January 5, 2023

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Every golfer dreams of playing The Masters at Augusta National. This year Scott Stallings received his invitation. But the Scott Stallings who received the invitation was not the professional golfer Scott Stallings, but a regular guy named Scott Stallings, who plays golf like the rest of us – way over par. For a brief moment, this Scott Stallings imagined packing his clubs and showing up at Augusta ready to play! But then he contacted Augusta National, who then invited the professional Scott Stallings.

You have been chosen by God. And it is no mistake. The merits of Jesus’ life and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus’ death have qualified you for perfect righteousness. It is an invitation that can’t be returned or revoked.

“We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him,
and he in us. Amen.” (Prayer of Humble Access – BCP)