The Rescue Mission

“For God so loved the world…” - John 3:16

Hello Dear Friend,

It’s coming up on Christmas and it's hard to believe that it’s less than a week away. I see it’s an overcast morning as I open my curtains and turn to look at the twinkling lights shining from my Christmas tree. This is my favorite time of year, I absolutely love it! I love the aromas of spices and snowy woods, the cold winter nights, the colors and soft lights, the holiday music and movies, the savory food and tasty treats, cherishing old and new traditions and creating memories with family and friends. Most importantly though, I love the season of Advent and the celebration of the Messiah.

I picture the Shire where the hobbits get their first glance of Strider. Now I imagine entering into a pub and off in a darkened corner there stands a rather large bistro table with one lonely candle setting off a low amber glow. This table is a bit bulky and rugged in its appearance but sturdy and solid much like the three figures currently huddled around it their heads low and deep in conversation. I grab a pint and take a seat at the only empty table in the room. Yeah, you guessed it. The only vacant space in the crowded pub is the seat right beside the table of the burly crew. I sit down just in time to hear one of them speak in a loud and determined tone, “I love them!” He says as a large palm of a hand meets the flattop of wood. I have my back to their table and the defiant thud startles me as I jump a little.

“I love them!” The words echoed in my head as I take a sip from my frothy glass. I found myself wondering who does he love and why? And did I just detect a twinge of sadness in his voice? Then the one to the right of him spoke in a lower more hushed tone.

“Alright then, it’s settled. I’ll save them.” He stated soberly peering into the first ones eyes.

Save them?! I took another swallow.

“Son…” I could hear a father’s heartbreak as the word came out.

“Dad!” The second argued, “You love them therefore I love them. If I don’t rescue them then who will? If not me, then who will save them?”

I peered over my left shoulder ever so slightly to see the one who had spoken first looking back at his son with a grim expression that carried a heavy sadness in his eyes. “Son…”

“I know.” He interrupted in a whisper which he then repeated. His words came out ever so softly and I think they were intended more for himself than anyone else. “I know what I just agreed to. I know the cost. I know the sacrifice, I will be that lamb. I will come and I will be their Savior. Do it! Send me.”

The third one had been silent up until now but finally spoke, “Okay then. Now that that's been decided.” He inserted his thoughts to the conversation, “I will stay with them. I will follow them and be their companion for as long as their journey has them walk this earth. They will never be alone.”

Wow, I thought. Who is the “them” that they speak of? Must be some pretty special people, high class and social standings and super important for one to have declared his love for them. The next to have basically offered to go to the depths to save them and the third has promised to stay with them for the rest of their days. Who could they be? The curiosity was getting to me as I turned my head over my shoulder once more to steal a glance of the faces belonging to the voices I was hearing. My mouth dropped open in disbelief. There was no one there! Nothing but dusty shadowed walls. It was then that I came to realize that I am the one occupying the table in the dark corner of the crowded pub.

Bewildered, I shook my head slightly “I’m losing it,” I muttered under my breathe. I turn back around tipping my glass upward to finish what was left of my drink and almost jump out of my seat as my eyes meet one of the figures at the table, my table. The only part of His face that is visible are His eyes and they are piercing eyes staring into my own as He begins to speak, “It’s you. You are the one I love. I love you.” He then made a gesture over to the man tending the bar, “I love him.” He raises His hands and while stretching His arms out to open them wide He says, “I love them.”

“You are the one I saved.” He continued. “My Son left the comforts of His heavenly home and came down to earth to save you. He came to save him.” Again, He glances over at the bartender. “He came to save them.” Motioning towards the crowded tables and looking on either side. “He came to save the world.”

“You are the one that I will be with forever and always.” He continues. “Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will never be alone – even in your darkest days I will be there with you. My Spirit lives in you. My Spirit lives in him. My Spirit lives in them.”

Love came down. The fall of Adam set God's rescue mission into motion. From when Eve was deceived by the serpent God summoned the angel, Gabriel, to tell a virgin teenager she would give birth to the Messiah. As Eve handed Adam the forbidden fruit God watched Jesus being arrested, beaten and falsely accused. When Adam stood in the garden and grabbed hold of that fruit, God saw His only Son hanging from a tree. And as Adam's teeth bit into what was forbidden God heard the final breath leave His Son's lungs and in the moment Jesus cried, “Father, why have You forsaken me?” God asked Adam, “Where are you?”

Where are you this holiday season? Are you caught up in the hustle and bustle of the commercialized world? Are you weighed down with stress and overcome with fear of what the New Year will bring? Do you doubt your worth? Have you lost your faith? Are you hopeless and confused? Have you lost sight of who you are and forgotten that you’ve been chosen by God? Are you so consumed by the distractions forged by the enemy that you’ve forgotten to remember the reason for the season?

“There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary and love for the broken heart. There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing. He’ll meet you wherever you are. Cry out to Jesus." – Third Day, Cry Out To Jesus

That is why He came. He came to give us hope, rest and love. He came to show us grace and mercy, to offer forgiveness and grant us healing. He came to meet us right where we are here and now. So let your hearts be merry and bright and fill your lungs with overwhelming gratitude. Let your soul spill out praises as you eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus. The Jesus that came over 2000 years ago is still the thrill of hope the world continues to seek. Weary souls still rejoice in celebration over His coming – the return of their King, Ruler over all creation and the Savior to the universe. So this Christmas remember why He came. Remember that God loves you and He chose you above everything else.

Jesus came. We’re loved. Let’s celebrate.

With love,

a Poetic Soul