A Special Love

Bible Reading: Romans 5:8-11

“I really don’t see what’s so special about Jesus dying to save people,” Brad stated bluntly. His mother stared at him in disbelief. “Well, I don’t!” he said. “Lots of soldiers have died so we can be free.”

“That’s true, Brad,” said Mom, “and I’d say that’s pretty amazing and special, wouldn’t you?”

“Well, sure,” said Brad, “but what I mean is, if I could save a bunch of people by dying like they did, I’d do it too. At least, I hope I would. Well, when Jesus died, he saved millions of people from going to hell. Wouldn’t lots of people be willing to do that?”

Mom raised her brows. “Dying for our sins involved more than just physical death,” she said. “Jesus’ sacrifice was much greater than soldiers dying for their country. Think of it this way—would you die for a thousand grasshoppers?”

A broad grin spread over Brad’s face. “Are you kidding? No way!”

“Well, when you compare grasshoppers to us, they seem very small and unimportant, don’t they?” Mom replied. “When you compare us to God, don’t you think we seem just as small and unimportant?”

Brad frowned. “I never thought of it like that.” He was startled at the idea. It was a bit scary to think of himself as little as a grasshopper in comparison to God.

“But, Brad,” continued Mom, “there’s a big difference between how you see a grasshopper and how God sees you. You don’t care a thing for grasshoppers, but God loves you! That’s why Jesus came to earth. You’re so important to Him that He willingly died to save you from sin because He knows you’re totally incapable of saving yourself. Love makes all the difference in the world.”

“I guess so,” Brad said.

His mother hugged him. “That’s how much Jesus loves you, Brad. Soldiers have died to give us earthly freedoms, but they can’t free us from sin. Only Jesus can do that. He was willing to take the punishment for your sin so you could be saved and have eternal life.”

“Wow. That is special, isn’t it?” Brad said thoughtfully. “That’s a special love!” Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?

Do you appreciate what Jesus did for you on the cross? He died for you so you could have eternal life with Him! That’s a special love. All the love you hear about on Valentine’s Day is nothing compared to the love Jesus has for you. Have you accepted His gift of salvation? If not, trust Him as your Savior today!

Today’s Key Verse:
Romans 5:8 God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Today’s Key Thought:

God loves you