FROM SHAME TO HONOR

Ishmel and his wife from an Afghan village eagerly awaits the birth of their fourth son.The rejoiced when he arrived.
As much as they loved their new baby, Ishmael made a painful choice. He gave his new baby-boy to a neighbor who had no sons.
Now, you must understand that in Afghan culture, only male children carry on the family identity. Shame covered every man who had no male off-spring. Ishmael's gift lifted the shame from his neighbor's home.
     A father giving away a beloved son is beyond our understanding. Yet that is precisely what God did for us. Humanity's sinfulness covered us in shame by Jehovah's holy standards. We could do nothing about it!
John 3:16 captures the essence of the gospel: Motivated by His love for us, God gave up His one and only Son, who died to set humanity free from the bondage of our sin and shame.
I stand with you on the resurrection of Jesus Christ today and pray that we begin to appreciate and honor the unconditional love God has for us.
Happy Easter my friends.