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Key Bible Verse: God had mercy on me. … as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:16). Bonus Reading:John 20:11–18

In the movie Saving Private Ryan, a turning point comes when Captain Miller and his band of soldiers find Private Ryan. Since Ryan's three brothers have already died in action, the unit is charged with finding him and bringing him safely from the front to be sent home. But Ryan doesn't want to return. His fellow soldiers, he argues, have suffered losses and need him.

Then one of Captain Miller's soldiers says to Ryan, "Two of us died buyin' you this ticket home."

Staggered, Ryan asks, "What were their names?"

"Wade and Caparzo," the soldier answers.

Ryan repeats them quietly, then says to Miller, "Sir, this doesn't make any sense. What have I done to deserve special treatment?"

Similarly, on the first Easter, the lights go on for Mary Magadalene when she hears her name from the lips of Jesus (John 20:16). Until then there are only tears, bewilderment, and disappointment. After Mary hears her name, she grasps the truth of His resurrection.

Jesus didn't die for some nebulous throng of indistinguishable souls—He died for us and searched us out as individuals with names. With Private Ryan, we say, "What have I done to deserve special treatment?" But with Mary Magdalene, we say, "I have seen the Lord!"

—Harry Heintz in Leadership Devotions

My Response: I'll thank God that, incredibly, He's singled me out for rescue.

Thought to Apply: God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.
—Augustine of Hippo (church leader, 4th century)

Adapted from: Leadership Devotions (Tyndale, 2001).

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Thank you, Jesus, for dying in my place, so that the Father could pardon a rebel like me.

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