This is the time of the year that we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. He loved us so much that He was willing to die for us that we might have eternal life.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
That word “love” the way Jesus demonstrated it is a very powerful word. Let’s take a look at the first mention of the word love in the Bible. It occurs in Genesis 22:
Genesis 22:2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
God tests Abraham’s faith in Him by telling him to go sacrifice his son. God had no intention of sacrificing Isaac. He wanted to see if Abraham would obey Him no matter what the cost. We see in verse 12 that Abraham passed the test.
Genesis 22:12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
So, that the very first use of the word ‘love’ in the Bible is used to paint us a picture of how important a father-son relationship is to God. That is the pattern or shadow in the Old Testament of the real thing to come or be revealed in the New Testament.
The very first time love is mentioned in all the Gospels is in Matthew 3:17. Jesus was being baptized and as He rose up out of the water:
Matthew 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
This same story is told again in Mark 1:11 and Luke 3:22. These verses are also the first mention of love in their Gospels. So, three times the story of God’s love for His Son is told in the first three Gospels. But in the fourth Gospel, it is a little different. The first mention of love in the Gospel of John is in John 3:16:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Now, in John, He tells us that He loved “us” so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only and much-loved Son, in order that we might be saved. God loves us the same way He loves His Son. Because of His love for us, He has made us sons and daughters of Him when we believe in His Son.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
So, during this season of celebration of His Son, come to know Him and He will give you His peace and joy and rest in this lifetime and eternal life in the one to come. You are so precious to Him.
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