Take Jesus with You

It was the day after Christmas at a church in San Francisco. The preacher of the church was looking over the cradle when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing from among the figures.

Immediately he turned and went outside to look and saw a little boy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus. He walked up to the boy and said, “Well, where did you get Him, my fine friend?”

The little boy replied, “I got him from the church.”

“Can I ask why did you take Him?”

The boy said, “Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to Jesus, and I told him if He would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it. Today I am fulfilling my promise.”

Do you have a personal walk with Jesus? This young man was blessed and wanted to show his appreciation to the baby Jesus by taking a walk with Him.

When many leave the church house on Sunday, they leave Jesus there in hopes that He will not go to the places they will frequent the following week. Are people so shallow in their faith that they would stoop so low as to tuck the Lord in a comfortable pew in the hope that He will not disrupt their sinful lifestyle the following week?

Do you too, rather Jesus be in a far-away compartment, locked away, so you do not have to face His disapproval of the sin you allow in your life?

Would you be surprised to learn that this is the way that many in America deal with the Lord? They push Him away — lock Him in a box. They have no desire for God to speak into their lives or challenge their routine of living. Their idea of faith is hiding Jesus away until they can get a little bit of Jesus the next Sunday morning.

“Come on, Preacher, you do not want everyone to think that I am a fanatic, do you?” they ask. Y

et, with some reflection, we discover Jesus was a fanatic when He dealt with us. He loved us so overwhelmingly that He suffered a cruel death on the cross to be our substitute.

He was mocked, scorned, spit on, crowds of people plucked out His beard with their hands; sharp thorns crushed into His skull; His hands, and feet were nailed to wood; He was suspended naked between heaven and earth, pierced with a sword, baking in the hot sun while hovering insects picked at His torn flesh, with His own blood running down His body---dripping to the ground.

The only thing holding our sweet Jesus on that cross was His love for us.

It gives us a chuckle as we imagine this little boy pulling baby Jesus down the street with Him in his little red wagon. However, this sweet little one had the guts to take Jesus with him when he left the church house.

Allow me to encourage you to take Jesus with you as you move forward into this new year. Walk with Him. Get to know Him. Permit His desires to become yours. Consent to Him to mold your life unto His image. You might be surprised how wonderful it is to walk with the Lord every day.

Be encouraged by the Lord’s commitment to you. May it strengthen you to be just as committed to Him.

Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 — “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Joshua 1:9 — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Simple Prayer: Father, thank You for Your amazing love You shower on us. May I think of it every time I am tempted to tuck You away in my pocket to hide You from my life. Help me to be so blessed by what You have given me that I want to do more and more for You. Shine in my life. In Jesus Name---Amen