TO LOVE THE FATHER
1 John 4:9
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
When we think of the coming of the Lord and his sacrifice we often think of Jesus choosing to come down and die. Many of us even consider Jesus to be God, the Father one and the same.
But scripture says that God SENT his son. Have you ever been sent somewhere you don’t want to go? Somewhere that is beautiful but not home? Somewhere that is painful, yet necessary. Maybe school! Maybe court!
This reminds me of men. Studies say most men avoid the doctor and many go out of respect for their wives, at their request. God sent his son, Jesus. Now did he know from the very beginning as a toddler that he was the Son of God? Who knows. I’m not here to speculate.
But what I do know is, Jesus toiled. He cried. He sweat like drops of blood at the hour of his sacrifice (Luke 22:44). He prayed that the cup be removed if there was any other way. YET HE DID NOT SIN (Hebrews 4:15). At the end of his prayer he humbled himself before God and said “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Jesus didn’t come down and die because he loved us so much. Jesus came down and died the death he did because he loved GOD so much. Jesus didn’t take his focus off of his Father!
John 14:31
but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
In the same sentence of asking for liberty, he humbled to the pain of death out of his love for God who SENT him.
That is why Jesus is our example. That is why the message is love! Not sin. Not hell. Not damnation. Not heaven. LOVE. The same love that cast out fear leading to the sacrifice that saved the world..that gave us power to tread on serpents and scorpions..that inevitably gave us the Holy Ghost..that did what we couldn’t do. Jesus loved God more than he loved the adoration of people (Mark 10:18). Jesus loved God more than he loved the sound of his own voice (John 12:49). Jesus loved God more than he loved revenge (John 6:64, Luke 9:22-24). Jesus loved God more than he loved himself (Philippians 2:7).
Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jesus was not only the living Word but he lived the Word. It wasn’t just words for us, but for Him. He leaned on the Word of God in the wilderness(Matthew 4:1-13). He leaned on the Word of God in his teaching. He leaned on the Word of God in his life and his death.
1 John 4:8
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
There is no life where there is no love.
