Shut out the world for a moment, and imagine...
Imagine that you are a 12 year old boy or girl--an orphan. For as long as you can remember, you have dreamed of and longed for becoming the object of someone's love--belonging to someone. But days of dreaming and disappointment have turned into weeks, weeks into months, and now months have turned into years. Common sense tells you to give up on such thoughts of being wanted, but the hope inside of you is a stubborn thread from which your heart hangs.
Time and time again, your orphanage has hosted people looking for a child to adopt, and time and time again you have been passed by. For one reason or another, you have never been what they were looking for. You assume that today will be no different as an announcement is made that others will be entering the orphanage and possibly selecting a child to give their last name to.
Your back is to the door as the first family enters. You know there is no point in turning to face their direction, but you can't help but glance over your shoulder to get a look at the prospective family. Immediately you know there's no chance this family will want you. Their skin is a different color. Sure enough, they glance your way once and never again. Later in the day another family walks in. Again you are instantly sure that this family will go home with someone else. They already have two children younger than you are, and almost never does a family adopt a child that would be older than the children already in their home.
Soon after they are gone, a young couple comes into the room. You quickly discover that they are very energetic, very active, and very athletic. They'll want a child who promises to be very coordinated and athletic. You can barely chew gum and walk at the same time.
As the day draws closer to an end, another family enters. You strain to hear their conversation with others and learn that this family is very gifted and places a high value on excellence in academics. Your very best is normally a C+.
Another day of broken expectations. Another pair of tears down the sides of your cheek. Again you have been rejected...wrong color, too old, too clumsy, not very smart.
But just then, the door opens one more time. Entering is a man, and not just any man. Immediately it is obvious that this man is something special. He's followed by several others who appear to be servants. His stature is intimidating, yet you detect a gentleness in his eyes that you have never seen before. His clothing is the finest than can be found anywhere, and the brilliance of the crown on his head almost makes him impossible for your eyes to look at.
This is a king.
Then you notice by his side is a son -- a prince. He's about your age, and he walks through the room hand in hand with his father. It's clear to everyone that they have a very special bond. Your mind begins to daydream of what it would be like to be that boy, to be a prince, and to have and to experience everything the son of such a father would have and experience. Your heart leaps at the thought, but not for long. Reality rushes in and crushes your moment. Certainly you will be more quickly rejected this time than you have ever been before.
As you turn to hide the next series of tears and walk away, a hand touches your shoulder. You look up into the eyes of the king, and energy races through your spirit. "I want this one," says the king in a voice that is as strong as thunder but at the same time as soft as rain.
To your horror, the director of the orphanage steps forward and declares that the only way the king can take you home is if an exchange is made: the prince must take your place and remain at the orphanage. You know for sure the deal is off now. But to your surprise, the king turns to his son and asks, "Son, will you take the place of this child so that they might become mine?" Your eyes meet with those of the prince. You expect him to say "No way," but you sense a struggle taking place behind those eyes. The prince seems torn between a desire to be with his father, and a desire to please him by staying. You see love for his father in his eyes, but you also sense love in his eyes for you. "Yes, father, I will take his place."
Before you can believe it, papers are signed, the prince has placed his crown on your head, and he takes your place in the orphanage as you take his place in the father's arms.
My friend, if you have believed and received Christ as your Savior and your Lord, then this is not an imaginary story...it's your story. Everyone else may reject you. God should reject you. But oh what love, what grace, what a miracle -- the sovereign of the whole universe has adopted you as His beloved. Live this day and every day in the light of this unfathomable love!
