Yesterday, we looked at practical negotiation. Today, we’re thinking about the way that God has negotiated the greatest price for us. Think about when Peter meets Jesus after the resurrection in John 21. Not long before this conversation, Peter had disowned Jesus, denying Him three times. But Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross covered everything that Peter had done. Jesus could love him for who he was, and give him the chance to step into who he was made to be. Peter got to tell Jesus that he loved Him three times, negating the times that he’d denied Jesus. Through death on a cross and through the resurrection, God had negotiated Peter’s freedom from the hurtful things that he’d done, allowing him to rebuild his relationship with Jesus. He offers the same to us, every day. As Hebrews 9:14 tells us, ‘He offered himself through the eternal Spirit as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God.’ (NCV). Because of this, God sees us for who we are, even for who we want to be, not for what we’ve done. Thanks to Jesus, we get the chance to stand before God and become everything that we were made to be. We stand worthy and forgiven in the sight of the God who created the universe, and we get to live life alongside Him, hearing from Him and reading His Word. What greater riches or honour could we hope to negotiate than that?

What Now?

Make a note of any mistakes that you’ve been holding on to. Pray about them and thank God that Jesus’ sacrifice means that He doesn’t see them anymore. He sees you with love instead. Tear up or delete the note.