My daughter and I were watching a docudrama that depicted a chef massaging the chicken thighs before cooking them. It was a spoof of a famous Michelin-starred chef who would massage the fish filets before he cooked it, stating that it would impart love and tenderness to the flesh. It was outrageously funny. “No one would ever do that!” We both exclaimed in laughter. “And even if they did,” I added, “…how would we know?” We both laughed about that episode for many months after that, particularly when we ate fish.
This past Thanksgiving, our family invited several of our closest friends to share in our festivities and we requested each of them to bring one dish. One friend unveiled a beautiful salad and as she served it, she remarked. “I put a lot of love into this salad! I massaged the lettuce!”
“Really?” I exclaimed. She is one of the kindest people I have ever met, continually endearing herself to our family with her generous spirit. No laughter from me this time. I had no reason to doubt her statement because I knew her. Massaging the lettuce is a very believable example of her thoughtfulness and devotion to our family.
If someone divulges that they have performed a loving or caring action on our behalf, we may only be inclined to believe their truthfulness if we know the person from whom it originated. The Bible is replete with God’s promises. Can we believe them?
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
God promises that if we come to Him, He will take all of our burdens and give us rest for our souls. These are bold, even outlandish statements. Like my friend, if we do not know God, we may be unable to trust or recognize His promises. How can we believe them?
God so earnestly desired that we believe His promises, He did the unimaginable. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born as a human. Jesus lived a perfect sinless life, obedient to God until His death on the Cross. God exalted His obedience by raising Him from the dead, forever abolishing the sting of death. God proved that His promises could be trusted. He sealed it with the blood of His only Son.
Can we believe the promises of God? If He would sacrifice His only Son for us, would this be proof of His love? It the supreme example of love given by grace and mercy from an almighty and all-loving God.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 