Day 26 – Selfless Love
One of our Chaplains shared the other day that the most difficult part of his job is watching guys that he has poured his life into make the decision to go back onto the streets and feed their destructive addiction. I could relate to his pain. Perhaps the toughest part is not knowing if you will ever see them again?
Matthew 23:37-39 (ESV)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'”
Jesus had this very kind of selfless love for Jerusalem, a love like that of a mother hen who loves and protects her chicks, for the very people who would end up crucifying him. The best news is that he still has that love for us:
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
How will you respond, today, to that kind of love?
Rev. Andy Bales
President/CEO of Union Rescue Mission