Measuring Up

Matt. 7:15-23
Psalm 119:57-64

“Many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’” Matthew 7:22

All of us like to hear a word of praise. We want to know we have measured up.

But Jesus knows our measuring stick is too short. We love to measure our own love. We strive to measure our own striving. Our own efforts to measure up will always fail.

Jesus warns that many will hold up their own works as the measure of their lives. For them, the Ruler of the Universe will deliver an unwelcome measurement: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)

We may be tempted to despair: “I have not ever prophesied, or cast out demons, or done mighty works like the hypocrites Jesus mentions. How can I measure up?”

Our answer is always in Christ, who measured up to God’s perfect law. He suffered and died for us on the cross. We are buried with Him in our Baptism. We rise again with Him, measuring up by His perfect life and His all-sufficient death.

Lord, strengthen our trust in Your salvation, won for us when You measured up on the cross. Amen.