Grace, Truth, and Bicycles

December 10, 2020 by Peter Caligiuri (Florida, USA)
Peter and his wife, Nancy

The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. — John 1:14 (NRSV) 

“Lord I’m asking for a new bike for my birthday,” was the first prayer I ever prayed, not counting my, “Bless the food,” requests. As my birthday drew closer and closer, my fervency increased. But when a real bicycle actually appeared on my big day; no one was more shocked than me!

My family only saw only two wheels, some spokes, and pedals; but for me I was seeing that God was real and listened when I prayed. If you think my theology was a bit wobbly, you would be right. You might ask, Did I deserve a bike? I am quite sure I didn’t, but God thankfully was not only interested in the merits of my request. God knew that I needed something I could put my hands on and say, “God is really there!”

The answer to my bicycle prayer gives a dim picture of why God sent Jesus to earth. If God would have waited for us to deserve a Savior, then Jesus would have never come. But God knew we needed more than just words; we needed a person. We needed someone whom we could touch and hear and see to show us God’s love and mercy. Yes, the people had the Ten Commandments, but that was like having a bicycle with no idea of how to ride it. Instead, Jesus came so we could know that God listens to our prayers and that if we believe in God, we will have someone who could carry us all the way home!


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