Extravagant love. What comes to mind? Is it a bracelet
dripping with diamonds, a trip around the world, a love poem written just for
you? Our world tells us, “You deserve the best.” “You are worth it.” “You need this to be happy.” Jesus turns all
of that upside down with His sacrifice on the cross. While we were yet sinners,
He took it all upon Himself, suffered and died, because He loves us.
But God
demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us. Romans 5:8
See what
great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of
God! 1 John 3:1a
Extravagant
love may not come in the way we envision it. It comes in the heart of the mom
with the disabled child. There is not much time to think about herself or her
needs. She would not have wished or dreamed about this life for her family, but
would she have it any other way? No, the love is deeper than anything she has
or will ever experience.
Sacrificial love.
It’s all around us, in the care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or cancer, in
caring for the poor, in missionary work in other cultures, in the service of
our country, in the front-line heroes. These lives are all around us and they are
beautiful. The extravagant love of Christ is available and ready to be shared.
This sacrificial
love is often found in places and with people the world would rather avoid. The
difficulties and sufferings we are called to endure, often become the very
places we witness the holiness of Christ and His love. Don’t be afraid of His
lavish love. It is there for the taking. He gives it richly, abundantly, extravagantly,
sacrificially. Can we do the same?
Jesus,
You, the pure light of the world, washed the filthy feet of
Your disciples. Show us how to love in the ways of Your heart. Take away our
fear as we step a little closer to serving others sacrificially in Your name.
After all, that’s what you taught us to do.
Amen
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