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We esteemed him (the Messiah) not. Isaiah 53:1-3

Do you love me (Jesus)? John 21:16

Lord Jesus, Isaiah’s statement rips at our hearts this April Sunday morning. You, who never sinned, became sin for us, that in you, we might receive and become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). By your crushing, we are now cherished. Through your exile on the cross, we have citizenship in God’s heart. By your cruel death, we have everlasting life. Hallelujah!

It’s precisely because of your great love for us that we feel deeply convicted this morning. It’s hard to ignore Isaiah’s words, “we esteemed him not,” and your question to us, “Do you love me?” The riches of your grace, move us to grieve the foolishness of our sin.

There is simply greater NO indictment against us than a lack of esteem for you, Jesus. Why would we ever crave and enjoy the temporal pleasures of sin over the matchless wonders of your love?

You created us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. You redeemed us for yourself; and you desire us and delight in us as no one else ever could. Thank you, Lord.

Yet we still look over your shoulder for people to give us more than you do. Why does the love of a spouse, our children, or friends seem more needful, appealing, and fulfilling than your love for us? Free our foolish hearts.

By your grace and by the power of your resurrection, refresh, renew and intensify our love for you, Lord Jesus. We want to love and enjoy you above everything and everyone else. You will never love us more than you do in this very moment. But we want to love you so much more. So very Amen we pray, in your compassionate and all-worthy name.

 

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