There aren’t many places on my body I can actually feel and that's a fact.
Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and I wish it were different. I can feel only from the neck up and maybe a little bit on the tops of my shoulders. Anywhere else, I'm not only paralyzed, unable to move but there’s no sensation on my skin. When someone touches me – like when they give me their hand or when they take hold of my wrist to give a greeting? – I'm not able to feel what they’re doing. I'm sure you can understand why, to me, a kiss – like a kiss from my husband, or when a really good friend greets me with a kiss on the cheek? – it means everything! Why? Because for me it’s so rare (except in the case of my husband… and also, I should add, with children; I love it when kids reach up, put their arms around my neck, nearly pull me down out of my wheelchair to plant a big kiss on my cheek. It is so dear!). So, can you understand for me to be touched is such a sweet thing, such a rare thing and, oh, I do treasure it.
I think about this whenever I read the story of the prodigal son. You know where the father runs to meet his wayward son and kisses him? (You can read about it in Luke 15. It even says there that when the father ran to the son, he fell on his neck. Wow, now that must have been some kind of kiss)!
What a poignant metaphor for the way our heavenly Father receives his children who turn from their sins! That sinners like you and me should merit the kiss of God -- no, wait, we don't merit any affection; if anything, we should receive a slap from God, right?! But the touching thing is that's what Jesus got. For Him, it was a heavy-handed slap from God so that we could enjoy His kiss. Just think about that! God had stored up all His wrath for you and me because of our sins -- he even says elsewhere in the Bible that he will make the arrogant drink the cup of His wrath…
Well, that leads us to the miracle of salvation -- God poured out his wrath on Jesus so that we might have his righteousness. Violence for him and victory for us! Wow! Our Savior got rejection while we get a reception fit for a king. Psalm 85:9-10 says, "Surely his salvation is near those who fear him... Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other." And it's all because of our wonderful Savior. Friend, we will never have to bear the staggering weight of God's anger. We are the ones who should have drunk the bitter cup of God's hatred of sin, but Jesus took that cup before it ever reached our lips... and we, we receive the kiss of heaven.
That’s a promise. And there are a lot of other promises about our salvation and sanctification that are pretty awesome, too. And I want to send them to you. I have this beautiful 12-page laminated foldout called “Bible Promises for Hope and Courage” and I know you would love using it in your Bible study or tuck it away for your quiet time… or have it by your bedside table for night-time reading. There are promises listed here on comfort, on peace and joy… promises for when you’re confused or when you need guidance. It’s quite a list and all you need to do is visit me today at joniandfriendsradio.org and I will put it in the mail. Oh, and while you’re visiting my webpage, don’t forget to watch the story of the Slaight family – I mentioned them earlier in the week and oh, my goodness what a testimony this family has. I tell you, there’s a family that’s leaning hard on God's promises, they are. Be encouraged by them… and be inspired by this book of promises from God's Word, it’s all at joniandfriendsradio.org. And again when you call me or write or go online don’t forget to mention the call letters of this station.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends