3.24.11

In class, Corey Russell talked about God the Father and how Jesus came to reveal the Father. He talked about how Peter, on his own, could not possibly succeed or follow through in loving Jesus. But Jesus knew Peter. Jesus knew Peter was sincere and told him not to lose heart. Jesus knew that Peter would learn that it wasn’t by his own strength that he could be faithful, then when he learned to trust God, he would be faithful to the end.

Then we looked at the story of the prodigal son and how while the son was still a ways away, the father ran to him, embraced him and forgave him. The father’s desire for His son was so great. All God wants is our weak, feeble, humble, “Yes, God I need you. I know now I can’t do anything without you.” And God jumps, runs, sprints to us, rejoicing over us. “So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’” (Luke 15:20) He is never surprised by our failure. We don’t have to renegotiate our relationship. We are sons of God, heirs of the King. He is so pleased with us. “You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the LORD delights in you, And your land shall be married.” (Isaiah 62:4) He knows our sin way more than we know it. He knew what He was getting Himself into and still chose to create man. He knew He would give up His beloved Son because of my sin. He knew that and yet, He said, “She is worth it.” You were worth it. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

We need to come to the realization of who we are. We are sons and daughters of God. We are seated in heavenly places with the Father through Jesus. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9) What?!  With the same love that God the Father loves Jesus, we are loved by God?? Yes. Wow. So... What do we even do with that incredible truth? Oh yeah, it says it right there at the end of verse 9 and in verse 10: “Abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love...”

Amen.