Posts
It wasn’t the same every year, and I can’t be certain it was always on February 14th, but my father always made sure he expressed his love for us during this time. I don’t recall all the ways he expressed his love for us over the years, but one Sunday near Valentine’s Day I can never forget.
The car’s engine had barely stopped spinning, and I was halfway into our house. I couldn’t wait to get my “church clothes” off and get into something more comfortable. As I rushed in the front door and began to tear through house toward my room, I stopped. No, not by the voice of my mother telling me not to run in the house, rather by what I saw.
Most Sundays after church, while mom and dad got dinner ready, it was the job of us kids to set the table with the “good (or Sunday) China.” But not today; the table was already finished. Moreover, each place setting was topped off with ornate heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates. It didn’t take long to discern who was responsible for this scene; two clues gave it away. Dad’s plate was noticeably empty, while Mom’s plate was lost under the largest heart on the table. Although Dad loved us all it was clear who was his Valentine.
That didn’t matter, in fact in many ways it was refreshing to see how much my dad loved my mom. Besides, I know he loved me too. This clearly displayed how much by father thought of, cared for, and loved each of his five children. As I stood silenced by my Father’s actions, I felt loved - my dad thought of and cared for me. His actions plainly demonstrated it. I was special to him. I was my father’s valentine. In return, I couldn’t help but love him back.
Yet, as wonderful as my father’s expression of love was, there is one Valentine’s gift greater still; given us by our Heavenly Father - the gift of Christ. I John 4:9-10 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
The first Valentine ever given wasn’t a box of chocolates or dozen roses, it was God’s one and only Son. Jesus was sent not simply to be our teacher, example, or miracle worker; but as our replacement, our redemption, our salvation. Because of our sin, we deserve death and can never enter into the presence of God. Yet, because of His great love for us, God wasn’t going to let that happen. As a result, He did the only thing that could change our condition. He sent His Son, who was without sin to pay for ours.
Out of perfect Love, God gave everything so we could be with Him. Christ not only took our sin, but God gives us His righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” God’s Love not only paid our debt, but credited our account as well.
Yes. The first and greatest act of love came from God. According 1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.” We are only able to love others, because God first loved us! For God is the origin and source of all true love. When one has experienced His Love, the response is simple; he can’t help but love God in return. Moreover, our ability and capacity to love others overflows from God’s love in us. As we experience God’s Redeeming Love, we are enabled and excited to extend it to those around us.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment