Pastor John D Jakes

There is just something about Christmas. I don’t know if it is the lights or the time with family or if it is the feel-good movies, but it seems that so many people are talking about love this time of year. They aren’t talking about infatuation or romance like they do in February. They talk about love as a commitment to bless the people in their lives. They talk about love as valuing and holding close those that are precious to you. The whole world (in my part of the world) talks about sharing that love to others through acts of benevolence or kindness.

Yet, I think of all the people who don’t know that they are loved. They feel lonely or isolated. They feel insignificant or worthless. They do not understand how much they are loved by others – and especially, God.

Consider this prayer of Paul the apostle, “¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… ¹⁸ [that you] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

Paul was praying for his Christian family in Ephesus that they would understand some important truths. Those truths led to this prayer – that they would know the great love of God found in Jesus. He loves them. He loves them to such great measure that Paul uses building terms to express its greatness: length, width, height, depth. 4 directions, that is how great the love of God found in Jesus is for us!

So, let me ask you – when was the last time you really let the greatness of God’s love in Jesus wash over you? When did you let yourself feel truly secure in that love? When did that love motivate you, comfort you, empower you, or help you walk through a valley?

Let me encourage you this Christmas – God does love you. He loves you. He doesn’t just sit looking at you with a sour expression because you don’t measure up. He isn’t wondering if He could have done better. He loves you. Let Him love you like Paul says that He already does. His love for you is high. It is wide. It is long. It is deep. Rest in that!

May your Christmas be bright!

Pastor John