John 1:9-13
Verse 11 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.
We all desire to be loved. God created us with a desire to belong and be in a community. Sometimes that is with a family and sometimes that is with friends. The love we feel in these relationships help us in our day to day struggles. Whether it is the hard day at work or school, or maybe the car not wanting to start, there comes a time when we need to turn to others for support.
The Jews were wanting that kind of support and were waiting for God to send the Messiah to save the day. They didn’t see the purpose for the Promised One as someone who would bring spiritual freedom and draw the people back to God. No, they were not thinking about drawing near to God but were desiring Him to draw near to them and their needs. The problem was is what they saw as a need – freedom from the Romans – wasn’t a need but was a want.
The people of Israel were desiring someone to rescue them from their oppressors and though God had been silent for about 400 years they figured He was the only one to fix their troubles. They desired God’s love but in the way they wanted it, not the way He was wanting to love them. Their desire of love stemmed from them being uncomfortable in their lives, but God’s love for them was going to bring them to a place of discomfort so they would repent and turn fully to Him.
We desire love in much the same way. Not just from God but from each other. We tend to act like a person can only love us if they do for us what we want them to do. If God isn’t giving us the things we pray for, we decide He doesn’t love us. If our spouse doesn’t care for us the way we expect, we may question if they love us as much as we love them. If our friends aren’t available when we want them to be, we think they have failed us. But do we always love others the way they want to be loved? Do we love God the way He wants to be loved?
Making It Personal
When have you desired God to love you in a certain way and He didn’t do as you wanted? Did you question His love for you? Do you love yourself more than God loves you?
Making It Personal Kids
What are some ways you like to be shown love? How do you like to show love to others? How does God love you?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for loving us in the way we need instead of the way we want. Help us to love You in obedience as You desire. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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