Loving Without Being Loved In Return

We are in the midst of the Easter season, and unfortunately, many seem to only think about new clothes, Easter baskets, chocolate bunnies, Easter egg hunts, and where to go for dinner. Have you even thought about the real Easter story and what cost was paid for the opportunity for you and I to be saved?

Let me ask a question, have you ever really loved someone that didn't love you back? If so, then you understand the heartache it brings. I recall, in the book of Hosea, the story of Hosea and Gomer. The woman he married was a prostitute. Yes, that's what she was, a woman of the streets who could be found in the red light district of town, one who sold herself for money and stood on the corner waiting for someone to come by and partake of her so called charm. Despite her profession, Hosea fell deeply in love with Gomer and married her. Gomer became pregnant and had a son. Shortly afterward, she went back to prostitution and seemed to forget about her husband and son. After a period of time, Hosea went looking for Gomer and brought her back home. She had two other children a daughter and another son, but after each one, she'd go back out on the street, and Hosea would go find her and bring her back. Hosea gave Gomer everything a woman would want--a nice home, fine clothes, perfume, and money; but she still continued to go back out on the streets.

In comparison, in John 3:16 the Word of God speaks of the love Jesus had for you and I despite our conditions. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Yet, we keep going away from Him, not giving Him our all, not obeying His Word, but He still loves us so much that He keeps calling us and wanting us to return to Him. He gives us life, health, protection, and prosperity, but how soon we forget and turn our backs on Him again and again. I can't help but think how hurt He must be—loving us without us loving Him with the same sacrifice and intensity in return.

Why not repent, return to Him and begin to love Him the way He loves us. Jesus paid a great price on the Cross of Calvary for you and I, and we owe him our lives.