A Love Story from Jesus!
Stacy Leicht
Heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates, candlelit dinners, and roses are some things that might come to mind if you think of Valentine’s Day with the special love of your life. Construction paper hearts, a homemade card, or homemade cookies can signify love from a child to a parent. But, when someone ponders what true love, adoration, and devotion look like, what comes to mind?
Most likely one does not think about Jesus hanging on the cross and dying for our sins on Valentine’s Day. But why not? Isn’t it truly the greatest love story of all?
In Genesis, when God created Adam and Eve and put them in the garden of Eden, God told them not to eat of the tree in the middle of the garden. But a clever serpent was crafty and talked Eve into eating from the tree. She also gave some to her husband Adam. When God saw what they had done, he drove them out of the garden because of their sin.
When God sent his son to die on the cross for our sins, it was his LOVE for all of us that allowed him to make such a sacrifice. In Matthew 27, we see Jesus willingly going to his death for the sake of the world. And we see an innocent person die the death of a criminal. John 3:17 says, “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Therefore, when Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins, he took the punishment for all of our sins at once.
As a parent, I cannot imagine sacrificing one of my children. The very thought of losing a child is one of the worst thoughts imaginable. But God. God’s unfathomable love runs so deep, that he knew ahead of time what plan would have to take place so the rest of the human race could enter into a relationship of love with him. It is through Jesus’ crucifixion that people’s broken relationship with God is restored.
This February, when you are delighted in traditional Valentine’s Day fun, take a moment to reflect on God’s love for you, the greatest love story ever told.
Blessings Sweet Friends,
Stacy