December 26, 2004

THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVER

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13, NKJV).

In his moving lament for his dearest friend, David said, "I grieve for you, Jonathan, my bother... your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women" (2 Samuel 1:26, NIV). This was love that was pure and unselfish.

But there is another love story that surpasses that of David's love for Jonathan. It is the greatest love story ever told. Christ's fathomless love far surpasses all the boundaries of human love. His love, demonstrated on the cross, far exceeds human love in that He "died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6, NIV). This matchless, unconditional agape love has no limits. The amazing fact about Christ's love for us is that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (verse 8, NIV).

That's love in the ultimate degree, love at its very best. This is unconditional love. While we were still sinners, the world's greatest lover died for us. There is no greater love, simply because there is no greater lover. Paul pushes the limits of this love still further by the declaration, "When we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son" (verse 10, NIV).

How humanly incomprehensible is this love! Think of it--dying in agony on a shameful cross for His enemies! There is nothing like Jesus' love in all history, sacred or profane. It transcends, excels, and eclipses all other love. We can never repay such love, but we can love the giver for all eternity. "The love of God is a golden chain which binds finite man to the infinite God. It is a love which 'passeth knowledge.' No science can explain it, no wisdom fathom it"--Signs of the Times, November 19, 1896.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I thank You for Christ, the greatest lover of the ages. Amen.