No Greater Love

NO GREATER LOVE

 

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though

for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we

were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8, NIV)

 

A few years ago, a young American executive working in

Peru was kidnapped by a Peruvian rebel group and held

hostage. Jason Johnson was a husband, father of two

young children, and a rising star with the Bellamoor

Corporation. The rebels were hoping to exchange him for

four of their imprisoned comrades. The Peruvian govern-

ment refused to negotiate with the rebels. The Bellamoor

Corporation and the United States government tried

every tactic to free Jason Johnson.

 

Finally, seven months after he was taken hostage,

Johnson was set free. What made the change? Mr.

Bellamoor, the CEO of Jason’s company, offered himself

as a hostage in Jason’s place. He became a prisoner in the

rebels’ camp so that Jason Johnson could go free.

 

Indeed, a wonderful sacrifice. A reminder of the far

greater sacrifice that Jesus, Son of the Living God, made

for us, when he left the Ivory Palaces of Heaven to

become a man and therein to identify with lost mankind,

and then to die on the cross to pay the penalty for your

sins and mine. This so our sins could be forgiven and we

could receive the gift of eternal life.

 

There is no greater love. Have you accepted it?

 

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to grasp

the full meaning of your love in the sending of your Son,

Jesus, to come to earth as a man, to be born as a babe

in Bethlehem, and then to give his life as a ransom for

my sins. And Jesus God, because you gave your life for me,

please help me to live my life for you. Gratefully, in Jesus’

name. Amen.”