LOVED TO THE UTTERMOST
“- – – having loved His own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”-John 13:1
This is . . .
love in its essence,
love in its consummate blossom and fruit,
love in its ultimate and final perfection.
The love of Jesus bends very low. It travels from Heaven to earth–and there is no science which can compute that distance. It seeks out the chief of sinners–and all human philanthropy is as nothing compared to His all-surpassing love. It is not ashamed even of me–me in all my depravity and my sin.
The love of Jesus gives very much. It wins my pardon, although my transgressions are scarlet in their dye, and countless in their multitude. It brings me holiness, although I am prone to evil. It fills my cup to overflowing with the rich and gladdening wine of Heaven!
The love of Jesus suffers very deeply. It was not by some word of kingly majesty alone–it was not easily and in a moment–that He made me the possessor of these incalculable blessings. God spared not His own Son. The Son spared not Himself. There was no bitterness from which He shrank–there was no punishment which He did not bear, for me!
The love of Jesus lasts very long. What shall separate me from it?
Life will not, with its manifold trials and temptations.
Death will not, with its icy chill.
Eternity will not, with its unending years!
–By Alexander Smellie, 1899
No wonder that Paul wrote, “– that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge-–” Ephesians 3:17-19
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
