No Excuses!

Psalm 19

We hear excuses all the time.  The courtrooms are filled with excuses as to why the criminal is there, and how it isn’t their fault.  Schools hear excuses as to why the homework isn’t completed, and the same with families when chores or other tasks don’t get done.  Many times those excuses are very lame, and the parent or spouse, teacher, or judge can’t accept them.  There is a time coming when many people are going to be giving all sorts of excuses to God, but not one will stand.  Our psalm for this week highlights one major reason why this is so.

We sometimes hear the excuse that there are some people who can’t or shouldn’t be held accountable for not believing in God, as they “never heard”, that they never had a Bible available, a solid preacher to bring the Gospel message to them, etc.  That argument, though, doesn’t hold any water.  Paul destroys that in the early verses of his Epistle to the Romans, stating that nature declares the glory of God (Romans 1:20-23).  King David stated this truth several centuries earlier in Psalm 19.

This psalm has three very distinct sections.  Verses 1-6 comprise the first section, verses 7-11 the second, and verses 12-14 make up the third.  In the first section we see that God discloses Himself in the world through nature.  As He reveals Himself through nature, we learn about God’s power and our finiteness.  Next, we see that God discloses Himself through His Word, the Bible.  As He reveals Himself through Scripture, we learn about God’s holiness and our sinfulness.  Finally, at the close of the psalm we see that God reveals Himself through our daily experiences.  We learn about His gracious forgiveness and our need for salvation.

There is no excuse for man not to believe in God.  The heavens are God’s preachers in the sky, and they proclaim, both day and night, the truth that He exists (vs. 1-6). They speak a universal language that all can understand, and the message of the created world extends to everywhere on earth.  The universe’s design, intricacy, and orderliness all point to a personally involved Creator.

Neither the sun, the planets, or the stars are shown in the psalm to be deified, as is done in most pagan religions.  God is clearly seen here as Creator and Ruler over all of creation.  The testimony of the universe comes forth consistently and clearly, but sinful mankind persistently resists it.  Nature proclaims God’s existence and power.  Even though such knowledge does not bring one salvation, acknowledging God as Creator is a first step.  However, the message of God’s salvation found in His Word must still be told.

This brings us to the second part of Psalm 19.  God’s special revelation is found in His Word, the Bible (vs. 7-11).  The Bible revives us, and makes us wise.  It gives joy to the heart, and gives light to the eyes.  The Scriptures warn us, and also rewards us.  In its verses are guidelines and light for our path.  God’s Word is perfect, and is of greater value than any amount of riches.  Today, in the 21st century, the Bible is readily available to everyone.  The whole Bible has been translated into 736 languages, and the New Testament into 1,658 languages, and other portions of Scripture into another 1,264 languages.  Everyone on earth would have to be fluent in at least one of those languages.  The Bible is available in printed form, of course, and is also readily accessed online, so nobody has an excuse.

David closes his psalm by praying that sin will not gain dominion over him (vs. 12-14).  We understand our errors by going to God’s Word.  David encourages us to pray that we be kept from both hidden sins and willful sins, and that what we say and think be acceptable and pleasing to God.

As the Apostle Paul reiterated, mankind is without excuse.  No one can stand before God and say that they just didn’t know.  Nature, which is available for all to see, proclaims Him.  And God’s Word, the Bible, is available in many multiple hundreds of languages, of which everyone would be able to understand at least one of them.   Those who are lost, are lost because of their own choice.  They don’t know or acknowledge God because they choose not to.  They have closed their eyes and ears to Him.  They are without excuse.  I pray that is not the case with you.  If you don’t know the Lord Jesus as Savior, turn to Him now, before it is too late, for now is the day of salvation.

No Other Gods

Exodus 20:1-3

In the Lectionary from the Book of Common Prayer for this week, the Old Testament reading is the account of Yahweh giving the Ten Commandments to Moses, for him to give to the people.  One small devotional could never sufficiently cover all Ten Commandments.  Each commandment on their own has enough spiritual material for multiple sermons.  Thus in this devotional I am going to focus on just one of the Ten Commandments, the first commandment.  Let’s look into this commandment that heads the list.

