Love That Found Us First

One of the most beautiful descriptions of how God loves us can be found in Romans 5:8. The Apostle Paul writes, “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” Not when we were worthy. Not when we had it all together. Not when we finally came around. While we were still sinners.

God didn’t wait to see if we’d clean up our act first. He didn’t say, “If they behave, I’ll love them.” No, His love is unconditional. The world says, “I love you if…” But God says, “I love you even if.” That’s the kind of love that isn’t based on what you do. It’s based on who He is.

When I was a kid, my brother and I were playing in the backyard, and there was an open manhole. My mom had told us not to go near it, but boys will be boys, and curiosity got the best of us. Well, wouldn’t you know it, my brother fell in. Now, when I ran to my mom, panicked and shouting for help, she didn’t stop to ask, “Has he been behaving lately?” She didn’t say, “I told you so!” No, she dropped everything, ran straight to him, and did whatever it took to pull him out.

That’s how our Heavenly Father is. Some people know God as a judge, but they don’t know Him as a loving parent. But Jesus came to show us another side of God. He came to show us the Father’s heart. He’s not up there waiting to punish you; He’s waiting to restore you, to love you, to lift you back up.

And here’s what’s amazing: God didn’t just say He loved you. He proved it. He didn’t write it in the clouds or send an angel with a note. He stepped out of heaven, came down into our broken world, and stretched out His arms on a cross. And with every breath He had left, He was saying, “This is how much I love you.”

So today, on this Holy Friday, let’s pause and remember the greatest act of love the world has ever seen. As we look to the cross, let’s remember, it wasn’t nails that held Jesus there, it was love.