Gift of Love

 

The Gift of Love.  When I read about Jesus’ time on earth, it amazes me that with every step He took, He shared His love.  Each parable, each miracle, each conversation, and even each moment of discipline, He shared His love for those around Him.  I must admit I am often envious of the disciples.  To have the experience of walking side by side with Jesus during his ministry and being able to feel His love pour out upon those He met must have been incredible.  Yet, we do have that experience, every day.

We are blessed to have Jesus’ love blanket us as we rise each morning and as we lay down our head each evening.  Jesus’ love is with us each moment of the day, just as it was for the disciples.  We know this because He laid down His life for us, AND ROSE AGAIN, so that we would be able to walk each day with Him.  Jesus not only rode into Jerusalem on a colt for us but endured the long journey to Golgotha for us.  He not only had people share, “Hosanna in the highest”, but also heard the shouts of “Crucify Him”.  All of that, each step Jesus took on earth was to show us how much He loves us.    Every moment of every day His love reigns down upon us.  Revel in that for a moment.  Let His loving arms hold you close as you reflect on that wonder.

Now it is our turn.  How can we show Jesus our love for Him?  Believe it or not, it is easy!  All He asks of us is to love one another.  Have faith in Him and share His love with others.

Be with those in need.  When we listen to what people are going through, we often say, “I know what you mean” when we don’t or say “I can only imagine what you’re going through” when we cannot.  We can, however, do something powerful for them.  We can love them, right where they are – in their pain and hurt.  We can love them without judgement.  We can love them by holding their hand and praying for them.  Through those actions the true love that Jesus gave to us can be poured on another. 

On this Palm Sunday as we reflect upon Jesus’ entering Jerusalem to shouts of Hosanna and palms raised high, may we remember the journey He was headed for – the journey of love that He was taking for us.  That journey would result in being betrayed and denied by disciples, being spat upon, and whipped, wearing a crown of thorns, carrying a cross as people scoffed him, and finally being crucified.  All of this because Jesus loved us – so much He was willing to die in our place.  May we love others as He has asked us to! 

Dearest Jesus, your gift of love is so great that it is difficult for us to fathom.  Your journey on this earth ended in your crucifixion, which was all done for us because you love us.  May we reflect upon your deep love for us this Holy Week.  May we spend time sharing the love with others that you so graciously gave to us, Jesus.  In your loving name we pray.  Amen!