After parting the Red Sea for Moses and the people of Israel to depart Egypt, the Lord slowly led them to Mount Sinai.  Leaving the people at the base of the mountain, Moses proceeded the climb Sinai where he met with the Lord, and received the Ten Commandments, along with the other rules and regulations which comprise the Old Testament Law. The first of the commandments reads “You shall have no other gods before Me.”   As the people were to soon enter the land God had promised their fathers, which was currently inhabited by the Canaanites, there was the temptation to worship their pagan gods and goddesses, along with reverting back to worshiping the many false gods of the Egyptians.  Right at the start of His commandments, the Lord placed the command to have no other gods but Himself.  The phrase “before Me” means in addition to, or in preference to Yahweh.  No deity, real or imagined, is to rival the one true God.

We might wonder what this has to do with us today.  Most of us aren’t tempted to worship other false gods and goddesses.  That may be true, however we all can, and often do, set up other types of idols in our lives which can rival or even take the place of God in our hearts.  This commandment is about allegiance.  We have got to be committed to Yahweh.  He must be our priority in all of our life.

The devil seeks to deceive us by trying to make us believe that having other gods is limited to worship of another deity instead of Yahweh.  What are some of the other things that can take God’s place in our life and our hearts?  Who or what is receiving the glory in our life?  One thing that easily takes His place is one’s career.  It often starts back while studying in college, when the Bible, prayer, and church attendance starts to slip because of “lack of time”.   Then getting and keeping that good job takes priority.  We excuse that because we think that it’s so important.  This then quickly leads to setting up money as an “idol” in our life.  One’s house can become an idol, one’s car, or any other of one’s possessions.  The computer and the internet are chief among many people’s idols, and especially all types of social media.  Have any of these stepped in and become an idol in your life?

There is another thing that so many people have made as an idol in their lives, and that is another person, particularly one’s spouse and/or their children.  Of course the Lord wants us to love our spouse, if we have one, and to love and care for our children, but have we put them before Him?  He is to be first in our life, then our family, our spouse and children, not the other way around.

This commandment is first for a reason.  God must be first in everything we do, because intimacy with God is to be the highest priority for our life.  We are to honor God above everything else that exists.  He is our ultimate authority.  He will not tolerate divided love or loyalty.  He deserves and demands it all.  Numerous times in the Bible Yahweh said that He is a jealous God, and will not share His love with anyone or anything else.

Another way that people can break this first commandment is by actually incorporating the worship of false pagan gods into the worship of Yahweh.  There have been churches and denominations that willingly “share an altar” with leaders of false religions, including Buddhist or Hindu religious leaders, and incorporate their false beliefs and practices into Christian worship.  Doing such vile practices is part of what led to the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel being taken into captivity.  God condemns such practices all throughout the Bible.

We cannot pick and choose which commands to obey.  Christians must submit to His will because He is God, and we are not.  Jesus made corresponding statements about each one of the Ten Commandments.  Matthew 4:10 corresponds with the first commandment.  In closing we need to know that all false gods, whether literal gods of other false religions, or figurative ones in our heart, stand in opposition to the true God.  The worship of them is incompatible with the worship of Yahweh.

Too Quick To Speak

Mark 8:31-38

Most of us are familiar with the phrase “put one’s foot in one’s mouth”, meaning to say something foolish, embarrassing, or tactless.  We’ve all done that at one time or another, and we can really feel ridiculous or thoughtless afterwards!  As we read through the Gospels, we see that the Apostle Peter was one who often spoke before he thought, and in that foot would go.  He was quick to say that he would never turn away from Jesus, yet before the night was over, he had denied three times even knowing the Savior.  In our Scripture this morning, Peter will again misspeak.  Let’s take a look at what he said, why he said it, and the lessons Jesus taught.

As our passage from the Gospel of Mark opens, Jesus was instructing His disciples, telling them about His upcoming death at the hands of the religious leaders, and then subsequent resurrection on the third day (vs. 31).  Jesus spoke of this on more than one occasion.  This time, though, when Peter heard what He said, he thought that no, that can’t, shouldn’t happen.  He thought that he and the other apostles needed to do what was necessary to prevent this from happening.  The thought of their beloved teacher and leader being captured and executed was quite disturbing, to say the least.  Neither Peter nor the other disciples could understand or comprehend a dying Messiah.  The common belief at this time was that the Messiah would come and liberate the people of Israel from being under subjection to the Roman Empire.  They felt that the Messiah would be a mighty warrior and deliverer, so a Messiah that would die just did not fit into the picture they had in their minds.  The Jews wanted a Messiah who would liberate them from the yoke of Rome, not a Savior who would free them from their bondage to sin.

