I asked God, “How much do you love me?” He said, “This much…” Then He spread His arms… and died for me.
Sister,
These were the words written on a little plaque my mom bought from (I think) the dollar store when I was about eight years old. It was the classic 80’s style home decore. It was a peace oak stained wood, painted with a maroon colored sky, white fluffy clouds, a golden cross off in the distance and Jesus in a white and pale pink rob with his back facing out and His arms stretched out wide in the clouds as if he was falling forward. I can still remember the emotion that came over me when I read those words. Some how my little eight year old heart understood completely what God, the God of all creation, did for me on the cross. Some how, in that moment, I knew the depth of God’s love for me was real and true. I begged my mom to let me put it in my room. I recall a sort of confused look on her face but of course she said yes. I shared a room with my little sister at the time and I slept on the top bunk. I hung that plaque on the wall right next to where I laid my head to sleep. From then on I can remember a deep understanding that God died for me. I didn’t have much of a concept, though of sin, redemption, restoration, and never took the time to see what the bible said about anything. This, naturally, left me with no real direction on how to have an actual relationship with God. When I got to college and started asking questions about who Jesus actually was and how He came into the world (through a virgin birth, yeah right?, was my thought then) I was exposed to a ton of ideas about the specifics.
I have noticed lately, a lot of Christians these days don’t see the importance of understanding who Jesus actually is. They are of the understanding that we can’t really know exactly who He was and if we try, we are only fooling ourselves. There is also an idea that somehow we are or can be equal to Jesus. That we have exactly the same qualities as He and all we have to do is believe it.
If there is one thing I have learned about Christianity through the years, it is this one thing. Jesus is God. It doesn’t work any other way. There is no other way to see Jesus through scripture. It is very clear who he is and who he said He was.
I believe one of the reasons this is hard for people to comprehend is because we so easily forget the Holiness of God. If we could only comprehend the weight of His HOLINESS. I mean, the word says we can’t even be in His presence or we would literally die because of His holiness.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. (Exodus 20:19)
Moses’ sandal’s couldn’t even touch the ground he was walking on next to the burning bush. Because it was Holy ground(Exodus 3:5-6)
“The bible says that God is Holy, Holy, Holy. (Isaiah 6)
Moses’ face glowed (it GLOWED!) after being in the presence of God. (Exodus 34:29-30)
From the very beginning, before God created the earth He knew He would have to save us.
Proverbs 3:19-20 - By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens. By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the clouds poured down rain.
The plan was always redemption and God knew the only one who could redeem us was HIMSELF and the only way He could get to us (without us literally falling over dead upon His arrival) was through His Holy Spirit and Mary of Bethlehem giving birth to Him, who we call Jesus, the son. It always was and always will be THE FATHER THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
When Moses asked , who do I say sent me? God said, Tell them I AM sent you. (Exodus 3:14)
When Jesus was asked, who are you? He said, I AM. (John 1:1-2, John 8:58)
It is clear who Jesus said he was.
Sister, Our God died for us! If that is not true, we do not have Freedom.
Hallelujah!! IT IS TRUE! Happy Freedom Friday !!
Sincerely,
Jesie Browning
Dear Sister, 