Sit In - Martin Wiles

But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Hebrews 10:12 NLT

He pulled up a chair, sat beside me, and raised his left arm in the air.

Our church hosted its first Craft Fair. A fair number of vendors signed up, set up, and enjoyed interacting with customers—along with selling them products. I sat at a table near the entrance hosting my first book signing. As my wife talked with the various vendors, a gentleman from our church took her seat beside me, raised his left arm, and smiled.

“What are you doing,” I—along with others who stopped by, asked.

“Sitting in for your wife,” he responded.

My wife had had carpal tunnel surgery the day before and was supposed to be sitting with her arm elevated. She wasn’t being a good patient, so our friend decided he’d show her how a sit-in was supposed to be done.

Though no more than a child and middle-school-aged lad in the 1960’s, I remember another type of sit-in. The kind where minority groups—whose rights were being violated by governmental laws and societal traditions, sat in various stores and other locations. Had I chose to sit with them—or sit in their place, I would have faced the same retaliation they did.

The writer introduces another type of sit-in—one that also had consequences but wonderful results. This sit-in occurred after Jesus died on the cross, was resurrected from the grave, and then ascended back into heaven.

Jesus sat in my place as my friend did for my wife—but with a big difference. His sitting in her for her had no effect on the swelling in her arm. She was still walking around with it dangling in the wrong direction. Jesus’ sitting in my place has the potential to alter my life’s current situation and eternal state. His sit-in was substitutionary—which means He took my place.

If I choose, I can avoid having to pay for my sins and being eternally separated from God. I can be released from condemnation and live with confidence, peace, and joy. But I must accept the effects of His sit-in by confessing my sins, putting my trust in Him, and claiming Him as my Savior.

Don’t try to sit in for yourself. Accept the sit-in Christ made for you.

Prayer: Father, thank You for allowing Your Son to sit in on our behalf. 

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