When coming upon a crime scene, one usually sees crime scene tape stretched around the area being investigated. This barrier is guarded and unauthorized people are kept out so the evidence relating to the crime will not become contaminated while a determination is made regarding what took place. Once the investigation is complete, the crime scene tape is taken down and activity in the area is allowed to resume.
Picture the area of the cross on which Jesus died. Might we consider it a “crime scene”? Was it not there that an innocent man had been put to death? Where would the crime scene tape have been stretched? Would it have merely been around the cross on which Jesus was crucified? Though the two thieves were put to death being rightly convicted for their crimes, would the tape have stretched around those two crosses as well? Would the crime scene tape have stretched around the whole hill on which the crucifixions occurred because of the mocking that took place there that day? Or would it perhaps have stretched around the entire city of Jerusalem since Jesus had been falsely accused and flogged and ill-treated through the night following His arrest?
When Jesus’ authority was questioned, He declared. . .
“(42) But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” (John 5:42 ESV)
And as the opposition of the leadership grew against Him, Jesus also stated. . .
“(37) I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.” (John 8:37 ESV)
That is where the crime scene tape would have been properly placed; around their hearts! That is where the crimes against the Lord had begun? Due to hardheartedness — no matter how right the teaching or how powerful the signs displayed by Jesus — they just would not believe. They were guilty in their hearts before God!
Even for us, that is where our crimes against God have occurred. What goes on within us — in the heart — is to always be given serious consideration. Let us remember when addressing the idea of murder, Jesus approached it from the standpoint of the anger one might have toward another. (Matthew 5:22) John even called one who hates his brother a murderer. (1 John 3:15) Jesus also noted how lustful thoughts are like the act of adultery being committed in the heart. (Matthew 5:28) Perhaps this reveals how guilty our heart can be and therefore how much we need the atoning blood of Jesus and a continual surrender to God’s Will.
One of the psalmists wrote. . .
“(10) With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! (11) I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:10-11 ESV)
May that remain our whole hearted desire! Allowing our heart, mind, and life to be filled with God’s Word, is the best way to reduce the crime in the vicinity of our life. As we surrender to the Will of God, let us praise Him for the blood of Jesus which allows the crime scene tape around our heart to come down.
Have a great day WITH THE HEART’S SCENE CLEARED BY CHRIST!
Carl
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