing our anything on anyone.
Teach us how to rest in your love, extend your welcome, and celebrate your acceptance this week. So very Amen we pray, Jesus, in your matchless and merciful name.