Louise Gevers

“The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory he received as the Father’s only Son.” John 1:14

I love watching the birds in our garden as they eat the seed I put out for them, especially up close; but sometimes I feel saddened when they fly off so quickly when I go to the window, or outside to fill their feeder. Surely they recognise that I’m caring for them and mean no harm? Yet they watch me warily from a nearby Brazilian pepper tree as I refill their food, and only return again when I’m back inside the house.

My experience is not unlike that of the farmer in a story who, on a snowy, winter’s night, attempts to save some wild geese from freezing. He is so concerned for these frozen creatures that he opens the doors of his barn for them to shelter inside, but they don’t recognise it as a shelter and won’t go in. The frustrated farmer goes out into the cold to call them in, but this just frightens them away and even taking bread to them makes them fly further off. He realises that the only way they would understand, and he could save them, would be if he were to become like one of them.

Is this not how God felt about us?

God speaks in so many identifiable ways, but we have to connect to Him and trust Him to recognise them. As human beings, we have inherited a double alliance – to Adam and to God. Because of this, we live with two natures warring within us. We are often more inclined to trust our human instincts than God, and God knows this.

Throughout the Old Testament God spoke to His people through the prophets, whose preaching fell on deaf ears “… but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:2) How amazing is that?

Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God connected with the world and showed how much He loved us. The fall had alienated us from Him, but as Jesus died, and the curtain of the temple was ripped in two, Jesus opened the way to God for all. This act of love transforms our understanding and gives our lives eternal meaning. No wonder we celebrate Easter!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for leaving the splendour of heaven to take my sin and shame upon You to set me free and to restore my connection to God. I will never know a greater love than this. Amen.