I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner condemned, unclean.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
Most nights I sing my toddler son “Jesus Loves Me” as I put him to bed. More than anything else in the world I want him to grow up knowing this truth. I want it to be an earwig for his whole life–Jesus loves me.
The thing about familiarity is that it breeds contempt and apathy and boredom. Sometimes I find myself underwhelmed at the truth that Jesus loves me. I have lost the wonder, and that’s because I have forgotten how unworthy and unclean I am. I have slipped into thinking I might deserve his love, and when I do that I am no longer moved by it. That beloved children’s chorus has become mere muzak for a bored soul.
Then, in God’s kindness, he opens my eyes to the state of my heart. He shows me the miracle of his love even as I have dishonored it by my pride. I see what I would be without his love–condemned, unclean. And I see what I am in his love–a rescued child, an adopted heir. And I regain the wonder of being loved. Today, Jesus loves you, and his love is worthy of your wonder.
I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscribe.
