Day 2
THE GOD WHO LOVES
Revelation 1:5-6
To Him who loves us and freed us from our sins by His blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving His God and Father, to Him
be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The picture book of Revelation has some challenges for us about how we live for Jesus in a very imperfect world. Some of the pictures can be quite scary.
The wonderful truth is that this word to us begins by setting the Lord Jesus before us and this truth puts our hearts and minds at peace: ‘To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins.’ What a fantastic combination – love and liberty. God wants us to know that in Jesus Christ we are loved and freed. Individually, we are loved, as one preacher put it: ‘As if there were nobody else to love.’
It is easy to feel small and insignificant in today’s world. The problems of climate change, hunger, homelessness, war, family breakdown – all of which so often affect the poor most of all – seem so huge.
How can God possibly love us individually? He does.
The Bible tells us this great truth again and again; but, if you find it easier to remember stories, then think of the woman in the Gospels who wanted to be healed and just touched Jesus’ robe. She was indeed healed; but Jesus, who was on His way to help a little girl, stopped the crowd and made sure the woman progressed from a touch for healing to saving faith for eternal life. (Mark 5:24-34) Despite all the demands on Him, Jesus had time to stop for this woman. How ready are we to answer God’s call to minister to others, in spite of our busy schedules?
Some cultures give great respect to older people but pay little attention to the needs of the young. Others invest in opportunities for young people while undervaluing those who have given so much throughout their lives but now need help and support. God loves us no matter what our age, background, nationality, ethnicity, gender, education, job, wealth, or status. ‘God is love’ is one of the simplest and best foundations for how we view God, the world, and ourselves.
Of course, words can be cheap and sometimes meaningless. A proverb from Senegal puts it like this: ‘He may say that He loves you; wait and see what He does for you.’ That’s why the words that follow the assurance of God’s love are so full of power: ‘He freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us’. The colour of human blood is the same regardless of skin colour and race. The blood shed on the cross is universal, and signifies the power of Christ’s redemptive work over all of God’s people, regardless of colour or race.
At the end of the book of Revelation, the love of God for us as precious individuals, made in His image, and redeemed in Christ’s death and resurrection, is expressed in a very intimate and personal way. We read: ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.’ For someone to wipe our tears we have to let them get close enough.
As you pray for your five people today, hold them in God’s presence, and ask that despite whatever challenges they may be facing, that they might allow the Lord close enough to do what He alone can do.
The Diocese of Barisal, Bangladesh