Peter quickly spoke up and told Jesus that this just couldn’t happen, that he and the others wouldn’t let it happen.  He told Jesus that He needed to make sure that such a fate would not occur (vs. 32).  In speaking what was probably also the thoughts of the other eleven, Peter was not comprehending God’s purpose, but instead these were his own desires and feelings.  He was showing presumption, and misunderstanding, but also showing a deep love for Jesus.

Why was what Peter said so terrible?  Why was it deserving of the response that Jesus gave in verse 33?  Not only was Peter not comprehending God’s plans, and putting his own desires ahead of God’s, but by urging Jesus to avoid the cross, he was tempting Jesus.  We must remember that Jesus was not only divine, the Second Person of the Trinity, but He was also human.  The thought of a tortuous death on the cross would have been fearful.  These words were tempting Jesus from going to the cross, and fulfilling His mission on earth.  Moments before, Peter had been praised by Jesus for speaking God’s truth (Matthew 16:13-20).  Now he was condemned as Satan’s mouthpiece.  Jesus’ sacrificial death was God’s plan.  Whoever opposed that death was, wittingly or not, advocating Satan’s work.

Jesus then spoke to all of the apostles, teaching them the Gospel truth of denying oneself, and taking up our cross and following Him (vs. 34-38).  To “take up our cross” means self-denial to the point of death, if necessary, holding nothing back.  Cross-bearing has to do with submission to Jesus Christ.  To many, this doesn’t sound attractive.  Jesus challenges us to bear our cross in sacrificial service to Him.  No one who is unwilling to deny himself can legitimately claim to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The teaching of the Savior continues by stating that those who pursue a life of ease, comfort, and acceptance by the world will not find eternal life.  Those who give up their lives for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel will find it.  We should be willing to lose our life for the Gospel, if necessary.  Nothing can compare with what we gain with Jesus.  Choose to follow Him, rather than leading a life of sin and self-satisfaction.  To have all that the world has to offer, yet not have Jesus, is to be eternally bankrupt (vs. 36-37).  All of the world’s goods will not compensate for losing one’s soul eternally.

In closing we need to really remember Jesus’ words here, which are applicable to us in this world today.  This world is charging full steam away from anything godly or biblical, and standing up for anything biblical can find people more and more in hot water nowadays.  What can we do?  Jesus gave us His answer in verse 38.  Will we stand up for Him and His truth, or will we choose to go with this world?  We can reject Jesus now, and be rejected by Him at His Second Coming, or we can accept Him now and be accepted by Him then.  The choice is ours.  Choose wisely!

God Is For Us

Romans 8:31-39

There have been times when some of us might feel that the whole world is against us.  Sometimes that may be related to our jobs, perhaps with relationships, maybe even in our own family.  We feel all alone.  What is even worse is if we might feel that God is against us, that we are separated from Him, that the circumstances in our life have brought a giant gulf between ourselves and the Lord.  Perhaps these feelings have been brought on by war, dire personal problems, or persecution for the Faith.  Are these feelings true?  Have your circumstances or your enemies succeeded in turning the Lord away from you?  The Apostle Paul went through some very distressing times in his ministry, and the temptation to feel that way may have come.  In our Scripture today from his letter to the Romans, we read the truth that he knew, and which we should take to our hearts, as well.

Throughout the years of Paul’s ministry we read that he went through some very difficult times, even to where his life was threatened on several occasions.  We see that as we read through the Book of Acts in the Bible.  Just like he does to us when we are going through bad times, Satan most assuredly whispered discouraging thoughts in Paul’s mind.  Satan knew the work Paul was doing, and if he could get Paul so discouraged and depressed that he gave up, that would be exactly what the devil would want.

