Perhaps nearness is the antidote to rebellion.

I can see this in my parenting.  Usually, my reaction to rebellion is to recoil and go the other way.  Or to distance the rebel with “Go to your room!”  But every once in a while when I’m on my game, I’ll remember that the experts tell you a rebellious child is one who needs connection, and I’ll say “Your punishment is (insert long tedious chore) and we’ll do it together”, during which a bridge is built to reconciliation.  And sometimes the root or cause of the rebellion is uncovered and dissolved.

Jesus’ reaction to rebellion was like this.  It was contrary to my usual.  Instead of throwing his hands up and turning his back, he rushed in.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
John 1:14 (NIV)

Like a firefighter and a burning building or a soldier advancing to battle. 

I’ve always marveled at first responders!  They throw off self-preservation instincts for the good of others, sometimes others they don’t even know or who are in staunch opposition to themselves.  Knowing the end result could be death, they don’t hesitate.. How do they do this??  I’m amazed. 

And Jesus did this to the nth degree.  This world was a burning building and he rushed in…so that he could be near to us. No wonder…

“he appeared and the soul felt its worth…”

Worth. That right there. That’s the whole battle, isn’t it? 

If you’re like me you may be able to look back over your life (or even reflect on just this one day) and see the pain that stems from this battle of worth  – the tears that have fallen, the decisions that have been made and paths that have been taken to ward off this feeling of unworthiness. The pulling inward and retreating from others, the pushing away of love…

Satan wages war against us by attacking our worth. If he can get us to question it or doubt it then he can get us to seek worthiness in worthless things, and then the battle is won.

Oh Jesus, let the incarnation overwhelm me with an awareness of my worth. That you would take off your crown and forsake the glories of heaven, “not considering equality with God something to be grasped” but humbly accepting the position of a baby in the dirt…all for the sake of nearness to us. And ultimately spreading your arms wide on a cross…

…then I must be with something. I must be worthy to you. 

Let my soul feel it. 

“This is how we know what love is:

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”
1 John 3:16 (NIV)