Which portion would you prefer~a teaspoon or a large generous spoon?
Have you ever yearned for a taste of something delicious and then asked for it and only be given a small, a very small portion? How does this make us feel? For me, it makes me want more, immediately! The opposite can be true, you may have asked for a small portion and the giver was so generous in the serving size, you could live on the serving for a long while! I suppose it depends upon who is doing the serving AND how much they want to share. I was thinking of this comparison in relation to Easter and how Jesus invited, with a fervent desire, the twelve closest to eat the last Passover meal with HIM. He knew the events that were about to unfold. He even gave them instructions on how to divide the meal among themselves. It wasn't so much about this last meal that he was serving them......as the generous portion of Himself, of which He was about to give TO and FOR them. With this amazing meal, He was about to forgive them for every sin, every wrong thought they had ever done or ever would do! He was about to lavish them with a LOVE like no other and give them forgiveness for all eternity! He was offering the largest portion ever known!!! Actually, in HIS final week before going to The Cross, many of the twelve closest followers had wronged HIM and even denied Him and lied about HIM, yet even in the desperate hours, HE was able to forgive and extend mercy.
What a beautiful lesson for us on forgiveness and inclusion. How readily do you extend mercy and inclusion toward others when wronged or hurt? How do you forgive? How do I forgive, I must ask myself? Is it just enough to "muster" up a smile and pretend to be a friend or is it from the heart? Psalm 86:5 says beautifully these words: "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You". We can receive God's love and forgiveness and He can enable us to give it also to others just as we have received. The two virtues - goodness and forgiveness - are attributes birthed by our Heavenly Father and He has desired these to be born in our own lives. He wants us to forgive others transgressions in the same abundance of mercy He has shown us. God does not want us to portion out our mercy and forgiveness with teaspoons. HE is looking for people who will portion out their forgiveness and mercy with HUGE, unlimiting spoons!
When you sit down for reflection and prayer, God has set a sort of "supper" for you. Which spoon will you select? Just a small portion OR a generous and large portion to share in goodness and forgiveness. Easter is about the new birth we receive in Christ, the NEW one He has redeemed and given in the largest of ways! He gave everything, His very life for you and for me! It is my hope, you will sense His GREAT and GLORIOUS LOVE for you this beautiful Easter season and embrace ALL that HE has for you! Blessings of JOY to you today dear friend!
Have you ever yearned for a taste of something delicious and then asked for it and only be given a small, a very small portion? How does this make us feel? For me, it makes me want more, immediately! The opposite can be true, you may have asked for a small portion and the giver was so generous in the serving size, you could live on the serving for a long while! I suppose it depends upon who is doing the serving AND how much they want to share. I was thinking of this comparison in relation to Easter and how Jesus invited, with a fervent desire, the twelve closest to eat the last Passover meal with HIM. He knew the events that were about to unfold. He even gave them instructions on how to divide the meal among themselves. It wasn't so much about this last meal that he was serving them......as the generous portion of Himself, of which He was about to give TO and FOR them. With this amazing meal, He was about to forgive them for every sin, every wrong thought they had ever done or ever would do! He was about to lavish them with a LOVE like no other and give them forgiveness for all eternity! He was offering the largest portion ever known!!! Actually, in HIS final week before going to The Cross, many of the twelve closest followers had wronged HIM and even denied Him and lied about HIM, yet even in the desperate hours, HE was able to forgive and extend mercy.
What a beautiful lesson for us on forgiveness and inclusion. How readily do you extend mercy and inclusion toward others when wronged or hurt? How do you forgive? How do I forgive, I must ask myself? Is it just enough to "muster" up a smile and pretend to be a friend or is it from the heart? Psalm 86:5 says beautifully these words: "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You". We can receive God's love and forgiveness and He can enable us to give it also to others just as we have received. The two virtues - goodness and forgiveness - are attributes birthed by our Heavenly Father and He has desired these to be born in our own lives. He wants us to forgive others transgressions in the same abundance of mercy He has shown us. God does not want us to portion out our mercy and forgiveness with teaspoons. HE is looking for people who will portion out their forgiveness and mercy with HUGE, unlimiting spoons!
When you sit down for reflection and prayer, God has set a sort of "supper" for you. Which spoon will you select? Just a small portion OR a generous and large portion to share in goodness and forgiveness. Easter is about the new birth we receive in Christ, the NEW one He has redeemed and given in the largest of ways! He gave everything, His very life for you and for me! It is my hope, you will sense His GREAT and GLORIOUS LOVE for you this beautiful Easter season and embrace ALL that HE has for you! Blessings of JOY to you today dear friend!
No comments:
Post a Comment