Daily Devotional for Tuesday, January 23

The Return

“And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place,” 2 Samuel 19:39.

I often think about the thief on the cross. I have no doubt that he is in the presence of Jesus now, enjoying eternal life, waiting for the resurrection, but wow, he almost missed Heaven. And he did not deserve it. He was a criminal up until his death. And even in his last few hours, he had been mocking Jesus. But as he hung there dying, he saw that the man to his side was not like himself.

Forgiveness is never really fair. As David returned to Jerusalem after fleeing from Absalom and his armies, he encountered three different people who represented three different groups. First, there was Shimei. Shimei had openly mocked David and had openly cursed him as he left Jerusalem originally. Shimei came before David now seeking to avoid being killed, and David forgave him. Next came Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth’s loyalty had come into question because of the lies of another man. His true intentions were never discovered, and David accepted him. Finally, Barzillai greeted David. Barzillai had been a faithful ally, and David welcomed him heartily. As we read this, we expect for Barzillai to be welcomed, and we admire David’s benevolence toward Mephibosheth. But it makes little sense for Shimei to be forgiven. Yet he was.

David’s attitude here illustrates for us God’s attitude toward the sinner who turns to Him. None are worthy, but His forgiveness springs from His own goodness and the work of Jesus on the cross. We should be shocked at the thief on the cross, but no less shocked at the work of Jesus in our own lives.

REFLECTION
Our forgiveness from God is never based on our deserving it; it is always based on the merit of Jesus Christ.

Jason Rutherford