Thoughts for another day

November 13, 2006

Today's verse: Lk. 19:10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (KJV)

God told Adam that he would die if he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was an irrevocable decree. Adam’s eating of the fruit, resulted in the entire human race being ‘lost’. The mysterious plan of God’s redemption through His only begotten Son, was kept a secret from the time the world began (Ro. 16:25) and revealed only when the Lord of Heaven, Jesus Christ, took birth on earth as a feeble human being.

He was born in the lowest circumstances so that the lowest could approach Him. Kings of the earth lord it over their subjects, but the King of the universe comes in love. His Spirit stirs our heart gently like a baby trying to assess whether mom is interested in a little companionship! And then if we do not open our hearts to Him, he silently moves away, insulted.

My friend, our God is all of love. You sin – He loves you. You deny Him – He loves you. You backslide from Him – He loves you. Love is His way, love is His language and His breath is love. When you are a sinner, He loves you even more. He Himself says, ‘those who are good in health, do not need a doctor but they, who are not well’ Mt. 9:12. I can feel the intense stirring of John’s heart when he wrote his first letter and said, ‘Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.’ 1 Jn. 3:1. I myself cry out often and say, ‘Lord what kind of love is this which chooses to ignore my dirt but imparts the purity Your Son has bestowed. My friend, this really is a moment of profound serenity and unalloyed joy.

When Jesus searched out Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:1-10), much before he had climbed the sycamore tree, Jesus recognised him and welcomed him and His Grace reached Zacchaeus on the tree. He instantly received it and his spirit cried at God’s mercy; bringing change within him. Now when the pseudo righteous saw this they were appalled for they did not expect a righteous man to mingle with the unrighteous and Jesus told them of His nature and His task. My friend, I couldn’t care what dirt you have been playing around with till now. But now and here is the visitation of His Grace. Accept it and say, ‘Lord forgive me, I am a sinner.’ Truly, the bells of heaven will toll for you as Jesus rejoices and tells His Father, ‘Dad, here is one more…’