How much are you loved?

Finding worth

Why is it important to tell someone, “I love you”, or to hear it from someone? Could it be that in a fallen, sinful world we tend to not think well of ourselves; that we are somehow dirty, unattractive, unlovable, whatever? Why do you think social media is such an attraction to young people especially? They want to know if they matter to anyone, or that their thoughts are accepted by their circle of friends or broader. And it becomes extremely hurtful if others, especially friends, start an online campaign to belittle you. Many measure their worth or how much they’re loved by the number of followers they have.

Maybe it’s also important to experience what others have done for you or how far they’ll go to make you feel loved, even without saying it. Could be as simple as a regular visit, a listening ear, help in some tangible way when you’re mentally or otherwise, down and out. That’s why John 3:16 is so incredibly powerful to demonstrate just how much we are loved by our heavenly Father. “For God so loved…” The word, so, has such a deep meaning! Not just loved a little bit, but so loved. Deeply, personally, sacrificially, and much more! And how did God demonstrate his love? What is the operative word in John 3:16 that shows us the extent of his love? …that he gave… What? His only begotten Son.

Amazing love

And how far did Christ go, and what did he do that expresses the Father’s love? I invite you now, don’t put it off, to read and meditate on Isaiah 53. And I further challenge you to read and meditate on Psalm 22. Concerning the latter, Jesus quoted the first words of the Psalm while on the cross which gave evidence to what was taking place. It’s not pretty! But it shows the extent of his love for you and me, the world.

A few highlights of Isaiah 53.

No form, majesty or beauty that we should desire him
Was despised and rejected by men
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
Bore our griefs and sorrows
Stricken by God and afflicted
Pierced for our transgressions
Crushed for our iniquities
His chastisement brought us peace
With his wounds we are healed
The Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all
He was oppressed, afflicted yet did not open his mouth
Like a lamb that has led to the slaughter
By oppression and judgment he was taken away
Cut off out of the land of the living
Stricken for the transgression of his people
Laid in a grave with the wicked provided by a rich man
It was the will of the Lord to crush him, to put him to grief as an offering for guilt

Now, I ask you, how much are you loved? Has anyone ever in the history of mankind, or even while you are living, ever done anything close to this to show how much they love you? NO!!! And now that he has been resurrected, and ascended to the right hand of the Father, he is now interceding for you to the Father on your behalf.

“Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my God should die for me?”