In our society, from the time we're children, we're taught cause and effect. Why did my pencil fall off the table? Because of gravitational pull. Why did grandpa die? Because he had a heart attack, and his body shut down.
Why did Jesus die for me?
Well, because He loves you, and wanted to redeem you from sin.
Why does Jesus love me?
The text tonight was 2 Thessalonians 2:13: "We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the Truth."
I don't want to get into Calvinism. Just read the verse for what it is. The fact is that God loved the individuals in the church at Thessalonica, as He loves each one of us who are His children. But what is the source of that love?
We know what it's not. See Deuteronomy 7:7: "The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand..."
And there's the beautiful imagery of Isaiah 43: "Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you."
But... why? What was good about me? Me - precious? Worthy of honor and love? I think not.
Yet God works off a different economy, not the cold, calculating, scientific measure of cause and effect. He loves me because... He loves me.
Later in Isaiah 43: "I, even I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake." It doesn't even cite my salvation as the necessity, but rather, God's glory. God doesn't give reasons sometimes. It's not because He's cruel or abusive, it's because... He is God. And praise His name, He is slow to anger, abounding in love and mercy, and this week is a special time to remember that He didn't have to come. He could have chosen to not set His love upon us - upon me in particular. Yet, He didn't. He came and suffered beyond belief because He loved me, because... He loved me. And He died. But the best, most amazing part is that He rose so that someday, I will have the ability to, as well.
He is risen indeed.
~~~
...And the ship went out into the high sea and passed on into the West, until at last on a night of rain a sweet fragrance came on the air and a sound of singing came over the water. And then it seemed... the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores, and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise...
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