It’s Not Just What You Say, But How You Say It
by Peter Brokaar
Jesus is amazing. I’m sure we can all agree. One of the things that impacts me is how He was able to say such confrontational things when the occasion required it, yet was able to convey profound love at the same time. It seems He never shied away from addressing difficult issues, or even painful ones. But we know He never did so without at the same time deeply loving the person He spoke to.
When God sent Jesus into this world, He too had a message that some find difficult to hear. This message to mankind is that we need all saving. It says that we are hopeless sinners who cannot help themselves. Repentance from our broken, dysfunctional, selfish lifestyle is pivotal in entering into His Kingdom.
But even though God confronts us with our sin, His message is anything but condemning. His message could be put like this: “Hey everyone I need to tell you that you are a sinner and you need saving. But I’m not asking you to sort yourselves out, because I know that’s an impossible ask. Instead, I will save you. In fact, I am sending My own, My only Son, to rescue you.”
We all know and can testify to the fact that actions speak louder than words. God’s message of His saving love is more than just words. He really did send Jesus to live a perfectly holy and righteous life, and to die in our place. In sending Jesus, God gave us the clearest possible message. God’s gift of Jesus perfectly conveyed what was on His heart, His desire for eternal relationship with each and every one of us. His love pursues our hearts, and is willing to confront us with our need for saving, with our inability to help ourselves, with our inherent sinfulness. The very first words of Jesus’ public ministry were “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has drawn near” (Matthew 4:17). His final words before He died were recorded as “It is finished” (John 19:30). Throughout Jesus’ life and death God spoke to all of mankind that which we so desperately need to hear.
As we celebrate Jesus’ arrival on earth, let us rejoice and be glad that we have this amazing God who calls us to repentance, and has provided atonement for our sins through the blood of Christ. May Christian households across the world join in worshipping our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and sing “Come, let us adore Him!”
Peter Brokaar is Director of Ellel Ministries Scotland and has been there together with his wife Liz since 2005. They have 3 kids, all born in Scotland! In his free time he likes reading, cooking, running and surfing. Being at Ellel Scotland has given him the privilege of getting to know God deeper and sharing that joy with many others.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
