A Love That Pursues

Advent Week 4 – LOVE

By Simon & Tamira Johnson

Ephesians 3:18-19

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

Luke 15:3-6

In response, Jesus gave them this illustration: “There once was a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy, he raised it up, placed it on his shoulders, and carried it back with cheerful delight! Returning home, he called all his friends and neighbors together and said, ‘Let’s have a party! Come and celebrate with me the return of my lost lamb.  It wandered away, but I found it and brought it home.’ “ 

Matthew 22:36-40

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

John 13:34-35 TPT

“So I give you now a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you.  For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.” 

A Love That Pursues

By Simon and Tamira Johnson

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God 
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine 
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away 
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
--Chorus from the song ‘Reckless Love’ by Cory Asbury

Many of us are most likely familiar with these lyrics and the powerful imagery they have.  Drawn from the verses in Luke 15, they reveal a glimpse of what a wholly pursuing love looks like. The love of a shepherd who, once he realized that one of his sheep was lost, was willing to leave the rest of his flock in order recover the one.  A relentless search (“chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found”) that didn’t stop until that lost sheep was found, and, when it was, the shepherd celebrated by having a party with his friends and neighbors!  It’s this same kind of love that we believe He has for us, when we sing this song and read these verses.  

The commandments above, in Matthew and John, have been pivotal scriptures in our lives.  In the church, it had been our experience that the emphasis was more on the first part of these verses, rather than the second.  “Love others, care for others, serve others”– these are all great things to do, but if it’s not out of a place of already having received and accepted the Father’s love, it can lead to negative outcomes.  If we are spending more time, energy, and effort pouring out and less on filling ourselves up, the math doesn’t add up.  We end up empty, burnt out, worn out, and unhappy with others.  That doesn’t sound like a place the scriptures advise us to go.  “But we’ve been pouring out, doing all the things, loving all the people…aren’t we being Christ-like?”  Even Jesus spent time recharging, praying, and doing, *gasp*, self-care!? Wait, that can’t be right?  “You boys get in the boat and go on ahead; I’m going to hike up this mountain for some alone time.” (Matthew 14:22-23 Jesus’ words greatly paraphrased).  After spending this kind of time with the Father and understanding the way His love works and how He pursues us with it, we can see beyond the natural expression of love that we give and receive as humans, and grow in our understanding of His love working in us and through us.  

Reflection:

During the holiday season, too often we experience the stress of trying to meet expectations and fulfill traditions, when all we really long for are meaningful connections and to give and receive love.  Our hope for all of us is to be able to lean into God’s presence and experience His overwhelming, never-ending, always-pursing love.  A love that brings healing and wholeness to us, so that we can genuinely and completely love others well.  A love that will be recognized and received as the Father’s love through us and point others to Him. 

Let’s Pray:

Lord, help us to take hold of the opportunities to bask in your love this Christmas season. Help up us to reach out in humility for a greater understanding of Your love and how we can love others better.  Help us to have patience in this fast-paced world, to stop and take meaningful time with You and those we care about.  Thank You that you are always pursuing us with Your love and affection.  We love you and look forward to new revelations of Your love each day.  In Jesus’ name, amen.