A fragrant offering
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
It’s the kind of love we’ve sought ever since we were old enough to understand fairy tales. We wanted to be treasured as a someone who is deeply worthy. It’s the kind of love we look for in our future or present husbands. But fairy tales can’t come close to this kind of love and even husbands, though if they are Christ-followers will strive to imitate this love, can never be expected to fully measure up to this love. Because the love that Christ has for us is so indescribable that it changed the fate of world and the potential destiny of our lives.
This is a love who gave himself up.
It’s not something we’d expect. A surrender should come from the people, not the King. He shouldn’t have to give up anything, let alone himself. But this isn’t a story of the King falling in love with one day and then riding off into the sunset with no commitment. Jesus knew us from the beginning of time and made a choice that he would do anything to keep us from being separated from him.
And separated we were. Satan took the first opportunity to turn our eyes away from the loving eyes of God, tempting us with plastic versions of God’s love, only for us to later find out they were empty schemes to claim our hearts. Sadly, we still listen to the devil, thinking the next pretty thing he put together might be better than the last and might finally satisfy us.
All the while, while we were still sinners, Jesus was already saving us and loved us enough to give himself up.
And when he did, the world shook and the separation between us and God was ripped in two (Matthew 27:51). Every hopelessly closed door between us and God was now able to be open because our sin no longer had to be piled up in front of it. Jesus willingly shouldered it all.
The sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb killed to rescue his damsel in distress (the Bride of Christ), was a beautiful offering in God’s eyes.
And for those of us who are His Bride (Christians), his sacrifice means everything. Every day that we keep it in the forefront of our heart, we realize that the love we have sought for so long is finally ours.
But it’s our choice.
Because God has been patiently waiting for each one of us and all of us as mankind to realize he is the answer. He makes himself known, but he doesn’t force us out of our free will. To have any true relationship with him, we must choose him.
And when we do, sin is gone, doors are opened, and the One who is called Faithful and True lives up to his name, radiantly beaming at his beautiful now-pure Bride and welcoming us Home with open arms.
While we were still sinners… - Romans 5:8
Faithful and True - Revelation 19:11
