Hi
I’m a lover of good mushy music; and of course; Lionel Ritchie is up there among my faves. Whether by himself or with the Commodores, they spoke the music of love. And although I’m not sharing the song this time around, I will say today’s Holy Nougat reminds me of Lionel’s ballad, ‘Stuck on You’
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Romans 8:38 NLT
Can you hear God’s voice reminding us that God’s with us, loving us even WHEN we mess up? Well, in Matthew 28:20, Jesus actually said it. Oh yes! He assured the disciples that He’d be with them ALWAYS – even to the end of the age. And in yesterday’s reflection we were reminded that Jesus is preparing for us even beyond this life.
I think that qualifies as Jesus being stuck on us.
Now stuck ON is not the same as stuck WITH. Stuck with usually implies tolerating a necessary evil. Like some of us are stuck With tasks no one else would choose; or back in the day, teams were stuck With me and my unathletic self – guaranteed epic loss! That was unequivocally stuck With.
The fact that Jesus CHOSE those who many would consider ‘losers’; who never ‘got Him’; despite being with Him Jesus Full Time; tells it all. He might have been stuck with their messy, sinful lives; but Jesus was stuck On those disciples. Think about that powerful pastoral prayer in John 17. Instead of praying for Himself (which we’re told elsewhere that He DID do, but not quite what we’d hope), or speaking vengeance on those who sold Him out; Jesus spent the time pouring His heart out to God for the disciples’ spiritual and emotional well-being!
He sure was stuck On them.
There’s a line in Ritchie’s song that says something to the effect of – ‘needing a friend; and the way I feel now I know I’ll be with you to the end …’; which I feel describes Jesus’ love for us in life. Jesus’ love for us looks beyond our messy present and intercedes for hopeful future! That’s serious love! Ask Saul. He got arrested by the love of God en route a mass murder plot. And it was sanctioned by the government of the day!
Oh yes.
Or ask that woman caught and dragged into the temple Alone, for whom Jesus negotiated Life; in lieu of the death penalty!
Aha
Maybe we bought the lie that Jesus only loves perfect people. What of the many sick who found their way into His presence, some through extraordinary means? I dare say Jesus loved them all and was moved to compassion. And the children, the mentally unstable. Yup, Jesus loved them also. He called for the children being cast from His presence by the well-meaning disciples. In a society where males defined a woman’s identity; Jesus – not once, but twice!! – raised persons from the dead for the sake of the women who’d have been desolate if left alone. Not only emotionally, but what belonged to them would have been taken away. That’s Love!
I’m sure there are other examples. These are but a reminder that we are likewise loved by Jesus. Even when we feel desolate, corrupt or bitter. Even when others would have us think otherwise. For Christ’s love – is unmitigatedly, totally and forever Mind-blowing!
If you’re not experiencing this Love today; I ask that God gives you a special tangible touch right now.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
