God's Bond Of Love For The World In Christ

"Today's Devotion" For April 15, 2005

Read: I John 4:7-21; I Corinthians 13

GOD'S BOND OF LOVE FOR THE WORLD IN CHRIST

"'For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'" (Jn.3:16)

An old legend tells about a giant eagle which swooped into a poor mountain village and carried off an infant. Greatly troubled and anxious for the baby's life, the whole town followed the eagle with the hope of somehow saving the child. Unfortunately the eagle perched on the highest crag of a mountain and left the people despairing for the child's life. One brave soul, a sailor home on leave, attempted the climb but was forced to abandon the effort by the cold and the danger. A burly lumberjack, used to the hardships of the outdoors and familiar with mountain climbing made the attempt; yet, he was also defeated by the mountain and returned, beaten, to the village. Finally a poor, frail, peasant woman began the ascent. One shelf of rock at a time she slowly but surely climbed to the top of the mountain and reached the cliff where the baby had been deposited by the eagle. As the townspeople watched helplessly, frightened for her life, the woman slowly came down the mountain carrying the baby in her arms. At the bottom of her triumphant descent she was met by her friends and neighbors with shouts of joy and relief.

The obvious question is asked: Why did this frail, peasant woman succeed at something others far more "capable" than her were not able to accomplish? In the face of the obvious failure of others to reach the top, how was it possible for her to save the baby? The answer may seem obvious to you; may be not. For you see, there was a special bond between the woman and the baby--she was the baby's mother. Her love was so great, the bond so intense, that she was unwilling to be beaten back by any challenge or scared off by any danger. All she could see was her little one in danger and so she accomplished what was impossible for others.

As we look at the history of the world since humanity's Fall into Sin in the Garden of Eden, we see a pantheon of personages who have sought to save themselves and the others from the ravages of Sin. People have continually sought to overcome and do away with pain and sorrow, suffering and tribulation, and every malady known to humanity--not recognizing or understanding the evil that is the foundation for all such things in the world. Millions of self- appointed "saviors" have tried to save us from ourselves. None have succeeded; their efforts have been of avail. The ravages of Sin which are a part of our lives because of the Fall in Eden can't be overcome by anyone else than the One Who has a bond with us even greater than the mother's bond with her child.

Only our Father in heaven loves us in such a way. As our Creator, He has a bond with us that can't be compared with any other bond known to us. Only He has the power to overcome the power of Sin, Death, and Satan. That power is made evident as we see His great love at work in our hearts by the power of His Word and Spirit. God became one of us in the person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the single, most powerful statement of His love for us and our bond with Him. Because of that great love in Christ, we have been set free from captivity to Sin, death, and the devil. His love at work in our hearts leads us to do great things in His service to the world and become marvelous blessings to those around us. Our lives, lived in His love today and everyday, are filled with opportunities to accomplish great things for Him. By the power of His Word and Spirit we are led to realize this and step forth confidently and boldly into whatever circumstances of life may come our way. We have been set free in our Father's saving love in Jesus Christ to soar on "eagles' wings," high above the fray, not captive to Sin and the world, but free to be His beloved children and witnesses to His love.

Prayer: Father, Your love is so marvelous and wonderful that it's truly beyond my comprehension. I cannot fathom it, but I'm grateful for it. Help me to take refuge in Christ, my Lord and Savior, and, trusting that I am safely in His arms, boldly declare, in word and deed, Your saving love for all the world. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.