Thanksgiving – Ozzy – The Bible

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Do those three headings actually go together? You better believe they do.

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In 2023, Dylan Novak, known as the "Celebrity Evangelist," met Ozzy Osbourne at a convention in Philadelphia and presented him with a personalized New Believers Bible, designed for easier reading. Upon receiving it, Osbourne was visibly moved, remarking, "Is that my name on the cover?" He immediately began to read, particularly focusing on the Gospels, and expressed appreciation for the clarity of the text. Later, Osbourne's son, Jack, shared a touching story. After returning to their hotel, Ozzy insisted on going back downstairs to retrieve the Bible he had left behind. He refused to go to his room without it, stating, "Where's my Bible? I'm not going up without it." The staff had to unlock the autograph room to retrieve the Bible for him. Jack also mentioned that the Bible remained on Ozzy's bedside table, and he proudly showed it to visitors, highlighting the personal connection he felt to the gift.

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If, for a second, you feel Ozzy Osbourne was less worthy than you to receive a copy of God’s word, check your theology. On that point, the late John MacArthur argued, “There is a necessary and concomitant humility in the sanctified believer—that the more sanctified he or she is, the more unsanctified they feel.”

Not to mention the fact that Grace, by its very definition, negates merit. Grace, according to the Bible, is “unmerited favor in the eyes of God.”

As to the late musician’s relationship to Christ at death? Who knows. But don’t forget the thief on the cross. He didn’t get to heaven for being a good guy. Clearly, he was not. Was it works that got him in? Of course not, he was nailed to a cross.

I’m reminded of Matthew 20, where Jesus tells the parable of a landowner hiring laborers to work in his vineyard. Some start at daybreak. Others join at mid-morning. More come in at noon. A few showed up just before sundown. Yet everyone received the same pay—one denarius.

Predictably, the ones who started earliest grumbled the most:

“The workers you hired last only worked for one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day’s work and the scorching heat!”

But this is how the landowner answered:

“Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go; but I want to give to this last person the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ So the last shall be first, and the first, last.”

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God gives the same mercy to the person who knew Christ from childhood, as those who show up at the 11th hour—the thief on the cross, the addict, the celebrity with a past, quite frankly, you and me.

Is that fair? No, it isn’t. Not at all. And you know what I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving—That God isn’t fair with us! If He were, we’d only get what we deserve. Thank you, Lord, for extending grace to all of us, especially a wretch like me.

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Jesus said, "For those who have ears to hear, let them hear."

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