Most Loving Lord, there is an ad on TV by the Shriner’s Hospital where a group of children ask each other the question “what is love?” They all have different answers … one says candy, another says a prosthetic leg and one even suggests a call to the “Love Doctor”. I do not need to search for an answer because I know what Your Word says … God is love. My personal expression of love is my choice to be like You. How very generous is Your love to allow a sinner like me to be called “Your child”, “Your very own”, “Your beloved”!! And as You take up residence in me, I have the hope of becoming more like You. And everyone who has this hope strives to purge evil desires and selfishness from their lives. If, through my love for You, I do what is right I will learn how to walk in Your ways. It is my devotion to You that causes me to yearn to love as You did … unconditionally.
In many ways, You have shown me the depth of Your love. In creation, You shared life with me and allowed me to see Your creative power. You shared Your knowledge so I could reason things out and make good choices. You’ve continued to bless me with nice gifts even though I’ve failed You and destined myself to heartache. It is Your intent to share Your goodness with me as long as I give You the preeminent place in my life. As an illustration of Your love for me You proclaimed … “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend” … and then You went out and did it. Today I receive Your love through my salvation, Your listening to me, Your helping me through my struggles and Your meeting all of my needs. You explain Your love to me this way … “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.” Unselfish sacrifice is at the heart of Your love.
The marriage vows that are shared between a man and a woman are intended to allow two people to pledge their love in a sacrificial way. It is built on principles that induce a couple to pledge fidelity, sticking together in good times and bad, a willingness to stand by each other in times of sickness and health and so on. The sacrament of marriage is Your way of allowing us to experience love in an unselfish and unconditional way. It is the “Petri Dish” where true love grows and flourishes. It is sad when selfishness replaces the intent of true love and leads to disappointment and failure. I am so glad that as the “Bridegroom of the Church” You have not abandoned Your Bride, no matter how bad things get. Love is sacrificial and, if there is no willingness to sacrifice, there is no place for love. Thankfully, my eyes have been opened to love and that’s You. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
John 15:13 No greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.