This Is Real Love

Dear Friends,

Some years back a man was visiting another country and while he was there he was arrested for a crime he didn't commit.  He was given an unjust court trial with witnesses who falsely accused him. 

His father, being a prominent figure, could have stepped in at any moment and put an end to this travesty of justice, but he didn't.

The man was convicted and sentenced to death.  During his imprisonment he was tortured and abused by the prison guards who watched over him.

Still his father did not intervene.  He had the authority to send in those who could have stopped it on his behalf, he didn't even need to go himself.  Yet he did nothing.  The father made his choice - he allowed it all.  And at the appointed time the man was put to death.

Do you consider these the actions of a loving father?  Were there serious issues between the father and son?  What could have happened to cause such irreparable damage to their relationship that the father obstinately refused to step in to the situation?  Did the father even love his son?

The father's actions (or lack of actions) are not my definition of what it means to love.  If one of my children are in difficulty or in pain I would do all that I possibly could to help them.

The story of a son and his father is not just another story.  This was a moment in history - it is His Story - God's Story!  God is that father and Jesus, his Son, and yes, it is God's definition of love although it may not be mine or yours.

It was God's plan to send his Son to earth to die for our sins.  It was God's plan that Jesus take on the punishment that you and I deserved.

Jesus is innocent of all crime.  He is the only perfect, sinless one and as such is the only one who is worthy to take my punishment and yours.

He faced an unfair trial and extreme torture and punishment.  Jesus then endured a death designed for criminals - death on a cross.   

God could have intervened at any moment.  He could have sent his angels to protect his Son.  How painful it must have been for God the Father to watch God the Son, his Son, endure such depth of suffering.  He chose not to step in, not for lack of love for Jesus, but for love of me and you.  How deep must his love be for us that he would allow his Son to face such a death.  I don't know that I will ever, this side of heaven, understand fully the incredible and amazing love he has for me.
 

"For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16 (AMP)

Just re-read that verse as though it was written specifically with you in mind.  Actually, I believe it was written specifically with you in mind:

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized __________ that he even gave his One and only begotten Son, so that ____________, who believes and trusts in Him as Saviour shall not perish but have eternal life.

So, it was God's plan that Jesus suffer and die that you and I might live.  "But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip." Acts 2:23-24 (NLT). 
 
God planned it so that our broken relationship with him could be restored.  That we might know him as our Father and experience life eternal.  God allowed Jesus to go through all of this for your sake and mine.

Now that's real love!
 
John writes this in 1 John 4:7-10 "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (NLT)

How do I respond to such a love?  Do I dismiss it?  Do I ignore it?  Or do I embrace his gift of love and forgiveness?  Do I respond with gratitude, thanking him for taking the punishment I deserved?  Do I respond by placing my life in his hands and choosing to live wholeheartedly for him?
 
To Think About:
Spend some time in the coming week meditating on God's love for you.  Make time to just be in his presence and soak in his love.
 
You may like to listen to Chris Tomlin's song "At The Cross (Love Ran Red)" as aid to worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvpBphq5og
 
Your life matters to God.  He paid the highest price for you.  In response to this how will you make every day count?
 
Vicki




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