Loved Like a Kitten (Part 1)

READ: JOHN 1:14; 3:16-17; COLOSSIANS 1:12-14

I think being a professional kitten rescuer might be one of the cutest jobs in existence. But the practical realities of the job are anything but cute. 

When a rescuer receives foster kittens into their home, these tiny rescue kittens need lots of attention, and the care they need is often pretty gross, including special flea baths. Even after the fleas are gone, the kittens still need round-the-clock care, like special feedings and medicine from the vet. Not to mention cleaning up their messes if they feel sick and need to throw up or have diarrhea. But it’s all worth it. If everything goes well, the kittens begin to grow, becoming healthier, stronger, and cuter by the day.

When you see kittens who have passed this threshold—happily exploring, climbing, and cuddling—it’s amazing to consider how well they are doing compared to the bad shape they were in when they arrived. It’s sobering to realize that these now-healthy kittens would have died if people hadn’t rescued them.

And the thing is, these kittens remind me of us. Without Jesus, we were helpless too. We were sick with sin and doomed to die because of it. But Jesus stepped in and rescued us by dying for our sins on the cross and rising from the grave.

He loves us so much. Even when our sin sickness was grosser than fleas, Jesus wasn’t afraid to come to this earth and live with us so that we could be rescued. • Aurora Scriver

• God loves us so much that He was willing to do the difficult work of saving us. If you have questions about what it means to be rescued by Jesus, who is a trusted Christian you could talk to? (You can also find out more on our “Know Jesus” page.)

• When we realize how gross our sin is, it might leave us feeling pretty bad about ourselves. But God already knows how gross our sin is, and His love for us does not change. Whenever we sin, we can repent, turn away from our sin and turn to Jesus. Consider taking a moment to come to Him in prayer, confessing any sins that come to mind and resting in His great love and care for you.

For he [God] has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son [Jesus]. Colossians 1:13 (NLT)