1. “When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.” Acts 20:36-37.
Paul was about to leave his Ephesian friends for the last time, as he journeyed on to Jerusalem. Paul and the elders of Ephesus knew that there would be no other time that they would be able to speak to each other. Knowing this, they knelt together, prayed and cried, and hugged and kissed each other. This was a bitter, sweet picture of the tender care and concern that each had for the other. They deeply loved each other.
As I am writing this thought, I am sitting at the foot of my brother’s bed trying to be a comfort to him. My brother is in the final stage of his fight with cancer and could pass away at any time. I sit with my dear sister-in-law, as she seeks to make him as comfortable as possible, and we pray and cry together. She hugs and kisses him, speaks assuring and comforting words to him, and we cry and pray some more. We know that we will never see my brother and her dear husband again. It’s final. This scene must have contained very similar emotions to the tender love that was expressed between Paul and the elders of Ephesus. It was final.
As I sit and reflect on this scene, I remember that the love and compassion that we feel for each other is but a reflection; a glimpse of the deep feelings of love that our Father in heaven has for each of us. Can you imagine that love? We love imperfectly and selfishly, yet God’s love for us is perfect, complete, and sacrificial.
Questions to consider: Have you ever felt that kind of deep love for someone that you knew you would never see again? Can you recall what that love felt like? What kind of love do you think that God has for you? Can you imagine the tenderness and compassion that He has for you?
Prayer: Abba…Daddy…thank You for Your deep love for us. When we couldn’t do anything to deserve it, You did everything that You could to help us receive Your love and Your embrace. Amen.
(Since the time I wrote this thought two days ago, my brother passed away. He is pain free and at peace.)
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