Advent Week 2
God’s paradoxical command to love isn’t based on feelings or the way others treat us. It’s an untamed, wild passion that defies our human sensibilities.
By Roy Harryman
I am not the sentimental type when it comes to religious observances. I’ve never longed wistfully for Christmas Eve services, carols or hymns. Manger scenes? Meh. If you love them, that’s great. We’re all different.
I bring this up because Christmas can evoke strong emotions. We might call it “getting into the Christmas Spirit.” For a day or two we may even dreamily entertain thoughts of peace on earth and goodwill toward humanity.
There’s nothing right or wrong about any of this.
But beyond what we feel (or don’t), Christmas is a historic gesture of the love of God. How? He released his son Jesus into a violent, unforgiving world of people who, for the most part, just didn’t care.
But humanity’s indifference and hostility did not deter God, or his son Jesus, from loving us. We use the term “cold and calculating” to describe someone who plots evil without guilt or shame.
“We could invent the phrase ‘warm and calculating’ to describe God’s plan to demonstrate his love toward the people of the world. It wasn’t sentimental. It still isn’t.”
To use modern vernacular, that verse is a microphone dropping moment. “You want to know what love is? I’ll tell you what love is! Jesus Christ willingly laid down his life for us. BOOM. Top that.”
The beauty of God’s act is that it leaves no room to doubt his love. Feelings come and go, but God’s historic act of love echoes in eternity.
But that’s not all. The passage (1 John 3:16-18) continues:
“And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
If that doesn’t rattle us, we’re dead inside. God’s supreme act of love was not given to us because we deserved it. He just loves us. Because he does. But his love has implications: If we have been so loved, then we must love the way God does.
In the Gospels, Jesus even tells us to love our enemies and pray for them.
Gulp.
That means loving the “unlovable.” And if we’re honest, all of us – certainly me – can be unlovable. Take away a few comforts, mess up my routine, treat me badly and … well you get it.
But … love is not based on feelings or circumstances. So, even at my disgruntled worst, I am called to love. In fact, the reason the Bible orders us to love one another is because it’s often the thing that feels the most unnatural. Wrong me and I’ll wrong you back, plus interest. Yet in the power of God, we can respond differently.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – Jesus in John 13:34-35
Love costs. It cost God. It costs us. But this revolutionary love is the only thing that will transform us and make a difference in our world.
Advent is about waiting. But it’s also about action. Whom do we need to love? To forgive? Do we need to seek reconciliation with someone? Or are we still waiting for them to admit they’re wrong (“you go first”)?
The time to love has arrived.
PRAYER
“God, thank you for sending Jesus into the world in the humble form of a child. You let him grow up in a world where he was hated, misunderstood and ultimately killed – all on our behalf. You modeled love perfectly and held nothing back. Lord, help us to see people as you do. Help us to love imperfect (even despicable!) people – because all of us are imperfect and even act despicably sometimes. Thank you that we’re perfectly loved by you. Help us to love without flinching. Amen.”
See also
Roy Harryman is a regular guy who is thankful for God’s work in his life and is looking forward to its continuation and fulfillment.