What Love is this? What kind of Love not only lies down to die for another, but is raised to new life so that we may have eternal salvation?
Christ’s love.
And yet, Love does not end there. It’s a Love that dies, is raised up, and then says, “You are seated in heavenly places to rule and reign with Me, Amen.” What kind of Love would offer not only itself, but also the inheritance that comes from such a sacrifice?
Christ’s love.
What kind of Love would invite us to sit at His table, of which He himself prepared, so that He may serve us? What kind of Love does all this while we have yet to know Him, to love Him, and to ask for His life to be our own?
Christ’s love.
What kind of Love forgives such a great debt- a debt we cannot pay? What kind of Love has no need of payment or punishment from us, and is never pleased with our sacrifices, but with mercy?
Christ’s love.
What Love is this? A Love that does all this while we are yet sinners; a Love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, Amen. A Love that sees a Peter in a Simon, a Paul in a Saul, a friend in a Judas, and a Jesus in a Mary?
Christ’s love.
Do you truly know this kind of Love? Has He revealed to you that you are the disciple in whom He has loved?
My prayer is that all people will come to discover the height and depth and breath of Christ’s Love/God’s Love, so that their lives may be made full and forever changed by Him. That they may open their hearts and give themselves to Him in every way, knowing that He is everything they have ever wanted and needed. He is the prize, Beloveds; He is what our hearts and souls work so tirelessly for all our lives, whether we know it or not. Pursue Him. Pursue Love. Pursue the One who has given fully to us in every way; He desires all of us and will not settle. Lord Jesus, we submit all of ourselves to You right now- all of our concerns, our desires, our dreams, our vulnerabilities, our inabilities and abilities, and everything in between. Forgive us. Heal us. Teach us to love as You have loved and will continue to love. Thank You for Your unfathomable love! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture References:
John 15:13- No greater love than when a man lays down his life for his friend.
John 3:16- Jesus gifts us with eternal life.
1 John 4:8; John 10:30- God is love; Jesus Christ is One with God the Father and is love.
Hebrews 9:28- Christ died so that we may have eternal salvation.
Ephesians 2:4-7- Believers are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:4, 6; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20- Believers rule and reign with Christ.
Isaiah 25:6; Luke 12:37; Psalm 23:5- Christ will come to serve at the table He prepares for us.
Matthew 18:21-35- The King forgives the debtor.
Matthew 9:13- Christ desires mercy, not sacrifice.
Romans 5:8- Christ died while we were yet sinners to demonstrate God’s love for us.
1 Corinthians 13:7- Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Matthew 16:17-19- Simon is called Peter and blessed by Jesus.
Matthew 26:50- Jesus called Judas Iscariot, “Friend.”
Luke 1:26-38- The Lord God allowed Mary to conceive the Word, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 13:23- The disciple whom Jesus loved is the one who reclined into Him; all who are in Christ (abide in Jesus) are loved by Christ.
