Now that it is the day after Christmas, I would like for us to meditate on these inspiring words:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:5-8, NIV2)

If you ever doubt that God isn’t fond of you, think again. Meditate on these words. Jesus gave up His Heavenly realm and made himself into a servant for you. Unlike ordinary servants, however, He willingly died on a lonely cross, so that you could be reconciled with your Heavenly Father and have the choice of ending up in the glorious kingdom of God. This is the purest love story in the universe. Nothing else can compare. And all for what? So that you could experience eternity. No more pain, no more hurt, no more tears. Instead, only abundant bliss. How could it be otherwise in the presence of the lover of your soul?

Let’s take a moment, however, to imagine what happened in heaven the day Jesus was born. Yes, it should have been a celebration on earth; but instead, his appearance was mostly met with indifference: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-” (John 1:10-12, NIV2) In heaven, however, all hearts were broken as they realized the price that Jesus was willing to pay. I can imagine that all of heaven was crying. Humankind had lost its way, but Jesus came to show the way (See John 14;6)…to you, my friend, who erroneously believes that God doesn’t care about you. Truly, God is nuts about you. His own Son willingly died so that you would not have to suffer eternal death. That’s real love! “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13, NIV2) Have you noticed that in this very verse, Jesus tells you that He is your friend? You are loved, my friend, truly loved!

You may wonder about all your stupid mistakes in life. You know what I’m talking about: all those things that God considers sin. “How could God accept me?” You wonder. “I’ve made so many stupid decisions. I have hurt my Heavenly Father so deeply!”

There was once a pastor in the Middle East who secretly carried a heavy burden, a sin he had committed many years earlier. He felt like dirt. He didn’t understand how God could ever forgive him. After all, he was a pastor, and shouldn’t pastors be shining examples of perfection?

This pastor heard about a godly man in the region, and he sought him until he eventually found him. He had heard that this godly man was very wise, so he decided to put him to the test. He asked him to ask God what sin he had committed many years earlier. A week later, he asked the wise man if he had the answer.

“Yes I do,” answered the wise man.

Curious, the pastor asked: “What did God tell you?”

“God said,” answered the man, “‘I don’t remember!'”

It is perhaps only a cute story, but this idea is confirmed in the Bible: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps 103:12, NIV2)

Why are you still worrying about past sin? God has forgiven you. He has set you free! “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV2) Enjoy your relationship with the One who loves you more than life itself: “Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye” (Zech 2:8b, NIV2) Speak with Him, walk with Him, and look forward to your inheritance: “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Gal 4:7, NIV2)

Truly, our Heavenly Father is nuts about you. Are you nuts about Him as well?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Amidst Tribulation, Jubilation!” devotional series, please click here.)