EPHESIANS 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Okay, I admit it. I’m a snuggler. I like to snuggle. I like close contact. I would go to sleep every night snuggling my wife, but she says I am like an oven. I think she just thinks I’m hot. Lol. But seriously, I like to be close to people. I had much rather be in a room with ten close friends than in a concert with thousands. It’s just the way I am wired.

Did you know God likes to snuggle? It’s true. Look at today’s verse. Paul says we “have been brought near.” God saw that we “were far away” and sent His Son to bring us near. God wanted and still wants to be close to us. I love how Albert Barnes explains this verse. “The Jews came near to the mercy seat on which the symbol of the divine presence rested by the blood that was offered in sacrifice; that is, the high priest approached that mercy-seat with blood and sprinkled it before God. Now we are permitted to approach him with the blood of the atonement. The shedding of that blood has prepared the way by which Gentiles as well as Jews may approach God, and it is by that offering that we are led to seek God.”

APPLICATION

Wow! Isn’t that great? Through the shed blood of Christ, we can approach the mercy seat of God. His blood prepared the path. It was nothing we did. It was all Him. James says this in James 4:8. “Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” The verb used for “come close” is from the same Greek word used in today’s verse for “near.”

Isn’t it sad that so many won’t do that? They won’t come close. They prefer to stay far away. They think they don’t need that kind of intimacy with God. But they shouldn’t tarry. Jesus said so in Luke 21:29-31. “29 And He told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees: 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 31 So you too, when you see these things happening,  recognize that the kingdom of God is near.’”

Jesus said it, so that settles it. The kingdom is drawing near. Jesus could return in our lifetime. Or He come next century. We don’t know, but we must be ready. If you are living far away today, draw near to Him. He will wrap you in His loving embrace and snuggle you. I promise. I have felt it. It is so comforting. Draw near today!

Father, I welcome Your embrace and snuggles.