rescuer
People have a lot of different ideas of who God is, what He’s like. A lot of that has to do with their own experiences, what they’ve been told, and even what other people believe. Some understandings about God are true; many are not.
I have been a Christian for most of my life, but in the last couple of years, I’ve gotten to know the Lord in ways I never had before, not necessarily by listening to what others have said, but by getting to know Jesus myself. It’s been amazing and sweet, but often these times of intimacy with the Lord have come out of difficulty and heartache.
I love John 10:10 which says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Who is Jesus really? Why did He come so long ago, that tiny babe in a stable? It’s because, among so many things, Jesus is our rescuer.
Life is full of trials and challenges; there are seasons of hurt and sorrow, because this world is saturated with sin. In my experience, there’s not usually a good answer to the “why?” question, other than the enemy is evil and relentless, and that for a time, within the boundaries Jesus sets, he is allowed to have his way.
But I’m thankful for the good news, that Jesus, the King of majesty, saw our need and our inability to save ourselves. And overwhelmed with love for us, He gave up His throne and clothed Himself in humanity. He was God’s Word incarnate, living every day then and now for our sake. The enemy’s leash may be let out right now, much more than we’re comfortable with, but in the end good will win out. We were captive, bound and sentenced. But Jesus met the ransom with His own life, He rescued us.
Why? you might ask. Why would He pay such a high price, and with no guarantee that we would love Him in return? Because of His great love. To Him, we are worth it. Not because we are worthy or deserving of such a sacrifice, but because He treasured us. He gave up everything then, and still pursues us now.
I am humbled and so thankful this Christmas, to be the object of this love, to know that though this life will leave its battle scars, I do not walk alone. And in the end, we will have true life, Life to the full.
Merry Christmas to you all! I pray you find yourself in the grasp of God’s great and pursuing love. You are His very precious treasure for which gave everything.