Our cat Goose (originally named Lucifer) demands regular cuddles. He prefers daily cuddles from my wife, but if she’s not available he’ll settle for cuddles from me.

He jumps up next to wherever we are and nuzzles us. We know what he wants. And we enjoy cuddling him as he purrs happily.

As follows of Jesus, we love to “Goose Cuddle” with Jesus daily. And he is eager to “Goose Cuddle” with us.

As Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

As the arms and hands of Jesus, the church is supposed to give Goose Cuddles.

Jesus told his disciples on the night before his crucifixion:

A new command I give you: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34).

How does a church give Goose Cuddles to other believers?

Luke described such a cuddling church in the early days of the church in Jerusalem:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. . . . . Every day they continued to meet together . . .. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God . . .. (Luke 2:42,46-47).

A number of years later, the Apostle Paul described how the church in Thessalonica gave Goose Cuddles:

[E]ncourage one another and build each other up.

Live in peace with each other. . . .

[E]ncourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances . . ..
(1 Thessalonians 5:11-17)

In this Way of Jesus, give each other Goose Cuddles. Daily!

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

How do you give Goose Cuddles? Why?

How has the LORD given you Goose Cuddles? Why?

How has a church given you Goose Cuddles? Why?

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For related ideas, please read my blog “The Star of Bethlehem Was a ‘Can of Tuna Fish’”.