God’s Heart For You
John’s gospel opens with these words: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:1,14, 18)
Jesus himself said in John 14:9, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Colossians 1:15 calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God.” Hebrews 1:3 says he is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” In Jesus, God became seeable, touchable, knowable. There is no version of God that doesn’t look like Jesus.
But the amazing thing is not just that God has revealed himself, but who he has revealed himself to be. God is not just a creator; he’s a redeemer. He’s not just sovereign; he’s loving. He’s not just powerful; he’s tender. He’s not just transcendent; he’s immanent. He’s not just a judge; he’s a just and merciful one. The God that is revealed to us in the Bible and in Jesus is not just a god but the best possible God. There is no flaw in him. There is no downside to him. There is nothing in him that should turn our hearts away from him. There is nothing in him that our hearts don’t long for and desperately need. When we sin, he forgives. When we stray, he seeks. When we mourn, he comforts. When we are betrayed, he stands by us. When we die, he welcomes us and will one day resurrect us. Have we not seen all that and more in the life of Jesus?
Consider what Jesus shows us of God’s heart for sinners and sufferers like us. He welcomes the weary and heavy laden (Matt. 11:28-29). He receives all who come to him (John 6:37). He has compassion on the broken (Luke 7:13; Mark 1:40-41). He lays down his life for us (John 10:11; John 13:1). He intercedes for us now (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). He will one day make all things new (Rev. 21:5). Jesus is good and does good, and he loves you. And he wants you to know that way down deep. That’s not just written in the Bible but proved on the cross. What is there in God that you don’t need? What do you need that doesn’t have an answer in God?
I love the contrasts! I’m studying Hebrews and it writes how Jesus is better than the angels, better than Moses but he made himself lower than the angels at one time. Your questions at the end are challenging. I feel convicted because I actually think I have some answers as if God is not all knowing. This article challenges my faith, appreciate you taking the time to write this. We love you and your family.