I Had A Vision of Jesus

"But God's Mercy is so abundant, and His Love for us is so great." (Ephesians 2:4 GNT)

This speaks so much to me. I had a vision Saturday night, if I may call it that, that confounded me.

In worship at Mercy Chapel. The words of the song brought this to mind and I felt it. Just picture this: you are on the ground under the weight of a big cross you're trying to hold up. This cross is all of your sins, everything you did wrong against someone else and to yourself - and above all, to God. It's all your guilts, your faults, your hurtful ways, your lusts and greeds, your resentments, jealousies, judgments against others, your prejudices, your shames, everything bad about you. It's all there and you have to carry it for miles and you can't even get up; it's so heavy.

Then you see Jesus coming to you. He crouches down to your level. He is so gentle, almost meek (for lack of a better word), in His approach to you. He's saying, "May I help you with this? Please let me help you." And only with your permission - He doesn't help you carry it - He takes it from you completely and carries it Himself (which is to the destination of torture, mutilation and death -- your punishment, your death He is going to take for you and then throw it all away, for you.

It just confounded me His gentleness as He came to me. There was no judgment or anger or authoritativeness or admonishment or demonstration of His Omnipotent Power in this moment - all of which He truly has but I did not feel from Him in this single moment. He was just so gentle and loving. It was like someone handling a new-born baby. So gentle and endearing. Have you ever thought of Jesus in just this way?

I Am With You (the reassurance of My Presence)

"I AM WITH YOU.  These four words are like a safety net, protecting you form falling into despair.  Because you are human, you will always have ups and downs in your life experience.  But the promise of My Presence limits how far down you can go.  Sometimes you may feel as if you are in a free fall, when people or things you have counted on let you down.  Yet as soon as you remember that I AM WITH YOU, your perspective changes radically.  Instead of bemoaning your circumstances, you can LOOK TO ME FOR HELP.  You recall that not only am I with you, I am holding you by your right hand.  I guide you with My counsel, and afterward I will take you into Glory.  This is exactly the perspective you need: the reassurance of My Presence, and the glorious hope of heaven."
(from Sarah Young's devotional book, Jesus Calling for February 18)

References: Zephaniah 3:17 (GNT)  "The Lord your God is with you; His power will give you victory.  The Lord will take delight in you, and in His love He will give you new life.  He will sing and be joyful over you."

Psalm 73:23-26 (GNT)  "I did not understand You.  Yet I always stay close to You, and You hold me by the hand.  You guide me with Your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor. What else do I have in Heaven but You? Since I have You, what else could I want on earth?  My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; He is all I ever need."




The Branded Heart, a fun, Western tale about Faith in Jesus by Michele Fischer is available on Amazon.com

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