We remember before our God and Father “your work of faith, labor of love, and enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thess.1:3)
Lord Jesus, it’s Labor Day in the USA—what’s not to like? It’s a “legal” holiday, college football (sorry UK friends!) season is now underway, and a chance to be grateful for the gifts of work and vocation—even though our jobs aren’t always easy. However, we can’t think of “work and vocation” without referencing your grace-work on our behalf, Jesus.
The words “labor and delivery” often go together, and your labor on our behalf has brought about the ultimate deliverance. Everything changed with your declaration from the cross, “It is finished!” It’s why you came into the world—to give your life as “a ransom for the many.”
How “many” is “many”? Your bride is as countless as cherished. Heaven’s math describes her quantity in terms of stars, sand, and dust (Gen.22:17, Gen.13:16); and her identity representing “every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev.7;9). Your love is that great, Jesus. Your grace is that powerful. The Gospel is that glorious.
When you died, death died, and performance-based-spirituality took an eternal beatdown. Works righteousness, legalism, and heaven-by-merit were exposed as graceless frauds. The “work of faith, labor of love, and enduring hope” now mark our lives, and give you glory. We obey you, Jesus, because we love you—not to get anything from you.
Should we get any rewards when you return, Jesus, we won’t need a neck brace to wear our stacked up “crowns,” just a nanosecond to throw them at your feet (Rev.4:10-11). What a Savior you are. What a stunning salvation you have earned for us. We are grateful, and that’s a major understatement. So Very Amen.