Have we really taken time to think about that? Are we looking forward to that day? When we really love someone and we want to impress them with a special gift, we look forward to the day they will open it. We want to see the expression on their faces. We have great anticipation of how they will be very pleased with it - consequently, just any old gift will not do. We are very particular.
Is that how we are looking forward to that day before Jesus? Is it going to be special? Is Jesus going to be thrilled with our obedience, sacrifice and the efforts that we have put into our offering - just for him? Or do we seldom consider this, and are we really putting that much effort for him? I suppose the broader question is: what are we really living for? Is it all about him, or is it when he can "fit in"?
Really, what is our reason for living? We all know the "right" answer, but what is the "actual" answer? The "actual" answer is not in our words, but is shown in our: obedience, sacrifice, and the efforts we are putting into our offering. Sometimes we need to take a step back from our "living" to examine our "offering". Is what we are offering to Jesus truly our best that we have?
Remember that in the beginning both Cain and Able brought an offering to God. Both offerings no doubt were "nice" offerings. Both offerings were so different from one another there probably was no way for you or me to determine that one was better than the other: one was from the harvest and another was of the flock. (Genesis 4:1-4) But God knew the difference. One offering was from the gain that Cain had obtained. But Able's offering was the very best that he had. Now Able's offering may even have looked less desirable than Cain's, but that is not what mattered to God. What mattered was that it was his best.
What is our best? Is that what we are offering? Did not Jesus offer his best for you and me? Does he not deserve our very best from the very depths of our heart?Remember that in the beginning both Cain and Able brought an offering to God. Both offerings no doubt were "nice" offerings. Both offerings were so different from one another there probably was no way for you or me to determine that one was better than the other: one was from the harvest and another was of the flock. (Genesis 4:1-4) But God knew the difference. One offering was from the gain that Cain had obtained. But Able's offering was the very best that he had. Now Able's offering may even have looked less desirable than Cain's, but that is not what mattered to God. What mattered was that it was his best.
"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." (Mark 12:41-44)
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
2 comments:
I really appreciated this message Brother Richard. It gets you to step back and really think about what you are bringing to Jesus. He is worth everything. Every sacrafice, our very best. I too thought about the woman who poured ointment on his feet and washed them with the hairs of her head. Jesus said she loved much. Just like the woman who threw in the two mites, the world wouldn't think much of her. But Jesus saw that she loved much! Thank you for these thoughts. They are a blessing!
I apreciated that message. It helped me. I want to be all I can be for God. Please pray for me. Sister Sherry
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