While traveling 10 hours from
Tenwek (home-home) to Kampala (home) last week we were intermittently amused
and dismayed at some of the “matatu philosophy” displayed on the back windows
of the taxi vans (matatu—pronounced “mah-tah-too”).Proclamations such as,
“Redemption,” “Repent!” and “Behold the Lamb of God” directed our thoughts to
Lent.
The “matatu philosophy”
statements remind us of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Our redemption came
at great cost, given to us as a great gift. Ephesians 1:7—8a tells us, “In Him
we have redemption through His blood [His
great sacrifice], the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the
riches of His grace which He lavished on us [His
great gift to us].”
No matter how casually one may
proclaim on a matatu or read thereon, Christ’s grace, lavished on us is not
cheap. The grace through which we have redemption and forgiveness of our
trespasses (sins) is not cheap. His shedding of His own blood was not a casual
act. He deliberately chose to allow Himself to suffer, lose blood and die so
that we might “be made alive together with Christ. This He did, being rich in
mercy because of His great love with which He loved us.” (Ephesians 2:4-5b)
While living next to and working
in a hospital for decades we saw many trauma patients (many from accidents
involving matatu). We helped many people who lost a lot of blood. None of them
chose to shed their blood. Remembering those injured patients guides us into a
greater understanding of what Christ chose to do for us. This is Lent.
Grace. What a costly gift Christ
chose to give. We choose to receive this gift. Now it is up to us to steward it
well. And as we do, we notice something…the gift-value increases significantly
as it is shared with others.
“Matatu philosophy” may not be the
best way to increase the value of this gift, but it does remind those of us who
have accepted the gift to steward it well. Grace is not cheap.
