On the FIRST DAY of Jesus’ life, where were His arms? Strange question, isn’t it? The Bible indicates that His arms were by His side, restrained there by the swaddling cloths (Luke 2:7). Fast forward 33 years. On the LAST DAY of Jesus’ life, where were His arms? They were no longer restrained by His side! They were stretched out as far as they could go, in order to be nailed to a tree for you and for me (Mark 15:25; Acts 5:30).
What about NOW? What are Jesus’ arms doing now? They are “outstretched” (Ex. 6:6; Deut. 26:8; 1 Kgs. 8:42; Psa. 136:12), representing His almighty power toward us. They are ready to “gather [His] lambs” and “carry them in His bosom” (Isa. 40:11). From the strength of His almighty grasp and everlasting care, no one is able to “snatch” us, except for our own choices (John 10:28).
He came to this earth with His arms restrained, but only so that He could extend them out to His side to bear our sins, so that He could then extend them out in front of Him in our direction to beckon, receive and nurture us! Let us spend more time “leaning on the everlasting arms!”