I feel a bit strange thinking, “Wow, I’ll bet that’s how God feels”, but perhaps God occasionally likes us to get a glimpse of what He feels. Parents admit they couldn’t really understand a certain type of love until children came along. Such love has been pounding in our hearts as we’ve waited for Taylor to come home from Cambodia. For Susan to get up at 4:50 before any alarm sounds on a Saturday morning and be dressed and out the door in just a few minutes means something special is taking place. As we stood in that familiar spot in the Atlanta airport waiting for Taylor to appear, I couldn’t help but think of our Heavenly Father.
On more than one occasion, He praised Jesus so that others could hear. Once, the clouds opened and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove. Jesus had just been baptized and God knew an intense battle was about to begin. The Spirit led the Son into the wilderness where the devil sought to ruin Him. How often did Jesus remember the voice of the Father in that lonely place? As the enemy attacked, Jesus simply quoted His Father’s written word and Satan was defeated. We know God’s Word is true: “Resist the devil and he will flee.” Another time God spoke to those who wanted to honor others along with Jesus. Regarding Peter’s suggestion to build three shelters, Luke tells us: “He did not know what he was saying.” On such an occasion, God spoke out: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him.”
As we saw Taylor’s head, Susan headed straight toward him and hugged him like only a mother can. We were so happy and thankful and proud. Now I know there is a huge difference between Taylor and Jesus, but this emotion I felt made me wonder what God felt when Jesus finished His mission. If God ever cried tears of joy you know He cried then. “He did it! My Son finished and now He’s coming home! How I love my Son!”
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.” And God so loved His Son that He trusted Him to complete the incredible task of saving us. The Son did not let the Father down. What Susan and I felt at Taylor’s homecoming was just a taste of what the Father felt when Jesus came home. Now God says, “This One that pleases me so and did everything I asked is your Way home. Come to Him everyone! He is your salvation… and He will be your joy. Jesus is my beloved Son… listen to Him!”
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3