Mercy Bomb -- "In light of the cross we can be sure that the Fire does not consume us; it only consumes that which keeps us from being who God wants us to be." - Darrel Johnson - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 pushed me to hear afresh John the Baptist's proclamation to Peter and Andrew while they followed Jesus at a distance on a road -- "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).  

As I beheld the Lamb of God in chapter 3 (the one who washes His disciples’ feet with his garments in degrading humility and then washes away the sin of the world in His blood in absolute degrading humility) I felt an intense welling up within me of heart thumping wonder and "Jesus, I DON'T DESERVE THAT!!!!!!" gratitude. 

 I am reminded by the chapter that Christ's gospel redeems with unstoppable, cosmic shattering power.  His love poured out is fiery, white hot mercy that melts hearts and spurs motives and actions that can change any population (like for example a population of students. :)) 

His love poured out can move (and groove) a population from self-possessed, withdrawn pride to an uninhibited dance of sacrificial kindness and ecstatic joy.  I am left by Chapter 3 astounded and punch drunk from the soul-pounding amazing kindness and faithfulness of Christ.  Through chapter 3 I am hearing afresh another proclamation from John the Baptist in John 3:30 - "He must become greater, I must become less."