The Extravagant Love of Jesus: An Isaiah 53 Devotional
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
A Personal Story of Love and Sacrifice
I was getting ready to leave work when I burst into tears. I’d lost one of my pearl earrings—a precious gift. I tried retracing my steps through the restaurant kitchen but it left me empty handed. My brother, who also worked with me, noticed my tears. When I told him what had happened, he immediately went into action, putting on gloves and searching the garbage bins. He sifted through spoiled lettuce, empty bags, mushed bits fried potatoes and chicken, and old grease and slime. I swatted at my tears and watched him, touched by his sincere desire to help.
That moment is one of my favorite memories of my brother’s love. He was sweaty and tired from working in the kitchen. He smelled like grease, chicken, and soured sugary milk. Yet, he still took the time to look for my earring because it was precious to me.
That moment also reminds me of the love of Jesus. Just as my brother sifted through trash to find my precious earring, Jesus sifted through our sin and shame to restore eternal life to us.
The Love of Jesus: Suffering for Our Salvation
Jesus’s love for us is radical, incomprehensible, otherworldly, and extravagant. Despite being God and King, Jesus humbled Himself, lived a simple life, and endured ridicule (Isaiah 53:3). He was betrayed, mocked, and ultimately crucified by those He came to save. Yet His love for us never wavered.
In John 15:13, Jesus teaches, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” He laid down His life willingly, enduring unimaginable pain to offer us eternal life and restoration.
Most importantly, Jesus’s love is free. It cannot be earned; it must simply be accepted. We can do nothing to deserve His love and yet He still loves us.
Love that Leads to Restoration
My brother found my earring. It was broken and no longer wearable. Still, he washed it off and returned it to me. Despite not being able to wear it, I kept it for many years. The earring became a reminder of my brother’s love, and I cherished it even more.
Similarly, through Jesus’s love, we have received a treasure more precious than a pearl. We have received eternal life. Jesus, our spiritual big brother, loved us enough to rescue us from our distress and restore our salvation.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus’s love is sacrificial and beyond comprehension (Isaiah 53:4-6).
- His death and resurrection restore us, giving us eternal life.
- Jesus loves us deeply, even in our brokenness.
- Accepting His love leads to peace and a relationship with Him.
Prayer: Thanking Jesus for His Love
Dear Jesus, thank you for your extravagant love. Thank you for everything you endured on the cross so that I could one day be with you in heaven. Lord, please strengthen my faith and help me to become more aware of your great love for me. Teach me how to honor you and share your extravagant love with others. In Jesus name I pray, amen!
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Noelle Williams
Nice to meet you, friend! I'm a Christian and inspirational blogger. I write Christian living tips, devotionals, and prayers to encourage my fellow believers in their journey of faith.
