The Wonder of God’s Love

We read in 1 John 4:9, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”  God loves us in sending Jesus into our world.  God’s love is active.  He could have just sent a memo; but instead, he embodied love by coming in the person of Jesus.

God’s love broke through our world, as Jesus came to us as a child born in Bethlehem.  God’s love has intersected our world and our individual and collective lives in the person of Jesus.  Jesus stands at the fulcrum of history.  We have a glimpse of God, as we focus on Jesus Christ.  God’s love reaches us wherever we are.  And that love has no limits.

A four-year-old boy by the name of Ashton loves the movie Toy Story 2, particularly the space ranger hero, Buzz Lightyear.  During Ashton’s Sunday school, he and the other students were learning that God’s love has no limits.  At the end of class, the teacher, reviewing the lesson, asked, “So, how much does God love us?”  Quoting Buzz’s big line in the film, Ashton replied, “To infinity and beyond!”

God’s love breaks through a world of darkness and evil and self-centeredness and pride.  God’s love transcends our pain and our hurts.  Sometimes as human beings we have a hard time admitting our need for God.  But God’s love extends to us, even when we do not acknowledge our need.  God loves us with endless love.

God’s love also provides a glimpse of how we are to live.  Our lives ought to demonstrate kindness, generosity, and service to others.  At Christmas, as through the entire year, John expects that as Christians we will give of ourselves to others.    May we look to others during this holy season, and may we share the Gospel with joy!