An Intense Moment at the Jordan
Here's what got me this time:
But when the King comes, he comes to be baptized. Along with all the others. John can't believe it. For what did Jesus need to repent?
For nothing.
That is both the mystery and the majesty of his baptism.
Witness the humiliation of God.
At his birth, he stepped from heaven to take on our flesh. At his baptism, he steps down even further to take on our shame. He descends into the valley of repentance, willing not only to stand on the banks with us in our humaness but also to wade in the water to stand with us in our sinfulness.
I tell you - I just can't hardly stand that He did this for us. It just blows my everlovin' mind.
Then, to get to the prayer and see this:
Could that be true? Is it possible I could love you the way the Father loves you? Even remotely possible? Could you be the passion of my life the way you are his?
Well, stick me with a fork and call me done. That's the home run for me. If I can get to the point where I can love Jesus the way God loves Jesus then I think I can understand everything else. Really. All of it. Every word of the bible. Every intentional meaning. Every not-so-obvious suggestion - all of it.
I think for some people, faith/religion/God is about finding something they can believe in. For some, I think it is to help keep them on the straight and narrow. For others, I think it is about giving to others unconditionally.
But for me, its about the love. It's all about the love. If I can EVER get to the point where I can begin to understand how much God loves Jesus, then I will be able to understand the depth of His love for me and that -
Well, there are no words for that. There just aren't.
But I promise you this. I will DIE trying. I will take my last breath trying to understand how God could love us THIS much. Because the small amount I do get - the parts of all this I do understand - they tower in love so far above where even my imagination can take me that I just can't comprehend understanding it more than what I do at this exact moment.
How could anyone get this and still think their life was worthless?
But when the King comes, he comes to be baptized. Along with all the others. John can't believe it. For what did Jesus need to repent?
For nothing.
That is both the mystery and the majesty of his baptism.
Witness the humiliation of God.
At his birth, he stepped from heaven to take on our flesh. At his baptism, he steps down even further to take on our shame. He descends into the valley of repentance, willing not only to stand on the banks with us in our humaness but also to wade in the water to stand with us in our sinfulness.
I tell you - I just can't hardly stand that He did this for us. It just blows my everlovin' mind.
Then, to get to the prayer and see this:
Could that be true? Is it possible I could love you the way the Father loves you? Even remotely possible? Could you be the passion of my life the way you are his?
Well, stick me with a fork and call me done. That's the home run for me. If I can get to the point where I can love Jesus the way God loves Jesus then I think I can understand everything else. Really. All of it. Every word of the bible. Every intentional meaning. Every not-so-obvious suggestion - all of it.
I think for some people, faith/religion/God is about finding something they can believe in. For some, I think it is to help keep them on the straight and narrow. For others, I think it is about giving to others unconditionally.
But for me, its about the love. It's all about the love. If I can EVER get to the point where I can begin to understand how much God loves Jesus, then I will be able to understand the depth of His love for me and that -
Well, there are no words for that. There just aren't.
But I promise you this. I will DIE trying. I will take my last breath trying to understand how God could love us THIS much. Because the small amount I do get - the parts of all this I do understand - they tower in love so far above where even my imagination can take me that I just can't comprehend understanding it more than what I do at this exact moment.
How could anyone get this and still think their life was worthless?
posted by HeyJules at
5:52 PM
3 Comments:
"I tell you - I just can't hardly stand that He did this for us. It just blows my everlovin' mind." Wait till we get to the part of the Cross.... :)
By
Pilot Mom, at 6:35 PM
No! You can't start baiting me! I am HORRENDOUS about reading the end of a book first and its been all I can do to set the book down after each chapter and NOT read ahead. If you and Addie keep saying "Wait till we get to the chapter on..." I'll read the whole book - I swear I will!!!
By
HeyJules, at 8:51 PM
it is hard, isnt it - I guess the book teaches patience subconsciously maybe?
Jules, what a good post - I too often wonder how do I love Jesus or anyone else with THAT kind of love.... and so far, in my understanding, Ive come to the conclusion that I cant.... not alone - its God to be God's love that flows out of me and not my own love that is flawed and insecure.... and I also think there is no way, in this life, that we could ever fully realize the entirety of God's love - these sinful bodies just couldnt take it - they would explode or something... he he (think about that next someone says they love something so much they are about to burst)
good way to start a day...
By
dangermama, at 7:25 AM
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