Daily Devotional for November 2, 2018
Behind the Mask
When two strange-looking people appeared in the doorway of the living room, three-year-old Asher quickly jumped up from where he was sitting on the floor and ran behind Mom’s chair. One of the newcomers laughed. “Come here, Asher,” said a familiar voice. “Don’t you like the way we look?”
Asher peeked out but stayed where he was. He certainly did not like the way these people looked! They were dressed funny and had masks over their faces. One looked like a giant green monster. The other wore shiny black clothes and had long blonde hair.
Mom laughed. “You guys did a good job on your costumes for the party tonight. Take off your masks so Asher can see who you are.”
The masks came off, and Asher saw his brother, Cameron, and…was that his sister, Macey? She reached up and peeled off a blond wig. “Do you recognize me now, Asher?” she asked, running a hand through her short red hair.
Before long, Asher was also trying on the masks and wig and laughing as he looked at himself in the mirror.
“I can’t wait for the party tonight!” Macey said. “I’m excited to see everyone’s costumes. I’m not telling anyone what I’m wearing. I’m going to see how long I can fool everybody.”
Dad smiled. “I’m glad you’re having fun with this. But your costume reminds me of how important it is not to wear a mask every day.”
“Who would do that?” asked Cameron.
“Well, in a way, any one of us can,” Dad replied. “We can try to look like something we’re not. For example, if we go to church, give money to charities, and do lots of other good things, we may be able to fool others into thinking we’re Christians. But God knows who we really are. He sees the sin and shame we’re trying to hide behind the mask.”
“That’s why He sent Jesus to die for us,” Macey said.
“That’s right,” said Dad. “Jesus removes our sin and gives us His goodness. He fills our hearts with the Holy Spirit so we can follow and obey Him. To be true Christians, we need to take off our masks and trust in Jesus.” – Hazel Marett
How about you?
Do you wear a mask—not just to costume parties, but every day? Do you go to church and try to live a good life so others will think you’re a Christian? You may be able to fool other people, but you can’t fool God. He sees what’s hiding in your heart. Take off the mask and trust Him to save you from sin and make you a true Christian. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)
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