Satisfaction is defined in the dictionary as “the feeling of pleasure that comes when a need or desire is fulfilled.” Millions of us pushed back from our Thanksgiving table with satisfaction. One of the cooks probably said, “How about another piece of pumpkin pie?” And we said, “Oh my, no. One more bite and I will explode.” As a pastor who has conducted many weddings I got close-up views of many satisfied faces. Sometimes it was the groom, sometimes the bride and best of all sometimes both of them.
There is an interesting story in John 4. Jesus’ disciples had gone to buy food. But upon their return Jesus was no longer hungry. They asked, “Where did you get meat?” And He responded, “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” He was so satisfied by sharing eternity with the Samaritan woman His physical hunger was abated.
One of my favorite authors in describing our redemption wrote, “Then Jesus looked upon His redeemed saints; their countenances were radiant with glory; as He fixed His loving eyes upon them He said, ‘I behold the travail of my soul, and I am satisfied. This rich glory is yours to enjoy eternally.’”
In order to be satisfied one has to begin with a need. And what is Jesus’ need? His need is the need of a parent longing for his child to be healthy and safe. It can be a strange idea to ponder the Creator of the Universe needing something. He needs you. He made you with incredible freedom to respond or not to respond to His love. He needs us to give Him permission to save us. When we say “yes” He is satisfied. The cross was worth it.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 1, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell,org