Devotion for April 28
By byFaith Staff

At the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:6-8).

Cathedrals, churches, and museums are filled with iconic images of Jesus. Many seek to draw comfort from these artistic representations of our Savior’s holiness and perfection. But for Christian artist Don Tiemier, the images brought a crisis of faith.

As Tiemier contrasted the depictions of Jesus’ perfections with his own flawed humanity, the artist sank into deep despair. In hopelessness, he concluded that he could never measure up to such holy divinity. 

Peace came later, when the artist came across these words written by a terribly flawed apostle named Paul: Christ died for the ungodly.  

The words brought the artist face to face with Christ who provides hope for those who can never match God’s perfections. Jesus rescued the sinful not the holy. He died for the unrighteous, not the righteous. His grace is not for those who don’t need it, but for the needy – like Tiemier and you and me.

Such gracious provision, not anyone’s personal perfections, is the source of our peace with God and with ourselves. God’s mercy dispels the darkness of despair and ushers in the dawn of peace through the sacrifice of God’s Son for sinners like us.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, dispel the darkness of my despair and usher in the dawn of peace through my personal embrace of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for sinners – like me.

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