Perfect

The people of Lystra were overwhelmed. Witnessing miracles performed by Paul and Barnabas, they concluded that these men were gods. Paul and Barnabas tried to stop this reaction, so everyone would know that they were just humans with no special powers in themselves.

But something did make them different. What was it? Their relationship with God, and the power and authority they received as followers of Jesus. They were “just men.” But He was perfect.

His perfection is central to the Gospel. Peter confirmed this, writing that we are redeemed “with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ”

(1 Peter 1:18-19).

Peter and Paul recognized that they were flawed and imperfect. But Jesus was perfect. In fact, the Bible says that each one of us is like a sheep who has gone astray. None of us are “righteous.” Not even one of us.

What makes us special? When we stop trying to fool ourselves into thinking that we are good enough. When we realize that we are flawed. We can’t even say or do the right thing but commits sins every day.

We also are made special when we recognize we need a savior. When we recognize what can happen when we accept Jesus’s finished work for us. When we realize that He was perfect, that anything good in our lives is because of Him.

Today, remember that Jesus was perfect. The spotless Lamb of God, whose blood was shed for you. That imperfect people like you can be forgiven, have peace with God, and receive eternal life.