Kiss the Son. Endearment. Submission. Loyalty. Commitment. Honor. Respect. Love.
Father, for 24 years I spat at Your Son. I held Him in derision. Had I seen Him on the cross, I would have mocked Him. And I would have done so while trampling His shed, spilled blood under my feet. I would have mocked Him as weak. I would have seen myself as stronger and better than Him. I would have blasphemed Him in order to fit in with the crowd around me. Whatever shame I felt would have been nothing more than worldly sorrow. I would have argued away or rejected outright any real sense of guilt, in my wicked heart and depraved mind. I would have kissed Your Son the way Judas kissed Him in the garden--only as a sign of betrayal. 26 years ago, I would not have kissed Your feet like the harlot did. There was no humility in me. I submitted to nothing but my lusts and whatever it took to accomplish my selfish desires and goals. Kiss the Son? I hated Your Son, while claiming to be a Christian.
And then, Father, You saved me. You caused me to be born again. You extended to me the free gifts of repentance and faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Your Word explains to me how and why You saved me. You have removed the veil from my eyes, allowing me to see how and why You saved me. Yet these truths remain too wonderful for me to fully comprehend. You so dramatically and eternally changed me that the thought of spitting on Your Son repulses and angers me. While, at the same time, the thought of being able to kiss the feet, the hands, the cheek of Your Son, with the love of one adopted into His kingdom, fills me with joy.
Kiss the Son. Lord Jesus, I long to see You, face-to-face. I long to be in Your presence. I long to worship at the foot of Your throne, sitting at Your feet. I want to Kiss the Son.
Father, I fear for those who, with hatred toward You, refuse to kiss Your Son. They are simply waiting to perish because they think this mortal life is all there is. Your wrath abides upon them, yet it has not been fully kindled. Such is Your common grace. Lord, Your Word says that Your wrath is quickly kindled. Most people live with the delusion that tomorrow is certain. They lived yesterday, so they assume they will live tomorrow. Yet Your wrath could be kindled against them in a moment.
Lord, I thank You that because of Your grace in my life I do not fear the specter of facing Your wrath. You are my refuge. I am blessed, for I have taken refuge in You. You are my refuge and strength, a present help in time of trouble.
Lord Jesus, You are slow to anger and full of lovingkindness. So many people come to mind--family, people I meet on the streets--people who may very well perish, today. Lord, might today be the day they take refuge in You. Might today be the day they repent and believe the gospel. Might today be the day they kiss the Son.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for sharing your comment. Your comment is under review.
Comments that are profane and/or blasphemous in nature will not be posted. Comments including links will not be posted. Comments deemed otherwise inappropriate will not be posted.