For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV Girls maneuvered the halls with their backpacks, teddy bears, and roses, a typical high school Valentine’s Day. Love and the lack thereof were on display. The visual reminders reinforced what I already questioned, “was I unlovable?”
I longed for unconditional love... a love that I wouldn’t find in the halls of my high school. I later learned the love I sought was that of God. What irony, even though I believed in Jesus as my Savior I didn't really trust, know, or experience His love. Being a mother brought me face-to-face with a reflection of the love God Almighty has for us through my love for my children. However, my love for my kids is only a shadow of God’s love for us. God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son, loved us so much they loved us to death… death on the cross. Jesus Christ, God the Son, left heaven and clothed himself in humanity to live His life on the path of the cross, to pay for our sins and redeem us (Romans 6:23). Jesus could have avoided the cross (Matthew 26:53). Instead, He set his eyes toward the cross and the sacrifice He would make in exchange for us (Hebrews 12:2). On the cross Jesus assumed our guilt from our sin. Love, not the nails, held Him firm to endure it. Jesus’ cross death completely paid the debt that our sin debt required (Colossians 2:14) so all who believe in Him as Savior would avoid eternal death (John 3:16). I hate to imagine the pain of the Father, it was the first and only separation from His beloved Son He had ever experienced (Matthew 27:45-51, Beth Moore, Jesus the One and Only). To bring us, His rebellious children, back home the Father had to allow Jesus to die; it was the ONLY way. Reflect on the love of God the Father, God the Son—Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit for you! Pray John 3:16 over yourself but insert your name where it says “the world.” Jesus died for you! He died for me! However, though He died for all, only those who believe will be redeemed (John 3:16-17). My and your debt has been paid; through faith we can rejoice in our freedom (Ephesians 2:8). God the Father raised Jesus from the grave. He is alive! Through faith in Jesus we die to sin and are raised with Him to new life (Romans 6:4). Child of God, I don’t know what the enemy uses as your personal trigger to make you doubt God’s love for you and His faithfulness to His Word. Maybe it isn’t Valentine’s Day, instead it’s a present struggle, past sin, or something once pleasant that now brings feelings of pain due to loss or regret. I encourage you, look through your pain to the cross of Jesus and the empty tomb so you can remember. Remember that you are not just loved, YOU ARE SO LOVED. Wherever you are on your faith journey—repent of any sin and rebellion towards God, believe in Jesus as your Savior, and experience the love of God that is in Christ Jesus! Prayer: Jesus, You love me, You who died. Through You Heaven’s gates open wide. Jesus, You took away all my sin. Let me, Your little child, come in. Lord God, forgive me. Renew me. Lead me in Your way everlasting. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. (Jesus Loves Me: lyrics by Anna Bartlett Warner, 1860; hymn by William B. Bradbury, 1862). Faith in Action: Meditate—let God’s love letter of John 3:16 fill your heart as you read the words slowly and personally. What does it mean in your life to be so loved by God? To God be the glory, Sarah
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