Can we imagine seeing pure love? Can our hearts possibly fathom, have even the tiniest inkling of what that looks like? Love that is without a hidden agenda, an underlying motive—love personified in the deepest sense, one that defies all comprehension. Have you seen the recent Jet.com commercial where people’s brains explode in a purple puff of smoke because of all the money they save by shopping on that site? The commercial to me is a wee bit disturbing, but when I try to grasp God’s selfless, sacrificial love, it’s just too much. It truly is mind-blowing. The concept of what love looks like without human boundaries is close to inconceivable—that is, if it weren’t for Jesus.
Jet.com Mind Blown
In the Bible, in the book of Matthew, chapter 4, Jesus says, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 TLV) Now James and John, the two disciples who followed Him at that point, had already witnessed several miracles—Jesus turning the water into wine and the overflowing catch of fish that almost caused their nets to break when the disciples heeded His directive to cast them on the opposite side of the boat.
In spite of and even so, these men had responsibilities. They had a living to make, families to care for, and loved ones that counted on them. Isn’t it amazing then, that they got up and left their boats? These were burly, brawny, tanned fishermen who could probably schmooze with the best of them.
Matthew, the tax collector, probably wealthier than most, watched Jesus move back and forth across the region. But it wasn’t until Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, that Matthew had such a change of heart, that he left all that he had, behind. (Luke 5:27 TLV) So, what was it? Was it that God’s love came through in ways we can perceive but cannot comprehend? Did the compassionate tenderness of His love—that, which we can barely fathom, was it overflowing in the depth of His eyes? Was the love of His Heavenly Father so tangible that it was palpable?
But unlike its sappy, syrupy counterfeit that is rampant in today’s world, this purest love, much like a multifaceted diamond, has many faces—a few being justice, mercy, and truth. Justice, when in righteous anger, Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple or when He called on any who was without sin to cast the first stone. Mercy, the double-edged sword that reveals what holds our hearts captive. And Truth, the light that pierces our heart unveiling what we so fiercely try to hide. And with that, Jesus did not come to condemn us, but to love us, and in that love, to save us from the desperate condition of sin.
Not your typical Valentine, no sir, but a Valentine that in seeing to the depths of your heart, still wants to love, take care, counsel, strengthen and defend you—a love that delights in you. So this year on February 14th, celebrate Him, and remember.
Love,
Kimberly Bryant-Palmer
Author of Mr. Zip and The Capital Z
mrzipbooks.com
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*TLV Tree of Life Version
