Digging Deeper: A Love Like No Other
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
A LOVE LIKE NO OTHER
Several years ago, I had to drive around interstate 285 to get to and from work. At one point there was a billboard that I passed daily. It was solid black and had white letters that said, “Don’t make me come down there. – God.” Unfortunately, it is not far off from how I think about God sometimes – that He is just waiting to pounce when I mess up.
In contrast, Dane Ortlund in Gentle and Lowly describes Jesus as “Meek. Humble. Gentle. Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms.” Jesus’ love for us far surpasses anything we will understand this side of heaven. Genuine love has a tenderness, gentleness to it that is like no other.
We see a glimpse of what this looks like when Jesus appears to the disciples after His resurrection. In John 20 we read, “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” Thomas was not with them at this point and when the disciples told him about seeing the Lord, he said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later Jesus appears with the disciples again and this time Thomas is present. Jesus says to him specifically, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” This moment with Thomas is so powerful and loving. Jesus knows exactly what Thomas has said and He gently allows him to not only see His scars, but to touch them.
The disciples were Jesus’ closest confidants during His earthly ministry. They had been firsthand witnesses to His teachings and miracles. They should have known who He was, recognized His voice, and yet they doubted it was Him. Jesus did not respond harshly, question them, or point His finger. He fully understood what they needed to believe and gave it to them.
May we all recognize today how incredibly compassionate God is. And just like He was with Thomas, He knows us intimately and gently loves us where we are.
Bridget Turner serves as the Director of Women’s Groups at NorthStar Church. She and her husband, Steve, live in Powder Springs and have two young adult children, Hannah and Joshua. She enjoys watching football, traveling and reading.