But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
I think it is a life-long journey to figure out what love is. We know all about brotherly love and erotic love and the love of parents for their children. But the kind of love used in this verse – agape love – is one of the greatest and most important mysteries on Earth. Can there be such a thing as unconditional love, a love that does not depend one bit on the loveability of the person? Jesus says there is such a thing and our lives depend on it. God gave us an example of this kind of love: sending Jesus to die for us in our state of rebellion against God. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for his enemies. We have learned all about love that is reciprocal: your treat me nice and I return the favor. The meaning of Jesus’ death is loving people in hopes of what they may, someday, become. Do you have anyone you need to love like that?
Lord, thank you that you have shown your love for me by making an extreme sacrifice I didn’t remotely deserve. I want your love to grow inside me and flow through me to my world. Amen.
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