Receiving love comes with the obligation of giving love.

   Anyone can give love and have it not returned to them.  Think of the love struck high schooler.  But to accept love does require giving of love.  You cannot accept love without giving love in return.  The acceptance of love requires a response.  Not a “thank you”, but actually love.  It is not like a cash transaction.

   This may seem a bit abstract.  Think again of the love struck high schooler.  A boy has an affection for a girl that he calls love.  Nervously, he makes his feelings of love known.  At this point, she can reject him and his love or accept him and his love.  She would not claim to accept him and his love and simply walk away.  Yet, this is how so many people treat Jesus.

   Jesus has put His heart out there and has made His love known to us.  He died a most torturous death just to say, “I LOVE YOU!”.  We must either accept Him and His Love or reject Him and His Love.  There is no way to accept His Love without returning love.  We cannot claim to accept Jesus and His Love and simply go about our lives without Him and loving Him.  We must now walk with Jesus, which will undoubtedly be a visual sign for others, just like a love struck high school boy walking with his girlfriend.

   We know that Jesus loves us.  We want to accept it and accept it fully.  But we are afraid of all that it will cost us.  Indeed, it will cost you everything.  Yes, everything!  But you will get the greatest deal if you do so.  You will receive Jesus for all of eternity.  The infinite God becomes ours for all eternity.  Is there a greater gift than that?

   Jesus, help us to see Your great gift of love that You have offered for us and help us to accept Your great Love by giving You our Love. Amen.