If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life (Rom. 5:10).

My grandfather was a tough-talking, chain-smoking manager of a dime store who was hard to get to know. Once, when we were at his house, I found an old wooden top to play with – until my older brothers took it from me.

I don’t remember how I objected, but it was loud, causing a disturbed grandfather to point at me and order, “You, come with me.”

Scared, and not knowing what was going to happen, I followed him into the basement. There he presented me with his own fishing-tackle box. It was one of the last interactions I would ever have with him. I did not know it then, but he was dying.

His dying gift I have kept to this day. The reason is not because the tackle box was particularly valuable, but because that dying gift closed the distance between me and my grandfather. Because he provided what the child, who was “pitching a fit,” could neither earn or deserve, I have treasured the gift of his love.

That’s the nature and the consequence of God’s grace. Jesus’ dying gift closed the distance between us and God, reconciling us so that we would treasure his love and live for him!

Prayer:
Father, even though I deserved nothing, you reconciled me to yourself through the death of your Son. You closed the distance between us. May that reality motivate me to walk closely with you today.