How Much Does God Love Us?

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18-21 ESV).

 

This week we will begin to look at the meaning of the Fourth Candle of Advent. As we have worked our way through the first three candles we have seen hope, peace, and joy. This week we will look at the first fruit of the Holy Spirit – love (cf. Galatians 5:22).  It is interesting to note that these four topics represented by the candles work their way backwards from the list of the Apostle Paul. Love comes first in the fruit of the Spirit because love is the primary fruit of the Spirit. It is the most important fruit of the Spirit and encompasses all the rest. Love comes last in the four candles around the outside of the Advent Wreath, because love is also the most important of these, and in Advent we are working our way towards the most important aspect of Christmas, which is God’s love for us in Christ, which will also be symbolized by the final center white candle. Tradition knows that candle as “the Christ Candle.”

 

We will be looking at a number of Scriptures this week, though we will see each of the descriptions of love in our reading today. We see the love of Joseph for Mary; Mary’s love for Jesus; God’s love for sinners; and, our love for others. Each has a place as the Holy Spirit begins to bear fruit through our lives. Today, however, I want to encourage you to think of how much God must love us in order to take on humanity and come to make the sacrifice necessary for us to have life with Him.

 

I remember my first introduction to the clearest Scripture dealing with the answer to that question. My first year at Texas A&M was much more than academic. It also gave me the opportunity to learn the traditions and culture of the university. The Memorial Student Center was one of those traditions. It was a memorial to all the Aggies who had given their live and service in defense of our nation. A plaque at the front door quoted from the Apostle John: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 ESV). The perfect example of such a selfless act is found in Jesus giving His life for us. There is no measurement that is adequate to account for that much love. Ponder that during this last week of Advent.