1 CORINTHIANS 1:30-31 – “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.””

THEME OF THE DAY: THE FATHER’S LOVE. There is an ancient chorus, author unknown, that reads . . . “Absolutely tender, infinitely true. This is God our Father understanding you! Absolutely lovely, exquisitely near. This is God our Father nought have we to fear!”

After Jesus’ resurrection, the first human being to converse with Him was Mary Magdalene, the woman who loved Jesus immensely and from whom Jesus cast out seven demons. When our Lord died, she was an emotional wreck. Her grief was intense. She was comfortless until Jesus revealed Himself to her and gave great words of comfort. Here they are – Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:15-17).

Our Lord offers her comfort in two ways. First, He uses her name. So personal. So real. Friends, names matter. People’s names matter. Talk face-to-face with people, eye-to-eye, and often use their names. Even in our electronic means of communications. Emojis are cool and fun but use names. It is encouraging to hear our names in edifying conversations.

Next, our Lord comforted her by drawing her attention to the mutual relationship she had with Him – Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” How comforting is that????  But pay close attention to the type of mutual relationship. It was familial. She heard the words that God the Father of the Lord Jesus was her heavenly Father. This is a truth to be visited often in our hearts and minds. Remember the little chorus introducing today’s devotion? It describes our Heavenly Father. Embrace it but the relationship we have with God is immense. Immense in that I mean it consists of the entire Godhead.

Salvation and our relationship with God are Trinitarian. All three members of the Trinity are involved in our salvation – God the Father planned it; God the Son executed the plan; and God the Spirit applied it to the believing sinner’s heart. But there is more. See the love of the Father in today’s scripture. He gave us all we need in His Son the Lord Jesus. Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption are gifts from the Father purchased by His Son, and understand, applied to us by God the Spirit.

So, when we start thanking the Lord Jesus for being our Savior, and we should, don’t neglect God the Father. After all, we are in Christ and have all riches in Christ because of Him (Ephesians 1:3).

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your electing love and giving me all I need in Your beloved Son.”

QUOTE: “Salvation is a Trinitarian work. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all involved.”