Sermon Illustrations
Jesus, Our Stunt Double
Actor Kevin Bacon recounted when his 6-year-old son saw Footloose for the first time:
He said, "Hey, Dad, you know that thing in the movie where you swing from the rafters of that building? That's really cool, how did you do that?"
I said, "Well, I didn't do that part--it was a stunt man."
"What's a stunt man?" he asked.
"That's someone who dresses like me and does things I can't do."
"Oh," he replied and walked out of the room looking a little confused.
A little later he said, "Hey, Dad, you know that thing in the movie where you spin around on that gym bar and land on your feet? How did you do that?"
I said, "Well, I didn't do that. It was a gymnastics double."
"What's a gymnastics double?" he asked.
"That's a guy who dresses in my clothes and does things I can't do."
There was silence from my son, then he asked in a concerned voice, "Dad, what did you do?"
"I got all the glory," I sheepishly replied.
That's the grace of God in our lives. Jesus took our sin upon himself and did what we couldn't do. We stand forgiven and bask sheepishly triumphant in Jesus' glory.