Today’s Daily Bread ~ For God so loved the world…

Luke 2:6-7 – And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her first child, a son.  She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

I usually do most of my writing when my children are asleep or at school.  At three and four years old, the moments in which they play together quietly are few and far between.  I spend most of their waking hours feeding them, entertaining them, or playing referee.  I also take on the role of judge when they argue.  I hear the case, determine the wronged party, and dole out correction as necessary.  In fact, I held court just moments ago.

I sat comfortably; bible open, candle burning, pen in hand.  Just then, I heard an ear-splitting shriek.  “Moooooooom!” screamed my daughter, “mommmmmmmmyyyyyyy!!!”  I jumped up and ran into the den.  “What is it?  What’s wrong?”  And there sat my daughter with a red welt across her cheek, and my son; sheepishly holding a piece of a race track behind his back.

The evidence against three year old Nick was overwhelming, and it took but a second of deliberation to determine him guilty.  I sentenced him to three minutes in time out, and knelt down to comfort my daughter.

When my children are angry or upset, I’ve found that the most effective way to communicate with them is by getting their level.  I kneel down, look them in the eye, and speak in terms they understand.  My first priority is to resolve the situation in the most loving way possible.  If they need discipline or correction I give it, but I make sure they understand what they did wrong and why their behavior was unacceptable. 

I also put myself at their eye level when I want them to really get something.  I dropped my son off at my parents’ house the other night for a slumber party, and before I left, I knelt down in front of him.  “Nicky, I love you so much,” I said.  “And I’ll see you bright and early in the morning, ok?”  My son nodded happily as he ran off.

When Jesus stepped off His heavenly throne and wrapped Himself in flesh, it was the ultimate act of love and compassion.  God’s way of kneeling down in front of you, cupping your face in His hands, and comforting you.  He saw mankind hurting, and came to us incarnate.  How magnificent!  He speaks words of love and compassion, ever wooing us into a deeper relationship.

When Jesus looks on you, He looks on you with a love you’ll never fathom this side of heaven.  He promises you freedom from sin, and invites you to cast every worry, every burden on Him.  He knows the trials of this life, and promises us more:  “Don’t be troubled.  You trust God, now trust in me.  There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you.  If this were not so, I would tell you plainly (John 14:1).” 

He promises that, if we surrender to Him, He’ll do mighty things through us:  “The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father (John 14:12).”

He promises that we will never be alone:  “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you (John 14:16).”

He prays earnestly for you:  “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony.  My prayer for all of them is that they will be as one, just as You and I are One, Father – that just as You are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe You sent me (John 17:20-21).”

But most of all, He wants you to know the height, width, depth and breadth of His love for you – and how desperately He yearns for you:  “I have given them the glory You gave me, so that they may be one, as We are – I in them and You in me, all being perfected into one.  Then the world will know that You sent me and will understand that You love them as much as You love me.  Father, I want these whom You’ve given me to be with me, so they can see my glory.  You gave me the glory because You loved me even before the world began (John 17:22-23)!”

Today, if you don’t mind, I would like to pray for you.

Dear Heavenly Father, what can we even say in the face of the work on the cross?  I can scarcely comprehend the lengths You went to reach mankind.  We love You, God, and we thank You for Your Son.  I want to lift up anyone reading these words right now, God.  Please minister to their hearts.  Where they hurt, touch them with Your healing hands.  Hear their prayers, Father.  Show them a glimpse of Your glory.  Let them see You everywhere they look.  Calm their fears, lift their burdens, and wipe away their tears.  Lord, I pray that You would wrap them in Your Holy Spirit, and let Your love crash over them like a tidal wave.  I ask these things with a thankful heart in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.