A Love Story

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Propitiation means atoning sacrifice. Jesus died on the cross as an innocent man and as God come in the flesh, giving His life to atone, or make up for, our sin so we didn’t have to be eternally punished for it. Jesus took our place and our punishment. And He did so willingly.

Willingly. That word. It doesn’t mean Jesus wanted to die and was not grieved by what He would bear in that sacrifice. The Bible says that in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed in agony to His Heavenly Father as He coped or came to terms, if you will, with the unspeakable suffering awaiting Him. Luke 22:44 says, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” The victorious outcomes He knew were coming with the cross—His resurrection from the dead and ascension back to Heaven, the tearing in two of the temple veil that separated God and man, and the reconciliation He was making possible between God and man that would allow humanity to have eternal life—all of that did not negate the pain of the process.

But sin against God required God-level payment; and nothing and nobody but Jesus Christ could pay it. We could never work it off, pay it forward, or be good enough to erase sin. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Only the blood of Jesus is enough.

Knowing this, Jesus followed through and stood in our place in judgement and bore the sin of all humanity—every wicked, rotten thing of mine, yours, our ancestors, those who come after us, and all the peoples of the world throughout the ages—on the cross. And it was ugly. It was merciless. It was proud. But God’s love shone clearly through Christ’s sacrifice as He was made a spectacle on the cross, displaying in pictures of red His boundless mercy, His lowliness and humility, His power, and His love.

In John 1:36, John called Jesus the Lamb of God. Peter likened Jesus’ crucifixion to that of a sacrificial lamb saying, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Jesus was our sinless, sacrificial Lamb, the Innocent One who suffered willingly for the guilty because He loved the guilty ones.

We didn’t deserve His sacrifice. But that is His love story, His measure and demonstration of love. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

What does God’s love mean to you? How is it real to you? Have you accepted His love, His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ?

1 John 4:19 says, “We love him, because he first loved us.”

Does realizing His love for you inspire you to love Him? To love Him more?

If you have missed out on this great Love until now, I have good news for you. Jesus’ gift is still giving. Today is the day of salvation. 1 John 1:9 declares, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Yes, God has the power to forgive us and cleanse us. He also has the love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Don’t put off repentance and redemption. It is for you. Why wait to begin the greatest love story of your life?

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I hope you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If not, please consider making Him Lord of your life today. If you know the Lord is calling you to repent, pray to Him. Use your own words. He doesn't need fancy talk (unless you're fancy); just you. Acknowledge your sin against Him, and ask Him to forgive you. Confess that you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for your sins, and that He rose from the dead. Empty your heart out to the Lord. Say whatever you need to say. It doesn't have to be short or long or any certain way. You can also ask Him to help you live for Him. He's waiting to hear from you.

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