He burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!” (Gen. 27:34)
A lightning bolt came crashing down, just missing Martin Luther. With a terror-stricken prayer, Luther promised to become a monk if he lived through the thunderstorm. While God brought Luther to safety, as a monk, his terror only grew. Luther tried to earn God’s favor by fasting, praying, studying Scripture, and sleeping on cold cots with no blankets. He denied himself every pleasure, but it was not enough. In fearful agony, Luther realized that he could never be good enough to earn his heavenly Father’s favor. It wasn’t until Luther understood God’s grace that his heart was set free.
In his youth, Esau had scoffed at God’s promise to bless his family. However, after witnessing his father reap a hundred-fold harvest during a famine (see Gen. 26:12–13), Esau realized his mistake. Hoping for a second chance, Esau made his father’s favorite meal. However, when Esau learned Jacob had already stolen his blessing, he cried out in despair. No longer able to earn anything, Esau cried out for grace, “Bless me—me too, my father!” (Gen. 27:34).
Thankfully, our future is not dependent on earning a human blessing. Nor do we have to earn our heavenly Father’s blessing. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and freely gives salvation to all who call upon him. God stands ready to bless those who will humbly receive his grace.
Humbly cry out for God’s gracious blessing.
Tamar Eisenmann and her husband are Wesleyan pastors from Jackson, Michigan. She is a Wesley Seminary doctoral student and a fan of Transformers, her kids, and Jesus.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
