COMMUNION MEDITATION: Love As the Lord Loves His People

Love as the Lord Loves His People

It is difficult for us to understand the love God has for His people. Until Jesus came, perhaps the greatest lesson on God’s love was the life of Hosea.

The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” – Hosea 3:1

God had told him to marry Gomer. At the time He called her “an adulterous wife.” It is not clear whether she was already an adulteress or would become one.

The marriage was blessed with a son whom God named Jezreel. This name referred to God’s activity in judging the house of Israel, especially the family of King Jehu.

The second child was a daughter whom God named Lo-Ruhamah. This name declared the end of God’s mercy on His people. Perhaps by now, Hosea is wondering if this child is even his.

When Gomer had a third child, another daughter, God named her Lo-Ammi. This name given by God declared, “This is not my people.” Hosea knew this child was not his. Then Gomer left him to live with her lovers. Eventually, they cast her aside, and she became a slave.

Then God said to Hosea, “Go, show your love to your wife again. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites….” So Hosea found her in the slave market and redeemed her for 15 shekels of silver and a few ounces of barley.

God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 8:8

God took the initiative to bring me into His family as the bride of Christ, His Son. I served other gods – the gods of selfishness, ego, and mammon. In fact, I sometimes still love those gods more than I love the LORD God. If God gave me a name based on my actions, would it be like the names God gave Gomer’s children: “He shall be judged,” “No mercy for him,” “He is not mine!”

Yet, He loves me. In fact, nothing in all creation can separate me from the love of God. I cannot even do that myself. If I sin against Him, He still loves me. He will not force me to love Him, but love me He will.

Will I return His love? This Table calls me to love Him. How will I respond?