Unearned Love

We have all somehow gotten it into our heads that to be loved means that we must be worthy of it. That we must have something that someone desires that they may love us. We believe that if there is nothing in us that is worthy to be loved, than we are not loved. It is likely that we have taught ourselves this by the way we treat one another. Unconditional love is hard to come by in the harsh world n which we live.

Even families are not immune to this way of looking at love. Disappointments and heartache can be found in our homes as we fall short of the expectations of those closest to us, and because of our failures we think we cannot be loved.

This is not the way of God. Jesus goes to great lengths to show us that He loves us first, even though, because of our sin, and stubborn refusal to live according to the Ten Commandments, we are in fact unlovable, our Savior loves us. Even though we have squandered the gifts we have been given. Wasted the talents and treasure God has provided. Selfishly focused on ourselves rather than giving of ourselves for the sake of others, and the good of the kingdom of Christ, Jesus died for us.

Jesus gave His life as a ransom for ours, that by faith in Him we may be made clean. Jesus loves us, and because of His love for us, we are loved in return.

This is truly unconditional love. Our squandered lives and opportunities do not hold back the joy of the Father for our return. He rushes in His Word to meet us. He embraces us with the promise of love in the waters of Baptism, clothing us with the best robe. The Father rejoices that though we were dead in our sins and trespasses, because of His love in sending us Jesus, we are made alive again. Raised by the grace of God in Jesus. While other people may only love what is loveable in us, Jesus loves you, completely, unconditioned. It is this amazing love of Christ that transforms you, heart, soul and mind.