If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.   John 3:12-17 NKJV

Mary Did You Know? is a song by Clay Aiken that was released in 2004.  This song has been playing through my head for a couple of days now.  The song speaks of Mary, Jesus’ mother, and asks if she knew, I mean really knew what this baby boy would mean for the world?  As this song has played continually through my head, it has lead me to ask this same question.  Yesterday I wrote about how people must have just gone about their daily tasks when Jesus was born and many probably had no idea that the Messiah had been born right there in their town.  

But my question to you today is Do you know?  Sure we ooh and ah at the Christmas story and the miracle of Jesus’ birth, but do we live like we really understand who He is?  Well, I don’t know about you, but as that song has played through my head, I have been convicted that I often fall short.  

I sometimes live like I have no idea who Jesus is or the sacrifice He made for me.  I sometimes worry.  Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that we should not be anxious or worry about anything.  Instead, it tells us that we should be thankful and submit our requests to God.  It tells us to allow His peace, the peace which passes all understanding, to guard our hearts and minds.  Matthew 6:25-34 tells us that we should not worry about anything.  It reminds us that, just as God takes care of the birds and the flowers, He takes care of us.  It tells us that if we put our focus on Him that He will see to it that we are well taken care of.   1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us.  So if we really know who He is and what He is capable of, then why would we every worry?

If I truly know what Jesus did for me, would I mistreat other people?  I will admit that there are times when I don’t treat others with love.  You know, the kind of love that Jesus had for us.  Oh, I can be very loving and kind to people who are loveable, but no so much with those who are unlovable.  The Bible doesn’t say anywhere that I should distinguish between the two.  In fact it tells me that I am to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me ( Matthew 5:44).  Matthew 5:21-26 tells us that while we will be judged for murder, we will also be judged when we are angry with our brother, ouch!  Now I know, right here, you are saying, “well sometimes I can’t help it if I am angry at someone”.  I know this because this is what I am saying, but then there is this other verse that tells us if we focus on God, we won’t be angry.  Like in Isaiah 26:3 where we are told that God keeps those of us in perfect peace that keep on minds on Him and trust in Him.  James 4:7 tells us that if we submit ourselves to God (even our thoughts) and resist the devil, that the devil will flee from us.  

If I truly understand who Jesus is, wouldn’t I be more compassionate to those in need?  Matthew 25 talks about when the Son of Man will judge us.  Jesus tells them that those that have fed the hungry, clothed the naked, given the thirsty water to drink and visited those who are sick and those who are in prison have done this for Him.  He goes on to say that if we have done something for the “least of these” we have done something for Him.  Are we truly compassionate to those around us in need?  Or are we too busy looking down our nose at the addict and the prisoner?  But He goes on to say that for those that have not helped the less fortunate around them, they will be cast into the fire.  We better give that one some attention.

And the last thing I want to talk about is that sometimes forgiveness is hard for me.  But if I loved the Lord with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind, then forgiveness should come easy, right?  If I love my neighbor as I love myself then surely I should be able to forgive them when they do something wrong or hurtful. I am certainly able to forgive myself.  I don’t tend to judge me as harshly as I judge others, Oh, but wait, judgement is God’s job.  I’m not supposed to be doing that either.  Matthew 6:15 tells us that if we do not forgive others then our Father will not forgive us, that’s pretty simple isn’t it?  And I don’t know about you, but I need a whole lot of forgiveness.

My prayer today is that we can all live like we really know who Jesus is.  I pray that we can all live in that close relationship with Him.  No, we won’t be perfect but we will know when we are messing up and we can quickly repent and receive His forgiveness.  

Lord, I pray that you will help me to strive each and every day to follow the example that you so lovingly set for us.  I pray that I can do those things that you have called me to do.  I pray that you will fill me with your Holy Spirit to guide me and help me along the way, Amen.

Have a great day!