We can perhaps sum up the story we have considered this week in one powerful word: “relationship”.
God’s heart desires to have a meaningful, loving relationship with us. That is why Jesus came, to open the way for this relationship to be possible.
So when one of us comes to Jesus, no matter how broken or unclean we are, Jesus does not send us away. Jesus reaches out, touches us, and offers us the healing and wholeness we might be unaware we need. This relationship is not imposed on us. God, with all God’s power, will not force us to come but waits for us to come freely. We have a choice.
There is another side to this. We cannot force God
to love us either. God, too, has an option, and God chooses to love. Healthy, loving relationships are not forced. They are places of freely giving and freely receiving. Neither party feels entitled to what they desire from the other. Instead, there is an open, attentive and respectful attention to one another. Underpinning it all is respect for the worth of the other.
Perhaps you could consider this story one last time this week by
reading yourself into the interactions.
What have you heard or know about Jesus that draws you to come to him today?
How do you approach Jesus?
Do you somehow, by word, attitude, or action, show Jesus the respect he deserves?
How does Jesus receive you as you come? Take the time to be received.
Do you tell Jesus what you want or hold your needs before Jesus so he may choose how to respond?
Will you pause today and receive what Jesus may want to give?
As you end your prayer time with Jesus, reflect on how you leave – was this prayer something you did, or was it a personal encounter with the one who loves you unconditionally?
Reflections by Cherie-Lynn van der Merwe
