I watched a movie this week called, An Ideal Husband. It was a film set in the 1800’s with a charming, English setting, beautiful costumes and rich language. The story had an intriguing plot filled with suspense, wit, and of course, love.
Although there was much to hold my attention, one line of dialogue stood out among the rest. The interaction took place between Sir Robert and Mrs. Cheveley; he was a man of ideals and she was a woman with impure motives. I don’t want to spoil the movie for you so I will get to the point “straight away”… the quote. “Even you are not rich enough to buy back your past, Sir Robert. No man is.”
Well, there is one man… Although, He has no need to buy back his own past. He did buy back mine and He offers to buy back yours. His name is Jesus and He gave His life as a payment for our past…our sin. You’ve probably heard, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” (John 8:7) That’s His quote. He said it a long time ago when some holier than thou, religious people were getting ready to kill someone because of their past. He spoke up for this woman and caused the crowd to take a look at their own sin. “Do not judge others and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:7) Another one of His. The bottom line is, we all have a past and, most likely there are people who know about it and like to remind us of it. You might even remind yourself.. pull out your list of mistakes from time to time.
The good news is, there’s only one person who has the right to bring up your past and to judge you for it. That person, Jesus already paid for a fresh start for you and me. He not only wants to forgive out past but once we accept that forgiveness, He forgets our past. He wants your list. He wants to wad it up and throw it as far as the east is from the west.