“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”
GENESIS 33-35
4But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. 5Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked.
Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”
6Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. 7Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.
8Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”
“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.
9But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”
10“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. 11Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.(33:4-11)JOURNAL
I love these verses and the reunion of Jacob and Esau. I can only imagine the drama and the tension and the fear as Jacob crosses the desert as Esau approaches. He can only imagine the rage and depth of anger and what is surely to be retaliation for his deceit. Yet he is embraced in love and genuine affection.
It overwhelms Jacob and he even states that seeing the loving face of his brother is like seeing the face of God. I am reminded of the story of the prodigal that Jesus tells and I can't help but imagine that this is the same joy and love that he is referencing. To know that your greatest fear has been turned on its head and become a source of joy is the joy of God and the joy of the Kingdom.
Jesus came to mend our hearts and join us to God in the embrace of forgiveness, acceptance and love. He is the friend of all and the savior for the worst of us and the worst in us.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
I love these verses and the reunion of Jacob and Esau. I can only imagine the drama and the tension and the fear as Jacob crosses the desert as Esau approaches. He can only imagine the rage and depth of anger and what is surely to be retaliation for his deceit. Yet he is embraced in love and genuine affection.
It overwhelms Jacob and he even states that seeing the loving face of his brother is like seeing the face of God. I am reminded of the story of the prodigal that Jesus tells and I can't help but imagine that this is the same joy and love that he is referencing. To know that your greatest fear has been turned on its head and become a source of joy is the joy of God and the joy of the Kingdom.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
LUKE 15:20-24
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