O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (Jn. 15:13).
Self-sacrifice is the supreme evidence of love. The ultimate sacrifice is one’s life. Jesus gave up His life, His glory, His majesty, His union with His Father. Divine love for man compelled Him to descend to earth to become the sacrificial Lamb of God. Jesus willingly allowed Himself to be crucified by the sinful, ignorant, abase leaders of the day so that His beloved children could ascend to heaven to live with Him forever. A mystery beyond human comprehension; understood only by the miracle of faith. Sinful man, enemy of God, transformed into His Bride, spotless and without a wrinkle. He spoke of a heavenly kingdom, they thought of an earthly kingdom; He came to serve, they demanded to be served; He exhorted them to live by faith in God, they enforced strict adherence to Torah; He lived by the Spirit of the Law, they lived by the letter of the Law. Jesus—entirely God, entirely man; man in perfect union with God—unblemished, innocent, Lord of Glory, Image of the Invisible God. He took upon Himself man’s sins, bore the curse of the Law, and sustained His Father’s wrath. He loved, He died, He gave. He sacrificed His life for the remnant that would heed His call and “Follow Me.” His love for mankind incomprehensible, His longing for fellowship immeasurable, His desire to call man His friend inconceivable.
Jesus searches from shore-to-shore to find one who would invite Him to join in their life journey. To share their joys and sorrows, their ups and downs, their wins and losses. Christ demonstrated His love for us by dying on the cross. We demonstrate our love for Him by living in obedience to His Word. Jesus came to earth to show us the way to heaven. He was misunderstood by most. Can we expect anything else if we are to be His friend and keep His commandments?
Jesus’ earthly treasures: the souls of men, truth, doing His Father’s will from a heart of obedience. What are your treasures? Are you willing to obey Him today? To be misunderstood tomorrow? Were you mocked because of Him yesterday? Though you will experience tribulations when you walk with Jesus—the world does not know Him—in the end, you will know that you have lived with Jesus Who brings life and peace. You will be His greatest treasure, His Bride. “O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!”