Why? Does it make much difference to our understanding? I think so!
Read Genesis 22:1-19.
Where it is placed in Scripture has a divine purpose. Its position reveals God’s estimation and expectation. Placing it in Genesis 22 reveals love’s essential nature. The man of faith, Abraham, is called upon to offer as a sacrifice Isaac, the son of promise, the son he loved.
They go to the appointed mountain with two servants. Abraham leaves the servants at the base camp promising he and Isaac would return. That’s faith on Abraham’s part. What about Isaac? His obedience to his father is the greatest expression of trust displayed.
As we approach Easter (better term is Passover) can you recognize the foreshadowing of Christ and Calvary? There is however a major difference. There was no substitute ram for Jesus. He was, and is, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World (John 1:29).
Love embraces sacrifice. Love is an act of giving: John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The highest form of sacrificial love humanly speaking is what Jesus defined as, “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) The Lord went beyond that. Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
That is how true love is defined. It is such love which possesses the disciples of Christ to enable them to love the unlovely, serve the ungrateful, be merciful to their enemies, endure hardship and count it a privilege to know Christ Jesus as Lord, Saviour, and Companion on the way to the Father’s house.
Prayer: I’m overwhelmed beloved Lord! I respond in gratitude with a desire to grow in love for and understanding of you. May you give me strength to show such love to others.
“This is how we know what love is; Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16)
Ray - who loves because HE first loved!
How is YOUR "Love Life?"
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