Jeanne Guyon was a French Christian, who lived in the late 1600’s and is known throughout the world for her encouraging words that she shared with other believers in letters. Guyon devoted her life to pursuing a deep interior life with Christ through prayer and serving the poor, even traveling throughout Europe to serve and teach. Intimacy with Christ, a collection of her writings, has a chapter titled “God’s Care”. In this chapter, Jeanne writes:
I wish you would realize how much God loves you. As a painter draws on a canvas whatever picture pleases him, so God is now transforming you into His image through an inward crucifixion. He cherishes you as a mother does her only son.
My friend, Shawn Cho, encountered more to this deep revelation over Resurrection Sunday and I asked her to share her encouraging message with you.
Shalom!
Most of the time, when we read the accounts of Jesus’ story on the cross, we think about the scene in The Passion of Christ, where Jesus is dragging His cross to its final resting place, where He will be lifted up. In this scene, He is being spat on, cursed, and mocked. It’s a gruesome scene that is hard for many believers to watch.
However, I would like to offer you a different perspective that we don’t read about, but I believe can be spiritually imparted to us according to Eph. 1:17, and Jude 1:21
Eph. 1:17
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
Jude 1:21
But you Beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy but with fear, loathing even the clothing spotted and polluted by their shameless immoral freedom.
Now let’s look at this scene again, but from a different perspective. Recall the Lord as He’s carrying His cross through this sea of volatile people, mocking and cursing Him.
This time, instead of focusing on their wicked behaviors, perceive the Lord’s eyes resting on those He loved. They are the ones Father gave Him; the ones Father deeply loves. They’ve been walking with Him all these years. They know Him and affirm He is indeed the Christ, the one whom the Father has sent. There is no doubt in their mind. They’ve settled this within themselves already.
Now hold onto this thought and also remember…
He was rebuked by those He loved, for saying He was going to the Father, or that it was the Father’s will to send Him to the cross. They could not receive or understand this divine mystery.
Now, picture this: God pulls back the veil and allows Jesus to perceive their thoughts. (Luke 5:22; Matt. 9:4)
I conclude it went something like this…
“Father, how could you let your only Son die on a cross as a thief and murderer?”
“What kind of Father would allow wicked men to kill His only begotten Son?”
“If you truly are God, save Him!?”
You’ve heard that saying, both sides of the same coin, right?
Now, perceive Jesus looking at them with great Mercy and saying the same words over us as He said over them… “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
His heart was safe and secure in the depths of the Father’s Love for Him. He knew the Father. He knew the Father didn’t want Him to be harmed either (Jer. 29:11). That was a choice violent men made living a life separated from the Love of God, and He understood that.
If Jesus could have opened His mouth to speak to His beloved, at that moment as He was dragging His cross, I imagine He would’ve said something like this:
“For truly I tell you, the Father loves me, He truly loves me, and I know how deeply I am loved by My Father. I trust His plan and purpose for my life, and you should too.”
Let the beauty of this vision impart to you a new perspective of what it means to Keep Yourself in the Love of God. Shalom!
Activation:
Be consciously aware of God’s choice to love you extravagantly and unconditionally. Partner with Him to see where He’s actively showering His Love upon you, and meditate on those things.
This is My Prayer for You Today:
Father, help me to remain in Your Love over me, even under pressure. Holy Spirit, You have full permission to show me all the times Father has poured His Love upon me. You even have permission, in areas where I didn’t perceive it as being God’s Love, to give me a new perception. I believe Jesus was sent by the Father. He is the risen Son of God, Father’s plan is greater than mine, and that settles it! I ask this all in Jesus’ name, Amen!
In the Beloved,
Shawn
Thank you Shawn for drawing our perception to the Father’s extravagant love for us!
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