Paul was shouted down while he preached the Gospel.  He was thrown out of the synagogues because of his message.  He was frequently run out of town, with an angry, bloodthirsty mob at his heels.  Quite possibly he might have had to leave so quickly that he didn’t even have time to go back and collect his belongings.  There would be times on the road that Paul would miss meals, and have to sleep underneath a tree.  Paul was arrested and held in prison on many occasions.  And numerous times the Apostle was beaten, flogged, and even stoned.  Not only did Satan orchestrate all of these tribulations in Paul’s life, but he tried to use them to get him feeling so hopeless that he would give up.  However, Paul never did, and the truth that we read in our Scripture is why.

Many of us have gone, or are currently going through some rather difficult times, and Satan tempts us, too, to get discouraged, feel hopeless, and even feel like giving up.  There are Christians in some parts of the world who are persecuted today just as harshly as Paul was, and they may feel like God has abandoned them.  Paul, though, reminds us here that even if the whole world is against us, God is not.  Would God do less for His children then He did for His enemies?  He died for His enemies, but now we are His children (vs. 32).  He will give us all things which pertain to life and godliness, because Jesus paid for them on the Cross.

Who can successfully accuse someone whom God has declared righteous? (vs. 33).  Satan tries to, just like he did with Job.  Some of our enemies may also try to by bringing up all of our faults.  However, when we place our trust in Jesus, God declares us righteous, and their accusations fall flat.  God has acquitted us, and removed all our sin and guilt.  God doesn’t accuse us, only Satan does, and we should never listen to him.  Jesus is our Advocate, our divine Defense Attorney, standing at God’s right hand (vs. 34).  He is in God’s presence right now defending us, standing up for us against the accusations of Satan.

No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be lost to God’s love (vs. 35-36).  God’s Word says that we are “more than conquerors” (vs. 37).  That means that if we are in Christ, we conquer completely, without any real threat to personal life or health.  Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).  Those who have put their faith and trust in Him are now more than conquerors through Him.

Our trials and tribulations may cause us to feel abandoned by God, but we can know it is impossible to be separated from God (vs. 38-39).  Nothing can stop His constant presence with us.  Paul lists several things, including “principalities”, which are fallen angels or demons, and “powers”, which are people in positions of authority.  Nothing in life’s path, from beginning to end, can separate us from Jesus’ love.  In case Paul felt he left anything or anyone out, he said “any other created thing”, so that covers everything but God, Himself.

The world may be filled with darkness, our lives overflowing with difficulties, but in everything, we will ultimately enjoy Jesus’ great and final victory.  God’s love is eternal.  His care is unconditional.  He promises to be with us always (Hebrews 13:5).  Remember your risen Savior.  Keep your eyes always on Him!

Dissatisfaction And Discontent

Psalm 16

What is one cause of mild depression?  I’m not talking about serious, long-term depression, where one might need to be hospitalized, but instead mild depression that many feel every now and again.  One cause could be dissatisfaction, the feeling of discontent, not being satisfied with one’s life and circumstances.  One may be dissatisfied with their job, their house, their spouse, etc.  Our psalm for today is one we can meditate on to help us break free from such feelings of discontentment.

Psalm 16 was written by David.  He is someone who experienced both high points and low points in his life.  He had spent his youth watching sheep and probably sleeping outdoors.  A shepherd was a lowly position.  Later he became king, living in a grand palace.  David had low points when he had to live on the run from both King Saul, and later from his own son Absalom.  He also had high points, such as when he had victory over Goliath and other battles, and making all the plans for the Temple.  During his low times, he learned what to do to keep from being discontent and dissatisfied with his life at the time.

David learned through his experiences that our peace does not depend on our present situation (vs. 2).  Yahweh is Lord.  We have no good beyond and apart from Him.  He is our highest and only good.  We can be content, no matter our circumstance, when we draw our ultimate satisfaction from God.  Our well-being is entirely dependent on Him.  When all we have is God, we have all we need.

Some people who easily get discontent and dissatisfied with their life think that life is determined by fate or chance.  They feel that life is a gamble.  Pagan culture at the time believed their gods were often bloodthirsty, and often massacred their worshipers (vs. 4).  Yahweh is not like that.  The Lord holds our future in His hands with love (vs. 5-6).  In Jesus we have a beautiful inheritance.  Life is no gamble, it is a gift from God.

