Love

Downloadable Reflection Guide

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

I love pizza. I love my family. I love God. We use the same word for each of these, but I am not sure what I mean by loving pizza is what I mean by loving my family or my God, at least I hope not.

God’s love for us is the ultimate love and was demonstrated with the ultimate sacrifice. When Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice Isaac, poor Abraham’s heart was breaking. After waiting so long, he finally had his son and now God was asking to give him up in one of the most painful ways possible. How could this be? We know from Genesis 22, that God did not have Abraham go through with sacrificing his son.

Our heavenly Father however knew the entire time that He would someday go through with the sacrifice if His Son, Jesus Christ, in an even more brutal manner. Unlike Isaac, when Jesus asked if there was any other way (Matthew 26:39), no alternate sacrifice was to be offered.

It has been said that it was not the nails that held Christ to the cross, but love. That is so very true. The same love that began when Jesus willingly became one of us and was born as the son of Mary, was the same love that propelled Him through out His life and ministry. That love is why we celebrate Christmas. That love is why we have hope, faith, and joy.

Now that is Love!

Thoughts for Reflection

How can you share the love of Christ this Advent season?