As she sang the National Anthem in front of 19,980 fans before a Portland
Trailblazer basketball game on April 25, 2003, thirteen-year-old Natalie Gilbert
had the unthinkable happen – she forgot the words!* The words were supposed to
have been projected on the screen at the auditorium, but they were not. In
complete embarrassment, she turned to look at her parents who were behind her,
and FROZE in terror...
As the music continued, six-foot, six-inch tall Maurice Cheeks, former NBA star
and current Trailblazer coach, walked from the bench to Gilbert, put his arm
around her, and began to sing with her. The coach – who is no great singer –
sang along with Gilbert, who was so shaken by her mishap that she, too, was not
singing very well. The coach motioned with his hands to the crowd, and the fans
in the arena began to join in singing the National Anthem. Throughout the
remainder of the song, the coach sang off key standing next to Gilbert with his
arm placed tenderly about her shoulders to support her. When the song was over
the shaken-but-relieved teenager looked up at the coach and with a heart filled
with overwhelming gratitude said, “Thank you.”
Despite our best efforts, like Gilbert, WE stumble and fall... We “sin and fall
short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The consequences of sin, however, are
much worse than being embarrassed in front of almost 20,000 people, “for the
wages of sin is DEATH” (Romans 6:23), separation from God for an eternity!
However, in a manner far greater than the wonderful example of Coach Cheeks,
Jesus did more than come “to our side”; He TOOK OUR PLACE! He “bore our sins in
His own body” on the cross (1 Peter 2:24), to cover our sins with His own BLOOD,
that we might be saved from our sins.
If we will place our faith in Him (Acts 16:31), repent of our sins (Acts
17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be immersed in His name
(Acts 2:38), then He covers OUR sins with the payment of HIS shed blood. The
response of those who trust AND obey Him will be heartfelt gratitude,
demonstrated by a life of faithfulness before Him (1 John 1:7).
Gilbert said, “What was one of the most horrible moments of my life turned into
one of the most wonderful.” Even so, Jesus, through His plan of salvation, can
cleanse us from the most horrible condition of man: SIN.
He has come to your side, wanting to bear the debt of your sin. Will you allow
Him to assist you by being YOUR sin-bearer?
God bless you.
David A. Sargent, creekwood@comcast.net
http://www.creekwoodcc.org/LivingWaterArchive.htm
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