Extravagance and Love

A few years ago there was a true story about a man in New York City who was kidnaped. His kidnappers called his wife and asked for $100,000 ransom. She talked them down to $30,000.

The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But, don't you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife had actually haggled with the kidnappers over the price?

Try to imagine with me what the negotiations must have been like: "$100,000 for that old guy?! You have got to be kidding me. Just look at him! Look at that gut! Look at that bald head! What’s left is graying. You should hear him get out of bed in the morning. It sounds like a bowl of Rice Crispies, snap, crackle and pop. You want $100,000 for that? You have got to be kidding me. Give me a break! $10,000 is my top offer. $75,000? You’re still way too high! I’ll go to $20,000 and that’s it. $50,000? Oh, come on! I don’t have time for this. $30,000 take it or leave.”

Some reading this can identify with the wife in that story, but for some reason I find myself identifying with the husband. I'd like to think if it were me in that situation, there would be people who would spare no expense to get me back, especially my wife. They wouldn't haggle over the price. They wouldn't say, 'Well, let me think about it.' I’d like to think that they would say, “We'll do anything you ask to get him back alive."

I am forever grateful that Jesus didn’t bargain for me and for you. When He realized the ransom for rescuing us from death and destruction He did not back up or reconsider. He just laid down His life for us. There was no question whether the price was too high or whether we were worth it. I don’t know about you, but it would probably change my relationship with someone who paid a price to ransom me in this life. You’ve heard stories about the bond between those who have been saved by acts of bravery and the person who risked their life to save them. Or the bond between a person who received an organ transplant and the donor or the family of the donor. There is a special connection there.

If you feel or ever have felt worthless or less than valuable, if you ever question your importance to anyone just stop and think about the value that God has placed on your head. He gave his Son’s life for you. He watched them beat His Son without mercy till the Bible said in Isaiah that His faced was so disfigured He was not recognizable. God watched as they drove nails through His hands and feet, as they raised the cross in the air and dropped into the hole prepared for it causing every bone in His body to be disjointed. Read Psalm 22 for a graphic, prophetic description of the crucifixion. Not once did it say God had second thoughts. He considered you and me worth the price. Extravagant love!

All of us have experienced that moment when we had the opportunity to express love to someone special with a gift. When at other times we might look at the price tag and shop for a bargain, at this time we spare no expense. The price is not an issue. The relationship means everything. God did not spare even His own Son to save us. Let’s make His investment, His expression of love worthwhile. Let’s give Him a great return on His investment. Oh, I don’t mean by what we do. We could never do enough. I mean by how we love Him. Just love Him. How do we do that?

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

We are told to love God extravagantly, withholding nothing. But how do we do that? Emotions and feelings aren’t enough for the human understanding. Then Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s it! We love God by loving his children. We often say the way to the heart of a parent is to love their children. The way to the heart of God is to love His children. So love those around you (that’s what neighbors are), and you are loving God.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for loving me in a way I can never really imagine. Thank you for not bargaining for me, but just being willing to pay the price for my eternal salvation. Thank you Jesus, for laying down Your life for me. Help me, empower me to love You extravagantly and to live for You extravagantly. AMEN.

Blessings!
Pastor Roger