Max Lucado, pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, celebrated his golden anniversary of God's grace by getting a tattoo.
"50 years ago this spring, grace found me," said Max in a post. "My testimony is interwoven with my favourite word in the Bible. On the cross, Christ proclaimed, 'It is finished!' (Jn. 19:30) In Greek- “Tetelestai!” Among the meanings of this word is 'paid in full.'"
Pastor Lucado says it was that message that changed his life. Before finding God, he says his life revolved around everything but his faith.
"I was a 20-year-old scoundrel, a bum, a train off the tracks," said Lucado. "My priority was six-packs; not the kind that come from crunches, but from Coors."
Lucado says he was a mess. Not only was he an alcoholic, he says he was a racist, a misogynist, a brawler and a schemer.
"Worst of all, I was a hypocrite," Lucado explained. "I wondered, honestly wondered, could Christ forgive a jerk like me?"
It was in spring 1975 when he heard a sermon that changed his life moving forward.
"I heard a preacher describe a grace that is greater than sin. On the cross, Christ paid my debt. It is paid- paid in full," said Lucado. "I said 'yes.'"
To commemorate this anniversary, Pastor Lucado decided to get a tattoo that said Tetelestai.
"Not everyone likes the idea of a 70-year-old pastor getting a tattoo. That’s ok. I didn’t do it for people, I did it to say thank you to Jesus, who paid a debt I could not pay."
"I couldn't care less if this truth is tattooed on your skin, but I care deeply that it be tattooed on your heart. May Christ grant you what He has given me- grace upon grace."
Max Lucado has preached at Oak Hills Church since 1988. Before coming to San Antonio, Max and his wife, Denalyn, served as missionaries in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for five years.