How big are you?

The other day I asked my daughter of 17 months how big she was.  In an instant she lifted her hands straight up as if to say - I'm this big, look at me.  It was cute.  I believe this is what nearly every child does when asked how big they are. 

You see when we show how big we are, it's about us.  We elevate ourselves and lift ourselves up.  It's natural.  But there was a time when Jesus was asked how much he loved us and his response was oh so different!  He didn't reach his hands up and say look at me.  He didn't jump up and down and ask for greater acclaim in the world - instead he opened his arms and showed how deep, wide, and long his love for us really was. 

The bible says that greater love has no one than this - than he lay down his life for his friends.  Today is Good Friday.  Today is when it starts to get good!  Jesus died but that's not the end - (spoiler alert) - he also ROSE!  When Jesus was asked how much he loved us he opened his arms on the cross and let the weight of your sins and mine be thrown on him.  He allowed them to nail his hands and feet to the cross so we wouldn't have to do it ourselves.  But he also rose! 


Today I write this devotion and dedicate it to a little girl name Samantha.  She is fighting for her little life.  She's on machines and is heavily sedated.  Her dad is a pastor and a friend.  Her mom is a wonderful woman of God.  Travis, Stephanie, Samantha - know that your God is this big!  He died and rose for you.  He gave you new life in his son Jesus. So today for you and for all the things God has done we say - ALLELUIA!!!  Our God is greater than anything that comes our way!

Lord bless this family today.  Guard them and protect them.  Remind them that Good Friday is just the beginning of the new life we receive through your son.  May you begin that miraculous healing in Samantha today as well.  Amen.