At one time a wise and beloved shah ruled Persia. One day he disguised himself as a poor man and went to visit the public baths. The water was heated by a furnace in the cellar, and the Shah made his way to that dark place to sit with the man who tended the fire. The Shah befriended him in his loneliness. Day after day the ruler went to visit the man. The worker became attached to this stranger because he “came where he was”. The Shah expected the man to ask for a gift when he learned his true identity. Instead, he looked with love and wonder into his leader’s face and said, “You left your palace and your glory to sit with me in this dark place to eat my coarse food. On others you may bestow rich gifts, but to me you have given yourself?
As we think of what Lord has done for us, we can echo that fire tender’s sentiments. Jesus stepped from heaven to earth, from the worship of angels to the mocking of cruel men, from glory to humiliation. To provide our salvation, Jesus took upon Himself the form of a servant, and “became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8)*. Our creator became our Savior. He deserves our heartfelt worship and humble adoration.
“God’s highest Gift should awaken our deepest gratitude”.
taken from Our Daily Bread, Dec 20, 2011
