drunk

CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Max Lucado Celebrates “Golden Anniversary of God’s Great Grace” in His Life with “Tetelestai!” Tattoo Translated “It is Finished” Meaning “Paid in Full” [#Tetelestai #ItIsFinished #PaidInFull #MaxLucado]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIl7gTSuvLE/
Source: Max Lucado Instagram Account, @maxlucado

I’m celebrating the golden anniversary of God’s great grace in my life. 50 years ago this spring, grace found me. My testimony is interwoven with my favorite word in the Bible. On the cross Christ proclaimed, “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30) In Greek- “Tetelestai!” Among the meanings of this word is, “paid in full”.

This was the message that changed my life.

I was a 20-year old scoundrel, a bum, a train off the tracks. My priority was six-packs; not the kind that come from crunches, but from Coors.

Friends, I was a mess. Not only was I drunk, I was a racist, a misogynist, a brawler, and a schemer. Worst of all, I was a hypocrite.

I wondered, honestly wondered, could Christ forgive a jerk like me?

On a spring evening in 1975, I heard a preacher describe a grace that is greater than sin. On the cross Christ paid my debt. It is paid- paid in full.

I said “yes”.

That was 50 years ago. In the intervening half century, I have failed Jesus many times, but he has never failed me.

To commemorate this anniversary, I got a tattoo. Tetelestai- It is finished.

Not everyone likes the idea of a 70-year-old pastor getting a tattoo. That’s ok. I didn’t do it for people, I did it to say thank you to Jesus who paid a debt I could not pay.

Do you know this grace?

I could care less if this truth is tattooed on your skin, but I care deeply that it be tattooed on your heart. My Good Friday prayer is simple: May Christ grant you what He has given me- grace upon grace.

I shared more of this story in my sermon last week at Oak Hills Church and invite you to watch the complete message, titled “The Miracle of Salvation,” at https://oakhillschurch.com/watch.

MAX LUCADO CELEBRATES GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF GOD’S GREAT GRACE IN HIS LIFE WITH “TETELESTAI!” TATTOO | Christian Breaking News!