Divine Love

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

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I need love, love's divine
Please forgive me now
I see that I've been blind
Give me love, love is what I need
To help me know my name

"Love's Divine" by Seal

Most of the time, this devotional uses the New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible as the scripture source against the song lyrics. I generally prefer its translations, it's my preference. Author's choice.

Nearly every translation renders John 3:16 this way. There is a little deviation, but not much. The New Living Translation does something a little different that is worth sharing.

The NLT begins John 3:16 saying, "For God loved the world so much..." That "so much" means the world to me. For those of us who are sophisticated in the use of the English language and reading of Holy Writ, we know that when most translations say "so loved" they mean "loved so much." But some times, it's worth putting in the extra word.

When you look at your spouse or your child, you will say "I love you so much." It's a way of saying "I love you beyond words" and "I love you more than I ever thought I could love."

The love of God is steadfast. It is the love that was given to humanity before we could appreciate it. In truth, we still can't appreciate the depth and breadth of God's love. We just can't. It's partially because of who we are, but more than that it's because of who God is. That's how much God loves us. God loves us so much that he sent his one and only Son, so that every one who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

This is the divine love of God. Seal's chorus now seems like a prayer, "Please forgive me now I see that I've been blind. Give me love, love is what I need to help me know my name." God loves us so much that in God's divine love, our name is now "Children of Christ."

Future, Love, Paradise

Start the video at 2:25 because for some reason it restarts from there. Thanks.

Matthew 5:3-12 (NRSV)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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But if only you could see them
You would know from their faces
There were kings and queens
Followed by princes and princesses
There were future power people
Throwin love to the loveless
Shining a light 'cause they wanted it seen

Well, there were cries of why
Followed by cries of why not
Can I reach out for you
if that feels good to me?

And the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only love they'll find is paradise
No, the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only love they'll find is paradise (paradise, yeah)

Future, Love, Paradise, by Seal, from Seal (1991)

The image of the grand procession is one of the greatest glory in the Kingdom of Heaven. Imagine the Kings and Queens followed by Princes and Princesses, who (and this is so wonderful) shine the light because they wanted it seen.

These good Kings and Queens don't shine the light for their own glory, they shine the light for the benefit of their subjects. They shined the light to throw love to the loveless. What a wonderfully glorious image-love to the loveless. This is what the Lord wants us to do with the light given in Jesus Christ-to share it with others, others in need. God wants us to share love with the loveless.

This call is given for one simple reason, those who face adversity receive blessings in accord with what they faced. The poor in spirit will receive the kingdom. The mourners comforted. The meek will inherit the earth. Those starved for righteousness will be fed--and filled. The merciful will receive mercy. The pure will see God. The peacemakers will be God's children. Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake will receive the kingdom of heaven.

The light shines--because the Lord wants it seen. And when the light is seen, those who have held it in the name of God's righteousness will bask in the glow of God for all to see. They will bask not so that those who oppress and abuse others may be condemned by it, but so that they too may see it, and know to follow.

This is how God's grace spreads throughout creation, one light at a time being shared with someone who needs to see the light.