"Have a Cow"

1st Timothy 2.5-6a NIV

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”

Jesus is God. He is also the Son of God. His role as the 2nd member of the Trinity is mediator. Jesus bridges the gap, that boundless uncross-able span “between God and mankind [all people].” He did something no other person could do. He is not the chief among many. Jesus Christ is totally unique and eternally distinguished from every other living soul. All humankind needs to be saved and He is the Savior. We need a Savior, He does not.

Jesus is also fully human. He is a man. No other man captures my imagination and replenishes my soul like this man does. He inspires me. He fills my heart with the desire to be the man God destined me to be… a bigger, better, stronger version of me. He has filled me with the power to go with Him and lead others into the “paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23.3b KJV). Jesus in me is my “hope of glory” (Colossians 1.27 NIV).

Jesus “gave Himself.” He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50.10 NLT). He could have given me a cow! Or a car, a bunch of money, special influence, power, fame, or wealth. Instead, Jesus gave me something far better and more costly. He gave me Himself! What a guy! What a man! What a God!

This is what Jesus didn’t say in my hour of need: “Here. Have a cow. I own all of them on a thousand hills. I have plenty and if I run out, I can make some more. Now shove off. I’m too busy for you right now.” 

This sounds familiar. I have actually said it to others in need. “Let me give you some [cheap] advise. Here's a donation of money. I have plenty and if I run out, I can make some more,” when what I really meant was: “Shove off. I’m too busy for you right now.”

Jesus, make me a little more like You today. Help me give myself to others in the name of the One who “gave Himself” to me.

_____________________

The photograph above is entitled “Dairy Cows” and used with permission by photographer Dennis Flood (http://www.dennisflood.com/).