No Greater Love

No Greater Love "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave." (Song of Songs 8:6)

"May I help you find what you're looking for?" asked the retailer, gesturing toward the gifts? "No, thanks" I responded, "I'll know it when I see it." When you think about it, many of our needs are validated in like manner--when we "see it." And paradoxically, when it comes to our deepest need (for love), it's often recognized...only after it's been given away. While the romantic notions celebrated on Valentine's Day clamor for our attention, there are other attachments of the heart, which are an order of magnitude more powerful. Aside from just sentimentality, physical attraction or a kindred spirit, there's a graceful form of love the ancients labeled "agape"…a love that gives without measure, unconditionally. More than a presence of mind, agape spurs action from a deep and abiding commitment that's characterized by a willingness to meet someone's needs in a manner that can't otherwise be satisfied. Wide and deep, "you know it when you see it." It's a greater love that's willing to sacrifice by way of: Provision... Seen in eyes weary yet warm, the broad affection, like that of parent for child, provides "life equipping" sacrifice in…unflagging encouragement, patient instruction, tireless supervision, logistical demands, 2nd jobs and the prayer "without ceasing" necessary to secure "better" lives for our children. When one of my daughter's was a toddler, I remember the delight we shared by repeating a question and answer, time and again..."How much does Daddy love Jackie?" With arms spread apart, we would assure each other..."this much!" The width of two hands extended across the horizon imparted...my love for you knows no bounds. Protection... Seen with bayonet affixed and driven to ground, the vertical image of an upright M16 rises from empty boots to meet a solitary helmet, poised in mid-air...to display a depth of devotion that only a soldier's "life defending" sacrifice could make. Too often this symbolic configuration includes the "band of brothers" that mourn their fallen comrade's defense of liberty. It was the Lord who said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." And while our words of remorse may fail to console the military and law enforcement families, each day that dawns on freedom, heralds tribute anew to liberty's brave sentries…in that they loved their country "this much." Propitiation... Could there be any love greater than these? Before you answer, consider what was pictured on that hill just outside of Jerusalem. Jutting from rock, a rough-hewn timber beam acted as the "lighting rod" of God's perfect justice. With "I love you" written in red, the penalty that was to be our own, instead was born by the One who

called us into existence. So great was His love for humanity that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." The vertical reach of "Jacob's ladder" now reconnects heaven and earth with a sacrificial love that only God could offer. And with hands extended across the horizon, you and I are invited to know a peace that passes all understanding. In the face of such a deep and "redeeming love"-- if God be for us, who can stand against us? And in the Spirit of such a broad and "reconciling love," what offense can we hold that shouldn't be forgiven? Because "God is love" though, the best that we can muster is a mere reflection of this power. Yet in Him, barriers between God and man are removed (Eph 2:14). Released from the debt of our own sin, then gone too is the need to elevate self. For in Him, reconciliation with God lays the foundation of reconciliation with man...And in Him, this present "valley of tears" will one day give way to an eternity that knows no want, and holds no fear, for all who would be saved...by grace through faith in Christ. The Greatest Love... Juxtaposed at the cross of Calvary are the breadth and depth of the greatest love, put on display for all the ages...For at that cross, we find protection from the penalty of certain judgment that our sinfulness demands...At that cross, we gain access to the power that overcomes a waywardness that would otherwise infect our souls and damage our relationships...And at that cross, we're humbled by the promise that we too can experience immortality, in redemptive harmony with the One who suffered death to grant us life. Patterned now in the risen Christ, we're extended His seal on our hearts, securing the redeemed perfection of the world to come. May I help you find what you're looking for? Surely you've seen it...in the wide and welcoming arms of mothers and fathers. Certainly it hasn't been missed...in our nation's salute to the flag-draped coffin. And definitely it's in store...for any who attempt to fathom the boundless dimensions of our Savior's sacrificial love at Calvary. Especially during the Easter season, I cordially invite you to discover a love that's wider and deeper than anything you can imagine. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38,39) "How much do you love me?" we ask. With arms open wide the Father says "this much." "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [as] the propitiation for our sins." (1Jn 4:10) Know greater love, Roy J. Tanner