Because He First Loved Us

Because He First Loved Us

“and they found him and said to him, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’”  -Mark 3:37

Whenever Osama Bin Laden claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks on 9/11, one of the largest manhunts in U.S. history was launched to find him. At one point in time, a bounty of 50 million dollars was offered for anyone who captured or killed Bin Laden. In May of 2011, Bin Laden was killed in an operation by the special operations group seal team six. Soon after the operation, it was announced that the current bounty of 27 million would not be paid to anyone since the operation was orchestrated by the United States itself. Talk about disappointment!

In our world today there are people that are wanted for their physical beauty, their fame, their wealth, or as the case of Osama Bin Laden, for retribution. We seek out people for all kinds of reasons, but when we actually meet them, we are often facing a very different individual than what we fantasized them to be.

Before Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he was the type of person that everyone looked for (Mark 3:37). When it comes to our pursuit of a spiritual life we are sometimes faced with similar responses; we thought God was one thing or would provide something for us, and our fabricated expectations weren’t met. One of the most difficult questions a Christian must answer is the question of why God is so important to you? 

In 1 John, we are told that we know the love of God because Christ “laid down his life for us” (3:16) and that we love him “because he first loved us” (4:19). The love we have for our heavenly father is similar to the love a child has for their parents. Just as a parent prepares for their child to come and grow in their home, God has made provision for us since the beginning of time (Eph. 1:4). With that in mind, we should recognize that God’s provision predates our own existence.

Do you desire the Savior that came to save you, or do you desire only the salvation that he provides? God desires a relationship with you, not just to be a provider for you. Will you seek him out to know more than his blessings, but to know the Father?

I Love YOU,

Jonathan Long