Today was the day Tiger Woods gave his public apology for cheating on his wife in 2009. I watched the whole statement, and I was struck by many different emotions...
I tried to evaluate if Tiger was sincere, or sorry he got caught...
I felt sad for his wife and kids...
I felt mad that Tiger had put his family through this...
I felt slightly relieved that Tiger had seemed to "come to his senses" and realize that his actions were wrong. That there is such a thing as wrong actions. (We don't hear that much today in our society).
I was proud of him for admitting his mistakes, and not shifting blame.
But most of all, I was thankful.
Thankful??
Yes, that's what I said. Thankful.
When Tiger addressed the crowd, he made a steady stream of statements all starting with the phrase "I." Tiger took full responsability for his actions, and there was no one to defend him, fight for him, or take up his case at all. He was guilty, and he knew it, and he didn't make excuses. He knew he had done wrong.
As I watched this I thought about Jesus and what he did on the cross for us. If you don't already know, Jesus died on a cross over 2,000 years ago in YOUR place, so that if you choose to accept him today as your Lord and Savior, and live for him, you will be saved from eternal death, or Hell.
Now, we're free to sin. It's our choice. But sin seperates us from God, and though we think we can do things and God doesn't see, we're wrong. He sees. But there's another problem. The Bible says that Satan is constantly accusing us before God, pointing out and reminding God of our sins:
"God, did you see her? Look at what she did. She lied. She's a liar. She doesn't belong in Heaven."
"God, did you see him? He's looking at porn. That's lust. He doesn't want to be with you!"
And on, and on he goes, pointing out all our sins and failures....
BUT JESUS.
Jesus stands in the gap for us- he is constantly pardoning our sins and staying, "It's ok, she's mine. I already paid her price (when I died for her 2,000 years earlier). I paid her ransom." "That guy? He's mine. I paid his price. You can't have him either."
AND SO..........
I know that at the end of the world as we know it, when it's time to look at our actions and be judged, I will stand like Tiger Woods and admit everything I've done wrong. Every person I hurt. Every lie I told. Every lustful thought. Every gossipy word. And none of my friends can stand up for me, deny my actions, or justify them. Me, and everyone else, will know what I have done, and will know that I am guilty. BUT JESUS. I am so thankful for Jesus. You see, I accepted Him as my Savior. (I actually like to call Him my Hero. Hero's save people after all, don't they?) And Jesus saved me. So when it's my turn to get in front of everyone and admit all my sins, all my screw-ups, all my transgressions, Jesus Christ will stand up for me and say - Yes, you did those things, but I paid your price, and you are mine. Well done, good and faithful servant.
I am so thankful for Jesus, and so thankful that he is my advocate before the father. Without Jesus, I don't know where I'd be.
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