Unbelievers have a sense of hopelessness about life, and confusion over their true purpose on earth.  Believers can move ahead confidently with what we know is right and important to God (vs. 7-8).  He will keep us on His chosen path.  By continually thinking about the Lord and His way of living, we will gain insights that will help us make right decisions, and live the way He desires.  When God is our focus, it is easier for us to hear Him when He speaks.  Listening to God is essential to walking with Him.

True joy is deeper than happiness.  We can have joy in spite of any troubling circumstances we are in, rather than falling into periods of discontent and dissatisfaction (vs. 9).  Happiness is dependent upon our circumstances.  When our circumstances and life are going well, we are happy.  When they aren’t, happiness disappears.  However, joy depends on God, and we can have joy no matter what is going on around us.

As Psalm 16 draws to a close, David gives a prophecy concerning the Messiah, and the resurrection.  He prophesied how the Messiah would not undergo corruption when He died, but instead, would rise again (vs. 10).  This is an important prophecy about the resurrection, which was quoted by Peter in Acts 2:27, at the Apostle’s first sermon on the Day of Pentecost.  Since David died, and his body decayed and saw corruption, it had to apply to the Messiah, Jesus, who rose from the dead (Acts 2:25-36).  Jesus saw no corruption in the grave.  He atoned for all sin, and there is no doubt that He was raised from the dead.

So how can we lose dissatisfaction and discontent in our lives?  David shows us that it is by following God’s path through life (vs. 11).  We find that in God’s Word, where He clearly shows us the paths that we should take in our life.  When we do we will have fullness of joy.

Abraham's Testing

Genesis 22:1-14

Have you ever had to pass a difficult test?  I’m not referring to a test in school or at the university, but one of your character, a difficult test to see how strong your character is.  Did God ever call upon you to do something that you would rather not have done, and if so, did you obey?  In our Scripture for today we read of someone who had to face just such a challenge, obey God and give up the most precious thing in life for him, or disobey God, and keep what he loved the most.  Did he pass this test?

Abraham is one of the major characters in the Bible, as he was the physical father or ancestor of the Jewish people, and is the spiritual father of all believers.  As we read of his life in the Book of Genesis, we see how he and his wife were elderly, and had no children.  God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him a son through his wife, and that his descendants would be more than the stars of the sky, or sand on the earth.  Within the appointed time, his wife Sarah gave birth to a son, Isaac.

Our Scripture opens several years later.  God spoke to Abraham, and told him to take his son Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice to Him (vs 1-2).   To do so would mean killing his beloved son, the son of the promise, thus ending the covenant that God made with him.  Would Abraham do this?

As we read this, we wonder why God would ask such a thing of His faithful servant Abraham, especially something that was so wrong, something that God condemned in His Law, later given by Moses (Leviticus 20:1-5).  Pagan nations practiced human sacrifice, but Yahweh condemned it.  What God was asking Abraham was not a temptation to do something sinful.  God was examining Abraham’s heart (James 1:13).  He didn’t test Abraham just to watch him fall.  God wanted to deepen his capacity to obey Him, and to develop his character.  Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances.

Abraham obeyed God without any reluctance.  He could have told God no, no way was he going to harm his beloved son Isaac.  Instead, he immediately left and headed with Isaac to Mt. Moriah, which was where the city of Jerusalem would later be, and where the Jews claim was where Solomon built the Temple.  Obeying God is sometimes a struggle, because it may mean giving up something we truly want.

Abraham traveled this three day journey with his son without wavering or questioning the purposes of God.  His faith in God remained strong, as when he instructed his servants, he told them that they both would return (vs. 5).  In Hebrews 11:17-19 we read that Abraham was so certain of the permanence of God’s promise, that he knew that if Isaac were killed, God would either raise him from the dead or He would provide a substitute, which He did.

As Abraham and Isaac prepared to climb Mt. Moriah, Isaac asked his father where the lamb was for the sacrifice.  This must have torn at Abraham’s heart, but in faith he answered that God would provide (vs. 7-8).  John the Baptist answered that question when he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).  Isaac was not a little child at this time, but probably at least a teenager or young man, and he could have easily overpowered his elderly father.  However, he trusted both God and his father.

