God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
You ever wonder why people follow Jesus? I can really only speak for myself but I think most people follow Him for similar reasons. For me it wasn’t the church building or the liturgy of the service. I didn’t come because of good preaching or teaching or because of the powerful music being offered. It wasn’t the kid’s programs or even small groups and friendship. What got me was really simple, I had never been loved the way Jesus loved me. How can I explain being loved to someone? It’s kind of like falling in love and knowing the other person actually loves you back. Love is that intangible that you know is real. God’s love is like that and more. His love is seen in Christ and becomes real to us by His Spirit that comes to dwell in us. Here are some thoughts from John Piper on this precious love.
“The God who absolutely is loves. He loves. Of all the things you might say about God, be sure to say this: he loves. The same writer also says “God is love.” Which I take to mean at least this: giving what’s good and serving the benefit of others is closer to the essence of God than getting and being served. God is without needs. God inclines to meet needs. God is a giver. God is love…..He loved such “that he gave his only Son.” And we know that “this giving was a giving up to rejection and death. “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him”. Instead they killed him. And Jesus said of all this, “I glorified you [Father] on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do”. So when the Father gave his only begotten Son, he gave him to die. That’s the kind of love the Father has. It is a giving love. It gives his most precious treasure—his Son.”
It’s easy to become overwhelmed at the craziness that the Christmas season brings on all of us. Memories and shattered dreams can be brutal. If you are struggling this Christmas season look to Jesus and drink of His love. You can find Him in the book, at your church, or maybe in the quiet as you simply wait for Him.