Hosea

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I just got done listening to a podcast of a sermon on Hosea from my brother and sister’s church. If you are not familiar with the story of Hosea, please go here, and be prepared, because it is gut-wrenching. For now, I won’t go into depth about the story but to say it is speaking straight to my heart. I think if we’re all honest with ourselves we can find ourselves deep within the life of Gomer. Why she would seek satisfaction and fulfillness outside of her husband is almost silly when you read the story. You read it from the outside and think, ‘Come on, Gomer. Get with the program. You’ve got the best life with your husband, Hosea!’ But when I start to look at my own life and how I so casually let my heart wander to things of this world that will never fill me like my God does, it begins to resonate a little more clearly. Why would I let anything but my Husband (that being God, my friends) fulfill me and satisfy me? He is all I need in this life. He is my home, my stronghold, my everything.

I think of this beautiful image of Hosea buying his wife back: I picture him moving through the crowd, throwing up his auction paddle for the highest price. “She’s mine,” he says. And stepping up to the block, he scoops his wife into his arms and takes her back to where she belongs. She is home. The name Hosea means salvation. Folks, Jesus is our salvation. He begs to lead us off the auction block. My friends, He has bought us for a price, that is His life.

Pardon me if I am somewhat scattered in this. It’s just that today I have felt refreshed in the reality that Jesus gave His life for me. In this sermon, the speaker notes this verse: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Now I have always read this with the emphasis on Christ died for us, which is no doubt, awesome. But today, the word still jumps at me. It’s not just that Christ gave up his life after we came and repented. For it is easy to love when you are loved back. But no. Christ died for us while we were still sinning. What kind of love is that? I can hardly wrap my brain around it. But I believe with my whole heart that that is the love of the God that I serve.

Be blessed, my friends.