Abraham piled the wood, then bound Isaac, laid him on the altar, and pulled out the knife to offer him as a sacrifice to Yahweh.  Just at that moment, God called out to him, stopping him from harming his son (vs. 9-12).  Abraham did not have to kill Isaac to prove himself to God, but he had to fully intend to do so, and that he did.  Abraham passed the test  He demonstrated the type of faith that God responds to with justification.  God did not want Isaac to die, but He wanted Abraham to sacrifice Isaac in his heart, so it was clear that he loved God more than anything, even His promises and his son.  When we give to God what He asks, He returns to us far more than we could dream.

As Abraham looked up, he saw a ram caught in a thicket, and took that animal, and offered him instead (vs. 13).  This is substitutionary atonement, with the ram offered on the altar as a substitute for Isaac, and Jesus, offered on the cross, as a substitute for us.  God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, but He did not spare His own Son!

For the salvation of humanity a blood sacrifice was demanded.  However the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away our sins (Hebrews 10:4).  It would have to be the sacrifice of One who is perfect.  As we know, there is no one of us who are sinless, only the sinless Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.  God provided the substitute sacrifice for Abraham and Isaac, and He also provided the substitute sacrifice for us and our sins, the Lord Jesus.  The Lord will always provide.  He may make us wait, just as He did for Abraham, providing only at the last moment, but He will always provide exactly what we need, when we need it.

Baptism And Temptation

Mark 1:9-13

Our Gospel reading for this first full week of Lent brings us to two important events that occurred right at the start of Jesus’ ministry - His baptism, and then immediately following, His temptation in the wilderness.  Mark’s Gospel moves along at a fairly quick pace, and he doesn’t dwell on these two for more than a few verses each.  But as they are important occurrences in Jesus’ life, let’s take a closer look.

Mark begins his Gospel by introducing John the Baptist, whose ministry was to announce the coming of the Messiah, and he also preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4).  Before Jesus began His ministry, the first thing He did was go to where John the Baptist was preaching, and He was baptized by him (vs. 9-10).  But wait!  Why would the sinless Son of God want or need to be baptized by John, as his was a baptism of repentance?  Jesus had never committed any sins that He needed to repent of, nor have sins that needed forgiveness!  Why did He submit to being baptized?

One major reason that Jesus was baptized was because He had come to earth to save sinners, and by doing this He was identifying with those He came to save.  Though He had never sinned, and did not need a baptism of repentance, He did so on behalf of sinful mankind.  Jesus was confessing sins on their behalf, identifying with our humanness and sin, yet remaining without sin.

Another reason that Jesus was baptized was to provide an example to us in being obedient to what the Father tells us.  He didn’t argue with God, saying that since He had never sinned, why should He be baptized for the remission of sins.  He obeyed, and we should also.

By His baptism, Jesus was showing support to John the Baptist and his ministry.  The Pharisees and religious leaders all had questions for John, but didn’t really accept his preaching, message, or baptism.  However, Jesus, the Messiah, did support John and his ministry.  This baptism pictured Jesus’ death and resurrection, and it marked His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear.  Right after the baptism of Jesus, God gave a public affirmation of His Messiahship by testimony directly from heaven (vs. 11).

Immediately following His baptism, Jesus headed into the wilderness to the east of the Jordan River, and there He was tempted by Satan (vs. 12-13).  Mark did not go into the details that either Matthew or Luke did about the temptations, but there are still important lessons we can learn.  It was during His temptation there in the wilderness that Jesus confronted Satan and took the first steps towards overthrowing his evil kingdom.

Sometimes people feel guilty when they face temptation, as if they need to confess that as being sinful.  However, temptation, on its own, is not a sin.  It becomes a sin when we give in.  Jesus was tempted by Satan, as we read in the Scriptures, yet He did not give in to those temptations, and remained the sinless Son of God.  God never tempts anyone (James 1:13), but sometimes He allows Satan to tempt His people.

Through temptation, God can strengthen our character and teach us valuable lessons.  Jesus also went through this to further identify with mankind, which He came to save.  Jesus gave us an example to follow when tempted.  He is a Helper who fully knows what we need, because He went through the same experience, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:16). 

Though we may not think of these two events in the life of Jesus as showing His love for us, they do.  They show His willingness to completely identify with mankind, and give us an example to follow.  Let us praise the Lord for His great love for us, in coming to earth to save us from our sins!