SEARCHLIGHT
Are you captivated by how much Jesus Christ loves you?
SCRIPTURE
But God showed his love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) is considered one of the greatest Protestant theologians of the 20th century. Some have called his body of work "a theology of the Word."
He exercised profound influence on other 20th-century figures, including Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Reinhold Niebuhr, Jürgen Moltmann, and John Updike. Barth actively opposed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime and vigorously attempted to prevent the Nazis from establishing a state church.
Barth wrote many books which had a widespread influence. He emphasized the sovereignty of God and "the infinite qualitative distinction" between God and humankind. His massive 13-volume work “Church Dogmatics” is one of the largest and most profound works of systematic theology that has ever been written.
A story is told about Karl Barth being at Rockefeller Chapel (a Gothic cathedral!) located on the campus of the University of Chicago. It was 1962 and he was doing a lecture tour in the United States. After his lecture there was a Q & A time. A student asked Barth, "What is the most profound thought that ever entered your mind?" After a brief moment of reflection, Barth allegedly said something like, “Yes, I can. In the words of a song I learned at my mother’s knee: ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Barth summarized his whole life’s work in theology into that one simple sentence. [Selected]
Take a closer look at today’s Scripture focus: #1 God demonstrated His love by sending His Son. #2 Jesus Christ willingly died for everyone’s sin. #3 Everyone is a sinner.
Think about it! #1 The living God is the loving God who gave Jesus Christ, His Son as a sacrifice for your sin. Carefully examine the Scripture focus for today. The Hallmark Greeting Card Company had a slogan: “When you care enough to send the very best.” God the Father sent His very best to show how much He loves you.
Think about it! #2 Jesus Christ willingly came to earth and died on a cross for your sin. He gave up the glory of heaven to die for your sin. Christ sacrificed His life so that you might experience abundant life [John 10:10] and eternal life. [John 3:16] Wow! There is no greater, more overwhelming exchange. Christ’s life for your life!
Think about it! #3 Everyone has sinned and falls short of God’s standards. [Romans 3:23] Basically, a sinner is someone who is not interested in God. It is easy to love someone who loves you back. It is very difficult to love someone who does not care whether you exist. God chooses to love you even though you ignore Him.
In addition, the Bible says sin leads to death. [Romans 6:23] Rather than anyone having to experience the consequences for their sin, God the Father sent His only Son to take the punishment that everyone is so deserving. [John 3:16: Romans 6:23] J.C. Ryle said, “Sin must indeed be exceeding sinful, when the Father must needs give His only Son to be the sinner’s Friend!”
The 6 words that should captivate your attention are: “Jesus loves me this I know!” The 4 words that should captivate your attention are: “Christ died for me!” The 5 words that should captivate your attention are: “Do I love Jesus Christ?” You can do absolutely nothing to merit the love of Jesus Christ. To be honest, you do not deserve it. But that is why you should be captivated by the truth that Jesus loves you to the point that He died for you.
John Newton composed the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Newton commented about three wonders that awaited him in heaven. He said “When I get to heaven, I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be, to see many people there, whom I did not expect to see - the second wonder will be, to miss many people, whom I did expect to see; and the third and greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there.” His thoughts well describe someone who was totally captivated and so grateful that Jesus Christ loved him to the point of saving “a wretch like me.”
SOMETHING TO DO
A private time is necessary to consider just how much you love Jesus for having loved you and died for you. Pray and ponder over the Bible verses previously mentioned. Read them. Then read them out loud. And finally, pray them. Give thanks to Jesus for His love.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I am fully aware that You love me and that I do not deserve it. I know I do not merit it and cannot do anything to repay You for loving me. Today, I bow my head to tell You that I love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I pray that Your divine love within me would lead people to see You. May I reflect You and Your overwhelming love. AMEN!