“Christ, in like manner [to a weaver working the shuttle], weaves his story. Every person is a thread, every moment a color, every era a pass of the shuttle. Jesus steadily interweaves the embroidery of humankind.”- Max Lucado
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”- Isaian 55:8 (NLT)
In Chapter 5 (“The Only One and Only”) of 3:16 – The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado talks about the years he and his family lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A tunnel-pierced mountain range separates the North Zone of Rio from the South Zone. However, directionally challenged Max found himself prone to getting lost on trips from home to the South Zone.
But Max possessed one salvation – Jesus. Literally, the Jesus the Redeemer statue, perched atop Corcovado Mountain. The statue stands at one hundred twenty-five feet in height. With an arm span nearing one hundred feet. And it contains more than one thousand pounds of reinforced steel. Find the statue, find your bearings.
Above all, John 3:16 offers us the same promise. The Greek word for ‘one and only’ = monogenus. And John uses the phrase in his gospel five times. Each case highlights the relationship between Jesus and God. Thus, the familiar translation only begotten Son conveys this truth.
Hence, as the prophet Isaiah proclaimed, the Lord’s thoughts bear no resemblance to our thoughts. And His ways far exceed our imagination. Also, a root meaning of the word translated thoughts is ‘artistic craftsmanship.’ So, in effect God says that his artistry is far beyond anything we can imagine.
In conclusion, Max exhorts:
“But can we trust him? Only one way to know. Do what I did in Rio. Seek him out. Lift up your eyes, and set your sights on Jesus. No passing glances or occasional glimpses. . . . Make him your polestar, your point of reference. Search the crowded streets and shadow-casting roofs until you spot his face, and then set your eyes on him.”
Today’s question: How do you see yourself as a thread Jesus interweaves into the embroidery of humankind? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “No transplant, but a swap”
