Holy Spirit, Pow’r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
In Thy mercy pity me,
From sin’s bondage set me free.
Holy Spirit, Light Divine (1817)
By: Andrew Reed, (1787-1862)
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Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We began our journey of resonance toward Pentecost with this lessor known hymn last week. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the early followers of Jesus Christ. Like them, He empowers us to live a guilt-free life. Let’s think about this.
The “Man”, and the Best Samaritan
The image above evokes the sense of pity for the need of the one being carried. If you are familiar with the parable of The Good Samaritan, it probably conjures recollections of Jesus’ teaching on loving our neighbors, that is anyone who has a need. [Luke 10:25-37] Jesus teaches that we should show mercy, by affirming the actions of the Samaritan.
When you see that image, when you think of that image, in what role do you normally see yourself. Obviously, the context of Jesus teaching asks us to continually consider what kind of neighbor we are being, so your inclination may be to see yourself as the Samaritan, ever hoping to aspire to the example Jesus set forth in this teaching about the “Good” Samaritan. The concept is so prevalent that this term is used, even among people who have no idea this way of living, to which many aspire was taught by our Lord.
For today’s purposes though I to ask you to see yourself as a different character in the story. I want you see yourself as the one being carried, in Luke he is simply referred to as “a man”, though the other characters have recognizable stations in life. This generalization hopefully allows you to see yourself as simply one in need of help or mercy.
You have no greater need than to be delivered from the consequences of sin, immediate and ultimate. There is no better “Samaritan” than our Lord. The unnamed figure in the story was accosted by robbers, and I would argue your sin has left you feeling the same way at some point. Defenseless, beaten, robbed, and left for dead.
In Thy mercy pity me,
I have often wondered if the victim in the parable had brought this on themself in some way. I have likewise wondered if they were even able to ask for help. But it is little consequence really, because the result is a helpless scenario where one capable of showing mercy intervenes.
So I wonder what has assaulted you? What sin has come and overwhelmed you? Beaten and robbed you? Left you for dead? Whether it was yours or someone else’s, Jesus pitied you before you could even ask. Asking in this context simply appropriates the mercy already available.
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5 ESV
RESONATE!
The power of the Holy Spirit is ready to help you anytime you ask. Where do you need His pity, His sorrow over your misfortune? Ask Him to search you and reveal any areas where you might not even realize you need it, and then as He does confess them. He desires to wash and renew you. Marvel in that mercy again today. Take some time to let Him do that in you today.
The Robbers
There is one more character I would like you to consider today. The robbers. Those terrible people who came and committed the beating and robbing of our unnamed traveler. We do not normally give them much thought.
Imagine for a moment what they deserve. Certainly punishment of some kind. Had they been caught at the time Jesus told the story, that punishment would likely have been far worse than today. But let us just consider their punishment in our context. Probably jail, until trial. Once convicted possibly prison for theft, and attempted manslaughter. I mean these are horrible people, right?
They deserve to pay for the wrongs they had done. They possibly would have been shackled with the consequences of their actions for quite some time. And that would be just.
But imagine for a moment, the unnamed character showing up at the sentencing and pleading for mercy. Having received mercy himself from the Samaritan, it changed his life and he asks the charges be dropped, and the punishment reduced to time served. It would be a shocking turn of events, right? And unmerited demonstration of mercy.
Kind of like what you have received from the Best Samaritan.
From sin’s bondage set me free.
Yes, that’s right. You are one of the robbers. But you already knew that, even if you have never admitted it. You have been set free from far more than any court of law could sentence you. You are free from the punishment of the law of sin and death. Thanks be to the Spirit of life.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 ESV
RESONATE!
You have been set free, so walk in that freedom. You were a robber, but now you are a child of God. All thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Ask Him to help you live in the power of that miracle every moment of every day. Then give Him thanks that doing so is available as you simply yield your life to Him.
Jesus, thank You for setting me free from the bondage of sin. I was helpless to escape but in Your mercy you had pity on me. I am and will be forever grateful for that kindness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Liberated Thinking!
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Podcast 17.2 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Holy Spirit, Pow’r divine
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
Power. Who does not want more of that? But to what end? Though the rest of this stanza puts the focus squarely on the Spirit’s power to deliver us from the influence of sin in our lives, this Scripture applies that power to our witness for Christ. Before we consider their connection, first thank Him for His power.
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV
How kind of God to give us this promise so that we may ask for His cleansing with confidence knowing He will grant it. This also pours confidence into our witnessing because we can assure those with whom we testify that God desires to forgive them. Praise God for His faithfulness and His forgiveness.
In Thy mercy pity me,
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5 ESV
“Not because of what I’ve done, but because of Who You are.” That line from an old Casting Crowns song plainly reveals the nature of God and His mercy. We do not get what we deserve because of His mercy. Thank God for His mercy, and the renewal in the Spirit it affords.
From sin’s bondage set me free.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 ESV
We pray this once and it is accomplished, but we pray it again to acknowledge our need to walk in the reality of it. In Christ, the Spirit has set us free from sin’s bondage, but we sometimes act as though we are still captive. Ask the Spirit to help you walk in this reality today and every day.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
Holy Spirit, Pow’r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
In Thy mercy pity me,
From sin’s bondage set me free.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
The post Where Do You See Yourself in the Story? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Pity Me – https://pixabay.com/photos/window-church-window-3616886/
Sin’s Bondage – https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-faust-violent-ward-victory-749676/
I don’t understand it, but, it’s as if you just looked through the window of my life and what I’ve been fighting with for the last several months.
The Spirit is the One that sees all, and loves us anyway! I pray my words lead you to reflections of our King that usher His power into your life today. Thanks for sharing.