The night before he died on the cross Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:12-13) The part that says "as I have loved you" sticks in my mind. Jesus came from the paradise of heaven to the pain of an earthly existence. Jesus gave up more than you or I could possibly imagine to come in human form to this planet. Then Jesus died a horrific physical death on the cross, while experiencing God's full wrath toward sin. That's how Jesus loved. He loved sacrificially; he loved completely.
I recently came across a story which reminds me of Jesus-esque love. It's the story of Ian and Larissa, and their extra-ordinary marriage. I pray that this glimpse of Jesus-esque love blesses you as it blessed me.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
He Won't Let Go: A Glimpse of God's Heart for His People
Yesterday I heard the song "I Won't Let Go" performed by Rascal Flatts, one of my favorite groups. Here's some of the lyrics...
Verse 1
It’s like a storm
That cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you're lost
But you're not lost
On your own
You're not alone
Chorus
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go
Verse 2
It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh, it finds us all
But we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh, but when it rains
The song originally struck me as a beautiful expression of commitment in marriage. But as I listened my eyes were opened to a broader, even more wonderful meaning. This song expresses Jesus' heart towards those who follow Him; it expresses His heart towards me. He will never let me go, or to change the words of the song a bit, "he won't let go."
Part of Hebrews 13:5 comes to mind, "God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."" In Psalm 34:15 David tells of the same wonderful truth, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry." What a comforting reminder of God's care and concern for those who follow Him.
Verse 1
It’s like a storm
That cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you're lost
But you're not lost
On your own
You're not alone
Chorus
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go
Verse 2
It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh, it finds us all
But we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh, but when it rains
The song originally struck me as a beautiful expression of commitment in marriage. But as I listened my eyes were opened to a broader, even more wonderful meaning. This song expresses Jesus' heart towards those who follow Him; it expresses His heart towards me. He will never let me go, or to change the words of the song a bit, "he won't let go."
Part of Hebrews 13:5 comes to mind, "God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."" In Psalm 34:15 David tells of the same wonderful truth, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry." What a comforting reminder of God's care and concern for those who follow Him.
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