Now That’s Love!

John 3:16-21

Verse 16  For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

    Love, a word that is gushed by most people with little to no thought about the depth it holds.  John 3:16 is a verse that is known by many people and those who don’t know the wording of it may still know the reference as they may have seen signs at various sporting events throughout the world.  It is a verse that is cherished by most Christians and it is a great summary verse for Christmas.

    It was love that caused the Godhead to choose this method of redemption.  It had been planned since the beginning and He had been making hints about it since the fall.  Throughout the whole of the Old Testament there are glimpses of God’s thread of love and redemption.  A thread that reveals His grace and endurance with His people because He has chosen to love us.

    This gift of love cost Him dearly and yet He had no second thoughts about going through with it.  The manhood of Jesus struggled with the reality of what He was having to go through, but He was submitted and committed to the end, through the pain and all, because He loved us more than we can imagine.

    He displayed a love so great that He was willing to humble Himself in the most amazing way by coming as a helpless babe.  He left the glory of Heaven where He had supreme power, to come as someone who couldn’t even take care of Himself.  He who had created humanity came to live among them and be under their care.  And all because of His love for us.

    This gift of love has spanned through generations before and after His birth because He has eternal plans for those He has chosen to be with Him for eternity.  And He did it all while we were in our sinful state.  While we may be willing to stand up for those we love and maybe even be willing to sacrifice for them, few would be willing to die for them.  And even fewer would be willing to die for those who hate us.  But His love is that big and that is why we can celebrate this season of reflecting on His birth.

Making It Personal

    Who would you say you love the most?  How much do you love them?  How much more does Jesus love you?

Making It Personal Kids

    How much do you love other people?  Do you love them enough to put their desires before your own?  How much more does Jesus love you?

Closing Prayer

    Father, we can’t thank You enough for this love that You have shown us.  Help us to learn how to love others better.  Even those we don’t like.  In Jesus’ name, amen.